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A review by reader_in_the_meadow
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The 2021 Science-Fiction Fantasy novel Iron Widow by chinese-canadian author and internet personality Xiran Yay Zhao tells the story of Wu Zetian, a peasant girl who rises to prominence in her mysogynyst and sexist society and goes on to breale the borders set by gender.
The book contains the novel in three parts and 42 chapters and acknowledgements.
The plot of this novel is rather fast paced. We are thrown into the story on a whim and experience it through the eyes of Wu Zetian, the main character, as it unfolds.
I loved the way Zhao told the Story and mixed elements of science-fiction and fantasy to form a truly unique story. The inspiration they took from chinese mythology and history was worked into the story perfectly and forms a very special kind of world.
The characters in this novel were great! The all asian cast with representation of non-heterosexual, polyamorous and disabled characters was very diverse.
Although not all of them were particularly loveable or morally white I really took a liking to them. I think that the inclusion of many morally gray characters really played into the story and is therefore really important.
Zhao's writing style is very beautiful. Being not that complicated it was easy to read and therefore immerse yourself into the story. It was a very beautiful and easy style to read. The use of chinese words played into the likability of it all and made the story pictured in the writing.
I liked many things in this story especially the use of well-liked book tropes like enemies to lovers or the morally gray protagonist.
Over all, I can say that this book is very unique and an awesome read for people who love Science-fiction, Fantasy and stories inspired by mythology and history.
However, if you are planning on reading this please take a note of the content warnings.
The book contains the novel in three parts and 42 chapters and acknowledgements.
The plot of this novel is rather fast paced. We are thrown into the story on a whim and experience it through the eyes of Wu Zetian, the main character, as it unfolds.
I loved the way Zhao told the Story and mixed elements of science-fiction and fantasy to form a truly unique story. The inspiration they took from chinese mythology and history was worked into the story perfectly and forms a very special kind of world.
The characters in this novel were great! The all asian cast with representation of non-heterosexual, polyamorous and disabled characters was very diverse.
Although not all of them were particularly loveable or morally white I really took a liking to them. I think that the inclusion of many morally gray characters really played into the story and is therefore really important.
Zhao's writing style is very beautiful. Being not that complicated it was easy to read and therefore immerse yourself into the story. It was a very beautiful and easy style to read. The use of chinese words played into the likability of it all and made the story pictured in the writing.
I liked many things in this story especially the use of well-liked book tropes like enemies to lovers or the morally gray protagonist.
Over all, I can say that this book is very unique and an awesome read for people who love Science-fiction, Fantasy and stories inspired by mythology and history.
However, if you are planning on reading this please take a note of the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and War