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A review by keresian
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I'll probably come back to edit this but-
Iron Widow is a masterpiece. It is a science fiction story set in a society set on crawling out of a dystopia - where society was destroyed thousands of years ago, and the only things keeping them safe is their ability to pilot Chrysalises - giant creatures of spirit metal formed from the bodies of the creatures threatening their world. The novel is structured around Chinese society, what seems like a blend of dynasties across the regions, and the world itself is inherently Chinese - the Chrysalises are powered by qi, using the principles of ying and yang - male and female - to control the shifting mechs.
Its also very dystopian. Women are kept to heel by society, the female pilots are essentially used as batteries and playthings (if they survive battle), thrown out and replaced if they do not, qi consumed by the male pilot without hesitation. This is the world that Zetian lives in, the world she wants to change.
Wu Zetian's sister enlisted to be a concubine-pilot, and was killed shortly after, though not the noble death of battle. Zeitan wants revenge against the pilot who killed her, and it sets her on a path to discover the roiling, dirty undercurrent of their society, and of the army - the way they treat women, the way they keep their pilots leashesd, the way money rules everything.
The worldbuilding is masterfully done - precise, in that you are told things when you need to know them. Giving you a taste of the world without overwhelming the senses. It had me hooked in the best way, XJZ's prose is enticing in the best of ways, and I cover-to-covered this without a thought.
It's also delightfully queer, despite society not approving - the subplot romance is a polyam relationship built throughout the story, and I love each of them - they are the balance the others need, without a doubt. The triangle is the strongest shape.
And, that ending, *fans self* I saw parts of it coming, but not all - hints are seeded masterfully, and going back everything seems clear, but I very much could not have guessed the big reveal. I truly, truly hope there will be a sequel because I need more!!
Iron Widow is a masterpiece. It is a science fiction story set in a society set on crawling out of a dystopia - where society was destroyed thousands of years ago, and the only things keeping them safe is their ability to pilot Chrysalises - giant creatures of spirit metal formed from the bodies of the creatures threatening their world. The novel is structured around Chinese society, what seems like a blend of dynasties across the regions, and the world itself is inherently Chinese - the Chrysalises are powered by qi, using the principles of ying and yang - male and female - to control the shifting mechs.
Its also very dystopian. Women are kept to heel by society, the female pilots are essentially used as batteries and playthings (if they survive battle), thrown out and replaced if they do not, qi consumed by the male pilot without hesitation. This is the world that Zetian lives in, the world she wants to change.
Wu Zetian's sister enlisted to be a concubine-pilot, and was killed shortly after, though not the noble death of battle. Zeitan wants revenge against the pilot who killed her, and it sets her on a path to discover the roiling, dirty undercurrent of their society, and of the army - the way they treat women, the way they keep their pilots leashesd, the way money rules everything.
The worldbuilding is masterfully done - precise, in that you are told things when you need to know them. Giving you a taste of the world without overwhelming the senses. It had me hooked in the best way, XJZ's prose is enticing in the best of ways, and I cover-to-covered this without a thought.
It's also delightfully queer, despite society not approving - the subplot romance is a polyam relationship built throughout the story, and I love each of them - they are the balance the others need, without a doubt. The triangle is the strongest shape.
And, that ending, *fans self* I saw parts of it coming, but not all - hints are seeded masterfully, and going back everything seems clear, but I very much could not have guessed the big reveal. I truly, truly hope there will be a sequel because I need more!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and War
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Death, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and Gaslighting