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kemrick19's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
spookylettuce's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read Iron Widow in ~4h several years ago instead of writing a very important paper and loved it. I plan to re-read it as soon as I finish all the holds I have at my local library.
The pacing was some of the best I’ve ever had the fortune to read. The author has mentioned via social media that they’re audhd like me, and I think that’s makes Iron Widow so readable and well-paced. I also thoroughly enjoyed the world building, and I think its efficacy is related. After all, are some styles of effective world building not just well-timed and plot-relevant mini info dumps?
Content-wise, I knew going in I would love Iron Widow. I love Pacific Rim, and really enjoy reading fantasy books inspired by Chinese culture and history. I was also excited about the disability rep and romance being bi-polyamory instead of the very tired love triangle trope . My expectations were high, which I always try to avoid since I feel like it can make my reading experience less enjoyable. I couldn’t help it with this book, but it was fine because it actually exceeded my expectations anyways.
I love the characters and that they are not paragons of morality. If you’ve also been waiting for a fmc to unapologetically snap at the people/society that’s been treating her awfully, get ready for some catharsis.
I say all of this with the understanding that not all readers are homogeneous and while I LOVE Iron Widow, not everyone will. But if you’re like me and enjoy fantasy/sci-fi informed by Chinese culture and/or are an audhd reader, definitely give this book a shot!
The pacing was some of the best I’ve ever had the fortune to read. The author has mentioned via social media that they’re audhd like me, and I think that’s makes Iron Widow so readable and well-paced. I also thoroughly enjoyed the world building, and I think its efficacy is related. After all, are some styles of effective world building not just well-timed and plot-relevant mini info dumps?
Content-wise, I knew going in I would love Iron Widow. I love Pacific Rim, and really enjoy reading fantasy books inspired by Chinese culture and history. I was also excited about the disability rep and
I love the characters and that they are not paragons of morality. If you’ve also been waiting for a fmc to unapologetically snap at the people/society that’s been treating her awfully, get ready for some catharsis.
I say all of this with the understanding that not all readers are homogeneous and while I LOVE Iron Widow, not everyone will. But if you’re like me and enjoy fantasy/sci-fi informed by Chinese culture and/or are an audhd reader, definitely give this book a shot!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Genocide and Sexual assault
cfitz13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Minor: Rape and Alcohol
discowing87's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
Absolutely loved this book, probably gonna recommend it to everyone I know. I usually stray away from this genre because I don't particularly enjoy 1st person writing or romances but the romance here is developed in a believable way that feels so human that I was so invested in it working out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Sexism, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
charliesshit's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Grief, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale seems like a fair marketing blurb; I guess I co-sign that. However, Zetian, our main character has zero respect for any other woman in this book, which was a bit frustrating and exhausting tbh. In The Handmaid's Tale, there are a variety of different dynamics that exist between the women who rotate in and out of June's life, but moving on!
Anyway, I listened to the audiobook for this one, and while the narrator was entertaining, I expected a bit more from this book. I would have loved a bit more detailed world-building, because I generally think of the first book in a sci-fi/fantasy series to lay the groundwork for us, and it's the book where I don't mind a lot of exposition and "telling" of the historical and political context, and how they tie into the current situation.
However, I think we moreso got the repeated heavy-handed telling of the message the author wanted to convey. It's an important message, and I really do understand the need to sometimes be heavy-handed in the way we deliver messages so that it is crystal clear, especially when one is fed up and exhausted of systems of oppression. I am a staunch supporter of feminine rage and choosing revenge.
I just.... wanted a bit more exposition to contextualize the world beyond the main character Wu Zetian. Like I know this misogynistic and violent world directly impacts Zetian, but I'd like to learn more about how the world came to be, and why these mecha aliens even began lurking beyond the Great Wall to begin with. I appreciated the driving factor of Zetian's goals though: avenging her Big Sister's death.
Overall, I was entertained listening, and the MFM polyamorous relationship was interesting with Li Shimin and Gao Yizhi, who balanced out Zetian's rage with their soft vibes (and this really is a love triangle, because they all have relationships with each other. I think it would have worked a bit better though, if we got their POVs so we could see more of their relationship beyond Zetian too). However, I struggled with the pacing (again because of exposition and repetitive inner thoughts of Zetian about how the patriarchy is awful, and so are all of the women around her), and would have loved more refined world-building.
The epilogue was wild though, and my curiosity is piqued enough that I will continue the series. I do not think Zetian will be a benevolent or altruistic leader; I really think she is power-hungry and her ego has only sky-rocketed, but I digress. We will see, won't we?
Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale seems like a fair marketing blurb; I guess I co-sign that. However, Zetian, our main character has zero respect for any other woman in this book, which was a bit frustrating and exhausting tbh. In The Handmaid's Tale, there are a variety of different dynamics that exist between the women who rotate in and out of June's life, but moving on!
Anyway, I listened to the audiobook for this one, and while the narrator was entertaining, I expected a bit more from this book. I would have loved a bit more detailed world-building, because I generally think of the first book in a sci-fi/fantasy series to lay the groundwork for us, and it's the book where I don't mind a lot of exposition and "telling" of the historical and political context, and how they tie into the current situation.
However, I think we moreso got the repeated heavy-handed telling of the message the author wanted to convey. It's an important message, and I really do understand the need to sometimes be heavy-handed in the way we deliver messages so that it is crystal clear, especially when one is fed up and exhausted of systems of oppression. I am a staunch supporter of feminine rage and choosing revenge.
I just.... wanted a bit more exposition to contextualize the world beyond the main character Wu Zetian. Like I know this misogynistic and violent world directly impacts Zetian, but I'd like to learn more about how the world came to be, and why these mecha aliens even began lurking beyond the Great Wall to begin with. I appreciated the driving factor of Zetian's goals though: avenging her Big Sister's death.
Overall, I was entertained listening, and the MFM polyamorous relationship was interesting with Li Shimin and Gao Yizhi, who balanced out Zetian's rage with their soft vibes (and this really is a love triangle, because they all have relationships with each other. I think it would have worked a bit better though, if we got their POVs so we could see more of their relationship beyond Zetian too). However, I struggled with the pacing (again because of exposition and repetitive inner thoughts of Zetian about how the patriarchy is awful, and so are all of the women around her), and would have loved more refined world-building.
The epilogue was wild though, and my curiosity is piqued enough that I will continue the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Violence
tafeeeeee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
I finished this in 2 days. I was hooked immediately. 3/4 of the way through I knew I wanted to read the next one asap. The epilogue made me want to read the sequel even more! I can't believe I have to wait until December for the next one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexism, and Blood
iheartcurling's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexism, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
kendler's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
Literally so good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
kristenityyy's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Police brutality
Minor: Body shaming, Gun violence, Homophobia, and Grief