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A review by paulawind
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book is an epitome of “I support women’s rights but most importantly I support women’s wrongs” . Ultimate “good for her” novel.
Don’t get me wrong, Wu Zetian (inspired by actual Chinese empress) is objectively a morally dubious person but you can’t help to be impressed by how unapologetic she is. She will claw her way through misogyny, no matter the cost. Once again - good for her.
I’ve never read such aggressively feminist book, so full of female rage and I absolutely loved it. She sees the injustice and isn’t afraid to not only point it out but actively challenge and dismantle it. Would I like to meet her irl? No, she would most likely killed me, she’s not likeable but she doesn’t have to be.
This book was such a bizarre mixture of all the books/general media I consumed whilst a teenager it gave me a bit of a vertigo. We got Pacific Rim/any mecha anime giant robots fighting a war, Hunger Games discussion about power of media and public image, and a suspicion gnawing on my guts throughout the book about the Hunduns in a very Enders Game way. Xiran truly is one of us.
More of a side note but from now on I accept love triangles to only be resolved like the one here, period
Don’t get me wrong, Wu Zetian (inspired by actual Chinese empress) is objectively a morally dubious person but you can’t help to be impressed by how unapologetic she is. She will claw her way through misogyny, no matter the cost. Once again - good for her.
I’ve never read such aggressively feminist book, so full of female rage and I absolutely loved it. She sees the injustice and isn’t afraid to not only point it out but actively challenge and dismantle it. Would I like to meet her irl? No, she would most likely killed me, she’s not likeable but she doesn’t have to be.
This book was such a bizarre mixture of all the books/general media I consumed whilst a teenager it gave me a bit of a vertigo. We got Pacific Rim/any mecha anime giant robots fighting a war, Hunger Games discussion about power of media and public image, and a suspicion gnawing on my guts throughout the book about the Hunduns in a very Enders Game way. Xiran truly is one of us.
More of a side note but from now on I accept love triangles to only be resolved like the one here, period
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and War