Scan barcode
A review by cloreadsbooks1364
Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This explosive sequel flings us back into the world of Iron Widow exactly where we left it, with Wu Zetian now having to deal with Qin Zheng, the absolute menace she has released from a 200-year sleep who she has to marry. It’s primarily set in a political climate, Qin Zheng’s new labourism ideals being implemented across Huaxia, with the evil rich men being brutally executed.
This one was slower paced than Iron Widow, but we meet many new brilliant characters, such as the quick-thinking mathematician Taiping and the highly intelligent Wan’er, while also seeing old characters such as the tough Qieluo and one of Zetian’s loves, Yizhi.
I adored the tense relationship between Zetian and Qin Zheng, how it developed and how it’s set to develop in the next sequel. I do hate Qin Zheng, obviously, but he is a great character. Zetian is still the furious feminist we met in the first book, and I still loved her as much as I did then.
The insane ending really increased the sci-fi aspect of this series, in the moment I thought that it didn’t fit very well with the atmosphere of the previous chapters, but I’m glad we get another book to see some more world-building (or is it space-building now?).
Queer rep:
Queer protagonist
Bi side characters (Yizhi and Shimin)
Sapphic side characters
Enby side character
(check out xiranjayzhao.com to see memes, art of the chrysalis, and hilarious character descriptions, and give them a follow on Insta)
(Also, the award for best author photos ever hereby goes to Xiran Jay Zhou)
This one was slower paced than Iron Widow, but we meet many new brilliant characters, such as the quick-thinking mathematician Taiping and the highly intelligent Wan’er, while also seeing old characters such as the tough Qieluo and one of Zetian’s loves, Yizhi.
I adored the tense relationship between Zetian and Qin Zheng, how it developed and how it’s set to develop in the next sequel. I do hate Qin Zheng, obviously, but he is a great character. Zetian is still the furious feminist we met in the first book, and I still loved her as much as I did then.
The insane ending really increased the sci-fi aspect of this series, in the moment I thought that it didn’t fit very well with the atmosphere of the previous chapters, but I’m glad we get another book to see some more world-building (or is it space-building now?).
Queer rep:
Queer protagonist
Bi side characters (Yizhi and Shimin)
Sapphic side characters
Enby side character
(check out xiranjayzhao.com to see memes, art of the chrysalis, and hilarious character descriptions, and give them a follow on Insta)
(Also, the award for best author photos ever hereby goes to Xiran Jay Zhou)