Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao

20 reviews

mostlyvoidpartiallystars's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional 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

Xiran Jay Zhao is a master storyteller. A sequel every bit as good as the predecessor. I felt on the edge of my seat the whole time, twisted between so many emotions. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

didetritus's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

Wow, this really thought it was doing something.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

tetedump's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

4.25


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

nebulamarcus's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging informative inspiring tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This sequel does not disappoint and delves further into Huaxia than before. Even just a peek into the greater world outside the Great Walls and to the heavenly courts.

There is a lull mostly filled with political and society build up, things of which Zetian needed to know for her future plans, so the big action only comes sporadically. However the pay off of waiting is worth it for the ending cliffhanger. There's only so much more to come.

If you loved the expansive growth of the "Locked Tomb" series by Tamsyn Muir you'll love this series as well.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

violetends's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-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

4.5

This was certainly a wild ride. A bit more heavy-handed than the first and definitely way more political. I thoroughly enjoyed the exploration of the revolutionary efforts and once again felt like the characters aren't idealistic images to strive for but rather contemplations about these specific characters' behaviour within the conditions the plot confronts them with. And thus also explorations of specific types of theoretic PoVs if their proponents were to end up in this situation. (Looking at you, purely theory-driven type of masc communist who'd throw an angry tantrum if anyone suggests the inclusion of intersectional perspectives.) 

I was definitely taken aback by the not-romance subplot and I still don't know how to feel about it. Even though I have to say,
communism-adjacent revolutionary leader Qin Zheng suggesting "private property" as sexual safe word had me laughing out loud.


Unfortunately, the big revelation at the end felt quite predictable as with the first novel. Nevertheless, so much tension and high-paced fun! I really really hope there's going to be a third book! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kmart_ceo's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark tense medium-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

4.5

I don’t think the sequel is as good as the first book. Maybe that’s just because there’s WAYYYY more going on and
there was no Shimin (for the most part)
. The plot twists had my jaw dropping, and I started having a hard time keeping track of who I am supposed to hate. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

orion_allthoughts's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

chanlo1994's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Rated it a step lower because the pace was slow for my personal liking. I think this is going to be a very important book for 2025, especially with the new polical cycle we will be facing. Honestly. My first thought was "this is what happens when we let children be in control of a government" 😂 I am absolutely looking forward to book 3. It's also important to note that bodily consent is not limited to sexual acts. It's includes anything done to your body with or without your knowledge and this is violated several times in the book.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

caseythereader's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings