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chronologically_charlie 's review for:
Iron Widow
by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
I started and finished reading this book in less than three hours, which points out how incredibly fast-paced and interesting the plot is. While I enjoyed the structure of the story, several aspects are holding me back from loving it.
1. The main character, Zetian, is annoying. There, I said it. I didn't like her in the beginning and I certainly didn't like her in the end BUT I did like what she stood for...I just didn't like how she went about it. Unhinged is fine, revenge is great. However, the story is framed to say that Zetian is not like other girls.
2. The relationship that was promised happened, but for no more than a few chapters before it was cruelly taken away from us. It bothered me to no end and I just spent twenty minutes ranting to my friends about it because what the heck.
3. The lack of female friendships was...nauseating. Every other girl we met during this run was either too weak, too stuck up, or too something. The only female companionships that Zetian had was wasted and poor representation of how women can be strong in other ways. I do have faith that if the series is to continue, then we might see some strong friendships build but oh maaan I was rooting for something a little more concrete right from the start.
4. The ending. I could scream. I saw the "twist" coming but it still felt like a slapped-on bandaid to the creative world-building rather than enriching the history a bit more. It was like turning to the final page and seeing "and then I woke up" before throwing the book across the room.
Oh, and some of the dialogue is truly cringey.
I forget where I was going with this review but...yeah...
1. The main character, Zetian, is annoying. There, I said it. I didn't like her in the beginning and I certainly didn't like her in the end BUT I did like what she stood for...I just didn't like how she went about it. Unhinged is fine, revenge is great. However, the story is framed to say that Zetian is not like other girls.
2. The relationship that was promised happened, but for no more than a few chapters before it was cruelly taken away from us. It bothered me to no end and I just spent twenty minutes ranting to my friends about it because what the heck.
3. The lack of female friendships was...nauseating. Every other girl we met during this run was either too weak, too stuck up, or too something. The only female companionships that Zetian had was wasted and poor representation of how women can be strong in other ways. I do have faith that if the series is to continue, then we might see some strong friendships build but oh maaan I was rooting for something a little more concrete right from the start.
4. The ending. I could scream. I saw the "twist" coming but it still felt like a slapped-on bandaid to the creative world-building rather than enriching the history a bit more. It was like turning to the final page and seeing "and then I woke up" before throwing the book across the room.
Oh, and some of the dialogue is truly cringey.
I forget where I was going with this review but...yeah...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Torture, Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Rape