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A review by scribblinginthemargins
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Last third or so was a bit of a let down but more than worth it for the central concepts around bodily autonomy, feminism and the nature of traumatic memory under oppressive government. I was surprised this is categorizes as YA - it felt very elaborate, nuanced and mature... Until the last 70 pages or so when the character development and jerky plot just became a bit ridiculous?
Still well worth a read.
Still well worth a read.
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Trafficking, Murder, and Gaslighting