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adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, War
Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Rape, Terminal illness, Medical content
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Murder
Moderate: Racism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Xenophobia, Police brutality
Minor: Confinement, Rape
dark
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Cool concept and story, but the characters felt very flat to me and the writing style was not my thing at all.
Also, for a book that's supposedly about female empowerment, there are barely any fleshed out female characters besides the MC.
Also, for a book that's supposedly about female empowerment, there are barely any fleshed out female characters besides the MC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Sexual harassment
adventurous
dark
inspiring
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:
Complicated
An invigoratingly unapologetic power fantasy in all the best ways. It's refreshing to see a female protagonist show justifiable rage and fury over her mistreatment without making it an eventual segue into "being the bigger person" and "choosing forgiveness" morality lessons. While the world building and cultural influence is drawn from China, the messaging is universal: If the only way to stop being abused is to tear it all down, then tear it all down.
Also want to applaud one of the most naturally formed poly triads I've ever witnessed. Plus there's mecha robots!.... Trust me it just works.
Also want to applaud one of the most naturally formed poly triads I've ever witnessed. Plus there's mecha robots!.... Trust me it just works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay, so, this book is fun. It really is! I read it quickly and had a pretty good time doing it. It’s interesting to me that the wicked, terrible parts of these characters were actually the parts of them I liked. I think perhaps why I didn’t particularly like the main characters was because Zetain (the female mc) was slightly too girlboss for me sometimes, and the boys have the fabled “man-hating lesbianism” going against them. I will say I do sometimes really, really like guy characters, though, so I’m not sure exactly why I didn’t connect to these guys. But it’s fun, y’all! I mean it gets like DARK, dark sometimes which is not something I mind. It’s weird because I was anticipating loving this book (maybe why I feel mildly disappointed) because it has a lot going for it: a polyamorous throuple, “evil” women, and amazing Chinese representation. Anyway, it’s certainly an easy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
I absolutely loved this book and the complexity of the characters and it would be 5 stars however I found the ending to be quite rushed
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Torture, Classism
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Could not stop reading. This book moves very fast and really grips you. I was feeling like this was more a 3.5-4 star book in the middle, but the ending really surprised me.
The best stuff: Strong women characters, intricate plot based on deceptions, strong voice of the main character, bisexual representation, strong social commentary on gender roles, abusive family dynamics, and celebrity culture
My only problems with the book were world-building issues around the role of women in their society. I don't know anything about Chinese culture so I'm not sure which parts were inspired by that. It was hard to tell when Zeitan's actions were outrageous to her society, or allowed due to her fame. HOWEVER it mirrored the real world's misogyny and double standards for women, so it felt very real.
Few other characters in this book were women. Most were either part of Zeitan's abusive family or very catty and hostile. While this book has great feminist themes, unfortunately it lacks multiple well developed women characters.
Finally, and this is simply personal preference, it did the thing of the main character falling in love with a violent person because they're misunderstood. The relationship makes sense, and aforementioned love interest has many underlying issues. But I don't like the trope of guy beating up other people as a romantic gesture. It's more complicated than that, but it was a tad annoying.
Finally this book is very dark, and discusses a lot of misogynistic issues(virginity tests, footbinding, rape), as well as death, murder, and torture.
Overall, great book, loved the main character.
The best stuff: Strong women characters, intricate plot based on deceptions, strong voice of the main character, bisexual representation, strong social commentary on gender roles, abusive family dynamics, and celebrity culture
My only problems with the book were world-building issues around the role of women in their society. I don't know anything about Chinese culture so I'm not sure which parts were inspired by that. It was hard to tell when Zeitan's actions were outrageous to her society, or allowed due to her fame. HOWEVER it mirrored the real world's misogyny and double standards for women, so it felt very real.
Few other characters in this book were women. Most were either part of Zeitan's abusive family or very catty and hostile. While this book has great feminist themes, unfortunately it lacks multiple well developed women characters.
Finally, and this is simply personal preference, it did the thing of the main character falling in love with a violent person because they're misunderstood. The relationship makes sense, and aforementioned love interest has many underlying issues. But I don't like the trope of guy beating up other people as a romantic gesture. It's more complicated than that, but it was a tad annoying.
Finally this book is very dark, and discusses a lot of misogynistic issues(virginity tests, footbinding, rape), as well as death, murder, and torture.
Overall, great book, loved the main character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, Murder, War
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Rape, Suicidal thoughts
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
REALLY enjoyed the story! i was hesitant at first because mecha-centered stories can be a hit or miss for me depending on how the world is explained, but i didn’t struggle visualizing the world xiran jay zhao created for us.
what i like most about this story is how zetian basically goes against everything that is considered socially acceptable/expected of her. she is one of the most powerful female chrysalis pilots in a world where female pilots are looked down upon and seen as pawns to strengthen the male pilots. she is not very family oriented (which i did not expect and what she does to her family at the end took me by surprise!) and she even does not view relationships as a two-person thing.
one thing i would’ve wished is for more interactions between shimin and yizhi, but i saw a tiktok from xiran jay zhao saying that they had to cut out a scene between the two of them to shorten the book. hoping it’ll get released as a bonus chapter sometime
what i like most about this story is how zetian basically goes against everything that is considered socially acceptable/expected of her. she is one of the most powerful female chrysalis pilots in a world where female pilots are looked down upon and seen as pawns to strengthen the male pilots. she is not very family oriented (which i did not expect and what she does to her family at the end took me by surprise!) and she even does not view relationships as a two-person thing.
one thing i would’ve wished is for more interactions between shimin and yizhi, but i saw a tiktok from xiran jay zhao saying that they had to cut out a scene between the two of them to shorten the book. hoping it’ll get released as a bonus chapter sometime
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Torture, Sexual harassment