A review by clarksamanthab
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

This book was awful. The main character isn‘t just unlikeable- she‘s practically evil. Am i supposed to root for her as she enjoys torturing someone or destroying entire cities?? Additionally the older sister is main character’s whole motivation- but she is only given a name once in the beginning. the whole rest of the book she is just called „Big Sister“ as if the author forgot to go back and fill the name in in editing. Also, the romance was choppy and annoying- each time shed begin to get close to one guy, shed suddenly make a move on another. there was no clear development of her love for either man. Definitely there wasn’t enough time spent with the one who dies before he did. The whole  time the main character rambles on and on this repetitive „man bad woman good“ crap. i get it’s supposed to be a feminist book but feminism isnt violence and rage without nuance. Overall the book was surface level and lazy. The only redeeming factor was the interesting worldbuilding. 
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