Iron Widow: The TikTok sensation

its impossible to put into words the cachophany of emotions in me. They are neither beautiful nor succint thus they should be left unsaid. Being able to finally read the famed YA scifi historical legend this is, made my day. thank you Xiran for this wild ride, I excitedly await the next one.

This was marketed as a YA novel and it felt like the kind of YA novel you just have to read in one sitting because it piques your intrigue: you need answers. I love how the protagonist is handled through the novel, and I find the polyamory relationship endearing although I think the pacing leaves much to be desired about Zetian warming up to Shimin and Shimin and Yizhi acknowledging then acting on their attraction to to each other. The timeskip in-between chapters and story beats make it somewhat difficult to gauge just how much time has passed and if that translates to how our cast dwells on or dismisses certain information provided. But the plot is intriguing, if only it got to build-up more on the internal politicking by the Sages and Guo Qui, and the worldbuilding is enchanting and not too jarring from the POV of a character born and raised in the system. It seems redundant to say this but yes, the pacing is too dense; though it does not kill the novel's ideas or its themes.

Wow. It was an absorbing, immersive read, deftly weaving elements of growing up as a Chinese woman into this fantastical realm. So enjoyable to go on this journey, though our protagonist is perhaps less ruthless than the eponymous legend herself. Cannot wait to see more of their work.