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Iron Widow
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
128 posts | 104 read | 2 reading | 62 to read
Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers. The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It doesn't matter that the girls often die from the mental strain. When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected--she kills him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is labeled an Iron Widow, a much-feared and much-silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead.? To tame her unnerving yet invaluable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot in Huaxia?. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so easily. She will miss no opportunity to leverage their combined might and infamy to survive attempt after attempt on her life, until she can figure out exactly why the pilot system works in its misogynist way--and stop more girls from being sacrificed.
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5feet.of.fury
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

I didn‘t 1000% follow the action but loved the message. Wu Zetian is such a badass, she enlists as a concubine not to save her family but for revenge &is resigned to.. even welcomes her impending doom. She is paired with Li Shimin &he‘s got issues but they have chemistry &then a boy from her past shows up & it could have become very predictable ..but it didn‘t.
Set in futuristic alternate medieval China. The audiobook narrator was fantastic!

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RedCurly
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Panpan

I really REALLY wanted to like this book and for the first 100-150 pages I did. And I know so many people love this novel. But it was somehow over compleceted yet not so detailed. The smaller twist has no indroduction and it's like 5 pages. Zetain is not so likable for me. It so black and white and I would not call this feminism. And don't know if I will read the second part.

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ReadWithHannah
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I really loved this book! I loved the Japanese aspects, the protagonists‘ thoughts and actions. I didn‘t like the love triangle particularly but I liked the outcome of it as it fit the feminist, free-living theme. I didn‘t fully understand everything that happened during the battle scenes but got the general gist.

I haven‘t read a fantasy book that I enjoyed this much in a while. I look forward to the sequel!

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ReadWithHannah
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Started a new book today that has been on my TBR list since last Christmas. I have high hopes!

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SincerelyWinona
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
This post contains spoilers
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“Perks of refusing to play by the rules: you don‘t have to choose between the boy who‘d torture a man to death with you and the boy who‘d welcome you back with pastries after.”

📷: Gabrielle Ragusi
📷: 辞客ck on Weibo

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ItsAnotherJen
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Mehso-so

Violent, confusing, powerful, and creative. I don't really know what to think about this book. I really liked parts of it. Other parts I really didn't like. The little bit of romance thrown in was not enough, and seemed almost disjointed. Something didn't flow correctly throughout. The ending threw everything off. Then again, nothing about this world was making sense. So it didn't really surprise me. I kind of want to know what happens next.

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SincerelyWinona
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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“What is it about gender that matters so much to the system anyway?”

…I‘m barely 30min into the audiobook and I‘m hooked.

This novel feels like a cool drink of water after abandoning Geek Love by Katherine Dunn. I kept listening to Dunn‘s novel thinking it would get better, and I only got more and more uncomfortable.

Hearing the way the authors speak to gender from different genres decades apart is soothing and incredible to witness.

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Airykah13
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this one for the most part but the battle scenes had me confused. The last 25% of the book really had me hooked and now I‘ll have to wait til next year for the next book.

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Awk_Word_Smith
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

An immensely powerful and enjoyable read. An amalgamation of Chinese history and culture, and mecha and science fiction, set in the near future, this YA novel hits on some very adult themes: misogyny, cultural norms, rape, suicide ideation, murder, revenge and the list of trigger warnings goes on. But while these themes are brutal and triggering Xiran Jay Zhao crafted the story in such a way that it drives the plot and pulls the reader along.

Awk_Word_Smith The plot is set against a world built upon and designed to be misogynistic. The MCs — Wu Zetian, Li Shimin, and Gao Yizhi — are all trapped in varying degrees of this misogynistic world. Zetian‘s sister is killed and her revenge story propels the entire series of events. Shimin endures racism despite being Huaxia‘s most powerful defense against the alien Hunduns. Yizhi is rich but as the fifth son holds very little station within society. 8mo
Awk_Word_Smith As if their individual struggles set against the survival of the human race was not compelling enough, Zhao tosses in a 180° WTH ending that not only leaves the reader second-guessing how they saw this world but perfectly sets up a sequel book that keeps the characters clawing for survival while simultaneously trying to dismantle the patriarchy. ALL. THE. STARS. 8mo
19 likes2 comments
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Awk_Word_Smith
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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April?!?! I have to wait 9 months for the follow up book? Sonuva.

wanderinglynn Be glad it‘s only 9 months. I‘ve been waiting 12 years for the third book of Pat Rothfuss‘s Kingkiller Chronicles 😆 8mo
Blerdgal_Fenix I really enjoyed this book!! 8mo
Awk_Word_Smith @wanderinglynn My condolences. And the GoT fans may never see the next book! 8mo
24 likes4 comments
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SanjanaGhosh
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Panpan

How to make the most out of Mumbai monsoon traffic!

Also this book was so bad, it gave me a headache!

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Awk_Word_Smith
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Young Adult books feel more grownup these days. But I‘ve been repeating this since ‘Hunger Games‘ series was released as an Americanized version of the Japanese action-thriller film ‘Battle Royale‘ (バトル・ロワイアル). But I LOVE Xiran Jay Zhao‘s amalgamation of Chinese mythology, history, cultural norms to create a lush near sci-if future. Their storytelling prowess keeps the action moving rapidly while also giving nuance and depth to their characters.

Awk_Word_Smith FYI: The book does start with a trigger warning. Please know that this book is not for everyone. 10mo
17 likes1 comment
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K.Wielechowski
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

Pacific Rim meets Hunger Games and Handmaid‘s Tale set in a post-apocalyptic world based on historic China. That sounds like a lot, but it blends so well together that it works.
Zetian was such a good main character. She was allowed to be unapologetically vicious when she needed to be without being forced into a softer role by those around her.

18 likes1 stack add
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Whollybologna
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

Oh. My. Gosh. Hearing how the author‘s publisher gave them a bum deal I‘m glad I invested the time and energy because this book was fantastic! Going into it I had little knowledge as to what it was about aside from the glorious cover art but I‘m so glad I took the time to read it. The characters are energetic and charismatic and the plot rings like Wendy Wu homecoming warrior meets power rangers meets a twilight zone episode. It was glorious!

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Whollybologna
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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After finishing iron widow (which was magnificent and I can‘t wait to review it) I can‘t wait to read the next one! #thingsincommon Those who have read it, how do I move on from that?!

Clwojick Woohooo! Glad you loved it! 🔥🔥🔥 11mo
4 likes1 comment
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BookmarkTavern
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Mehso-so

Giant robots. Giant monsters. A society built on the subjugation of women. And Wu Zetian is going to burn it all to the ground.

A fun take on a historical Chinese figure, with an intriguing sci-fi setting & epic battles. But too fast paced. I didn‘t feel like there was time to breathe, and it felt like nothing (character development, relationships, world building) got the time it deserved. And the ending felt rushed & like sequel bait. 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

BookmarkTavern Third read for the #TransRightsReadathon, #LGBTQbookbingo @Kenyazero Bi/m-spec rep CW 👇🏻 12mo
BookmarkTavern Chapter 37 graphic torture 12mo
70 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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dylanisreading
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

First book for #transrightsreadathon finished. Incredible read. 4 stars.

TheBookHippie Love the cover! 12mo
71 likes1 comment
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KristiAhlers
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

Honestly Sci-fi books simply aren't my go to when I sit down to read. I decided to give this one a shot based on a co-works relentless pursuit that I give it a go. I'm happy to say this was a very entertaining read and I enjoyed the world building and characters. There were at times areas I didn't think were 100% necessary for the storytelling but otherwise it was a solid and creative read.

melzen I‘ve meant to read this for so long but something is intimidating me to pick this book up 12mo
KristiAhlers @melzen I felt that way too to be honest but I was glad I took a chance on it. 12mo
melzen @KristiAhlers yeah, i get that. i'll see when i pick this up. havenät been a big reading mood 12mo
51 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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LittlebearReads
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
Pickpick

I‘ve got lots of thoughts, but here are the main ones:
1) The writing style ain‘t all that, but the storyline is neat enough to outweigh that shortfall 2) Okay, TV-show Daenerys 3) Zetian could be fleshed out in more ways than “Hates the system. Has real gross feet. Lives for vengeance.” Overall I give this a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️ though and would recommend it to lovers of big ol‘ bots and powerful gals!

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LittlebearReads
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Just had the inaugural read in my very own craft/reading room, and boy was the hard renovation work worth it!

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Valhalla
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Chrissyreadit Is that your image? So pretty!!! 13mo
Valhalla I like to color pictures I think will represent the book 13mo
6 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Dreklogar
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao

How do you take the fight out of half the population and render them willing slaves? You tell them they're meant to do nothing but serve from the minute they're born. You tell them they're weak. You tell them they're prey.

You tell them over and over, until it's the only truth they're capable of living.

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PuddleJumper
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

Such a great book! I loved that the futuristic technology was combined with ancient Chinese medicine. The society had historical elements woven in that felt natural and plausible.

I really liked having a MC that was willing to burn the world to uncover the truth and get what she wanted.

Liatrek Can‘t wait to read this one! Love the cover ❤️ 1y
PuddleJumper January #roll100 pick 1y
See All 6 Comments
PuddleJumper #bookchain Started with the letter after l first letter of last book @TheAromaofBooks 1y
Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 I love this cover. 1y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1y
43 likes1 stack add6 comments
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AbigailJaneBlog
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Starting this today for #AuldLangSpine . I thought it would take me a while to get into, but the prologue has me hooked straight away! @wideeyedreader @monalyisha

wideeyedreader I hope you love it!!! 1y
AbigailJaneBlog @wideeyedreader I'm half way through - can't put it down! 1y
wideeyedreader @AbigailJaneBlog wow, you‘re speedy! 1y
AbigailJaneBlog @wideeyedreader I finished it last night and couldn't stop thinking about it! Thanks for the amazing recommendation 🥰 1y
wideeyedreader @AbigailJaneBlog you‘re welcome!! I‘m so glad you loved it!! 1y
47 likes5 comments
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silentrequiem
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

Finished Iron Widow last night and loved it! Can't wait to read the sequel!

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BriannaT
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

I will admit that it took me a hot minute to understand how chrysalises and qi work, but this book has an actual love triangle and feeds my feminine rage! It‘s vicious and deservedly so - Zetian will take down anyone and everyone to avenge her murdered sister and to fight all of society, which treats women as second class citizens (shocking!). It had an anger I could feel in my bones. I can‘t wait to see what she does next in the sequel.

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thewallflower0707
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Panpan

Ugh. This book wanted to be the next Poppy War & Rin so bad. BUT GUESS WHAT. The world building is non-existent and nothing was ever explained. I had no idea what was going on 80% of the time, and at some point (around page 150) I stopped caring.

#IronWidow #fantasy #youngadult

ferskner I thought this one started out really strong and then just totally fizzled. It's too bad! 1y
20 likes1 comment
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sebrittainclark
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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I completed all my #bookspin and #doublebookspin reads this year! I love how completable this challenge is for me, and it really encourages me to read the books I already own. I look forward to participating again in 2023.

Thanks @TheAromaofBooks for hosting!

AmyG I love this one, too. 1y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! Fabulous year!!! So glad that this challenge is working for you! ❤ 1y
b.elschie I want to read the Ali Hazelwood books! //not a huge 'romance' book person but I'm trying to spread my wings. 1y
42 likes3 comments
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SpeculativeFemale
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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I'm hoping to have time to post more after the holidays, since I fell of the radar again for a bit there.

In the meantime, here's a quick pic of a stack of book gifts I just finished wrapping!

I also have a question for you all: what is on the top of your book wish list for the holiday season? (Mine is tagged above!)

29 likes1 comment
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LibraryFairy
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Mehso-so

Okay. Not super sure how I feel about this one. I liked the story. Kinda. Still not entirely sure with this one. The characters were okay but the average for this is seriously brought down by the fact that I hated the main character. The side characters? Actually pretty good. Overall, not a bad book, just not what I was hoping for.

Happy holidays everyone!

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PageShifter
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Panpan

Zetian was too superhuman and that didn't feel really likable. I liked how strong she was but I just prefer imperfection.

I loved how sick the society was but the worldbuilding was almost non-existent. Battle scenes weren't really great and there were so many of them.

The beginning was intriguing and the last page was good.

#SeriesRead2022

TheSpineView Awesome 1y
22 likes1 comment
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PageShifter
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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PageShifter
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao

“When you cherish someone for how amazing they are, you don‘t pluck them from their roots just to watch them wither in your hands. You help them bloom into the incredible thing they‘re really meant to be.”

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majkia
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao

This one blew me away. Great book. Can't wait for the next one.

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TheBookKeepers
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

I loved this book!! It reminded me of Transformers but in the best possible way 😂 the main character Zetian was unapologetically herself and set fully on revenge. Paired with a fierce prisoner, Shishin, (aka my new book boyfriend) she is determined to survive a world designed to kill her. The ending was pretty epic and I‘m looking forward to the next book!

59 likes2 stack adds
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rachelsbrittain
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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I am so unbelievably excited about this news!

https://www.tor.com/2022/09/22/xiran-jay-zhao-iron-widow-movie/

Soubhiville Oh yeah! It‘s got great potential, hopefully they stay true to the story and characters with it. 2y
kaysworld1 I follow this author on Instagram. 2y
43 likes2 comments
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dylanisreading
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Starting this today. I finished Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram earlier. It was a nice escape. I also started Stephen Graham-Jones' latest audio only release but wasn't feeling it. I've been reading a lot, but a lot of it has been a really long, amazing fanfic. 🤣

thegirlwiththelibrarybag There is something very appealing about long fanfics 2y
Eyelit Same for me on the fanfic! 😃 2y
dylanisreading @thegirlwiththelibrarybag @Eyelit I'm glad I'm not the only one! 2y
54 likes3 comments
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abostwick24
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

This was everything I have ever wanted in a sci-fi fantasy novel! The plot kept me on my toes with all of its twists and turns. The message of women‘s empowerment was so well written. And the characters! Oh man, the character development was SPOT ON and beautifully done. I wish I hadn‘t read this book so quickly because I enjoyed every second of it. I will probably reread later this year.
My Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

booklover3258 Just waiting for the sequel to come out... sigh... 2y
abostwick24 2023 is just too far away! 2y
3 likes2 comments
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NomNoms
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Mehso-so

Iron Widow started off smart, intelligent, and exciting. It hit some strong topics about gender inequality and discussed the true differences about gender roles in a futuristic, yet ancient Chinese society.

However, while it started off strong, it didn't finish that way. The book meanders off into too many topics including polygamy, corruption, love, drug abuse, and independence. Ultimately never addressing any of the topics at all

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Imogen_Price
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
Mehso-so

The concept of this book was very exciting, modern sci-fi based upon historic China. I had high hopes. Queer and polyamorous relationships being represented in this story was the reason I stuck it out to the end. The plot twist gives me hope that a sequel may be more enjoyable. Unfortunately, the execution was fairly poor. Even for YA the writing was poor. The feminism was also obvious and ham-fisted.

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Kenyazero
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

This was intense and awesome! I loved seeing historic China reimagined in a sci-fi context with epic mechs. The characters are strong, as are their motives, and the world building is vivid. I also love that everything I wanted or predicted happened, from relationship development to two major twists toward the end. #LGBTQIA #Chinese #SciFi #Mech

13 likes1 stack add
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roronoazoro
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
Pickpick

I loved the fact that the plot seemed really obvious and typical, but then there was always a little plot twist and suddenly you had no idea what was going on.
Definitely worth reading.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4613070629

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vlwelser
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

This is great. The audiobook is fab. If you're into fantasy, definitely read this one.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
36 likes1 comment
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BC_Dittemore
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Mehso-so

Iron Widow certainly has an agenda, which I don‘t mind, but there are times when it does feel like Xiran Jay Zhao is pummeling their readers. Granted, I am also not Iron Widow‘s target audience, so there‘s that. There are some very fine moments of prose and a lot of great action scenes. The love story didn‘t bother me at all. There was enough in the story to keep me invested. I think it‘s worth reading and I am looking forward to the next entry.

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lissafraser
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
Mehso-so

So this book was interesting... I feel like I am totally lost though. I have to admit that I don't know a lot about Asian mythology. This book seemed like a strange mix of mythology and science fiction! I will definitely read the sequel to find out what happens. But the book was not one of my favorites.

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Blerdgal_Fenix
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pickpick

This book is 8.5/10 — I would have liked more battles, throuple could have been flushed out better, book was left on a cliffhanger, and little more detailed world building. I would recommend this book. Great long weekend read. I really enjoyed this book. #libby #aapi #lgbtq #poc #woc #china #ironprincess

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Blerdgal_Fenix
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
This post contains spoilers
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This book is a cross between pacific rim (movie)/hunger games/ with Chinese historical influences. I think this book could have become a series. A lot of people associate this book with handmaidens tale references, I would have to disagree. If you know anything about Chinese history and the gender inequalities during certain dynastys that would make more sense with hunger games and pacific rim sprinkled in there.

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Blerdgal_Fenix
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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I was at a car show and brought my book. I sat down and read while people walked around. Weather was nice but this pic reminds me of this book. I will say this is a page turner. There are very few slow parts. Gets to the point and the action. #woc #battleready #pilot #poc #aapi #boundfeet

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Blerdgal_Fenix
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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I started this book — Umm we started off rough 🥺 this book will not be easy #poc #woc #boundfeet #fight #figtlikeagirl