A review by tangledinblue
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

there was no way you could keep this book out of my hands- you had me at “sci fi retelling of chinas only female emperor with mechas, a woman on a murderous rampage, and polyamory”. this book read shockingly fast, and while the writing style is sometimes clumsy, pretty much every critique I have of this book is overpowered by the immense fun I had reading it. great twists toward the end that have me so excited for the sequel!!!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Trafficking, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

I will say, to its great, great credit, there is no rape or sexual assault scene in this book. However, women are concubines for violent men (implied systemic assault) and in more than one instance the protagonist is concerned she will be assaulted. But again, no rape scene is described.