A review by juchinnii
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Listen I love a female rage story as much as the next gal, but this was… heavy-handed and a little clumsy. I didn’t really feel like the characters were particularly well-done and the writing is okay in some parts and overly modern for my liking in other parts (“don’t be [sorry] handsome,” followed by a wink). I hated that Zetian wasn’t able to form a single good relationship with another woman in the book while she’s simultaneously fighting for these hypothetical nameless girls the whole time, I think that was a weird choice. The concept is interesting though, and while I called most of the ending about half way through

ahem Ender’s Game

I am interested to see where we go next.