Reviews tagging 'Injury/Injury detail'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

436 reviews

booksemmahasread's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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jessmarie_2015's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I really wanted to love this one more than I did, and I think it was really the ending that fell flat for me.

The characters are interesting, and the plot feels really unique. I also liked the concept of the  Chrysalises.

I just felt like the ending happened too fast, and we see Zetian go from calculating and thinking things out before acting to just acting out of rage without thinking. To me, that felt like her character growth was taking a few steps back.

The very last plot twist was a bit interesting, so I'm really torn if I want to pick up the sequel.

I will say that while this book wasn't for me, it was by no means a bad book, and if it sounds like something that might interest you, definitely give it a try!
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spockrocket's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional 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

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rory18's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

It's a fun power fantasy but I'm not really sure I'd call it feminist since it doesn't exactly pass the Bechdel test and the main character barely has any relationships with women. Also, I called all the plot twists but maybe that's just because I'm also a writer who is writing about colonization and sexism. Also weird how Zetian can't forgive anyone but her boyfriends for anything but has done some pretty frequently-seen-as-unforgivable things herself. I did enjoy it though. Anti-heroes are fun and the boys are interesting.
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d13_chels's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging inspiring tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

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sultrytartreviews's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

A million stars if I could!! This books was so fricking good. I’m glad I waited for book two to be out because the ending is a huge cliff hanger.
Any potential reservations or questions I had about the plot/world building were answered by…not directly being answered. Basically, it’s ok to not know because it turns out our MCs don’t really know anything either. And I’m ok for going along with the ride in book two. The fast pace of the story kept me from looking too closely at anything that could have derailed be early on, so I appreciate that tactic.
Feminine and queer rage combine to create a fire no one can dampen. I am obsessed and I cannot wait to read more.
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lastcomment314's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is intense. It's a whirlwind, with vivid writing, and it does not hold back. I love the main characters and the different flavors they each bring to the book, and even though many of the choices they make are morally dubious, that's kinda the point of the book, and everything the characters do is consistent with who they are and what they care about.
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miren_sc's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

How I rate books: 1-2  ★ : Bad... really bad. 3 ★ : If you'r into this kind of book it's good.
4 ★ : Good! 5 ★ : Goddamn good!!!


Ein wirklich sehr gutes Buch.
Zhao entführt in eine bunte und detailreiche Welt und konfrontiert einen so mit Gefühlen, wie man es selten ließt: von Rache und Wut, von Liebe und Vergebung. Ein zorniger Aufschrei gegen das Patriachat, bei dem man bis zum Ende hin mitfiebert.
Das Ende des Buche fand ich persönlich etwas zu schnell, aber das ist nur mein eigener Geschmack. Rund um ein echtes Meisterwerk.
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A really really good book.
Zhao thrusts you into a colourfull and detailed world and confronts you with emotions in a way you rarely read: about rage and fury, love and forgiveness. An angry warcry against the patriarchy, that has you on the edge till the end.
Personally I found the end of the book to be a bit too quick, but that's just personal taste. All in all a true masterwork.
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kucingliest's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Exciting read with an interesting main character. Systematic oppression and childhood trauma leads her to take the path of an anti hero, willing to pursue her goal of tearing down confinements set upon women and girls no matter the cost. Would recommend.

There are some tropes I found a little silly but ultimately don’t take away from the overall experience too much:
- despite being teenagers, characters are able to trick experienced war lieutenants who should be no strangers to deceit and manipulation
- perfect rich boyfriend and mysterious strong quiet guy who’s actually just a sweet heart. both of them are likable but it’s still trope-y LOL
- some side characters feel more like caricatures than humans
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jaded_bambee's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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