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A review by sparrowhearted
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed the premise and appreciated a book that tackled so many complicated and often difficult-to-address topics while not always treating them as the sole center of the story.
The writing felt somewhat underdeveloped and a little dissonant in many places, something I assume was both encouraged given its target audience and is also very understandable considering this is Zhao's debut as a published author but it did frequently take me out of my reading experience, which I thought was a pity. I also think that due to its stylistic shortcomings, the more serious aspects that pertain to inequality and other more sensitive, nuanced topics took somewhat of a preachy tone, not unlike the one you would find on Twitter. I personally did not enjoy that, but I can yet again also see why that would resonate with a YA audience that I no longer fall into.
The book's premise and ideas overall make up for my gripes with its writing and structuring, however, and I'm both very willing to read its continuation once it is published but have also recommended it to multiple people.
The writing felt somewhat underdeveloped and a little dissonant in many places, something I assume was both encouraged given its target audience and is also very understandable considering this is Zhao's debut as a published author but it did frequently take me out of my reading experience, which I thought was a pity. I also think that due to its stylistic shortcomings, the more serious aspects that pertain to inequality and other more sensitive, nuanced topics took somewhat of a preachy tone, not unlike the one you would find on Twitter. I personally did not enjoy that, but I can yet again also see why that would resonate with a YA audience that I no longer fall into.
The book's premise and ideas overall make up for my gripes with its writing and structuring, however, and I'm both very willing to read its continuation once it is published but have also recommended it to multiple people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Sexism
Moderate: Classism, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment