A review by dominguezraquel95
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I don’t know any other books that distill the bone-deep rage teenage girls and young women feel when understanding the sheer scale of patriarchy as well as Iron Widow. Zetian is as angry and clever and hurt and vengeful and furious as so many of us have been and I love her all the more for it. My only criticisms of the book are that the worldbuilding is occasionally unnecessarily dense and the pacing is too uneven, but those are minor compared to how brilliant and fascinating and engaging it is.