Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao is a powerhouse of a book. It’s feminist. It’s angry. It’s bold. And I loved every moment of it.
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.
Wu Zetian, based on China’s only female emperor, is the narrator for this novel. She was born and raised to be sacrificed as a concubine-pilot. She is viscous and not afraid to do what needs to be done. Throughout the entire novel, you find yourself feeling the exact same emotions as Zetian. Her rage at the system that slaughters girls yet holds men as heroes is truly understandable. And the fact that so many of the misogynistic things in this novel happened - and happens - in real life his horrifying.
If I had my way, I’d exist like that butterfly, giving onlookers no easy way to bind me with a simple label.
This novel takes your expectations and turns them on their head. The fact that what easily could have been a standard love triangle became a poly ship is truly exceptional. I hope this novel opens the door for poly ships in future YA novels! It was powerful and brought me so much joy that the three of them were made stronger together. A triangle, the strongest shape.
You’re not something to be kept or taken, and love isn’t some scarce resource to battle over. Love can be infinite, as much as your heart can open.
From start to finish, Iron Widow is an incredible ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat. All I can say is that book 2 cannot come soon enough!