A review by simonas
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Very enjoyable read but not insanely high-quality writing; while Zetian's brutality makes sense in the time period and society she lives in, there's not much explanation as to where she gained this worldview or how she developed as such, so it's kind of implied that she just sprung up fully formed ready to be the badass main character who slays the patriarchy. Beyond her sister, she has no well-formed relationships with women and has little-to-no sympathy for women who survive in this horrifying world in a way that doesn't agree with how she does. Fair enough for a villain character, I guess, but it would have benefited from some criticism of her that wasn't from absolutely terrible people who no one wants to agree with. 

I was a huge fan of the love interest plot and resolution: seeing a love triangle resolve as a throuple was awesome.
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