Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Viúva de Ferro by Xiran Jay Zhao

340 reviews

candiemarsh's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

I am OBSESSED with this book. I am a nerd for Chinese mythology and spiritualism, and this book included a lot of those aspects. The story was so vividly described, I could visualise the scenes in my head. I loved how the characters' weaved around each other, and the story progression was quite seamless and timely. I would have preferred for this not to be a YA book, tbough; would have loved more details on the chemistry Zetian had with the other characters she meets along her journey. Absolutely cannot wait for the sequel "Heavenly Tyrant" to be out in April 2024!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Violence, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Death, Alcoholism, and Addiction

fragrant_stars's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• 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

Honestly I loved this book. I didn't love it.. as much as I wanted  to love it, if that makes sense. It did come off as a little "preachy" at some points-- like when the characters talk about how men aren't just animals who can't control their sexual urges-- but the book as a whole, I loved, and I also loved, loved, loved the ployamoury in it, and the characters, and the ending. I'd definitely recommend this to any and all my friends.

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Content Warnings

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

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

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

kirakomrade's review against another edition

tense fast-paced

• 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Ableism

Minor: Sexual assault

bkwrm1317's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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? No

4.0

Iron Widow was recommended to me back in 2021 when it was published, and it's been on my TBR since. I'm really glad that I elected to get back to this read. A great fit for readers who enjoy fiesty femme protags, switching gender roles, disability representation, tropes around toxic masculinity and patriarchal values, with fantasy and sci-fi elements. 

Mechas, Chinese history (?), and the life power of young women being leeched dry to fight aliens terrorizing the human race in the future. Our primary protag's initial goal is to avenge the death of her sister. Once she does this, her journey takes twists and turns that I didn't see coming. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Sexism

Moderate: Child abuse, War, Ableism, Violence, Death, Emotional abuse, and Classism

anyareads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Blood, Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, and Grief

cherry_lake's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

What a ride!! Omg I haven’t read a book like that in so long. Dynamic, unapologetic story of vengeance, power, love and war. It was like watching an anime. While this book is not highly detailed in its world building, it is sooo evocative and exciting, and it’s the first in a series so I’m actually so pleased with the amount of world building!! Can’t wait for more. Thank you Xiran Jay Zhao! 

If you’re wondering if you should read it… if you are tired of watered down dystopian YA novels, moralizing characters, mind NUMBING gender stereotypes (I’m including the stereotypes of the characters who are supposedly breaking the stereotypes as well!!), pussyfooting romance plot lines that are too afraid to commit — then this you might really love.

Also, I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is phenomenal.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Murder, Alcoholism, Death, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Body horror, Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Torture, Violence, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

anni_o's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring 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

Shit, I really really enjoyed this! Zetian is an amazing main character, even tho it all gets really dark, especially towards the end. I really understand her though, and her struggles make her actions understandable af. I really liked the fight descriptions, I could totally imagine the Pacific rim like battles and it was really exciting. I can only imagine the feeling of power it gives a young woman like her to pilot such a robot

and the devastation when she finds out that her and many other girls were kept at an intentional disadvantage for hundreds of years and killed because of it just for the men to keep their ego. No wonder she kills all the men in power she can ... Queen shit honestly. Or empress shit? Mh.

Anyway! I watched the authors YouTube channel before the book came out and I know I'm late to the party on this book as it's been on my shelf for some time but I really enjoyed their writing and I can't wait for the sequel next year!! 

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Content Warnings

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

kylieabbynormal's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, and Suicidal thoughts

stuckinatimeloop's review against another edition

4.0

loved the characters, the dynamics, everything

i didn't really get what exactly the hunduns were. i don't even remember there being a physical description for them. also the emperor stuff i didn't really get. maybe that's my fault, or maybe it wasn't written clearly enough.

still, the epilogue, though rushed, sets itself up so that you want to read the sequel and it seems the next books would be more interesting

also this is like a much watered down version of the poppy war

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, War, Violence, Death, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse