Iron Widow by Zhao, Xiran Jay (Tiktok Made Me Buy It) (Instant New York Times No.1 Bestseller )

The instant #1 New York Times bestseller, now available in a stunning new paperback look with bonus content.

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

The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall of China. It doesn't matter that the girls 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 when she gets her vengeance, it becomes clear that she is an Iron Widow, a rare kind of female pilot who can sacrifice males to power up Chrysalises instead.

To tame her frightening yet valuable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest male pilot in Huaxia, yet feared and ostracized for killing his father and brothers. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so easily. She will take over instead, then leverage their combined strength to force her society to stop failing its women and girls. Or die trying.

This deluxe new paperback edition features eight pages of Chrysalis concept art and a discussion guide.

Review

Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller!

An Amazon Editors' Pick for Best Young Adult

An Amazon Editors' 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"

One of Book Riot's "20 best science fiction books of all time"

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

WINNER of the 2022 Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy

WINNER of the 2022 Amy Mathers Teen Book Award

"The action-packed plot, involving battles both physical and mental, is original and incorporates queer themes and Zetian’s unwavering, cathartic feminism." —Kirkus Reviews

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

"[An] incredible novel, fun and exciting, sometimes horrible to read, but in all the ways that make you fall in love with a character." —Tor Online

"Iron Widow is an exciting, action-packed sci-fi story and a scathing indictment of patriarchal culture." —Shelf Awareness

Product details
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tundra Books (February 28, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0735269955
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0735269958
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 - 17 years
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ HL830L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 9 - 12
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.25 inches
Sub-Category
#Teen & Young Adult Alien Science Fiction
#Teen & Young Adult Social Issues
#Teen & Young Adult Fiction on Girls' & Women's Issues (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 8,372 ratings