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A review by minalouette
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
3.0
I had genuinely enjoyed Iron Widow. It became one of my most anticipated reads. Chinese representation, Sci-Fi remastering of CN history, polyamorous queer?! Genuinely, I thought I was in for a ride. And I was. I enjoyed the book. It keeps me going to read for more, keeps you hooked for its invigorating writing and pace. I got attached and fell in love with the main trio, and I am overjoyed to have gotten to know them.
I do have some qualms about some of the books. I truly think some moments could have been expanded upon, because it feels like I’m currently in a spiral where I am unable to process incident after incident. However, I do think this is intentional, as witnessed by the MC who also has to keep on her toes. It adds to the thrill of the overall reading experience, which I love. Perhaps this is my own wishful thinking, to ask for more time with these lovely characters. I truly wanted more moments with the trio, especially Shimin and Yizhi. I felt that they deserved more development that weren’t stolen glances or moments that were stolen from them due to denial. I wanted more, maybe I just crave more of this book.
The rating would have been 4 stars for me, if not for the ending. Shimin’s death crushed me and I do think it was tragic but also, to me, out of left field. I don’t think Shimin’s death contributed to the plot, but I had seen other reviews where they would touch upon the death flags Shimin had. So maybe I hadn’t noticed them, and thought his death was rather sudden.
All in all, great book, amazing and illustrious world, but the ending still crushed me.
I do have some qualms about some of the books. I truly think some moments could have been expanded upon, because it feels like I’m currently in a spiral where I am unable to process incident after incident. However, I do think this is intentional, as witnessed by the MC who also has to keep on her toes. It adds to the thrill of the overall reading experience, which I love. Perhaps this is my own wishful thinking, to ask for more time with these lovely characters. I truly wanted more moments with the trio, especially Shimin and Yizhi. I felt that they deserved more development that weren’t stolen glances or moments that were stolen from them due to denial. I wanted more, maybe I just crave more of this book.
The rating would have been 4 stars for me, if not for the ending. Shimin’s death crushed me and I do think it was tragic but also, to me, out of left field. I don’t think Shimin’s death contributed to the plot, but I had seen other reviews where they would touch upon the death flags Shimin had. So maybe I hadn’t noticed them, and thought his death was rather sudden.
All in all, great book, amazing and illustrious world, but the ending still crushed me.