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A review by abbyhrc
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
5.0
this book was such an immersive experience, which says a lot with how futuristic and unique the world was! i don't read a lot of books like that but this one definitely didn't disappoint.
firstly let's talk about my favorite aspect of the book: the main relationship. how refreshing to see a throuple that could've so easily been made into some boring, pointless love triangle, and how i wish more authors would write polyamory as this respectful, intimate and genuine connection between more than two partners... all three characters are such nice additions to one another (additions because they're very complete by themselves already, more on that later) and each dynamic is different yet equal in its importance to the characters and the plot as well.
then, the themes. obviously, feminism is the main one here and it wasn't written to spare the reader, you're meant to feel the rightful anger of being a woman in that world (and in ours but shhh). i also loved the criticism of an heteronormative, monogamous society that is honestly quite boring (in my opinion.... just let people be gay and happy). my only complaint is the lack of female friendship, especially with how feminist this book is - the lack of female characters makes sense because it's a men-driven world but i wish zetian had had a woman by her side too (and maybe she will in the second book).
speaking of, zetian is a role model of a character, so strong in her conviction that every single women deserves better than the life they were forced into. i love her. i also loved shimin, who is honestly such a tragic but well-written character (also props to him for going against the usual "bad boy" "alpha male" clichés, that was very nice). best for last MY BELOVED YIZHI i won't speak too much but he is my favorite he is my little chen kitay variant, my sunshine.
so yeahhh 5/5 this was so good i can't waiiit for book 2
firstly let's talk about my favorite aspect of the book: the main relationship. how refreshing to see a throuple that could've so easily been made into some boring, pointless love triangle, and how i wish more authors would write polyamory as this respectful, intimate and genuine connection between more than two partners... all three characters are such nice additions to one another (additions because they're very complete by themselves already, more on that later) and each dynamic is different yet equal in its importance to the characters and the plot as well.
then, the themes. obviously, feminism is the main one here and it wasn't written to spare the reader, you're meant to feel the rightful anger of being a woman in that world (and in ours but shhh). i also loved the criticism of an heteronormative, monogamous society that is honestly quite boring (in my opinion.... just let people be gay and happy). my only complaint is the lack of female friendship, especially with how feminist this book is - the lack of female characters makes sense because it's a men-driven world but i wish zetian had had a woman by her side too (and maybe she will in the second book).
speaking of, zetian is a role model of a character, so strong in her conviction that every single women deserves better than the life they were forced into. i love her. i also loved shimin, who is honestly such a tragic but well-written character (also props to him for going against the usual "bad boy" "alpha male" clichés, that was very nice). best for last MY BELOVED YIZHI i won't speak too much but he is my favorite he is my little chen kitay variant, my sunshine.
so yeahhh 5/5 this was so good i can't waiiit for book 2