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paracosim'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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Hate crime, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Colonisation
squinnittowinit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I thought this book did a very good job of immersing the reader in the very real misogyny that Wu Zetian experiences at every turn, but also not wallowing in those feelings. Instead, Zetian fights against the system at every turn and the reader can celebrate with her when she succeeds. Gao Yizhi and Li Shimin are great supporting characters as well, full of their own depth, but without taking away from Zetian's character in any way.
I especially loved how unapologetically bloodthirsty Wu Zetian was, so often the "dangerous woman" main character ends up just being misunderstood, or becomes tamed by love or something, which is just weak character development. Wu Zetian is a dangerous woman, and that never changes.
4.75 stars because some of the most dramatic dialogue moments were just a little too silly for my liking.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Homophobia, Pedophilia, Transphobia, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
takarakeireads's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.0
Apparently this was openly marketed as a
Because I really enjoyed the world, I will continue the series because I hope that there can be some actual character development in the next book(s).
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Colonisation
walkie_check'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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Murder, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
shelvesofivy'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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Vomit
Minor: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, and Toxic relationship
jjjreads'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
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Gun violence, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Medical content, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cursing, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, and Rape
blissofalife'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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Would be 5 stars if the writing wasn’t juvenile with some of the dialogue, it pulled me out of the setting abruptly.
Can’t wait for the next book!
Graphic: Sexism and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, and War
Minor: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Murder