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keen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Torture
Minor: Body shaming and Fire/Fire injury
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
abbyschalupa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A good read. I loved the main character and the rage she carried with her. Going against the lies she’s been taught, she defines her own worth. The whole story, you watch her reclaim her power. I liked the romance and was invested in all 3 characters- they each had their own story and history. I cared about all of them. The dynamics between the 3 of them felt fresh.
What I liked-
A fast paced, dark story about female rage and taking back your power. I loved watching the protagonist on her journey and use her voice. A found family in the midst of abusive biological family. A love triangle where each character loves, supports, and balances one another in their own way.
What I struggled with-
This was more of a personal thing, as where I was didn’t quite mesh with the book. There’s an emphasis on dark themes and while much isn’t grotesque, it’s present. The hunduns are the enemy in the war, yet there’s not enough description on what they actually are or what they look like. I had no idea how to picture them. For the war to be a central focus, it felt like a blatant missing piece to have scarcely any information about them. There’s a big twist at the end meant to shock you, and it felt a bit cheap.
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Sexism, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical content
Minor: Genocide and Rape
lauralia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Genocide, Homophobia, Sexual content, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation
rizky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I had forgotten SO MUCH, especially the final act, so this was another wild ride.
Not a lengthy review, but just the crux of my thoughts/feelings: this book has flaws - it is a debut, and noticably so. My main concern is a lack of subtely (Zhao spells the political implications out quite explicitly) and slightly convoluted worlbuilding. At same time, the story and characters are absolutely worth it (at least to me) (all the feelings I felt, damn).
I definitely recommend Iron Widow to anyone who enjoys female rage, morally dubious characters, and poly romance.
Excited to start reading Heavenly Tyrant!
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual violence and Trafficking
anjoureadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
It lays bare the insidious, absurd and strategic nature of the patriarchy.
I love how it’s in your face.
And I love how Vengeful and Angry the protagonist, Wi Zetian is. Her rage and her unpredictability is what I love most about her.
There are times she makes crazy and impulsive decisions and I want to judge her but I pause and put myself in her shoes, if I was an 18 year old girl living in her world, her circumstances, how would I behave?
It helped me understand her actions sometimes.
Although, the story could have been much better if it had more character depth and romantic development. The romantic connection between Zetian, Yizhi and Shimin felt pretty underdeveloped but ate up the little I got regardless. I think it could have helped if we had the POVs of the love interests a few times in the book.
I still really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend.
I can't wait to read book 2- Heavenly Tyrant. Hoping there’s more depth and the writing improves this time around.
Also, that ending had me like what the fuck???
But it’s a really good setup for the series so I’m not even mad at it.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Blood
firelily13'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Sexual assault
ceruleanseas'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
nebulamarcus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts
sirpandacat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and Torture
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, and War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Fire/Fire injury