Scan barcode
A review by sonatica
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
What a book!
After reading and listening to mostly slow- to medium-paced stories for a long time, the intensity of the characters and storyline hit me hard in the most positive way.
Iron Widow is unapologetic and vengeful and so, so satisfying to me. The genre was new to me and I was afraid that I wouldn't like it, but I was so positively surprised.
If anyone is looking for a cozy read, this is not it. But if you're looking for a book with a powerful female character who is fed up with and takes action against an unjust system then this is it!
Spoiler Warning about the romantic sub plot:
Props to this being the first love triangle I've ever liked
(And also, finally an ACTUAL love triangle, instead of two people liking one person but not each other!!)
While I would've enjoyed more buildup to the relationship of Wu Zetian and Li Shimin personally (I couldn' quite follow at which point she actually developed feelings for him), I still ended up really enjoying the whole dynamic betweenall 3 of them!
And more Spoiler about the Ending and Epilogue:
I actually gasped and got so mad when Shimin "died", so quickly after their relationship had just started becoming more wholesome. But after reading the epilogue, I am even more excited about the second book now!
After reading and listening to mostly slow- to medium-paced stories for a long time, the intensity of the characters and storyline hit me hard in the most positive way.
Iron Widow is unapologetic and vengeful and so, so satisfying to me. The genre was new to me and I was afraid that I wouldn't like it, but I was so positively surprised.
If anyone is looking for a cozy read, this is not it. But if you're looking for a book with a powerful female character who is fed up with and takes action against an unjust system then this is it!
Spoiler Warning about the romantic sub plot:
(And also, finally an ACTUAL love triangle, instead of two people liking one person but not each other!!)
While I would've enjoyed more buildup to the relationship of Wu Zetian and Li Shimin personally (I couldn' quite follow at which point she actually developed feelings for him), I still ended up really enjoying the whole dynamic betweenall 3 of them!
And more Spoiler about the Ending and Epilogue:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, and Confinement
Moderate: Grief, Sexual violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Racism
Minor: Body shaming and Colonisation