Iron Widow
In Xiran Jay Zhao’s Iron Widow, the boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. The girls often die from the mental strain, but 18-year-old Zetian volunteers to be a concubine-pilot to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. She kills him through the psychic link between pilots and is labeled an Iron Widow, a much-feared and much-silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead. She’s paired with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot in Huaxia. Leveraging their combined might and infamy, her goal is to survive the attempts on her life long enough until she can figure out exactly why the pilot system works in its misogynist way—and stop more girls from being sacrificed.
I was surprised at Zetian’s anger and the intensity of it throughout the book. She had every right to be angry, though. Girls sacrificed to man powerful robots; the misogynistic society she was raised in; the abuse she suffered at home; all of it made for a powerful reason for Zetian to do whatever she could to survive and exact her revenge on the society that viewed her as sacrificial.
I hadn’t expected a polygamous relationship in this book, but it worked well. I hope this is the start of a trend in publishing to feature more of these relationships!
It was interesting to learn this story is based on the famous real-life empress Wu Zetian. Although the author explains she made significant changes to Wu Zetian’s story, reading Iron Widow made me want to do some research and find out more about the real Zetian. If she’s even half as interesting as Zhao’s interpretation of her, it’ll be worthwhile research!
Iron Widow is the start of a thrilling series that will leave an impression on its readers.
Iron Widow Rating: ★★★★
I was surprised at Zetian’s anger and the intensity of it throughout the book. She had every right to be angry, though. Girls sacrificed to man powerful robots; the misogynistic society she was raised in; the abuse she suffered at home; all of it made for a powerful reason for Zetian to do whatever she could to survive and exact her revenge on the society that viewed her as sacrificial.
I hadn’t expected a polygamous relationship in this book, but it worked well. I hope this is the start of a trend in publishing to feature more of these relationships!
It was interesting to learn this story is based on the famous real-life empress Wu Zetian. Although the author explains she made significant changes to Wu Zetian’s story, reading Iron Widow made me want to do some research and find out more about the real Zetian. If she’s even half as interesting as Zhao’s interpretation of her, it’ll be worthwhile research!
Iron Widow is the start of a thrilling series that will leave an impression on its readers.
Iron Widow Rating: ★★★★