Reviews

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

burnsys_books_811's review against another edition

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4.0

I struggled a bit with the author's very modern voice in a place with very archaic beliefs, it just felt a bit jarring to hear the modern turns of phrases. I also didn't love the constant referrals to gender as boys and girls over men and women, when all the major players were adults, but that is a personal nitpick. The pacing also felt a bit rushed, I feel as though the story might have benefitted from being drawn out a bit more. All that said I truly enjoyed the feminine rage, and especially that Zetian never backs down from it. She is ruthless and the kind of woman that I root for. It was a read like nothing else that I have read. It would be 5 stars but for my nitpicks, which are personal and I can see why so many people rated it so highly.

gcarrion's review against another edition

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

3.75

emkirk's review against another edition

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

3.0

perude's review against another edition

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challenging 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

book__reader'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? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

pcronn's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.25

katy_ryn's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5 ✨ I am screaming !!! I am on the floor!!! The most exciting YA I’ve read in a long long time. Utterly gripping, surprisingly insightful, wonderfully complex morally gray characters. The concepts/world building is also just… heckin’ COOL. Deeply looking forward to the next book, absolutely cannot wait.

ahollman's review against another edition

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5.0

oh my god. no words. was not expecting to love this as much as I did, really so good and perfect and amazing. what a insane way to play off the patriarchy and societal structures in the best way

pithandprattle's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

nummulus's review

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0