Zetian must balance dangerous politics with a new quest for vengeance in the sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Iron Widow.
Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers.
After suffering devastating loss and making drastic decisions, Zetian finds herself on the seat of power in Huaxia, but she has also learned that her world is not as it seems. Revelations about an enemy who dangles one of her loved ones as a hostage force Zetian to share power with a dangerous man she cannot simply depose. Despite their mutual dislike and distrust, the two must work together to take down their common enemy and stoke a revolution against the systems of exploitation that plague their world.
However, power is not so easy to wield once seized, and a revolution is not so easy to control once unleashed. As Huaxia’s former elites strike back and the common people’s fervor for justice turns bloody and paranoid, can Zetian remain a fair and just ruler? Or will she be forced to rely on fear and violence and succumb to her darker instincts in her quest for vengeance and liberation?
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Iron Widow
2 books in catalog
Blending Young Adult science fiction with reimagined Chinese history and mecha anime tropes, the novel Iron Widow introduces readers to a fierce anti-heroine fighting against a patriarchal military structure. Hui Chinese-Canadian creator Xiran Jay Zhao burst onto the speculative fiction scene with this bestselling debut, weaving rich cultural history and sharp social critique into high-octane narrative storytelling.
With a background spanning digital media, educational content, and fiction for young adults, Zhao brings a distinct perspective to speculative worldbuilding. Their works reimagining historical figures and mythologies have earned wide recognition, including major genre literature accolades.
Born in China and raised in a small town before immigrating to Vancouver, British Columbia, in their early teens, Zhao grew up deeply embedded in internet culture. They attended Simon Fraser University, graduating in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemical disease research. When the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional job hunting, Zhao turned toward writing sci-fi and fantasy fiction while launching a successful YouTube channel focused on Chinese history, culture, and media commentary.
Zhao achieved major literary recognition with the 2021 release of Iron Widow, which became a #1 New York Times bestseller and won the British Science Fiction Association Award for Best Book for Younger Readers. Expanding into middle-grade fantasy, Zhao published Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor in 2022. In 2024, Zhao was awarded the Astounding Award for Best New Writer.
Zhao's writing style is characterized by fast pacing, unfiltered emotional expression, and an explicit engagement with Chinese history and mythology. A recurring focus in their work is female rage, anti-imperialist commentary, and the subversion of patriarchal and systemic hierarchies. By blending historical figures—such as Empress Wu Zetian—with futuristic mecha combat and contemporary pop culture references, Zhao offers an engaging bridge between historical lore and modern speculative fiction.
