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storyorc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
For as fresh as the content feels, this book's form needed further drafts. Structurally, it resembles an RP where you have a handful of dramatic set-pieces in mind and speedrun/hand-wave everything in-between. At one point, an entire kidnapping is explained like a Cliff's Notes plot summary, teleporting us in one paragraph from the scene where the idea is hatched to them having the victim at their mercy. Converting some of the internal monologue into description of how Zetian experiences events would help us reach her conclusions with her rather than be told them.
Zetian's thoughts do occasionally touch on the nuances of feminism - for example, can a woman consider herself empowered and still rely on men? - but overwhelmingly she drives home the simple need for liberation from Huaxia's oppressive culture. She is neither subtle nor tactful in this, but she is also not wrong. I would however like to see her find value in other named female characters instead of only defending 'girls' in the abstract. Or be confronted with her hypocrisy.
I don't have any analysis on these final aspects but shout out to:
- Everyone being bi unless stated otherwise
- The horrifically efficient use of concubines as batteries
- Rong Fu's terrifying raspy voice for a certain something at the end of the audiobook
- Mecha themed around Chinese legendary creatures!
- "A triangle is the strongest shape"
- Inspiring me to seek out Chinese harem drama
- Performing CPR on Pacific Rim's outrageously slept-on concept of drift compatibility
Graphic: Alcohol, Gore, Racism, Rape, Sexism, and Slavery
madeleinemae05's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Torture, Suicide, and Slavery
beucleral's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Violence, Torture, Slavery, Sexual violence, and Murder
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, War, Torture, Slavery, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Xenophobia, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Confinement
Minor: Pregnancy and Rape
geekmom's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, and Slavery
char_002's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and War
lucywae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, and War
goosegrimm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Addiction, Abandonment, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Blood, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Sexual content
Be warned, this book is serious when talking about institutionalized misogyny and all of the ways it can be taken to its extremes. There is ALOT of death in this book. It is treated as seriously as death and violence should be. If you are sensitive to violence, especially gendered violence, please review the content warnings carefully before picking up this book.lucystolethesky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Confinement, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, War, Xenophobia, Violence, Torture, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Cursing, Chronic illness, Bullying, and Body shaming
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Medical content, and Homophobia
sodafer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Ableism, War, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Slavery, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Rape