Iron Widow

Science fiction and East Asian myth combine in this dazzling retelling of the rise of Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history

The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises - giant transforming robots that battle the aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. No one cares that the girls must serve as concubines and often sacrifice their lives.

When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, her plan is to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But on miraculously emerging from the cockpit unscathed after her first battle, she has a new plan. The time has come to overturn the entire patriarchal military system.

'Absolutely epic. This is the historical-inspired, futuristic sci-fi mash-up of my wildest dreams. Iron Widow charges headfirst into a world of giant mechas and uncompromising characters. The brutal beauty of Xiran Jay Zhao's writing kept me glued to the page from start to finish.' -- Chloe Gong, author of These Violent Delights

'Like its ferocious heroine, Iron Widow is brutal, bloodthirsty and full of rage. Zetian's fight to shatter patriarchal definitions of power makes for a truly thrilling read.' -- Julie C. Dao, author of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns

'A primal scream of a book, Iron Widow delivers on all that fury and more, combining meticulous pacing and brilliant world building to make a truly epic read.' -- E.K. Johnston, author of Aetherbound

'Zetian is the take-no-prisoners heroine you'll love to cheer on as she crushes everyone who tries to bring her down.' -- Rebecca Schaeffer, author of Not Even Bones

'A bold and brash story that will grab you by the throat from page one. Zhao expertly weaves a story that polishes off classic sci-fi themes and re-imagines them in a lush futuristic world inspired by Ancient China. With an unapologetic heroine who pushes so far beyond the boundaries of expectations, the reader will go on a journey of twists and turns that will make them gasp with each page turn. Thrilling, heart-wrenching and epic!' -- Kat Cho, author of Vicious Spirits

'In Iron Widow, Zhao crafts a thrilling, brutal tale with jaw-dropping action and a fierce and unyielding heroine. Zetian is unstoppable, and I dare you not to cheer her on.' -- Elizabeth Lim, author of Spin the Dawn