If you were captivated by Zetian’s relentless drive to overturn a brutal system and achieve her goals at any cost in Iron Widow, you’ll be drawn to Rin’s harrowing journey in The Poppy War. Like Zetian, Rin refuses to accept her fate, undertaking a path of war and transformation that challenges her morals and survival instincts. The novel’s intense, goal-driven plot will keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you loved Zetian’s uncompromising strength and the vivid presence of formidable women at the heart of Iron Widow, you’ll love Sona and Eris in Gearbreakers. These two rebellious girls, on opposite sides of a violent war between humans and mecha gods, are driven by rage, resilience, and their own complicated hopes for freedom.

If the wide-ranging, inclusive cast and the exploration of identity in Iron Widow resonated with you, An Unkindness of Ghosts offers a brilliant, diverse ensemble navigating a stratified spaceship society. Aster’s journey weaves queer and neurodiverse representation through a complex, oppressive world, echoing the fresh, intersectional perspectives you enjoyed.

If you were gripped by Zetian’s fight against a cruel, patriarchal regime in Iron Widow, you’ll be equally fascinated by Darrow’s battle to upend the rigid caste system of Mars in Red Rising. The story’s brutal, dystopian world and high-stakes revolution will appeal to your love for gritty power struggles and societal critique.

If you were enthralled by the deep worldbuilding and the reimagined history and myth in Iron Widow, you’ll be amazed by the intricate, earthquake-ravaged world of The Fifth Season. Jemisin’s storytelling weaves fascinating cultures, histories, and systems of power, drawing you into a world as richly imagined and immersive as Zhao’s.