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A review by bookswithlydscl
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Notes:
Read the trigger warnings at the start of the book
One of the most chaotic books I've read in a long time.
Pacific Rim meets Handmaid's Tale meets Hunger Games (love a sci-fi dystopian angle)
Really appreciated the use of traditional Chinese culture to inform the story, characters and setting (the feet binding will stay with me)
For me an interesting take on science-fiction/fantasy - female power and taking control by escaping traditional patriarchal expectations with some serious anger (though there are elements of this in The Sword of Kaigen by ML Wang which are done better)
Remember it's YA targeted and for that audience level works well
Overall I enjoyed reading it but there are multiple elements that did detract:
World Building - not massively in depth, I had a picture in my mind but I think that was informed more by the Pacific Rim and recent Godzilla movies.
Wu Zetian - so very angry which I get as above but made it difficult to fully root for her. Very few female allies, doesn't really sell the feminist angle of the story for me but uses a 'feminist' agenda as a vehicle for selling her as a Mary Sue style MC (no empathy for the situation of one female character towards the end, no spoilers for the outcome).
Polyamory relationship not particularly fleshed out or developed, the male characters in the relationship didn't get much depth beyond being vehicles for Wu to get to the next thing.
Narrative not subtle - lots of telling not showing. Works great as a wish fulfillment escapist narrative but felt sometimes that messages were getting shouted at me multiple times to make sure I definitely got them (reminded me a little of Her Majesty's Royal Coven in that respect) - this may be the YA audience influence - subtlety not always their thing
Overall I enjoyed reading it but there are multiple elements that did detract:
Summing up - I enjoyed this, it's action packed, loads of set pieces, empowering messaging and utilises fantasy and sci-fi tropes well especially mixed in with the use of traditional chinese cultural elements. It has a main character that for YA audiences is someone they can likely identify with and root for and is a classic tale of overcoming your circumstances to take control and find your own destiny and identity.
Read the trigger warnings at the start of the book
One of the most chaotic books I've read in a long time.
Pacific Rim meets Handmaid's Tale meets Hunger Games (love a sci-fi dystopian angle)
Really appreciated the use of traditional Chinese culture to inform the story, characters and setting (the feet binding will stay with me)
For me an interesting take on science-fiction/fantasy - female power and taking control by escaping traditional patriarchal expectations with some serious anger (though there are elements of this in The Sword of Kaigen by ML Wang which are done better)
Remember it's YA targeted and for that audience level works well
Overall I enjoyed reading it but there are multiple elements that did detract:
World Building - not massively in depth, I had a picture in my mind but I think that was informed more by the Pacific Rim and recent Godzilla movies.
Wu Zetian - so very angry which I get as above but made it difficult to fully root for her. Very few female allies, doesn't really sell the feminist angle of the story for me but uses a 'feminist' agenda as a vehicle for selling her as a Mary Sue style MC (no empathy for the situation of one female character towards the end, no spoilers for the outcome).
Polyamory relationship not particularly fleshed out or developed, the male characters in the relationship didn't get much depth beyond being vehicles for Wu to get to the next thing.
Narrative not subtle - lots of telling not showing. Works great as a wish fulfillment escapist narrative but felt sometimes that messages were getting shouted at me multiple times to make sure I definitely got them (reminded me a little of Her Majesty's Royal Coven in that respect) - this may be the YA audience influence - subtlety not always their thing
Overall I enjoyed reading it but there are multiple elements that did detract:
Summing up - I enjoyed this, it's action packed, loads of set pieces, empowering messaging and utilises fantasy and sci-fi tropes well especially mixed in with the use of traditional chinese cultural elements. It has a main character that for YA audiences is someone they can likely identify with and root for and is a classic tale of overcoming your circumstances to take control and find your own destiny and identity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Torture, and Violence