Iron Widow : The TikTok sensation (Paperback / Softback)Xiran Jay Zhao

“Iron Widow: Instant New York Times No.1 Bestseller” is a historical-inspired, futuristic sci-fi novel by Xiran Jay Zhao that has taken the world by storm. This novel is a retelling of the rise of Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history, set in a world where science fiction and East Asian myth collide. The book was made even more popular by its inclusion on Booktok, the premier platform for book lovers.

The novel takes us to a world where the boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises – giant transforming robots that battle aliens beyond the Great Wall. These co-pilots, however, are expected to serve as concubines and often die from the mental strain. Zetian, an 18-year-old girl, offers herself up as a concubine-pilot with a plan to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister’s death. But after miraculously surviving her first battle, Zetian sets her sights on a much more ambitious goal: to stop more girls from being sacrificed.

Critics have compared “Iron Widow” to “The Handmaid’s Tale” meets “Pacific Rim” and have described the novel as brutal, bloodthirsty, and full of rage, just like its protagonist. Julie C. Dao describes Zetian as “fierce” and Chloe Gong hails the book as the historical-inspired, futuristic sci-fi mash-up of her dreams. The “Observer” has listed “Iron Widow” as one of the best books of the year, and Shelley Parker-Chan warns readers to buckle up for the ride. With its captivating blend of science fiction, historical inspiration, and empowering female characters, “Iron Widow” is a must-read for all fans of the genre.