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A review by storyorc
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
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
3.0
A bold villain origin story. Zetian is like Magneto in that her grievances are absolutely valid and she has absolutely run out of mercy. So many times in this book, a hero would have found a less lethal solution, an antihero would have reached some troubling compromise with the Man, but Zetian chooses violence. It's shocking and it's fun.
For as fresh as the content feels, this book's form needed further drafts. Structurally, it resembles an RP where you have a handful of dramatic set-pieces in mind and speedrun/hand-wave everything in-between. At one point, an entire kidnapping is explained like a Cliff's Notes plot summary, teleporting us in one paragraph from the scene where the idea is hatched to them having the victim at their mercy. Converting some of the internal monologue into description of how Zetian experiences events would help us reach her conclusions with her rather than be told them.
Zetian's thoughts do occasionally touch on the nuances of feminism - for example, can a woman consider herself empowered and still rely on men? - but overwhelmingly she drives home the simple need for liberation from Huaxia's oppressive culture. She is neither subtle nor tactful in this, but she is also not wrong. I would however like to see her find value in other named female characters instead of only defending 'girls' in the abstract. Or be confronted with her hypocrisy.
I don't have any analysis on these final aspects but shout out to:
For as fresh as the content feels, this book's form needed further drafts. Structurally, it resembles an RP where you have a handful of dramatic set-pieces in mind and speedrun/hand-wave everything in-between. At one point, an entire kidnapping is explained like a Cliff's Notes plot summary, teleporting us in one paragraph from the scene where the idea is hatched to them having the victim at their mercy. Converting some of the internal monologue into description of how Zetian experiences events would help us reach her conclusions with her rather than be told them.
Zetian's thoughts do occasionally touch on the nuances of feminism - for example, can a woman consider herself empowered and still rely on men? - but overwhelmingly she drives home the simple need for liberation from Huaxia's oppressive culture. She is neither subtle nor tactful in this, but she is also not wrong. I would however like to see her find value in other named female characters instead of only defending 'girls' in the abstract. Or be confronted with her hypocrisy.
I don't have any analysis on these final aspects but shout out to:
- Everyone being bi unless stated otherwise
- The horrifically efficient use of concubines as batteries
- Rong Fu's terrifying raspy voice for a certain something at the end of the audiobook
- Mecha themed around Chinese legendary creatures!
- "A triangle is the strongest shape"
- Inspiring me to seek out Chinese harem drama
- Performing CPR on Pacific Rim's outrageously slept-on concept of drift compatibility
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Gore, Racism, Rape, Sexism, and Slavery