Reviews with content warning for Pregnancy - Iron Widow - Seele in Ketten

Reviews tagging 'Pregnancy'

Iron Widow - Seele in Ketten by Xiran Jay Zhao

151 reviews

rambles's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

I think this book could have used a few more rounds of edits. There were some points that dragged but the good parts were really good. The ending is wild in the best way.

Content Warnings

careinthelibrary's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous tense fast-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

YES YES YES 🙌🏻 an excellent sequel.

Content Warnings

hannah_is_reading's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark tense fast-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

Absolutely wild in the best way.

Content Warnings

cattheteawitchfairy's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This book is messed up but in a good way and I really enjoyed it! After waiting for so long for it to come out, I’m glad to see a continuation of the story, with extra titbits to think about.

Not sure what to say really other than make sure to read the first book (everything is connected!) and that this book did not go how I expected! Make sure to check the content warnings (there is a list at the start of the book but be extra careful as this book is extremely dark!)

I cannot wait for the next one!

Content Warnings

yvaeht_theavy's review against another edition

2.5

dark inspiring reflective tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I enjoyed the story, not as much as Iron Widow, probably bc it had less action. I feel like a large portion of the book is unnecessary, though great commentary on social/political issues that reflect today's world. There was plenty of buildup towards the ending, but I feel like

the whole part in the heavens was very rushed. I wish there was more to that, rather than the repetition of political speeches back on earth.

Content Warnings

nebulamarcus's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging informative inspiring tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This sequel does not disappoint and delves further into Huaxia than before. Even just a peek into the greater world outside the Great Walls and to the heavenly courts.

There is a lull mostly filled with political and society build up, things of which Zetian needed to know for her future plans, so the big action only comes sporadically. However the pay off of waiting is worth it for the ending cliffhanger. There's only so much more to come.

If you loved the expansive growth of the "Locked Tomb" series by Tamsyn Muir you'll love this series as well.

Content Warnings

sheyri's review against another edition

4.0

challenging inspiring reflective fast-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

Content Warnings

zeros_and_ones's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

violetends's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional tense 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

This was certainly a wild ride. A bit more heavy-handed than the first and definitely way more political. I thoroughly enjoyed the exploration of the revolutionary efforts and once again felt like the characters aren't idealistic images to strive for but rather contemplations about these specific characters' behaviour within the conditions the plot confronts them with. And thus also explorations of specific types of theoretic PoVs if their proponents were to end up in this situation. (Looking at you, purely theory-driven type of masc communist who'd throw an angry tantrum if anyone suggests the inclusion of intersectional perspectives.)

I was definitely taken aback by the not-romance subplot and I still don't know how to feel about it. Even though I have to say,

communism-adjacent revolutionary leader Qin Zheng suggesting "private property" as sexual safe word had me laughing out loud.

Unfortunately, the big revelation at the end felt quite predictable as with the first novel. Nevertheless, so much tension and high-paced fun! I really really hope there's going to be a third book!

Content Warnings

kal517's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous dark tense 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

Content Warnings

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