Iron Widow

Iron Widow (Iron Widow, #1) by Xiran Jay Zhao
Published by Penguin Teen on September 21, 2021
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 400
Format: ARC
ISBN: 0735269939
Goodreads

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.

Welp. I’ve absolute found both a new favorite book, and a new favorite author. This book was incredible, and I cannot wait for the sequel. It had everything I could ever want. Found family, queer characters, GIANT ROBOTS?? Ancient China inspired setting, vengeance, unapologetic rage, and so much more. Wow. I’m blown away. I couldn’t stop reading it, but I also never wanted it it end!! Maybe I’ll just have to reread it many many times until the sequel comes out…haha.

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Worldbuilding

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GIANT FIGHTING ROBOTS!!!! Heck YES. It’s like Pacific Rim but in an ancient Chinese setting. There are military bases on the Great Wall!! The technology is kind of a mix between straight sci-fi stuff, and divine power stuff. It makes the novel feel like mainly a sci-fi but with a touch of fantasy, which is one of my favorite things! I love the contrast between the lives of the poor and the lives of the rich, which we get to see through our different main characters. I also love the discussion of gender roles – which is naturally what the whole novel is kind of about. The robots are piloted by a main male captain, and a female “concubine pilot,” who basically exists only to serve the male pilot. Obviously this is super messed up, and is the kicker for our main character’s journey.

The worldbuilding was just SO GOOD and I want this to be a video game that I can play haha.

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Characters

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Honestly there are so many great characters in this book, but let’s start with our main girl, Wu Zetian. YOUR HONOR, I LOVE HER. She is vicious and determined, and it’s inspiring. She is rage personified, but this doesn’t make her a villain. Zetian is TIRED of the gender roles that women are expected to fill, and she’s going to take down these roles or die trying. I love that even though she’s a cutthroat badass, she’s still a feminine as she wants to be and doesn’t need to sacrifice that for her revenge. She’s inspired by China’s only female emperor, isn’t that awesome??

The other two main characters are just as wonderful as Zetian. Gao Yizhi, our rich boy, is gentle and kind and yet!! When it comes to those he loves, he can be just as ruthless as Zetian. Li Shimin has had such a hard life, and that’s molded him to seem like a monster, but he’s a softie inside as well. The three of them compliment each other so well. Their similarities drive them to seek the same goal of vengeance, and their differences help to make each other stronger.

Also, I really want to know more about Yizhi’s family. There were some hints but I need answers!!

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Queer Rep

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I can count on one hand the number of books I’ve read with polyamorous rep, and I’m so happy to be adding this one. Zhao did such an amazing job of showing a HEALTHY polyamorous relationship. They are all so loving and supportive of each other and wahhh. They’re just so cute together. I can’t wait to see more of them in the next book! I loved that the three of them talked about how love isn’t a finite resource, and you can have room in your heart for many people. The triangle is the strongest shape!!

I do wish there had been some discussion of what it would be to be trans or nonbinary in this world. The gender roles are strictly enforced, so it’s possible that those identities would be things that wouldn’t be talked about, but I hope for it. Maybe in the next book.

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I haven’t talked much about the actual plot but all the things I talked about above weave themselves together to make an incredible and gripping story. And that ending!!!! I NEEEEEED the next one immediately. I guess I’ll just have to suffer while waiting and rereading this haha.

Iron Widow is out TODAY!!! Happy book birthday! Make sure to get yourself to a bookstore and GET IT NOW!!!!

Thank you so much to Penguin Teen Canada for providing me with an ARC for review! This does not impact my review/rating in any way.