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Iron Widow

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Iron Widow

By: Xiran Jay Zhao
Narrated by: Rong Fu
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About this listen

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

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 Oneworld Publications (P)2021 Penguin Random House Canada Limited Fiction Literature & Fiction Multicultural Science Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Transportation Young Adult Aviation

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All stars
Most relevant  
I cannot recommend this book enough. Forget anything you'd expect from your standard YA story. The writing is intense and made even better by the performance. I can't wait to read more from this author

A breath of fresh air

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Honestly this is one of the best stories that I’ve heard in so long. I bought the audible and the rendition was flawless.

The story is immersive with fantastic mythos. The world is rich and deep and characterisations wonderful. I can’t recommend this enough. I don’t want to say much and give it away but there’s action, love, adventure, epic battles. No whiny girl torn between boys as many YA heroines are instead there’s a girl who has a small existence who learns lessons or languages that help explain who and how she is. I loved it.

Couldn’t stop listening

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i love this book and can’t wait for a part two!The sifi/Chinese mythology is so good.

Wow

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This is the kind of book that can change the world, it's a middle finger to every enforced gender role, every racist trope, every butchered made up "exotic" name in a fantasy story. It's not about redemption and yet the story itself feels like it's redemption for a whole genre of literature.

Absolutely incredible

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Great fresh concepts. Really interesting characters .

Only criticism is the last 8 off chapters were just rushed.

I hope there is a second book . As this feels a tad incomplete- but I am very invested .

Story tellers voice was great also .

Highly recommend if you like other worldly narratives, fantasy , diverse characters , culture , science fiction and good storytelling.

Great fresh concepts

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I found this book really amazing ! And the performance was spot on in every way for me

Great story !

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Interesting concept wonderfully executed.
I'm not usually a fan of mecha-style media and was unsure if I'd enjoy it but I was happily surprised! Can't wait for book 2

Enthralling

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absolutely amazing book, its girl power and intrigue, I will recommend it so much going forwards, can't wait for the sequel!

this girl really can

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Devoured it in a day, great writing, great characters, excited for the sequel later this year!

Amazing Sci-Fi/Chinese Mythology Gem

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iam so happy that I saw this on tick tock. loved it! cannot wait for more.

amazing

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