Reviews

Viúva de Ferro by Xiran Jay Zhao

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sylvannah's review against another edition

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2.0

It reads like fanfiction, but I like big robots and MFM relationships so I’m not mad about it.

mcfaddinm1's review against another edition

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5.0

First of all I needed the second book like yesterday. This story is wild from start to finish. All the characters are pretty unhinged and you never really know what is gonna happen next. I also appreciate the love “triangle” of sorts. You’ll see what I mean when you read it. Anyways READ IT!! Literally couldn’t get enough of it !

allonsyalexa's review against another edition

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3.0

(2.5)

I gave 2.5 stars because ngl I was entertained by it throughout and it was a fun book, but I couldn’t give it a higher rating because I was bothered by a few things.

Things I liked:
- representation of LGBTQIA+, disabled, poly relationships (i didn’t put a spoiler here because the author advertised it from the beginning to deter people from thinking it’s like the usual love triangle) was interesting and honestly refreshing
- the elements of Chinese history and culture present was interesting to me! The most powerful Chrysalises were based on the Four Mythological Symbols of China, which I only learned from looking them up after reading this book.
- I love mecha sci-fi!! But the world building and system here could be a bit better. I’m hoping the sequel would explain things a bit more. The ending definitely intrigued me.
- The pacing was fast - despite my reservations about this book I flew through the pages as I read it.

Things I didn’t like:
- The poly relationship could’ve been fleshed out better - there was no chemistry between Yizhi and Shimin and it just felt like they got together so this could be a poly relationship. I read a lot of queer fiction and fan fiction where this has been handled better so I know this part could’ve really been improved.
- It was marketed as a feminist book but Zetian hates all the women in this book.

Spoiler

Zetian kills most of them too, in cold blood, when they only wanted to protect their children. She had no remorse at all! One of them was her own mother too, wtf.

She is very indignant on behalf of the concubines but has no patience for the women around her when it could’ve been side arc for her to empower them as well. It gives off very “pick me” energy imo. If it was marketed more as a villain origin story I would’ve understood it more. As it is, I don’t want younger readers to think feminism = hating men, hating women, hating being a woman, and not wanting children. I’m so tired of this narrative and as a POC woman I didn’t feel empowered at all when I could just as easily see myself as one of the women she killed when their motivations were just as valid.
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Spoiler

I saw someone comment that everyone in that main love trio killed their fathers and omg that’s true lol Yizhi had no remorse either. Like I could only really see Shimin having the most valid reason to do it with his dad and he was haunted by it afterward. The other two meanwhile just laugh and think about ruling the world.

- The characterization could also have been better imo. The main motivation for Zetian at the beginning was to avenge her sister, but even the reason why that sister died

Spoiler

or was killed

to begin with was never fully explained, even at the end. The male leads are pretty standard as well. There’s the tortured hero and the pretty rich boy who aren’t explored that well, plus the other characters that feel like they were only there to fuel the main character’s rage.

That said, I cannot deny how fun an experience reading this book was. The fight scenes were fun and I really liked the Chinese elements. Maybe it just needed a better editor? Either way, I liked seeing the author’s creativity and efforts in pushing beyond the usual relationships traditionally seen in YA fiction. This is a debut novel so its characterization and plot could very well improve in the sequel or other books the author will put out. Though I didn’t like the book as much as I thought I would, I think I’m still curious enough to want to know what will happen in the sequel.

elle_a_sleepy_cat's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I flew through this. I quite enjoyed this futuristic war-bound world that relies desperately on mecha like chrysalises and the celebrity like pilots that control them. The first half of the book was a whirlwind of action. I found the three fourths into the book the pace slowed a bit as it leaned more into the political workings. The ending felt a rushed. Some things were a bit too easily achieved. Overall, I am looking forward to reading the second book and seeing how our protagonists continue their adventure.