Challenge Corner discussion

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.

Starting this now!

Ah! I'll be like a week late :( So behind on ebook buddy reads

I surprisingly caught up and I'm very proud of myself right now lol. I don't have any BRs planned for this weekend so if I finish this tonight and the goblin emperor.. hmm, I might try and finish one of my series br's, a botm, or maybe knock out some old eARC's that I don't have a buddy for. I have endless opportunities right now lol

You should be incredibly proud! That's awesome!

Aly wrote: "You should be incredibly proud! That's awesome!"

lol I know right? Since I was soooooooo freaking behind a week ago.

Prologue: (view spoiler)[Well, that was kind of interesting and I'm definitely getting the Pacific Rim vibes. (hide spoiler)]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[OH SHIT. SHE DID IT! She killed him and then made the fox do some serious damage. Good for her. Not sure what’s going to happen with this new partner but I’m glad that turd of a guy is dead. He deserved it. (hide spoiler)]

43%: (view spoiler)[Something seems fishy or off right now. Not sure if we can really trust him right now but I do want those assholes dead for hurting her. (hide spoiler)]

I'm reading now!

Alaina wrote: "Prologue: [spoilers removed]"

Yes same! Did you read the authors note at the beginning? It made me laugh when she thought "Did I write this when I was high?" Lol

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Prologue: [spoilers removed]"

Yes same! Did you read the authors note at the beginning? It made me laugh when she thought "Did I write this when I was high?" Lol"

HAHAH yes! Knew this was going to be gold right after that.

End of Part 2: (view spoiler)[Wellllllllllllll shit. What the hell is going to happen now with these two? I don't like these assholes in charge because they were just willing to sacrifice whoever? Ugh. Men should not be in charge here - I want them all dead. (hide spoiler)]

81%: (view spoiler)[HECK YES GIRL. I love this plan because I hate that asshole. Also things are fucking fishy too and I'm glad they are starting to realize it. Burn this wall to the ground people. (hide spoiler)]

End of Part 3: (view spoiler)[ HECK YES THEY FINALLY KISSED. I think this is the only triangle I support lol (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[
THIS WAS SO FREAKING GOOD. Oh my damn. What do I do now? Reread this? Buy it? Marry it? I most definitely need book 2 because daaaaaaaaaaaamn. Be the nightmare. Be the dragon. So many secrets came out to play. My mind is SPINNING. (hide spoiler)]

End of part 1 (view spoiler)[ Okay so Zetian is a badass and I love that she doesn't hold back. Go girl! Kill those asshole pilots. Also, the foot binding thing is horrible and gross. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Part 1: [spoilers removed]"

Me too! To hell with that guy

Aly wrote: "End of part 1 [spoilers removed]"

Ick! Yes, it is. Like I said in the group chat.. I would not succeed in this world lol.

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Part 1: [spoilers removed]"

Me too! To hell with that guy"

heheheh

Chapter 23 (view spoiler)[ Wow the military people suck. They sacrifice pilots?? I'm really glad that Yizhi came, I wonder if it will just be a love triangle or a menage? (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "43%: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I definitely want the other pilots to pay. (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Chapter 23 [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, I hate these people in power. What a bunch of assholes.

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "43%: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

HECK YEAH!

End of part 2 (view spoiler)[ Hmm, they're better as a triad. I really want them all to be in a relationship too, come on! Also, I'm so happy they said fuck you to the headless douche and the soldiers (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "End of Part 2: [spoilers removed]"

Exactly. Time for women to take control

Aly wrote: "End of part 2 [spoilers removed]"

YEAH! Hot damn. Also, yes, I love them!

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "End of Part 2: [spoilers removed]"

Exactly. Time for women to take control"

Yesssss!

Chapter 38 (view spoiler)[ I'm really worried that one or both guys won't make it. Please live! Also, time for some revenge... (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "81%: [spoilers removed]"

Burn it all down!

Aly wrote: "Chapter 38 [spoilers removed]"

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "81%: [spoilers removed]"

Burn it all down!"

End of part three (view spoiler)[ those motherfuxkers. Girls are powerful, they'd just rather keep sacrificing them even if it costs them the war. Now they have proof and I hope things change.
Also hell yes for the triangle! (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "End of Part 3: [spoilers removed]"

Same!

Aly wrote: "End of part three ..."

...(view spoiler)[and for dumb guys too. Dumbest reason ever (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "End of Part 3: [spoilers removed]"

Same!"

You're zooming through this!!! I can't wait to see your final thoughts! ALSO you should read her acknowledgement notes!!

Alaina wrote: "Finished:
THIS WAS SO FREAKING GOOD. Oh my damn. What do I do now? Reread this? Buy it? Marry it? I most definitely need book 2 because daaaaaaaaaaaamn. Be the nightmare. Be the dragon. So many se..."

Yep, my thoughts exactly

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Finished:
THIS WAS SO FREAKING GOOD. Oh my damn. What do I do now? Reread this? Buy it? Marry it? I most definitely need book 2 because daaaaaaaaaaaamn. Be the nightmare. Be the dra..."

HECK YES! YOU DID IT!

Finished (view spoiler)[ Holy shit. So many things happened and my mind is blown. I'll definitely be buying a physical of this and I can't wait to find out what happens next. (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

WE NEED THE SQUIGGLES!! Like so freaking badly. I would do anything for a signed copy.

Alaina wrote: "Aly wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

WE NEED THE SQUIGGLES!! Like so freaking badly. I would do anything for a signed copy."

Yes! Maybe an indie store will have some

***************************************************************
***************************************************************

RESTARTING AUGUST 16TH, 2021

*******************************************************************
*******************************************************************

Hoping to start tonight!!

20% (view spoiler)[ oh shit did she already kill him!?!? I fucking love this already. Zetian is a badass and my hero honestly. I love what Yihizi said in the first couple chapters about gender and sex not being a binary. He’s a smart man (hide spoiler)]

40% (view spoiler)[ okay I love the whole dynamic between zetian and Li shinin. I want to know more about these two! I want to see more battles between them. Especially in the chrysalis. Ugh this book is so cool (hide spoiler)]

I'm going to jump in on this BR soon :)

yay!! today is my youngest's bday, so I plan to enjoy our birthday adventures and then start later tonight! :)

Yay! I'm excited to see what y'all think!

78% (view spoiler)[okay it’s not quite a full triangle but there are possibilities for it to happen so I’m hopeful!! I want it so bad 😂. Also I love how Zetian is like I’m going to kill everyone even if I have to wait 5 years to get them. They’re going down! (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[Fuck me. I just !!! I am all screams no chill. What an explosive ending. I wonder if these gods are actually gods or just people who have manipulated everything. I need the sequel ASAP (hide spoiler)]

ooooh 5 star!!?? Nice!! I'm finishing up one and then hopefully starting this one!

I loved it so MUCH