Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

What I have learned through this madness is that you can absolutely solve your problems by throwing money at them. If you can't, you probably don't have enough money for that particular problem.

Beware: this review may contain spoilers!

Hi everyone! It’s Ilenia, with my review of Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao.

I bought this book from Waterstones in Piccadilly, the biggest book store in Europe. I was lucky enough to get the last signed copy available that day, and it's one of the best purchases I have made!

I started reading it not much later, and wasn't this book one stunning, wiiiiild ride!

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Set in the futuristic city of Huaxia, male pilots are paired with young girls (called concubines) to fight in their giant mechanical robots Chrysalises near the Great Wall. But girls rarely survive battles, because they are sacrificed by their pilots for their qi flow.

18-year-old Zetian decides to become a concubine, but not for her country, but to avenge her sister, who was murdered by a pilot. Zetian kills the pilot through their psychic connection, gaining the title of the feared Iron Widow. Her country’s Council pairs her with Li Shimin, the most dangerous pilot of Huaxia. However, Zetian is not discouraged and will use her new power to break the pilots’ misogynist system, and stop more girls from being sacrificed.

What did I love about this book? Everything! Xiran Jay Zhao wrote such an empowering book that challenges misogynistic ideals that , unfortunately, are still reality to this day.

The overall concept of the book is just amazing: giant mechanical robots mentally controlled by the inner power of a person? Yes, please!

Zetian is such a badass character, who decides to challenge her society by shocking them with great, spectacular actions, like murdering one of the most famous pilots of Huaxia. She is inspired by the only female empress of China in all history, which makes this book even more stunning.

Li Shimin is the morally, grey character that everyone loves and hates at the same time (oh and his glasses!)

Yizhi is such a bisexual icon in this book, and I wish I could have him as my friend.

I don’t want to spoil too much, because these characters are to explore page by page.

Read more about the characters on the author’s website: http://xiranjayzhao.com/index.php/iron-widow-characters/

Iron Widow is a fast-paced, badass and empowering story, and trust me, you will read this front to back without stopping. Full of plot-twists, real and raw scenes and gasping moments, it will be one of the best books you will ever need.

One of my favourite things of Iron Widow was an actual love triangle.

The “traditional” definition of love triangle is something like in The Hunger Games: Katniss loves both Peeta and Gale, and they both love Katniss. However, that is more a love corner, because an actual love triangle would imply that either Gale or Peeta liked each other.

However, in Iron Widow there is an ACTUAL love triangle and a polyamorous relationship between the three main characters. Boy, wasn’t I fangirling over that one scene! You’ll know when you read it.

I only have one thing I didn’t like of this book is that it finished. But hey, a sequel is in the making and I can’t wait for it!

One thing to be mindful of is the themes treated in the book, which could be triggering. The author has kindly put a list on the front page of the book, but anyway they are:

• Violence

• Abuse

• Suicide ideation

• Discussion and reference to sexual assault (no on-page depictions)

• Alcohol addition

• Torture

• Misogyny

• Murder

• War

• Domestic abuse

• Blood

Here’s the full list: https://booktriggerwarnings.com/index.php?title=Iron_Widow_by_Xiran_Jay_Zhao

This is one of the best books that I have read last year, and in my whole life. Iron Widow has become one of my favourite series- even though it is not yet finished.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, science-fiction and adventure, and to literally anyone who reads.

Go read this stunning book.

Allons-y,

Ilenia

Fun fact about the author

If you have read Iron Widow or follow the author on social media, you would have seen their unique author image. Xiran Jay Zhao made a bet with their friends: if they ever published a book, they would take their author picture wearing a cow costume. It’s an amazing photo, the author looks great and it makes me love them even more.

Also, they have an iron deficiency! (ironic)

Check out their website because it is AMAZING! They have humorous (but accurate) description of the characters in Iron Widow and memes.

http://xiranjayzhao.com

Buy it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/34n1249

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