Reviews tagging 'Racial slurs'

While Iron Widow is inspired by the history of China and its only female emperor, it actually takes place in a different world. One in which more than the patriarchy is set to topple. The official blurb gives away too much and I can’t figure out how to sum things up without revealing key plot points either. So here is an amusing summary posted by the author which you may or may not understand:

“Under siege by monsters beyond the Great Wall like that shitty Matt Damon movie (except the monsters are Cybertronian-like sentient machines) a society that has the fashion, social customs, and beliefs of Ancient China but futuristic tech fights back by pulling a Neon Genesis Evangelion and rebuilding their very invaders into giant mecha. A boy-girl pair in their teens, because of course they have to be teens, pilot the mecha Darling in the Franxx style, except in a much more sensible position (he hugs her from behind). Under command of human pilots, these mecha take on forms inspired by East Asian myth creatures and transform like Transformers through Digimon-esque evolution lines that get more humanoid as you go on. The pilots physically embody them, so it's more Attack on Titan than Gundam. Oh, and they blast qi attacks, so the battles honestly read like a bunch of furries engaged in a Dragon Ball Z fight, and that’s no one’s fault but mine.”

I heard NGE, Digimon & Dragon Ball, lol. Suffice it to say, Iron Widow is a trip 😹 In a good way, though. I don’t usually follow sci-fi well, but all the fast paced action in this book is surprisingly easy to visualize. The pages are rife with brutality, but there’s a good amount of well-timed humor as well. The morally grey cast is complete with a cinnamon roll character. There’s a love triangle that doesn’t follow the usual set up where everyone gets hurt and you can guess early on who ends up alone. And, another brilliant twist.

However, some people don’t like that the book is marketed as feminist because the main character, Zetian, is all about violence and bloodshed. In my opinion… some people need to recall that this story is set in a world where survival is rooted in violence and the government has been systematically sacrificing women for generations. It’s not like Zetian can change anything by say, running for office or writing to representatives. And we are capable of thinking critically, so should we really require her to be the ultimate feminist icon at all times just because the book has feminist themes? Zetian's life is constantly on the line. She isn't given many options, so while her actions might not always reflect an ideal picture of humanity, I think she operates in a realistic way considering all she's been through and all she's up against. In the beginning, it’s obvious that she is desperately done with life. Consumed by grief and rage, she is ready to sacrifice her awful family along with herself. Moreover, she contemplates possibly damning the human race for the sake of revenge. I would’ve liked more content on Zetian’s bond with Big Sister in order to make better sense of her death as Zetian’s initial driving force, but all the same… as circumstances shift, she comes to realize she has a bit of power to leverage and hope begins to spark in her chest. Her goals get bigger, less selfish. It’s still very clear, though, that if things don’t change, she doesn’t want to be around. Taking her past trauma, the conditions she's being forced to endure, and her mental/emotional/spiritual state into account, how can readers expect her to be this golden heroine who always does the right thing? Even the very concept of ‘the right thing’ becomes convoluted as the story progresses. Right or wrong, Zetian is the type of person who’s willing to make heartless decisions in order to tear down the toxic system she was born into. But she’s also prone to lashing out in fits of anguish. And I do wonder how the aftermath of her actions will settle, how she will process it all…

If Zetian ends up having to pull her efforts back, will she feel like she killed her family for nothing? What about the woman who got blackmailed into attacking her? Will she come to regret later murdering that woman?

Another reason people have argued the book shouldn't be labeled feminist is that Zetian goes about attaining victory the way men are often portrayed doing so. I agree that women don't need to emulate men in order to be strong and I so appreciate stories about women who are strong by their own feminine standards. But Zetian is a girl whose qi manifests the way society might expect a guy’s to, and it's great. It doesn't change the fact that the narrative centers on the liberation of women, so I don't see it as a reason to denounce the story's feminist themes.

My question isn’t how did Zetian get such ‘radical’ ideas, but why does she appear to be the only one seeing clearly enough to get big mad?

As someone pointed out to me, there have been others before Zetian. The general population just isn't aware of them, and that seems to further illustrate the fact that the average woman is in no position to push back. But...

I wonder why all these other female characters seem to believe the lie that it's a woman's privilege to almost certainly die. True, they've been exposed to propaganda their whole lives. But is there really only one woman in a generation with thoughts to the contrary, or has the author just delayed introducing us to others/kept them in hiding for the time being?

I think it would've been cool to have the other female pilots in a Balanced Match work with Zetian in some capacity, rather than be hostile and antagonistic or secretly work against her. Though I suppose their actions make a point on the reality of women tearing down other women. And I'm glad we get to see at least a little loyalty towards the end. I do anticipate greater solidarity as the story progresses and hope it coming through gradually will serve to make the narrative even stronger.

Content Warnings

autumnal_aura's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny inspiring mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

4.5

Villain as heroine fights for vengeance for her sisters death and to right the wrongs done to women in her culture as she becomes a co-pilot of a mech to save her people from alien invasions. MMF love triangle and surprise ending.

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madamenovelist's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

4.0

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ramiel's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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smiley_ari's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

3.75

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sophiesmallhands's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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

4.75

Iron Widow was my dream combo book, imaginative and absolutely bonkers yet plausible plot? Tick! Unexpectedly varied and three-dimensional characters to cheer for? Tick!
I won’t say too much about the plot to save spoiling it so I’m going to talk mainly about the characters.

If I had to sum up the main character Zetian in one word, it’s easily rage. Zetian is unapologetically angry about the world she’s been born into and how that has limited her opportunities. All her thought processes while almost single-handed dismantling a flawed system (I mean, all patriarchies are flawed at their core really) is fascinating. Much the book reminded me a lot of The Hunger Games, where the system tries to weaponise and control the main female character, only to realise they’re playing with fire.

The love interests, Shimin and Yizhi, who form the other two parts of a queer, polyamorous true love triangle are totally non-stereotypical male YA characters which was tremendously refreshing. At first glance, Yizhi seems like a typical kind, rich boy but ends up displaying a spine of steel in defiance of the traditions that raised him. On the other hand, Shimin could have easily ended up being type casted as the strong, stoic male character, but instead we see a vulnerable, intelligent boy who has been demonised for doing what he thought was right.

My only wish is that we see some more female characters to work alongside Zetian – there was a stark lack of them in this first book and the few female characters we see are either ambivalent or outright antagonistic towards her.

The last 80 pages was absolutely WILD and I’m very keen for the next book!

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adhdru's review against another edition

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adventurous dark reflective 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

“You’ve been living a dream long enough!
Welcome to your nightmare.”

I don’t even know where to start because I love so many things in this book. But let’s start with a quick summary of…

What this book is:

🐉The first of a sci-fi series “featuring giant mechas inspired by Chinese myth creatures”

🙆🏻A book with morally grey characters (who you will adore) ~~and contemptible ones that you’ll want to tear apart~~

🧡The evolution of the overused love triangle trope into its ultimate form: ✨polyamory✨

✊A magnificent delivery of very relevant social commentary —including misogyny, gender roles, [lack of] sustainability, racism, corruption, etcetera

What this book isn’t:

🙅Historically accurate —if you wanna learn about Wu Zetian’s life, this is a (total) reimagining of her life in an astronomically different setting!

📖A light, breezy read —there are some potentially triggering ones, as well as general fucked-up stuff happening

👓Your typical YA read —it’s a million times better and you should get reading asap

With that out of the way, let’s us dive into... my review

[Warning, cursing will ensue]

I’m not usually a big fan of mecha and I don’t read sci-fi very often, but I loved this setting so much. I was super into the (very misogynistic) mecha system though, which is powered by qi and spirit energy and the chrysalises (the robots) are creatures from Chinese folklore

all it needs is to have the pilots in balanced seats

Zetian, the main character and reimagining of the only female emperor of China, is fucking awesome. She has all I love in a person and as I was conflicted deciding whether I wanted to date her or be her, I decided that I want both —minus the lottus feet, that’s definitely something that should stay buried in the past (and fiction)!

The love interests Shimin and Yizhi, or as she describes them murder boy and sweet boy are not only decent and the opposite of a misogynist, they are also fucking awesome. They will make you soft, sad, mad and proud. They will also make you want to protect them at all costs.

What I probably loved the most though, is how this felt so cathartic in a way. Their world is horrible but, honestly, so is ours… Reading Zetian acknowledge and rage about all the injustice and broken systems infuriated me but also in a way made me feel validated. I often feel (or I’m made to feel) as though I just care too much, as though I spend so much energy on lost causes, speaking out about what’s wrong with the world and trying to act consciously to improve it. The fact that I cared about many themes and not just one has often given me the label of ‘intense’ and finding a character that is as ‘intense’ in that sense as me was so exciting and comforting.

Fuck the police and the patriarchy

As mentioned previously, this book has a lot of social commentary, more than I’ve ever read in fiction. It was all brilliantly incorporated in a way that felt natural and makes you rage too —if you’re like me, you’ll be angry a lot (I have a lot of orange book tabs to prove it)— but doesn’t in any way take away from the narrative or distract you of what’s going on.

“There will be no redemption. It is not me who is wrong. It's everyone else.”

There’s criticism about societal rules and expectations based on gender, particularly when it comes to women, blatant racism (disguised in high morals), injustice towards the poor/uneducated, corruption in the government, military and media; the justice system, and just so much more.

"There's no such thing as karma," I say, enunciating every siyllable like I want to crush them with my teeth. "Or, if it dies exist, it sure does not give a shit about people like me. Some of us were born to be used and discarded. We can't afford to simply go along with the flow of life, because nothing in this world has been created, built, or set up in our favor."

I truly enjoyed reading all these parallels to today’s world through a character that is actually aware of the irony and the wrongness of it all. And even when she exploits certain aspects of it, you can’t help but root for her.

"Humans...scourge of the universe..."

Highest level of badassery

This book is action-packed, and it just doesn’t get boring. But besides these scenes, what makes this so awesome is that Wu Zetian is an unapologetic bad bitch —and the love of my life. She is ruthless (see exhibits A and B for a couple of examples), brilliant, defiant, rebellious and will not hold herself back. She is witty and daring, takes no one’s shit, literally murders assholes, and says goodbye to gender roles, heteronormativity and monogamy —I’m stopping here cause if I were to list everything, I’d reach the max. character count.

She also single-handedly pilots the second biggest chrysalis into a Hero form and then goes on to co-pilot the highest class of chrysalis in existence, so there’s that. ☺️

Exhibit A (pg. 38):

To Yizhi: “Don’t think I’ve overlooked that you came to my house and almost foiled my plan, despite knowing how important it is to me. If you tip off the army in even the slightest way, I will kill myself when they lock me up, and then I will haunt you.”

Exhibit B (pg. 104):

To Shimin: “Ripples of visible heat lift his long hair above his shoulders, exposing his neck, splashed with horrid scars. 'It’s all wrong.’
‘Can't you fix it?’
‘I don't know how.’
Anger roils through my stupor. This conversation is pointless.
Only one can live.
‘I can't fix anything,’ he goes on. ‘I only know how to destroy.’
‘Then die.’
I stomp forth and shove him over the edge.”

Screw jealousy

I cannot emphasise enough how refreshing it is to read a love triangle resolved the right way: by making them all fall for each other. A healthy relationship where gender is irrelevant, there’s no toxic jealousy, they all work as a team and that doesn’t pressure anyone into having sex and consent is valued.

"Cheating is deception. He and I have talked about this. He's secure enough to know it's not a competition. That any feelings I have for you don't cancel the ones I have for him. He's okay with however close you and I get."

So many monogamous relationships could learn from them —both in fiction and reality.

"No, don't worry. I don't consider my instincts logical. so I don't want to be defined by them."

Before the poly becomes canon he also explains why he doesn't mind Zetian (potentially) being with Shimin in such a wonderful way:

"Where does jealousy come from, if not an insecurity that I'll lose you because of him? But that's not how it works, no matter how many people believe it so. You're not something to be kept or taken, and love isn't some scarce resource to battle over. Love can be infinite, as much as your heart can open."

I'll wrap up this kilometric review with one of my favourite quotes cause it has some of my favourite things grey morality, defiance, a fuck you to gender roles and the hierarchy, and perhaps the most important of all: food.

“Perks of refusing to play by the rules: you don’t have to choose between the boy who’d torture a man to death with you and the boy who welcomes you back with pastries.”

Instagram: https://cutt.ly/druloveswords| Storygraph: https://cutt.ly/mystorygraph | Goodreads: https://cutt.ly/mygoodreads

Content Warnings

chamaeleontis's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book was honestly amazing. I physically stopped myself from reading it (I put it at the bottom of my backpack and piled stuff on top of it) so I could spread it out over multiple days and enjoy it for longer. It's a medium length book, but an incredibly fast read, with excellent pacing. I am blown away by the book and utterly loved it. I don't want to give away any plot here, because there are a ton of twists and turns that are fun to discover as the come, even if they wouldn't really be spoilers.

The characters were well-developed, and have a very real sense to them. The plot is engaging and doesn't falter. Bonus points for the gorgeous cover, it did not disappoint.

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