A review by darbarb
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

1.0

This book is so deeply confusing. I like the polyamory, the setting is fun, and there is one line about feminism that wasn't just "men suck, women are dumb, and Zeitan is the only smart woman alive" that I enjoyed (it was something to the effect of "women are passive, women are used to sacrificing so that is why we have them as the ones who die") but the rest of it was not cohesive. Random elements were introduced several times to support the plot that were never mentioned previously or again. For a book about "feminism", the main character has no good female friendships and seems to hate most women. There is no real backstory for Zeitan, from her relationship with her sister that spurred this whole journey on to how she became so "girl boss" when living in a remote mountain town. The writing felt very juvenile.

The two stars are for the good representation of polyamory.