Xiran Jay Zhao

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Zhao, In a promotional photo for Iron Widow
 
    Xiran Jay Zhao is a first generation Chinese immigrant from, in their words, "small-town China." They graduated from university in 2020 with a degree in biochemistry, and after struggling to find a job in their chosen field due to the pandemic, turned to writing. (2) Zhao has since published two novels, Iron Widow and Zachary Ying, and their third novel, Heavenly Tyrant (a sequel to Iron Widow), is slated to release this year (10).

    Zhao's work is heavily influenced by their culture: their YouTube channel is devoted to Asian representation in popular culture, and their novels are overflowing with references to Chinese history, especially Iron Widow. The book centers around a fictionalized version of Wu Zetian, the first and only empress of China (9) as she seeks to avenge her older sisters death. But, there's a twist. Zetian's plan involves her becoming the pilot for a "Chrysalis", a war mech designed to fight the bug-like aliens known as "Hunduns" that are threatening the survival of humanity. Zetian will have to navigate alliances with friends and murderers alike if she wants to carry out her vengeance successfully. (3, 5)

    According to Zhao, writing Iron Widow was extremely cathartic and emotional, as the book's world is based on their own experiences with racism and misogyny. They said in an interview: "Basically, all my nightmares [were] dialed up to 11. The rage helped me push through the writing of the story.” (3)

Zhao, and the cover of Iron Widow
    While Iron Widow has been received quite well, being dubbed one of the "Best Books of 2021" by the Boston Globe (8), and winning several awards, including the Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy (4), it was originally rebuffed by publishers. Zhao wanted there to be a non-traditional relationship in the book, but many publishers thought that polyamory was too controversial for a YA novel. Zhao's agent even suggested at one point that they change Iron Widow's rating to "Adult," but Zhao was insistent on keeping it YA, saying: "I wrote this for a YA audience; I used so many YA tropes and then flipped them on their heads. I don't think an Adult audience would necessarily get that."(1)

    While I have not personally read Iron Widow, it's been on my "To Be Read" list for quite some time, since I saw a TikTok by Zhao explaining the plot, where they used comparisons to the anime Darling in the Franxx and Saint Seiya, as well as the movie Pacific Rim. It's a book I'm excited to read, and learning more about Zhao hasn't changed that. 

  1. “#BNEvents: Xiran Jay Zhao (Iron Widow) with Elizabeth Lim.” YouTube, Barnes & Noble, 26 May 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM7vWTColAo
  2. “About.” Xiran Jay Zhao, xiranjayzhao.com/index.php/about/ Accessed 13 Feb. 2024.
  3. DeMarco-Jacobson, Jessica. “'Iron Widow" by Xiran Jay Zhao: A Review.” The Oxford Student, 22 Feb. 2022, www.oxfordstudent.com/2022/02/14/iron-widow-xiran-jay-zhao-review/#:~:text=Iron%20Widow%20is%20the%20kind,of%20writing%20is%20simply%20electric.
  4. Deogun, Inderjit. “Winners of the 2022 CCBC Book Awards Revealed - Quill and Quire.” Quill and Quire - Canada’s Magazine of Book News and Reviews, 30 Sept. 2022, quillandquire.com/omni/winners-of-the-2022-ccbc-book-awards-revealed/
  5. “Iron Widow (Iron Widow #1) by Xiran Jay Zhao.” Publishers Weekly, www.publishersweekly.com/9780735269934 Accessed 13 Feb. 2024.
  6. Kirichanskaya, Michele. “Interview with Xiran Jay Zhao.” Geeks OUT, 6 May 2022, www.geeksout.org/2022/05/07/interview-with-xiran-jay-zhao/
  7. “Press Kit.” Xiran Jay Zhao, xiranjayzhao.com/index.php/press-kit/. Accessed 13 Feb. 2024
  8. Tuttle, Kate, and Joshunda Sanderson. “The Best Books of 2021.” BostonGlobe.Com, apps.bostonglobe.com/arts/graphics/2021/12/best-of-2021-books/#children’s Accessed 13 Feb. 2024.
  9. “Wu Zhao: Ruler of Tang Dynasty China.” Association for Asian Studies, 9 June 2023, www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/wu-zhao-ruler-of-tang-dynasty-china/.
  10. “Xiran Jay Zhao: Speak Loudly.” Locus Online, 22 Dec. 2022, locusmag.com/2022/11/xiran-jay-zhao-speak-loudly/.

Comments

  1. Sean DunneFebruary 19, 2024 at 7:21 AM

    Hi Jace! I have not heard about Xiran Jay Zhao or their novels before, so their work is completely new to me! What you've said about writing being a cathartic experience for them to work through racism and misogyny reminds me of the author I wrote about, who began writing to work through experiences with racism and a lack of understanding about her own culture. I am really glad you included the conversation surrounding whether or not polygamy is YA appropriate. I see a lot of discourse happening about the "appropriateness" of queer relationships, especially in YA, and I think it's so important for authors like Zhao to push back against that so young queer people can find representation in the media they're consuming. Thanks for sharing! Zhao's work is definitely on my list now.

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  2. BriannaFebruary 19, 2024 at 4:17 PM

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  3. BriannaFebruary 19, 2024 at 4:18 PM

    I've heard of the novel "Iron Widow" only in passing, and I would have never guessed it to have the plot that it does. Being able to write a YA science fiction novel while still dealing with heavy (yet important) themes, such as racism, is nothing short of outstanding in terms of impressiveness. Zhao's insistence on keeping it YA and exposing these themes to a younger audience is something that more authors should most definitely be doing, especially to educate them. By using writing as their outlet, it seems that Zhao has created a very impressive and diverse world, and I can safely say that "Iron Widow" has been added to my list.

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