Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - Viúva de Ferro

I know how bad a negative review can be, so i try to be gentle because it definitely wasn't my book.

I liked Zetian's character, or at least understood her. She is a true free spirit, full of energy and revenge with which she can burn the universe. And there is my Shimin who is in my whole heart, he deserves so much, so much better. I love their relationship so much, i'm so sorry we got so little of them.

The plot was confusing for me and couldn't hold my attention seriously, the pace was a bit fast, but i liked the references to mythology.

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julessssss'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? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

honestly sad about this one, especially as I pre-ordered it back when it came out. I read most of it pretty quickly, but did not find myself enjoying it all that much and that got worse as I got further into the book.

I think it is fine and will I read the second book? maybe

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

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corvid_archivist's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-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

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p1gu1's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny sad 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

the fact that the iron triangle shared only one moment of domesticity and it was between a torture session and the war

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candiemarsh's review against another edition

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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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fragrant_stars's review against another edition

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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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amalyndb's review against another edition

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4.5

I think it took me until around a quarter of the way in for this novel to really grab me. I also recognize that I've been running a low-grade fever and that might be part of why it took me a while.

Misogynistic society, reinforced by family members. Young women being sold into marriage or near-certain death as batteries for male mecha operators, to support the success of sons.

And yet, this grabbed me and I had a hard time putting it down.

Mechs / mechas haven't really been of interest to me in the past. Partially that generally I've encountered them in endless war contexts, and that just hasn't felt appealing to me.

This feels for me similar to brain/brawn ships, and other conjoined minds working together in various sci-fi.

Am curious where other works will go, as the twist at the end was something.

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ara02's review against another edition

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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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