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![Iron Widow by [Xiran Jay Zhao]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bd867LaVL._SY346_.jpg)
Iron Widow Kindle Edition
Xiran Jay Zhao (Author) Find all the books, read about the author and more. See search results for this author |
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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.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPenguin Teen Canada
- Publication dateSept. 21 2021
- Reading age14 years and up
- File size15470 KB
Product description
About the Author
Review
An Amazon Editors’ Pick for Best Young Adult
An Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Science Fiction and Fantasy
An Indigo #1 Teen Book of the Year
A Barnes & Noble's Best YA Fantasy & Adventure of 2021
A 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee, Best Young Adult & Science Fiction
"The action-packed plot, involving battles both physical and mental, is original and incorporates queer themes and Zetian’s unwavering, cathartic feminism." —Kirkus Reviews
"[This] duology opener will appeal to those seeking high-energy, feminist, queer narratives." —Publishers Weekly
"[An] incredible novel, fun and exciting, sometimes horrible to read, but in all the ways that make you fall in love with a character." —Tor Online
"Iron Widow is an exciting, action-packed sci-fi story and a scathing indictment ofpatriarchal culture." —Shelf Awareness
"Like its ferocious heroine, Iron Widow is brutal, bloodthirsty, and full of rage. Zetian's fight to shatter patriarchal definitions of power makes for a truly thrilling read." —Julie C. Dao, author of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns
"A primal scream of a book, Iron Widow delivers on all that fury and more, combining meticulous pacing and brilliant world building to make a truly epic read."—E.K. Johnston, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Aetherbound
"Zetian is the take-no-prisoners heroine you’ll love to cheer on as she crushes everyone who tries to bring her down." —Rebecca Schaeffer, author of Not Even Bones
"A bold and brash story that will grab you by the throat from page one. Zhao expertly weaves a story that polishes off classic sci-fi themes and re-imagines them in a lush futuristic world inspired by Ancient China. With an unapologetic heroine who pushes so far beyond the boundaries of expectations, the reader will go on a journey of twists and turns that will make them gasp with each page turn. Thrilling, heart-wrenching, and epic!” —Kat Cho, internationally bestselling author of Vicious Spirits
"In Iron Widow, Zhao crafts a thrilling, brutal tale with jaw-dropping action and a fierce and unyielding heroine. Zetian is unstoppable, and I dare you not to cheer her on." —Elizabeth Lim, bestselling author of Spin the Dawn
"Iron Widow is a gut punch from the very first pages. The action is riveting. The story relentless. The heroine ruthless and unapologetic. Zetian is here to set the world on fire, and her pursuit of vengeance is thrilling and empowering to behold. Sit back and enjoy the show—and stay the hell out of her way." —Nicki Pau Preto, author of Crown of Feathers
"A searing, cinematic, gut-punch of a tale, Iron Widow is both wickedly fun and brutally incisive when it comes to the Chinese history and culture it draws inspiration from. There’s no resisting Wu Zetian; once she sinks her claws in you, you’ll be racing alongside her to a shocking, subversive end." —Joan He, New York Times–bestselling author of The Ones We're Meant to Find
"Absolutely epic. This is the historical-inspired, futuristic sci-fi mash-up of my wildest dreams. Iron Widow charges headfirst into a world of giant mechas and uncompromising characters. The brutal beauty of Xiran Jay Zhao’s writing kept me glued to the page from start to finish." —Chloe Gong, New York Times–bestselling author of These Violent Delights --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
Product details
- ASIN : B08RHFDDD5
- Publisher : Penguin Teen Canada (Sept. 21 2021)
- Language : English
- File size : 15470 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Not Enabled
- Print length : 399 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #20,937 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #56 in Young Adult Fiction on Girls' & Women's Issues
- #124 in Science Fiction for Young Adults
- #20,937 in Kindle eBooks
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Xiran Jay Zhao is a first generation immigrant to Canada from small town China (which, for China, means a town of 4 million people). A recent graduate from Vancouver’s Simon Fraser University, they wrote sci-fi and fantasy books while they probably should’ve been studying more biochemical pathways. They are in a cow suit because they made a promise to their friends 7 years ago that they would take their author photo in it if they actually got published, and they are not going back on that promise. You can find them on Twitter for daily shitposts, Instagram for cosplays and very Extra outfits, and YouTube for videos about Chinese history and culture.
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Customer reviews

Reviewed in Canada on September 25, 2021
Top reviews from Canada
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HOLY GOOD LORD I did not see that end coming, at all, but wow I need the next book.
"Sorry,” I say, cold as Big Sister’s ashes. “You’re in my way.”
Yes Empress, show them who’s boss 💃
So I feel bad for the Hunduns now, like they were just living their lives and bam…invaded
We need a a face-to-fist meeting with the Sages in the next book
Shimin ❤️
I love that he wears glasses and Zetian was like: wait, all that scowling was squinting?? 😂😂 As a glasses-wearer myself, I love when characters wear them too
Also to those who read this please after finishing do not ignore the epilogue, that is quite enjoyable.
The story gripped me from the first page. I immediately liked all the characters, but especially Shimin. I gasped out loud several times and enjoyed how the writing was so unapologetic about the material it covered. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
The heroine is fierce and unapologetic, the hero’s are damaged and strong, the story is inspiring.
I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Read it, you’ll love it!
Top reviews from other countries



Mx Zhao has a beautiful writing style. All their characters feel like full people. Zetian's inner struggle and cruel decisions are wonderfully detailed. She's a full person from her first line and unlike other protagonists I've read who are described as cruel or cold, she actually does do borderline unforgivable things.
The world building is excellent, it really is. Huaxia is honestly the best dystopia I've encountered. Each level of cruelty (and there are many) makes sense within the systems that govern it.
I don't want to spoil the plot more than the summary but I do want to say that I'm emotionally devastated and very impatient for the next book. I'm actually very upset and I cannot wait to cry more in the next book.

Zetian was very unhinged and she slightly scared me at points. Her character development was really intriguing, but she was such a strong character. I was fascinated that she had the lotus foot binding, I've never read that kind of representation before. I loved Yizhi and especially Shimin! From the minute we met Shimin I loved him, just wanted to give him a cuddle. The polyam representation is something I've also not read before but seeing it was really intriguing.
Some negatives were that some things weren't explained properly. I had no idea what the Chrysalises are or the Hunduns, and I still have almost no idea. It also would have benefitted from a pronunciation guide sometimes.
Overall, I really recommend this book. If you like unhinged women and awesome fight scenes. This book was incredible and I cried at two in the morning (thanks). Five stars.
