Iron Widow

Books | Young Adult Fiction / Science Fiction / General

4.3

(7.7K)

Xiran Jay Zhao

An instant #1 New York Times 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.

Science Fiction

Fantasy

Lgbtq+

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More Details:

Author

Xiran Jay Zhao

Pages

400

Publisher

National Geographic Books

Published Date

2021-09-21

ISBN

0735269939 9780735269934

Community ReviewsSee all

"unsure why likewise unliked this for me, but remedying that now"

Marsh

"Wonderful details and storyline… just hate the cliffhanger lol"

Jinx

"4 - Intense but Intriguing<br/><br/>full rtc, but thought it was generally a good read, except for the confusing mess the last few chapters were. major trigger warnings!!! mixed feelings but I liked how the characters knew they made choices and weren't really romanticized"

haven

" There is NOTHING you can do to convince me that Xiran Jay Zhao is not just going places but sprinting there. This book is not perfect but gosh it kept me hooked. Finally a badass MC who is going against the grain and facing real consequences for their actions! And relationships that are built on communication, trust, and acceptance!? I just want to keep talking this book up, so instead I'll just remind you all that a triangle is the strongest shape ;)"

Lize

"Just an interesting book all the way around, just so good!"

Jonathan Kent

"SO GOOD! It's official I love rage against the machine (or well everyone) female characters. Can't wait to continue this story!"

Maya

"3.75"

Z G

Zariah Grant

"This was very very different, in a good way. I really liked the characters and they story line. "

Rylee Elyse

"WHAT??? A.. STORY! You ever experience something that gives you the urge, desire, and make believe that you can wrestle a bear? Because this is how I feel right now. First of all the pacific rim/handmaids tale reference, 💯 true and I loved it because I love Pacific Rim. Giant machinery being controlled by humanity for protection, sign me up, sans the whole life source depletion for some boy toy compensation. The feminine womanly rage, I 👏🏻 AM 👏🏻 HERE 👏🏻 FOR 👏🏻 IT XIRAN! I loved everything about Zetian and her will and determination to go out with a bang and take a crappy societal system down with her. The IMMENSE sacrifices that she has to make over and over feel so outrageous that I couldn’t believe things could get worse and then they would. Yet the Iron Triangle is strong, IYKYK, so I remain hopeful. I absolutely loved this, this is my first Xiran Jay Zhao but it certainly won’t be my last, I am eagerly waiting for the sequel to this epic tale. The plot twist in the end, WORTH EVERYTHING. I came for the cover, and stayed for the utter most gut wrenching badass tale of an empress in the making. I am giddy for the second one folks, I can’t recommend this story enough. Happy reading, especially if you’re a misogynistic man who can’t see the absolute value in a woman and her freedom, pick up this book and read something of actual value. "

Soni C.

"Best book of 2021 l, period. The setting (chinese scifi with mecha) is a great device to have a deeper meaning behind the struggle of the main character. She's a badass disabled vengeful women and I love her. I also like what was done to throw the cliché love triangle upside down. I tabbed so many quotes, and I usually don't, like at all. It's a masterpiece"