Xiran Jay Zhao is a force. Their work is absolutely stellar and I am in awe of their work. The pacing of this book and the characterization here are phenomenal. A real page-turner that leaves audiences wanting more. I appreciate the ferocity and vulnerability of the characters. I definitely recommend this work to anyone.

A must-read, brilliant story of feminine rage, robotic symbiotic chrysalises, epic battles, social commentary, incredible world building and questions about humanity and its role in evolution, destruction and survival (nature vs science vs humans). I loved every second of this book. If you love a good, thought provoking, message driven, character based novel then you have to read this one immediately.

Thrilling action sequences and intricate world building and the way themes such as gender inequality was handled - all three of them made me love this book.

My favorite part of this book was probably the battles and the Chrysalis themselves. World building felt like it took a backseat sometimes when it came to having the reader connect to the characters. Zetian is definitely a fierce lady. She might come across as brash to some and a total badass to others. I do admit that the "love triangle" came across as a bit insta-crush and a bit too convenient for the overall plot but the romance wasn't a big deal for me anyway. The ending plot twist will definitely give you whiplash though 🤣. On one hand, I feel like we were lead to believe that the Hunduns (basically the bad alien force the main characters/everyone is fighting against) were attacking a tech advanced earth but it turns out *Spoiler* we're not EVEN ON EARTH! But ummm...yeah that's all for my review 🙈

I really wanted to love this one. I tried SO hard, because I’ve seen nothing but enthusiastic reviews of Iron Widow on all platforms praising its feminist outlook, openly poly relationship, imaginative worldbuilding, and badass female main character. Unfortunately, I just didn’t think there was any real depth behind any of this.

One thing that bugged me is the lack of explanation for how Zetian came by her feminist worldview. She was raised in the same society as all of the other women, and yet she is so strong-willed and forward-thinking. All of the other women are either pawns of the system, or weak and inferior to her. This is never explained in the plot, seeing as how any woman in this society could theoretically open their eyes to their poor treatment the same way Zetian did, and yet… they don’t?

I’d be fine with this if the writing at any point indicated that she would learn to sympathize with other people or find some friends who think similarly (they must exist somewhere), but the whole book is very earnestly trying to convince the reader that Zetian’s actions are always justified. She is always right, always the strongest and most powerful, and no matter how many actually innocent people she kills, we are not supposed to care about her lack of morality. We are supposed to think that this representation of insane vengefulness is “morally grey” and progressive. I reject this on the basis that these characters, when well-executed, are supposed to have visible flaws to the reader that they meaningfully engage with within the novel.

The inciting incident of the book is that Zetian is avenging her sister, who was killed by a male pilot. The relationship they had is never described. We learn next to nothing about the sister. The circumstances of her death are similarly avoided. Her quest to discover the cause of the misogyny in her world is really a surface-level descriptor of the plot, because the answer every time is simply “because women are worse.” There is no historical, religious, or political reason for any of this. Despite that, Zetian maintains her quest and her proto-feminist mission lives on, unexplained to the reader.

The worldbuilding is thus a mile wide and an inch deep. The only thing I thought was cool was the mechanisms of the machine suits that the pilots use to fight in the war. There is a mental relationship between them and the material of the Chrysalises which allows them to shape-shift and fight. This was linked with a theoretical perspective on yin and yang, and the elements that form a person’s own energy. I liked learning about the different properties these elements reflected when paired with the special metal that the suits are made of.

I am told, though I have not seen this movie, that these aspects are heavily inspired by Pacific Rim. Fair enough, but I do think they would have brought a cool aspect to the novel had the war been explained in a fuller, more dynamic way. We are told that the planet is at war constantly throughout the book, and yet very little about the rationale behind this is explained until the very end. This lack of explanations and general fleshing out of any plot or character point is a common theme in this book.

It genuinely frustrates me, having finally read it, that this book is given out as the new best thing in feminist literature, especially in YA where better examples abound. This is no Handmaid’s Tale, despite what the blurb says.

While I enjoyed this book for the most part, I wish certain aspects were explained a bit more. With all that said, I will definitely continue with the series and am excited to see where it goes.

Epic. Iron Widow is the historical-inspired, futuristic sci-fi mash-up of my wildest dreams. Iron Widow charges headfirst into a world of giant mechas and uncompromising characters. The brutal beauty of Xiran Jay Zhao's writing kept me glued to the page from start to finish. I was not expecting the story I got at all. I have started not to read blurbs in books and to go into them blind. Sometimes, that works in my favor; other times, it does not. This time, it did, as I was blown away and intrigued by the story I got. There is a sequel coming out, but from what I heard from other book lovers, there is a lot of discourse between author and publisher, and the sequel keeps getting pushed back. I loved the concept of yin and yang pilot seats in a mech, how each one works, and the combination of the qi to make a stronger mech. I was not too thrilled with the love triangle as I am not much of a fan of those, but I can see the necessity of it in this story. The central plot twists toward the novel's end make for a robust and compelling lead to the sequel if we ever get it.

Many thanks to the wonderful Caffeine Book Tours for selecting me for this tour! Thank you to them and to the publisher for the arc.

You can find the tour schedule here.

I have long loved and been fascinated by Wǔ Zétiān. Her ascent to power despite the patriarchal society in which she lived and her rule are stunning to fathom. From the moment I heard about Iron Widow I was so excited to get my hands on the book. This reimagining sounded so true to the spirit of that ascent whilst also taking it in inventive, even ingenius, directions. And this book absolutely did not disappoint any of my absurdly high hopes. From the moment that it was explained how qi powered the Chrysalises I was hooked. And details like Yang Jian and Dugu Qiueluo, the provinces being named for dynasties and the battle being broadcast across Huaxia – a historical name for China – filled me with absolute glee. As a history lover, this book is amazing. And if that at all interests you, I’d really recommend keeping note of names.

It’s been a long time since I’m really thought of China as home but it made me a little homesick for it.

Huaxia is as stunning and fantastic a world as it is cruel and unjust. The sheer spectacle of these giant Chrysalises is beyond words and their transformations a delight. The qi being channeled through the pilots giving their eyes a glow, lighting them up from within. Each battle is thrilling – both with regards to the Chrysalises against the Hundun and to the state of the pilots within. There’s glamour to it. You can see so clearly why the pilots are idolised and adored. But just as much as that’s true, I love that there are constant references to the reality of the world with descriptions like ‘a night wind keens across the Hundun wilds like a dead concubine crying out from beyond.’

This world is amazing and fantastic and it’s so easy to be swept up by the action and the world but this keeps it grounded in the horrors. And in this vein, I also like that it never shies from the torture and agony of Zetian’s disability and Shimin’s addiction and recovery. She’s always leaning on something or being carried if needed and the pain is likewise a constant thrum in the background – Chrysalis piloting excepted, of course. But even then there’s the relief of its absence. I don’t read many books where foot binding takes place but I’m glad that it wasn’t overlooked and downplayed, with Zetian even frustrated by the world stripping her of her ability to do things for herself. Even though it’s not intentionally infantalising. Even though she cares for those doing it to her.

Iron Widow would be a fantastic read and a great time even if it were just the story of a fantastic anti-hero and her ascent. However, it’s more than that. It doesn’t hesitate to delve into deeper topics – the corruption of the military, the weaponisation of its people, the power of the media. When we finally see it, the city is likened to the ‘performed silk shoes that girls wear on their bound, festering feet‘. This is a deeply unjust world and Xiran Jay Zhao doesn’t allow complicity to go unchallenged – not from Gao Qiu and his empire, from the pilots, from to the strategists and sages. Not even from Zetian herself – ‘such is the price we’re paying for survival: allowing this terrible system to use us as bait‘.

And quick side note: not only do we get a perfect encapsulation of the power of media, and most importantly, Gao Enterprises, but we get a name drop that had me howling with glee. Both for the sheer delight of it, and also because it gives texture to the history and present of the world.

Which is not to say it’s a heavy read! I, personally, didn’t find that to be so. There were certainly moments but not overall. There were quips like – “You can’t shoot me; I’m from Central Command!” “You can’t shoot me; I’m rich!” – that I found really funny. I hadn’t expected Sima Yi to be so amusing a character. And that’s not the only instance I’ve been surprised by the characters in Iron Widow. I mentioned above that I was delighted recognising Dugu Qieluo. As she’s Rongdi, a ‘barbarian’, as well as a woman, there are several opinions and view points given about her. From the very first to the very end, Qieluo is always changing in your estimation. And I bring her up because she’s the most obvious and spoiler free character to make this point about. It applies to just about everyone. This book and these characters are so rich with detail and depth.

I was curious how the polyamory would turn out in part because of the focus on Zetian. I’m still not that familiar with the romance genre but usually there’s perspective from both parties. I knew going in that Shimin and Yizhi wouldn’t have as much development there because we don’t have access to their point of views, and also, while there’s nothing wrong with relating more to one partner than another in one aspect – say, piloting a Chrysalis – it’s another way they don’t relate. I liked their progression. It felt natural, and in the end, with Yizhi taking a job working with them, there was also a place in the partnership for him. They were very sweet together. The three of them make for a lovely couple. They’re so supportive and grounding.

But most of all, I love Zetian. I have always loved angry characters, those who rage against unfairness, if not outright injustice. Her rage is justified and you want her to succeed. She’s even admirable for her fight. But anger, no matter how righteous, can obfuscate the nuances of a situation. Even if its evil of the highest order those nuances absolutely still matter but it’s completely understandable how Zetian can lose sight of that. It’s understandable wanting to dismiss them because they don’t justify the evil. But they matter still. I love that she grows. I love when it does matter to her, and I love when she decides that it doesn’t.

Wu Zetian, you are stunning. And this is one of my favourite books of the year.

“Iron Widow” by Xiran Jay Zhao is a sci-fi YA novel with giant mechs in a reimagined China.

Zetian, who lives in a patriarchal society, is a young woman forced to become a concubine pilot. As a female, she has no voice and no rights. She is to follow her dead sister and fight as a paired pilot in a war near the Great Wall in a robot known as a Chrysalis. But Zerian has plans to avenge her sister’s death and a strength of character which will earn her the title of Iron Widow.

I really enjoyed this book, which veers near tropes but not fully into them. Xetian’s story feels like one long anguish filled scream, but that never feels anything but fully authentic. The characters and worldbuilding are solid and I look forward to reading more by this author.

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

"Iron Widow" by Xiran Jay Zhao is a stunning debut that redefines the mecha genre with its blend of Chinese history, science fiction, and feminist themes. The story follows Wu Zetian, a determined young pilot who seeks revenge for her sister's death by piloting a giant mecha called a Chrysalis to fight alien monsters. Zhao's world-building is rich and immersive, and Wu Zetian is a compelling protagonist who defies expectations and challenges gender norms. The novel is action-packed, with thrilling battles and a gripping plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. "Iron Widow" is a must-read for fans of diverse, feminist science fiction.

This book was one of my most-anticipated reads. With a Chinese take on a concept I love well, Pacific Rim style-mechas, I was so excited to read this book. Here's what I felt the book delivered: (1) a main character that embodied female rage and was unapologetic about it, (2) an interesting world that is unique in its execution and fun in its styling, and (3) a non-traditional polyamorous romance that surprises you. These are things I enjoyed and would love to see more of in books.

However, there is also a lot of parts in this book that disappointed me: (1) the writing style felt out of place, with the usage of anachronistic words like "duh", (2) while I was pleasantly surprised by the romance, the execution itself is a little lackluster as it doesn't feel set up that well, and (3) lack of character development where it concerns the main character, Zetian.

This book was something I really wanted to like, but the parts that disappointed me were too integral to what makes me usually enjoy books. Thank you to Net Galley for providing me this ARC and I wish the author well!

“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.“

Thank you to the publishers, but I’m not able to read this as I have experienced SA and DV by the hands of an ex.

I also appreciate you placing this warning right in the front, truly it probably has saved me from some PTSD flashbacks

This is hyped up for good reason! This is a phenomenal debut with morally gray characters and a really interesting world I am excited to see fleshed out even more as the series progresses. I really enjoyed Zetian's take-no-shit attitude and the way she was determined to take vengeance on the people who govern her messed-up society. The sexism and misogyny is rampant in this world, and Zetian makes it her mission to take it down. I am writing this review just one week after the first draft of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade was leaked, and this book would have been difficult to read even if it was a sunshine and rainbows time in the country regarding women's rights, so I did have to take a pause because it hit so close to home. Which I think only means Xiran Jay Zhao did an excellent job of writing this really intense world.

I think there was some room for improvement though. I feel like the middle of the book got a little sluggish when Zetian and Shimin used the Katniss Everdeen method of getting the public's approval. The world-building was a little confusing, but I also know the battle robots are largely based on Pacific Rim, which I have not seen, so I think if I had more context I would have understood a little better. Honestly, the biggest thing I wish was different was that we had more perspectives than Zetian's. I would have loved for the narrative to bounce between her, Shimin, and Yizhi, since we could have gotten a much fuller story that way. I imagine we will be in Zetian's head for the entire series, which is still good, but I think the complexity of multiple narrators with multiple chances to give us plot twists and surprise reveals about one another would have been really great.

I did preorder Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor, this author's middle grade debut, when I was only about a third of the way through Iron Widow because I was loving it so much and I want to read everything they write ever, so hopefully that's encouragement enough to pick up this book!

I hate everything about this book. It claims to be feminist AF and then spends the whole book with our leading lady hating every women she meets. Putting them down, hating them, abusing them and killing them. She’s fine with being served by women (but never by men) and thinks she’s better than anyone else who was born a female. I’m pretty sure if she ran into a female cat she would hate the fucking cat.

I was told there would be polyamory but instead I got three underdeveloped people in another lazy thruple. The one she barely thinks about till she’s talking about love and the other she outright says she hates till she wants to bang him one day. And the one she hates? Oh she hates him because he’s survived while being abused by this society, which is clearly not ok despite how she’s doing the same thing this whole time.

She had no goals to make society better and by the end just wants to be a dictator… it’s so gross. I’m all for a villain story but the villian needs purpose and this one had nothing. She’s got no goals, no focus, no morals. Just being better than every other girl… she was garbagè.

When my friend recommended this book, I expected a great read, but it's so much more than that. The story leads readers into a system that has historical success as the characters lean in to the sacrifice of young women to power the system. There is no reason to change a program that works....unless you are one of the young women being sacrificed, just as your sister was before you. But change it will when Zetain displays the mental strength that is typically only seen in males. As she faces multiple challenges to her strength, she will demonstrate her skills and place herself on a path to destiny.

Rated as a YA, this book crosses more than a few genre to promote the idea that strength comes from the inside, not from the face in the mirror. It should be read by most of the targeted age group to show that strength and determination have no limits.

I really did not like this book. I think in part my disappointment came from my high expectations. A love triangle that leads to polyamory? What's not to love!

Unfortunately, even though the concepts were great, they just didn't deliver. I felt like Zetian came across as incredibly unlikeable in an "I'm not like other girls" way. The writing also left a lot to be desired.

I'm hoping that in book 2 the plot, characters, and overall quality of the book will improve.

I absolutely loved this book. From the badass, unhinged main lead to the things it had to say about gender and the inequalties faced. I loved it. While it did feel heavy handed in certain places, I'm very excited to read the sequel to this whenever it does come out.

"Iron Widow" by Xiran Jay Zhao is a thrilling and thought-provoking journey into a richly imagined world of mecha warfare and political intrigue. Set in a futuristic society inspired by ancient China, the novel follows the courageous and determined protagonist, Wu Zetian, as she navigates a world of gender inequality and oppression. Blending elements of science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction, Zhao crafts a captivating narrative that explores themes of power, identity, and the complexities of human relationships. With its dynamic characters, gripping action scenes, and thought-provoking social commentary, "Iron Widow" is a must-read for fans of speculative fiction.

After anticipating this read for so long, I could not have been more disappointed for hating it so. Zeitan, our main character, is so annoying, I could not stand being in her head. I swear practically every single one of her thoughts is “i’m a bad bitch #girlboss”, which good for her I guess, but can she have another personality trait? Also, Iron Widow is considered to be a feminist book, yet every single encounter Zeitan has with another woman is horrible. The book is set in this patriarchal world, where every woman has been brainwashed by their society and don’t have a single thought for themselves except for Zeitan, who somehow has had secret access to “Modern Feminism 101: the Art of Girl-bossery”. Zeitan has these extremist ideals because of her secret feminism class that only she has access to, and as such, she believes that she’s better than everyone. Especially the other women in her world. It gives off “i’m not like other girls” vibes.
Also there’s no consistency to her character sometimes. She makes a complete 360 in her ideals/ feelings in just 1 paragraph. And I really hated how it was in 1st pov because the whole book was just Zeitan having internal monologues, thinking she’s better than everyone else. As such, we don’t get to see the other characters much, or figure out what motivates them.
I also would’ve liked to see more of Shimin’s and Yizhi’s minds. Especially Yizhi, because this guy just showed up randomly, said they were “polar stars” whatever that means, and we were just supposed to accept that. And I would’ve liked to see the poly relationship from their side because i was getting nothing with Zeitan’s pov, and the poly aspect was one of the main reasons I picked up this book.
One last thing is that there’s no justification for their world at all? I mean there was some towards the end but it was very??? idk it didn’t make sense to me.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.