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A review by embers_pages
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
4.5
First, I would like to Xiran Jay Zhao for writing such a freaking cool novel.
Second, I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read the ARC.
I decided to read Iron Widow two days before I wrote this review, 2 DAYS! I sat down on Day 1 and read half the book without even realizing it. I could not put it down, even when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. While I didn't care for how the twist was executed, the book really made me think in a way no other book has.
Iron Widow very much follows it's pitch and Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale. Zetian decides to avenge her sister after her sister is allegedly killed by a pilot. When Zetian finds out the truth of it, she challenges the views and beliefs of a country indoctrinated on believing women do not have nor want automony.
One of the most interesting things about this novel was the dissonance between banned practices, outdated values and modern language. Every time I saw characters speak the way I would, while in this fantastical time period mixed with technology and old practices (some are unfortunately not that old and still here, I use old to convey that they are not progressive), I was jarring and grounding. It was a reminder that the real world is not so different and the way the author conveyed that was outstanding.
The relationships between characters was done in such a cool way. The author does it in a way where they have you understand that it once again challenges the values within the book and outside as well.
Overall, this book was incredible. I was so engrossed, and so much of it was amazing. I wasn't keen on how it ended, I'm curious to see if there will be a sequel and how it will handle the new development.
Second, I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read the ARC.
I decided to read Iron Widow two days before I wrote this review, 2 DAYS! I sat down on Day 1 and read half the book without even realizing it. I could not put it down, even when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. While I didn't care for how the twist was executed, the book really made me think in a way no other book has.
Iron Widow very much follows it's pitch and Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale. Zetian decides to avenge her sister after her sister is allegedly killed by a pilot. When Zetian finds out the truth of it, she challenges the views and beliefs of a country indoctrinated on believing women do not have nor want automony.
One of the most interesting things about this novel was the dissonance between banned practices, outdated values and modern language. Every time I saw characters speak the way I would, while in this fantastical time period mixed with technology and old practices (some are unfortunately not that old and still here, I use old to convey that they are not progressive), I was jarring and grounding. It was a reminder that the real world is not so different and the way the author conveyed that was outstanding.
The relationships between characters was done in such a cool way. The author does it in a way where they have you understand that it once again challenges the values within the book and outside as well.
Overall, this book was incredible. I was so engrossed, and so much of it was amazing. I wasn't keen on how it ended, I'm curious to see if there will be a sequel and how it will handle the new development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Violence