Iron Widow: Volume 1

Xiran Jay Zhao

Sep 2021 · Iron Widow Book 1 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

An instant #1 New York Times bestseller!
A USA Today bestseller!

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.

Ratings and reviews

This book really blew me away. Inspired by a mecha anime but taken to a whole new level, it's refreshingly original in its portrayal of characters, their relationships, and their strength. Loved how OP and relatable the heroine is, and was swept away by the insight into the society she lives in. Can't wait to see how she will change it. Surprisingly enjoyed reading the "Acknowledgements" section at the end, too. It was so personable, and was great to learn about the book's influences and supporters.

A very angry and vengeful book. Full of emotions and twists. A main character who sees the world in black and white, then begins to learn about the gray. Different kinds of strengths and weaknesses, different kinds of people. If you're here to completely relate to a character in goals, political ideals, and actions, you won't find that. If you can't read books with main characters who aren't upstanding members of society, you won't enjoy the book. A fun read/listen that kept me awake on a cross country drive. Waiting for the next one!

Not sure why it's rated so high. World building starts out interesting and then just becomes a device to advance the Mc. Speaking of main character, thought the story they become more and more unlikable, culminating at the end when they are pretty much the villain. This is brushing over the part where they just randomly grow exponentially in power, just because? Because they needed to be stronger. I guess they just had to believe. At least it was a light read...

About the author

XIRAN JAY ZHAO is a first-gen immigrant from small-town China who was raised by the Internet​. A recent graduate of Vancouver’s Simon Fraser University, they wrote science fiction and fantasy while they probably should have been studying more about biochemical pathways. You can find them on Twitter for memes, Instagram for cosplays and fancy outfits, and YouTube for long videos about Chinese history and culture. Iron Widow is their first novel.