Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Iron Widow - Seele in Ketten by Xiran Jay Zhao

96 reviews

slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Trigger Warnings: of sexual assault, domestic violence, suicidal ideation, glass bubble, and abusive themes.

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adventurous dark reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first but I also don't think it's bad either. 

Well I think the plot of watching her go through having woken up Qin is really interesting I also don't like it at the same time... Or I guess wished that it had happened differently, as there were several aspects I just wasn't a fan of. I liked some of the political stuff but wish it had focused on a few topics instead of throwing like 50 topics at us, or had gradually put them in. But I also get why, given how they were written in. Also
Really not a fan of Qin or the "he grew to love her." He ripped out her spine while they were connected .. dude that is abuse. So, I just... Nope. Dont care. And hate how out poly couple is pretty much on the back burner and really hope we see more of them, but my heart broke when that trust was broke. But also like how it was handled, but yeah... Anyone's trust would be.


Overall still enjoyed the book, and looking forward to the next. 

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I found Zheng and Zetian's relationship and the class war to be the most stable portions of the book. Anything that involved the Court of Heaven felt like it was either unsteady or falling apart at the seams at the end.

I really enjoyed watching Zheng's rule and how Zetian not only learned from it, but created her own group within it. Book 3 will likely still have some remnants of these factions and I'm curious to see how they're put to use.

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

What is there to say but stellar. 
Lives up to the excellence of the book before. 

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adventurous emotional tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

A well written book focusing on traversing individual relationships and political landscapes.

The main character Zetian is an obviously flawed character who has risen from commoner prisoner to empress and now has to deal with balancing the politics of her new position as well as her relationship with the new emperor, while trying to protect the two men she loves (a polyamourous relationship).

While her going into a relationship with the emperor was not something I particularly enjoyed, I can see how this was done for political necessity and comfort. However, I truly despised his character from the start and this opinion has not changed, while I can see how a character put of time may face difficulties, it gave me little to no sympathy towards him (Although I suspect we were never meant to like him). 

I would have been interested to see Zetian fighting against true gods but I am curious to see where the third book will go in terms of introducing an intergalactic landscape and the challenges that come with it.

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Amazing book. I am loving this series and cannot wait for the next book.
I am enthralled with the character advancement and changes in detail as Zetian becomes more informed on deeper layers of her main struggles with gender politics, societal constructs, and power dynamics around personal vs community freedom. Its great watching her work with what she has and try to make the most of her situation. 

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark emotional reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

I'd give it more if not for the sex scenes. Yes, it's the will of the author, but I didn't like them. I don't like when book series that don't start with romantic/sexual elements end up getting them later. When I realized it would get extreme, I simply skipped over them. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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