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ninetalevixen 's review for:
Iron Widow
by Xiran Jay Zhao
content warnings:
rep:
The concept is absolutely killer, with all the elements — Chinese historical figures, action sequences like Pacific Rim, oppressive patriarchy in the style of harem stories (or The Handmaid's Tale), media spectacle and main triad dynamic reminiscent of The Hunger Games — interwoven for impressively cohesive worldbuilding and (at least in my opinion) pretty great representation that's integral but not overpoweringly central to the story.
However, the narrative flow is frequently put on hold for a paragraph or two establishing the whole setup, and there are countless moments where the narration sidetracks into "how is this wildly inequitable system so entrenched and accepted? well, this is why" philosophizing/ borderline preaching, which can be distracting and/or tedious.
And I really wanted to like the characters and their dynamics, because they seemed cool! There's thoughtful exploration of morality and culpability and trauma which I appreciated on a theoretical level, and significant development over the course of the novel. But to be honest I found them fairly archetypal, maybe a bit flat? I was also a bit put off by.
All that said, though, overall this was a really engaging and unique read; I am definitely excited to see how the second book will build on this foundation!
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CONVERSION: 10.27 / 15 = 4 stars
Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 6 / 10
Emotional Impact: 6 / 10
Development / Flow: 7 / 10
Setting: 9 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: 2 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 5 / 5
Spoiler
major character death, human sacrifice, violence, torture, blood, misogyny, foot binding & mutilation, branding, loss of loved ones, grief & guilt, allusions to queerphobia, alcoholism, withdrawal, domestic abuse, xenophobia, colorism, threats of suicide, brief suicidal ideation, mention of prostitution, ableist languagerep:
Spoiler
Chinese historical basis & characters; bi/pan MCs [Zetian, Yizhi, Shimin], biracial MC [Shimin], polyam F/M/M main relationshipThe concept is absolutely killer, with all the elements — Chinese historical figures, action sequences like Pacific Rim, oppressive patriarchy in the style of harem stories (or The Handmaid's Tale), media spectacle and main triad dynamic reminiscent of The Hunger Games — interwoven for impressively cohesive worldbuilding and (at least in my opinion) pretty great representation that's integral but not overpoweringly central to the story.
However, the narrative flow is frequently put on hold for a paragraph or two establishing the whole setup, and there are countless moments where the narration sidetracks into "how is this wildly inequitable system so entrenched and accepted? well, this is why" philosophizing/ borderline preaching, which can be distracting and/or tedious.
And I really wanted to like the characters and their dynamics, because they seemed cool! There's thoughtful exploration of morality and culpability and trauma which I appreciated on a theoretical level, and significant development over the course of the novel. But to be honest I found them fairly archetypal, maybe a bit flat? I was also a bit put off by
Spoiler
Zetian's sudden and inexplicable bursts of inappropriate villain laughter, since the association of mental illness with antagonists and antiheroes is an ongoing problem in mediaAll that said, though, overall this was a really engaging and unique read; I am definitely excited to see how the second book will build on this foundation!
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CONVERSION: 10.27 / 15 = 4 stars
Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 6 / 10
Emotional Impact: 6 / 10
Development / Flow: 7 / 10
Setting: 9 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: 2 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 5 / 5