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A review by shinypurplepants
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
What a whirlwind. Will have to probably let this one settle for a bit before I can write a good review. This is unabashedly a villain protagonist tale which I do not often pick up.
EDIT TO ADD:
Torn between 2 or 3 ⭐s so I rounded up because I love the cover so much and I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator was phenomenal.
After letting this sit for a bit I can write an actual review. I typically like stereotypically "good" protagonists: people that do their best for other people and have a optimist outlook on things etc etc Villain protagonists are a hard sell for me. I also tend to avoid YA dystopian novels because of their bleak outlooks. Iron Widow is very dark and pessimistic.
The dystopian world of Iron Widow is full of giant robots and systematic misogyny. In this world, giant robots are piloted by a Yin and Yang pilot (one boy and girl). Zetian enlists herself into this army of giant robots to avenge her sister's death. The setting was just so immediately hateful towards women I couldn't help but excuse Zetian's reckless abandon and anger. This may not resonate with everyone but if you like a good ole "revenge as catharsis" tale you will probably enjoy Iron Widow.
CW are numerous and I cannot possibly remember them all but general warnings forviolence, death, torture, misogyny, forced mutilation, emotional manipulation, verbal and physical abuse, off-page sexual content
The biggest critique I have is about the writing and pacing itself, especially the ending. The last 20% of the book felt like it came out of left field. Not in a "couldn't have guessed it" way but in a "this really deserved to be a fully explored plot in a second book and felt super duper rushed" kind of way.
EDIT TO ADD:
Torn between 2 or 3 ⭐s so I rounded up because I love the cover so much and I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator was phenomenal.
After letting this sit for a bit I can write an actual review. I typically like stereotypically "good" protagonists: people that do their best for other people and have a optimist outlook on things etc etc Villain protagonists are a hard sell for me. I also tend to avoid YA dystopian novels because of their bleak outlooks. Iron Widow is very dark and pessimistic.
The dystopian world of Iron Widow is full of giant robots and systematic misogyny. In this world, giant robots are piloted by a Yin and Yang pilot (one boy and girl). Zetian enlists herself into this army of giant robots to avenge her sister's death. The setting was just so immediately hateful towards women I couldn't help but excuse Zetian's reckless abandon and anger. This may not resonate with everyone but if you like a good ole "revenge as catharsis" tale you will probably enjoy Iron Widow.
CW are numerous and I cannot possibly remember them all but general warnings for
The biggest critique I have is about the writing and pacing itself, especially the ending. The last 20% of the book felt like it came out of left field. Not in a "couldn't have guessed it" way but in a "this really deserved to be a fully explored plot in a second book and felt super duper rushed" kind of way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexism, Death, Death of parent, Torture, Misogyny, and Violence