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A review by ashureads
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-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? No
5.0
so when Zhao's tiktok came up on my fyp explaining that Iron Widow was a sci-fi retelling of the only female emperor in Chinese history WITH poly rep I was in Waterstones the next day buying it.
AND IT 👏🏻 DID 👏🏻 NOT 👏🏻 DISAPPOINT 👏🏻
I thought I was ready going into it but i was not I was screaming 40% of the time crying 30% and being in love with Zetian, Shimin and Yizhi the other 10% (that's a lie it was 100% 😌). By the end I was completely obsessed with this world and it's characters.
My favourite parts was the BATTLES AAA. They were intense, action packed, getting you on the edge of your seats, and literally screaming at the plot twists and not to mention amazingly written. You can fully imagine the fights between these massive mechas and the emotions just bled through the pages please it was on another level.
The characters were so loveable!!!
Zetian, queen I LOVE her with all my heart. A woman as the mc who is unapologetically off the rails and against the system. Tearing down the city and people in charge with her insane power and strength. I also loved how caring she was too for the people she loved and how she grew as a character throught the book.
Shimin, MY BOYYY ("my sweet murder boy") bless his mans heart his whole heart and soul. I'm so soft for people who everyone else says is scary but is actually a sweetheart. The way he and Zetian grew together and how he was understanding of Zetians hate towards certain things. I love guys who actually listen to women rather than shooting them down. I also love how 🧍 he is he's sometimes oblivious especially with Zetian and Yizhi. I cannot wait to learn more about him in the second book I loved every scene with him in and every interaction he had. His character was great and I love how developed he was.
Yizhi, looks like an angel but could 10/10 destroy you. I love him he's just there,, all sweet then when Zetian needs help hes like "yea I'll destroy someone". He's so lovely and his fanboy personality that shines when he meets Shimin please it was amazing. Zetian and Shimin would burn down a city and he'd be proud and we love him for it.
Oh did I mention the world building??!! HELLO?? If you like sci-fi Iron Widows world building would have your jaw on the floor because it's insane how creative it is. It doesn't get messy or confusing it flows so well without it being boring at all. The world raises the stakes for the characters allowing for some unpredictable plot twists which had me almost throwing the book across the room- THE ENDING--
To summarize: Iron Widow is an amazing Sci-fi book featuring an actual love triangle with flushed out world building, lovable characters, enemies to lovers and many other amazing tropes which are well developed through out allowing for an ending that'll leave you shocked and waiting impatiently for the sequel (its a cliffhanger and a plot twist I'm telling you-). All I can say is PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!
AND IT 👏🏻 DID 👏🏻 NOT 👏🏻 DISAPPOINT 👏🏻
I thought I was ready going into it but i was not I was screaming 40% of the time crying 30% and being in love with Zetian, Shimin and Yizhi the other 10% (that's a lie it was 100% 😌). By the end I was completely obsessed with this world and it's characters.
My favourite parts was the BATTLES AAA. They were intense, action packed, getting you on the edge of your seats, and literally screaming at the plot twists and not to mention amazingly written. You can fully imagine the fights between these massive mechas and the emotions just bled through the pages please it was on another level.
The characters were so loveable!!!
Zetian, queen I LOVE her with all my heart. A woman as the mc who is unapologetically off the rails and against the system. Tearing down the city and people in charge with her insane power and strength. I also loved how caring she was too for the people she loved and how she grew as a character throught the book.
Shimin, MY BOYYY ("my sweet murder boy") bless his mans heart his whole heart and soul. I'm so soft for people who everyone else says is scary but is actually a sweetheart. The way he and Zetian grew together and how he was understanding of Zetians hate towards certain things. I love guys who actually listen to women rather than shooting them down. I also love how 🧍 he is he's sometimes oblivious especially with Zetian and Yizhi. I cannot wait to learn more about him in the second book I loved every scene with him in and every interaction he had. His character was great and I love how developed he was.
Yizhi, looks like an angel but could 10/10 destroy you. I love him he's just there,, all sweet then when Zetian needs help hes like "yea I'll destroy someone". He's so lovely and his fanboy personality that shines when he meets Shimin please it was amazing. Zetian and Shimin would burn down a city and he'd be proud and we love him for it.
Oh did I mention the world building??!! HELLO?? If you like sci-fi Iron Widows world building would have your jaw on the floor because it's insane how creative it is. It doesn't get messy or confusing it flows so well without it being boring at all. The world raises the stakes for the characters allowing for some unpredictable plot twists which had me almost throwing the book across the room- THE ENDING--
To summarize: Iron Widow is an amazing Sci-fi book featuring an actual love triangle with flushed out world building, lovable characters, enemies to lovers and many other amazing tropes which are well developed through out allowing for an ending that'll leave you shocked and waiting impatiently for the sequel (its a cliffhanger and a plot twist I'm telling you-). All I can say is PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!