fantastischeantikeJan 31

Mit IRON WIDOW betrachten wir heute auf fantastischeantike erstmals ein Werk aus dem Bereich der #Phantastik, das in Bezug auf #Weltenbau und Handlung die #Geschichte und #Mythologie Chinas zur Grundlage nimmt.

Hier geht es direkt zum Artikel:

https://fantastischeantike.de/iron-widow-und-die-rezeption-chinesischer-geschichte-und-kultur/

#ironwidow #xiranjayzhao #china #alteschina #rezeption #chinarezeption #wuzetian

Iron Widow und die Rezeption chinesischer Geschichte und Kultur

Der Roman Iron Widow verbindet Elemente der chinesischen Geschichte und Mythologie mit einem Science-Fantasy-Setting.

FANTASTISCHEANTIKE.DE
TiiaJan 3
✨️ Book review ✨️
*no spoilers*

𝗜𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗼𝘄 - 𝗫𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝘆 𝗭𝗵𝗮𝗼

🤖 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. 🤖

I went into this book expecting to love it. To my disappointment, it was only ok.

Wu Zetian (fmc) is an interesting character and she is based on a real historical character (the only female empress of china). The journey she goes through is very much the stuff I like to read about, but this book did not go deep enough for me.

The idea of the story in itself is interesting and the plot has some unexpected turns. Yet the final twist came a bit out of nowhere. I liked the twist, but I wish it had been forshadowed a bit more (if it was, I missed the hints and in that case the blame is on me) instead of focusing on the obvious.

My main problem with this book is the lack of subtext. Everything is spelled out and explained. For me, this made reading a bit repetitive and boring.

And I did roll my eyes a couple of times, because the three main characters seem to be the only ones in the entire planet to see past the propaganda and think past the cultural norms. Is it believable that no one else ever thought about these things?

I recommend if you like:
🤖 robots/mechas
🌋 YA dystopia/fantasy
🔥 badass fmc
⛱️ easy reads with flowing writing style

📓 Xiran Jay Zhao: Iron Widow (Penguin Teen, 2021 | kansi: Ashley Mackenzie, Terri Nimmo and Talia Abramson)

#kirjapixelfed #kirjapixel #kirjamastodon #bookpixelfed #bookpixel #bookmastodon #xiranjayzhao #ironwidow
Show threadL.E.N.Dec 7
So I just finished reading Iron Widow and omg. So badass and over the top, I loved it!!! Gonna immediately start reading the second book (Heavenly Tyrant).
You should definitely check it out if you're into sci-fi, epic mecha battles, Chinese history/mythology, feminism, rage and revenge and overthrowing the patriarchal ruling class.
#IronWidow #XiranJayZhao
Jonathan TaylorSep 20

https://youtu.be/1tgAmcbSU8o

It's been a while, but I've finally covered this book

#TheHeirsLair #Review #BookReview #SpecFic #SpecFicReview #YA #YoungAdult #YoungAdultSpecFic #HeavenlyTyrant #IronWidow

Book Review: Heavenly Tyrant

YouTube
ellohirAug 22, 2025

Heavenly Tirant (2024)

Secuela de Iron Widow. Si el primer libro era una rebelión personal, este segundo es una rebelión conjunta. Se habla más de política de lo que esperaba, pero sigue manteniendo la intriga y romanticismo a nivel personal de la protagonista.

Me ha gustado mucho, pero sufre la maldición de ser una segunda parte de una saga: no tiene despegue inicial ni aterrizaje final. Pero me ha gustado mucho 👍

#reseña #HeavenlyTyrant #IronWidow

rewarpJul 8, 2025
I took way too much time in between getting Iron Widow and reading it. But when I did, what a ride. An entertaining rage-inducing masterpiece that has few parallels in its joyful celebration of the beauty of humanity when pushed to its darkest realm.

A feminist celebration of the destruction of patriarchy finely balanced with just enough stakes that the hard decisions when made feels genuinely compelling.

Naturally building up a loving polycule that is heartbreakingly romantic in a fucked up world.

The ending that proves the point that a well-written novel gives you enough hints to solve the murder mystery yourself, and the reveal while shocking, makes perfect sense.

Truly a modern day masterpiece. #books #IronWidow
Ikol 🔥May 6, 2025

I'm Ikol, and this is my fandom account 💚

I love queer stories, science fiction, fantasy, magic & tech, leftist politics, Chinese history, and stories where food & tea hold an important place!  

My fandoms change regularly, but currently I'm mostly into #anime & #donghua - especially #JujutsuKaisen #DungeonMeshi #LinkClick #TokyoRevengers #Sk8TheInfinity 🔥

Some background fandoms of mine are:
- #IronWidow / #XiranJayZhao 's books
- #StarTrek (especially TOS)
- #Arcane
- #Marvel (both the #MCU and #comics), especially #Venom the #WinterSoldier #Loki and #Hawkeye  
- #MDZS / #TheUntamed
- #StrangerThings

I also sometimes talk about music, especially about the Finnish singer #Käärijä and #HeavyMetal

I'm the co-admin of the fandom.garden mastodon instance, and creator of some custom emojis 
I am but a small fan trying to find a cosy place to talk about what I love 

Let's chat about our favorite things! 

#introduction

rfeAlexApr 18, 2025

Oh, da hat sich gestern noch mein Dro .. äh .. Buchhändler gemeldet. Da ist ganz überraschend noch was in den SUB gesprungen. Schätze das wird da nicht lange bleiben 😉

#buch #booksky #xiranjayzjao #sub #ironwidow

Alliterative/Endless KnotApr 10, 2025

It’s #GolfDay – and we have a video for the occasion! Ever heard of the phrase “golf widow”? Well, it turns out that there are in fact some connections between widows, golf, and, surprisingly, India! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX1bFAs7MdM

#Etymology #Video #WordNerd #Linguistics #Words #HistoricalLinguistics #Golf #India #IronWidow

Grass Widows, Golf, & the Story of the British Raj

YouTube
ellohirJan 14, 2025

Iron Widow (Xiran Jay Zhao, 2021)

Me ha encantado este libro. La protagonista, Wu Zetian, es una feminista radical en una sociedad machista que la intenta derribar en todo momento. Menos mal que pilota un robot gigante.

Es un libro fresco y moderno con una rabia incontenible contra la injusticia por debajo. Muy fácil de leer, deseando leer la secuela.

#reseña #IronWidow #ViudaDeHierro