IW: March 2024 Pick - Iron Widow by Xiran Zhao

[Rob, Roberator]

Our March Pick will be Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

[Trike]

Another one that’s been on my TBR. I like this trend of whittling down my pile of unread books.

[J]

This is a win. Also on my TBR.

[Renn]

Perfect, I already have this checked out from my library.

[Charles]

Is this a fantasy or a sci-fi pick?

[Oaken]

Mechs so ostensibly scifi. But, y'know, not really any science behind them so fantasy like Star Wars.

[John]

Good choice.

[Charles]

Oaken wrote: "Mechs so ostensibly scifi. But, y'know, not really any science behind them so fantasy like Star Wars."

Well said. I think you phrased it so that very little is given away. I was actually wondering if it was Veronica's or Tom's pick this month? This book could go either way. :)

[Tassie Dave, S&L Historian]

It's Tom's pick for March.

[Kay]

Hard pass.

[Ruth]

Kay wrote: "Hard pass."

What’s putting you off?

I read this two years ago and while I don’t remember it in great detail (I was reading it in a nursing-a-newborn-at 3am haze) I remember it was a wild, bonkers, enjoyable ride.

[Seth]

A good choice to pick a book from an author unfairly embroiled in the recent Hugo controversy.

[Tamahome]

For people that thought the last book was too slow, it looks like a quick 8-9 hour read in first person. They sure format those YA books nicely, at least in paper.

[John]

Seth wrote: "A good choice to pick a book from an author unfairly embroiled in the recent Hugo controversy."

This is a YouTube short with their "take" on it

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AcAgYy...

I like their vibe :-)

[Ruth]

John wrote: "Seth wrote: "A good choice to pick a book from an author unfairly embroiled in the recent Hugo controversy."

This is a YouTube short with her "take" on it

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AcAgYyGkW..."

They are very outspoken and entertaining online! I especially like the fact that their author photo has them wearing a cow costume because- and I quote from their Goodreads profile “ i'm in a cow suit because 7 years ago i made a promise to my friends to take my author photo in it if i ever got published and i'm sure as hell not backing down”

This book being the March pick has prompted me to pre-order the sequel, Heavenly Tyrant, which comes out in September.

[John]

Ruth wrote: "John wrote: "Seth wrote: "A good choice to pick a book from an author unfairly embroiled in the recent Hugo controversy."

This is a YouTube short with their "take" on it

https://www.youtube.com/sho..."

I did think that they would be great fun at a party. :-)

[Paul]

Their twitter feed is my go-to source for updates about the Hugo controversy now, because the way they present and comment on it is just gold. https://twitter.com/XiranJayZhao/stat...

[Robert]

Mechs fighting Kaiju? As a big fan of Godzilla and Pacific Rim, I'm in.

[J]

Robert wrote: "Mechs fighting Kaiju? As a big fan of Godzilla and Pacific Rim, I'm in."

That's how it got to be on my TBR. The only real concern I have is that it is considered YA.

[Tamahome]

Type of books that blow up on Tik Tok according to one booktuber:

[Amy]

This is on my TBR! Fingers crossed that I'll be able to get my **** together and read it and contribute. 😂

[John]

Tamahome wrote: "Type of books that blow up on Tik Tok according to one booktuber:

"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzCXV...

[terpkristin]

I'm way too old/curmudgeonly for BookTok (or any Tok) but I am intrigued by the book so bought it via Libro.fm (which allows me to support my FLBS).

[Ruth]

As a general rule, I find that if a book is labelled 'TikTok made me buy it!' then I won't like it.
Iron Widow was an exception, to be fair, because it's very Tik-Toky but I did enjoy it. I think I enjoyed how Zhao dials everything up to 11 and then some.

[John]

terpkristin wrote: "I'm way too old/curmudgeonly for BookTok (or any Tok)."

You and me both T, you and me both :-)

I have a very effective strategy for finding great new books / shows / films - this group :-D

Trike alone finds more interesting shows and films to watch than I can keep up with ;-)

[Silvana]

I'm in! Been wanting to read this for a while for the premise and also because the lead character's name is Zetian :D

[Trike]

John wrote: "Trike alone finds more interesting shows and films to watch than I can keep up with ;-)"

My secret is that I’m triplets.

[John]

Silvana wrote: "I'm in! Been wanting to read this for a while for the premise and also because the lead character's name is Zetian :D"

Is that by any chance because your name is also Zetian? :-)

[Silvana]

John wrote: "Silvana wrote: "I'm in! Been wanting to read this for a while for the premise and also because the lead character's name is Zetian :D"

Is that by any chance because your name is also Zetian? :-)"

I wish!

[John]

Silvana wrote: "John wrote: "Silvana wrote: "I'm in! Been wanting to read this for a while for the premise and also because the lead character's name is Zetian :D"

Is that by any chance because your name is also ..."

lol :-)

[Rob, Roberator]

the month has begun..go forth and discuss!