Heavenly tyrant

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

Following the events ofIron Widow (2021), Wu Zetian brings the fight to the heavens in this second entry in a trilogy infused with Chinese lore. A prologue introduces Qin Zheng, conqueror of the metallic buglike enemies the Hunduns and the powerful Chrysalises and their pilots. But people are succumbing to the rapidly spreading flowerpox that liquifies one's organs. After Qin Zheng is infected, he asks to be frozen until a cure is found. Over 200 years later, he's revived by Zetian, a Chrysalis pilot in the heat of an airborne battle who needs his help. They crash, and Zetian awakens to find that Qin Zheng, who's been cured, has reclaimed the mantle of Emperor of Huaxia, aggressively implementing many social reforms. Qin Zheng and Zetian's relationship is initially tenuous; she's declared empress as part of a mutually beneficial arrangement but faces resistance from the people and the emperor's advisors. However, Qin Zheng's dismantling of oppressive systems of patriarchy and social stratification eventually win over Zetian, who joins him in his secret mission to take down the gods, who he believes are profiting from the ongoing war. The strong worldbuilding lays a foundation for a story that explores social issues, contains a steamy romance, and delves into Zetian's internal battles, although, despite the book's length, readers may wish for fuller development of each theme. A roller coaster of entertainment, emotions, and political machination. (author's note, element guide, Chrysalis guide)(Science fiction. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.