Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

44 reviews

ctara2123's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and War

himpersonal's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-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

3.5

This book was a lot of fun and validating for me. It's like The Iron Widow was able to say how I feel about the patriarchy in the ways I wish I could. She’s the best hero! Looking forward to reading the sequel when it comes out.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

angelfireeast24's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious 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

 A disabled queer feminist hero who took no shit and served endless power despite deep discrimination and injustice told within a sci-fi world of robots vs aliens. 5 stars Highly recommend reading 

It is an epic story of a world shaped by discrimination and sexism. A woman dares to change the world by refusing the horrible role society has assigned her. The world seems like one thing and quickly stands out as something altogether different. Nothing is as it appears. I was rooted in the story of Wu Zetian even as I sometimes had to look away and take a break from all the angst. Wu Zetian never stops fighting patriarchy and injustice. As the story develops, so do Wu Zetian's views on feminism and the characters around her. It goes hand in hand as her worldview changes throughout the book. I was supposed to be shocked and perhaps conflicted about a few things that happened by finding I was 100% behind our heroes. Near the end, twist after twist leaves me desperate for more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Alcohol

julessssss's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

honestly sad about this one, especially as I pre-ordered it back when it came out. I read most of it pretty quickly, but did not find myself enjoying it all that much and that got worse as I got further into the book.

I think it is fine and will I read the second book? maybe

the fantasy / sci-fi parts were great in my opinion, and I liked how complicated the world building, history, and such seemed to be.

I did not like any of the main characters that much though, and I do not think the relationship between Zetian and Shimin was developed enough for how they were acting, idk. I did not feel any compatibility for them, even when they were supposedly in a relationship. The polyam part though, I want to see more books with relationship dynamics like that.

also the "feminism" was overwhelming and a lot of what I have seen in other books before. I did not see much new or innovative in that respect and it got annoying very quickly.

I don't think it was badly written though and the plot seemed at least well thought-through.

idk overall it was fine, but not my favorite

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault

Minor: Domestic abuse

fragrant_stars's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Honestly I loved this book. I didn't love it.. as much as I wanted  to love it, if that makes sense. It did come off as a little "preachy" at some points-- like when the characters talk about how men aren't just animals who can't control their sexual urges-- but the book as a whole, I loved, and I also loved, loved, loved the ployamoury in it, and the characters, and the ending. I'd definitely recommend this to any and all my friends.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Murder, Alcohol, and War

Moderate: Ableism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Vomit, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism

Minor: Child death, Rape, and Murder

anni_o's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

Shit, I really really enjoyed this! Zetian is an amazing main character, even tho it all gets really dark, especially towards the end. I really understand her though, and her struggles make her actions understandable af. I really liked the fight descriptions, I could totally imagine the Pacific rim like battles and it was really exciting. I can only imagine the feeling of power it gives a young woman like her to pilot such a robot

and the devastation when she finds out that her and many other girls were kept at an intentional disadvantage for hundreds of years and killed because of it just for the men to keep their ego. No wonder she kills all the men in power she can ... Queen shit honestly. Or empress shit? Mh.

Anyway! I watched the authors YouTube channel before the book came out and I know I'm late to the party on this book as it's been on my shelf for some time but I really enjoyed their writing and I can't wait for the sequel next year!! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Classism

Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

inthemoonlight's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Kidnapping, Murder, and War

Minor: Rape and Colonisation

iane_reads'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? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War

Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Cursing, Genocide, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Blood, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Biphobia, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, and Deportation

oliviathebookwyrm's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Murder, and War

Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic

ender24's review against another edition

challenging dark funny informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

DAMN.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism