Book Review | Iron Widow

In order to combat the alien hoard beyond the Great Wall, humanity must use giant mechas called Chrysalises that require both yin and yang energy to pilot them. However, unless the two pilots’ spirits are perfectly balanced and in sync, the female pilot’s mind can be overwhelmed, leaving her as a dead husk. Zetian’s sister was one of these causalities, so she enlists to become a pilot in the hopes of an avenging her and overturning the system from the inside.

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao blends sci-fi and fantasy in a futuristic retelling of China’s only female emperor’s rise to power, inspired by Darling in the Franxx.

Sounds amazing, right?

I was really excited to read this book since I adore the author’s video essays. However, I have mixed feelings now that I’ve finished the book itself.

Let’s start with what I loved.

First off, I thought it was really interesting that the magic system is based off of Chinese mythology and medicine. For instance, characters have abilities depending on which of the five elements of qigong—wood, fire, earth, metal or water—that they have the strongest affinity toward. Also, Chrysalises operate based on the idea of yin and yang and the legend of jian—the one-eyed, one-winged bird that must find a mate in order to fly. (Yes, in case you’re wondering, this is the same bird also referenced in Darling in the Franxx.)

There are really cool core concepts in this book. However, I feel that the story unfortunately gets dragged down by shoddy writing. For instance, both the dialogue and Zeitan’s internal dialogue feels extremely juvenile and out of place at times.

Also, I want to point out that this is an extremely faced-paced book, and this comes as a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s jampacked with alien stomping and punching and characters shooting energy lasers from their eyes.

However, as entertaining as this is, I feel like that nearly non-stop action comes at the cost of characters’ relationship development. This is especially true for the polyamorous love triangle in the book. While Shimin and Zeitan have plenty of quality time together and their relationship progressed naturally, I feel like Yizhi presents the weakest side of the triangle. His connection with Shimin felt incredibly rushed and, moving forward, I do wish we get more flashbacks between Zeitan and Yizhi in order to make their undying love more convincing.

Overall, Iron Widow is a fun but flawed mecha romp.

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Teen, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Comments

Manga Review | Blue Period: Why We Create Art

Why do we create art? Is it so we can better understand the world, so we can connect with others, so we can feel alive, or so we can bring the wildest figments of our imagination to life? Well, depending on who you ask, the answer will vary, and Blue Period by Tsubasa Yamaguchi seeks to give various Art Club students answers to that question. The story follows Yatora, a high school student, but despite his perfect grades and having tons of friends, he still can’t shake the terrible emptiness he feels inside, until one day he walks by his school’s art room and a beautiful painting catches his eye and finally ignites a passion in him. He decides that he wants to pursue art and aims to be admitted into one of the most competitive art schools in Japan, and that road is a tough one. Now, it’s very rare for a story to resonate with me on a molecular level, but everyone once in a blue moon, a story comes along that’s so relatable, that it hits too close to home. With gut-wrenchi...

Manga Review and Translator Interview | Apple Children of Aeon Volume 1

Abandoned as a baby, Yukinojo can't help but feel adrift in life, so when an heiress to an Aomori apple farm proposes to him, he takes up her offer. However, after he feeds his newlywed wife an apple from a mysterious tree, she becomes irrevocably changed, and the two of them are left trying to deal with the aftermath. Apple Children of Aeon , Vol. 1 by Ai Tanaka is a surreal and contemplative slice-of-life manga that’s steeped in Shintoism and magical realism. I’ve got to say, this manga has such a wonderful sense of place, transporting readers to the idyllic Aomori countryside. I think it’s precisely because the setting and characters feel so grounded that the subtle fantastical elements woven into the story feel all the more believable. On top of that, the art style feels like you’re opening up an old illustrated folktale. It’s simple yet charming and atmospheric. Honestly, the artwork and covers are so gorgeous that I wish that Kodansha will eventually ...

My Most Anticipated Manga Releases of 2022

Another year, another batch of new manga releases. Here are the ones (as well as some older manga returning to print) that I'm most excited for in 2022! Wandance by Coffee The story centers around Kaboku, a studious high schooler who feels trapped by his parent’s expectations. However, one night, he sees a fellow schoolmate dancing and becomes captivated. He asks to join her hip hop team. He has a lot of work ahead and he’s not sure what the future holds. All he knows is that through dance, he finally feels free. It looks like Coffee’s artwork wonderfully captures the kinetic energy and the beauty of self-expression within dance, so I’m really looking forward to this one. Double Manga, Vol. 1 by Ayako Noda Takara is a natural genius at acting, but he’s a bit scatterbrained and needs his acting double, Yuujin, to help him focus and memorize lines. However, when he’s scouted for a television role, jealousy threatens t...

My Most Anticpated Manga Reads of 2021

2020 is coming to close, but a whole new year of manga releases is upon us! Get ready to gear up because here's a list of which titles I'm most excited for. My Dearest Self with Malice Aforethought by Shoto Ito This manga is a cerebral psychological thriller about a shy, awkward college student. However, he has gaps in his memory where it's like he's a completely different person. He wakes up with a girlfriend he can't recall getting, he apparently punched another student, and ... he might even be committing murder. If you enjoy cerebral psychological thrillers like Memento or enjoy the concept of the "dark passenger" from Dexter , this one just might be right up your alley too. Shino Can't Say Her Name by Shuzo Oshimi Shino can't say her name or words that start with vowels. This makes it difficult for her to communicate with others. However, her freshman year of high school, she finally befriends a tone-deaf girl who loves music, and tog...

whimsydearest

Search This Blog