 Beth Spinner | Welcome to final Weekend Picks for March! Beth Spinner concludes her month of Weekend Picks with a science fantasy YA novel that investigates social class divisions in "an alternate version of medieval Chine set in the future." We thank Beth for a month of great recommendations that will keep our TBR stacks plentiful. Professor Spinner taught middle and high school English before obtaining her PhD in English Education from Western Michigan University. She is currently a teacher educator at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. Her research focuses on fostering social justice in the English classroom using reading and writing. |
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zha
Iron Widow takes place in Huaxia, an alternate version of medieval China set in the future. Wealthy people of Huaxia have advanced technology at their fingertips while those in the lower social classes are prohibited from even using technology. In addition to inequitable social class systems, the book also portrays inequalities between genders. Aliens living behind the Great Wall are constantly attacking the people of Huaxia. The war is fought with massive fighting machines called Chrysalises. These machines are controlled by a male and female pilot. Male pilots are treated like royalty and are famous throughout the land. Male pilots have several female concubine pilots and are often killed in battles in order for the male to be successful. Families of the women are honored and sometimes compensated.
 Xiran Jay Zhao | It is in this world that the book’s main character, Zetian, lives and resists. Zetian’s sister has just been killed in a battle and Zetian seeks revenge. She vehemently opposes the concubine pilot system and the gender and economic inequities it perpetuates. However, she believes her best chance at revenge is from inside the system. She allows her family to give her as a concubine pilot where she quickly rises to the top and becomes a favorite of the male pilot. Her original plan for revenge changes and adapts as she learns that she might be able to do more than take down a single man and begins working to take down the whole system. With some help from a couple of friends but mainly because of her own intelligence and fierceness, Zetian exposes lies the government tells and shakes up the system holding so many people down in Huxia. |
| Readers are kept on the edge of their seats as Zetian exposes lies and takes down systems. There is a subtle and nontraditional love triangle subplot that will make readers root for love in general instead of just a hero. It is encouraging to see a woman so empowered and use that empowerment to make real change for people. The change involves making tough choices, and some controversial ones, but she is fearless. Readers will find themselves asking if the sacrifices required to do what’s right are worth it and how far they would go to make a difference. It also calls attention to the topic of power and what people do with it. In Huaxia, government officials who have power use it to keep secrets and keep certain people oppressed. As Zetian gains more power, she uses it to take this very government down. |  |
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