A review by brianavmaddox
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.25

It has bland & 1 dimensional characters/plot. There’s too much info dumping and it’s heavy handed with the misogyny & dark themes without examining the nuances of either with complex characters or plot lines. The character motivations need to be fleshed out a bit more - who instilled Zetian’s strong-willed feminist mindset? A teacher, relative, or friend? Her big sister (which would’ve been an even greater motivator for her eventual revenge). If her sister did teach her such values, it would be helpful to have a dream or flashback sequence of them spending time together and Zetian learning from her sister & building a sibling bond with her. It could’ve had more specifics on why her sister when as a concubine pilot instead of getting married and some hints or specifics of her death (was it in battle? Did she get beaten to death at home/outside of battle?) How is this meant to be a feminist book when the main character seems to hate women? There’s a line between fighting for equality in a society that you’re forced to participate in, and you just being an edge lord who hates everyone & wants to kill them for whatever social justice movement fits the bill at the time. It needed to have a few more edits and revisions to get a more in depth and nuanced plot and character arcs.

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