A review by deshibornbideshe
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

dark hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Themes/Topics/Attributes: dismantling the heteropatriarchy in an ultra-heteropatriarchal world, dystopian industrial future, class commentary, trauma-informed character development, exploited/prisoner labor

Have patience with our protagonist who is young, highly traumatized, and has every right to be as indignant
and vengeful
as she wants to be when she has had no community at her back for so long, under conditions that most of us reading this book could only ever imagine but that many of us can certainly at least begin to relate to. Zetian is scrappy and clever and cunning, and she deserves to survive. She deserves to thrive in a world that she has been told cannot exist. I see that world for her and her companions, and they've begun to see it too.
They have a difficult and still traumatic jouney ahead of them. I hope they emerge victorious in each other's arms.
This is a story of navigating trauma, power, and injustice. This is a story of daring to have hope and begin the messy work of making it a reality.
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