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A review by philippmk
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
This book was brutal from beginning to end. I love a ruthless protagonist and Zetian development throughout this story makes absolute sense. She, and most other characters, were deeply engaging and I felt that I could understand every choice she made, even if I wouldn't have made them myself.
What confused me a little was how often I had seen this book come up in LGBT+ book lists. While three of our main characters are bisexual and I enjoyed the fleeting polyamory, the queerness of these characters really is a very minor part of the book. That is not to say their queerness isn't valid, but you sholdn't expect a groundbreaking queer romance going into this book — this is not that kind of story.
This was also a book I was told to expect a twist in. Though there was one twist early on in the story (unless you read the text in the book jacket), I was glad to see more throughout the book. And yet, one final twist was revealed literally on the second-to-last page, the lateness of which made it feel like an afterthought.
What confused me a little was how often I had seen this book come up in LGBT+ book lists. While three of our main characters are bisexual and I enjoyed the fleeting polyamory, the queerness of these characters really is a very minor part of the book. That is not to say their queerness isn't valid, but you sholdn't expect a groundbreaking queer romance going into this book — this is not that kind of story.
This was also a book I was told to expect a twist in. Though there was one twist early on in the story (unless you read the text in the book jacket), I was glad to see more throughout the book. And yet, one final twist was revealed literally on the second-to-last page, the lateness of which made it feel like an afterthought.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, War, Body horror, Torture, Cursing, Addiction, Gun violence, Violence, Racism, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Sexism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual assault
Minor: Domestic abuse and Biphobia