22.1k reviews for:

Iron Widow

Xiran Jay Zhao

4.13 AVERAGE

adventurous
challenging dark medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Iron widow will forever be one of my favourite books, Sci-Fi is generally not a genre I read but this story has made a home in my heart.

Zao's mind must be nothing short of brilliant. The webs they have woven, impeccable. To carry together love, vengeance, coming of age, feminism, colonisation, history, and science so beautifully is difficult, to say the least.
Zao has exceeded all my expectations and I will always always talk about this story, this book, and the people in it.

If Zetian started a cult, I'd be first in line to join.
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous dark fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous dark tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
dark tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Yes

Took a couple pages for me to understand that I would be fundamentally changed by this book. Went absolutely ham sandwich for it and expect to be wowed all over again upon re-reading.