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Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

1012 reviews

cs172's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0


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queermothman's review against another edition

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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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yoanneke's review against another edition

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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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mejamausezahn's review against another edition

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adventurous tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0


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comaduff's review against another edition

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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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mirandyli's review against another edition

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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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read_yuu_wrote_yuu's review against another edition

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

5.0


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the_frenchie_history_nerd's review against another edition

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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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theprinceofdenmark's review against another edition

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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


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deshibornbideshi's review against another edition

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dark hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Themes/Topics/Attributes: dismantling the heteropatriarchy in an ultra-heteropatriarchal world, dystopian industrial future, class commentary, trauma-informed character development, exploited/prisoner labor

Have patience with our protagonist who is young, highly traumatized, and has every right to be as indignant
and vengeful
as she wants to be when she has had no community at her back for so long, under conditions that most of us reading this book could only ever imagine but that many of us can certainly at least begin to relate to. Zetian is scrappy and clever and cunning, and she deserves to survive. She deserves to thrive in a world that she has been told cannot exist. I see that world for her and her companions, and they've begun to see it too.
They have a difficult and still traumatic jouney ahead of them. I hope they emerge victorious in each other's arms.
This is a story of navigating trauma, power, and injustice. This is a story of daring to have hope and begin the messy work of making it a reality.

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