Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

469 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 welcomes you home with pastries afterwards. Even I have to admit that was great.
Edit: I was just informed that the big sister does have a name. It’s mentioned off hand in the first chapter I think? And then never again.

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

kathigh86's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• 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? Yes

4.75

If you want to read a book that grabs you by the throat then rips you to shreds and rubs salt in the wound, I recommend this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gore, and Gaslighting

queermothman's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Alcohol, and War

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Grief, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, and Domestic abuse

yoanneke's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.5

In various ways it's all I could ever want in a fantasy novel. Cool setting, kick-ass main character,

two boyfriends who just so happen to be into each other as well.

But there were still some parts I could not entirely get into like the

mech fights. I did like the take on them, but somehow every time those fights happened I kind of zoned out and I can't really put my finger on why.

Also feel like some of the pacing was a bit off in parts. However, I will definitely be picking up heavenly tyrant as well. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, and Abandonment

reviewsandreadathons's review against another edition

adventurous challenging 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, and Alcohol

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

danparrock's review against another edition

dark inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking

Minor: Colonisation

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.

malarkeytbr's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring 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

4.5

i really liked this book! i loved the way it handled the mcs anger against the system and balanced it with empathy. the relationships were well written and i loved the polyamory. it got a bit fast for me in the end - i almost couldn't keep up with everything. did successfully make me VERY curious abt the sequel, though. also made me very curious abt empress wu - i may have to go read some nonfiction abt her now. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Misogyny

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, and Murder

kymopolaya's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexism, and Alcohol

Moderate: Gun violence and Rape

Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts