Scan barcode
A review by mustnotblink
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wu Zetian's anger is not beautiful. It is the kind of rage that leaves no burn scars because there is nothing but
blackened bones left in its wake and could destroy worlds with the sheer size of it. I love her because of that rage - her internal monologue and unhinged choices helped - but it is her rage that resonates so greatly for me. The fact that she is able to combine that rage with a giant mecha makes me seriously jealous.
Xiran Jay Zhao is very good at including bits of humor that in no way detracts from the seriousness of the topics the book is mainly focused on. If I tried to share my favorite examples of this the review would never get posted because there are too many to choose.
This book also has a true love triangle and I utterly adore it- all three characters loves and supports each other - including their flaws - and the sheer rightness of such relationships could clear my skin & water my crops for years. Yizhi and Shimin are not just paper doll men - they each each have very distinguished personalities
and goals that make their affection for Zetian & each other a much more dynamic read than 95% of love triangle' romances. As a bonus they both Stan for Zetian as much as I do! Let them all have a little murder as a gift.
The multiple twists towards the end are well done and have me vibrating with excitement about the sequel. It has only taken one book to make me a lifelong Xiran Jay Zhao fan! That being said this book hits on some very tough topics so please check out trigger warnings ahead of time!
blackened bones left in its wake and could destroy worlds with the sheer size of it. I love her because of that rage - her internal monologue and unhinged choices helped - but it is her rage that resonates so greatly for me. The fact that she is able to combine that rage with a giant mecha makes me seriously jealous.
Xiran Jay Zhao is very good at including bits of humor that in no way detracts from the seriousness of the topics the book is mainly focused on. If I tried to share my favorite examples of this the review would never get posted because there are too many to choose.
This book also has a true love triangle and I utterly adore it- all three characters loves and supports each other - including their flaws - and the sheer rightness of such relationships could clear my skin & water my crops for years. Yizhi and Shimin are not just paper doll men - they each each have very distinguished personalities
and goals that make their affection for Zetian & each other a much more dynamic read than 95% of love triangle' romances. As a bonus they both Stan for Zetian as much as I do! Let them all have a little murder as a gift.
The multiple twists towards the end are well done and have me vibrating with excitement about the sequel. It has only taken one book to make me a lifelong Xiran Jay Zhao fan! That being said this book hits on some very tough topics so please check out trigger warnings ahead of time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Violence, War, Alcoholism, Classism, Murder, Rape, Sexism, Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Body shaming, Torture, Gaslighting, and Ableism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts