Reviews tagging 'Body shaming'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

192 reviews

julbel's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.25

Intense experience of one young woman's struggle in a system that views her as no more than fuel for an endless war. 
The quick pace of the book does leave me wishing for more moments of quiet, which are few and brief, to get a sense of the characters outside of turmoil. Zetian, Shimin and Yizhi are compelling characters, with much potential for further development of depth (and hopefully *some* down time to figure out who they are when they aren't trying to overthrow the government). 
Looking forward to the continuation of this story in the next book!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Police brutality

krystaldelusion's review against another edition

dark emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Alcohol

Moderate: Addiction, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and War

Minor: Body shaming and Sexual assault

bluejayjazz's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail

angelfireeast24's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring 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

 A disabled queer feminist hero who took no shit and served endless power despite deep discrimination and injustice told within a sci-fi world of robots vs aliens. 5 stars Highly recommend reading 

It is an epic story of a world shaped by discrimination and sexism. A woman dares to change the world by refusing the horrible role society has assigned her. The world seems like one thing and quickly stands out as something altogether different. Nothing is as it appears. I was rooted in the story of Wu Zetian even as I sometimes had to look away and take a break from all the angst. Wu Zetian never stops fighting patriarchy and injustice. As the story develops, so do Wu Zetian's views on feminism and the characters around her. It goes hand in hand as her worldview changes throughout the book. I was supposed to be shocked and perhaps conflicted about a few things that happened by finding I was 100% behind our heroes. Near the end, twist after twist leaves me desperate for more. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Alcohol

sapphic_necromancer's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Blood, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Torture

persephonefoxx's review against another edition

adventurous tense 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? Yes

4.0

To quote Anya Taylor-Joy, “I have this thing about feminine rage”

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Grief

Minor: Body shaming, Terminal illness, and Death of parent

madmantha's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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

4.5

What a great book!! I cannot wait for the sequel! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Homophobia, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, Grief, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia

alex_salamander's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and War

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Torture, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Colonisation

Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, and Grief

hearkenheretic's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Medical trauma, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Genocide, Homophobia, Murder, and Alcohol

Minor: Death of parent

anyareads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Grief