School Library Journal
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Gr 8 Up—"I am ready to slaughter the gods." Vicious and perceptive, Zetian has leveraged it all to sit at the highest echelons of power in Huaxia, only to discover that everything the masses know about their country, their world, and the gods they worship is a lie. She has awakened Emperor Qin Zheng from his qì-induced cryo-stasis, and due to the power vacuum she created, she cannot depose him to seize his power for herself. Zetian must grapple with the consequences of her actions in Iron Widow and the realities of her ascension as more betrayals and political intrigue hide around every corner. Zhao manages impressive worldbuilding as the plot expands in scope and complexity, but the writing gets bloated with political details at the expense of the momentum the first book did so well. The philosophizing rides the edge of preaching: it is interesting and lends itself to the arcs of many characters, deepening conflict and raising the already high stakes, but it also carries on for longer than many readers will have patience for. The slow burn eventually evolves into tense and engrossing action sequences as the story lives up to its title. Zetian's polyamorous love triangle with Yizhi and Shimin becomes understandably complicated as she tries to secure her throne. The ending promises more to come. Characters are Chinese. VERDICT Returning fans will find many things to love in this cathartic power fantasy. Recommended for collections with the first book.—Emmy Neal