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A review by documentno_is
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A gripping and page turning adventure that perhaps built up my own expectations a little high in anticipation of a story that never quite delivered on said expectations. Allow me to start with the positives.
First of all, the world-building was incredible. The concept of the story, the relation to history, the mechs, and the society as a mirror for many ingrained cultural practices of China- all I was easily sold on and loved watching unfold throughout these pages. Second, I was incredibly interested in these characters and their little throuple (lol) was an endearing and liberated relationship dynamic not so frequently explored in YA fantasy. It managed to teeter on the verge of chaste but edgy which I think is perfect for younger readers who understand how relationships in the world work but perhaps don't need a play by play of every specific action *if you catch my drift.*
Zetian as a character was fantastic, I felt like she truly existed as an anti-hero; her cruelty and rage all stemming from her trauma, loss, and abandonment. I'm also just kind of a sucker for revenge media, and I felt she was dynamic enough of a character without really having to learn or grow from some of her mistakes (plus its clearly a series so... we will see.)
I could see clear influences in this story from other Science Fiction and stories I'd read (the media scene in comparison to Hunger Games anyone?) and I found those influences positive and not approaching affect. In contrast I actually felt like I saw a lot of parallels between this novel and Yarros' Fourth Wing which came after.
Which unfortunately now leads me to my negatives. I felt this story was written occasionally in too much of a teen voice-specifically when handling dialog between characters. I've seen other stories do a better job merging capturing interest from a younger audience with better line-level craft and the writing of this story had (at least to me) been built up as an example of somebody doing it better, so when I didn't actually see that happen I was disappointed.
Otherwise, my main real critic is the ending. The entire novel felt like expository positioning for something that was going to happen.. and didn't really?
There was the consummation of their relationships which didn't happen in any sort of novel or feministic way, and if anything it seems like Yizhi's father bullied her into sleeping with Shimin. Shimin's death drives a huge impact and change in character that ultimately becomes a footnote when we realize the pilot's society is the true colonizers. There was the element of a cinematic universe unfolding that existed in this final battle scene that I wasn't partial to and lacked any sort of nuance or interiority aside from blind rage. I think my largest criticism of this novel was that it felt like it was being written to be adapted into script and that was disappointing as it had a lot of potential.
All that being said, I certainly liked it enough to read it in a day so I'm excited to see what Xiran Jay Zhao brings for the sequel.
First of all, the world-building was incredible. The concept of the story, the relation to history, the mechs, and the society as a mirror for many ingrained cultural practices of China- all I was easily sold on and loved watching unfold throughout these pages. Second, I was incredibly interested in these characters and their little throuple (lol) was an endearing and liberated relationship dynamic not so frequently explored in YA fantasy. It managed to teeter on the verge of chaste but edgy which I think is perfect for younger readers who understand how relationships in the world work but perhaps don't need a play by play of every specific action *if you catch my drift.*
Zetian as a character was fantastic, I felt like she truly existed as an anti-hero; her cruelty and rage all stemming from her trauma, loss, and abandonment. I'm also just kind of a sucker for revenge media, and I felt she was dynamic enough of a character without really having to learn or grow from some of her mistakes (plus its clearly a series so... we will see.)
I could see clear influences in this story from other Science Fiction and stories I'd read (the media scene in comparison to Hunger Games anyone?) and I found those influences positive and not approaching affect. In contrast I actually felt like I saw a lot of parallels between this novel and Yarros' Fourth Wing which came after.
Which unfortunately now leads me to my negatives. I felt this story was written occasionally in too much of a teen voice-specifically when handling dialog between characters. I've seen other stories do a better job merging capturing interest from a younger audience with better line-level craft and the writing of this story had (at least to me) been built up as an example of somebody doing it better, so when I didn't actually see that happen I was disappointed.
Otherwise, my main real critic is the ending. The entire novel felt like expository positioning for something that was going to happen.. and didn't really?
All that being said, I certainly liked it enough to read it in a day so I'm excited to see what Xiran Jay Zhao brings for the sequel.