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jenzie1437 's review for:
Heavenly Tyrant
by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A well written book focusing on traversing individual relationships and political landscapes.
The main character Zetian is an obviously flawed character who has risen from commoner prisoner to empress and now has to deal with balancing the politics of her new position as well as her relationship with the new emperor, while trying to protect the two men she loves (a polyamourous relationship).
While her going into a relationship with the emperor was not something I particularly enjoyed, I can see how this was done for political necessity and comfort. However, I truly despised his character from the start and this opinion has not changed, while I can see how a character put of time may face difficulties, it gave me little to no sympathy towards him (Although I suspect we were never meant to like him).
I would have been interested to see Zetian fighting against true gods but I am curious to see where the third book will go in terms of introducing an intergalactic landscape and the challenges that come with it.
The main character Zetian is an obviously flawed character who has risen from commoner prisoner to empress and now has to deal with balancing the politics of her new position as well as her relationship with the new emperor, while trying to protect the two men she loves (a polyamourous relationship).
I would have been interested to see Zetian fighting against true gods but I am curious to see where the third book will go in terms of introducing an intergalactic landscape and the challenges that come with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Murder, War, Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Colonisation
Minor: Mental illness, Rape, Medical trauma