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amanda_reads13'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
5.0
I really love this book. It has fantastic world building, dynamic characters, and a plot that sucks you in. I love how she brings in historical figures and facts while manipulating them to be relevant to this story and world. Feminism/patriarchy is obviously the main theme tackled here, but she also tackles addiction, abuse, government corruption and oppression, and gender and sexuality.
Throughout the story we learn about how Huaxia is a country fighting against alien invaders called Hunduns, these giant round metallic creatures. For centuries they have been battling them using Chrysalises (giant magical robots crafted out of the spirit metal of Hundun corpses) which uses a two-pilot system in which one girl and one boy pilot a single vehicle.
Huaxia is rules over by the Heavenly Council, a group of "Gods" who orbit the planet. The people of Huaxia must offer up Hunduns corpses in return for the gift of technological schematics. We discover that
This world is a patriarchal hell-hole for women. Women have two choices in life: become a wife or sacrifice yourself as a pilot's concubine. Women rarely survive as a concubine as they are scaeificed to ensure the man survives.
Throughout the story we meet Zetian (the iron widow), Li Shimin (the iron demon) and Yizhi (the cinnamon roll rich boy). Zetian comes into the story roaring. There is no build up to her rage, she just wakes up and chooses violence. I love it. She is a very compelling and fascinating character. Through her we learn about the misogyny blanketing this world, suppressing women to sexual play things and property. She is determined to make the world a better place and stands up when all others cower. As she learns about the truth behind the army, she seeks to destroy it from the inside out, willing to sacrifice herself for a better future.
I really appreciate the approach she took with the love triangle that could have been. Zetian is in love with Yizhi, yet develops feelings for Shimin as well.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
ax_sebas's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts
c_dmckinney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
dragonwearingredshoes'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Death, Sexism, Murder, and War
Moderate: Sexual violence and Sexual harassment
raebelanger'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? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
snapeygan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
My only complaints would be that I had a bit of difficulties to understand all the terms relatives to the universe of the books, and that the main character was a bit the stereotypical girlboss that saves the universe (not saying I don’t like it, but it could’ve been less stereotypical and the other women could have been portrayed in a better light).
I loved how inclusive this book was, and how the characters were nuanced and gray (all were bad and good at the same time). The worldbuilding was really good, as was the way it was written.
I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel!!
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Blood, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, and War
jessicalauren22's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.25
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Torture, Violence, and War
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
sonatica's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
After reading and listening to mostly slow- to medium-paced stories for a long time, the intensity of the characters and storyline hit me hard in the most positive way.
Iron Widow is unapologetic and vengeful and so, so satisfying to me. The genre was new to me and I was afraid that I wouldn't like it, but I was so positively surprised.
If anyone is looking for a cozy read, this is not it. But if you're looking for a book with a powerful female character who is fed up with and takes action against an unjust system then this is it!
Spoiler Warning about the romantic sub plot:
(And also, finally an ACTUAL love triangle, instead of two people liking one person but not each other!!)
While I would've enjoyed more buildup to the relationship of Wu Zetian and Li Shimin personally (I couldn' quite follow at which point she actually developed feelings for him), I still ended up really enjoying the whole dynamic betweenall 3 of them!
And more Spoiler about the Ending and Epilogue:
Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming and Colonisation
denee16's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
10/10 would recommend because Holly shit!
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, and Classism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, and Toxic friendship
vael's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Classism