One of the top fantasy books of the decade, Xiran Jay Zhao crafts an intricate beautiful world with larger than life characters that will stay in your hearts forever. Zhao is a amazing writer with words that can cut like a knife it’ll be interesting to see how their upcoming middle-grade series and future series flourish under their pen, truly an author to watch this decade and the next

Zeitan is the no holds barred feminist hero we need. This book subverts a number of tropes aggressively. Polyamory in place of a love triangle, strength and harshness in place of kindness and softness. I really enjoyed this book, and yes if you enjoyed Pacific Rim, and are looking for women to break free of their traditional gender roles this is a great read. I did read an ARC of this book, so I imagine some things will be fixed, but some of the writing is clumsy, and it did take me a bit to get into the story. Once I got into the groove of the style though I flew through it in a day. I will be interested to see where the sequel goes!

I really enjoy the author's Youtube rants about various media, so when this book came up at NetGalley I jumped for it.

I spent all yesterday reading when I ought to have been working.

There are certain periods of history that seem, for whatever reason, to bring out amazing personalities in a cluster. The early Tang Dynasty is one of these. Li Shinin and Wu Zetian, cases in point. Xiran Jay Zhao has taken them, and certain aspects of Chinese history (not confined to the Tang) and jumped everything into a post apocalyptic future in which mecha are the center of the fighting force, against the alien invaders, the Hundun. The Chinese gods of mythology seem to be in Heaven (up there), occasionally handing off goodies . . .

There were elements that at first made me look askance: there are some tropes that have become standard in YA publishing these days: first person present tense; the Dread Love Triangle (two hot guys, one bad, one good, plus one angry, destructive heroine). When I saw that the gods are up in heaven occasionally negotiating, I thought, here we go again with the gods-are-really-an-AI trope.

BUT! In this story, it all works. The central relationship had me whooping with glee. The introduction of the gods, along with a twist that I did not see coming, also had me whooping with glee.

This version of Li Shimin is a nineteen year old pilot, post Xuanwu Gate (changed up here, but in essence the same outcome), which results in him being treated like a prisoner when he is not serving as the best mecha pilot in the land. Wu Zetian is his new co-pilot, as women keep dying. Mecha need a female and a male pilot to balance the yin and yang aspects of qi, the power source. Wu Zetian had a secret boyfriend, whom she had to hide lest her family literally kill her for betraying her "purity"--oh, all the nastier aspects of the treatment of women through Chinese history are here, and Wu Zetian rages against them all.

So we've got personality conflicts while a war is running, and beneath it all, the misogynistic cultural substrate. Xiran Jay Zhao jacks the tension line to the max in a way that kept me glued to the pages. I would have liked to see a bit more complexity in our lead males especially, but on the other hand, this is the first book in a series, and I fully expect depth and complexity is coming.

The pacing is absolutely breakneck, the villains are deliciously horrible, the worldbuilding is just. So. Cool. And the tongue-in-cheek additions, like titles of popular novels, or the fact that Sun Wukong was a mecha pilot, had me snickering, the humor breaking the mounting tension in a delightful way.

Xian Jay Zhao is a qilin talent. I can hardly wait for the next volume in this story.

This book was an interesting mix of futuristic sci-fi with historical inspiration. Loved that the main character was a strong, powerful, and interesting female.

This has quickly and easily become one of my favorite books. Zetian is the badass heroine that everyone wants to be and nothing can get in her way.

In the distant future the world is full of magical power, alien invaders, and giant fighting machines to protect the human race. Women serve as physical and emotional batteries for male war hero’s.
Zetian has had enough. She is bold, determined, witty, and violent. She will not stop until she avenges her sisters death. Soon she is found to be one of the most powerful women in existence and dubbed the iron widow, to serve alongside the iron demon.

This story is packed with action, power, and a challenging love triangle. Sprinkled in between the fight scenes are moments of tenderness that melt my heart.

“When you cherish someone for how amazing they are, you don’t pluck them from their roots just to watch them wither in your hands. You help them bloom into the really incredible thing they’re meant to be”

The author uses beautiful imagery and intricate world building to create a place like we’ve never known. The character development is muah chefs kiss. A triangle is the strongest shape and the MCs of Iron Widow are genuinely a balanced match.

I absolutely loved this book.

Feel like taking down the establishment or patriarchy? There are so many explosions and role changes. Zetian figures out a highly sexist system and turns it on its head. But even before all that, the world building is solid.

Tired of having to make a choice in a love triangle? Congrats, now you get both of them. And they're both adorable/awesome in their own special ways. And this happens early enough that there's never really any agonizing over who to be with.

Giant mecha based on Chinese mythology? Many! And with fantastic descriptions! The writing is so nice and they all sound so cool.

Really interesting pilot system? I see a lot of Pacific Rim comparisons and I LOVED the whole drift compatibility concept, and this has something in the same vein but still very unique, which I also loved.

A protagonist who wants to burn it all down and you want to cheer her on and help her do it? I loved Zetian. I could feel her anger and indignation and really rooted her her.

Also worth mentioning, she uses a wheelchair or is often carried because her feet were bound and she can barely walk. She also mentions being bisexual and possibly non-binary (there are several comparisons to the butterfly that is born with different wings because it is both sexes). And as mentions, the love triangle becomes a threesome and both guys are also bisexual and have a good relationship with each other. So if you're looking for any of those things, there you go.

I will definitely be reading the next books. I also recommend following the author on Twitter because she's hilarious.

Big thanks to Penguin Teen Canada for the e-ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.

I am a huge fan of Pacific Rim and the Handmaid's Tale so when I first heard about this book I was so excited and add on the fact this is based off of the only Empress of China? I was very much in a 'give it to me NOW' mood. When I got the email saying I got the ARC? I was blown away and so happy!

Iron Widow grabbed me in the Author's Note and didn't let go till I was simultaneously laughing and crying because the ending left me hanging and begging for book 2. I can't tell you how amazing it was to see my own frustrations with the patriarchy put into words and ingrained in a character like Zetian. I will admit that right before I decided to read this I kept wishing for a character who would just not care about other people enough to sacrifice themselves/their power because it's frustrating to see ESPECIALLY in a female MC. Xiran just took everything I've ever wanted in a character and gave it to me in a kick a** bow.

I don't know what to actually classify Zetian as, is she the villain? Is she the attractive, morally grey character who we all fall in love with? Is she the hero of this story? Part of me believes she is all three and all of me is absolutely in love with her. I will say that the romance and main plot of the book felt equally balanced and intertwined with eachother which was fun to see play out in terms of both character development and the development of their relatihappened.

You can't even imagine how devestated I was by the cliffhanger AND the fact that this book has not even officially come out! Like, when will I get book 2??

My only critique has to be that the last page of the book felt too much like an information dump and I had to reread it before I fully understood what happned.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The world was by far my favourite part and I really enjoyed the combination of futuristic technology and the ancient China-inspired setting. Also, this book is about mecha pilots so, of course, it was a good time.

Unfortunately, I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style and didn't connect with the characters (especially Wu Zetian) as much as I would have liked. I also felt like some aspects of the worldbuilding weren't fully explained and I found myself a bit confused at times, although that might just be because I am small brain.

Overall though, I would recommend this book and am excited to continue this series and see where the story goes from here because WOW that epilogue was fantastic. I also think that people who are drawn to this book because of the inclusion of polyamory will get more out of this book than I personally did.

This is PHENOMENAL. I rarely binge read a book so fast as I did this one & I can NOT wait for the rest of this series. The open sexuality, the twist at the end, the fiercely feminist tone. I love this. I'm obsessed. I've alreadh recommended it to dozens of friends.

An easy 4 stars! The blend of sci-fi with historical-esque elements made Iron Widow a refreshingly fun read. Those describing the book as pacific rim meets the handmaid’s tale are spot on, but it also has elements reminiscent of the hunger games that I enjoyed as well. The only difference is the author was brave enough to transform the love triangle into something most other fantasy/sci-fi/ya authors are too scared to do: polyamory.
The settings are lush, the chi system of power is complicated but well explained and the characters are exquisitely written. There’s nothing more exciting than a badass stubborn woman who starts off with nothing to lose, but gains her own found family along the way. I already cannot wait for the sequel!

The world that Xiran Jay Zhao has created in Iron Widow is absolutely incredible. Young readers will devour this book and beg for more. Amazing world building, strong characters, and a plot that allows readers to both escape and think about the world around them- this book will soon be a favorite. Highly recommended.

This book was everything I hoped it would be and more. I saw the synopsis and knew I had to read it. It was a fast paced read and an engaging plot. I cannot wait for the sequel.

This book was one of my most anticipated books of 2021 and let me tell you all that I was not disappointed. This book is so freaking good, I was all day reading it and when I finished, I wanted more!!!

This one felt like it started off a little slow, but then it got so good! It was hard to put down. Zetian is a badass and one of my favorite ever protagonists in a novel. Handmaid’s Tale, but with Transformers. Or, Powers Rangers with a twist. And the main romance? I was so in for it. A triangle is the strongest shape after all.

There has to be a sequel, right? I’m so ready when there is one.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 the 𝗲𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.

Holy crap, this book was insanely good. The main character is a badass. If you are wondering why you should read this book, here is one reason for you: the poly representation!!!
“Choose? Why do I have to choose just one of you?”
When do you ever get a book when the love triangle doesn’t pick just one, but can have both? Let me answer that for you, NEVER! This book did not have a dull moment and it was impossible to put down.

I loved that this book confronted the social construction of gender right in the first few chapters.

I love when books include trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. Trigger warnings included: gore, murder, torture, mentions of rape, threats of rape.

PREORDER THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT TIL SEPTEMBER FOR THE PHYSICAL COPY? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL????

4.5 stars rounded up

You ever just start reading, saying you’ll read 50-ish pages before you sleep, then suddenly the sun is out and you’ve finished the whole book? Yeah that’s what happened to me.

Iron Widow was something I’ve been looking forward to from it’s announcement. And it did not disappoint. The characters feel fleshed out, the world lived in and unique. What a debut and I can’t wait to see what the author has next.

So, I was INCREDIBLY excited to read this book.
And I was not let down.
Strong female MC, intriguing side characters, mecha fights and feminism. PLUS a poly relationship? Fantastic.
I already have this preordered but if I didn't, I'd definitely be adding it to my collection.

A really fun reimagining of Wu Zetian! The worldbuilding and powers in the book were a bit difficult to comprehend but it was very enjoyable. I will definitely buy a physical copy when they are available!

This was one of my most-anticipated releases of this year, so I jumped at the chance to read it early. I loved everything I heard about this book, everything on the author's social media - and I love everything Iron Widow is trying to do.

Unfortunately, I don't think it pulled it off. And I think that's mostly because it's been written as YA. It's not that YA doesn't have room for hard topics, because it absolutely does, but Iron Widow reads like the 'real' story has been simplified for younger readers. The writing style just doesn't match the story it's trying to tell. And it's heartbreaking, because this had all the potential, with endless cool ideas and a vicious heroine who is absolutely brilliant, the kind of morally-grey that we don't see often enough. But it was just so difficult to get at the incredible story through the prose. I got halfway through before I gave up, because reading isn't supposed to be a chore, and this was.

I wish this had been written as Adult. But all that said? I really hope this does well, because we need more stories like it.

Iron Widow is quite an enjoyable read teeming with dangerous mechas. A story rich in characterization and worldbuilding, I definitely recommend,