In Iron Widow, Xiran Jay Zhou combines Pacific Rim with The Handmaid's Tale with Chinese mythology in a YA novel set in a world of mechanized Chrysalises. These Chrysalises are powered by the boys of Huaxia and are powered by the girls of Huaxia, who become pilot-concubines before their deaths. Motivated by the death of her older sister, 18-year-old Zetian becomes a pilot-concubine to not only assassinate the pilot responsible, but to prevent this from ever happening again.

Xiran Jay Zhou is an immigrant to Canada who was born in China, but, according to them, was raised on the internet. Zhou is a recent graduate from Simon Fraser University and Iron Widow is their first novel. After appearing on the New York Times Bestsellers list for over 30 weeks, Iron Widow has also accumulated numerous accolades including a 2022 Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book nomination and winning the 2021 BSFA Award for "Best Book for Younger Readers".