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imchelsi'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? No
4.25
Moderate: Violence, Torture, War, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Alcoholism
julessssss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
the fantasy / sci-fi parts were great in my opinion, and I liked how complicated the world building, history, and such seemed to be.
I did not like any of the main characters that much though, and I do not think the relationship between Zetian and Shimin was developed enough for how they were acting, idk. I did not feel any compatibility for them, even when they were supposedly in a relationship. The polyam part though, I want to see more books with relationship dynamics like that.
also the "feminism" was overwhelming and a lot of what I have seen in other books before. I did not see much new or innovative in that respect and it got annoying very quickly.
I don't think it was badly written though and the plot seemed at least well thought-through.
idk overall it was fine, but not my favorite
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Alcoholism, Murder, Death, Misogyny, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
Minor: Domestic abuse
fragrant_stars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Domestic abuse, Death, Addiction, War, Xenophobia, Sexism, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Torture, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Confinement, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Body horror
Moderate: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Classism, Kidnapping, Terminal illness, Vomit, Ableism, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Murder, Rape, and Child death
ara02'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
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Torture, Addiction, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Violence, and War
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment, Confinement, and Death
p_ttyb_tch'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? No
2.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, and Misogyny
Moderate: Murder, Racism, and Domestic abuse
Minor: War, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual violence
madmantha'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
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Addiction, Classism, Blood, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Body horror, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, War, Child abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual content, Police brutality, Grief, Violence, Trafficking, and Pregnancy
jmermelstein14'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: Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Violence, Body horror, and War
Minor: Sexual violence
alex_salamander'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
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny, War, and Sexism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Torture
Minor: Fatphobia, Grief, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Ableism, Body shaming, Rape, Slavery, Physical abuse, and Bullying
anni_o'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: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Alcohol, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexism, Classism, Emotional abuse, War, Alcoholism, Torture, Addiction, Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
tekoppstok's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Body horror, Death, Gore, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Chronic illness, Torture, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and War
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
The content warnings make the story seem like a downer. It very easily could have been a very depressing book. Instead, the passionate rage and desperation of the main character buoys the narrative into something much more fierce and addictive than doom and gloom, even at the very darkest moments. It's fight or flight the whole way through, with heavy emphasis on fight.