Iron Widow
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao, published by National Geographic Books on September 21, 2021, is a young adult fiction novel that combines elements of Chinese history with mecha science fiction. This 400-page book follows 18-year-old Zetian, who volunteers as a concubine-pilot to seek revenge for her sister’s death. In a world where girls often perish from the mental strain of piloting giant robots known as Chrysalises, Zetian’s unexpected survival after killing her male counterpart marks her as an Iron Widow, a powerful and feared figure in her society.
Readers will find a narrative that explores themes of power, sacrifice, and gender dynamics within a richly imagined setting. As Zetian navigates her new role alongside the controversial male pilot Li Shimin, she confronts the misogynistic structures of the pilot system and seeks to prevent further sacrifices of girls. This edition presents a unique blend of action and social commentary, appealing to those interested in diverse and multicultural stories within the science fiction genre.
Official synopsis Publisher
An instant #1 New York Times bestseller!
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 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.
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