Iron Widow (Book 1)
An instant #1 New York Times bestseller!
A USA Today bestseller!
Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers.
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.
A USA Today bestseller!
Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers.
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.
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Community Reviews
Originally reviewed on Cyn's Workshop
Xiran Jay Zhao blends elements from Pacific Rim, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Chinese history to give Iron Widow the most compelling and engaging read.
Strong Foundation
The fact that Iron Widow is inspired by China’s only female emperor, Wu Zetian, is incredible. Now, Iron Widow is not historical fiction but instead blends history and futurism to make the story work.
There are practices in this novel, such as foot-binding that do not take place much, if at all, nowadays. Furthermore, I think it was powerful of Zhao to bring this bit of history to light because it does highlight the rampant sexism and misogyny going on in the novel.
There is no balance in power in this novel; the women are supposed to be subservient to the men. Ying and Yang, Zetian knows this but does not like it. Being a concubine-pilot costs Zetian her sister’s life, and Zetian is determined to figure out why the balance tipped so much in favor of men. Women are constantly asked to sacrifice themselves daily in giant robots to help the men win battles.
However, Zetian refuses to be fodder. Using a historically influential figure gives the story its richness and strong feminist edge to draw in the reader.
Excellent
Iron Widow is, without a doubt, engaging. Zetian is a compelling character with her resilience. She is constantly standing up to her family and against the sexism that has built their society from the beginning.
Zetian resents her family, first for crushing her feet to practice foot binding and then sacrificing her sister and herself as concubines for money.
Her entire journey begins as revenge, but her strength motivates her to do more, to be a weapon against a society that would keep women subservient and beaten down.
What I also loved alongside Zetian’s journey was the romance and friendship that blossoms between the characters. The polyamorous relationship gives the dynamics such an excellent stage for them to develop.
There is such an insurmountable amount of respect between these characters, making them a team you want to root for.
These are unforgettable characters who love one another and respect one another, keeping up the flow and momentum of the story. That is what makes them so incredible.
Final Thoughts
Iron Widow is a remarkable novel. Utilizing a strong female character with roots in history while layering in futurism allows the plot to tackle misogyny and sexism in a compelling and forthright way.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
Xiran Jay Zhao blends elements from Pacific Rim, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Chinese history to give Iron Widow the most compelling and engaging read.
Strong Foundation
The fact that Iron Widow is inspired by China’s only female emperor, Wu Zetian, is incredible. Now, Iron Widow is not historical fiction but instead blends history and futurism to make the story work.
There are practices in this novel, such as foot-binding that do not take place much, if at all, nowadays. Furthermore, I think it was powerful of Zhao to bring this bit of history to light because it does highlight the rampant sexism and misogyny going on in the novel.
There is no balance in power in this novel; the women are supposed to be subservient to the men. Ying and Yang, Zetian knows this but does not like it. Being a concubine-pilot costs Zetian her sister’s life, and Zetian is determined to figure out why the balance tipped so much in favor of men. Women are constantly asked to sacrifice themselves daily in giant robots to help the men win battles.
However, Zetian refuses to be fodder. Using a historically influential figure gives the story its richness and strong feminist edge to draw in the reader.
Excellent
Iron Widow is, without a doubt, engaging. Zetian is a compelling character with her resilience. She is constantly standing up to her family and against the sexism that has built their society from the beginning.
Zetian resents her family, first for crushing her feet to practice foot binding and then sacrificing her sister and herself as concubines for money.
Her entire journey begins as revenge, but her strength motivates her to do more, to be a weapon against a society that would keep women subservient and beaten down.
What I also loved alongside Zetian’s journey was the romance and friendship that blossoms between the characters. The polyamorous relationship gives the dynamics such an excellent stage for them to develop.
There is such an insurmountable amount of respect between these characters, making them a team you want to root for.
These are unforgettable characters who love one another and respect one another, keeping up the flow and momentum of the story. That is what makes them so incredible.
Final Thoughts
Iron Widow is a remarkable novel. Utilizing a strong female character with roots in history while layering in futurism allows the plot to tackle misogyny and sexism in a compelling and forthright way.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
“How do you take the fight out of half the population and render them willing slaves? You tell them they're meant to do nothing but serve from the minute they're born. You tell them they're weak. You tell them they're prey. You tell them over and over, until it's the only truth they're capable of living.”
a very different world!
I didn’t know what to expect and the first few pages were tough to follow but after that it was a wild ride. Excellent
I didn’t know what to expect and the first few pages were tough to follow but after that it was a wild ride. Excellent
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