I really enjoyed this book! The author has described it as "Pacific Rim meets A Handmaid's Tale," and they're correct. I'd also describe this as a "catharsis trip," as opposed to a "power trip." And the imagery is excellent!

The world of Iron Widow was really interesting and I loved the main characters. It does a good job tackling serious topics without it feeling completely depressing. I think there are a lot of important themes and messages throughout the book, and I appreciate that it doesn't shy away from them. It was also just a really fun read! I think it's a great pick for younger readers. 

My only complaint was that some of the writing/dialogue felt a little too simple or on the nose. But I fully acknowledge that this is probably because I am not the intended age demographic for this book. Also, our protagonist is young, so it makes total sense why some of her lines would feel a little over the top. I could see myself being super into it if I read this during my teens. 

Overall, it was still a super fun read, and I would definitely recommend.  (✿◠‿◠) 

A million stars if I could!! This books was so fricking good. I’m glad I waited for book two to be out because the ending is a huge cliff hanger.
Any potential reservations or questions I had about the plot/world building were answered by…not directly being answered. Basically, it’s ok to not know because it turns out our MCs don’t really know anything either. And I’m ok for going along with the ride in book two. The fast pace of the story kept me from looking too closely at anything that could have derailed be early on, so I appreciate that tactic.
Feminine and queer rage combine to create a fire no one can dampen. I am obsessed and I cannot wait to read more.

How I rate books: 1-2  ★ : Bad... really bad. 3 ★ : If you'r into this kind of book it's good.
4 ★ : Good! 5 ★ : Goddamn good!!!

Ein wirklich sehr gutes Buch.
Zhao entführt in eine bunte und detailreiche Welt und konfrontiert einen so mit Gefühlen, wie man es selten ließt: von Rache und Wut, von Liebe und Vergebung. Ein zorniger Aufschrei gegen das Patriachat, bei dem man bis zum Ende hin mitfiebert.
Das Ende des Buche fand ich persönlich etwas zu schnell, aber das ist nur mein eigener Geschmack. Rund um ein echtes Meisterwerk.
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A really really good book.
Zhao thrusts you into a colourfull and detailed world and confronts you with emotions in a way you rarely read: about rage and fury, love and forgiveness. An angry warcry against the patriarchy, that has you on the edge till the end.
Personally I found the end of the book to be a bit too quick, but that's just personal taste. All in all a true masterwork.

Finally giving a rating and writing a review after my first re-read, in preparation for the sequel. Wu Zetian is unlike any female protagonist I've ever seen, and one that the YA genre absolutely needs (though, I feel like this book should be classified as New Adult... I won't get into that). She's determined, angry, and vengeful. What I love most about her character is how she's completely unapologetic about being that way. She makes no excuses for her actions, and yet as a reader, I completely understand and respect her decisions. Her disability is a core part of her development, and her (literal) crawl to power is wonderfully written and well-paced.

I thought this was a very fun read. It kept me very entertained. I loved the three main characters and the dynamic between them.

POLYAMORY FOR THE WINNNN

This was also the first book I have read that had mechsuits in it and I really liked it! I thought that the way the futuristic world was crafted was really interesting. 

I think there are definitely places the book falls short. At times, Zhao tells the reader what is happening and doesn't show. I also think that because of how fast-pace it is, it doesn't give the reader time to take in the worldbuilding and rushes some of the messages the book is trying to get across.  

This book does tackle a lot of important and interesting concepts, including (but not limited to): misogyny (as previously stated), war/ violence as entertainment, and complicated family dynamics/ generational trauma. I appreciate the conversations this book is trying to tackle/ address, but I think there are aspects that could have been done better. For instance, even though a major theme of the book is misogyny, there are not a lot of women in the book. Additionally, I think some of the messages fall victim to the pace of the book and the author's tendency to tell. The most obvious one of these related to Ma Xiuying's character.

I think that the idea that she was pressured into having children is a good thing to include to show how the pilot system manipulates women, however, I think that the way that information was revealed (Zetian thinking about it to herself) comes off as her judging Ma and looking down on her. I think it would have been more impactful if that had been revealed by Xiuying herself over multiple meaningful conversations.

Despite these flaws, I really enjoyed reading this book and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I am exited to read the sequel!

WHAT WAS THAT EPILOGUE?! Good thing I'm 5 seconds away from reading the sequel, what a whirlwind.... (more coherent review to come)

Alright, after much time to process I am ready to give a more coherent review: Zetian is angry. And, in a world that willingly sacrifices young girls against their will for the sake of battle with alien life-forms, I can understand why. The life a girl growing up in a country that values women as lesser than livestock, Zetian seeks revenge for the murder of her older sister. However her spirit is so strong that she is given a second chance as the Iron Widow, a female deemed strong enough to pilot a Chrysalis. The world-building leaves the reader curious about the seemingly dystopian landscape and the questionable rules set in place. It was a heavy story that, although the anger was justified the pride did not allow for true satisfaction of enemy defeats. Zetian is really one of the more complex characters I grew to enjoy, and I am curious how her character will grow in book 2. This is a heavy book, so please check content warnings before engaging.