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softwindflower's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The positives:
I absolutely loved about this book was the concept. It's a recipe for sci-fi military action and a fantastic female lead, and it was nice to read a book which did have an entirely original plot. I also thought the dynamic between Zetian, Shimin and Yizhi was amazing. It would've been very easy to make it toxic (e.g. if Shimin were to prioritise his role as a pilot over compassion for Zetian, or if Zetian were to think herself above Yizhi or vice versa in any combination — as we see as the basis in a lot of YA romance arcs involving Determined" characters) but all of the trio were understanding of one another and complemented each other's personalities well. I really liked the bi/pan and polyamorous rep and it's something l'd like to see more of in the future. The negatives: While the concept was great, the execution felt hollow. Zetian is introduced as a character with a clear goal.
Summary:
All in all, I thought it was a good debut. The characters were likeable and easy to root for, and the concept was a refreshing change. The execution, however, didn't work for me personally and it would have been nice to gain a better understanding of the world as a whole, even though the story was from Zetian's somewhat limited perspective.
Though I probably won't read any further books in this series, do look forward to reading XJZ's future works and seeing how they develop as a writer.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Torture, Misogyny, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Ableism, War, and Rape
Minor: Child abuse
Violent misogyny and, in a way, femicide are key themes throughout the book. They cannot be avoided when reading it. One of the main characters also suffers quite graphically from the effects of alcoholism, and latterly alcohol withdrawal, which is also an unavoidable plot point.mssrquackers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Slavery, Abandonment, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, War, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, and Torture
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Rape, and Gun violence
greatdistractions's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Violence, Torture, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Confinement, Death, Blood, Physical abuse, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Classism, and Colonisation
reader4435's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It's got an immersive world with all the giant mech fights you could wish for, prose that fuels the imagination, young people fighting systemic injustice, a stong-willed female protagonist, and core representation of bisexuality and healthy non-manogamy.
Eagerly anticipating the sequel.
Moderate: Sexism, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence
Minor: Xenophobia and Addiction
captainhannes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Death, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Addiction, Torture, Xenophobia, War, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual violence, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Blood, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Medical trauma
Minor: Fatphobia, Sexual harassment, Acephobia/Arophobia, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
purplelake'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
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Body horror, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, War, Alcohol, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Torture, Death, and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Classism, and Trafficking
Minor: Medical content, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Animal death, and Body shaming
idiomie'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, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Confinement, Murder, Racial slurs, Ableism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Racism, Toxic friendship, Xenophobia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Violence, and War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Eating disorder, Gore, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Blood
fraxisle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Murder, Violence, Alcoholism, War, Sexism, Addiction, Xenophobia, Misogyny, and Confinement
Moderate: Alcohol, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Classism, Child abuse, and Body shaming
Minor: Body horror, Chronic illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Colonisation, Child death, and Bullying
maggie_t's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Xenophobia, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Violence, Medical trauma, and Sexism
Minor: Body shaming, Death of parent, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
Artificially induced/forced addiction, Sexual extortionbreadwitchery'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: Death, Alcoholism, War, Misogyny, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Rape, and Murder
Minor: Cursing, Xenophobia, Ableism, Alcohol, and Medical trauma