Mar 13

Mar 13 Iron Widow (Iron Widow, #1)

Author: Xiran Jay Zhao
Publisher: Penguin Teen
Goodreads | The StoryGraph

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Note: Content and trigger warnings are provided for those who need them at the bottom of this page. If you don’t need them and don’t want to risk spoilers, don’t scroll past the full review.

Cover Description

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. It doesn't matter that the girls often die from the mental strain.

When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected—she kills him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is labeled an Iron Widow, a much-feared and much-silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead.

To tame her unnerving yet invaluable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot in Huaxia. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so easily. She will miss no opportunity to leverage their combined might and infamy to survive attempt after attempt on her life, until she can figure out exactly why the pilot system works in its misogynist way—and stop more girls from being sacrificed.

TL;DR Review

Iron Widow is a fast-paced YA fantasy rooted in Chinese culture. It stands out among the crowd, with a vengeful protagonist, polyamory rep, and unconventional boldness.

For you if: You want to read fantasy with more diverse representation and don’t mind rooting for morally grey characters.

Full Review

With a description of “Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale in a polyamorous reimagining of China’s only female emperor,” how could I NOT read Iron Widow? What a ride, y’all!

The story takes place in a reimagining of China under siege by Hundun, gigantic creatures whose defeated “husks” are turned into the giant battlesuits that pilots — and the concubine girls whose qi (life force) gets sacrificed to power them — use to fight back. It follows Zetian, who enlists as a concubine to avenge her sister. But instead of her qi being sacrificed, she zaps the qi of the pilot, becoming an “Iron Widow.” Zetian turns out to be more powerful — and angry — than anyone could have imagined.

There is SO MUCH to love about this book. It’s bold. It’s angry. It’s original, but with a story structure that fantasy (and sci-fi) readers will melt right into. It’s got an unapologetic polyamorous triad. The central mystery is compelling (so much theorizing!). It handles layers of trauma, addiction, toxic relationships, and society-imposed shame with grace and heart. And it promises a LOT more to come.

The only thing I didn’t love was how hot-headed Zetian often was, in a very YA sort of way. It’s not that she was angry or vengeful, which I can totally get behind. She just doesn’t have enough wisdom (so far in the series, at least) to keep her from acting rashly or impulsively a bit too often for my taste. I was ready for her to slow down for a second and open her eyes, start to piece together what I had seen and realized as the reader.

Still! That’s minor, and overall I loved this wild ride. So…when does book two come out???