A review by merenguita
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. I think it's strongest asset is the intresting worlbuilding, I think it takes some know tropes and transforms them, so it's pretty intresting to explore (Like the MC wanting revenge and not apologizing for it). That being said, halfway through I became suspicious of the plot twist at the end.
There are also some things that I think had more potential to be explored deeper, like some of the pilot matches that appear, but there's also a possiblity that it's something that appears in the next books, so this isn't really a critique yet.
The weakest part of the story is the romance (Slight spoilers ahead), the "childhood friends to lovers" is nice, but honestly not that intresting, it's quickly set up and there isn't that much development. The "Enemies to lovers" isn't really enemies... like she hates what he represents, and even thou when it goes from enemies to compassion is pretty well done, then it just jumps to lovers and it's like "okay, so I guess the like eachother". Aand the "rivals to lovers" isn't really rivals, it isn't really set up that way buuut the scenes between those two are GOOD, they were probably my favourites.
Overall, I'm exited to read the next book and will probably get it as soon as it comes out because i am intruiged about how it will all resolve.
Also, be carefull with the TW
PLEASE DON'T LET SHIMIN BE DEAD, HE CAN'T BE FUCKING DEAD



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