Reviews with content warning for Torture - Iron Widow

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Reviews tagging 'Torture'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

1072 reviews

kimmychii5's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

kevin_the_intern's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous dark 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: Yes

Content Warnings

shector1's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark informative relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

marleywrites's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

“LONG LIVE THE IRON WIDOW!”

I am writing this directly after reading the ending via audiobook and when I say I didn’t see it coming…. I mean it!!

This book is so angry and visceral and raw. Almost everything about it screams rage and pain being released. But at the same time there are soft and tender moments, raw in a different way.

I love that they’re polyamorous. That was awesome and very well done in my opinion.

I am frustrated with the ending because I have to wait until 2023 for the sequel. But I’m eager to see where the next book takes them and how certain things will resolve.

I will say I appreciated the disability representation as well as Zetain used a wheelchair and it was a normal thing that nobody really questioned. The discussion of alcoholism was okay as well. I think it was a realistic take on the situation and then when “more stuff” is revealed you understand better why Shimin reacts that way to alcohol.

Overall, this book was possibly one of the weirdest books I’ve read but in the best way. I’m not really a frequent flyer with sci-fi and I wasn’t expecting the story to be how it was but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the audiobook narrator and had a great time listening to the narration. I cheered for Zetian multiple times.

“WELCOME TO YOUR NIGHTMARE!!”

Great story. Looking forward to the sequel! 5/5 stars.

Content Warnings

onemamareads's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad 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: Yes

Read my full review here: https://onemamassummer.weebly.com/book-reviews/iron-widow

Content Warnings

johnbat's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I overall can appreciate this book. My biggest issue is that the writing style feels like that of a YA dystopian style book. However, the book’s content reveals it as a book intended for adults. If you don’t mind that writing style, give it a go.

Story wise, I think that the author attempted too many things in one book. Many of the plot important elements felt as though they were not thoroughly set up or came out of nowhere.

Content Warnings