Shut Up & Read discussion

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction, LGBT, Fiction, Romance, LGBT > Queer, Historical > Historical Fiction, Young Adult > Young Adult Fantasy, Retellings

Book Description: The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It doesn't matter that the girls often die from the mental strain.

When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected—she kills him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is labeled an Iron Widow, a much-feared and much-silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead.​

To tame her unnerving yet invaluable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot in Huaxia​. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so easily. She will miss no opportunity to leverage their combined might and infamy to survive attempt after attempt on her life, until she can figure out exactly why the pilot system works in its misogynist way—and stop more girls from being sacrificed.

Some things to think about while you're reading. Answer just one or all of these questions, but remember, PLEASE USE SPOILER TAGS when necessary! If you don't know how, ask :)

1. What was your initial reaction to the book? Did it hook you immediately, or take some time to get into?

2. Do you think the story was plot-based or character driven?

3. What was your favorite quote/passage?

4. What made the setting unique or important? Could the story have taken place anywhere?

5. Did you pick out any themes throughout the book?

6. How credible/believable did you find the narrator to be? Did you feel like you got the 'true' story?

7. How did the characters change throughout the story? How did your opinion of them change?

8. Which character did you relate to the most, and what was it about them that you connected with?

9. How did you feel about the ending? What did you like, what did you not like, and what do you wish had been different?

10. If the book were being adapted into a movie, who would you want to see play what parts?

I just started this and so far I’m actually really into it. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it this much but the technology is super interesting.

Clo wrote: "I just started this and so far I’m actually really into it. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it this much but the technology is super interesting."

I'm glad you are enjoying it.

I just finished this! I loved it so much! I can’t even put into words how wonderful this was!

Clo wrote: "I just finished this! I loved it so much! I can’t even put into words how wonderful this was!"

Congratulations! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.


This is the link to the thread where you can keep track of your badges: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

This book definitely hooked me immediately! It took almost no time for me to already know I was going to love it! The story was a mix between plot and character driven, which I love! My favorite quote was “It’s hilarious. Men want us so badly for our bodies, yet hate us so much for our minds.” - Wu Zetian. The story could not have taken place anywhere, the entire plot (and plot twist at the end of the book) relies on the planet it takes place on. Feminism was a very very strong theme of this book, which is a huge reason why I enjoyed it so much. The narrator, the main character Wu Zetian, was extremely credible. She is super blunt and unapologetic. She says things how they are. The most prominent characters in the book mainly changed for the better, even if they changed just a bit. The antagonists either continued their terrible behavior or it was revealed that they were worse than originally thought. My opinion of Li Shimin grew from semi-hatred/fear to absolutely loving him. I related to our main character so much because she’s so passionate about what she believes in. The book ended on a cliffhanger, a huge one, but it was such a great cliffhanger that I’m not even mad about it. I usually hate cliffhangers but this one was so well done that I’m dreading every moment that the second book isn’t out. This book was an all around 5 star read for me.

Clo wrote: "I just finished this! I loved it so much! I can’t even put into words how wonderful this was!"

I'M SO GLAD YOU LIKED IT!! I still have the book on my dresser but I haven't got to reading it yet XD

i should be starting this book tmr, unless i finish my current book today
BOY, I AM SOOOO EXCITED

I can’t wait for you to read it, Lennon! I absolutely loved it!

I finally started it last night! I just started part 2!!
and you're so RIGHT the technology is so cool.
the yin and yang aspects of it make it even more intriguing

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ lennon wrote: "I finally started it last night! I just started part 2!!
and you're so RIGHT the technology is so cool.
the yin and yang aspects of it make it even more intriguing"

Glad you are enjoying it.

Yay! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it! I cannot wait for the second book!

Finished this book yesterday!! here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! If this book was made a movie, the Hundun battles would be so COOL, it would be awesome to see the designs of the Chrysalis' and the transformation into Heroic form.
The spirit armor and the eyes when the people of Huaxia used their qi would be GOLDEN!
I think this book was more character driven but it was because of the plot? If that makes sense. Zetian didn't like the piloting system (view spoiler)[ and also wanted revenge for her big sister's death (hide spoiler)] so that caused her to take initiative to change it.

ALL HAIL THE IRON WIDOW!!

ALL HAIL IRON WIDOW
No but for real, it really should be made into a movie because it would be SO amazing

it would get so many awards UH IT MUST HAPPEN

if u wanna talk spoilers pm ;)

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ lennon wrote: "Finished this book yesterday!! here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! If this book was made a movie, the Hundun battl..."

Congratulations! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

Starting.

The binding of feet was such a horrible thing that they did to girls and women. This is an interesting premise. I like Zetian. She isn't going quietly. She will fight to the end. I like that.

starting

Leigh wrote: "The binding of feet was such a horrible thing that they did to girls and women. This is an interesting premise. I like Zetian. She isn't going quietly. She will fight to the end. I like that."

Yes! It's so disturbing I wonder why they let it happen. Have you ever read ? It was really good and described a lot of what girls of that culture in that time period went through.

I love Zetian. She's got fire, lol

Sheri wrote: "Leigh wrote: "The binding of feet was such a horrible thing that they did to girls and women. This is an interesting premise. I like Zetian. She isn't going quietly. She will fight to the end. I li..."

It was a disturbing practice. They wanted their women to have dainty feet that could fit in these extremely small shoes. I can't even imagine how painful that was. I haven't read it, yet.

Sheri wrote: "I love Zetian. She's got fire, lol"

Yes, she does. It seems like the establishment wants to destroy Zetian's new partner. Why?

Leigh wrote: "Sheri wrote: "Leigh wrote: "The binding of feet was such a horrible thing that they did to girls and women. This is an interesting premise. I like Zetian. She isn't going quietly. She will fight to..."

I gave it 5 stars and would re-read it if you were interested :)

I think they should take their chrysalis and kill everyone in charge.

Finished and loved it. The Chrysalis forms remind me of Pacific Rim.


I did not see the ending coming at all!

Sheri wrote: "Leigh wrote: "Sheri wrote: "Leigh wrote: "The binding of feet was such a horrible thing that they did to girls and women. This is an interesting premise. I like Zetian. She isn't going quietly. She..."

Definitely!

Sheri wrote: "I think they should take their chrysalis and kill everyone in charge."

Yes, they are being used and throned away.

Sheri wrote: "Finished and loved it. The Chrysalis forms remind me of Pacific Rim.


I did not see the ending coming at all!"

Yes, that's what it reminded me of. I totally didn't see that ending coming. I hate what they did to Iron Demon and all those girls. Loved Zetian!