A review by ms_morri
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I think this book is a good example of why we need more variety of writers with different backgrounds and cultures. In some ways, there are familiar elements in this story, and the description of “Pacific Rim meets the Handmaidens Tale” is an accurate description for this book. Under that description though, is a fictional world built around Asian culture that gives this story a refreshing and new feel. I also like how the author has incorporated the life of Chinas only female emperor into her story as for me, fiction has been a way to help me learn about topics I didn’t learn about in school. 

Beyond that their story is well paced, making it difficult to put down the book. I think that many women can relate to the struggles Wu Zietan faces, but while this book does look down on Patriarchy, I think the author does well to show the negative effects it can have on men as well. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a book with a strong female lead while giving the sci-fi genre a fresh feel.
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