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ewout_s's review against another edition
Couldn't rond myself in the pacing and thé extreme viewpoints made me put that book down. Otherwise great concept, but not for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Classism
jb4nay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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? Yes
5.0
I think Zetian was an awesome protagonist. Her justified rage at these systems limiting her and women in their world were so captivating to sit with throughout the story. I also really liked the development with Shimin and Yizhi throughout the book. The qi system was really neat. As someone with messy family dynamics, I really appreciated seeing a character actively not choose them after they treated her terribly over and over again .
It was also really nice to get a vengeful lead and actually see them get the revenge, instead of having some change of heart because anger is an unreasonable emotion (which I disagree with).
The ending left me wanting to spend more time in this world. Can't wait to see what happens next!
It was also really nice to get a vengeful lead and actually see them get the revenge, instead of having some change of heart because anger is an unreasonable emotion (which I disagree with).
The ending left me wanting to spend more time in this world. Can't wait to see what happens next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual violence
coffee_and_manhwas's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
2.25
Favorite quotes:
• "Plus, I don’t trust myself to landscape two matching brows out of the entity I’ve got. And how am I supposed to sign up for my death if my eyebrows are uneven?"
• “There’s no such thing as karma. Or, if it does exist, it sure doesn’t 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. If we want something, we have to push back against everything around us and take it by force.”
• “I would seriously give that back to her. That girl does not seem like one to be messed with.”
• “Do you terrorize people often, beautiful?”
• “You’ve been living a dream for long enough! Welcome to your nightmare!”
• “Well. This is an interesting development.”
• "Me. Li Shimin. An assassin. A murderer. Huaxia’s best hope. Not hostile."
• “If you want something from me, you better pay what I’m due!”
• “Yeah, we’re not the ones who want you dead, you unhinged bitch!”
• “Oh. Poor guy.”
• “I think…you’ve been lied to about what male needs are like. We aren’t animals. Yes, our desires get pretty strong, but they’re not overpowering. There’s no such thing as going mad because of them.”
• “Well, supposedly, you smash the lenses, sharpen the biggest fragment on the floor of your bunker, hide it in your collar, and try to slit a soldier’s throat with it.”
• “When you cherish someone for how amazing they are, you don’t pluck them from their roots just to watch them wither in your hands. You help them bloom into the incredible thing they’re really meant to be. And no, I’m not expecting anything back from you, so don’t feel pressured. This is simply what I want to do.”
• “You’re my polar star. I’ll go wherever you guide me.”
• "What I have learned through this madness is that you can absolutely solve your problems by throwing money at them. If you can’t, you probably don’t have enough money for that particular problem."
•“You can’t shoot me; I’m from Central Command!” ... “You can’t shoot me; I’m rich!”
• “You’re the miracle I’ve been waiting for all this time, going into these battles, praying that something would be different. I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”
• "Love can be infinite, as much as your heart can open. I mean, when you think about it, love is fueled mostly by compatibility. Whether two people make each other happy by being close."
• “Listen up: just because you have the capacity to do something for someone, it doesn’t mean you have the obligation to, especially when they won’t even appreciate you for doing it.”
• “If you say so. But mark my words: one day, this will come back to bite you in the ass.”
• “Humans…scourge of the universe…”
• “Remember. Remember who you are. Remember me.”
• “Fuck the cabin in the mountains. Let’s rule the world.”
• "Plus, I don’t trust myself to landscape two matching brows out of the entity I’ve got. And how am I supposed to sign up for my death if my eyebrows are uneven?"
• “There’s no such thing as karma. Or, if it does exist, it sure doesn’t 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. If we want something, we have to push back against everything around us and take it by force.”
• “I would seriously give that back to her. That girl does not seem like one to be messed with.”
• “Do you terrorize people often, beautiful?”
• “You’ve been living a dream for long enough! Welcome to your nightmare!”
• “Well. This is an interesting development.”
• "Me. Li Shimin. An assassin. A murderer. Huaxia’s best hope. Not hostile."
• “If you want something from me, you better pay what I’m due!”
• “Yeah, we’re not the ones who want you dead, you unhinged bitch!”
• “Oh. Poor guy.”
• “I think…you’ve been lied to about what male needs are like. We aren’t animals. Yes, our desires get pretty strong, but they’re not overpowering. There’s no such thing as going mad because of them.”
• “Well, supposedly, you smash the lenses, sharpen the biggest fragment on the floor of your bunker, hide it in your collar, and try to slit a soldier’s throat with it.”
• “When you cherish someone for how amazing they are, you don’t pluck them from their roots just to watch them wither in your hands. You help them bloom into the incredible thing they’re really meant to be. And no, I’m not expecting anything back from you, so don’t feel pressured. This is simply what I want to do.”
• “You’re my polar star. I’ll go wherever you guide me.”
• "What I have learned through this madness is that you can absolutely solve your problems by throwing money at them. If you can’t, you probably don’t have enough money for that particular problem."
•“You can’t shoot me; I’m from Central Command!” ... “You can’t shoot me; I’m rich!”
• “You’re the miracle I’ve been waiting for all this time, going into these battles, praying that something would be different. I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”
• "Love can be infinite, as much as your heart can open. I mean, when you think about it, love is fueled mostly by compatibility. Whether two people make each other happy by being close."
• “Listen up: just because you have the capacity to do something for someone, it doesn’t mean you have the obligation to, especially when they won’t even appreciate you for doing it.”
• “If you say so. But mark my words: one day, this will come back to bite you in the ass.”
• “Humans…scourge of the universe…”
• “Remember. Remember who you are. Remember me.”
• “Fuck the cabin in the mountains. Let’s rule the world.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, and Sexual harassment
beckahh_i's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
This was fucking incredible. I didn't really know anything about this book going in, other than it was a booktok favorite. It is now in probably my top books I've ever read, and for sure top 5 of the year I think. The feminine rage was palpable through this entire book. It was fantastic. Highly recommend.
There's definitely a lot of horrible things in this book so definitely check trigger warnings, but it's so worth it.
There's definitely a lot of horrible things in this book so definitely check trigger warnings, but it's so worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
nwordsmith's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
4.75
This book had me on the edge of my seat for the entire read. I could hardly put it down. The world building was impeccable. The characters were complex and layered. I loved getting to know the world through Zetian’s admittedly warped perspective. Though her self justification sometimes got out of hand, I loved her rage and dogged determination. This was a stunning reimagining of a historical figure in a far off future world. I couldn’t get enough. Towards the end, I was convinced there would be no way to set up for a series but Xiran Jay Zhao brought it right back around. I cannot wait to read the next book and learn more about the world and characters and hopefully get some answers about the gods and Hundans.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
eap5790's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, and War
ratchetang's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Can be confusing if you have little knowledge of chinese culture and mythology or mecha genres.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, and Alcohol
Moderate: Confinement, Genocide, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Grief, Colonisation, and Dysphoria
Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
leafhead's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and War
ashley_reya's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What a story! And what an ending!
The betrayal by Xiuying is truly a shock. Also, the tyrannical turn Zetian takes. It’s very interesting to see how her character goes from revolting against the system, working within it, and ending by completely shattering it. Zetian, Shimin, and Yizhi all grow as people throughout this book. It was wonderful to see the character development evolve based on how they supported and encouraged each other. Allowed for different moments of vulnerability in a world that seeks to exploit that as a weakness. I do love the throuple they became and the way Zhao navigated that conversation.
The parallels between the misogynistic reality of Huaxia and the misogynistic history/reality of many societies on Earth are very present. Zetian’s feelings and frustrations were ones I’ve known all too well. A very very interesting character. I’m excited to see where this story goes.
Also, the Heavenly Council?! What in the colonizers is going on?! Another last minute wild twist that I was not expecting. The humans being the alien invaders.
The parallels between the misogynistic reality of Huaxia and the misogynistic history/reality of many societies on Earth are very present. Zetian’s feelings and frustrations were ones I’ve known all too well. A very very interesting character. I’m excited to see where this story goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Murder, and War
Moderate: Misogyny and Physical abuse
Minor: Rape and Suicidal thoughts
sydneykaye's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.75
sci-fi/fantasy reimagining of the first female emperor of China. very feminist and deals a lot with the patriarchy and violence against women pretty good representation for a HEALTHY polyamorous relationship
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, Murder, and War
Minor: Physical abuse and Rape
SPOILER for why Li Shimin was imprisoned and explains the mentions of rape