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aliyas_encanto's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
WHAT WAS THAT EPILOGUE?! Good thing I'm 5 seconds away from reading the sequel, what a whirlwind.... (more coherent review to come)
Alright, after much time to process I am ready to give a more coherent review: Zetian is angry. And, in a world that willingly sacrifices young girls against their will for the sake of battle with alien life-forms, I can understand why. The life a girl growing up in a country that values women as lesser than livestock, Zetian seeks revenge for the murder of her older sister. However her spirit is so strong that she is given a second chance as the Iron Widow, a female deemed strong enough to pilot a Chrysalis. The world-building leaves the reader curious about the seemingly dystopian landscape and the questionable rules set in place. It was a heavy story that, although the anger was justified the pride did not allow for true satisfaction of enemy defeats. Zetian is really one of the more complex characters I grew to enjoy, and I am curious how her character will grow in book 2. This is a heavy book, so please check content warnings before engaging.
Alright, after much time to process I am ready to give a more coherent review: Zetian is angry. And, in a world that willingly sacrifices young girls against their will for the sake of battle with alien life-forms, I can understand why. The life a girl growing up in a country that values women as lesser than livestock, Zetian seeks revenge for the murder of her older sister. However her spirit is so strong that she is given a second chance as the Iron Widow, a female deemed strong enough to pilot a Chrysalis. The world-building leaves the reader curious about the seemingly dystopian landscape and the questionable rules set in place. It was a heavy story that, although the anger was justified the pride did not allow for true satisfaction of enemy defeats. Zetian is really one of the more complex characters I grew to enjoy, and I am curious how her character will grow in book 2. This is a heavy book, so please check content warnings before engaging.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Murder, and Sexual harassment
artemismoon057's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexism, Medical trauma, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Ableism and Colonisation
jelkebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
originally read in 2022
REREAD 2025
It's been a while since I first read this book so before getting into Heavenly Tyrant I just knew I had to reread it to be able to recall the plot properly. I also just wanted to reread it because I remembered absolutely LOVING it the first time around. I can very gladly say that didn't change this second time around. I somehow might even love it more than the first time I read it. This book is just so incredibly good.
Books with a very gendered society at the centre of its plot always seem interesting to me. However, I think those stories often get stuck within their own binaries, and therefore don't end up reaching their full potential for me. That really isn't the case with Iron Widow. I love how this book discusses gender, and even though it is mainly focussed on the women in this world being treated unfairly, it does leave discussions open outside of the male/female binary. It feels so natural for these characters that are already questioning the world's docterines to not be stuck within the gender binary. On top of that this also goes outside of the straight focussed view the world might want the characters to stay in. Again, the discussions around sexuality just felt so natural within it all. I just love how it all was executed.
I also just adore Zetian. She is just such an interesting and compelling main character. She isn't perfect. Far from it in fact. Sometimes her actions can feel very frustrating as an outsider but her growth throughout this book is just phenomenal. I loved getting to see her grow throughout the entire book. However, from the start she's just so headstrong, and so badass. I fucking love her. The two love interests are also such great characters. They are both very different characters, but really in sync with Zetian as well. I'm so glad Xiran Jay Zhao went for the poly route, because as an actual love triangle this would have been impossible for me to pick. Even just the relationship between the two guys is PEAK. They all 3 have such different relationships with each other, which are all so interesting and well developed as well and their overall dynamic between the 3 of them also just gave me life.
We also, of course, have an incredible plot. I think Xiran Jay Zhao really just thought out this world so well and everything just feels airthight. Anything that raised questions for me within the book ended up playing into things before the book ended, and overall I just thought it was all really well executed. The plot was very fast-paced and really had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The different twists and reveals were also just really well done, and the last one in particular (if you know, you know) had me absolutely GAGGED even the second time around. I absolutely can't wait to see all of this play out even more in book two. So excuse me while I go read that right fucking now. Like truly, how did I survive without the sequel immediately on hands the first time around?
REREAD 2025
It's been a while since I first read this book so before getting into Heavenly Tyrant I just knew I had to reread it to be able to recall the plot properly. I also just wanted to reread it because I remembered absolutely LOVING it the first time around. I can very gladly say that didn't change this second time around. I somehow might even love it more than the first time I read it. This book is just so incredibly good.
Books with a very gendered society at the centre of its plot always seem interesting to me. However, I think those stories often get stuck within their own binaries, and therefore don't end up reaching their full potential for me. That really isn't the case with Iron Widow. I love how this book discusses gender, and even though it is mainly focussed on the women in this world being treated unfairly, it does leave discussions open outside of the male/female binary. It feels so natural for these characters that are already questioning the world's docterines to not be stuck within the gender binary. On top of that this also goes outside of the straight focussed view the world might want the characters to stay in. Again, the discussions around sexuality just felt so natural within it all. I just love how it all was executed.
I also just adore Zetian. She is just such an interesting and compelling main character. She isn't perfect. Far from it in fact. Sometimes her actions can feel very frustrating as an outsider but her growth throughout this book is just phenomenal. I loved getting to see her grow throughout the entire book. However, from the start she's just so headstrong, and so badass. I fucking love her. The two love interests are also such great characters. They are both very different characters, but really in sync with Zetian as well. I'm so glad Xiran Jay Zhao went for the poly route, because as an actual love triangle this would have been impossible for me to pick. Even just the relationship between the two guys is PEAK. They all 3 have such different relationships with each other, which are all so interesting and well developed as well and their overall dynamic between the 3 of them also just gave me life.
We also, of course, have an incredible plot. I think Xiran Jay Zhao really just thought out this world so well and everything just feels airthight. Anything that raised questions for me within the book ended up playing into things before the book ended, and overall I just thought it was all really well executed. The plot was very fast-paced and really had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The different twists and reveals were also just really well done, and the last one in particular (if you know, you know) had me absolutely GAGGED even the second time around. I absolutely can't wait to see all of this play out even more in book two. So excuse me while I go read that right fucking now. Like truly, how did I survive without the sequel immediately on hands the first time around?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Sexism
Moderate: Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
Minor: Sexual assault
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking
Minor: Colonisation
theprinceofdenmark's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Alcohol, and Colonisation
kittykyryi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
WHAT THE FUCKKKKKK
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and War
Minor: Rape
rim_eh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.25
This book started off quite fast paced and I was instantly sucked in to the story of the main character.
In a world run by money and propaganda, where women are viewed as disposable and less than, the heroine is pissed off and determined to be recognised as equal. Her mental fortitude and pragmatism is almost too strong to be believable considering her upbringing.
The romance is closed door, if anyone was wondering.
The last part of the book felt more superficial or detached than the beginning and I had trouble getting in to it.
I also discovered I’m not a huge fan of mecha (mega transformer machines fighting a war), but despite all that it was an entertaining enough story.
In a world run by money and propaganda, where women are viewed as disposable and less than, the heroine is pissed off and determined to be recognised as equal. Her mental fortitude and pragmatism is almost too strong to be believable considering her upbringing.
The romance is closed door, if anyone was wondering.
The last part of the book felt more superficial or detached than the beginning and I had trouble getting in to it.
I also discovered I’m not a huge fan of mecha (mega transformer machines fighting a war), but despite all that it was an entertaining enough story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Rape and Violence
Minor: Sexual violence and Suicidal thoughts
kymopolaya's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gun violence and Rape
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
blacksphinx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
This is the book that got me back into reading as a hobby; I devoured it in less than 24 hours. It's also the first book I'm reread since diving back into reading, and I was nervous. I've read about 250 other books since then... would this still stand up to my memory of it?
The answer turned out to be mostly yes! It doesn't hurt that I recently bounced off of two other YA-ish-female-rage stories and I could compare and see how much better this one is (even on a sentence level). I love how Zeitan is a wrathful, manipulative thing who is fueled by spite. I also loved how singularly focused she was on women's position in the unjust pilot system. She never lost sight of the constant disregard and loss of female life, and even was able to pull her gaze back further to see that yelling at individual men was ineffective, it's the system that is rotten. And yeah, there's some cheesy bits (a character snaps his fingers and goes yeeeees at some point as the narration says the audience "gags" for a performance, which made me cringe). The blisteringly fast pace is an asset, allowing any humor that doesn't land to be quickly moved on from. The final cascade of revolutions was just as cool as it was the first time.It's also the only book I've read, YA or otherwise, the solves a love triangle with a genuine polyamorous triad, and I can't overlook how much I love that.
And yet, there's things that stood out and bothered me that I didn't think about my first time through. There's some continuity errors. This is supposed to bea "feminist" story, yet every female character attacks, abuses, manipulates, or tries to kill Zeitan. I understand the point Zhao is explicitly making, that the patriarchy is equally upheld by women and we are not all natural allies to each other, but not even a single female friend? She has to rely on men for the entire story? This is also yet another book where torture is portrayed as an effective means of getting information out of someone, when out here in the real world it doesn't work. The extremely high entertainment value I got out of the book outweighed the parts that bothered me.
The answer turned out to be mostly yes! It doesn't hurt that I recently bounced off of two other YA-ish-female-rage stories and I could compare and see how much better this one is (even on a sentence level). I love how Zeitan is a wrathful, manipulative thing who is fueled by spite. I also loved how singularly focused she was on women's position in the unjust pilot system. She never lost sight of the constant disregard and loss of female life, and even was able to pull her gaze back further to see that yelling at individual men was ineffective, it's the system that is rotten. And yeah, there's some cheesy bits (a character snaps his fingers and goes yeeeees at some point as the narration says the audience "gags" for a performance, which made me cringe). The blisteringly fast pace is an asset, allowing any humor that doesn't land to be quickly moved on from. The final cascade of revolutions was just as cool as it was the first time.
And yet, there's things that stood out and bothered me that I didn't think about my first time through. There's some continuity errors. This is supposed to be
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror, Body shaming, Homophobia, Sexual content, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
inirac's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence