The Bookish Mindset

Overview:

Title: Iron Widow
Author: Xiran Jay Zhao
Published: September 2022
Genre: Sci-Fi
Themes: Feminine rage, patriachy, colonialism.

One sentence summary: Zetian is done with following orders and bowing to the orders of men, she’s ready to make them all burn.

One sentence review: The epitome of feminine rage and I’m obsessed.

Review:

In a post-apocalyptic China, the humanity’s main line of defence (and attack) against the aliens they battle are Chrysalises. These huge robots capable of transformation are manned by men while women are often sacrificed while co-piloting.

Zetian has long had enough of the patriarchs in charge and the imbalance; she wants revenge for his sisters death. So when she signs up to co-pilot and doesn’t die, her plan for redemption takes shape.

If feminist rage is your thing, then this is absolutely the book for you. It’s one of my all time favourites and I just need you to read it, okay?

There is so much passion and so much energy in this book that I honestly my words don’t do it justice.

I read this last year in two sittings and I couldn’t put it down. The writing and story both gripped me and kept me entertained throughout and oh my god that ending(!)

Full of fighting the patriarchy, tearing up societal norms and just all round action, this is one of my favourite reads of all time.

The next instalment of the trilogy is out in December and I’ve just received a proof too! Stand by for my review in the next week.

And in case that hasn’t convinced you, here are two of my favourite quotes that sum this book up brilliantly.

“It’s hilarious. Men want us so badly for our bodies, yet hate us so much for our minds.”

“The very force of their judgment and hatred will make me unstoppable.”

If you’d like to get yourself a copy, you can support local bookshops while doing so on Bookshop.org with this link here.

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And don’t forget to check out my other blogs and reviews – you can find books with similar themes in the same folder link below, or click back onto blogs to see the whole offering.

Last updated 15/11/2024