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A review by anjoureadsbooks
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is sci-fi, feminist literature. It is not subtle.
It lays bare the insidious, absurd and strategic nature of the patriarchy.
I love how it’s in your face.
And I love how Vengeful and Angry the protagonist, Wi Zetian is. Her rage and her unpredictability is what I love most about her.
There are times she makes crazy and impulsive decisions and I want to judge her but I pause and put myself in her shoes, if I was an 18 year old girl living in her world, her circumstances, how would I behave?
It helped me understand her actions sometimes.
Although, the story could have been much better if it had more character depth and romantic development. The romantic connection between Zetian, Yizhi and Shimin felt pretty underdeveloped but ate up the little I got regardless. I think it could have helped if we had the POVs of the love interests a few times in the book.
I still really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend.
I can't wait to read book 2- Heavenly Tyrant. Hoping there’s more depth and the writing improves this time around.
Also, that ending had me like what the fuck???
But it’s a really good setup for the series so I’m not even mad at it.
It lays bare the insidious, absurd and strategic nature of the patriarchy.
I love how it’s in your face.
And I love how Vengeful and Angry the protagonist, Wi Zetian is. Her rage and her unpredictability is what I love most about her.
There are times she makes crazy and impulsive decisions and I want to judge her but I pause and put myself in her shoes, if I was an 18 year old girl living in her world, her circumstances, how would I behave?
It helped me understand her actions sometimes.
Although, the story could have been much better if it had more character depth and romantic development. The romantic connection between Zetian, Yizhi and Shimin felt pretty underdeveloped but ate up the little I got regardless. I think it could have helped if we had the POVs of the love interests a few times in the book.
I still really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend.
I can't wait to read book 2- Heavenly Tyrant. Hoping there’s more depth and the writing improves this time around.
Also, that ending had me like what the fuck???
But it’s a really good setup for the series so I’m not even mad at it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Blood