this was such an interesting take on the myth of Pygmalion and I loved the ending!! but I didn't enjoy some of the swearing bc it didn't feel like it fit the story? but it was still enjoyable and a good quick read :)

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

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adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

so when Zhao's tiktok came up on my fyp explaining that Iron Widow was a sci-fi retelling of the only female emperor in Chinese history WITH poly rep I was in Waterstones the next day buying it.
AND IT 👏🏻 DID 👏🏻 NOT 👏🏻 DISAPPOINT 👏🏻
I thought I was ready going into it but i was not I was screaming 40% of the time crying 30% and being in love with Zetian, Shimin and Yizhi the other 10% (that's a lie it was 100% 😌). By the end I was completely obsessed with this world and it's characters.

My favourite parts was the BATTLES AAA. They were intense, action packed, getting you on the edge of your seats, and literally screaming at the plot twists and not to mention amazingly written. You can fully imagine the fights between these massive mechas and the emotions just bled through the pages please it was on another level.

The characters were so loveable!!!
Zetian, queen I LOVE her with all my heart. A woman as the mc who is unapologetically off the rails and against the system. Tearing down the city and people in charge with her insane power and strength. I also loved how caring she was too for the people she loved and how she grew as a character throught the book.

Shimin, MY BOYYY ("my sweet murder boy") bless his mans heart his whole heart and soul. I'm so soft for people who everyone else says is scary but is actually a sweetheart. The way he and Zetian grew together and how he was understanding of Zetians hate towards certain things. I love guys who actually listen to women rather than shooting them down. I also love how 🧍 he is he's sometimes oblivious especially with Zetian and Yizhi. I cannot wait to learn more about him in the second book I loved every scene with him in and every interaction he had. His character was great and I love how developed he was.

Yizhi, looks like an angel but could 10/10 destroy you. I love him he's just there,, all sweet then when Zetian needs help hes like "yea I'll destroy someone". He's so lovely and his fanboy personality that shines when he meets Shimin please it was amazing. Zetian and Shimin would burn down a city and he'd be proud and we love him for it.

Oh did I mention the world building??!! HELLO?? If you like sci-fi Iron Widows world building would have your jaw on the floor because it's insane how creative it is. It doesn't get messy or confusing it flows so well without it being boring at all. The world raises the stakes for the characters allowing for some unpredictable plot twists which had me almost throwing the book across the room- THE ENDING--

To summarize: Iron Widow is an amazing Sci-fi book featuring an actual love triangle with flushed out world building, lovable characters, enemies to lovers and many other amazing tropes which are well developed through out allowing for an ending that'll leave you shocked and waiting impatiently for the sequel (its a cliffhanger and a plot twist I'm telling you-). All I can say is PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!

The Sad Ghost Club by Lize Meddings

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

this was so lovely to read and very relatable too. I can't wait to read the next one <3

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

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dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I don't read many classics but Dorian Gray is one I've seen ppl talk about I was in a slump and was like okay I'll try this and now I'm OBSESSED-

I loved the slow decent into madness that Dorian experiences, the whole concept behind the book is amazing too I loved how the picture was a catalyst into how Dorian grew in the book and how it impacted his decisions and the whole idea about trading your soul for youth allowed for an interesting insight into vanity and narcissism.

I loved Dorian in the sense that he was a really complex and explored character his journey from someone so innocent into someone sinful was so interesting to see and with each chapter you learn more and more about Dorian's narcissistic nature. I loved Basil he was just so sweet and a bit,, fruity I mean the guy worshiped Dorian. I think his compassion for Dorian was interesting I feel him being introduced first allows us to see the extent of Dorian's charm. Anyway onto the character I HATED, Henry- every time he was talking I just thought plz shut up he was just misogynistic and for what? To me Henry is the start and whole reason why Dorian became obsessed with youth, although Dorian is a villain I think Henry was the start and more evil that Dorian maybe it was Dorian who was a victim to Henry's charm...

So so much happened in this omg I couldn't even- but it destroyed me when Dorian killed Basil bc he was my favourite. The ending had me speechless, I knew something bad would happen to Dorian if the painting was destroyed but I never expected what happened. I think by stabbing the painting he stabbed his own soul which is why he was killed. For me I think after his mortal self died he became trapped in the painting but that's just an idea

Overall it was a great read the language wasn't too complicated and it made for a great story of vanity, obsession and a double life with horror undertones and a 10/10 concept! :D

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ashureads's reviews 135 reviews

ashureads's reviews
135 reviews