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A review by onceuponatime
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's such an amazing book, I finished it in 2 days, and because of how much I personally adored it, I gave it 5 stars.
I wish it explored more of the characters' relationships (especially of the trio, I loved them); the movement of the plot is very fast so there wasn't enough space for it. I was also so shocked that so much happened in supposedly one month. As much as this momentum hurts those aspects of the story, it's also what makes it so gripping and hard to put down. Maybe in the next book we'll see those relationships more.
I have no words of praise to add because this book left me speechless. Whether others would be as enchanted or see other flaws, depends on which aspects you prefer to focus on, but I found it so easy to just fall in love with it.
At the final battle, I was shocked that Shimin died, but with the final reveal it makes total sense. At first I thought I was witnessing a full on corruption arc of this woman so full of rage that was in some way or other always understandable, so it kind of filled me with a hesitant and shocked thrill that I might see her turned into a full-on terror. But that doesn't seem to be the route Xiran is taking with her, and that's totally fine!
<\spoiler>
I wish it explored more of the characters' relationships (especially of the trio, I loved them); the movement of the plot is very fast so there wasn't enough space for it. I was also so shocked that so much happened in supposedly one month. As much as this momentum hurts those aspects of the story, it's also what makes it so gripping and hard to put down. Maybe in the next book we'll see those relationships more.
I have no words of praise to add because this book left me speechless. Whether others would be as enchanted or see other flaws, depends on which aspects you prefer to focus on, but I found it so easy to just fall in love with it.
At the final battle, I was shocked that Shimin died, but with the final reveal it makes total sense. At first I thought I was witnessing a full on corruption arc of this woman so full of rage that was in some way or other always understandable, so it kind of filled me with a hesitant and shocked thrill that I might see her turned into a full-on terror. But that doesn't seem to be the route Xiran is taking with her, and that's totally fine!
<\spoiler>