Title: Iron Widow
Author: Xiran Jay Zhao
First published September 21, 2021
391 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780735269934 (ISBN10: 0735269939)
Rating: 4.13
Overview
Ten years ago, Kaelin Daume had a steamy summer fling with Tyler Wirth and Nick Kernsted, the town’s bad boys. But when she caught them with another woman, her life took a boring, vanilla turn.
Tyler left town, disowned and disgraced, but now he’s back for his sister’s wedding. Kaelin is still as sweet as ever, but tensions run high as they navigate their complicated past.
As they try to resist the temptation to reignite their passion, secrets, sins, and lies begin to unravel. This book is not for the faint of heart, as it contains steamy M/M/F and M/M scenes that may cause an increase in body temperature, pulse rate, and respiration.
Read with caution! For adult use only.
About the Author
I’m currently wearing a cow costume, and it’s all because I made a pact with my friends seven years ago. I promised them that if I ever got published, I would take my author photo wearing this cow suit.
And I’m not about to break that promise.
Editoral Review
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao is a thrilling science fiction novel that explores themes of gender and power through a unique and captivating story. Zhao is a Chinese-American writer who has garnered international acclaim for her previous works in the dystopian and fantasy genres.
Set in an alternate version of China during the Han dynasty, Iron Widow tells the story of Wu Zetian, a young girl who is forced to marry the Kingdom’s military leader in order to save her family from poverty. However, her husband is later killed, and Wu Zetian is sent to join a group of genetically enhanced female pilots known as concubine pilots, named for the ancient tradition where a concubine would join her husband upon his death.
The novel follows Wu Zetian as she navigates the treacherous world of the concubine pilots, facing both physical and emotional challenges, and ultimately becomes the Iron Widow, a powerful mecha pilot who harnesses the energy of male pilots to fuel her machines. As she gains more power, she also confronts the corrupt and patriarchal government that oppresses women and the other outcasts of society.
One of the strengths of the novel is the world-building, which is richly imagined and draws on Chinese history and culture. Zhao creates a vivid portrayal of a society that values strength, honor, and conformity, but also shows the subjugation of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those who do not conform to societal norms.
The mecha battles are also thrillingly described, and the use of energy transfer between male and female pilots adds a unique twist to the genre. Another strength of the novel is the main character, Wu Zetian, who is a complex and compelling figure.
She struggles with trauma, grief, and anger, but also shows compassion and intelligence. Her journey to become the Iron Widow is fraught with sacrifice and betrayal, but she never loses sight of her goals and seeks to create a better world for herself and others.
However, the novel also has a few weaknesses, including some instances of uneven pacing and a few underdeveloped secondary characters. Additionally, some readers may find the themes of gender and power overwhelming or triggering, as the novel does not shy away from depicting violence and oppression.
Overall, Iron Widow is a gripping and thought-provoking read that will engage fans of sci-fi, dystopian, and feminist literature. Zhao’s writing is stylish and sophisticated, and her grasp of complex themes is impressive.
While it may not be perfect, Iron Widow is a novel that will certainly leave a lasting impact on its readers. Therefore, I highly recommend Iron Widow to all readers who enjoy stories that challenge the status quo, and who are interested in exploring themes of gender and power in a unique and engaging way.
It’s a novel that deserves all the praise it has received and more, and is a stellar addition to the field of feminist science fiction. Rating: 4/5.
