Unfortunately, I couldn't connect with this book. As a concept, it sounded very cool, but in execution it was somewhat black-and-white, not only in terms of protagonist personality but also the overall themes it tries to convey. I've seen another review discuss how this book lacked nuance and subtlety, and I'm inclined to agree with that - as well as the opinion of it stereotyping feminism as a destructive force of anger.

Throw in some very sloppy writing, and I'm incredibly sorry, but this just wasn't a book that felt particularly well-polished. I think the author's becoming a minor Youtube celebrity probably helped signal-boost this book more than anything else. Ultimately, it feels very generic sci-fi YA, and the genre deserves better.

I loved this story of vengeance and require more novels that choose the create a throuple instead of a love triangle.

I tried several times to get into this one. It has a gorgeous cover and the premise is interesting but both times I couldn’t get more than a few pages in because it didn’t hold my interest. I even waited a while and tried again, especially when some of my friends were raving about it, but this one just isn’t for me.

Through no fault of the author's, I just couldn't get into this book. The writing is excellent, however, and I'm certain there is a huge audience for it. I'm still giving it four stars because it's not the author's fault that it wasn't the right book for me. Do recommend it to people who enjoy science fiction/speculative fiction!

*disclaimer I finished reading this book back in December of 2021. Why I took so long to review this book? I don’t know. It is appalling how long I’ve waited to write this. However I’m here now and I’m going to write this the best I can. Thank you for your understanding*

With the consideration of the fact that I read this so long ago, the fact that I remember so much of this book speaks volumes to how good it is. I remember Zetian being such a strong character who rebelled fiercely against the ways of being that Huaxia puts into place. She is strong willed and defiant and I loved her for it.

I loved the way that mechs worked in such a unique fashion with a forced power dynamic between men and woman’s qi where one can overpower and sacrifice another in order to power the mechs. It’s brutal and Zetian is out for revenge after her sister was killed and sacrificed by a male pilot in a mech battle.

Zetian learns how far she can push and how she can stay true to herself even when she’s pushed into a corner. What I love most about this book is Zetian is a strong woman who continually is herself. In love, in a battle, in a situation where she was forced and taken advantage of, in her own home with her family, and in her relationships. I loved to see her and the boys all fall in love. To have a true love triangle where everyone fell for one another. It was awesome.

Even in a society that had very strict rules about how things should be, each of them defiantly chose to be themselves and that is a very powerful thing. They are all strong and irreverent to the rules put before them and they shined all the more for it. Differences should be celebrated not tamed. I loved how this book shows that.

All in All: If you haven’t read Iron Widow yet, what are you doing? I may have waited way too long to write this review, but the impact this book has had on me is forever.

Um, YES! This book was incredible. It sucked me in and left me wishing it never had to end! The storyline is incredibly unique and the worldbuilding is so well done. I never felt lost or confused, just excited to read more! I also adored the addition of polyamory instead of basic love triangles,

To finally have An actual love triangle is incredible! Also lets hear
It for badass women! Zetian is truly a morally grey character that
Has the ability to change the world. The fierce plot and imagery
Was incredible, however I did feel like because of that, the relationships
Lacked any type of dynamic. Most Of it, with the exceptions of a couple scenes,
Are moment the reader has to assume happened. We didn’t actually
Experience and see the trio get closer. Its definitely a plot and description heavy book.
Overall, I would definitely reccommend for anyone that truly wants a badass sci-if retelling.

I love angry women - they make me so happy. Fighting for their rights, against traditional misconceptions like girls are weaker than boys. I love Zetian utter resolve to die avenging Big Sister - killed months earlier by a popular Chrysalis pilot. Her drive to finally own her self - her body, her life, her existence. Do what she wants - releasing herself from the guilt and power of her family.
Easily could be read in one sitting. Just fantastic and well done.

One of the best books I've read. The worldbuilding was so well done and immaculate, This history was rich and I wanted to learn more. The characters were my favorite aspect about this. I love a good villain/anti-hero story and this definitely hit the spot. The main character is a powerful woman who takes nothing from anyone and paves her own way regardless of the cost.

The beginning was very slow for me. Once the battle scenes got started the story really kicked into gear for me.

Iron Widow emphasizes how the patriarchy rules society. This message is stated strongly many times - too many. I felt like I was being preached to when I am on the mountain top too. I understand that this is the source of Zetian’s anger and power, but it is plainly laid out in great detail at the beginning so I don’t think the overabundance of the message needed to be stated for each incident.

The action scenes are great and descriptive. I love the transformation sequences. The planning while battling is fun. The author does a great job with the tension.

The love stories between Zetian and Yizhi, Zetian and Li, and Li and Yizhi are good. They don’t drown out the action of the story or Zetian’s journey. Her focus is not on love, but on battle so I’m glad that the author doesn’t let her get distracted.

Xiran Jay Zhao deals with many difficult issues in Iron Widow. Zhao includes sexual assault, human trafficking, alcohol addiction, familial abuse, torture, and suicidal ideation. None of these are easy topics to discuss and Zhao does not hold back. Nor does the author drown us in details. I say this, but this story is long. I found my attention drifting many times and wishing the ending would just come already.

Iron Widow is a great action science fiction story. The message is great. The story is just a bit longer than I prefer.

I am always for all the girls, even their wrongs. Support all of their decisions no matter. Everyone always deserve what's coming. And I can't wait for the next book in the series. And I am more than ready for the messiness after the cliffhanger. You should be ready as well.

After ending this book, it was very difficult to start with a new one. Do you know the feeling when you are absolutely thrilled about a book and do not want it to end because everything else would feel boring? Yep. This is exactly how I felt. Sometimes I am a bit cautious when it comes to world building in fantasy novels because after long working hours, I can't focus on complex world buildings. In this case, it was easy for me to understand the rules and hierarchy of the new world. I loved the combination of Chinese mythology and a dystopia and how realistic the author described scenes, for example how Zetian got lotus feet against her will. I almost felt the pain myself.
The writing style is really fast, chapters are short- ideal for me! I also liked the love triangle- the triangle being the strongest form. The author uses traditional habits and clothing, but mixes it with very modern, progressive thoughts of Zetian. It's a masterpiece how the author told the steady rise of a poor country girl to the first female emperor. Can't wait to read the sequel!

I highly recommend this gem of a book, one of my personal book highlights of this year.

This mecha-filled, vicious book is an incredible debut and Xiran deserves every penny and ounce of recognition they get (and more) for this debut. I can't wait for the sequel!!

The gorgeous colors of this cover drew my attention immediately, and a description of a story of a Chinese emperor had me hooked.

Zu Wetian, living in a society where monsters roam and that believes women are inferior in every way, has only one goal in her life. To murder the mech pilot who killed her sister. But then she begins to learn more about the mechs, the pilots, and everything surrounding them, her goals begin to grow.

Everything about this was intriguing but I was left wanting so much more from this story. It just felt that the pace was breakneck, and nothing was given the chance to breathe. We didn't get the depth to the relationship. And the world building felt very shallow. The fight scenes were epic, and Wu Zetian's emotions were powerful enough to sweep me along, but I wanted to see more of everything.

And I wanted to give this story credit for a unique way of dealing with a love triangle, but what happens afterward sours me on the whole thing. And we are left with a blatant sequel hook.

There were enough bits and pieces to intrigue me, and I really vibed with Wu Zetian's rage, so that I'll be on the lookout for the sequel, but I'll wait for some reviews to come out first.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC!

One of my favourite reads of 2022, Iron Widow is a strong debut from an author I expect to hear a lot from in the future. This book was so refreshingly different that I devoured it in a few days.

This was wonderful and so fun. The feminist polyamorous sci-fi that I didn't know I needed in my life (and now thing that everyone needs in theirs)

I was blown away by this. I knew the general concept of it, a sci-mecha story inspired by Wu Zetian, the only female sovereign in the history of China, but I could not imagine how wild it would be. It pulls no punches. Not a subtle bone in its body but good for when you're angry at the world and need a good vent. I would die for Zetian, I love her, she is uncompromising and ruthless and, even though she's a violent asshole in a world of violent assholes, and somehow so easy to root for.

This book was so engaging I read it in all my free time over a couple of days. And it kinda blurred together a bit, so most I remember is the excellent angry vibes, the fast pacing, and over-the-top mecha battles.

I also loved the central relationship (hell yeah!) and some of the other characters, the worldbuilding, even though some stuff was maybe kinda predictable, it all worked so well together. The culture we meet is deeply misogynistic, and that's confronted and more interestingly, explained in all its power-grabbing roots.

Star Rating: —> 5 Stars

Ahh oh my god, someone get me more books like this one!! This had a positively EXQUISITE polyamorous relationship, stunning worldbuilding, fascinating robots Pacific Rim style (SQUEEE!), and some absolutely hilarious scenes that made it seem like the author wrote this while slightly high (I love it!!). This book somehow gave both serious sci-fi/fantasy and complete crack vibes at the same time.... it was absolutely amazing. The characters were realistic and all loveable in their own ways, and our main protagonist was such a strong heroine that she's my new inspiration in life, plus the setting of ancient China combined with robots somehow worked really well. Plus the poly relationship was so brilliantly written, I loved every moment of it and I can't wait to get more of these three with the second book (which better come soon, btw, because that ending positively KILLED ME!!). I love it I love it I love it!! Highly highly recommended!!

Thank you to the publisher via netgalley for the e-arc! All thoughts & opinions are my own!

Unfortunately I had to DNF this book at 20%. It is not a bad book, and I was definitely still interested in where it was going. However, I could not keep up with what was happening. I was unable to picture anything or keep up with the terms. I think it's because I have recently realized that I am not a fantasy reader.

This book is so satisfying. I want to read ten more of it, like when you find your new favourite food, and eat it every day for a week.

*I did add this to my Goodreads, but I cannot seem to gather the link to place it below.