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A review by atlas_shruggs
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
FUCK MY LIFE I NEED THE SEQUEL NOW PLEASE
2025 review:
Wow. Wow wow wow I love this book so much. The characters are all twisted, terrible people just trying to make their way in an equally terrible world and I love them so much. The Chrysalises are so cool and Zhao describes them in such a vivid way, you feel like you can reach into the page and touch them yourself. The characters, especially Zetian, are a wonderful mix of irritating as all hell and so gripping and enticing, you can't help but root for her. The romance is also amazing, I love watching it develop though the story along with the characters. I also really like the world building, some reviews have said it feels too vague but I felt that it fit well with Zetian's knowledge of the world as someone who hasn't really had any education at all. It's action packed and fast paced and I love it so much I'm a bit hung over now 🥲
2025 review:
Wow. Wow wow wow I love this book so much. The characters are all twisted, terrible people just trying to make their way in an equally terrible world and I love them so much. The Chrysalises are so cool and Zhao describes them in such a vivid way, you feel like you can reach into the page and touch them yourself. The characters, especially Zetian, are a wonderful mix of irritating as all hell and so gripping and enticing, you can't help but root for her. The romance is also amazing, I love watching it develop though the story along with the characters. I also really like the world building, some reviews have said it feels too vague but I felt that it fit well with Zetian's knowledge of the world as someone who hasn't really had any education at all. It's action packed and fast paced and I love it so much I'm a bit hung over now 🥲
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail