Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

151 reviews

ceilidhwilliams's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, and Classism

236girls's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

HOOOOOLYYYY SHIT HOLY SHIT this was insane??? THAT ENDING???? this harbors soooo much raw visceral rage for the government, for gender roles, and for people that have caused these characters so much trauma. anyway PLEASE overthrow the government! it's okay if there's a little murder, a sprinkling of patricide! but ffs do your due diligence on the history of the species you've made it your whole life goal to annihilate. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Sexual assault and Murder

shector1's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• 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, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual assault

mothman19's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and War

Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Grief, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

booksandcurlz's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Misogyny, War, and Classism

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Gaslighting

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Xenophobia

maryjames's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense slow-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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Grief, Murder, Sexual harassment, and War

Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, and Gaslighting

olivialandryxo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

I am FLABBERGASTED. I am NUMB. I am in PAIN. Xiran Jay Zhao is an EVIL GENIUS.

I don’t think I could write a proper review for this if I tried, but let me say this: it’s been 40 minutes since I finished the book, and I’ve done nothing except try to process what the hell just happened. Immediately after finishing the book, I had to set my phone down so I wouldn’t throw it. I bit my lip so I wouldn’t shriek. I spent several minutes just staring at the wall.

Every part of this book is absolutely brilliant—the characters, the relationships, the world-building, the plot. The world Zhao created is complex and fascinating, as are the characters. Zetian and Shimin are unhinged and I love them for it. Yizhi is a cinnamon roll on the way to becoming unhinged and I love him for it. The trio’s dynamic is my new favorite thing. It’s iconic. They’re iconic. I’ll be thinking of them for the rest of the day, definitely for the rest of the week, and probably even for the rest of the year.

I’m excited and also terrified out of my goddamn mind for the sequel. The author’s Goodreads review (which I found while looking unsuccessfully for a release date) just says, “Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it in the worst way possible.”

AND I??? EXCUSE ME??? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN????

Let the Iron Widow brainrot begin. :’)))

Representation

• Full cast of Chinese-inspired characters
• Bisexual polyamorous protagonist & love interests (protagonist is also disabled & uses a cane)
• FMM throuple

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual assault

Sexual assault is discussed, but there are no on-page depictions. As for everything else… just be careful. This is a seriously dark, brutal book.

aridette's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Abortion, Murder, Gaslighting, and Classism

fuguefire's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.75

I really liked this book! I thought the main character was very compelling. Reading the reviews, it is understandable how people could want a little more fleshing-out of her personal character, but personally, I felt like I completely understood her motives and emotions. More importantly, she did what I as the audience needed her to do--

which was kill all those a**holes

. To enjoy this book, you really have to support women's rights AND women's wrongs.
As a poly person myself, I was over the moon to finally get a poly relationship in a fantasy novel! I will say, I wish there was a little bit better communication in the relationship, but I feel like this can be forgiven because this seems to be an action-first book, and the romance aspect is not even really second in line of importance here. 
All-in-all, I am so excited to read the next book in the series. I will be recommending this book to my friends, and can't wait to hear what they think.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism, Fatphobia, Rape, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Classism

Minor: Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Xenophobia, and Injury/Injury detail

cattheteawitchfairy's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book was INCREDIBLE.

Firstly the writing style was impeccable and although the text fell into some cliche moments it was a book that you will get fully absorbed into. The description and detail is precise and well crafted.

The story itself is a very interesting one with twists and turns at every corner. Many things I didn’t see coming; especially the ending!! (I’m writing this review about 3 minutes after finishing as I’m so filled with adrenaline!) 

A very dark (so be careful with triggers etc) fantasy/sci-fi read with a fabulous premise and wonderful execution. I can’t wait to see what comes next!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism