I have never liked science fiction. Not since my teenage obsession with Star Wars anyway. So when I finally got my Illumicrate subscription email, I was quite disappointed to see that my first box would contain a futuristic story about robots. Boy was I wrong. As of the first chapter, I knew I was going to fall in love with Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao. Careful though! This book is not for the faint-hearted! Make sure to read the trigger warnings below!

Iron Widow

Iron Widow is set in a dystopian, futuristic China and is loosely based on the rise to power of Wu Zetian, China’s only female emperor.

In Huaxia, giant transforming robots are used to protect humanity against an invasion of mecha aliens. These Chrysalises, as they are called, are operated by a male pilot and a female concubine-pilot. But while the boys are the heroes of the people, the girls are little more than sacrifices drained of their live force to help their male counterparts succeed.

But when 18-year-old Zetian joins the army, she has no plans whatsoever to be lie down and die. No, she’s there to assassinate the pilot responsible for the death of her older sister. But her power is much beyond what even she suspected, and Zetian finds herself labeled an “Iron Widow”. A female pilot who can drain male pilots.

But society and the army are not ready to simply accept a strong woman in their midst. Therefore, in an ultimate attempt to “tame” her, Zetian is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest of all pilots, but also the most feared. Will these unlikely allies manage to bring about change in this misogynist world?

“I’ve been told endless lies since I was born. That I was not kind enough, considerate enough, humble enough, honorable enough, pretty enough, pleasing enough. And if I failed to meet the needs of those around me, I did not deserve to live. Propaganda. All of it. Propaganda to keep me chasing after the approval of others on my bound and broken feet, as if being a good servant is the only thing I should be proud of.”

Wow. Just wow.

Although I had little to no appetite to start reading this book, I have to admit I was fascinated as of the very start of the story. Maybe even before. The book starts out with a big mention about trigger warnings and a dedication that clearly set the tone for what’s about to come. There are so many important themes and social issues addressed in this book that it simply took my breath away. I suppose this book is being marketed as a Young Adult, especially because the age of the characters, but I personally consider it New Adult because of these dark themes and the social critique and reflection it triggers.

“He will not kill me. He does not get to make me a statistic.”

Next to these heavy topics, it was also the first book I read in which the main characters are polyamorous. I really appreciate that, because this is a relationship type that has not yet been represented in many popular novels.

I also really enjoyed the elements of Chinese culture that were woven very strongly throughout the story (although “enjoyed” is not the right word for some parts, like the lotus feet. But I learned a lot, both via the book and down the rabbit hole of the Internet when I started looking for more background info on these various historical and mythological references). It took me a while to get the different characters straight in my head because I’m not used to Chinese names, but that solved itself by reading on.

I could not put this book away. It fascinated me and broke my heart in a thousand pieces at the same time. With the following quotation, for example:

“Countless times, I watched my father turn my mother into a nervous wreck by simply transforming himself into a dark cloud of a presence. He wouldn’t use any curses or shouts, but he’d set his bowl down a little too loudly, or slam doors a little too harshly. She’d step cautiously around him as if he were a bomb, worrying about her every move for fear of setting him off. Without uttering a single word, he’d teach her to twist herself into knots to prioritize his needs and wants, in some strangling hope of quelling the pressure in the house and returning things to normal.”

I was so focused on these wonderful characters and the various themes of the story that I almost forgot about the robots. I have to admit I’m still not a fan of mechas (never understood Gundam Wing either), nor of aliens, but that simply didn’t matter because of everything else this story has to offer. If you, like me, have a limited imagination to get a good idea about the robots, you might want to check out the drawings on the author’s site. (Check out their site even if you don’t need the pictures, they seem like an amazing person and the content of their website is quite refreshing).

Unexpectedly enough, this book also made me laugh sometimes. Who comes up with divine intervention in the form of tech manuals? Not to mention the final paragraphs of the book (pre-epilogue). Rise of the introverts! 😀 😀 😀

This book is such a revelation and so diverse, of course I gave it five out of five gemstones:

Age Category: 16+, very suitable for an adult audience too

Representation:  Polyamory and bisexual main characters.

Trigger Warnings (click here, may contain spoilers)

Warnings for misogyny, abuse, torture, rape (off page), murder, betrayal and alcoholism.

Do you want to discover more?

If my review inspired you to pick up the book, don’t hesitate to check it out at Goodreads or at the below online stores. If you decide to buy it via one of the following links, I will receive a small percentage at no extra charge for you!

Amazon.nl: Hardcover Edition

Amazon.nl: Paperback Edition

The Illumicrate edition has exclusive stenciled edges, art on the reverse of the dust jacket, a digital signature, and a signed book plate.

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I really do wish I could recommend you something similar, but I have no idea. Nothing I have ever read is close to Iron Widow. If you have any recommendations, please send them to me! It would make my day!

I cannot wait to read part two <3

My full unboxing of the Illumicrate October 2021 box can be found here.