Iron Widow

What a ride. I am so glad I listened to this book rather than reading it myself because of the pronunciation of all the names!

I love a flawed heroine, and Zetian certainly is that. Her solution to every problem is to kill the problem, literally, and not once does she learn from this despite it almost never working the way she planned. I found myself cheering for her in a way I didn't expect, and gasping along with her at each reveal. This book sets up a saga that I'm sure will be as epic and sweeping as the legacy of Chinese literature that it follows.

The world building here is also fascinating - the blend of historical reality, modern day sex-based discrimination, patriarchy, and futurism is complex and intriguing. Parts of this world are familiar, while others feel out of reach and foreign. I'm looking forward to learning more about the universe outside Huaxia in future books.