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scribblinginthemargins 's review for:
Iron Widow
by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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
Last third or so was a bit of a let down but more than worth it for the central concepts around bodily autonomy, feminism and the nature of traumatic memory under oppressive government. I was surprised this is categorizes as YA - it felt very elaborate, nuanced and mature... Until the last 70 pages or so when the character development and jerky plot just became a bit ridiculous?
Still well worth a read.
Still well worth a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Trafficking, Murder, Gaslighting