reaux31's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
You start out hitting the floor running and it doesn't really slow down. The opening scenes do a good job of setting you up for knowing exactly what this world is about and the politics/social issues these characters will face.
I've seen some reviews complain about the main character being 1 note, I don't see it that way. I find her complex and relatable. If you are a member of a minority group that consistently gets oppressed, understanding Zetian's rage is exceedingly easy.
See multiple queer storylines develop and how the characters feel about them is refreshing. The ending plot twists are fun and definitely hook you into the series.
I've seen some reviews complain about the main character being 1 note, I don't see it that way. I find her complex and relatable. If you are a member of a minority group that consistently gets oppressed, understanding Zetian's rage is exceedingly easy.
See multiple queer storylines develop and how the characters feel about them is refreshing. The ending plot twists are fun and definitely hook you into the series.
dalessilim's review against another edition
3.0
Right off the bat, this is a super-feminist, rage against the patriarchy, super badA FMC story.
This book has a lot of cool and powerful moments and explored the gray of being faced with impossible choices under pressure, as well as exploring hard topics such as the fluidity of gender and sex, misogyny, and racism.
Content warnings: Scenes of violence and abuse, suicide ideation, references to sexual assault (no on-page depictions), alcohol addiction, torture, sexual scenes implied but not depicted on page.
This book has a lot of cool and powerful moments and explored the gray of being faced with impossible choices under pressure, as well as exploring hard topics such as the fluidity of gender and sex, misogyny, and racism.
Content warnings: Scenes of violence and abuse, suicide ideation, references to sexual assault (no on-page depictions), alcohol addiction, torture, sexual scenes implied but not depicted on page.
kimushur's review against another edition
4.0
Ok so this was such a good villain origin story. I really like how relentlessly angry and ruthless Zeitan was. There was such an inevitability to her 'last straw' reaction. You know it's coming, and there's no way to avoid it. It's a result of the things that have happened to her all her life. Also I love the throuple and the simplicity with which their relationship was resolved.
The one thing I didn't like was that I could tell it was YA by the way things were phrased. That's on me for not reading the description properly but it did dampen my experience with the book.
The one thing I didn't like was that I could tell it was YA by the way things were phrased. That's on me for not reading the description properly but it did dampen my experience with the book.
bethhaywood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
hopett's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kindlelover1932's review against another edition
3.0
author has good ideas and i liked the way they approached them. at times i felt like the novel was a bit awkward but that’s just how ya novels are and i think i forgot that. again i really enjoyed how the author approached feminist ideas and intersectionality through a fantasy/sci-fi setting of future china and explored ideas through characters and setting. the setting was one of the most interesting things about this book and it really contributed to my enjoyment of it. zetian annoyed me at times when her remarks made me cringe (i’m not a huge fan of characters that are constantly angry). loved li shimin’s backstory. definitely would have enjoyed this book more as a younger kid. will be reading the next one !!
snortles's review against another edition
5.0
My first thought was "oh... Chinese-inspired power rangers? This should be a trip."
Well. I was right. And wrong. But more right than wrong, because it WAS a triiiiiip. A trip with depth I never saw coming.
I laughed. I anguished. I cried. I raged.
Told in a semi-futuristic world that reflects our own, Iron Widow tells a story of control, loyalty, abuse, understanding, betrayal, grief, and revenge.
I cannot wait for everyone to read this, and even more, I cannot wait for the conclusion to this incredible work.
Well. I was right. And wrong. But more right than wrong, because it WAS a triiiiiip. A trip with depth I never saw coming.
I laughed. I anguished. I cried. I raged.
Told in a semi-futuristic world that reflects our own, Iron Widow tells a story of control, loyalty, abuse, understanding, betrayal, grief, and revenge.
I cannot wait for everyone to read this, and even more, I cannot wait for the conclusion to this incredible work.
bright_winter_moon's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the way the love triangle resolved, it was creative and different and interesting. A cool twist at the end also. Otherwise the way the story was written made it tough to read (especially the dialogue for me) and it wasn’t really my genre.
thebookmeg's review against another edition
5.0
“Shame and humiliation are self-imposed emotions, and from here on out, I choose not to feel them.”
Epic. One of my top books for the year. I found myself highlighting so many pages. I love Zetian, I love her spirit and her fight. The subversion of the love triangle trope was
Epic. One of my top books for the year. I found myself highlighting so many pages. I love Zetian, I love her spirit and her fight. The subversion of the love triangle trope was