#bookcub

[bookcub]

Bookcub's Reads of 2024

Here are all the books I read this year, including dnfs and rereads but not including picturebooks. Art in the header is by Jon Klassen

Yayyy it's list challenges time!! I love doing everyone's wrap ups so here is mine!

[booksandwords]

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

Series: Iron Widow, #1 Read time: Just Over 1 Day Rating: 5/5

The quote: "I'm so tired of being a girl." "Yeah. If you were a boy, you'd be ruling the world by now." "Oh, I don't know if it's that's simple. I'd still have to be the right kind of buy. That's probably something you have to watch out for if you're getting a wish granted by some spirit. 'Make me a boy!' Bam. I get turned into a big, buff, Rongdi. Everyone's so scared of me that they'd rather chase me into the wilds. I can't get anything done." "That's not untrue." — Wu Zetian and Gao Yizhi (p.166)

Warnings: In the authors words “Please be aware that this book contains scenes of violence and abuse, suicide ideation, discussion and references to sexual assault (though no on-page depictions), alcohol addiction, and torture.”

This review is not written with a lot of cohesion. It's more a dump of I needed to get this out of my mind. I've tried to synthesise to make it readable but I have likely failed. TL:DR I loved this book. It is so worth the praise it is receiving. The Iron trio are so brilliantly broken and the ideal violent antiheroes. I really recommend it if the blurb appeals. Just be sure to read the warnings.

Oh man, this book did things to me. It gave me emotions I didn't expect. There is a lot of just pure female power and rage in Iron Widow and readers are encouraged to go with Zetian. One of the cover quotes/endorsements is "a primal scream of a book" (E.K. Johnson) and that is a fantastic quote for it. Zetian is the kind of feministic badass, unforgiving, deadly and headstrong heroine I love and really do not read enough of. Probably because not enough of them are published. She is the ultimate f**k the patriarchy and anyone who supports it. Do you have any idea how both rage-filled and overjoyed and adrenaline filled I was by the time I finished this? I read it in a day and a bit (70 gages one night the rest the next day). I just could not put it down. The world both captivated and frustrated me. Wu Zetian, Li Shimin and Gao Yizhi enthralled me. The Iron Triangle is one of the most powerful things I've read in a long while.

One of the first things you will see in reviews for Iron Widow is to read and be aware of the content warnings. I'm going to add Xiran Jay Zhao's statement here "Please be aware that this book contains scenes of violence and abuse, suicide ideation, discussion and references to sexual assault (though no on-page depictions), alcohol addiction, and torture.". The violence of the book is regularly discussed in reviews, all these things are important to be aware and some will definitely be triggering to the point where the book is unreadable for some.

Iron Widow plays with the concepts of femininity, vengeance, making amends, love, power in the best possible way. Though not always in the same person. Zetian may be the main character but this is also about Li Shimin and Gao Yizhi. These three characters are so likable and almost human but they are different. Different to each other and different to your normal protagonists. One of the really appealing aspects of these characters is their unwillingness to shy from their darkness, they are aware it can be weaponised and will when it suits them. Li Shimin in defence, Wu Zetian in vengeance and even Gao Yizhi when the need calls for it. there is also something appealing in Xiran Jay Zhao writing Zetian, as not unique in her level of ability just rare, and even with that Zetian and Shimin, are ostracised rather than elevated. It fuels the readers' indignity and anger. They are our antiheroes.

Wu Zetian is an interesting protagonist. At first, I was wondering if she was unreliable, especially during the first part with Yang Guang. I no longer trust protagonists as tellers of their own stories, they are always the least objective of storytellers. But this first part makes everything that comes later that much more valuable. It shows the contrasts between those only seeking self-preservation over fame. But aside from anything else, it is so nice to see a female protagonist for ruthless in ya, so willing to go after what she wants. To kill, to seek vengeance, to take pleasure, to give and withhold her trust. I like her. I like her relationship with Li Shimin and Gao Yizhi. The way she does not care about cultural norms and will be with them regardless. That pretty much sums up her attitude... f**k society I'm here to be me... wait nope on second thoughts bow before your queen you cowards.

Some dot points to stop this from getting truly out of control.

The use of Chinese elements is brilliant, the way they have been made ancient than futuristic all while remaining understandable. The way it is written is impeccable. It allowed for a consistent, natural and easy to follow world and lore.

Wu Zetian is based on the powerful 7th century Chinese Empress of the same name. Li Shimin is based on an Emperor of the same name (interestingly Wu Zetian's father in law) as the perfect touch here his consorts name was Empress Wende. Li Shimin was a different kind of power, he was logical and scholarly. Gao Yizhi is I guess based on Zhang Yizhi one of Wu Zetian's favoured *cough*toyboys*cough* consorts. Look Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong weren't stupid they knew how to get power.

Ruyi, Zetian's sister and the reason she goes after vengeance is possibly named after a period of her reign.

I appreciate the choice to call piolets boys. Given they rarely ever twenty-four, never twenty-five and wouldn't typically be considered men until they reach twenty, the cultural age of majority. So culturally when they become pilots at sixteen they are boys.

I did not expect the sheer amount of care for the girls in play here. From Wu Zetian. From Li Shimin. To a degree Gao Yizhi.

Wu Zetian is an angry, hurt woman. Li Shimin is just a broken and pained boy. Yin and Yang in so many ways. And Gao Yizhi is so full of love I can't, he kinda feels like their balance.

Yizhi's tattoos continue to cause me great suspicion. But oh they are so pretty.

Their monikers are fierce, strong and perfect, Iron Demon, Iron Widow and Baofeng Shaoye (Young Master Strom). Better yet it is Wu Zetian owning the slur. By honour Zetian and Shimin's names should be Iron King and Iron Queen.

Holy... that photoshoot. Has anyone made fanart for it yet? I need to see it. Speaking of fanart Xiran Jay Zhao's tumblr is @xiranjayzhao​ they share some gorgeous fanart there. Also their username basically everywhere.

"Maybe , if things were different, I could get used to this. Being cradled in his warmth and light, Being cherished. Being loved. But I have no faith in love. Love cannot save me. I choose vengeance." — At this point, I realised that Yizhi was definitely coming back and love was much more important than Zetian though. This section is so lovely. (Wu Zetian, p.37)

"I drop Yang Guang in front of me and set a tiny lotus foot on his corpse. What do you know? I really did kill him." — Followed quickly by the iconic Welcome to your nightmare!. This is such a good visual though especially given the gauzy material and slightly mad look. (Zetian, p.81)

"I have to remind myself that those are the same vicious, red-lit eyes that glared at me with bloodlust in the mind link. He is not innocent. Not framed. Not misunderstood. I know that for certain. I have lived through the burning, screaming depths of his mind." — His mind realm was a shared perception for them, she saw what she expected to see. (Zetian, p.108)

""Let's be real." I let out a cross between a scoff and a sigh. "We were doomed from the beginning. The world will never forgive us for what we've each done, and there will always be those who will love to make us suffer. Not like we would've gained any respect by lying down and letting them do it." His mouth pops open, then he huffs. "Yeah. That's true." — I don't know why I like this so much. It could be because of the timing. (Zetian and Shimin, p.155)

"False hope. I swear the army is sustained on it." — Where is the lie? (Zetian, p.229)

"You're my polar star. I'll go wherever you guide me." — This is such a lovely sentiment. And you can tell he means it. (Yizhi, p.238)

Two posts I need to share from tumblr posted by @bookcub​ and @fixaidea​ respectively. Bookcub and Fixaidea both hit the nail on the head here. THIS is Wu Zetian (if you want your posts removed I am happy too).

I've read that this is a duology and damn I'm glad there is more to this story. I'm glad that Zetian has more to tell us. I can be patient until Xiran Jay Zhao writes it. It takes a lot for a book to impact me as much as this did. I kinda hope we get to see something more of Wende I feel like there is more to tell there. I also hope that Zetian, Shimin and Yizhi get more loyal and valued allies.

[the-forest-library]

Bringing birthday waffles back for @bookcub’s birthday! Hope you have a fantastic day, Carrie!

[sabrinauniverse]

this here ABSOLUTELY made my day 😭😭😭😭 thank you very very much @bookcub​! and YES we don’t know who calls him dulator.... i’m so curious!

[brightbeautifulthings]

Did you watch Dash and Lily on Netflix yet?

Yes, I did! I watched it all in one day. It was like a three-hour Christmas movie, which was exactly what I needed. 😂 It's been a bit since I read the book, so I don't remember how closely it follows, but I thought the show was really adorable. I'm absolutely in love with Lily's casting. So perfect! All the cutes!

A little spoilery ahead, so caution!

I also like how Dash and Lily make each other better, and even though they've never met, that relationship isn't made less important. Dash helps Lily find a way to cope with her negative feelings (lol), and Lily helps Dash find some common ground with his dad. The whole thing was so lovely and sweet.

Did you watch it? What did you think!? 💛💛 (Also, I just bought Mind the Gap, Dash & Lily, and I can't wait to read it this Christmas!)

[sunlit-music]

I agree with @bookcub that Kvothe from the Kingkiller Chronicles books needs an excellent therapist. I would really love to read a fanfiction story where he’s much happier and well adjusted after having therapy.

[mydearldydisdain]

Just in case we didn’t already know I was a slytherclaw...

I was tagged by @bookcub

I’m tagging @cruuelsummers @accioinvisibilitycloak @bisexualwentworth @danna-bell-is-black and anyone else. Also, I’m sorry if I tagged you and you’re not a harry potter person, I cannot keep track

[theinquisitxor]

End of the Decade Favorite Book Tag

Thanks @bookcub for these awesome questions!

1. High fantasy books that are obsession worthy

His Dark Materials, LOTR, Winternight Trilogy, The Priory of the Orange Tree, Graceling Realms, and A Court series have been some of my favorite books and series that I have read this decade!

(edit: I realized that these aren’t all technically high fantasy but oh well)

2. Urban fantasy books filled with people you want as friends

Probably The Raven Cycle or the Percy Jackson series

3. Portal fantasy you fall in love with multiple times

 PORTAL FANTASIES ARE MY FAVORITE! His Dark Materials is my #1 love, but I also really love Howl’s Moving Castle, and Shades of Magic

4. Novella that just makes you sigh cause it’s so lovely

Every Heart a Doorway is a novella I recently read that I loveedd a lot. 

5. Historically inaccurate but laugh out loud

Ooo this one is hard. Most of the histrocial fiction I read isn’t exactly funny, but maybe something like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.  

6. Satire that makes you reconsider your whole world view

Brave New World for sure. So funny but also really dark

7. Happy, happy, happy and sad, sad, sad

Happy, happy, happy: probably Mort or Good Omens by Terry Pratchett. 

sad, sad, sad: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

8. No, I’m not to old for kids’ books, what are you talking about???

The Dark is Rising, Percy Jackson!

9. I’m also not to old for picture books either and never will be

Outside Over There by Maurice Sendak is actually a picture book I recently included in a paper!

10. Whoa, never expected that ending and to have that much fun!!!

Children of Blood and Bone, although it might not have been fun I still really liked the book and the ending completely took me by surprise. 

11. Like I’m scared, but I’m happy about it

*cough* Coraline *cough* and The Ocean at the End of the Lane (i remember staying up halt the night to read this) but I really want to read more horror, and it’s lowkey a reading goal for me next year. 

12. Classically favorite

Some of my favorite classics include: A Mercy by Toni Morrison, Jane Eyre and The Tenant of WIldfell Hall, Pride and Prejudice, A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter, the Kristin Lavrensdatter series by Sigrid Undset, Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. 

13. Party in your ears 

I don’t typically listen to audiobooks, but I did enjoy Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski (the Witcher #3) and it is another goal of mine listen to more audio books too.  I tend to enjoy podcasts more when I’m driving/commuting/ or doing chores. 

14. Boom!!! Pow!!! Wham!!!

this is so vague I love it.  I’m going to have to go with my most recent reads, The Witchlands series by Susan Dennard because there is a lot of action, explosions and fights!

15. Oh wow, that’s me!!

The Starless Sea was something I just read this month, and it felt like this book was tailored to me.  So many of the things I love in a beautiful, atmospheric story. 

16. I can’t stop thinking about this book

For this one, I’m looking back at a book(s) I read many years ago that I still think about a lot.  Here are a few: The Book Thief, Till We have faces by CS Lewis, Woodswoman by Ann LaBastille, and Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. 

17. A book you got from Tumblr that made it to your fave

Probably either Six of Crows or Shades of Magic. These are two favorite series that I probably first heard about here. 

18. A book you had high expectations for and then the author OVER delivered

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo was a book I had high expectations for (since it’s Leigh Bardugo) and I really loved it. I feel like bardugo went above and beyond for this book and I was a little surprised by how much I did end up enjoying it. 

I’m tagging anyone who wants to do this too!!