Iron Widow (Iron Widow #1) by Xiran Jay Zhao --> Restarting January 7th 2023

[Sibil]

Alexandra wrote: "Part 1"

(view spoiler)[Yep, I hope we would get some answers about her sister's death because so far we didn't get a lot.
And this is really a "bad" world, so full of antiquated beliefs, and all the worst ones at that. Like the lotus feet, they were such an aberrant practice!!!
And the existence of Gods is... perplexing too. It is such a strange system of beliefs, but it is intriguing and original, that's for sure! (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Why Shimin had to sort of die???? Haven't they suffered enough??
And I get that he is the perfect, and probably the only, bargaining chip with her, but... come on!!

And the final twist... was perfect but not so surprising. I mean, there was something strange in here, and the more things proceeded the more stranger it got so, not surprising, but I loved it all the same (loved it and hated it at the same time, because they deserved a little bit of peace!!!).

And go Yzhi! I was expecting for him to do something similar, sooner or later. And it was so good! (hide spoiler)]

[Alexandra]

Sibil wrote: "chapters 14-25
This book is so hard to put down!! And there are a ton of This! Just this! moments in there!
Yes, because love doesn't solve problems[...] Solving problems solves problems
or
When ..."

Agree with this, as a woman I constantly feel angry at the way we're being treated by the world, especially when we're not even considered a human being but rather more like a baby factory. Like that's our only function in life. And it makes me realize the world really hasn't changed that much from these "ancient times" to now. Honestly being a woman is as exhausting as Zetian feels in this - the constant anger and disbelief is relatable.

[Alexandra]

Part 2

(view spoiler)[I really surprisingly enjoy Yizhi even though we don't know much about him. Just the way he's always so supportive and always there, I guess. And I liked that they managed to achieve balance not with two but three people. I wonder how that would work in the cockpit since there are only two seats. (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Alexandra wrote: "Sibil wrote: "chapters 14-25
This book is so hard to put down!! And there are a ton of This! Just this! moments in there!
Yes, because love doesn't solve problems[...] Solving problems solves prob..."

Absolutely so!!!!

[Sibil]

Alexandra wrote: "Part 2

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yizhi is a great character, it's a bit of a shame that he is, in some ways, more in the background. Because he is a great person even if, from some hints, we get here and there, he is more complex that how he seems on the surface. And I want more!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Alexandra]

Finished

(view spoiler)[Okay, so my suspicion about the humans being the bad guys in this war is correct. I did start wondering if it was their planet and the humans just invaded it. And this explains the "gods"! Who are obviously not gods at all, but more humans who know the truth? And may be up to something really bad.

I thought Shimin was dead for real and was going to riot, but I guess he's not really. And I didn't expect them to actually take over their country - I was wondering where the story would go from here since it seems they fixed their problem pretty easily already, but now we get to the real overarching problem. I'm invested in seeing how they deal with this. Also yes, Yizhi just killed his father in cold blood, that was... impressive and also scary. He'd been portrayed as the sweet one between the two, but clearly that's not all he is.

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next ones! (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Alexandra wrote: "Finished


(view spoiler)[You were right about the humans, and now I am really curious to know more about them. Who are they and why they are pretending to be gods??? (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting January 7th 2024. Happy Reading ☺

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[zane]

hi, im new in this group, and not sure where to start, but ive wanted to read iron widow for a while now, and i hope you guys dont mind if i join in the buddy read?

[Camila]

Absolutely not! I started today and I'm on chapter 3. Really enjoying it so far!

[Kay-Mika]

Finally finished it.
I will write my thoughts tomorrow

[Kay-Mika]

Part 1
(view spoiler)[ This whole book gives me "The poppy war" vibes.
Besides I don't trust the gods nor these wise men ( or whatever they are called in English) (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 21
(view spoiler)[ The book is boring me somehow. Every time I think, that they have overcome a problem and they made progress, then noooooo the problem is back just leveled up. It's boring (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 23
(view spoiler)[Question: Do strategists/ wise men actually want to win the war? I mean that question seriously, because their actions speak a different language.
Because, if they win the war, the social problems, that are now not at the forefront of the society/politics, would surface.
The end of the war would also let financial problems rise, since war IS an economic driver.
Also a lot of the soldiers/ army stuff would lose their job, since such a big standing army wouldn't be necesary any longer, which means that the job market would be flooded with them. Which also raises the poverty / jobless rate.
A lot of these soldiers would also be traumatized, which means that the society has to take care of them, and the society doesn't seem capable or willing to offer them the necessary psychological help.
So, the continuation of the war would not endanger the strategists/ wise men position of power, since every revolution/criticism could be put violently down and the critic/ revolutionist could be framed as an enemy of the state and killed. after which they could enforce more restrictive laws.
Rant over (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Final
(view spoiler)[ I'm not very impressed. More annoyed actually.
Yes, it has great ideas, like Caraval, but just like Caraval I couldn't warm up to the characters.
The end was surprising, but I don't care. For none of them.
I get the idea of the love story, but I couldn't feel it.
I don't think I will read the second book. (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Brittany wrote: "Finished! Wow! I loved that Not surprising that the seats were rigged to kill the female.
Speaking of females its too bad the other 2 princesses are terrible people in so many ways.
I know the r..."

Yes, the other two princesses are sooooo horrible.
Please imagine the story from their point of view and not knowing Zetians back story, her motives and her emotions.
Who is the horrible one now?
They have fought very hard to be in the position they are and Zetian is endangering that.

[zane]

yup completed it too. I'm gonna type out my thoughts and share them after I'm done with the book I'm reading. although I would like to add on to the previous point - a strategist planning to win the war should know it isn't really going to be win- this more or less reinforces the idea that they are no winners in war it's just who gets off with least amounts of damage (and acquired resources)- I'm going to continue this later I'm too sleepy rn