May 2025 Finale: Iron Widow - Xiran Jay Zhao

Hi there!

Welcome to our May Finale for Xiran Jay Zhao's 2021 Iron Widow.

Trigger Warning: Violence, abuse, suicidal ideation, sexual assault reference, alcoholism, torture.

Overall

This second part really held its own against part one, and the stakes were really raised in part two. We both loved it a ton because not only was it so much more intense, it was also VERY engaging in every way, for both of us. It hit all the points. This book was absolutely way more well-balanced in terms of commentary and fantasy than some others we've read, and we really appreciated that graceful ability to say what you need to say alongside being entertainment.

World Building

The biggest world-building aspect about this book that Brieanna loved was the show-and-not-tell aspect of this book. We learn through the way that these characters interact with each other - it shows us more about the world than almost anything else.

When it was finally revealed that the government was intentionally suppressing the women's chi powers through the yīn seat in the crystalis.

Plot in the Second Half

This plot is absolutely insane, and we LOVE it. The romance, the drama, and the action are all incredibly hardcore and well-written. The plot gets really strong at the end of the second half, where we learn a ton about the characters, but also about the Hunduns!! We learn that this isn't even Earth, and we learn that we have taken over another planet (or are trying to). This adds a whole other level of ethical questioning about the Sage's (and maybe the Heavenly Council's) motivations in this arena.

Especially in our final scenes. Shimin sacrifices himself, essentially, to save Zetian and Yihzi. And then dies. DIES. How DARE HE!!!!! AND FOR WHY?!?!?! We were very sad. And still are.

Dynamic Characters

Some of these bad guy characters are really very nasty and very irritating. Not only are they the worst of the worst, but they are so realistically manipulative that we are super frustrated with ALL OF THEM.

The man with the alcohol bottle.

The woman who hit Zetian in the face.

The woman who manipulated Zetian about her family.

Yizhi's Dad is a POS, and we hate him. Like, really hate him.

We LOVED these three lovebirds and their romance together. AND these characters are absolutely, ABSOLUTELY, written by someone who reads books. They are all quite sweet and romantic with each other, and not only that, but their openness with and to each other is quite wonderful. For this book to be so fast-moving in plot is a slow-burn in the romance department - we like it a little more slowed down; it doesn't have to be out-of-control, fast-moving sex for the romance to be enjoyable to read.

Big Finale

The PLOT TWISTS THOUGHHHHHHH - this book really threw us for a helluva loop there with the cliffhanger ending and double plot twists. It brought EVERYTHING about this universe's tension to a head and then threw it out the window.

Conclusion

Read the damn book, you won't regret it.

With love, see you soon!

Ceraya & Brieanna