Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Iron Widow

A main character that wants to watch the world burn can work but it didn't work here. Zetian lacks any kind of empathy to an almost comical degree. She just kills everyone with no regard for any extenuating circumstances around their actions. I almost thought she might change but then she kills the parents of children that are being held hostage and then kills her whole family in short order. Her whole reason for wanting to kill the dude at the start of the book is because her big sister was killed by him. Fair enough, but like.... she doesn't have a name. The big sister who's so important to Zetian has no name except 'big sister.'
I honestly thought Shimin and Yizhi had a better love story than Zetian with either of them. And I think that's mostly due to the idea that they maybe had some conversations off-screen or something. I really wanted to like the love story in this book. Especially as a poly person. But my god... there was no soul in it and almost no chemistry between Zetian and either of the boys.
Zetian is really just... not like other girls I guess...
I will be looking up what happens to Shimin and Yizhi. I hope they live happily together for the rest of their lives. Also 2 stars for the inclusion of the boy you torture someone with and the boy who makes you welcomes you home with pastries afterwards. Even I have to admit that was great.

If you liked this book, all the power to you. It just wasn't my thing. Which is sad, because I really thought it would be.

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kathigh86's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.75

If you want to read a book that grabs you by the throat then rips you to shreds and rubs salt in the wound, I recommend this book.

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cs172's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

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queermothman's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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yoanneke's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional fast-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

4.5

In various ways it's all I could ever want in a fantasy novel. Cool setting, kick-ass main character,

two boyfriends who just so happen to be into each other as well.

But there were still some parts I could not entirely get into like the

mech fights. I did like the take on them, but somehow every time those fights happened I kind of zoned out and I can't really put my finger on why.

Also feel like some of the pacing was a bit off in parts. However, I will definitely be picking up heavenly tyrant as well.

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comaduff's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is the only book ive reread in probably 3 or 4 years. I did it in preparation for Heavenly Tyrant. It was just as good the second time. I could write good things forever. I especially love the morally grey main character. Thats my favorite parts.

Main theme of the book:
I support women’s rights, but more importantly i support women’s wrongs!!!!

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jelkebooks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-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

5.0

originally read in 2022

REREAD 2025
It's been a while since I first read this book so before getting into Heavenly Tyrant I just knew I had to reread it to be able to recall the plot properly. I also just wanted to reread it because I remembered absolutely LOVING it the first time around. I can very gladly say that didn't change this second time around. I somehow might even love it more than the first time I read it. This book is just so incredibly good.
Books with a very gendered society at the centre of its plot always seem interesting to me. However, I think those stories often get stuck within their own binaries, and therefore don't end up reaching their full potential for me. That really isn't the case with Iron Widow. I love how this book discusses gender, and even though it is mainly focussed on the women in this world being treated unfairly, it does leave discussions open outside of the male/female binary. It feels so natural for these characters that are already questioning the world's docterines to not be stuck within the gender binary. On top of that this also goes outside of the straight focussed view the world might want the characters to stay in. Again, the discussions around sexuality just felt so natural within it all. I just love how it all was executed.
I also just adore Zetian. She is just such an interesting and compelling main character. She isn't perfect. Far from it in fact. Sometimes her actions can feel very frustrating as an outsider but her growth throughout this book is just phenomenal. I loved getting to see her grow throughout the entire book. However, from the start she's just so headstrong, and so badass. I fucking love her. The two love interests are also such great characters. They are both very different characters, but really in sync with Zetian as well. I'm so glad Xiran Jay Zhao went for the poly route, because as an actual love triangle this would have been impossible for me to pick. Even just the relationship between the two guys is PEAK. They all 3 have such different relationships with each other, which are all so interesting and well developed as well and their overall dynamic between the 3 of them also just gave me life.
We also, of course, have an incredible plot. I think Xiran Jay Zhao really just thought out this world so well and everything just feels airthight. Anything that raised questions for me within the book ended up playing into things before the book ended, and overall I just thought it was all really well executed. The plot was very fast-paced and really had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The different twists and reveals were also just really well done, and the last one in particular (if you know, you know) had me absolutely GAGGED even the second time around. I absolutely can't wait to see all of this play out even more in book two. So excuse me while I go read that right fucking now. Like truly, how did I survive without the sequel immediately on hands the first time around?

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mirandyli's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

4.75

This was an incredible book that was basically written for people like me.

Pacific Rim meets Ancient China (the main character has bound feet), with a queer polyamorous relationship. Featuring heavy misogyny and colonization. The ending had me reeling.

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