The story is amazing in itself, but the author's writing style feels very jilted and makes it hard to engage with the characters. The show don't tell rule really went nowhere with this one. I wished to like this so badly because it's based on the only female Emperor of China and she is my favourite historical figure. But except for the name I find nothing that makes the girl boss protagonist feel anywhere near the actual convoluted and complex historical figure that was Wu Zetian

I've been wanting to read this one since I heard about it, and once I finally started I devoured it in less than three days. Fantastic, outstanding, will actually be getting a physical copy (and I rarely buy those anymore).
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for the ARC!

I have tried to read this book on numerous occasions, and at this point, I am convinced that it must just be me. I don't know if it's just a general lack in this particular sub-genre right now, but this one just isn't hitting for me.

Xiran Jay Zhao has a wonderful YouTube channel where she speaks a lot about Chinese history, and the more I watched her, the more curious I became about her book. Considering how much I enjoyed her video on Wu Zetian, the first (and only?) woman Emperor of China (not just an Empress/wife, but a ruthless ruler in her own right), I knew that I had to pick up Iron Widow. I'm very glad I did. While this book may not be written for a person like me, I found myself really enjoying a lot of it. I feel like there's quite a stark difference between the YA genre and books about young adults. Iron Widow falls into the latter category, where the characters are teenagers, but the story isn't plagued by the ubiquitous YA tropes I remember reading again and again and again as a teen. Iron Widow is set in a very patriarchal sci-fantasy world where the country is plagued by attacks from alien creatures called Hunduns. In response, the country has learned the harvest the bodies of these creatures to make giant mechas to fight against them. These mechas—called Chysalises—are only truly piloted by men that exert high levels of Qi, though women 'concubines' are paired with the male pilots to supplement them with additional Qi at the cost of their own lives.
Our main character Wu Zetian follows in the footsteps of her sister and enlists to be a concubine, though her goal is to get close enough to slaughter the pilot who essentially killed her sister while piloting a Chrysalis.

As Zetian and her sister's killer are sent into battle before she gets the chance to kill him, Wu and her rage end up overwhelming the male pilot, and he dies instead of her. This has her branded a rare and dangerous Iron Widow—a woman whose strength surpasses a mans, and who will kill any man she's paired with for battle.

This story moves at a breakneck speed as we see the outcome of her survival. The story is quite interesting and fun despite its small scope. The characters in the story are great, and the interpersonal relationships we see develop and change between characters are well handled. The book does contain romance which I'm typically not a fan of, but oh my god, what a breath of fresh air this was! There was a love triangle!!! No, not what you're thinking. It's not the tiring hetero love V that we see over and over again. It's a true love ∆ where all three points connect and we see get to see love blossom between both of the men Wu is involved with. I'm sure some parents may be up in arms about "immoral and disgusting polyamory" in a book for teenagers, but honestly, this was sooo nice to see. A true triangle is rare to see, and there's NOTHING wrong with seeing three people love and respect one another, even if it's not monogamous.

The character work in this book was my favourite part. Especially the character of Wu Zetian herself. One thing that's so rare to see in a lot of fiction is an angry woman. It's almost like women aren't allowed to feel rage, but that's a core part of who Wu Zetian is, and she's driven by it. She feels rage at her family who see all daughters as nothing but tools to be given/sacrificed to/by the state in exchange for money. She feels rage at the society that venerates men so highly, regardless of their awful qualities they make no effort to hide. She's mad at the system. She's mad at the world world. If you're a fan of The Poppy War by RF Kuang and you liked finally seeing a woman who is allowed to be angry in the main character of Rin, then I think Iron Widow is a great book for you. If you like YA, or if you used to like YA but grew tired of it, I think this book is also for you.

It does have some flaws, it is a debut after all, but despite my need for deeper worldbuilding, I still found myself really enjoying this story!
Be sure to check it out, along with Xiran Jay Zhao's YouTube channel. I like to imagine that she is a relative of Emperor Wu, considering Wu was from the Zhao clan!

Oh yeah, yeah, I see why everyone has been raving about this one. The masses did not lie.

Deepest apologies for taking so long to read this one, but I finally did, and I possess zero regrets. I don't watch anime, but I imagine that this book is how it would feel. Truly bigger than life and impossible to look away from. It is entirely otherworldly and dramatic and twisted, and I loved every single minute of it! I would be so down to see this on the big screen. Not once was I bored, and there were so many surprises that kept me on my toes and wholly invested in the story. Not to mention these characters have my whole heart.

The anger from Zetian throughout this book is breathtaking. I can't remember the last time I read a feminist 'smash-the-patriarchy' book that was this fiercely and rightly furious about the state of the world and the role of genders within it.

In Huaxia, boys are favoured in everything over girls, who can aspire to be little more than dutiful wives and mothers. Boys operate enormous robot Chrysalises, and the girls that accompany these pilots never survive the battles. The boys are 'stronger' in their spirit pressure and essentially squash the girl's mind as she holds him steady. It's not a partnership, but a sacrifice for a girl to become a concubine. That all changes with Zetian. She becomes a concubine to the pilot she believes murdered her sister with the sole purpose of killing him. And she does, stepping out of the cockpit and kicking his lifeless body to the ground. From then on, she is known as the Iron Widow, but the freedom she craved is still not granted to her. She is something to feared ... and controlled. But she won't back down, and I am obsessed with her.

I've never been a fan of love triangles, and the older I get the firmer I am on that stance. So imagine my surprise when the love triangle I thought was brewing is in fact a polyamorous relationship! And it works so well. How Zetian develops feelings for both Shimin and Yizhi is completely organic within the confines of the plot, and the boys coming together with her felt just as natural and right. Each boy offers Zetian something different, and I loved seeing how they all worked together in the Vermilion Bird. Did I like Shimin better? Yes. I think his personal story was far more interesting. So, sorry Yizhi. Second best for me is where you'll stay.

Not going to lie, the last chapter gave me a little bit of whiplash because the big reveal there came out of nowhere but you know what? I accept. Bring on book two immediately.

Iron Widow by @xiranjayzhao

I read this book a while ago, and I still think about it. All. The. Time.

This is easily one of my favorite reads of the past year!

*****

Zetian enlists herself as a concubine-pilot, which is basically a death sentence for any woman, in order to get revenge for her sister's death. After a never-before-seen performance during her first battle, she is labeled an Iron Widow.

This performance and label land her with her next pilot, Li Shimin, the strongest and most-feared maled pilot currently fighting in the war, as he is currently imprisoned for murder.

Zetian, Li Shimin, and Yihzi (a childhood friend of Zetian) work together in incredibly determined and empowering ways in an attempt to change the patriarchal society that has ruthlessly claimed the lives of women for many years.

*****

I absolutely loved this book, and I cannot wait for the sequel, Heavenly Tyrant, which is currently set to release in August 2023.

Please - do yourself a favor and read this beautiful book.

Iron Widow was a novel I kept telling myself I would read, and eventually I did read and I honestly could say switching to the audiobook really helped me. I enjoyed the narrators of the audiobook and I hope they come back for book 2, because I might be using that format again (who knows). Iron Widow is an incredibly fast-paced novel, and featured the first of hopefully many polyamory relationships in YA books.

Xiran Jay Zhao did not disappoint whatsoever. I loved how incredibly angry Zetian is and I love incredibly unhinged anger. That did not disappoint and by the end, I was just like, is that it now? Because I needed Heavenly Tyrant like yesterday.

I had to lower it to 4 stars mainly due to the very rough start, and the worldbuilding. There was quite a bit of infodumps, and it became a little dense in some places. I also want it to be exapnded, but I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.

“The thing I dream about most is being with you.”

I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews about this book, so I was scared going in about my reaction to it. But I loved it. I really enjoy the plot and the characters and the romance. I thought the work building and technology was interesting.

It did take me a couple of chapters to really get used to the tone and the world. But I think that was probably just a me problem.

I loved the romance. Like I hate love triangles because I’m always like “they could just all be together.” And well…they finally did what I wanted. I really liked it all. I love slow burn so I would have been fine if it took even longer for it to happen, but I liked the pace that was done.

Also, people always talk about wanting morally grey female protagonists and then they get them and complaint about it.
I also can’t explain how much I hate the term, Mary Sue. Like never use that term when talking to me. It’s so so stupid.

I liked Zetian I thought she was cool. And I love female rage and just completely losing it so I’m here for it. Let her do what she wants. Like yeah, she has flaws (I guess) but so? Like if she didn’t have flaws, you’d complain about her not having flaws. I don't get the hate.

"Love cannot save me. I choose vengeance.”

The ending was interesting. I'm deciding how much I like it, but I definitely don't dislike it. I feel like it might have been a little bit rushed, but it was fine. It hurt a lot though but then the epilogue was crazy. It gave me a little hope, but I guess I'll see in the next book.

I’m very shocked by all of the negative stuff I heard. But I shouldn’t be shocked that certain authors are held to a different standard than others.


Initial thoughts:
What the fuck. Holy shit.

I was absolutely delighted with Zetian as a protagonist. She's crafty, wily, and 100% lethal. This is a book about vengeance, first and foremost. For Zetian's sister, for herself, and all the girls who came before her. Zetian sees no way forward where those in control make a more equal system and society-- so it must burn.

But she's not alone in her line of thinking, nor the only one willing to die to make it happen. Both her childhood friend/boyfriend, Li Shimin, and her co-pilot, Gao Yizhi, have also been touched and affected by the misogynistic system, in different ways. Their own experiences-- one from outside of the cruel piloting system, the other from within-- show Zetian the different facets.

The three of them work well together, and find not just solace but a sense of belonging, trust, and-- ultimately-- love. Though the story is told solely from Zetian's point of view, she sees the growing relationship between Yizhi and Shimin, and the three of them communicate their feelings to each other quite well. The polyamorous romance between the three of them is quite sweet, considering how different the three of them are, especially personality-wise.

The fights between the Chrysalises always had me literally leaning forward in my seat in anticipation. The action is quick, clear, and always had me enthralled. The changing Chrysalis forms really reminded me of Digimon and their evolutions.

The ending twist is very reminiscent of Ender's Game. As someone who likes to speculate and guess at what twist is likely to happen, this really took me by surprise (to my utter delight)! It completely changes the game for the sequel. I can't even begin to guess what's going to happen because there's so much potential and possibilities!

Xiran Jay Zhao has outdone theirself with their debut book. I am absolutely thunderstruck. I am both desperate for the upcoming movie adaptation and extremely wary about how wrong it could go.

100% recommend this book!

Thank you to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

Are you looking for the absolute richest sci-fi you've ever read? Are you looking for the most unique world, full of characters that you will love immediately, and the most amazing plot ever? Then look no further my friends!

I can't say enough good things about this book! To start with, the characters are so loveable and relatable from the very beginning. Zetian represents so many of us and the experiences we've had in life, and she's so badass while she navigates it all. Her relationships are so real as well, and I love how genuine they are. I have issues with insta-love because I need the genuine connection, and this definitely was not lacking.

The plot is a little too good for its own good. Toward the middle I felt like it was dragging a bit, but it sucked me right back in and I absolutely need the next book right this second or I just might die. It had me near tears and then had my jaw on the ground.

The world is one unlike anything I've ever read, and that combined with the historical Asian culture was just so beautiful. I loved learning about the worldbuilding, but I also loved learning about the culture. It was such a rich story with depths that so much fiction simply doesn't have.

Everyone run to get this book right now! Join me in the countdown for the next one!

In Huaxia, it is a high honor for a young girl to be selected as a concubine pilot. The supporter paired with a male pilot of a Chrysalis, a giant transforming mecha used to battle massive aliens lurking behind the great wall. When Wu Zetian's sister is killed as a concubine, she vows to sign up and avenge her sister's death. Which she surprisingly does by killing her sisters copilot while psychically linked, becoming a fabled Iron Widow (a female pilot who is able to sacrifice male pilots during battle). So, she is partnered with the most powerful male pilot, the convicted murderer Li Shimin. However, together they are so powerful they may be able to overthrow the whole terrible piloting system, if they can learn to trust each other first.

This novel is brutal, but so fantastically written. The rage of Zetian bleeds off every page and pulls the reader along with it. You are bound to Zetian's fate as she continues to defy the odds, to laugh in the face of convention, to destroy the world that told her she was worth nothing. Zetian is an icon! She is everything I wanted, no needed, her to be in the face of a completely misogynistic society. Her ferocity builds and breeds more. She has known her life will always end in death at a young age, or subjugation to a brutal husband, so nothing can really scare her. It makes her bold, gives her the ability to challenge those that would keep her in her 'place', in their 'box.'

The history and backstory for this world is fascinating. The mechs made out of former alien skin. How they can be transformed into animals and then large creatures using the minds of male and female pilots. The Yin and Yang system of piloting. The power dynamic, the fact most male pilots are stronger and therefore kill their female copilot. Those few women who are equally matched with men, giving small hopes to future female concubines that they could ever survive the horror of piloting. The powers of qi, and how you can wield it (example: fire, water, earth). It was all mapped out so perfectly, I could imagine every moment of Zetian's first instance of entering a mech. The mind world, the control, the pain, the destruction. And as the story unfolds, truths come to light, and the rage within you begins to build along with Zetian.

Li Shimin was surprisingly the most gentle character in this story. He is a reluctant fighter, forced to pilot knowing he is killing girls every time he fights. He is sad, hardened, and unresponsive. But, meeting Zetian stirs something inside of him. His protective and respectful nature win out, showing Zetian a true hero with a big heart who has been fighting battles with the world and himself. I love him as a character so much, he is a true cinnamon roll.

The third character in their triangle, Gao Yizhi, seems to be a soft city boy, but in reality oh boy! He was one of the most surprisingly fun characters, who works hard behind the scenes in order to protect Zetian. He is loyal and devoted to her, even while he can never fully grasp the intricacies of how the world, and the beliefs he has been raised with, actually hurt women the most. But, he is willing to do anything for Zetian, and in turn Li Shimin. The three work so well together, forming a deep bond in the face of death and adversity.

I love the growth in Zetian, as she moves through the world from poor farm girl on the edges of society, to concubine sacrifice, to powerful fighter. She begins to see that girls are not the only people who are sacrificed in this system of oppression. While girls have the worst of all punishments and lives, young men too are thrown into a piloting program that does not see them age past 25 (when their usefulness wanes). The regime is so flawed and Zetian must rethink her whole world view in order to fully understand the deep seated horrors that this Kingdom puts many of its poor through.

This world is meant to break down people like Zetian and Li Shimin completely. But these two mean to tear it all apart, piece by rotten piece. I am enthralled and I need the next book now! This is definitely one of my Top 5 reads this year so far!

Thank you so much to Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with an earc of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book confusing when I started it which caused it to sit unread until I forced myself to pick it up but once I did, I enjoyed the main characters strength to revenge the death of her big sister. However, I just finished this book a couple of days ago and can’t remember the ending.
I received this as an eARC and submitting an honest review. Thanksto netgalley, publisher and author.

This book is such a ride, so much fun, and deserves all of the hype and accolades it receives! I love that the love triangle stays a triangle, the characters are true to themselves, and the action vivid on the page.

I know there’s been a lot of hype for this one but I DNF-Ed it. I couldn’t get into the story or the characters. I might try again later because maybe I was just not in the right headspace to read it

I had high hopes for this book but unfortunately it wasn't for me. I loved the Chinese inspired setting and the LBTQ+ rep and enjoyed the relationship but that was not enough for me to enjoy the story. The main character Zetian felt like a huge hypocrite the entire novel. She was supposed to be this huge feminist who cares about the concubines and women in general, but doesn't actually do anything to help them, and puts down every other woman in this book besides herself. She claims she only wants revenge for what happened to her Big Sister who was a concubine pilot, but that is resolved within the first 50 pages of the book. The relationship between her and her sister is never fully explained so I never fully understood why she wanted to avenge her death so badly. She gets one taste of power and will stop at nothing to take it for herself, even if it means going against her own morals to do so. She tells herself that she is going to save all the pilots and wants to stop the act of women being used as concubine pilots but looks down upon and kills said women for no good reason other than she doesn't like them. There was no explanation or descriptions of the actual plot of the book which were the Hunduns. What do they do? What do they look like? Why are they fighting the humans? The description of the Chrysalises was not properly explained so I didn't understand how they were created, how they were piloted, or how they transformed. I was disappointed in the way this book was described as a feminist novel but it's really anything but.

Gorgeous and brutal and wonderful and awe-inspiring. Adding this to my list of "good for her" femme-led horror and thrillers.

I don’t think I could have chosen a better book to start 2022 off with. I could not put IW down, and I read it in one day. I loved the characters and the world. It was a fast paced, yet easy to follow read and I cannot wait for the sequel.

I grabbed Iron Widow during a short window of time while it was Read Now status, and had absolutely no idea what to expect. I rarely go into book blind, but I'm glad I did here, because Iron Widow was a wild ride. The blend of Chinese mythology, science fiction, and giant mecha was so unexpected - yet somehow it worked so well! I was swept away by the action, the polyamory, and the character's quest for revenge. Very excited to see what Xiran Jay Zhao comes out with next!

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

What an incredible fantasy story! This book held so much beautiful Chinese history and so many strong female characters. Also this book deals with a polyam story? Love this representation of relationships as well! Cannot wait to see where this story goes.

I loved this!!! It took me completely off guard. This is one of the most truly unique fantasy books I've read in a long while. I loved that it took all the standard tropes and flipped them around in the best way. The characters were relatable and I cared for all of them. I didn't fully grasp *all* the elements of the spirit metal stuff but I didn't feel that it took away from the story. I love everything about this story and I can't wait to read the next installment. I have no idea what direction this will go.