A review by betanine
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

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

3.0

Iron Widow reminds me of a collegiate level Hunger Games based on peoples who would make up modern China, holding on to traditions from the past. 

This is an emotional book that hits a number of cultural points throughout the book. I like books that make me think and illustrate a concept or make a point and this book does just that. This one wasn’t really for me due to the amount of anger experienced by the main character and the abuse that the main characters go through throughout the story. A number of times I thought about not finishing the book, but I was hoping for redemption after such darkness. 

The theme of this book is to illustrate the abuses and pain caused by a patriarchal rule that uses control and shame to maintain their rule. Initially, the main character sees the injustice women experience. She grows to see the abuse that boys who don’t agree with the patriarchal rule experience next. She sees how someone born to a rich and influential family can have it easier, this isn’t of the hook when they are different. Finally, she sees how people can hurt others even under the threat of the patriarchal rule to hurt others they care for. The book does a good job of illustrating the difference between polyamorous people and sexual promiscuity. Whether one subscribes to that type of relationship being acceptable or not, the distinction is there to see. 

This is the first of at least two and it ends with a cliffhanger ready to sitting right into the next installment.  Perhaps the redemption I’m looking for will be in the next book. I don’t know that I will read it. While I am sympathetic to the perspectives, it leaves me emotionally worn out.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings