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Xiran Jay Zhao

Iron Widow Kindle Edition

by Xiran Jay Zhao (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

2,564 ratings

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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.

Print length

399 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Penguin Teen
Publication date

Sept. 21 2021
Reading age

14 years and up
File size

15470 KB
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Product description

Review

Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller!

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.

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. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

From the Publisher

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08RHFDDD5
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Teen (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: #10,008 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #27 in Young Adult Fiction on Girls' & Women's Issues
- #61 in Science Fiction for Young Adults
- #10,008 in Kindle eBooks

Customer Reviews:
2,564 ratings

About the author

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Xiran Jay Zhao

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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

5 star		77%
4 star		17%
3 star		4%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from Canada

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Samantha

I've never read anything like this

Reviewed in Canada on February 15, 2022

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I just finished "Iron Widow" this morning and I can't stop thinking about it. It was so bold, so refreshing and horrifying all at once. I can't remember the last time I was so hooked on a novel and had to physically stop myself from reading the whole thing in one sitting. This is the kind of book where I stop and go: "Where has this been all my life??" Apart from the fictional world feeling so real and vivid, I loved how the author cleverly and fluidly addressed elements of social justice without sacrificing any of the overall story. Zetian is a fierce, flawed and unbelievably strong female protagonist; the kind I wish I had in my books when I was younger. I think my only complaint with the novel is that I think it's just a little TOO intense for YA readers, but that's just my opinion. I also didn't like how the blurb on the inside of the jacket cover reveals a major spoiler in the first half of the story. If you decide to read "Iron Widow" (and you should!) my one suggestion would be DO NOT read the inside of the jacket cover if you want to avoid all spoilers. Overall, a flipping incredible read! I sure hope a sequel is on the way!

One person found this helpful

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The Author

This is an excellent novel, nuanced, fast-paced, and well-written.

Reviewed in Canada on April 15, 2022

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I am reading this book as part of my PhD dissertation. It is excellent. It drives directly toward several issues and presents a gendered and racialized world with particular nuance. The protagonist is angry and well written. If you are a fan of righteous anger, then you will likely be sold on this text within the first few pages. There are some classic tropes of YA fantasy -- entanglements of love -- and the setting is something I think of as sci-fantasy, but it might be argued that its just straight up sci-fi. Also, there are awesome mechas that fight kaiju and are powered by Qi, so that's cool as hell. A fun, fast, and nuanced text.

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Christine

Fast paced but still enjoyable

Reviewed in Canada on October 22, 2021

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Honestly it is a fun read and taking historical figures into account made it even more enjoyable for those who enjoy a bit of history.

Also to those who read this please after finishing do not ignore the epilogue, that is quite enjoyable.

One person found this helpful

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Cheyenne

What a ride!

Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2022

Verified Purchase

The word to describe this book is definitely “rage”. The story is amazingly well done and portrayed so well that I could visualize what was going on almost as if I was watching an anime. I would certainly love to see Iron Widow turned into an animated movie, especially because the special effects would be able to bring the Chrysalises to life so well.

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!

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Ambes

Dang!

Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2022

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So I almost never write reviews. But this book needs it. I am not normally into a super feminist story line. Usually they are not actually feminist, but are instead man hating. This book balances that rage that most, if not all women feel with respecting and being respected by those people who deserve it. It is a deep, often dark journey into the depths of where that rage comes from, that I genuinely do not know if it could have been portrayed by a better culture to bring meaning the the phrase "beauty is pain". This is a journey of shedding the expectations that have been ground into you by society, loving those who have earned your respect, and making the world tremble with who you have become. With it I learned a HUGE amount about Chinese culture that really emphasizes the gem this book is. The author paces her descriptions so you are rarely underwhelmed, or overwhelmed with details. Occasionally, things are forced the speed up and skip important parts, likely due to it being technically being a young adult novel, and keeping the page numbers in check. I have read ...a lot of books. Literally hundreds. And this is easily the best I have read in a very long time. I put the writing on par with early Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffery, Terry Brooks, and others of similar caliber. The authors who aren't afraid the write about the dark side of humanity, the realities that happen right in front of our noses. I will be watching this author, and I look forward to reading what she has to bring for years to come.

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Kittycat

Fantastic Read

Reviewed in Canada on January 2, 2022

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Read the book on Kindle alongside listening to the Audiobook. A spectacular read with nearly non-stop action. Highly recommend, it will not disappoint.

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Jay Gordon

Great read! Recommend 10/10

Reviewed in Canada on November 25, 2021

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Some parts felt a little rushed but other than that I couldn’t put it down! Amazing read and FANTASTIC first novel!

One person found this helpful

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Katianna

Amazing.. simply amazing

Reviewed in Canada on May 4, 2022

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I cannot praise this book enough for the innovative ideas to the exploration of often taboo themes and cultural suffering. Truly a one of a kind book filed with excitement and deeper meaning than initially apparent. A must read for sure. I cannot wait for the sequel!

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Top reviews from other countries

Manda Scott

Glorious, powerful, beautiful, inspiring

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 1, 2021

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This is girl power taken to new heights - everything you ever wanted a powerful woman to do, and more - resisting all the tropes that have ever been said to lay women low. It’s got polyamory, bisexuality, a gay, straight triangle…. And a woman feeling her own power and not afraid to use it. The world building and plot are beautifully delivered and the language is truly outstanding - I downloaded this moths ago and decided it was ‘too worthy’ to read which was a huge mistake. I’ve just stayed up way beyond sane bed time to finish it. Well, well worth a read.

5 people found this helpful

Kindle Customer

Amazing!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2021

Verified Purchase

Holy mother of swear words! This book was absolutely jaw dropping in it's scope and intensity. I absolutely loved it. Can't say enough good things about. The love trinity/triangle thingy isn't weird and it isn't forced. It's sweet and natural and really well written and not in any way x-rated. The 3 main characters are fairly well written with interesting personalities but I do wosh ee could get more to the meat of their backgrounds. Really loved it.

5 people found this helpful

Amy McBride

This is so messed up I love it the most

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 16, 2021

Verified Purchase

I have read over 68 books this year per my kindle reading stats and until this book I didn't feel compelled to underline or highlight more than a single sentence in any of them. I've highlighted so much of this book. I couldn't put this down and read it in one sitting.

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.

3 people found this helpful

Lucy Cooper

Amazing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2022

Verified Purchase

I had no idea what to expect when diving into this. I don't usually read Sci-Fi but I was hooked once it got going. The writing was very different from what is typical of YA and I loved that the author was like Zetian in doing things different. This book has the weirdest opening line I have ever read. And now I need book 2!

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.

Lynk

Amazing world building, action-fantasy!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2021

Verified Purchase

I hadn’t read a book in many years and so this is the first one to get back into reading and, might I say, was a great choice and great read!

I love the world building, the characters, the plot and how you are gets so attached to this world like as though you are a part of it.

The only things I would say I have an issue with was, I personally has a love/hate relationship with the main character, Wu Zetian. Sometimes I liked her sometimes I didn’t. I don’t know if the author wanted us to hate her at times for the decisions she’s makes. But I know for a fact I loved the side characters a lot (Yizhi & Shimin)

The other thing is, that I felt that the relationships were rushed and the ending was a bit rushed as well. I think because a lot of the book was about world building, the author could used some of those parts to develop the relationships more.

The ending was very interesting. There should definitely have a sequel to this book as the ending was open. So we’ll see.
If they do make a sequel, I’m definitely reading it!

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Iron Widow Kindle Edition

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Xiran Jay Zhao

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