A review by brighgreen
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

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

5.0

Maybe the best book I’ve ever read. Definitely top 3. This complicated and interesting and devastating book made me feel everything: the good the bad, and the very bad. A book about fantasy and the cold truth we face today and have faced forever, in such a clear way. I don’t know how to describe it; just read it.

Second time reading it through, I notice a lot more unbelievable dialogue and character development (sometimes it feels like everything clicks together too seamlessly romance/alliance-wise) and Part Three was very underwhelming (while reading it I was thinking “I have this book 5 stars??) but then the ending really did it for me and I remembered that’s what happened the last time I read this too. Still a great read and I’m excited for the sequel.
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