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literarypenguin 's review for:
Iron Widow
by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
I must start off with saying that I really enjoyed this book but I do have some mixed feelings on it as well. There were some parts I adored but others that I had some questions or they didn't quite vibe with me.
The writing was very unique not terrific but it wasn't bad. The author does use a lot of metaphors in their writing and some parts you don't really understand right away. Also I feel like some parts could have been added in, like certain situations could have been explained more. Like for example we hear a lot about Shimin's guilt over the death of girls he has lost when he was a pilot but we don't really see him grieving their loss. The only thing we see that indicates that is his dreams. I feel like that could have been explained better.
The characters is what sealed the deal for me, the three main characters were very refreshing to see and I loved how different they were and how they sort of broke the mold that characters like them usually fit into. Zetian was a great main character, I loved how she was allowed to be angry and too challenge her role in life. How she took control of her life and who she wanted to be. She also would do anything to get what she wanted or to save those she loved. A truly refreshing take on a female character! Shimin was a fascinating character, a strong scary looking man who is dealing with intense trauma and grief. He is also dealing with severe alcoholism and being labeled as a killer and distrusting. There is many layers to this man and it was amazing to see the true kind person he was underneath. Yizhi was a great character a true balance of calm and ferocity, he uses his powerful connections and wealth to help Zetian and Shimin but if his money doesn't do it he will not hesitate to use whatever strength he has. He is such an adorable bean and I love him! Another thing I love is the polyamorious relationship that the three enter into. It is so refreshing to see an actual healthy love triangle form instead of the usual love corner we get in books like this. It's so adorable and lovely to see the three of them together and the love they have for each other. Though I would have loved to see more of the romance form between Shimin and Yizhi, we got how Yizhi and Zetian fell for each other and Shimin and Zetian but not enough Yizhi and Shimin. Hopefully we get to see more of the three of them together in the second book!
The worldbuilding was also a plus, I adored the world this book was set in! A world of giant mech suits and alien battles. How the pilot system works and the system of Qi flow, how everyone uses different elements to power certain machines or unlock certain abilities. It is super cool and I hope we get more of this world in the second book.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book, breaking the mold for most YA books of this kind! It was a good take on a science fiction novel and I can't wait to see where are favorite triangle goes in the second book!
The writing was very unique not terrific but it wasn't bad. The author does use a lot of metaphors in their writing and some parts you don't really understand right away. Also I feel like some parts could have been added in, like certain situations could have been explained more. Like for example we hear a lot about Shimin's guilt over the death of girls he has lost when he was a pilot but we don't really see him grieving their loss. The only thing we see that indicates that is his dreams. I feel like that could have been explained better.
The characters is what sealed the deal for me, the three main characters were very refreshing to see and I loved how different they were and how they sort of broke the mold that characters like them usually fit into. Zetian was a great main character, I loved how she was allowed to be angry and too challenge her role in life. How she took control of her life and who she wanted to be. She also would do anything to get what she wanted or to save those she loved. A truly refreshing take on a female character! Shimin was a fascinating character, a strong scary looking man who is dealing with intense trauma and grief. He is also dealing with severe alcoholism and being labeled as a killer and distrusting. There is many layers to this man and it was amazing to see the true kind person he was underneath. Yizhi was a great character a true balance of calm and ferocity, he uses his powerful connections and wealth to help Zetian and Shimin but if his money doesn't do it he will not hesitate to use whatever strength he has. He is such an adorable bean and I love him! Another thing I love is the polyamorious relationship that the three enter into. It is so refreshing to see an actual healthy love triangle form instead of the usual love corner we get in books like this. It's so adorable and lovely to see the three of them together and the love they have for each other. Though I would have loved to see more of the romance form between Shimin and Yizhi, we got how Yizhi and Zetian fell for each other and Shimin and Zetian but not enough Yizhi and Shimin. Hopefully we get to see more of the three of them together in the second book!
The worldbuilding was also a plus, I adored the world this book was set in! A world of giant mech suits and alien battles. How the pilot system works and the system of Qi flow, how everyone uses different elements to power certain machines or unlock certain abilities. It is super cool and I hope we get more of this world in the second book.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book, breaking the mold for most YA books of this kind! It was a good take on a science fiction novel and I can't wait to see where are favorite triangle goes in the second book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Rape