This is my first ever ARC from Netgalley, I am super grateful and happy for this thank you!

This book had so much potential and I lovedddd the concept behind it but the execution fell flat for me.

I will talk about the good then the bad of this novel and who I would recommend this book for.

Pros:
This book had such a unique setting and plot. Had conversations for Bisexual and Polyamorus relationships, also brought up the patriarchy in this society and covered things such as chronic pain and having a physical disability. Morally gray characters. The last maybe 10-20% of this book is where I believed had the best best execution, plot twist, and really shined.

Cons:
The plot and writing felt rushed. There was not enough background or depth to any of the characters, everything felt forced and told TO you rather then shown or unfolded naturally.
To me the writing mirrored a lot of early YA broadline wattpad fanfiction writing. Which isn't for me.
With the main character I loved her moral ambiguity but at times found that she lacked true depth and understanding.
I was also expecting a gripping well done poly romance and found that 1. it was under developed and 2. the poly relationship didn't really begin till 80% into the novel.
The overall atmosphere in the beginning did throw me off just because since this is a some what sci-fi futuristic novel I did not anticipate the dialogue between characters to be so similar to how someone would speak today in 2021, which is a gripe I personally have in books.

Overall this novel just wasn't for me I was really excited the concept is amazing, the writing was I believe the books weakest link along side underdeveloped plot point and characters.
Going forward I don't think I will continue with this series.

Recommend this to:
I would still loosely recommend this book to individuals who are just getting into YA/SCI-FY genre and want to slowly start. If you enjoy stories that are Chinese history inspired, LGBTQ+, morally grey female main character, and a some what fast-paced plot.

Thank you again Netgalley and Penguin Teen For my first ARC!!!

While I was excited by the premise of Iron Widow, I wasn't able to get into this book. I'm sure it's actually extremely good, but I personally didn't fit well with the writing style, and I couldn't really understand what was going on.

Well crap, I really wanted to love this one. It has a polyamorous relationship and great representation but the plot and story flow just wasn’t there. Zero chemistry between characters, so much telling in the writing style, everything just felt forced. Even the main character’s feminism felt forced. So disappointed with this one 😕

thank you netgalley for the arc bc i don’t think i could’ve waited a few more months for this!

iron widow focuses on an absolutely disgusting patriarchal society, and one girl who’s kicking their ass. but ten times more. seriously i owe zetian so much praise for her confidence to turn down sexist huanxia and face the discrimination head on! there were so many moments in the book where i felt where written so perfectly, like the author was taking words out of my head for me. i don’t even think this is a retelling or the handmaid’s tale anymore: the plot lines about the concubines, sexual assault, physical and emotional abuse, propaganda, and more all shed light on today’s world, and i thought the author encapsulated that in a really honest way. i’m also loving the historical references, such as the terra-cotta warriors! xiran really did a heck of a lot of planning B)

mild spoiler: that ending! i’m still emotionally intact, but i wish we could’ve gotten more closure about the documents yizhi found about that planet. sigh. next year i guess!

Wow! This book has quickly made the list of best books I have read this year! I loved the unique story. I thought the mix of Pacific Rim type machines with a Handmaids Tale society vibe was a weird combination, but it worked seamlessly. I understood the amount of rage that Zetian felt with society and how it treated women and admired her commitment to bringing down those in charge of her sister's death. I could not help but root for her at every turn. And that ending! I cannot wait for the next book. I have so many questions.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4131521045

Excellent characters in a story that pulls you right in. The world feels expansive on a grand scale, full of mystery and imagination, but its scope never looses focus on the characters central to the action. I don't usually enjoy YA, but this let the characters act in a convincing way that never felt sanitized or particularly worried about snagging a movie deal-- which is a good thing. Looking forward to more in this series, and by this author in general.

Thank you to Penguin Teen for an eARC of Iron Widow!

In Huaxia, boys become pilots, and girls have two choices-marry or become pilot Chrysalises, transforming robots that battle aliens and defend the land beyond the Great Wall.

Zetian chooses to become a concubine-pilot to assassinate the man responsible for her sister's death. When she kills him through the psychic link, she is labeled an Iron Wido, someone who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises.

This was weird? But in a good way. It was a strange blend of sci-fi and fantasy. I did have quite a bit of difficulty in the beginning understanding what the heck was happening in the battle scenes. I wish it had been a bit clear and that there had been more description earlier on.

I also wish there was a bit more sci-fi. Despite the aliens and the giant battling robots, there were only bits and pieces there, and I think I just needed more info about the surrounding environment.

This is definitely more focused on the action, but I liked the romance and the casual queerness. A really interesting debut! Might be easier to follow as an audiobook.

I had this book all wrong. I had seen the title multiple times in other places and just didn’t think it was my style. Then I saw it on NetGalley and figured I would give it a try. From the very first line I was hooked. I devoured most of the book in about a day and finally dragged my feet for a while because I did not want it to end. Where has this author been all my life? This book has so many twists and turns that I could not stop reading. The MC, Wu Zetian, is badass, driven and my favorite type of character to read. She’s navigating a world that sees her and every other woman as a servants who are meant only to sacrifice themselves for men. Quickly she proves her power and turns everything upside down. It was well written and kept me on the edge of my seat pretty much the entire time. I am now a huge fan of this book and author. I recommend this book to everyone and anyone who enjoys strong MCs that refuse to give up. I will be picking up this book when it is released.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC. It was amazing!

you don’t understand this is my new favourite book and i need the sequel right now!!!
The story is so compelling, i love the setting with the sci-fi aspects mixed with history, however, i have to admit that the world building was at times a bit confusing (specially during the prologue, that felt like being thrown into a blender), i’m still not a 100% sure how chrysalis work but i’m guessing that now with the twist at the end we are going to learn more.
I really like all the commentary in the book, although i do believe the writing of it could be improved, as it sometimes felt very on the nose i do believe that is a product of iron widow being a debut novel and i look forward to see how xirans writing improves in their future works.
I specially love how all the main characters are complex and ruthless in their beliefs, Zetian and Li Shimin will always have a special place in my heart but i’m not going to lie at first i wasn’t very on board with yizhi but i ended up warming up to him, i just wish we could have seen more of his and zetians early relationship development so i could have been more invested in their relationship

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

I am begging for Zetian to marry me this instant.

YOU ARE NOT READY FOR THIS BOOK!! ADD IT TO YOUR TBR RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT HAS EVERYTHING.

A new and interesting independent sci-fi world, a gorgeous cover, Asian rep, inspired by Chinese history, a polyamorous love triangle twist...

And most importantly,

A BADASS MURDEROUS FEMINIST WOMAN DRIVEN BY REVENGE WHO AIMS TO TAKE DOWN THE PATRIARCHY THAT I AM IN LOVE WITH AND YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH TOO.

Sorry for screaming, but this is very important.

This book follows our main character, the loml Zetian. Her sister has been sacrificed and killed to power a Chrysalis that is run by a male pilot while trying to fight the mecha aliens outside of the Great Wall. Driven by revenge, she signs up to become a concubine pilot so she can avenge her sister by slitting the throat of the pilot who killed her. After gaining his trust, she kills him in his sleep. Things don’t go as she has planned but she manages to take control of the Chrysalis and survives the attack.

She becomes the Iron Widow. The government doesn’t know what to do with her. They pair her with Li Shimin, the strongest pilot alive, to help fight the war and change the fate of the world. Then she begins to discover secrets hidden from the public that could change everything...

The plot was fast-paced which I loved. Most of the time it was thrilling and impossible to put down. Sometimes I think it dragged just a tiny bit, but not an extremely noticeable amount.

I love the characters. Actually, I love Zetian. We didn’t see much of the other characters enough for me to love them but we had Zetian so that’s fine with me. She is so badass and strong-willed that it was impossible for me not to love her. I loved how she isn’t the typical female character and she lets no one tell her what to do. Her motives of revenge, anger, and bitterness towards the patriarchy for forcing her into gender roles (same) made me intrigued to learn more about her character. I am seriously considering devoting my life to her, even though she would probably kill me (which I would gladly let her do honestly). Some people might think that she’s trying too hard to be badass but I don’t think so at all. I love feminist main characters and Zetian is exactly that.

The romance!! It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Taking the typical love triangle trope and turning it into a polyamorous relationship? GENIUS. I will no longer accept love triangles in books. Zetian’s boyfriends are cinnamon rolls who I love dearly. I do wish I got to see more of them together not in battle but I can understand why not.
The setting and the world is a lot to take in. You get all this information thrown at you which can be confusing. There is some unexplained info-dumping at the beginning but as you read on it all starts to make sense. I came to appreciate the world of Huaxia by the end.

Overall I enjoyed this book a lot! Although it was a bit confusing at times, I now have a new favorite character and I loved the themes of feminism as well as all the diversity and uniqueness of the story. I also have an extreme need for the sequel. I definitely recommend it.

trigger warnings: violence, abuse, suicidal ideation, discussion and references to sexual assault (no on-page depictions), alcohol addiction, and torture.

4.5 stars

"You tell them they're meant to do nothing but serve from the minute they're born. You tell them they're weak. You tell them they're prey. You tell them over and over, until it's the only truth they're capable of living."

Writing this review immediately after finishing Iron Widow may not be the best idea, but I need to rant about this book somewhere and I might as well pour my feelings out into a review. Iron Widow is the first book in a YA sci-fi duology, following 18-year-old Wu Zetian as she becomes a concubine-pilot of a Chrysalis, one of many transforming robots that fight the Hunduns, aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall, in order to get closer to the male pilot of the same Chrysalis, who just so happens to be the one responsible for her sister's death.

" 'Yes, because love doesn't solve problems,' I say. 'Solving problems solves problems.' "

I normally don't read sci-fi, because they rarely catch my attention, but this book is everything I love. The feminism! The setting! The queer rep! The writing! (I could seriously talk about the writing for hours.) All in a wonderful 400 page book with a sequel coming next year!!!!

"It's hilarious. Men want us so badly for our bodies, yet hate us so much for our minds."

Can we just talk about how amazing of a protagonist Zetian was? I was hanging on to everything she did and every word she said. There were so many times where I read an especially thought-provoking quote and just had to sit and take a moment.
"Even I do it. I say it. I say the word despite how it blisters my mouth like sizzling ember, because it brings me one breath closer to bathing my hands in his blood."
" 'What is it about gender that matters so much to the system, anyway? Isn't piloting entirely a mental thing? So why is it always the girls that have to be sacrificed for power?' "

There are so many more quotes I would put, but it would get to the point where the entire book would be in this review. I suppose the only way to read all of the other amazing quotes is to check out the book for yourself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penquin Randomhouse for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Full credit goes to Katee Robert for hyping this one.

TW: sexism, feet binding, chronic pain, violence, fatphobia, emotional and physical abuse by family (past), torture, alcholism/addiction, discussions of rape, blackmail, death of a loved one, grief

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-mfm friends to lovers
-Handmaid's Tale x Pacific Rim
-fierce feminism
-piloting giant robots
-fame and
-some very soft cinnamon rolls

The description that this is the Handmaid's Tale and Pacific Rim melding together is spot on. This book was atmospheric, immersed in Chinese culture, with themes that are universal. I couldn't put this one down. It was exciting, angry, and just so different from what I've been currently reading in the best way.

Zetian is not a simpering heroine, she's out for blood and taking names. Within the first couple of pages when one of our MMC tries to save her, proclaim his love, she pushes back, she knows what she wants. I adored her so much and her journey. She didn't soften but the development of the relationship, which was the b plot but such a joy to read about this poly couple. Honestly I can't say enough good things about this fiercely feminine book other than where is the second book.

It does end in a bit of a cliffhanger just to warn you friends but provides resolution for a lot of the plot points too. Just read it, devour it. It is just so excellent, original, and a must read.

Rating: 5
Steam: 1.5 (completely closed door but implies sex)

Have you ever heard of a premise so damn cool that you are actually in awe by the sheer imagination it took to even come up with such an idea for a story? Because that’s how I felt from the moment I heard about Iron Widow. The summary alone was enough to have me screaming about this upcoming book to anyone who would listen. Then came the absolutely gorgeous cover and my excitement for this book only grew. I must have done something to deserve being approved for an ARC. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Iron Widow was one of my most anticipated books of 2021… and after reading the ARC it has become one of my absolute favorite books of the year.

This book was everything. It was vicious and violent and breathtakingly fantastic that I did not want it to end. It’s been a long time since I’ve finished a book and immediately wanted to re-read it right then and there just because I wasn’t ready for it to be over - and Iron Widow was that book for me. I felt Wu Zetian's rage, and rather than be horrified by it, I cheered her on again and again. As for Gao Yizhi and Li Shimin... I just wanted to hug those boys the entire book.

AND THAT ENDING! No spoilers but damn. Brav-freaking-o Xiran Jay Zhao. That sound you hear is me continuously clapping and screaming. It's going to be tough to wait until next year for the sequel but I don't doubt it'll be completely worth it.

I cannot stress enough how good of a book this is. I am a lifelong avoider of the sci-fi genre, but something about this book just spoke to me (probably that gorgeous cover).
But I'm not exaggerating here at all - by the time I had finished the author's note at the start of the books (Yes, before I had even started the first chapter), I knew that this was somehow everything I've ever wanted in a book. A sci-fi reimagining of a Chinese Empress who controlled not one, but two puppet emperors? Set in a Pacific Rim style world that melds Chinese mythology and culture with a futuristic dystopia that is both familiar to fans of the dystopia genre, and yet also completely unique due to the heavy integration of Chinese culture that has been completely unrepresented in the genre? Absolutely flawless.
I loved every single character. Even the ones I disliked as people were so incredibly organic and intertwined with the world Zhao has built that I wanted to learn more about every single one of them. The plot genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat, and there were multiple times throughout the book where I had no idea what was going to happen and was so pleasantly surprised (even when it was nail-bitingly stressful) with the direction the story went in.
I cannot wait for the second book in this series, and I am absolutely going to pick up a physical copy when this book comes out. I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley.
As a complete side note, I realized partway through the book (when I ran to follow the author on social media) that I had actually been watching the author's Youtube channel for months! Small world, and just makes me love this book even more!

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao is one book that will break barriers in the Young Adult world. Where you usually see a Male/Female love interest (with more often than not a love triangle thrown in) in the Young Adult genre, in this book, that is not the case. This book has a polyamorous relationship and it was one of the things I loved most about this story. I am avid reader of the Reverse Harem trope in the indie community so reading a poly relationship that is being published within the young adult community is huge and I am totally here for it! If you don't like polyamorous relationships, then unfortunately, this book will not be for you. I would encourage you to keep an open mind though and at least try to read this book. You could end up loving it and having your mindset changed.

As for the story as a whole, Xiran Jay Zhao really knew what she was doing when writing this book. The history and the science-fi in this book was beautifully written and kept me engaged till the very end. The heroine, Zetian, is one of my favorite characters and she is fierce. She is also determined .to create a better world for all the young women after she learns of the lies that were created to keep them down. Through this book, Zetian truly comes into herself and also finds love with two guys. She learns that love is unconditional and without restraints, which is a lesson I think we all should admire as our world needs more love in it. Zetian is truly a queen in her own right and I am excited to see her rise even more in the second book.

You truly created a masterpiece Xiran Jay Zhao! Keep perservering and breaking those boundaries!

Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

Xiran Jay Zhao has taken us on a bloody and furious journey to fight the patriarchy with teeth and nails and friends, just let me grab my coat.

Zetian is newly 18 and knows her choices are either enlist to be a concubine-pilot in the mech army and die or marry. The choice is easy - concubine-pilot in order to avenge her older sister who was murdered in the name of duty. What follows is Zetian becoming one of the most powerful female pilots in history and being paired with Li Shimin, the strongest male pilot in Huaxia. With her newfound power, Zetian decides that she'll take her fight beyond one pilot to try and save the girls in her country from being sacrificed in the name of battle.

Less than 100 pages in, I was already hooked. This book is described as Pacific Rim meets The Handmaids Tale, and I'd also like to add a dash of The Hunger Games. It's inspired by historical China and uses the culture and famous figures, but it's not historical fiction or even a reimagining. It's its own unique sci-fi world. The pilots control their giant Mech armies with their qi (a sort of inner elemental power) and fight to defeat the aliens that threaten human civilization. The battles are so well written and the imagery is so fantastic, I would love a visual adaptation of this!

Zetian is not your average girl boss hero. She's angry and mean and horrible. She'll sacrifice who she needs to for the greater good and for all the girls who are forced to kill themselves so the boys can take home all the glory. She's been taught that her body is shameful, her voice is shameful, her being is shameful unless it's to serve a man. Her feet are bound as well as her voice, so when she finally starts using it, it's absolutely glorious. I love her character so incredibly much. She fights the patriarchy every step of the way and finally asks the hard questions no one else is.

Yes, there is a poly relationship in this book, and yes, it's done so well. Zhao did an excellent job of making us root for both love interests with equal fervor. I loved Li Shimin because he's broody and traumatized but still a sweet cinnamon roll on the inside. I love Yhizi because he was always a sweet cinnamon roll and is logical in a way that you can't even argue with. There's no jealously and no hurt because how you feel about one person doesn't take away how you feel about another. Truly, so well done and I hope it gives other authors a chance to write polyamory in their books in a positive light.

Overall, really fantastic debut. I'm dying for the second book already and this one isn't out yet. Way to knock it out of the park, Xiran!

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

All I have to say is, wow. I admit I was confused by just how many times you’re warned about triggers in the beginning of the book but I’m glad they were there. This book is most everything it set out to be, and is fast paced from start to end. I want so much to talk about specific plot points, but I feel like even the smallest thing has a chance to spoil one piece or another. If you looked at the summary and thought “this might be something worth checking out,“ just save yourself the time and read it. You may need to pace yourself, but it is definitely an interesting book.

5/5; Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the e-ARC.

[The world I put on the page is fictional, but the rage that burns through it is real." --author's note]

This was an enthralling, heart-wrenchingly poignant fantasy feminist reimagining of Chinese history that I could not put down. In short, Iron Widow is everything that I could not even fathom to imagine reading in a traditionally published book. Everything I lamented that mainstream publishing lacked. Yet here it was, in all of its glory. Iron Widow heralds East Asian representation, polyamory, thunderously captivating worldbuilding, and a refreshing no-nonsense take against patriarchal structures.

"Welcome to your nightmare!" -- Wu Zetian, the protagonist whose POV we read through, was a delight to meet. Her voice was incredibly fierce and formidable, yet retained a sense of sarcastic humor that had me laughing out loud throughout the story.

"You can't shoot me; I'm rich!" -- Gao Yizhi, the sheltered noble boy with a heart of gold and a resolve of steel, who is arguably just as gloriously unhinged as Zetian herself. What a fantastic lad. I was cheering every time he was on the page.

"The last thing I needed was another reason for the world to hate me." -- Li Shimin, the Iron Demon, the repulsive cold-blooded murderer... but is he really? The gradual unfolding of what Shimin was not, of who Shimin could not be, of who Shimin could not ever become... Xiran Jay Zhao tore my heart apart and I will be forever grateful for it.

This book, from start to finish, will have you soaring to unimaginable heights with the characters. (But with unimaginable heights comes equally unimaginable plummets, and what a joy it is to fall...)

[He should be the Iron King, and I should be the Iron Queen. Yet Iron Demon and Iron Widow is all they'll let us be.]

Iron Widow releases on September 21, 2021, and I eagerly recommend that you add this book to your TBR! It truly does not disappoint.

*Trigger Warnings: contains scenes of violence and abuse, suicide ideation, discussion and references to sexual assault ( though no on-page depictions), alcohol addiction, foot binding, and torture.*

In a world where there are giant transforming robots that battle mecha aliens... and boys are paired with girls... in which the survival rate of girls is about 1% and are seen as disposable compared to the boys, one girl is going to destroy it all. Zetian is a 18 year old girl who decides to offer herself up as a concubine-pilot... to work for the man who killed her sister. Her plan: get the role, kill the guy.. and die. To her surprise she doesn’t kill him in his sleep, rather she ends up killing him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is now labeled the Iron Widow- a much fear and much silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to the power of the Chrysalises (robots they pilot) instead. In a world where girls are seen as disposable and used to be sold off and silenced, she is the ultimate threat and in a system that is built to keep her down her defiance will not go unheard. She is thus paired with the pilot known as Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot. He is a prisoner who was sentenced to jail for killing his father and brothers, and no girl who has ever piloted with him has ever survived. It is a literal death sentence... until they find that Shimin and Zetian are compatible as partners. Together they have the power to face the system that has both kept them down and take a few bodies down with them. Let me first say, this book was GLORIOUS! Zetian is everything I could ever want in a protagonist. She is bloodthirsty, strong, defiant, smart, and willing to do anything to get to her goal. Did I also mention there is a polygamous relationship in this book in which everyone actually likes each other ( Zetian, Yizhi, and Shimin). Yizhi is Zetian’s best friend who is the son of the richest man in Huaxia, he is sweet, caring, has skin like porcelain and is the epitome of a soft cinnamon roll. He is the caring one in the relationship and is definitely a nurturer. Shimin on the other had is more of a bloodthirsty killer with a super soft side, exemplified by the fact that he loves to read but destroyed his books to make a shiv to try and stab his guards (he really be out here being the murderous but soft boy). He feels a lot of guilt and remorse for his previous partners and while he does have a rough around the edges aspect to his character he is sweet and caring too. There is chemistry between all three of them which I really appreciate. <spoiler> I will forever be laughing at Shimin’s attempts to kill his guards, especially when its noted he used his last pair of glasses by smashing the lenses, sharpening the biggest fragment on the floor of his bunker, hiding it in his collar, and trying to slit a soldier’s throat with it, and Zetian is just so impressed hahah. They really are the bloodthirsty couple. and when I found out why he murdered his family, 100% agreed with him, they had to go.</spoiler> Its great to read a polygamous relationship in which all the parties interact and care for one another. Anyways onto the story, the magic system was great and the story was really exciting. THAT ENDING!?!?! EXCUSE ME??? How am I suppose to wait until the next book??? I NEED MORE! So if you haven’t already added this onto your TBR YOU HAVE TOOO!

Fav Quotes:

“You’ve been living a dream for long enough! Welcome to your nightmare!” Zetian (p. 82)

“It takes a monster to slay a monster” Zetian (p.102)

“He will not kill me. He does not get to make me a statistic” Zetian (p. 105)

“Too bad. I am exactly the kind of ice-blooded, rotten-hearted girl he fears I am. And I am fine with that” Zetian (p. 114)

*Thanks Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

absolutely amazing!! i love femme fatales. the book was written beautifully. i need more immediately!