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trisniko78's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, Death of parent, and War
booksemmahasread's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content
mirandyli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
the_frenchie_history_nerd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Iron Widow's characters definitely aren't good people, but they're still loveable in some sort of twisted way. Zetian is a villainous figure that you're probably gonna learn to love despite her cruel nature.
This book is just as good on a second read, and I can't wait to start Heavenly Tyrant!
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Murder, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Murder, and Classism
Dark subjects treated with respect throughout the book, but the author does not shy away from talking about a brutal, deeply flawed and violent society.rjbedell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
However, for me the book was weighed down by excessive brutality, surprisingly immature dialogue, and at-times clumsy plot advancements. The cruelty of the novel’s world makes it impossible not to root for the title character, yet the conclusion Zetian reaches as her revenge fantasy reaches its fever pitch — “the world does not deserve my respect… kindness or compassion” — abandons speculative fiction’s potential to inspire. From a serious standpoint, the story paints a grim portrait of a woman consumed by her own rage in a seemingly endless fight against injustice. For readers able to take the book less seriously, it may provide a cathartic release valve in the form of a sensational, unpredictable bloodbath.
Reminded me strongly of The Hunger Games and Ender’s Game.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation
dalek_caan's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and War
sadetanssija's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Mainly because good polyam rep is so hard to find, I'm willing to forgo a lot of other standards.
To quote a good movie: "It makes no damn sense. Compels me though."
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, and Classism
Moderate: Biphobia, Gun violence, Slavery, Vomit, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
themdash's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
mcmolls's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, War, and Classism
catperspective's review against another edition
- 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
0.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail