Reviews - Iron Widow | The StoryGraph

22k reviews for:

Iron Widow

Xiran Jay Zhao

4.13 AVERAGE

books4wolf's review against another edition

2.75

medium-paced

frenchpb's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Cheers to my new problematic, likely, sociopathic, fave!

Action packed, futuristic science fiction YA with an anti-hero FMC. The best elements about this book or that it completely flipped the traditional tropes of a FMC YA character on its head. Zetian is not uncertain nor insecure and doesn’t need someone else’s words, actions, and coaxing to know her true worth and potential. Zetian doesn’t think she’s special, but sees very plainly how silly rules have been constructed to make a large part of the population, believe that they’re only roles are to be subservient to men, and it, quite frankly, is so dumb to her! She’s very sure herself and refuses to cower or acquiesce to most people’s expectations around her. She sees the oppressive state what it is, and is filled with rage and revenge at knowing her life is only valued for what it could do to sacrifice for her family in her country’s war efforts.

Rage and vengeance are the primary themes of this book and what leads Zetian on this spiteful quest. She has a lot of sociopathic tendencies, quite honestly, that first emerged when she was in the mind round with her first pilot, and chose to kill the child version of himself.

The most YA thing about Zetian is that her thirst for vengeance and “rage at the machine” leads her to making impulsive decisions that don’t consider the larger implications beyond wanting to get her justice. I wouldn’t say Care development and growth are big element in this book. She, in many ways, lacks empathy, because she’s so spiteful and pissed off. Her main line to empathy are the treatment of women and girls in her country, but there are a lot of limits to how she acts that out.

The poly, bisexual MFM relationship completely flipped the trope of a love triangle on its head. Instead of the FMC having to decide who her “one true love is “she repeatedly emphasizes that her body in her love deserved her, and she can’t give it freely to whoever she wants. She’s also under no illusions that her partners are “inherently good“. It’s their actions towards her, how they act around others, despite complicated and traumatic pasts, and their loyalty that inform Zetian’s love.