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aidazawa's review against another edition
5.0
Reminder, I never leave reviews. Slight spoilers.
I have put off reading this book for a year and a half, and now that I've read it, I feel so FULL and yet so EMPTY. As a Chinese Major, Anime Fan, and supporter of BIPOC authors, this was aboslutely STUNNING. Thank you [a:Xiran Jay Zhao|20132644|Xiran Jay Zhao|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1587131492p2/20132644.jpg] for this book. It is fantastic. The futuristic setting of mekas while keeping traditional Chinese culture was something I did not expect to be so flawless and amazing. Everytime Zetian would explain her pain of her perfect feet, or look at the world on how it's lied to the world about a woman's power shook me to my core. And don't even get me started on Emporer Qin's little cameo. How in the HEAVENS did he just go 'Okay sure' for Zetian. Oh my LORD. So good.
I was so glad to see AMAZING representation of a polyamorous relationship. Quotes I had saved were literal conversations my partner and I have said to each other. They way Zhao writes about love and being a woman in general is just so perfect. I felt like a fangirl again devouring this book whenever I could. I'm so excited for book two since I felt just as angry and confused as Zetian. I cannot wait to see her continued rule and power in the next book.
I have put off reading this book for a year and a half, and now that I've read it, I feel so FULL and yet so EMPTY. As a Chinese Major, Anime Fan, and supporter of BIPOC authors, this was aboslutely STUNNING. Thank you [a:Xiran Jay Zhao|20132644|Xiran Jay Zhao|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1587131492p2/20132644.jpg] for this book. It is fantastic. The futuristic setting of mekas while keeping traditional Chinese culture was something I did not expect to be so flawless and amazing. Everytime Zetian would explain her pain of her perfect feet, or look at the world on how it's lied to the world about a woman's power shook me to my core. And don't even get me started on Emporer Qin's little cameo. How in the HEAVENS did he just go 'Okay sure' for Zetian. Oh my LORD. So good.
I was so glad to see AMAZING representation of a polyamorous relationship. Quotes I had saved were literal conversations my partner and I have said to each other. They way Zhao writes about love and being a woman in general is just so perfect. I felt like a fangirl again devouring this book whenever I could. I'm so excited for book two since I felt just as angry and confused as Zetian. I cannot wait to see her continued rule and power in the next book.
clowdywings's review against another edition
4.0
4 - Intense but Intriguing
full rtc, but thought it was generally a good read, except for the confusing mess the last few chapters were. major trigger warnings!!! mixed feelings but I liked how the characters knew they made choices and weren't really romanticized
full rtc, but thought it was generally a good read, except for the confusing mess the last few chapters were. major trigger warnings!!! mixed feelings but I liked how the characters knew they made choices and weren't really romanticized
slimejules's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Alcoholism, and Violence
Moderate: Death
Minor: Sexual assault
blynbetweenpages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lindsey_lark_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
jessbooknook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
owls_rainbow's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
2.0
stujos's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
barbarajean's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
yulie's review against another edition
1.0
Unfortunately comes up lacking and shallow in every way and reads as more of a wish fulfilment piece of fan fiction rather than any well-written story surrounding feminism or cool robots. There are other reviews that go into depth a lot better than me, but the character development is so bland and so much is outright stated rather than shown. Nothing happens organically, the world-building is barebones and not even really serviceable, and the writing is simplistic and (again) reads like fan-fiction. I was exasperated by the writing and the main character by the end.