Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

53 reviews

ancestrallizard's review

dark emotional fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Grief, Addiction, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, and War

Moderate: Classism, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Genocide

chanlo1994's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Classism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Death, Ableism, Alcohol, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Body horror, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Misogyny, War, Trafficking, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Sexism, and Confinement

Moderate: Rape and Panic attacks/disorders

ainadei's review

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

A very angry book. I loved it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Alcohol, War, Alcoholism, and Classism

Moderate: Mental illness, Death, and Domestic abuse

lemonwrlds's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Vomit, War, Body shaming, Child abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, Torture, Bullying, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Police brutality, Alcoholism, Genocide, Gore, Body horror, Death, Medical content, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Confinement, Death of parent, Ableism, Blood, Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence

mari1532's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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

5.0

I had first heard about the author when I stumbled upon them scrolling Instagram one day. I was immediately in love with their content and put the audiobook on hold at my library. Due to the book’s popularity, I spent several months waiting. 

It was not only the author’s online content that intrigued me about their book. The descriptions I had read online described it as a science fiction book with loose references to China’s first Empress, Wu Zetian. 

After finally reading it I can safely say, that I adored this book. It is full of political intrigue, messy relationships, and glimmers of historical references. The way that Jay Zhao writes is enthralling and by providing the reader with guide posts about the characters’ motivations/feelings and leads you along with the growth and development of the character without explicitly telling you what is going on. For instance, when Zetian has a confrontation with another female pilot in the bath, I was able to feel the character’s confusion, rage, and compassion in the scene and through the dialogue I was able to understand why various characters reacted the way that they did. Each of their characters is deliciously complex and Jay Zhao’s writing is exceptional.

I liked that there was a polyamorous relationship rather than a love triangle. It was a completely natural development and it was great that there was no focus on the development in the book. The relationships simply evolved and that was just the way it was. 

There were several plot twists throughout the book that I did find unexpected and it made me want to keep reading. Jay Zhao’s plotting of this book was just exceptional and I am so excited for the next installment of the series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Confinement, Grief, Gaslighting, War, Death, Addiction, Blood, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Violence, Alcohol, and Forced institutionalization

fkshg8465's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

3.5

This book was a lot of fun and validating for me. Is like The Iron Widow was able to say how I feel about the patriarchy in the ways I wish I could. She’s the best hero! Looking forward to reading the sequel when it comes out.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Gore, Kidnapping, Rape, War, Bullying, Drug use, Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Classism, Death, and Suicide

julessssss's review

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

3.25

honestly sad about this one, especially as I pre-ordered it back when it came out. I read most of it pretty quickly, but did not find myself enjoying it all that much and that got worse as I got further into the book.

I think it is fine and will I read the second book? maybe

the fantasy / sci-fi parts were great in my opinion, and I liked how complicated the world building, history, and such seemed to be.

I did not like any of the main characters that much though, and I do not think the relationship between Zetian and Shimin was developed enough for how they were acting, idk. I did not feel any compatibility for them, even when they were supposedly in a relationship. The polyam part though, I want to see more books with relationship dynamics like that.

also the "feminism" was overwhelming and a lot of what I have seen in other books before. I did not see much new or innovative in that respect and it got annoying very quickly.

I don't think it was badly written though and the plot seemed at least well thought-through.

idk overall it was fine, but not my favorite

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Alcoholism, Murder, Death, Misogyny, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape

Minor: Domestic abuse

fragrant_stars's review

adventurous tense medium-paced

• 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? No

4.25

Honestly I loved this book. I didn't love it.. as much as I wanted  to love it, if that makes sense. It did come off as a little "preachy" at some points-- like when the characters talk about how men aren't just animals who can't control their sexual urges-- but the book as a whole, I loved, and I also loved, loved, loved the ployamoury in it, and the characters, and the ending. I'd definitely recommend this to any and all my friends.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Domestic abuse, Death, Addiction, War, Xenophobia, Sexism, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Torture, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Confinement, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Body horror

Moderate: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Classism, Kidnapping, Terminal illness, Vomit, Ableism, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Murder, Rape, and Child death

anyareads's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Blood, Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, and Grief

cherry_lake's review

adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

What a ride!! Omg I haven’t read a book like that in so long. Dynamic, unapologetic story of vengeance, power, love and war. It was like watching an anime. While this book is not highly detailed in its world building, it is sooo evocative and exciting, and it’s the first in a series so I’m actually so pleased with the amount of world building!! Can’t wait for more. Thank you Xiran Jay Zhao! 

If you’re wondering if you should read it… if you are tired of watered down dystopian YA novels, moralizing characters, mind NUMBING gender stereotypes (I’m including the stereotypes of the characters who are supposedly breaking the stereotypes as well!!), pussyfooting romance plot lines that are too afraid to commit — then this you might really love.

Also, I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is phenomenal.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Murder, Alcoholism, Death, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Body horror, Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Torture, Violence, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault