Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

317 reviews

rjbedell's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

“A primal scream of a book” is a very apt tagline, for better and for worse.  Zhao’s great achievement in Iron Widow is a raw, ferocious current of feminist rage, sustained by shocking plot twists and vivid action sequences.  Genuinely tender moments thread a surprising love arc through otherwise dark scenes.

However, for me the book was weighed down by excessive brutality, surprisingly immature dialogue, and at-times clumsy plot advancements.  The cruelty of the novel’s world makes it impossible not to root for the title character, yet the conclusion Zetian reaches as her revenge fantasy reaches its fever pitch —   “the world does not deserve my respect… kindness or compassion” — abandons speculative fiction’s potential to inspire.  From a serious standpoint, the story paints a grim portrait of a woman consumed by her own rage in a seemingly endless fight against injustice.  For readers able to take the book less seriously, it may provide a cathartic release valve in the form of a sensational, unpredictable bloodbath.

Reminded me strongly of The Hunger Games and Ender’s Game.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation

abbyschalupa's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-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? Yes

3.5

Dark sci-fi with a focus on destroying the patriarchy 

A good read. I loved the main character and the rage she carried with her. Going against the lies she’s been taught, she defines her own worth. The whole story, you watch her reclaim her power. I liked the romance and was invested in all 3 characters- they each had their own story and history. I cared about all of them. The dynamics between the 3 of them felt fresh. 

What I liked-
A fast paced, dark story about female rage and taking back your power. I loved watching the protagonist on her journey and use her voice. A found family in the midst of abusive biological family. A love triangle where each character loves, supports, and balances one another in their own way.

What I struggled with-
This was more of a personal thing, as where I was didn’t quite mesh with the book. There’s an emphasis on dark themes and while much isn’t grotesque, it’s present. The hunduns are the enemy in the war, yet there’s not enough description on what they actually are or what they look like. I had no idea how to picture them. For the war to be a central focus, it felt like a blatant missing piece to have scarcely any information about them. There’s a big twist at the end meant to shock you, and it felt a bit cheap. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Sexism, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical content

Minor: Genocide and Rape

lauralia's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

This is my second time reading this book, as I’m preparing to read the sequel, and I loved it just as much as the first time. The intrigue and the different revelations throughout make sense, I love seeing the way the main characters shed the weight of what society told them is the right. I hope Heavenly Tyrant will be as good, because Iron Widow still hasn’t let me down! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Genocide, Homophobia, Sexual content, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation

anjoureadsbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark 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

4.5

This is sci-fi, feminist literature. It is not subtle.
It lays bare the insidious, absurd and strategic nature of the patriarchy.
I love how it’s in your face.
And I love how Vengeful and Angry the protagonist, Wi Zetian is. Her rage and her unpredictability is what I love most about her.

There are times she makes crazy and impulsive decisions and I want to judge her but I pause and put myself in her shoes, if I was an 18 year old girl living in her world, her circumstances, how would I behave?
It helped me understand her actions sometimes.

Although, the story could have been much better if it had more character depth and romantic development. The romantic connection between Zetian, Yizhi and Shimin felt pretty underdeveloped but ate up the little I got regardless. I think it could have helped if we had the POVs of the love interests a few times in the book. 

I still really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend.
I can't wait to read book 2- Heavenly Tyrant. Hoping there’s more depth and the writing improves this time around.

Also, that ending had me like what the fuck???
But it’s a really good setup for the series so I’m not even mad at it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Blood

ceruleanseas's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Classism

Minor: Body shaming, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt

livrosnoanonimato's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

My favourite book ever 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

ivi_reads_books's review against another edition

emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

 If I had to summarize Iron Widow in one word, it would be rage!

This YA sci-fi blends futuristic mechas (think giant battling robots) with historical elements like foot binding and the systemic suppression of women. In this world, male and female pilots team up to steer these robots—but the male pilot can sacrifice the female if needed. So yes, there’s plenty to be angry about.

The female main character, who had her feet bound at a young age, experiences chronic pain and occasionally relies on a wheelchair. While there’s a love triangle, it’s quite tame, and the book leans heavily into its raw, emotional core.

I wished for more nuance, maturity, and backstory for the characters, but I’m hopeful the sequel (coming December 24, 2024) will deliver!

If you love fierce female leads and stories dripping with justified fury, this one’s for you. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Violence and Classism

embersbooknook's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

4.5

I don’t know exactly what I was expecting when I picked up this book but HOLY SHIT🤯  It blew my mind.  It was such a huge undertaking of a book in that I feel like, while we could nitpick character arcs and plot rhythm, the scope of the book was, to me at least, very focused on the undertaking of exposing the evils of empire, and of the consequences of peoples and groups of peoples too long oppressed, and the way that systems of oppression harm EVERYONE.  

I really appreciate the way Xiran captures this

especially in the way that men are shown to be being lied to, fooled, and used by the powers that be, too.  Especially with them being ‘tributes’ once they reach a certain age.  Also in the way that many of the male pilots don’t want to hurt their female co-pilots and yet do because they have bought the lies, but then also live with the guilt because they don’t realize the whole thing is totally rigged.  It’s deep and feels so chillingly close to our own realities

.   

While there’s SO much more to say about anti-colonialism/empire, sexism, gender based violence and oppression, and propaganda, this was a fantastic beginning.  I feel like the soul of the book is Zetian fighting back for all those who can’t anymore, and to make sure that those to in future generations don’t face the same abuse, violence, and oppression that she and all those before have had to. 

On a lighter note

MY THROUPLE BETTER MAKE IT DAMMIT!!!  They’ve been through enough, I want them to rule the world as a throuple - Zetian, Yizhi, and Shimin just need to be okay at the end of this. 😭😭❤️‍🩹

 

I appreciate the stage that was set in this book, and I am simultaneously terrified and excited for book two, and to see the next level of these discussions.  
I really haven’t properly captured this book because I am still processing it, and will be for some time to come.  10/10 would recommend.  I will be tagging some content warnings below, although the author also provides them in the beginning of the book.  Definitely read this one when you’re feeling stalwart because it’s some heavy themes but well handled and important. 🙌🏽  
Okay, gonna go preorder Heavenly Tyrant now…😉 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

The rape is never any on page depictions, but it is implied to have happened to a few non major characters and there is pressure on the female protagonist to allow sex from people she doesn’t want it from. Rape is also discussed as a theme throughout the book in regards to gender based violence and oppression. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t easy to read despite not being overly graphic. I experienced intimate partner sexual coercion, manipulation, and a couple assaults and that made it feel close to home for me. If you’ve been through something more traumatic than I have, definitely read with care and don’t be afraid to take breaks and be sure to have some self care in place❤️‍🩹 It is an excellent read but heavy so I felt these notes were needed. The other violence mentioned, while not overly graphic, is still upsetting at times so again just…take good care.

islayfraser's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark medium-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

4.75

So good and so complex. It addresses so many issues relevant in Canada and other countries, right now and in the past. Intersectional feminism, queer and gender theory, characters of colour, this book has it all! It even addresses decolonization, which I (surprisingly, considering how colonial many fantasy works are) don't see much in fantasy literature!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Ableism, Death, Physical abuse, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism

themdash's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.5

Really wonderful concept and hints of incredible world-building, including a GREAT twist at the end… but it’s dragged down by uneven pacing, lack of detail, immature writing style, and jumps in characterization (Zetian’s feelings about Shimin seem to completely change overnight). I’ll continue the series, but can’t recommend it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism