I haven’t finished this book yet, but so far I love it! I wanted to get this review out before the official release date so that I could promote it more. The writing is amazing, as are the characters. The storyline is so unique and I can’t stop reading. I’ve been excited about this book for a while now, and it actually just came into my store earlier today! I can’t wait to sell it and promote it to readers who enjoy this genre as well.

I'll admit to being biased: You really had me at "Pacific Rim." This is the first time I've ever read a mecha novel (though I understand more exist) and wow, this blew me away. I adored the protagonist, who was driven and feral, and her relationship with the two very different men in her life who are, understandably, in awe of her. This also might be the first polyamorous novel I've ever read, and I think it pulled it off wonderfully. The last minute twist at the end was so exciting, and I'm terribly eager to read the next installment in the duology.

Iron Widow is a captivating debut from Xiran Jay Zhao. I starting following Zhao after her insightful tweets about the live-action Mulan movie, finding her both knowledgeable and insightful. Her first book did not disappoint. Zhao creates a full and immersive world. It's a page-turner from start to finish. I can't wait to see Zhao writes next.

My co-host wrote a more in-depth review on our blog: https://thegeekywaffle.com/home/2021/7/27/book-review-iron-widow-weaves-disparate-concepts-together-to-form-a-compelling-whole

This was feminist fantasy at it's best. A totally unique and exciting story that hooked you from the very first page. Zhao weaves an intricate tale full of history and myth mixed with a heaping dose of sci-fi trills. Wu Zetian was so morally gray and yet highly relatable. The author does a fantastic job of dropping feminist truths that will resonate with so many women. I’m ready for more.

This is my favorite book. Full stop.

When someone asks me that fateful question, I will now have an answer: "Iron Widow" by Xiran Jay Zhao, which I read in less than 12 hours because I simply could not put it down.

Described as "The Handmaid's Tale" meets "Pacific Rim," this book meets every expectation and then exceeds them. Queer and feminist, this book rages against anyone and anything that has ever told you that you don't belong because of who you are.

Each page is filled with the quick wit of our main character, Zetian, which also barely disguises the fury she feels. It was liberating to read a female who had a chance to be powerful, strong, and feminine all at once — and at times, for her to question her femininity, and what that difference between "male" and "female" really is.

Not to mention our two leading men, who are both beautifully summed up by Zetian as "my sweet boy, my killer boy." No apologies are ever made for the way they are or how they live outside society's expectations. In short, Zhao's characterizations are perfect.

Drawing from Chinese traditions, Zhao creates one of the most fascinating Sci-Fi's I've ever read, mixing qi magic, science, and secrets in an intoxicating setting. I won't go too deeply into the lore, but every morsel Zhao gives the readers just makes this world more intriguing.

If you want a read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, laughing at dialogue and chapter titles, and crying, "Iron Widow" should be at the top of your TBR. And yes, it will make you audibly gasp out loud — SEVERAL times. Iykyk.

I will be immediately buying this book upon my release and then will continue to scream about it probably the next two hundred years.

If the synopsis or the phrase "mech battles powered by polyamory to bring down a misogynistic death harem" intrigues you then you should go read this book as soon as you can. I love the whole thing, from the world to the plot to the characters, this is amazing on its own and I’m really excited for more. It's well-paced, brilliantly written, and just a damn good story.

The setting is vibrant, I love the main characters and the interplay between them. The slow burn between the three main characters is subtle but unmistakable, they have different dynamics between each pairing and it just fits so well. I appreciate that Zetian never loses her laser focus on what matters: burning this misogynist system down.

Zetian has bound feet and it matters to the narrative, affecting the way she moves through the world, literally, as well as being one more way that her society has oppressed her for her gender. Sometimes she walks, though according to her the last time "walk" was appropriate to describe her motion was right before her feet were broken and bound, the verb she uses is "totter". She's occasionally carried or in a wheelchair, but more often she has a cane. There's a consistent awareness of her mobility or lack of it and how that affects her daily existence. Piloting a mecha is the only time she's awake and not in pain from her feet, but it's also not positioned as a permanent solution. It's thematically appropriate, explored throughout the text in a nuanced way, and makes her one of very few protagonists I can think of who begin their story with a mobility issue but no plotline about a cure of any kind.

I loved this and I wish the sequel were available immediately.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin RandomHouse Canada for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own. As I read an ARC, the quotes I use may not appear as written in the final book.

“I have no faith in love. Love cannot save me. I choose vengeance.”

Iron Widow takes place in a future world influenced by traditional Chinese culture, where warrior pilots (teenage boys) use GIANT MECH SUITS to protect the land from alien threats. Unfortunately, a lot of young women die along the way, used up like human batteries to power the suits. Wu Zetian, our protagonist (inspired by the only female Chinese emperor), loses her sister to this cycle and decides she is entirely done with this mess. Her path to vengeance includes a lot of righteous anger, violence, and scheming (also a love triangle that ends with everyone happy).

It’s a good read. I don’t exactly want to call it fun because of its more graphic content (TWs for just about everything) but despite all the terrible things that happen in the book, there’s something so cathartic about seeing Zetian and Shimin pushing through it and making the people who caused the pain pay. The love triangle is also very sweet (or as sweet as something can be amongst all the murder) and, again, for a book full of violence, it also had some very sweet messages about love.

The advertisement connects this book to The Handmaid’s Tale and Pacific Rim, both of which are apt comparisons, but it also reminded a lot of The Hunger Games in a good way. Zetian is a very different person from Katniss, but this too is the story of a girl forced into a system that the government uses to sacrifice children, but who manages through her own strength and cunning to strike back at the government that sought to have her killed.

There’s really only one thing I didn’t like that may be addressed before publication, but I’m not sure. Most of the dialogue is in a style that isn’t quite formal, but doesn’t dip into modern slang. Yes, many of the characters are teenagers, but they’re teenagers in this world steeped in strict hierarchies and rules, so it’s a little jarring when a character (not even always a teenager) drops a really modern feeling piece of language. Just a little thing, but it took me out of the flow of the story each time it happened and it happened enough that I feel the need to mention it.

To end on a high note-
Not to spoil anything, but the story ends on a cliff hanger and boy howdy am I ready for the sequel. Truly, duologies are the superior form of fiction.

On their Twitter (which is hilarious btw, go follow) Xiran Jay Zhao describes Iron Widow as, "400 pages of female rage," which is exactly what I expected, exactly what I wanted, and exactly what I got. From start to finish I was completely taken by Zetian's mission, the battle mechanics behind the giant mechas, and the brilliant way Zhao blended Chinese history and culture throughout. Also, all the mains are hot.

This was so unbelievably good!!! I've said this a thousand times but there is something so thrilling about a book living up to your expectations and beyond. Zetian was fury incarnate and I LIVED FOR IT. There was no calming her down, no controlling her, and no excuse worth her suffering and the suffering of those near and dear to her. She refused to accept her world's injustices and actively fought the powers that be with everything in her, mind and body. I absolutely loved her and her companions: Li Shimin and one I won't name since they aren't mentioned in the original premise (and their.....dynamic....( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°). The world itself was fascinating. I love love love when authors take their history and blend it into their narratives. It's wonderful seeing such appreciation for culture reimagined, and Zhao did such a great job here. And the battle sequences???? At some point I had to stop trying to read the book outside because my jaw would not close and I was tired of fighting for my life trying to keep the flies out. Everything was so...visual. I truly felt like I was watching an episode of Code Geass or something equally thrilling. The chaos of it all, the high stakes, the desperation and drive taking place inside the cockpit and out on the battlefield...Zhao you absolute legend. As a huge anime nerd, history nerd, women taking names and kicking ass nerd...this was everything I could have wanted. And THE DISABILITY REP???????? I AM Y E L L I N G.

!!! mild spoilers here!!!

Y'all, my intentions were not for this to devolve into a rambling mess but....this book rendered me a rambling mess. I tried. Iron Widow was a love letter to many things. Chinese history, anime, dramatic earth shattering boss battles, feminism, and disability representation. My one gripe is that I would have loved to see the throuple have more time to develop and truly come into their own but the stakes were high as hell and many of the circumstances were not ideal AT ALL, so I could see why things seemed rushed when it came together. Perhaps expect more of the beginnings of a polyamorous relationship instead of something as established as you might hope for, and the possibility of growth will definitely quench some of that thirst. Maybe in book two? ;) Regardless, this was a banger. It is truly for the most part all I could have asked for and more and I absolutely cannot wait to see this brilliant world expanded upon in what's sure to be a phenomenal continuation. Oh, the yearning I have for this book to be in my hands...

Shoutout to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for my copy, and to Zhao for a fantastic read! Iron Widow drops September 21, 2021! Mark your calendars, friends! Here's hoping your experience will be as fun as mine was!

CONTENT WARNINGS: discussions of rape, honor killings, human sacrifice, gore, torture, abusive relationships, child abuse, genocide, alcoholism, symptoms of withdrawal, suicidal thoughts and actions

Have you ever thought to yourself, what if a character like Azula from Avatar: The Last Airbender was thrust into a world of Chinese mythology with glowing qi energy and giant mecha machines? Well, look no further because Iron Widow is exactly that intensely feminist YA sci-fi story you didn’t know you needed. Described as a Pacific Rim x The Handmaid’s Tale blend, Wu Zetian enlists in a piloting-system that killed her sister and will do anything to get her revenge, including burning the world to the ground.

Never have I read such a ruthless protagonist and several times I was screaming at reading Zetian’s badass lines! She has such a ferocious drive to maintain her agency and challenges gender roles at every turn. There’s also positive bisexual and poly representation which I really loved. I definitely enjoyed this read and highly recommend it!

I. Loved. This. Book!! First of all, tell me that cover art is not epic! This book is sci-fi, but with some inspirations pulled from Chinese history (such as foot binding and Empress Wu). Zetian is sick and tired of the patriarchy and wants it dismantled in the worst way. All her life she has been treated as a second-class citizen (by society & her family) & she’s fighting back, baby! GIRL POWER! I love the way that she decided to embrace her newfound notoriety after killing her first pilot. She just leaned into it and was like “well, if they’re all going to think I’m evil and conniving, then I better work with that” 😁 And she knows how to get things done! The background love story in this book is a love triangle, but not in the way that you might think. They are poly, meaning she has two boyfriends and the boyfriends are also boyfriends. The book is listed as YA, but even if that is not a genre you normally read don’t let it scare you away from this book – the book definitely reads as much more adult than YA. Seriously people, read this book!

Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Random House Canada for this advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale is an apt description for this gem of a book. Fast paced, action-packed, with a badass heroine who is determined to topple the patriarchy. What's not to love?

I'm not saying I joined NetGalley and started reviewing SPECIFICALLY to get to read Iron Widow in advance. Just like I'm not saying Iron Widow is so good I wanted to scream and throw things and flip tables and ended up doing at least two out of the three. But I'm not NOT saying it.

This story has EVERYTHING.
Mech battles.
Magical girl transformation sequences.
Boyfriends who make you dumplings at the end of a long day.
Burning the world to the ground if that's what it takes to destroy the patriarchy.

And it is AWESOME.
5/5 Stars are not enough Stars. 10/5 stars are not enough stars. 10,000/5 stars is getting closer but still not there??

A wee summary, for those of you that like that sort of thing: History buff and Twitter champ Xiran Jay Zhao (follow them @xiranjayzhao for hilarious and informative threads, if you somehow missed the viral takedown of historical inaccuracies in the new 'Mulan') has taken one of the world's most impressive and enigmatic figures--Wu Zetian, China's only female emperor--and reimagined her story as a YA Sci-Fi so metal that I cannot believe we are all so #blessed to be allowed to have it.

Humanity is under constant threat of extinction by the Hunduns, a race of bizarre magical/robotic bug creatures lurking beyond the Great Wall. Our best line of defense is a squadron of young fighter pilots, each assigned to a Chrysalis--a spectacular mecha-version of an animal from East Asian mythology, created from the hollowed-out husks of the enemy and controlled with the pilot's mind and qi. Pilots enjoy all the power and glory of military heroes and popstars combined, which makes sense, considering they're taking out waves of alien invaders inside giant battle bots that can transform into increasingly badass forms.

EXCEPT. You will notice all these pilots are young men, and the system requires them to pair up with and consume the energy of young women subjugated as concubines (who rarely survive a single trip, and are therefore considered a necessarily disposable resource--while the dudes get to enjoy Justin Bieber, Knight of Camelot status in spite of their increasing body counts.)

Wu Zetian is already over it before the story begins, having lost her sister as a sex-slave/brain-battery for the army's favorite golden boy. Her only goal is to avenge her sister's death and then tap out, sick of existing in a world where her entire life has only mattered in the context of men's whims. But she quickly discovers there's much bigger fish to fry; removing one shitty dude solves only one small problem, but the bigger problem is the system that built him. IE, The Patriarchy.

And Zetian is unafraid to do *literally* whatever it takes to bring the whole thing crashing down.

This story is dark. At times really, really dark. It's also really, really funny, and touching, and infuriating, and triumphant, and by the end you will be 100% prepared to swear your undying allegiance to Empress Wu Zetian and her loyal patriarchy-destroying boyfriends (yes, you read me.) She is fearless, ruthless, unfriendly, unkind, unapologetic, and the most incredible protagonist you'll have met in a really long time.

This book is bonkers in the best possible way. I need more immediately. More books. An anime adaptation. SIX SEASONS AND A MOVIE.

IF YOU ARE STILL READING THIS I SUGGEST YOU STOP RIGHT NOW AND JUST GO ORDER YOUR COPY BECAUSE WOW. WOW. WOW??? WOW.

Iron Widow is so gosh darn amazing. First of all, Wu Zetian is a badass female lead. She rebels against not only her neglectful family and the corrupt army, but she also challenges the patriarchy and the old school values that rule her country. All while being the most powerful mech pilot in the last 200 years.
Second, the alien invaders that have been plaguing the world for the past few centuries have some cool properties that make them valuable tools, the government uses them to create the giant robots used to defend the country. And in conclusion, I'm ready for the next book already.

Full review to come on my blog.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao is an epic and immersive journey into a world inspired by ancient China, with mecha robots, fascinating battles’ descriptions and morally grey characters that will be remembered for ages.

Thanks to brilliant plot twists and a gripping plot, it’s impossible to put this book down: even if it’s complex and very tightly structured, Xiran’s prose makes it always enjoyable to read. And there is something truly unique in the way Iron Widow perfectly blends a historical setting with sci-fi elements, creating a sort of magical system based on elements from Chinese culture and spirituality. 

Zetian is the true gem of the whole book. Walking on the fine line between good and evil, she is a badass main character with understandable motives, and so it’s easy to resonate with her, to want to take down the true villains of the story by her side. Watching her fighting her way up in a world meant to take women down, to silence and oppress them, is heartbreaking and empowering at the same time: very few times before Zetian I found a character as worthy as her of obtaining revenge, and I can’t wait to see how much more she has in a store (it’s just so satisfying to see her torturing misogynists, what can I say).

But her companions are not less worthy of my adoration: Shimin seems to be an angry muss of muscles, and yet he is just a gentle boy broken by a twisted system that deserves way better than he ever got in his life. And Yizhi is such a headstrong knight-in-a-shining-armor ready to go hell and back for those he cares for, amazing even just for knowing how to deal with his two very chaotic partners.

I must admit that one of the main reasons that made me extremely excited to read Iron Widow was knowing that there was going to be a poly relationship. And not only it was so well executed, slowly building the tension between each couple before connecting them in such a perfect triangle, but it was also threaded as a meaningful and important element of the story: Xiran didn’t just write three characters in a relationship, but they also inserted meaningful discussion about love and non-conforming forms of romantic relationships that made my heart burst out of joy. This trio and the bond they have formed will always hold such a special place in my heart, that’s for sure- and HOPEFULLY we will be blessed with more cute scenes between them in the sequel.

Iron Widow is one of the best books I’ve ever read, and it seriously took me by surprise how much I loved it. If you are looking for a book that will make you want to go out and fight the patriarchy, this is a perfect choice, and I can’t truly recommend it enough (but be ready to suffer through a very explosive ending!!!).

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada/Penguin Teen for giving me an advanced copy of this on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

This book was so cool. It's the second book I've read recently with mechas, but it was still really unique. The main character, Wu Zetian, is very compelling; she's not nice, she's not calm, she's not docile. She's fierce, unafraid to hurt people, and angry at the patriarchal system that has bound her feet and tried to sell her into death. I loved it. The world she was living in, which is unfortunately so similar to the world that many women throughout history have experienced, was undeniably cruel to her and every other woman. Women were constantly underestimated and treated like property, and Zetian was not standing for it. When the book starts, she just wants revenge against the pilot who killed her sister, but she doesn't stop there.

Both Wu Zetian and Li Shimin were sort of morally-gray characters who did bad things but had good motives, and that's always a really interesting type of character to read about. I really liked them, along with Yizhi.

This book breaks a lot of boundaries; not that the point is to be revolutionary or it feels too obvious -- it's also just a really great fantasy/sci-fi book. But it's all about smashing gender roles, it's heavily based on East Asian mythology and culture (which we haven't seen enough in YA), and there's a little bisexual representation as well. I won't try to analyze how accurate the cultural aspects or LGBTQ+ representation are since that isn't really my place, but I love to see books that depict readers who have never seen themselves in books before.

Iron Widow isn't a lighthearted book -- don't pick it up if you're wanting a mood lifter (it's not particularly sad or anything like that, but the topics it deals with are serious and there is some difficult subject matter). I would also check trigger warnings before reading this because there are issues such as rape, alcohol abuse, torture, and more.

Overall, I recommend this one! It's not lighthearted and the story is a bit brutal, but it's different from a lot of the other YA books out there and it was a very compelling read.

This cover is exquisite; yeah, you should judge this book by the cover. The heteropatriarchy is dying a slow angry death and I am HERE for it. This was so fun to read!

There are some very disturbing parts, such as descriptions of foot binding. I was a little apprehensive knowing a little about the romance going into the book, but it was pretty well-done. I think one part of the triangle could have been a little more developed, as some other aspects of the book could have been. I would have liked to see more female friendships but it seems perhaps unrealistic for this world.

Anyway, I hope Zetian is more ruthless in the next book. This is a debut by a young author; I look forward to seeing how she evolves.

Even though I wasn't able to finish Iron Widow (I DNF'd it as 30%) I still would like to share my opinions on it and explain why I decided not to finish it.

First of all I was intrigued by the premise of Iron Widow, it incorporates a futuristic- East Asian inspired world where men (and women) pilot robots to fight off alien invasions. All of this while also utilizing East Asian history with a feminist narrative. Unfortunately in this case the concept was better than the execution.

I found the world to be quite confusing because the world building was lacking which really held me back from being able to get into the story and ultimately be able to enjoy it. I found the main character to be unlikeable - she comes off as being cocky I think to play into the undertone of feminism in Iron Widow, but doesn't really have the actions to back up her claims and attitude.

My main issue, I hate to say it, was with the blatant way that feminism was used in the narrative. I would have preferred for the message to be communicated in a more organic and subtle way. Instead Xiran Jay Zhao constantly reiterated concepts of women being able to do everything that a man can do and the unjustified abuse and discrimination women face historically (and today) in East Asia. Although these points are valid and are important to talk about, the number of times it was mentioned just in the first 30% was redundant and honestly annoying. Other novels have conveyed the same message in a more discrete way that comes off as being just as, if not more powerful and inspiring (in my opinion).

Overall, I think that Iron Widow will appeal to a large audience, just not me. It has an interesting concept that is reminiscent of Pacific Rim with action sequences that kind of remind me of something seen in transformers. Many with also appreciate seeing a strong, bisexual female character of colour as the lead who promotes many feminist ideologies.

I love to start my review off by talking about the end when it is incredibly jaw-dropping, and the ending of Iron Widow fits into this category. It opens up so many questions but also makes other elements of the story make sense. It reframed the story and left the possibilities for further books in the series wide open. The ending is shocking, and I wasn't expecting that. I loved it, and I loved that it took me by surprise.

This world is severely misogynistic. Women are barely even acknowledged as being human and capable of thought and strength. All women are used for the unique aspects that their femaleness entails. They are not worthy of love and respect except in a few sporadic instances, and even then, it still does not match the level of the men. The treatment of women can be brutal to read sometimes, but it is artfully balanced with softer storylines, so it never reaches the overwhelming level.

I also loved the sci-fi elements in the story. They are very cool. The story is a beautiful combination of sci-fi and fantasy, leaning a little more towards the sci-fi side with Chrysalis war machines and other unique devices and gadgets. A chrysalis is a war machine that requires both males and females to complete the yin and the yang to run the machine. They are all shaped like animals and can transform into more powerful machines if the Qi of the pair is strong enough. It's simply fascinating and is the central aspect of the story.

Characters
Zetian, Yizhi, and LiShimin are the three main characters of this story though only Zetian narrates. Zetian considers the three of them a love triangle and says that triangles are the strongest shape, which I guess could be argued unless the triangle tries to stand up on one point. Then, it will always topple. I think of them more as a circle of respect and love, which equals power. Their mutual feelings for each other include an emotional and a physical attachment though I felt like it transcends traditional love and relationships. There is a powerful magic that occurs when their Qi combines.

What I Wish
My only wish, which was quite an annoying little niggle when I was reading, is that the cuss words pop up occasionally - and the term "dork" as well – had been left out or that some story-appropriate expression had been used in their place. The baseness of the language just felt out of place in this story – so much so that it really stood out and broke the flow of reading temporarily. But, this is so minor that I almost left it off this review.

To Read or Not to Read
If you are looking for a different kind of sci-fi/fantasy story to read, then you need to pick up The Iron Widow. It will leave you speechless.

This book was so compelling that I read it all in one sitting. The characters are great, especially the MC who is not to be messed with. The story is really interesting, and Zetian's struggles against the patriarchal culture she is stuck with and the power imbalances those cause feel very ground in reality for such a fantastical setting. The setting itself is another area where this book shines, as the world building is really well done. It feels like the world is moving outside of the main plot. The battles are excitingly written, too, which is a feat in itself. I especially love the scenes inside the mindscapes of the different pilots, and how those reflect the pilots themselves. This also pulled off the amazing trick of satisfyingly resolving a love triangle subplot without taking too much of the focus off Zetian's main goals and experiences. This is a really solid sci-fi/fantasy novel and I can't wait for the sequel (especially after that game-changing ending!)

Thanks to Libro.fm and to Netgalley for the audio and ebook versions of this in exchange for an honest review

This was cool! I really enjoyed the concept and the action. Zetian was a really compelling character. It was a little heavy handed at parts but I can get behind the point it was making!