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A review by cinnakuuri
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I wanted to root for this book. I really did. It's not often that I see poly rep; in fact, this is the first I've seen.
But I really find it difficult to empathize with the characters when they're barely given time to grow. Yes, we get a lot of fast action. And yet they're just too busy being catapulted from one inexplicable moment to another. The characters, let alone the reader, could barely react.
A lot of things also happen for the sheer shock factor. I can tell because of the poor setup. Maybe you can chalk it up to bad editing as well.
It doesn't help that Zetian has the subtlety of a brick wall. There are better ways to illustrate a strong character than having her tell you that every other page. The man vs. woman narrative is infuriating, given that she should have been more aware than most that the truth is more complex than that.
I don't often write long and detailed reviews like this, but something about this book just really let me down. Maybe it's because I sincerely hoped this would deliver on its intriguing premise.
Finished this novel for the sake of doing so, but I'm not eager to pick up whatever comes next.
But I really find it difficult to empathize with the characters when they're barely given time to grow. Yes, we get a lot of fast action. And yet they're just too busy being catapulted from one inexplicable moment to another. The characters, let alone the reader, could barely react.
A lot of things also happen for the sheer shock factor. I can tell because of the poor setup. Maybe you can chalk it up to bad editing as well.
It doesn't help that Zetian has the subtlety of a brick wall. There are better ways to illustrate a strong character than having her tell you that every other page. The man vs. woman narrative is infuriating, given that she should have been more aware than most that the truth is more complex than that.
I don't often write long and detailed reviews like this, but something about this book just really let me down. Maybe it's because I sincerely hoped this would deliver on its intriguing premise.
Finished this novel for the sake of doing so, but I'm not eager to pick up whatever comes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence