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A review by stephtastrophe
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Iron Widow was interesting read. I got it after seeing Xiran’s YouTube videos then saying they wrote this because they didn’t like the ending of Darling in the Franxx the anime and I didn’t either so I thought perfect.
It also seems to combine other elements from other anime such as the evolution which did I think happen in Darling in the Franxx too. But, also were reminiscent of Pokémon and Digimon. The spirit pressure like Bleach and ki in Dragonball. A bit of every mecha anime too. It was a bit Neon Genesis Evangelion too which a protagonist who didn’t want to be a pilot, was a little whiny at times and some psychological topics like that.
The book was really good and I liked the way they wrote it. Xiran is very good at writing descriptions. Some of them were quite beautiful. Although, as others have pointed out she could’ve described some of the main things better like how Hundun husks got turned in to Crysallis. How the magic system worked better and all sorts of other things to do with it so we the reader could understand it better.
I think some things were brought up too much, almost like filler sentences. Ironic, considering anime often has filler episodes. Such as the small details such as clothing and hairstyles. When we wanted details on the main plot points to do with the mecha more.
I found lotus feet to be brought up almost like filler too when there was just word stuffing going on. It was brought up more often than it needed to be. Of course it’s terrible and she could barely walk and was jealous of everyone who has unbound feet. But I find it odd as well it seemed she was the only character who was mentioned to have it that I remember. The other two main pilot girls have unbound feet and could run to get to their mecha when needed. I found it odd any of them would have bound feet in case they were far away and alone and couldn’t rely on someone carrying them to their mecha.
Another thing I found slightly odd was when she got revenge for her sister she originally just wanted to die after, but surely she should’ve wanted to live her life for both her and her sister? Also, I don’t think she ever mentioned her sister’s name for all she brought her up.
She eventually carried on and seemed to get in a good rhythm eventually with Shimin and Yizhi. Although, she did sort of go from hating Shimin even after he explained he saved a girl to liking him because she learnt it was against his will that he was a pilot. I kind of get it but it seemed like you’d think she’d be more cautious at first with him.
I find although the action pieces were great and some of the story was, there were quite a few times when things just didn’t make sense.
The ending also didn’t make sense. Wu Zetian woke up Qin Zheng finally from his slumber of 200 years and lied he wasn’t cure to get him on side. He asked her “you wish to take over your world” and she says yes. I was like hold on, what? I know she wanted to change things about the pilot system and she’s got the video footage to say the pilot system was rigged and was going to show it the world to show them they’d been lied to, but where did taking over the world come from? I have no idea 🤷🏻♀️
Not only did she want to suddenly take over the world and have everyone kowtow to her, but Yizhi knew and didn’t want her to stop? Did he have a personality transplant at the end? Pretty much the entire story he was the voice of reason in Zetian’s ear but then suddenly he’s down to take over the world? Huh? 🤔
Oh and he kills his own father, what? That seemed very out of character to me.
That’s weirder than how 5 minutes earlier Zetian finally felt bad about Shimin dying and saying previously he should as what did he have to live for, then two seconds later saying “he wouldn’t want me to think like this”. She had some remorse and character development then sort of went back against it. I guess it was probably just what was going on but she was allowed to think that even briefly. She could grieve for him.
Then we get the other plot twist that’s reminiscent of Planet of the Apes and a bit of Attack on Titan ending and I’m sure there’s some other shows and movies that did it but can’t think which, possibly The 100. But I don’t know how she didn’t figure it out when the Hundun said “humans were the scourge of the universe” as it was kind of obvious. So that’s not even their planet, they are the invaders and the Hundun’s are the natives, so they didn’t destroy them, it was the other way around. They started the war. Then Yizhi and his knowledge bomb disappear and a message from the heavenly court, who I assume are other humans who live on a ship in space (ala The 100) as one came down earlier so quick they thought it was the Gods, say they can bring back Shimin basically if she does that they say and doesn’t reveal the truth.
Then she drags her nails down her head and screams because maybe as it turns out the nightmare really is only just beginning.
Zetian was an interesting character and the plot was good barring these few confusing things. She did get on with some of the girls eventually which was nice although the one kind of betrayed her in the end.
The romance plot was kind of alright. I thought there would be more to it. Not a lot happened between them. It was kind of cute though. I did like Shimin and Yizhi.
I’ll definitely read the sequel when it comes out to see what happens next though as I’m invested and would love to see it.
It also seems to combine other elements from other anime such as the evolution which did I think happen in Darling in the Franxx too. But, also were reminiscent of Pokémon and Digimon. The spirit pressure like Bleach and ki in Dragonball. A bit of every mecha anime too. It was a bit Neon Genesis Evangelion too which a protagonist who didn’t want to be a pilot, was a little whiny at times and some psychological topics like that.
The book was really good and I liked the way they wrote it. Xiran is very good at writing descriptions. Some of them were quite beautiful. Although, as others have pointed out she could’ve described some of the main things better like how Hundun husks got turned in to Crysallis. How the magic system worked better and all sorts of other things to do with it so we the reader could understand it better.
I think some things were brought up too much, almost like filler sentences. Ironic, considering anime often has filler episodes. Such as the small details such as clothing and hairstyles. When we wanted details on the main plot points to do with the mecha more.
I found lotus feet to be brought up almost like filler too when there was just word stuffing going on. It was brought up more often than it needed to be. Of course it’s terrible and she could barely walk and was jealous of everyone who has unbound feet. But I find it odd as well it seemed she was the only character who was mentioned to have it that I remember. The other two main pilot girls have unbound feet and could run to get to their mecha when needed. I found it odd any of them would have bound feet in case they were far away and alone and couldn’t rely on someone carrying them to their mecha.
Another thing I found slightly odd was when she got revenge for her sister she originally just wanted to die after, but surely she should’ve wanted to live her life for both her and her sister? Also, I don’t think she ever mentioned her sister’s name for all she brought her up.
She eventually carried on and seemed to get in a good rhythm eventually with Shimin and Yizhi. Although, she did sort of go from hating Shimin even after he explained he saved a girl to liking him because she learnt it was against his will that he was a pilot. I kind of get it but it seemed like you’d think she’d be more cautious at first with him.
I find although the action pieces were great and some of the story was, there were quite a few times when things just didn’t make sense.
The ending also didn’t make sense. Wu Zetian woke up Qin Zheng finally from his slumber of 200 years and lied he wasn’t cure to get him on side. He asked her “you wish to take over your world” and she says yes. I was like hold on, what? I know she wanted to change things about the pilot system and she’s got the video footage to say the pilot system was rigged and was going to show it the world to show them they’d been lied to, but where did taking over the world come from? I have no idea 🤷🏻♀️
Not only did she want to suddenly take over the world and have everyone kowtow to her, but Yizhi knew and didn’t want her to stop? Did he have a personality transplant at the end? Pretty much the entire story he was the voice of reason in Zetian’s ear but then suddenly he’s down to take over the world? Huh? 🤔
Oh and he kills his own father, what? That seemed very out of character to me.
That’s weirder than how 5 minutes earlier Zetian finally felt bad about Shimin dying and saying previously he should as what did he have to live for, then two seconds later saying “he wouldn’t want me to think like this”. She had some remorse and character development then sort of went back against it. I guess it was probably just what was going on but she was allowed to think that even briefly. She could grieve for him.
Then we get the other plot twist that’s reminiscent of Planet of the Apes and a bit of Attack on Titan ending and I’m sure there’s some other shows and movies that did it but can’t think which, possibly The 100. But I don’t know how she didn’t figure it out when the Hundun said “humans were the scourge of the universe” as it was kind of obvious. So that’s not even their planet, they are the invaders and the Hundun’s are the natives, so they didn’t destroy them, it was the other way around. They started the war. Then Yizhi and his knowledge bomb disappear and a message from the heavenly court, who I assume are other humans who live on a ship in space (ala The 100) as one came down earlier so quick they thought it was the Gods, say they can bring back Shimin basically if she does that they say and doesn’t reveal the truth.
Then she drags her nails down her head and screams because maybe as it turns out the nightmare really is only just beginning.
Zetian was an interesting character and the plot was good barring these few confusing things. She did get on with some of the girls eventually which was nice although the one kind of betrayed her in the end.
The romance plot was kind of alright. I thought there would be more to it. Not a lot happened between them. It was kind of cute though. I did like Shimin and Yizhi.
I’ll definitely read the sequel when it comes out to see what happens next though as I’m invested and would love to see it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Gore, Violence, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief