Reviews

Rache im Herzen by Xiran Jay Zhao

chronoveil's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Started off with a strong hook, but as the book went on, I instead found myself groaning at how the book discusses patriarchy. It didn't even feel like an introduction into thinking about patriarchal society through the lens of fiction; at times, it felt as though whether or not the reader was meant to like a character... was signaled on if a character viewed women as people or not.

Like mm I don't think this is it chief. At least it passed 4 hours of my workday today...?

seliason's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

isabb's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

lostcadence's review against another edition

4.0

Iron Widow, a science fantasy novel set in a future past fictional folkloric China (think Great Wall and Zhuge Liang mixed with Mechas that works via Wuxia style processes), is a thrilling revenge fantasy about a woman willing to risk it all to destroy the patriarchy. There are definitely some pacing issues (at times too fast yet still lagging in the middle), and the tone is not always consistent (i.e., sometimes characters speak in a modern Western tone, sometimes in a tropey translated Wuxia style tone). The characters have a fairly singular focus, but they live in a world with many systemic barriers that their singular focus crashes up against often. I liked this book a lot, though some of the Wuxia tropes may feel out of place for folks not familiar with the genre. The prose is fine but not amazing.

britt_reads1's review against another edition

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

pamela__reads's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars

micthebookdragon17's review against another edition

dark emotional funny 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? N/A

5.0

abbs17's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? No

4.5

kittyhollow's review against another edition

4.5

This book serves as a super cool mech action story and also a great example for how systemized sexism works. 
Overall I thought it was solid; could be the next hunger games. Can’t wait for the next book. 

skybluespines's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I enjoyed the story and the characters! I actually honestly loved the three main characters. And I like a good villain creation story, which in many ways it seemed to be. It felt too blunt and obvious though... There was no subtlety to the messaging, and very little nuance. The messaging could have been more cleverly handled and it would have made the story a lot stronger.