#xiranjayzhao

[high-quality-tiktoks]

🤷‍♂️publishing can’t ask us to write bestsellers for them on no money

[thereaderbee]

📚 What are some underrated books that you’ve read this year?? Happy Thursday, Bookworms … Have you read any books this year that you feel are underrated? I’ve read a few, and the first one that came to mind was *Iron Widow* by Xiran Jay Zhao! (Also, throwback photo because it was pouring rain yesterday and too dark to take photos.) I read this book back in January, and it’s so good. I don’t see it around much, but everyone should read it. I have the sequel preordered and I can’t wait to devour it. ❤️ What are some underhyped books that you loved this year?? 🌲 📚 🌲 📚 🌲 📚 #AlltheBookDec22 #MyFictionalMusings #CourtofReadingDec22 #Reaing ingintheWeb 🌲 📚 🌲 📚 🌲 📚 #ironwidow #xiranjayzhao #bookstack #yabooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #booknerd #booklover #bookphotography #books #reading #bookrecs #goodreads #bookobsessed #yafantasy #fantasybooks #bookcommunity #booksaremagic #readmorebooks #cozyreading #bookaesthetic #bookcommunity #readingisfundamental #fiction #readingtime #ilovebooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CmL_8INOkUi/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[cant-think-of-anything-creative]

hi @xiranjayzhao I just finished Iron Widow (FANTASTIC time) and was looking through some fanart when I noticed that most of them don't depict Wu Zetian's bound feet (hypothesizing this is because of lack of reference or straight up not wanting to)

just wondering if that bothers you at all, and do you have a preference either way??

thanks for writing this amazing book!! eagerly awaiting Heavenly Tyrant :D

[supersteviegeekout]

I am exactly the kind of ice-blooded, rotten-hearted girl he fears I am. And I am fine with that. - Iron Widow by @xiranjayzhao ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~ Normally on the 4th, I do the red, white, and blue stack or flat lay. But this year I can't. So today I bring you books where the hero challenges the status quo. They refuse to accept the unfairness around them. Sometimes they're pushed too far and are forced to fight back. ☆What are your favorite books that challenge the status quo?☆ ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~ #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #bookswelove #bookaholic #booklover #booklife #bookaddict #rebellion #challengethestatusquo #4thofjuly #fightback #ironwidow #xiranjayzhao #redrising #poppywar #ashprincess #serpentanddove #emberintheashes https://www.instagram.com/p/CfmhedTJCDj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[capsensislagamoprh]

Hey. Hey xiranjayzhao ! Check this out! By harkavagrant.

[pyxisbr-blog-blog]

A "Viúva de Ferro", da série "Entre sem bater".

O segredo para entender as mulheres está aqui.

A melhor indicação de um presente para elas nesta data hipócrita.

#ViuvadeFerro #Entresembater #XiranJayZhao #Hipocrisia #DiadaMulher

[taliejane]

Review: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

I absolutely adored this book from the beginning! I don't usually go for fantasy or dystopia but this book is big in queer bookish spaces so I went for it. I wasn't disappointed!

The story takes place in a fictional dystopia, inspired by various historical Chinese epochs, where female concubines are routinely sacrificed in battle in order to fuel the futuristic war weaponry piloted only by men. Wu Zetian, inspired by the historical Chinese Empress, decides to enlist as a concubine with the intention of murdering the pilot who took her sister's life. However, in a world where power comes from mental fortitude rather than physical, she soon proves herself to be a powerful force to be reckoned with.

TW: Sexual assault, misogyny, alcoholism and Chinese foot binding.

Spoilerful review:

Wu Zetian immediately subverts expectations of a dystopian heroine, which had me hooked from the start. Whereas usually the Katniss Everdeens of the world are fighting to protect their family or loved ones, Zetian is motivated purely by revenge. Despite knowing it will condemn her entire family to death, despite knowing there are no hopes of survival for herself, she single-mindedly pursues the pilot who murdered her sister.

The pure rage that fuels her throughout the story was so addictive to read. I've seen criticisms of this book which lamented that her feminism was purely violent. So what? I've been sexually assaulted and my feelings afterwards were also violent. I also would have wanted horrible consequences for everyone who hurt me. Zetian gives catharsis to any reader who has ever just wanted to scream and rage against the seemingly untouchable forces in society that hurt them.

Her melodramatic inner monologue really worked for me too. She is an epic figure on an epic journey. The tone worked. Especially in contrast to the even-tempered rhetoric of the sages and strategists. Which is obviously just placating bullshit when they actively participate in a system which purposefully sacrifices girls.

I enjoyed the way the weaponry works in this story too. Despite having bound feet, Zetian is poweful because she is powerful in spirit. Maybe that allegory is too obvious for some people, but it really worked for me.

Her relationship to the two love interests was also a really nice counterbalance to the main narrative, and added some complexities to her understanding of her own world.

As someone who doesn't love sci-fi, I found the battle scenes easy enough to follow as well. That meant there weren't scenes were I lost interest and so I can comfortably recommend the book to other non-scifi or fantasy fans.

Where this books lost me a bit was the lore behind the 200 year old emporer. Maybe this was a problem with my own reading comprehension. I thought we needed more time with the nomads and the discovery of the 200 year old man??? for her victory to feel deserved. Maybe this was cut for the length of the book to be more typical but idk. Hopefully the sequel will give this more time.

Ultimately this was definitely a 4.5/5 read for me!

[ajtorres0]

QotD: If your mother's spirit was taken to an underworld, but the only way to save her was to allow a spirit to possess you, would you let it? Hola bookstagram, ever since I finished this book with the fam I've been wanting to talk to you guys about it for like EVAH! Haha and that is Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor and oh my goddess, this book was amazing! The humor, the characters, THE STORY! Seriously guys if you like Percy Jackson and anime, pick up this book, you will fall in love with Zack and adopt him like I did hehe. This book is also not afraid to hit you with the hard stuff which will only make you want to hug Zack even more. I seriously cannot WAIT for book 2. In fact, I hate that I have to wait because I want it nooooow! Anyone got the deets yet? Not to mention look at that gorgeous cover by @velinxi, can you just say AMAZING! 😍😍😍😍😍 Because I sure as heck can! Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is by @xiranjayzhao . . . . #bookstagram #fantasybook #booksofig #readersofig #booknerd #booklover #bookworm #bookdragon #ilovebooks #bibliophile #bookcommunity #zacharyying #zyatde #xiranjayzhao #mgfantasy #mgbook #urbanfantasy #queerbook #middlegradebook #middlegradefantasy https://www.instagram.com/p/CpVaUvjLxaj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[mybookishlife2]

🪴 #tbrpost 🪴 QOTD: is there a book you’re looking forward to reading? This is going to sound so weird. But I felt like I read NOTHING in April but I read 10 books and that’s a lot for me. What’s up with that. 😂 Anyways, I’m really hoping to get to Unravel the Dusk and Beauty of Darkness. I am very much a mood reader so I try not to have too much of a TBR. I do also have a couple buddy reads this month that I’m super excited for. 🪴Tags #ironwidow #illumicrate ##xiranjayzhao #yafantasy #historicalfiction #romance #fantasybooks #flatlaybooks #bookaholic https://www.instagram.com/p/CdJQ-0Ur9Gx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[high-quality-tiktoks]

The screenwriters are my comrades and I fully understand how they feel🫡

[fishthegenderwitch-lurking]

♥♥♥♥♥ to @endreal for tagging me in this!

relationship status: I already have too much and nothing to say here haha

favorite color: water colours: green, blue, purple, deep blue... I do not have a favourite SINGLE colour

three favorite foods: blueberries, fried chicken, vegetarian sushi

song stuck in my head: today is the first day in 3 months I HAVE NOT had a song running through my head constantly!

dream trip: Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Vietnam, and possibly re-entering Canada (if I have to come back) via Vancouver so I can meet some siblings

time: 14:14

anything I really want rn: a clean, clear work space and 5 days of no obligations so I can get to work on this ART PROJECT

last song: Dick This Big by Todrick Hall xD

last movie: Ocean’s Eight. The best of the Ocean’s films. (fite me)

currently watching: The Grand Budapest Hotel (PANACHE!)

currently reading: Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao, A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger, Encore in Death by JD Robb, A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik. I finished the other 3 I was reading sooner than these ones.

currently craving: blueberries and hugs and a phone call from a friend

----

I tag @labelleizzy, @gnomedyke, @zeatee, and @artoriusiv-unofficial, and @riez-n-shine to fill these out (But you are not obligated!) ♥♥♥♥♥

[lamaery]

soooo, on a vacation trip a week ago, I stumbled over @xiranjayzhao's Iron Widow in a book shop in Copenhagen and devoured it last weekend. It was quite the fun read. (And I am not that inclined to mechs 😄 but the rage filled female power fantasy and the setting felt rather refreshing to me) And after finishing the book I had to get at least some art out of my system. As usual it didn't end up what I really intended it to be in my head initially, but also, as usual it has to suffice for now or I'll never post it.

[supersteviegeekout]

How do you take the fight out of half the population and render them willing slaves? You tell them they're meant to do nothing but serve from the minute they're born. You tell them they're weak. You tell them they're prey. You tell them over and over, until it's the only truth they're capable of living. - Iron Widow by @xiranjayzhao ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~ Women's equality day. We've had the right to vote since 1920. A woman ran for president in 2016. And yet in 2022, a majority of women in the US lost the right to bodily autonomy. Stand strong, fight the fight, and when you need help, reach out to another woman. We're all sisters in this. Tag me in coach, I'm ready! Featured here is one of the most empowering books I've ever read. ☆Raise your hand if you'll be confrontational to assist another woman☆ ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~ #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #bookswelove #bookaholic #booklover #booklife #bookaddict #womensequalityday #ironwidow #xiranjayzhao #femaleempowerment https://www.instagram.com/p/ChuUFKQrZw1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[drchucktingle]

dq

finally had time to get informed about @xiranjayzhao, rebecca f kuang and @neil-gaiman being removed from hugo ballot without explanation and hugos claiming they were 'disqualified' but not being able to say why. there is something about this that i think only i can say so here goes:

i philosophically believe my story SPACE RAPTOR BUTT INVASION deserved its nomination because of my views on art, but i also know my views are rare and extreme. my circumstances were very unique and strange, so consider this: EVEN SPACE RAPTOR BUTT INVASION WAS NOT DISQUALIFIED

look up the circumstances of my nomination if you are unfamiliar. apparently that was NOT enough for a disqualification but some mysterious thing about the work of @xiranjayzhao, rebecca f kuang and @neil-gaiman is?

again i am not saying i should have been disqualified and i could write a dang 50 page thesis on art theory and why i believe in my nomination, but compared against the current situation it says a LOT. i am very disturbed and saddened by the treatment of these authors.

[taliejane]

🏳️‍⚧️ Happy #transrightsreadathon week!! I'm pledging to read Yadriel and Julian, Felix Ever After, The Transgender Issue, and Iron Widow 💗💙 . . 💫 I've chosen to donate to Rainbow Refugees Munich. Seeking asylum for your sexuality or gender identity can be a terrifying ordeal. You have to somehow prove to the German government that you are gay. So maybe you will present witnesses or maintain a social media presence. But then what if you are deported anyway? Now you may be forced back to an environment in which you can be persecuted or even prosecuted for your identity, which you have just officially and perhaps publicly declared abroad. 🏳️‍⚧️🌈 . Donation Info: Stadtsparkasse München IBAN: DE 06 7015 0000 0013 1233 85 BIC: SSKMDEMM . . #transrightsreadathon #transrights #transgender #transliberationnow #trans #rainbowrefugees #rainbowrefugeesmunich #yadrielandjulian #cemeteryboys #felixeverafter #shonfaye #thetransgenderissue #ironwidow #aidenthomas #kacencallender #xiranjayzhao (at Munich, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqAUBJpAwJz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=