Review by pantslint - Iron Widow

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pantslint 's review for:

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

5.0

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-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: Yes

Finally giving a rating and writing a review after my first re-read, in preparation for the sequel. Wu Zetian is unlike any female protagonist I've ever seen, and one that the YA genre absolutely needs (though, I feel like this book should be classified as New Adult... I won't get into that). She's determined, angry, and vengeful. What I love most about her character is how she's completely unapologetic about being that way. She makes no excuses for her actions, and yet as a reader, I completely understand and respect her decisions. Her disability is a core part of her development, and her (literal) crawl to power is wonderfully written and well-paced.

Content Warnings