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beforeviolets's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
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
4.75
4.75
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with an ARC!
Any quotations I use are not finalized and may appear different in the published book.
TW: violence, abuse, suicide ideation, discussion and references to sexual assault, sexual harassment, alcohol addiction, torture, grief, murder, sexism.
Some of us were born to be used and discarded. We can’t afford to simply go along with the flow of life, because nothing in this world has been created, built, or set up in our favor. If we want something, we have to push back against everything around us and take it by force.
If I could describe this book in one word, it would be ruthless. Or maybe perseverance. Or maybe just absolutely and completely badass.
Iron Widow is relentlessly and unapologetically feminist in the truest sense of the word. Xiran Jay Zhao takes no prisoners and offers no patience in the face of misogyny. Iron Widow mercilessly rips off the bandages to reveal the vulgar and brutal cruelty that women have faced throughout history. Metaphor is often the greatest way to the truth and Iron Widow cuts a straight path right to the center of it.
Our main character, Zetian, is perhaps the bravest and most powerful heroine I have ever come across, constantly betting on herself in ways that the entire world refuses to. And recognizing her own strength despite being told she is anything but strong. She is the voice deep down inside of every single person who grew up socialized as a woman that just wants to scream and cry and tear the whole patriarchy down. She is the voice of that anger, of that pain, of that oppressed little girl who just wants to be heard. She is strength.
I also was so glad to have this serve as my first experience of reading about a polyamorous relationship, especially in a SFF book. So often, love triangles are used to divide the reader's attention, creating tension and forcing decisions upon the main characters and creating scenarios for the readers to choose. In true spirit of Zetian, Zhao refused to allow the precedents of the past define this book's future, and transformed the classic "love triangle" into a polyamorous relationship, used as a source of strength and power and rebellion, both for the characters and for the book. It functioned so much stronger than a love triangle ever would have.
We were doomed from the beginning. The world will never forgive us for what we’ve each done, and there will always be those who will love to make us suffer. Not like we would’ve gained any respect by lying down and letting them do it.
As for the world-building, it was absolutely remarkable and so well-balanced by the characters' growth. I easily latched onto the rules of this society and never felt lost as to the complexities of this world's politics and nuances despite it's intense sci-fi/fantasy setting. I could easily see the book's influences, used as a tool to amplify an original vision instead of holding it back. It also made me desperately want to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion for the first time in years.
Lastly, I just wanted to say that I loved this book. If this is one you're on the fence about buying, let this be your sign to tell you to go ahead and buy it. The fact that this is a debut is absolutely mind-boggling. I don't want to see a single book be called "feminist" if it isn't up to the level of this book. Wow, truly, wow.
“You know what i think?” I say. “I think this whole concept of women being docile and obedient is nothing but wishful thinking. Or why would you put so much effort into lying to us? Into crippling our bodies? Into coercing us with made-up morals you claim are sacred? You insecure men, you’re afraid. You can force us into compliance, but, deep down, you know you can’t force us to truly love and respect you. And without love and respect, there will always be a seed of hatred and resistance. Growing. Festering. Waiting.”
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with an ARC!
Any quotations I use are not finalized and may appear different in the published book.
TW: violence, abuse, suicide ideation, discussion and references to sexual assault, sexual harassment, alcohol addiction, torture, grief, murder, sexism.
Some of us were born to be used and discarded. We can’t afford to simply go along with the flow of life, because nothing in this world has been created, built, or set up in our favor. If we want something, we have to push back against everything around us and take it by force.
If I could describe this book in one word, it would be ruthless. Or maybe perseverance. Or maybe just absolutely and completely badass.
Iron Widow is relentlessly and unapologetically feminist in the truest sense of the word. Xiran Jay Zhao takes no prisoners and offers no patience in the face of misogyny. Iron Widow mercilessly rips off the bandages to reveal the vulgar and brutal cruelty that women have faced throughout history. Metaphor is often the greatest way to the truth and Iron Widow cuts a straight path right to the center of it.
Our main character, Zetian, is perhaps the bravest and most powerful heroine I have ever come across, constantly betting on herself in ways that the entire world refuses to. And recognizing her own strength despite being told she is anything but strong. She is the voice deep down inside of every single person who grew up socialized as a woman that just wants to scream and cry and tear the whole patriarchy down. She is the voice of that anger, of that pain, of that oppressed little girl who just wants to be heard. She is strength.
I also was so glad to have this serve as my first experience of reading about a polyamorous relationship, especially in a SFF book. So often, love triangles are used to divide the reader's attention, creating tension and forcing decisions upon the main characters and creating scenarios for the readers to choose. In true spirit of Zetian, Zhao refused to allow the precedents of the past define this book's future, and transformed the classic "love triangle" into a polyamorous relationship, used as a source of strength and power and rebellion, both for the characters and for the book. It functioned so much stronger than a love triangle ever would have.
We were doomed from the beginning. The world will never forgive us for what we’ve each done, and there will always be those who will love to make us suffer. Not like we would’ve gained any respect by lying down and letting them do it.
As for the world-building, it was absolutely remarkable and so well-balanced by the characters' growth. I easily latched onto the rules of this society and never felt lost as to the complexities of this world's politics and nuances despite it's intense sci-fi/fantasy setting. I could easily see the book's influences, used as a tool to amplify an original vision instead of holding it back. It also made me desperately want to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion for the first time in years.
Lastly, I just wanted to say that I loved this book. If this is one you're on the fence about buying, let this be your sign to tell you to go ahead and buy it. The fact that this is a debut is absolutely mind-boggling. I don't want to see a single book be called "feminist" if it isn't up to the level of this book. Wow, truly, wow.
“You know what i think?” I say. “I think this whole concept of women being docile and obedient is nothing but wishful thinking. Or why would you put so much effort into lying to us? Into crippling our bodies? Into coercing us with made-up morals you claim are sacred? You insecure men, you’re afraid. You can force us into compliance, but, deep down, you know you can’t force us to truly love and respect you. And without love and respect, there will always be a seed of hatred and resistance. Growing. Festering. Waiting.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, War, Violence, Torture, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Grief, Gore, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death and Suicidal thoughts
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