Iron Widow (Book 1)

By: Xiran Jay Zhao

Narrated by: Rong Fu

An instant #1 New York Times bestseller!

A USA Today bestseller!

Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA audiences.

The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It doesn't matter that the girls often die from the mental strain.

When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected—she kills him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is labeled an Iron Widow, a much-feared and much-silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead.​

To tame her unnerving yet invaluable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot in Huaxia​. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so easily. She will miss no opportunity to leverage their combined might and infamy to survive attempt after attempt on her life, until she can figure out exactly why the pilot system works in its misogynist way—and stop more girls from being sacrificed.

©2021 Xiran Jay Zhao (P)2021 Penguin Teen

Critic reviews

2024, Washington Evergreen Young Adult Book Award, Nominated

2023, Green Mountain Book Award, Winner

2022, Amy Mathers Teen Book Award, Winner

2022, Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy, Winner

2022, Aurora Award—Best YA Novel, Short-listed

2022, Barnes & Noble Children's & YA Book Awards—Young Adult, Winner

2021, British Science Fiction Association Award, Winner

2021, GoodReads Choice Award, Nominated

Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller!

An Amazon Editors’ Pick for Best Young Adult

An Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Science Fiction and Fantasy

A Polygon Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Book of 2021

An Indigo #1 Teen Book of the Year

An Indigo Best Teen Book (2021)

An Indigo Best Teen Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book (2021)

A Barnes & Noble's Best YA Fantasy & Adventure of 2021

A New York Public Library Best Book for Teens (2021)

A Canadian Children's Book Centre Favourite Book of the Year (2021)

A Boston Globe Best Book of 2021

A Cultured Vultures’ “21 Best Books Of 2021”

A 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee, Best Young Adult & Science Fiction

Nominated for the Science Fiction Writers of America's Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction

"[This] duology opener will appeal to those seeking high-energy, feminist, queer narratives." (Publishers Weekly)

Breath-taking & Passionate

The writing for the main character is so perfectly vivid and I appreciate the clarity of the reader, Rong Fu, who does an alluring job portraying the characters with a steadiness that matches the pacing.

One can appreciate the concept of a twisted human society hellbent on heavily suppressing women and the lethal, indomitable spirit that is our heroine that fights to bring balance to this corrupt system.

This story intertwines perspective that can stun, passionate scenes that leave you forgetting to exhale, and hungry for the next electrifying battle scene between the giant gundam guardians and their horrific rivals.

Man Vs. Man plot concept doesn't even cover it. More like Woman Vs. The Universe with how amazingly written the main character is. She is tested and redefined in amazing ways that portray Progressive concepts that so many can relate to or come to better understand!

In short, highly recommended!

Amazing 1st Novel

Xiran Jay Zhao offers up sci-fi, culture, and female empowerment in equal and stunning proportion.

Loved it - can't wait to read more from Zhao!

Vivid world building, complex characters with tons of depth and dimension, incredibly compelling storyline - what a ride! It was horrifying, awe inspiring, triumphant. 5 stars.

Absolutely Feral

You ever read something and just understand that the author is angry about everything?

Stunning

I loved this book beginning to end. Kept me on the edge of my seat.

Truly a wonderful read.

Loved it! It was an exillerating journey through fascinating world building and an amazing protagonist.

wildy good story

I feel like anything I write wouldn't do this justice. I kind of wanna go into a coma for a year so i can wake up when the next book drops 💗 A wonderfully unapologetic, powerful lead, supportive, healthy relationships, a revenge power fantasy to rule them all and plot twists on plot twists. I don't think I've been this enaged with a book in years! can't wait to buy a physical copy so I can do it all over again.

Amazing

This is a stunning debut novel. I am in love with the characters and I cannot wait for what is to come.

chills

read the book too, key parts still gave me chills. and other parts with the voice acting gave me new chills.

loved it.. & I dont even normaly llike this genre!

where do I start...i feel like i just witnessed the birth of a super villian or no.. maybe a morally grey character? this story shows both the best and worst of humanity. its intricacies, strength, love, lies and so much more. definetly worth a read.