Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

298 reviews

jacksons_books_and_music's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

• 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

This is one of the best books I have ever read.

I do want to clear something up, though:

I see a lot of people saying this book is about revolution. That is actually not true. What happens in the plot is a coup, not a revolution. Yes, the main character is fighting for the common people, but there is no people’s movement. It’s just a main character and a friend or two seizing power.

That being said:

This is a strong book both narratively and on the line level. Any critiques I have are extremely minimal, and often more to do with preference.

Some people are really critical of the main character. I doubt they’d be as critical if the main character was a man. Readers deserve a wide range of women and nonbinary characters, including those who are messy and ruthless.

I do wish we had gotten to see the not-YA version that existed, but I am glad this version exists so the story is more accessible to young people. Given the themes, characters, and situations, I just feel a more adult version would have made perfect sense.

I loved this book and highly recommend it! I am definitely going to read the sequel. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Homophobia, Rape, and Sexual assault

ezriamongthestars's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Ableism and Homophobia

gkaltam's review against another edition

dark inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

• 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Torture, and Blood

nulliusmomenti's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Violence

Moderate: Death and Blood

Minor: Sexual assault and Death of parent

nooweljayy's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

as a mecha (anime) fan... this book SLAYED and gets my IMMEDIATE APPROVAL.

if y'all were ever wondering how mecha works as a book with only words, wonder no more, because this book exists. (also 10/10 recommend the author's YouTube channel, lol)

*my full review on Goodreads (copy and paste this link): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5089808398

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Sexism, and Blood

Minor: Self harm and Suicide attempt

noahhh_'s review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War

dreadspawn's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

a1mello's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced

• 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

rinku's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Classism

cyberhavok's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, Alcohol, and War

Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, and Blood