From the Bookshelf of Challenge Corner…

Iron Widow (Iron Widow #1)

Xiran Jay Zhao

Start date: November 1, 2021

Finish date: November 30, 2021

Discussion: Book of the Month

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Book of the Month

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What Members Thought

Nov 12, 2021 Ruthie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was SO good! Theories and guesses I had about the plot and relationships were proved wrong which I always love. A surprising book will always be rated highly by me! It was impossible to pause the audiobook and so much was happening but yet it was not overwhelming. I could easily follow it and then my mind could catch up to the next scene because the action and intrigue does not let up!

Iron Widow reminded me of Pacific Rim but instead of robots, living, evolving creatures and story elements/ ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Mar 09, 2022 Alicia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: lgbtqia, insta-made-me-do-it, bipoc-author, bipoc-mc, series-to-keep-reading, fighty-chicks, fantasy, historical, finally-read-it

I will start by saying I hated the prologue. It was very jargon specific sci fi with a lot of telling that I personally can't stand.
But then the book started, and it was entirely different! It's kind of The Way of Kings crossed with anime style Transformers that are piloted by a male / female pair in battle. Unfortunately, 99% of the time, the female dies. And all inspired by Chinese history.
Zetian is a very strong-willed baby feminist who is gradually learning how much her culture disfavours w ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Jun 16, 2021 akacya ❦ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ownvoices, asian-authors, audience-young-adult, genre-sci-fi, retellings, own, favorites, arcs-finished, format-ebook

In Huaxia, the boys dream of piloting giant robots, called Chrysalises, while girls are dragged along to act as concubines and often die in the process. Eighteen-year-old Zetian decides to volunteer as a concubine-pilot for one purpose only: to kill the pilot who killed her older sister. What she doesn’t expect is to still live after carrying out her vengeance, but when she does so, she is labeled an “Iron Widow” and feared by others.

There were so many parts I loved about this book! I loved the ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Aug 04, 2023 Edith rated it it was amazing

Shelves: lives-in-my-brain-rent-free, buddy-reads, audiobook-listen, 2023-reads, challenges, tackle-that-tbr-2023, 2024-reads, tackle-that-tbr-2024

I AM TAKING NO CRITICISM WHEN IT COMES TO THIS BOOK. READ IT TO YOUR DOG. READ IT TO YOUR CAT. READ IT TO THE FRIENDLY GHOST THAT HAUNTS YOUR HOUSE!!

Anyway, instant fave. Shimin, I love you boo.

2024 reread: I will be forever devastated that there will never be a book as good as this one. Powerful, witty, and full of feminine rage...this story is important and needed to be told. Will always, always be my god tier book.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 20, 2022 Taylor Leszczynski-Walters rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is such a powerful impactful read. I couldn’t put it down I’m so in love with each of these characters and how they have and will grow. I need a sequel asap. There are trigger warnings please be consideration before reading for topics including body mutilation (foot binding), sexual assault, alcoholism and suicide are prominent topics.

Amazing highlights to the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community, and to disability community with representation through MC using and being in a wheel chair.

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Apr 10, 2023 Isabella rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, killer-main-character, in-withdrawel, unconditionally-loving, ultimate-favorites, twisted-characters, tear-jerker, dark-and-twisted, fantastical-fantasy, total-retelling

Frankly, this was brilliant. I can't wait for the sequel, and I am so happy I'll be able to get my hands on it soon!

Update, about a week later:
Oh my fucking God this has me in knots! It's easily one of the best books I've read this year, if not THE best, and I would recommend it to anyone who.. well, to anyone really, period.
I can't wait for the sequel, and I'm going to read it as soon as I can get my grabby, greedy hands on it. ...more

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