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bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
dandelionsteph's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Gun violence, Misogyny, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Body horror, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Death, Torture, Grief, and Cursing
Moderate: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Biphobia, and Bullying
Minor: Body shaming and Pregnancy
iheartcurling's review
- 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
Graphic: Alcoholism, War, Violence, Murder, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
kristenityyy's review
- 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
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, War, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexism
Moderate: Child abuse, Torture, Police brutality, Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Grief, Body shaming, Homophobia, and Gun violence
d3vilsw0lf's review
- 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
The hints of the ending and how well it sets up Heavenly Tyrant, I can't wait for it to release. It will definitely be a read same day as publication for book 2.
If you haven't picked this up yet or are only thinking about it, don't think anymore and just read! Both the book and Xiran J y Zhao are deserving of a HUGO award and so much more.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, and Torture
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Rape
layayayle's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Torture, Misogyny, and Violence
mars_loves_books's review
- 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
Graphic: Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Murder, Torture, War, Violence, Alcohol, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide
Moderate: Rape
moonsongsiren's review
the main character is not complex, she is unlikable, and incredibly misogynistic to the girls around her. her love interests at the point i stopped reading were.. mediocre. she is poor “representation” if you can even call her that, but i understand and appreciate that this book was written with a LOT of heart and a LOT of effort was put into it. But that does not make a good story.
What was truly the last straw for me was the main character forcing herself upon one of her love interests (does not, at any point ask him for consent, and he even tells her to stop and wait and she does not comply). To me, that sends the exact opposite message that the book was trying to send.
Over all, EXTREMELY disappointing. i would not recommend this to anyone, there is simply too much it is lacking. but for a debut novel that was clearly a loved passion project, it serves that purpose.
it is self indulgent for the author, it has a very bare bones emotion that drives the story, and it barely scratches the surface of the message it WANTS to convey.
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Sexism, Child death, Violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Medical trauma, Kidnapping, Genocide, Bullying, Murder, Gore, Child abuse, Classism, Death, Emotional abuse, War, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Self harm, Rape, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
sleeping_roses's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Confinement, Sexual harassment, Violence, Physical abuse, Addiction, Murder, Misogyny, Alcoholism, War, Child abuse, Death, Grief, Sexism, and Torture
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Biphobia, Gun violence, and Suicidal thoughts
natraf_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Violence, War, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Classism, Death, War, Physical abuse, Addiction, Blood, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault and Slavery
Foot binding, forced sex work