literary gluttony

What do you get when you blend Pacific Rim-style mechas, a feminist revenge arc, and a reimagined version of Chinese history in space? You get Iron Widow, Xiran Jay Zhao’s fiery, chaotic debut that shoots for the stars—sometimes literally—and almost sticks the landing.

Set in the Huaxia Empire, a world plagued by alien invaders and protected by giant psychic-powered mechas, the story follows Zetian, a teenage girl who signs up to become a concubine-pilot—not out of duty, but to avenge her sister’s death. From the jump, Zetian makes it clear she isn’t here to play nice. She’s angry, unrelenting, and unapologetically out for blood.

This isn’t your typical “girl breaks the system” YA. Zetian doesn’t just break things—she obliterates them, and her rage is the driving force of the plot. It’s refreshing to see a female protagonist embrace violence and vengeance without being shamed for it, though her intensity can sometimes come at the cost of nuance.

The book’s strongest elements lie in its bold worldbuilding and rebellious energy. Zhao pulls from Chinese history (notably the Empress Wu Zetian) and mythology, wrapping it in a science fiction shell that feels both fresh and fierce. The pacing is relentless—which makes for an exciting read—but it also means that sometimes the emotional development and world lore don’t have enough space to breathe.

The romance subverts expectations in a way that’s both satisfying and overdue, and there’s clear effort made to challenge traditional YA love triangle tropes. That said, the character dynamics can feel rushed, and some of the dialogue leans more Tumblr-post than fully realized narrative.

Final Thoughts:
Iron Widow is a blazing, angry rebellion of a book. It doesn’t always land cleanly, and it might leave you wishing for a bit more depth beneath the fire—but it’s a wild, worthwhile ride for readers craving something different in their sci-fi.

Devour or Nibble?
Nibble. If you’re into rage-fueled heroines, giant mechas, and gender-smashing sci-fi, you’ll want a taste—but you might not finish it in one sitting.