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jen_prouvaire 's review for:
Heavenly Tyrant
by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This sequel was just as enjoyable as the first book!
The first few chapters follow the action from the end of Iron Widow (which I found slightly confusing as it has been a while since I read the first one, but I quickly orientated myself) but I felt like the story really kicks off when we start to see the aftermath. It's very hard to describe without spoiling, but I love that Zhao doesn't shy away from very difficult questions and consequences of revolution. Zetian goes through a lot of internal conflict and despair in this book as she reckons with everything she has done, everyone she has lost, and the accidental consequences of her actions, but we also see how she can't allow herself to break down if she wants any of that loss to mean anything.
I also love that Zetian gets to have many more deep and meaningful relationships with women explored in this book, as well as the very interesting dynamic between her and Qin Zheng being the central storyline.
Addictively readable!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC, I was so excited to get this early!
The first few chapters follow the action from the end of Iron Widow (which I found slightly confusing as it has been a while since I read the first one, but I quickly orientated myself) but I felt like the story really kicks off when we start to see the aftermath. It's very hard to describe without spoiling, but I love that Zhao doesn't shy away from very difficult questions and consequences of revolution. Zetian goes through a lot of internal conflict and despair in this book as she reckons with everything she has done, everyone she has lost, and the accidental consequences of her actions, but we also see how she can't allow herself to break down if she wants any of that loss to mean anything.
I also love that Zetian gets to have many more deep and meaningful relationships with women explored in this book, as well as the very interesting dynamic between her and Qin Zheng being the central storyline.
Addictively readable!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC, I was so excited to get this early!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Colonisation, Classism