Iron Widow tells the story of Wu Zetian—a rightfully angry, vengeful girl born into a world of ruthless patriarchy all-too-eager to subdue and/or sacrifice its women. Set in a sci-fi world with giant pilot-controlled robots, god-like aliens and a society that rose from the remnants of humanity, this book is a whole experience that won't leave you disappointed.

The themes this book discusses and the way it carries them throughout was incredible. It was loud, angry and provocative and completely unashamed in its directness against the gender stereotypes and discrimination against women. I really liked how angry Zetian was, I liked how unapologetic she was and I liked how flawed she was. As a character, she's a deeply divisive and grapples with every stereotype and every social norm forcefully imposed on women. Her thoughts may have been a little on the nose(a problem addressed later in the review), but they still packed a punch.

The ensemble of characters is also great. I still cannot believe this book made me enjoy a love triangle—a trope I usually hate with passion. The polyamorous relationship was so easy to root for; I couldn't get enough of their interactions. I still need MORE. I also really liked the fact that this book doesn't at all concentrate on the romantic aspect of the characters' relationships; it still plays an important role, but the relationships are more concerned with powerplay, friendship and just how far gender stereotypes can warp and sabotage them.

The plot was very engaging; I breezed through the entire book in a day, since the story kept me on edge the entire time; it's very fast-paced and things keep happening without being dragged out or feeling too rushed.

A separate mention of the climax is a necessity. I am a huge believer that a climax can make or break the reading experience—a good climax can completely transform it. This was the case with Iron Widow. I certainly had my problems with certain elements and moments in the story and the characters, but the culmination of this story blew me away. It's flawed and dramatic and some may even call it over-the-top, but it felt *right*.

This book, despite its abundant merits is very flawed. Flawed in the technical sense. I think this is largely because this is the debut novel of Xiran Jay Zhao, because the prose is often very in-your-face and lacks subtlety and nuance that would significantly improve certain parts of the book, including some of the romantic interactions between the characters. Some of the dialogue felt stunted, "staged" and even unnatural, but it still didn't hinder the enjoyment too much. In that sense you can definitely tell that this is a debut novel. Some of the characters needed to be a little more fleshed out, but reason tells me we will see that in the later installments of the trilogy. Again, the author manages to make everything suspenseful, gripping and entertaining enough to look past the prose and its obvious problems.

If I could describe this book with a single word, I'd call it cinematic. I enjoyed Iron Widow greatly. This book is by no means perfect, in fact some aspects of it might deter some readers, but even with those glaring flaws this story will definitely find its audience. It's a very fun action-packed read and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley for graciously providing me with an advanced reader's copy of Iron Widow.

I loved seeing a polyamorous relationship in a YA series. We need more relationships like this in the book world aimed at younger readers. I think a lot of people will thoroughly enjoy the dynamics and getting to explore a healthy polyamorous relationship...something that is hardly ever seen in YA. The incorporation of Chinese history with a spin was also refreshing. I can not wait to see what else Xiran Jay Zhao puts out!

As someone who enjoys a good sci-fi, I can say that though I enjoyed this book, I'm not the biggest fan of the mecha element. If you enjoy those, then this is definitely a good book to read, but it personally wasn't my cup of tea. I would love to see the Chrysalises drawn out though, I feel like they'd be so even cooler than what I imagine in my head. The one thing I LOVED was the ending, DAMN. The last 150 pages were amazing and had me non-stop reading until the end.
The main character, Zetian, while being very outspoken and brazen about the unfair social norms and gender inequality, was sometimes a little too much for me. I love a strong female character as much as the next reader, but the "not like other girls" mentality I got from her sometimes made me pause a bit.
I absolutely adore the author and how they fought for the polyamorous relationship in this book which is not something you see every day. The subtle aspects of the growing relationship between Shimin and Yizhi was enjoyable to read but I felt like Shimin and Zetian was slightly rushed, though their deep connection went well with their compatibility when fighting.
Again, this was an amazing book and I was so lucky to receive an arc copy, please do yourself a favor and read this when released if you enjoy strong female characters and/or sci-fi!

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for providing an arc copy in exchange for an honest review!

My first thought was "oh... Chinese-inspired power rangers? This should be a trip."

Well. I was right. And wrong. But more right than wrong, because it WAS a triiiiiip. A trip with depth I never saw coming.

I laughed. I anguished. I cried. I raged.

Told in a semi-futuristic world that reflects our own, Iron Widow tells a story of control, loyalty, abuse, understanding, betrayal, grief, and revenge.

I cannot wait for everyone to read this, and even more, I cannot wait for the conclusion to this incredible work.

Rich and imaginative Zhao doesn't come to play with Iron Widow. I loved the historical inspiration in this story and the Chinese coded set and cast. This book was fantastic to say the least.

The concept of this book got me interested in reading. The detailed writing kept me entertained all the way through. It definitely is like a fantasy meets The Handmaid's Tale. I love to read about a strong young lady standing up for herself and others. This book was it.

This book is a heart-stopping rendition of Wu Zetian's rise to power. The action scenes are well-written and easy to visualize while maintaining a fast pace and without skimping on the emotional side.. The premise of yin-yang seats, powering the Chrysalis, and battling the Hunduns was creative and well-developed. The writing style is crisp and precise, with some iconic, funny one-liners in dialogue and in narration. There are too many to list, but one of my favorites is, "You can't shoot me; I'm rich!"

All of the characters are stunning. Each is fully fleshed out and realistic. Zetian is always a mood, Yizhi is perfect but adorably, not annoyingly, so, and Li Shimin's character arc healed my heart and broke it. The minor characters are also a masterpiece, especially the relationships between Zetian, chief strategists, and other pilots and concubines. Zetian's journey is a turbulent wild ride, but she still feels relatable throughout. The familial struggles and expectations were portrayed so well, I wanted to high-five the author. This book definitely inspired me to read more about the historical Wu Zetian and the people present with her during her rise.

The plot has many twists and turns and never drags. The climatic final scenes, coupled with startling revelations, conclude an already very strong book. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in strong characters who use their wits to navigate their survival, anyone interested in the real life Wu Zetian, and anyone who wants to gush over the most perfect threesome I've read in a while. This book is extremely quotable, and I am so ready to read the sequel.

When I ruminate on the best YA book I’ve read so far for 2021, I feel giddy and ready to just gush about it! Such is the power of IRON WIDOW to captivate and inspire obsession!

I had been following the author Xiran Jay Zhao on Twitter, her sharp, witty critiques, sense of humor and love of all thing Yu-Gi-Oh! make for a very entertaining timeline! I was pleasantly surprised when they announced that they were publishing a book! And a YA one at that!

When I heard more details, that it was Pacific Rim meets the Handmaiden’s Tale? A reimagining of the rise of the ONLY female emperor in Chinese History? Featuring other popular people through Chinese history? And when I heard the title? I quickly went from mildly curious to intrigued and excited!

But to have all my hopes for this story to pay off??? And to have enjoyed it this much? I did not even expect this!

Set in Huaxia, a land protected by The Great Wall and eight-story high Chrysalises (Jaegers), from mysterious Mecha Aliens called Hunduns; Iron Widow, follows Wu Zetian and her quest for justice for her sister, and for herself.

This is a world of faceless gods, floating in the skies above, sending pittances of technology and medicine to the desperate below.

This is a world of monsters, and monstrous men. Beneath the splendor of the Chrysalis and the prestige of being a pilot and his concubine-pilot, lies danger. Many women do not survive the mind-meld needed to power these great machines, nor do they often survive the nights of pleasure that their pilots are ‘owed’ for their victories.

This is a world of patriarchal forces and blistering misogyny, where to have any hope of a girl child being worthy of marriage, a 5 year old Zetian, had to have the bones in her foot broken and bound tightly, resulting in her never experiencing a step without pain; where her beautiful sister, her guiding light, was sold to the concubine-pilot program for the sake of the heir of the family’s future.

This is a world and a story that wrenches so many emotions from you, from grief to anger to hope to rage, with injustices that seem inevitable and unavoidable, hopeless situations, turned on their head by violence that feels righteous.


‘Welcome to your nightmare’ Wu Zetian promises us in the beginning and she delivers in a stunningly grand fashion, along with all those you thought would hinder her!

A compelling debut leaving you with a breathtaking final chapter that will have you chomping at the bit for more!

I can’t wait to see what else Xiran Jay Zhao has for us!

Long ago, the China-reminiscent land of Huaxia was attacked by otherworldly invaders called Hunduns. These creatures relentlessly pounded Huaxia’s northern border, their endless waves only able to be pushed back by gods-given giant mechas called Chrysalises piloted by spiritually powerful boys and their female concubine counterparts connected by a psychic link. Matched Pairs, wherein a male pilot finds a girl with a similar spiritual power, are highly sought after as the two can co-pilot a Chrysalis to its fullest potential. Sadly, many of the male pilots are much more powerful than their female counterparts, resulting in a power imbalance in which the boy’s spiritual power overpowers that of the girl’s, causing the boy to use the girl as an energy battery instead of a co-pilot. As the gravity of the boy’s power pulls the girl’s mind closer and closer in the psychic link, the girl’s mind drifts too far from her body, resulting in her death. Most male pilots are more powerful than their partners, resulting in an endless tide of young girls being used and discarded, their lives sucked into the war’s gaping maw in the name of humanity. Epic battles raged until the succumbing of the most powerful pilot to ever live, Qin Zheng, to disease, resulted in the loss of the Zhou province, and provided a major setback for humanity.


Hundreds of years later, provincial farmgirl and descendant of those who fled Zhou province Wu Zetian learns that her beloved older sister has been killed in battle while serving as a concubine to the-second most powerful pilot alive, Yang Guang. Enraged at the way her sister has become the latest in a long line of girls killed for male pilots’ glory, she enlists with the goal of taking revenge for her sister – by becoming Yang Guang’s concubine and killing him in his sleep. Fueled by rage, she endures being primped and beautified, fed the false hope that she may be Yang Guang’s Match, until the pilot himself appears and selects her as concubine. However, before she can execute her plan, a Hundun attack forces her into battle where she faces certain death. However, she does not succumb to Yang Guang’s power. However, in the heat of the battle she finds that she is able to overpower and kill her pilot, instead of being overpowered and killed by him. When the smoke of the battle clears, it is the female concubine, not the male pilot, who is left alive. Wu Zetian is an Iron Widow, a much-feared, never-disclosed type of girl capable of reversing the natural order of Chrysalises and killing her male pilot.


“‘You’ve been living a dream for long enough!’ I yell at the camera between bursts of maniacal laughter, raising my arms. ‘Welcome to your nightmare!’”


In a society that heavily favors men, Wu Zetian’s power is terrifying. Unable to bear the thought of her killing any more young men, the war’s chief strategists pair Zetian with the terrifying Li Shimin. Once placed on death row for the murder of his entire family, Shimin was plucked from prison for his incredibly high spiritual power – the highest since Qin Zheng’s – and forced to pilot the Vermillion Bird Chrysalis in the war. Most chillingly, his insanely high spiritual power means that no concubine has proven his equal – and that every one of them who has been paired with him has died. To Zetian, this track record makes him the most murderous cog in this misogynistic machine – and an excellent next target in her mission of avenging dead girls. However, much to her and all of Huaxia’s surprise, Zetian emerges from the cockpit unscathed. Her only problem is that Shimin has survived as well.


“This is wrong. All wrong. He and I are the two most powerful pilots in Huaxia, by a gigantic margin. He should be the Iron King, and I should be the Iron Queen. Yet Iron Demon and Iron Widow is all they’ll let us be. This will not do. I will not let this power go.”


As their co-survival sparks sensation across Huaxia, Zetian and Shimin find themselves thrust together in a partnership designed to make them both more compatible when it comes to piloting the Vermillion Bird and a media campaign reminiscent of Katniss and Peeta’s in the Hunger Games to make the pair of murderers more palatable to the populace. As the campaign to retake the Zhou province mounts, the appearance of Zetian’s childhood friend Gao Yizhi results in the formation of a trio stronger than any partnership. As the three draw closer together, they also draw every closer to the dark secret at the center of their world and the reason the military works in such a misogynistic way.


“Redemption story, they said? There will be no redemption. It is not me who is wrong. It’s everyone else.”


Iron Widow can’t be discussed without first speaking for its vicious brutality. Though pervasive in this story, it is most realized in the protagonist, Wu Zetian. For a character who is a reimagined version of China’s only female emperor, this wasn’t surprising. However, I did think some of her viciousness was a bit unfounded in the beginning. She opens the book by behaving savagely towards her own family, which was a bit of an off-putting beginning because, at the time, it hadn’t yet been revealed how her family treated her due to her gender. True, much of it could have been from the recent murder of her sister, but to have it so out front in the exposition didn’t make that much sense (and honestly seemed like too much of a blunt attempt at immediately telling me that Wu Zetian was fierce instead of showing me… think Aelin at the very beginning of the first book of Throne of Glass). I would have appreciated Zetian as a character more if her brutality was developed more and more over time instead of being swung at the reader like a sledgehammer from the first page and remaining static throughout the rest of the story. However, this doesn’t mean I thought she wasn’t a good protagonist! Zetian was very interesting to read about, and her ruthlessness made her engaging and driven in a way that few YA leads are.


“How do you take the fight out of half the population and render them willing slaves? You tell them they’re meant to do nothing but serve from the minute they’re born. You tell them they’re weak. You tell them they’re prey. You tell them over and over, until it’s the only truth they’re capable of living.”


Another interesting theme here is the choking weight of the male-dominated world. Iron Widow feels like a cry for liberation; it is a scream against a world that has had its boot on your neck since the beginning of time, until the force of your rage propels it off in an explosive burst of wrath. In a world where too many women are given little freedom, education, and are constantly reminded of their subservient role to men, Zetian’s power leads the charge to be recognized as equals. Her fight against girls being near-destined to die to preserve men’s lives is incredible to watch, and manages to blow so many other so-called “feminist” narratives out of the water. This plotline alone would make this book worth reading, but the addition of its unique sci-fi premise fused with Chinese history and culture puts it at the top of tbrs.


And let’s talk about that culture more! I’m a huge nerd (no one is surprised), and one of my favorite things in books in when they have some basis in history or culture. In Iron Widow, history and culture are everywhere. The provinces of Huaxia are named after Chinese dynasties, Chrysalises are shaped like creatures from Chinese mythology and folklore, upper-class women engage (most unwillingly) in the practice of foot binding, Hunduns attack the Great Wall, and the whole story is a retelling of the rise of the real Wu Zetian! Though this story is in no way historical fiction, these infusions of real-life combined with the sci-fi premise make the story so much more engaging and work to create a world that is truly unique in YA and literature as a whole.


“You’re not something to be kept or taken, and love isn’t some scarce resource to battle over. Love can be infinite, as much as your heart can open… However compatible you are with him, it doesn’t have anything to do with how compatible you are with me.”


The world of Iron Widow isn’t the only think making it unique – its romantic subplot takes a surprising turn that is, yet again, rarely seen in YA and books as a whole. I’m going to avoid explicitly spelling out its conclusion for the sake of spoilers, but I did find the relationships a bit underwhelming and underdeveloped. A lot of the book moves at a lightning pace, but I would have appreciated if the story had taken more opportunities to pivot from the main action to focus on the characters a bit more. For me, characters and their relationships can make or break a story. Characters were very well developed on their own, but more scenes of talking and building feelings were needed to make me more enthusiastic about the romance. It is true that exciting plot events keep reading, but different plotlines need different things to be properly developed. There were many opportunities for these characters to speak to each other and forge these connections, but they were often skipped for the sake of moving on to the next action sequence or plot development.


Lastly, I found said plot to be very rushed and a bit confusing in the last few scenes of the book. So many big things happened in such a short amount of time that I felt the book needed to be much longer to fully dwell on each revelation and development, because there were many! It was delightfully twisty, but those twists are hard to enjoy when they come one after another in a pace as rapid as a pounding rain. Experiencing these revelations was like speed eating a box of chocolates – there were many unique flavors of plot reveal, but I was made to eat them too quickly to savor and digest them individually. I’m certain that these will be expounded upon in book two, but it would have been nice to have done so here so I could feel a full sense of understanding and closure till then.


Despite my complaints, I still really loved this book. It is truly a 4.5 star read, but ultimately I did have to round down in my official rating. Iron Widow is an explosively epic retelling of the rise of China’s only female emperor, Wu Zetian. It’s wholly engaging and original, blending elements of history and sci-fi to create a blistering tale of power and ambition. I can’t wait to read the sequel, and will be eagerly waiting for its release – especially after that ending!

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao is exactly the kind of novel I love. It has a protagonist, Wu Zetian, who is working from within a system that actively puts her at a disadvantage as a woman to break it down. There are exciting action sequences that made my heart pound with excitement. The core group of characters are all strong and, in a way, ruthless, but soft with each other. The author drew from Chinese culture and history to create the world and its characters. It made me laugh, it made me angry for the characters, it made my heart ache, and it made me tense with excitement. This book created what was probably my favorite reading experience I’ve had so far in 2021 (and I’ve read 90 books up to the point of writing this review).

The book follows eighteen-year-old Wu Zetian as she is forced by her family to become a “pilot concubine”—meaning she will serve as co-pilot to one of Huaxia’s mecha pilots. In her country of Huaxia, adolescents serve as the pilots of mecha robots that fight enemy creatures called Hunduns. There is just one significant flaw within this system: in the co-pilot pairings that pilot each mecha, the boys survive while the girls typically die. Zetian’s sister was one of those girls, and thus she intends to avenge her late sister by serving as a concubine for the boy who killed her sister. Something unexpected ends up happening, however, when Zetian manages to overpower the boy she was paired with in the mecha they were piloting, while she was counting on having to assassinate him before they were sent off to battle. She now has an unexpected chance to keep working as a pilot with her new partner, Li Shimin, and take a look from within at how the system inherently disadvantages girls.

There are heaps of SFF books being published nowadays that are labeled as feminist, but so very few of them actually take a look at the patriarchal and misogynistic systems that have existed in the past and still exist in the present. Iron Widow is not one of them. Zhao indicates in their author’s note prefacing the story that they have drawn on a variety of sources and cultures to construct the misogynistic system of concubine pilots that exists in the novel’s world. Zetian is thrown into this system because she wants to avenge her dead sister but instead finds a greater purpose in trying to break down the system from within. Going into this thematically would reveal too much about the plotline, I think, but the way in which Zhao comments on these power structures in their novel really stuck out to me.

Another standout aspect of Iron Widow for me was definitely the way action scenes with the robots specifically were written. Zhao has drawn inspiration from anime and specifically the genre of mecha anime for this novel, and while I am by no means an experienced watcher of anime, I know that this book gave me a similar excitable and suspenseful feeling to what I have experienced watching action scenes in anime in the past. There is a rhythm to the fights and action that happens in Iron Widow that just kept me engaged all the way through. I felt excitement lurch in my chest every time Zetian or Shimin got a hit in, and I had not had that kind of feeling for years.

Similarly, I adored the central characters and their relationships. Zetian and her scheming and the way she navigates this world are fantastic to read about and I adore her. Shimin is initially a bit of a mystery, but eventually, it becomes clear that he is a guy who has been abused by the system as much as Zetian has and they find a common ground. Gao Yizhi is the rational and softer balance between the two powerhouses that are Zetian and Shimin. Their individual dynamics with one another grow into something so incredibly heartwarming and beautiful in an otherwise quite harsh and dark novel. The fact that Zhao saw the love triangle trope and said “Okay, but I’m actually gonna make a real triangle out of this” is just great. The way the polyamorous relationship in this book developed felt so natural and well-balanced, I adored it.

Overall, I just completely adored this book. Everything from the characters, to the plot (fast-paced, surprising, and engaging), and the romance came together to create the perfect reading experience, in my opinion. I definitely have a new favorite book and therapy appointments to make after realizing I’ll have to wait more than a year for the sequel… after that massive cliffhanger. If you’re interested in Chinese-inspired worlds, giant mecha robots, polyamorous relationships, or fast-paced feminist sci-fi, I highly recommend giving this book a try when it comes out.

I can't decide whether I like Wu Zetian or not. I really admire her refusal to accept the status quo and the place of girls and women in society. But I had a hard time with some of her behaviour in order to affect change. Well sort of. Because let's face it, change was really necessary in the society she lived in.

I loved the use of historic Chinese culture to shape her universe. Some of those things we as westerners know about and are horrified by (and probably don't understand even remotely). She brings to the front the realization that perhaps some of those cultural elements horrified their society as well.

This isn't an historical book by any means. This is a book about abuse, oppression, and a quest for change. Put in Zetian's position would I behave any differently? Maybe not.

There are some complicated aspects of this book that it would be wonderful to discuss, but it might give the ending away. Suffice to say that I'll think about certain points for quite some time, pondering... nope stopping there.

5 stars
Wow, this was incredible. I was impressed by nearly every aspect of this book. From the rich world building, to the unique characters, to the captivating plot, this book was great, but the stand out feature of this book was undoubtedly the feminism and the way it discusses rape culture and sexism. This book isn't afraid to talk about the cruel extent of sexism in this world, and I love it for that. Honestly, Iron Widow was hard to read at times, but that's what made it so real. This isn't some idealized "love will change the world" version of feminism. It gritty and upsetting, but grounded. Unfortunately, none of the issues this book speaks on are made up. They have all happened, or still do happen, throughout history. Sexism and rape culture are systemic issues that will take a lot of work to slowly dismantle, and this book shows that. Zetian's journey to equality, both her personal one, and her larger goal of fixing some of the sexism in her world, is a long one. It takes time and a great amount of will, but she doesn't lose sight of her goal. Overall she was a very well written character. From her anger at the system, to the love she cautiously holds for those close to her, she felt like a real person. I also loved her relationships with the other characters in this book. I'm normally not a fan of poly relationships in books, but this one was so well written. All three character in the relationship felt like equals and the chemistry was absolutely there. This book is hard to review, as it touches on so many complex and deep rooted issues, but I can confidently say that it does them all justice. I'd definitely recommend this to any fantasy lovers who are looking for a book with a strong female lead.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a ride! I can't wait for the next installment and this one isn't even released yet. There were so many times I pumped my fist in the air or laughed out loud. Our main character Zetian is so powerful in herself and what she believes in. I will definitely be buying myself a hard cover and will recommend to all my Sci fi loving friends.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC!!!

3.75 stars ***

This book blew my mind. It truly was so, so amazing and I’ll be waiting (impatiently and excitingly) for book 2 to come. I devoured this book. I was in a super bad reading slump when I picked this up and I’m so glad I did because not only did it help me leave that slump, it became a favorite read for this year.

The aspect I loved most about this book was the main character, Wu Zetian. Zetian was that strong mc I’ve been looking in every book for but could never find. She knew what she wanted and didn’t stray from that at all, no matter what. I loved her so much and she truly deserves the world.

On the topic of characters, I was so so surprised but happy to see a polyamorous relationship in the book. A lot of the time we’re dealt love triangles in books where the mc has to choose between two characters and I’m not a fan of the trope so seeing the exact opposite of that was so refreshing and I loved how well all three of them complimented each other and their dynamics. They all have me in a chokehold, I love them so much.

For me, the plot was the icing on the cake. While it didn’t feel exactly unique and one of a kind, it was consistently interesting and there wasn’t one dull moment or a time where I had to force myself to read on. The way the author handles a variety of topics throughout the book was done so well and it’s hard to believe this is her debut novel considering how amazing it was. The plot twists (ESPECIALLY the one at the end) were so well done and I loved how the author tied it together in a way that when the twists were revealed, it made SO much sense and I wondered how I didn’t see it before.

One thing I wish was done differently was the exploration of qi types. While the author does give a sufficient amount of information about it so that it does make sense and there was no confusion about it, I would’ve loved to dive deeper into. But that’s more a personal reason. I also wish we saw more of the Hundun’s and their history but I think that’s something that will probably be more explored in book 2 so I’m very excited for that.

Overall, this book was such a good read and I loved the characters (most of them, anyway) and plot. I 100% recommend this.

4 stars *may change

This must have been my most anticipated release of 2021 by far.

If you had told me two years ago that I would be able to read a polyam futuristic fantasy with a badass female protagonist based on a real person, I would have probably said "I don't read, why are you telling me this?" But that's beside the point, because I do totally read now and, man, did I need this.

Beside it being an interesting concept, the way XJZ discussed feminist issues, gender, and sexuality were all so nuanced and well-done. I don't particularly enjoy e-books because they strain my eyes too much, but I still found myself eating this book up in two sittings (I fell asleep in between but that's on me). The characters aren't two-dimensional objects with no personalities. It's like you really want to cheer them on.

Speaking of characters, iudybsjnaidhfuebjnijhuefnjkiqjkajbre LI SHIMIN my beloved. Him, Yizhi, and Zetian are so ? I just love their dynamic and the fact that this is a literal love triangle for once instead of just two lines pointing at one person. Finally, someone who understands shapes.

My only serious gripe is that the end was kind of a nonstop bang after bang and resolved itself (can you call it resolving if technically it left off on a cliffhanger for the next book?) a bit too quickly. Maybe if it had been stretched out a bit more it would have felt more fluid. That being said, it's still a really solid read I couldn't recommend more.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader's copy.

Book: Iron Widow
Author: Xiran Jay Zhao
Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Penguin Teen, for sending me an ARC.

While Rule of Wolves may have dominated the first half of 2021 YA fantasy releases, Iron Widow deserves to rule the second half. This one deserves the awards and to become a best seller. It’s unlike anything on the marker right now and that’s what made it stand out to me. I’m even thinking about picking up a finished copy for myself and that’s something I never do whenever I get an ARC. I’ve reviewed over a hundred ARCs and have only ever bought two finished copies. That is saying something.

When I first started reading, I was intrigued, then the more I got into it, I was like “woah, now this getting good.” The mixture of science fiction and fantasy elements are just wow. I love the idea of boys and girls having this magical ability to supposedly balance each other out and to power these robots that battle aliens. Now, stop and think? Have you ever read something like that? No. A lot of the power the boys and girls have comes from elemental magic, which is so cool. The use of the Chinese magic system adds another touch as well. We have the yin-yang balance that is the soul of the magic. Now, the different is that the boys kill the girls in order to defeat these aliens. Society is okay with this because, after all, it’s just a daughter they are killing, not a son.

This brings up some discussion and I think that’s what the author wanted. Throughout the whole book, we see how much boys are more valued by society than girls and how girls are forced into this role. No one really questions it and expects the girls to just be okay with it. It is kind of a play on of our own society today. No, don’t try to deny it. All you have to do is look around. We still live in a world where our daughters are often pushed into fitting a certain role and anyone who tries to break out of that role is seen as a trouble maker. Whereas the boys can do pretty much whatever they want, because of the whole “boys will be boys.” By having this in a YA book, maybe it will get people talking and seeing just what they are doing. A lot of people will probably not like how deeply the book goes into all of this, but I liked it. By having this aspect of society included in the book, it made our main characters actions make a lot of sense.

I really enjoyed Zetian’s character. She is not one to take whatever society throws at her laying down. Her quest starts out as a revenge story: to kill the pilot who killed her sister. We see how her family treats her sister’s death. It was to save their country and it was a good death. It wasn’t murder in their eyes-if thought the male pilot did kill her. Her family expects Zetian to volunteer to go through what her sister did. However, they wouldn’t dare expect their son to do so. She does go and manages to avenge her sister’s death. Of course, because she killed a boy and a beloved one at that, she is now seen as a trouble maker-even though she did save all of their lives and had just done what the boys had been doing all long. This sets off a stream of events that are designed to break her and to mold her into what society wants to see. She doesn’t and, instead, becomes something more powerful than what they had even seen before. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind and go after what she wants. She wants to be free and doesn’t want to compromise for anything. She is the type of girl that so many people wish they could be if they were handled what she was. No matter how many times society tries to break her, she gets back up and keeps going. She isn’t afraid and wants to make them see that what they are doing to girls is wrong. I guess that what I’m getting at is she’s the kind of character I look for in books.

The writing is amazing. It took me a little bit to actually figure out the world and whatnot, because your hand is not held at all. However, once I got used to it, I could see what an amazing writer Xiran is. Her action sequences are like something out of a movie. The way she presents a battle, it makes you feel like you are actually in the pilot seat with the characters. She also handles the day to day bits really well too. When the characters interact with each other, you can see the careful thought and attention that was put into each interaction. It is very clear that everything was well thought out and that every little detail means something.

Now, I didn’t realize there was some people upset about the poly-relationship. I didn’t even know this book was poly until I got more into it. If that bothers, you then, just don’t read the book. I am glad thought that Xiran went there. I really did think we were going to get a typical YA love triangle and that our main character would have to chose between two boys. This allows her to pick both and for them to pick each other. It’s something different and I really liked it. I am so glad that Xiran didn’t give in and kept it in the book.

While this is YA, it is on the upper end of YA. Our characters are eighteen plus, there’s rape, alcohol abuse, and a lot of violence. I’m just putting that out there. I don’t think this one would be suitable for younger YA readers.

Anyway, if you couldn’t tell, I really enjoyed this one and am looking forward to book two. Penguin, if you need reviewers for the second book, hit me up please….

Iron Widow comes out on September 21, 2021.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/Vk4tKDw_3E8

I really don't know how to feel about this book. I wanted to love it but it just wasn't there for me. I did love the poly rep but Zetian's relationship with her boys felt rushed and base level.

Zetian herself started her story as a revenge plot but then all of a sudden is the only feminist on the planet? After years of being raised in a patriarchy this felt rushed also, it was just BOOM I'm a feminist now and I will destroy everything in my path.

There was one particular line in the book along the lines of "how can I be a strong woman if I have to rely on a man" and this really did not sit right with me. There is nothing weak about admitting you need help from someone (regardless of gender) and feminism is meant to be equality for all, if you need help from a man who cares? You're still strong.

I loved the twist ending which is enough for me to want to read a sequel and I did love the world building and culture. I loved the overall discussions around misogyny, reclaiming your body, I wish there was more around toxic masculinity. There's just something about Zetian that is just very surface level and some of the dialogue felt very juvenile

I'd still recommend it as it was still a fun read and had some really great moments

I received this Book as an ARC and here is my review. This story is a wild and crazy rollercoaster ride and I enjoyed it! The characters are flawed and interesting. This story includes fantasy and outrageous antics. It also has many twists and be sure to stay until the ending!

I finished this a few days ago, but I know it's gonna be one of those books that I just can't stop thinking about. For one thing, the premise sounds crazy: how can you combine Pacific Rim, The Handmaid's Tale, and Chinese history in one story? To my delight, the book went far beyond my expectations. It combines unique and detailed worldbuilding with the kind of badass yet empathetic characters that I adore. In some ways, Wu Zetian reminds me of Fang Runin from The Poppy War by RF Kuang, a book I also loved. They are both angry and do questionable things, but you understand that they want to make the world a better place. Major points aside, I am excited to see where this little romance goes. This may be my favorite book I've read this year, so between now and book 2, I'll be recommending Iron Widow to everyone I know.

GIRL POWER!!! That's what my happy, feminist heart was screaming for hours after I finished this novel. My brother caught a telling video of me screaming, "I JUST WANT TO DESTROY THE PATRIARCHY" and while I am not normally fond of shouting, it felt good to just take up space after reading this story about women stepping up and owning their own rights to exist.

This book was like nothing I've ever read before. It was so beautiful and enchanting in so many ways, and so heart breaking and tragic in others. The world was so rich and lush, but even though so much was going on, I wasn't ever lost (maybe a bit confused at times, but never so much that I couldn't follow what was happening). The twists and turns this book took threw me in the best possible way. I saw some of them coming, but definitely not all of them, and they were all still enjoyable and thrilling.

This book was also just so ... like, healthy? Which is really uncommon to see in YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi, tbh. The society was so messed up and toxic and awful (which /is/ common), but Zetian was just ... so amazing. She stood up for herself. She didn't take crap from anybody. She thought about things in a way that defied what society had tried so hard to drill into her; that she was a human being worthy of love, that she took up space and deserved that space, that she shouldn't be ashamed of her own body, that she existed for more than just to serve men. There's so much more we can learn from Zetian, but her capacity for strength and love was unlike any I have read in fiction, especially YA. This is such a great book for high schoolers to read, so they can see real people loving each other in healthy ways, devoid of the drama that so often dominates this audience of literature.

Not that there wasn't any drama. Shimin was kinda hard to figure out, but give him time. Normally bad-boy tropes make me roll my eyes, but Shimin was just so raw and wretched. He has my whole heart. As for Yizhi, I loved him from the beginning. After the opening chapters, I was worried he wouldn't come back to the story, but I shouldn't have worried.

I've never read a story with a polyamorous relationship, either. It's been drilled into me that that sort of relationship paradigm is /wrong/, and it's something I've only in the past few years or so begun to take another look at and consider in my no longer conservative brain. This book took an approach to it that I'd never really considered, and cast it in a light that's so /human/. Yizhi's philosophy on love, and then the conversations they had about it ... they were the words that I'd known I believed in, but hadn't been able to articulate. I appreciate Zhao so much for bringing this story into the YA market. This is something a lot of people still feel very strongly opposed to, and I have a feeling she'll get some heat over it. But in words similar to how Yizhi put it, why spend precious time trying to restrict love instead of encouraging it to flourish everywhere it can?

This book is about love, and change, and standing up for yourself and your rights. It's also about so much more, but you'll just have to wait until September so you can go find out for yourself!