Reviews tagging 'Classism'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

244 reviews

nocturna_of_space's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

2.0

Does Iron Widow pass the Bechdel test? Pretty sure no.... 

A main character that wants to watch the world burn can work but it didn't work here. Zetian lacks any kind of empathy to an almost comical degree. She just kills everyone with no regard for any extenuating circumstances around their actions. I almost thought she might change but then she kills the parents of children that are being held hostage and then kills her whole family in short order. Her whole reason for wanting to kill the dude at the start of the book is because her big sister was killed by him. Fair enough, but like.... she doesn't have a name. The big sister who's so important to Zetian has no name except 'big sister.' 
I honestly thought Shimin and Yizhi had a better love story than Zetian with either of them. And I think that's mostly due to the idea that they maybe had some conversations off-screen or something. I really wanted to like the love story in this book. Especially as a poly person. But my god... there was no soul in it and almost no chemistry between Zetian and either of the boys.
Zetian is really just... not like other girls I guess...
I will be looking up what happens to Shimin and Yizhi. I hope they live happily together for the rest of their lives. Also 2 stars for the inclusion of the boy you torture someone with and the boy who makes you welcomes you home with pastries afterwards. Even I have to admit that was great.

If you liked this book, all the power to you. It just wasn't my thing. Which is sad, because I really thought it would be. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, War, and Classism

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Sexual content

comaduff's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This is the only book ive reread in probably 3 or 4 years. I did it in preparation for Heavenly Tyrant. It was just as good the second time. I could write good things forever. I especially love the morally grey main character. Thats my favorite parts. 

Main theme of the book:
I support women’s rights, but more importantly i support women’s wrongs!!!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Misogyny, Violence, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Torture, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Minor: Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Blood, and Medical trauma

mirandyli's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

4.75

This was an incredible book that was basically written for people like me.

Pacific Rim meets Ancient China (the main character has bound feet), with a queer polyamorous relationship. Featuring  heavy misogyny and colonization. The ending had me reeling.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

the_frenchie_history_nerd's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

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

4.25

What a great YA book. Definitely for older teens (15/16+), but an accessible read to all reading levels as long as they're old enough. It's a fast-paced, tense, dark and fun read for sci-fi/fantasy readers. Don't expect LOTR world building, but Xian Jay Zhao's first novel still defends itself pretty well on this front.

Iron Widow's characters definitely aren't good people, but they're still loveable in some sort of twisted way. Zetian is a villainous figure that you're probably gonna learn to love despite her cruel nature. 

This book is just as good on a second read, and I can't wait to start Heavenly Tyrant!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Murder, Alcohol, and War

Moderate: Ableism, Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism

Minor: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Murder, and Classism

Dark subjects treated with respect throughout the book, but the author does not shy away from talking about a brutal, deeply flawed and violent society.

gynnaenae's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Colonisation, and Classism

rlpdean's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

https://rlpdean.wordpress.com/2025/01/19/iron-widow/

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Alcohol, War, and Classism

linblythe_pub22's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, and Sexism

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

enbyaddams's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

champagnerain's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, War, and Classism

Moderate: Torture and Murder

Minor: Rape

oiwb's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I found myself wanting more of most things - more world building, more character building. The major plot points were there but getting from point a to point b was a bit awkward. Plot twist at the end was predictable, but it was a fun read

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Xenophobia, Grief, Murder, War, and Classism

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Racism, and Sexual assault

Minor: Homophobia and Infidelity