November 2021 First in a Series BOTM - Iron Widow, by Xiran Jay Zhao

[Alaina]

he boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It doesn't matter that the girls often die from the mental strain.

When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected—she kills him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is labeled an Iron Widow, a much-feared and much-silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead.​

To tame her unnerving yet invaluable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot in Huaxia​. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so easily. She will miss no opportunity to leverage their combined might and infamy to survive attempt after attempt on her life, until she can figure out exactly why the pilot system works in its misogynist way—and stop more girls from being sacrificed.

**This BOTM thread will be open until December 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Jenn]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[ im honestly angry just reading how they treat the women. I dont blame her for wanting to go after the pilot who killed her sister. But damn, she full on slayed him! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[ well shit, looks like they're meant to be a threesome with how awesome they all worked together. Its nice to see someone on their side when the entire army wants them dead. Im still not too sure how this qi works but im enjoying the book (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[ whomp there it is. The threesome i knew was coming. Love how natural it all happened. And then the other bombshell that they purposely weaken girls so the boys come back. Assholes (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ somehow i knew the Hunduns werent what they were made to seem. So the humans are invading their territory. Hmm i wonder how this will play out (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

I lalalallaLOVED this book

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Part 1: [spoilers removed]"

Heck yes she did! Such a bad ass!

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Part 2: [spoilers removed]"

Team work makes the dream work.

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Part 3: [spoilers removed]"

OMG! When that was revealed I was so freaking pissed! I'm glad that they found out the truth though.

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

It was so freaking good! I'm very excited for the sequel!

[Ruthie]

Jenn wrote: "Part 1: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[
Yes she did! I was not expecting her to kill him right away honestly. But, I'm always happy when a book surprises me (hide spoiler)]

[Ruthie]

Jenn wrote: "Part 2: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[
Another surprising and enjoyable aspect of the book! When they first introduced the new pilot she would work with I thought this would be kinda like a hunger games love triangle (boy she's known a long time vs new boy) but, was pleasantly surprised that the dynamic is different! (hide spoiler)]

[Ruthie]

Jenn wrote: "Part 3: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[

OMG I was pissed about the girl weakening thing but of course, they would do that ugh so despicable (hide spoiler)]

[Ruthie]

Jenn wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[
It will be so interesting to see, cant wait for the next book, this was SO good. It's like that Kaiju movie where they control the robots but with different creatures/cultures/politics (hide spoiler)]