The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
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
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
nere's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
there is something about this genre and subgenres that demands homage or reference to trope. iron widow seems to deny you any satisfaction in this regard. anytime you think you know where the story is going Zhao takes you somewhere else. its refreshing but also disruptive to the part of my brain that demands structure from my genre fiction
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Murder, Alcoholism, and War
Moderate: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, and Gun violence
Minor: Fatphobia and Vomit
cherry_lake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
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.
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
starlireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: War, Vomit, and Torture
Minor: Rape
jennn_3's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.5
Moderate: Death, Gore, and War
Minor: Rape
kouya's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Murder and Torture
Moderate: Xenophobia and Death
Minor: Rape and War
inthemoonlight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder, War, Alcoholism, Addiction, Misogyny, Death, Kidnapping, and Sexism
Minor: Colonisation and Rape
tokki_dokki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Zetian was also a very interesting character to read. She was strong but she had her flaws, and I liked that. It felt very fitting for a YA protagonist. We find out a lot of darker aspects of their universe thanks to Zetian's character.
I enjoyed reading about her love interests as well, thought I do wish we had been given a little more insight into why/how they end up liking each other within such a short time frame. (Zetian and Yizhi's relationship was the most fleshed out, which I'm grateful for! They were lovely!)
I do think everything went a bit fast for my liking, but as there is a sequel coming, I have hope that the author may elaborate more on certain aspects of the plot or the relatuonships :) Overall, a very solid read, very action-packed and also diverse characters. Enjoyable ♥️
Graphic: War, Addiction, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Rape