Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

36 reviews

arwombat's review

adventurous dark emotional 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

3.75

I didn't find Zetian super likable, not because she was a ruthless killer, but because her personality was so strong and uncompromising.  She had no sympathy for Li Shimin, even seeing how he was just as imprisoned by the system as she was, and knowing how tortured he was. There are times when it makes sense to be angry at someone and there are times when you're just being pointlessly stubborn. I liked the take on a love triangle.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Torture

Moderate: Drug abuse

Minor: Rape

moonyreadsbystarlight's review

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.75

I do not often read high fantasy often (outside of graphic novels) but I am so glad that I read this one. The world was incredible and the characters were so well-done. While this is fast-paced with a lot of action, there is an emotional depth throughout all of it that was so immersive. I also really loved how they approached the relationship and how all of that was written. 

I will say, the last 1/4 of the book or so did go *really* fast and did leave me a little confused at parts. This could very well have been me (as I mentioned, I don't read a lot of high fantasy nor do I read a lot that's action-oriented like this). But over all, this was amazing. It's definitely one of my favorites of this year! I highly recommend it and I will be the first in line to get the sequel and everything else this author writes! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual assault

leedolee's review

adventurous challenging dark 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

BRUH. THIS BOOK. 

First of all, the premise of this book did not, at all, prepare me for what was truly about to happen. I imagined it as Pacific Rim with a stunning Chinese backdrop and a strong main character with a polyamorous relationship. 

I did not at all imagine the discussion of gender roles, sexualities, relationships, and the full on eff you to the patriarchy. I also was not prepared for the drama, the violence, the dialogue, and the plot twists. 

Needless to say, I enjoyed every second of it. A morally grey character? Villainous intentions? Or just what I needed? 

Honestly, I was tired of reading about strong characters who were scared to enter into the dark side and fearful about how the world would view them. This book's leads completely did not care about that one bit. And I was here for it. 

Read this book! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and War

chamaeleontis's review

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book was honestly amazing. I physically stopped myself from reading it (I put it at the bottom of my backpack and piled stuff on top of it) so I could spread it out over multiple days and enjoy it for longer. It's a medium length book, but an incredibly fast read, with excellent pacing. I am blown away by the book and utterly loved it. I don't want to give away any plot here, because there are a ton of twists and turns that are fun to discover as the come, even if they wouldn't really be spoilers. 

The characters were well-developed, and have a very real sense to them. The plot is engaging and doesn't falter. Bonus points for the gorgeous cover, it did not disappoint.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, War, Violence, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Grief, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Death, Cursing, Confinement, Chronic illness, Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Gun violence, Xenophobia, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Genocide, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Rape, and Racism

Minor: Abandonment, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Infidelity, Racial slurs, and Slavery

allbymys11's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, and Physical abuse

horns_and_ember's review

dark tense medium-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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, War, and Torture

Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Grief, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence