Iron Widow
By Andrea Beach,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Compelling, violent blend of fantasy, sci-fi, empowerment.
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Most Ferocious Heroine I Have Ever Read
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What's the Story?
IRON WIDOW is the story of Wu Zetian, an 18-year-old girl in a world where women's lives can take only one of two paths. They can either be married off to a man not of her own choosing, or they can volunteer as concubine co-pilots of the giant Chrysalis robots that defend humanity against the faceless Hundun creatures. Either path leads to a life of subservience, where the only chance of success depends on being as pleasing as possible to men. And one path leads to an early grave. Zetian's older sister became a concubine co-pilot and was murdered by her counterpart before her first battle in a Chrysalis. Zetian will do whatever it takes to avenge her sister, even at the cost of her own life. Not even she could have imagined how things would play out, but since she's still standing, she determines to finally break free of everything and everyone that's held her back all her life.
Is It Any Good?
Author Xiran Jay Zhao's sci-fi/fantasy debut doesn't pull any punches and packs a real wallop. Emotional intensity drives Iron Widow forward as much the thrilling action does, and both are balanced nicely by moments of genuine warmth and humor. It's a unique imagining of a far-future world that draws heavily on Chinese history, culture, and the power of qi.
Make no mistake, antihero/protagonist Zetian wants to burn the patriarchy to the ground, and will destroy anything and anyone who gets in her way. But readers can understand, empathize with, and even root for her as her past, and the shocking realities of her present, are revealed. It's a good opportunity to talk with mature teens about how, when, and if violence is an acceptable way to bring about change in the face of so much misery.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Iron Widow. How much is too much? Are Zeitan's actions justified? Why, or why not?
What about the strong language? Is reading it in a book different from hearing it in movies, games, social media, etc.?
What do you think of Zetian? Is she a positive role model? What are her character strengths and weaknesses? How do the ways she uses her strengths affect her character?
Book Details
- Author: Xiran Jay Zhao
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Robots
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Penguin Teen
- Publication date: September 21, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 17
- Number of pages: 400
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: February 1, 2022
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