Emperor Qin Zheng: A legendary ruler of Huaxia and pilot of the Emperor-class Chrysalis the Yellow Dragon. Qin Zheng's spirit pressure is unmatched beyond any pilot in existence. He contracted a disease called flower pox and used the natural qi of the Kunlun Mountains to suspend himself in stasis until a cure could be found. Rumors say he remains there still, but the territory surrounding him has been lost to the Hunduns for over 200 years.

Wu Zetian: a peasant girl who becomes the titular "Iron Widow" and co-pilot for the Vermilion Bird Chrysalis. She seeks to topple the sexist society of Huaxia after her sister is sacrificed as a pilot.Dugu Qieluo& Yang Jian: The female and male pilots, respectively, of the White Tiger Chrysalis. Qieluo is cold and hostile toward Zetian's attempts at friendship. Nawotka, Ed (24 September 2021). "Publishing in Canada 2021: Novelist Xiran Jay Zhao on Blending SciFi and Chinese History". Publishers Weekly . Retrieved 24 March 2021. After a heavily televised battle where Yizhi gives his qi to help them defeat a massive Hundun, Yizhi joins them in the Chrysalis. The three suspect that the Chrysalis system is biased toward the survival of the male pilots. Shimin and Zetian torture a high-ranking official, who confesses that girls are just as likely to have strong spirit pressure as boys, but the system is rigged to ensure the survival of the male pilot. Morrissy, Kim (6 June 2022). "How DARLING in the FRANXX Inspired a New York Times Bestselling YA Novel". Anime News Network. News . Retrieved 9 June 2022.

skye (2021-10-19). "Our Friend is Here! An Interview with Xiran Jay Zhao, Author of Iron Widow – On Their Author Journey So Far, Reimagining Historical Characters, & Upcoming Project Hype". The Quiet Pond . Retrieved 2021-11-03. Ulatowski, Rachel (March 17, 2023). "Publishing's Unlivable Wages Delayed a Highly Anticipated Sequel From a Bestselling Author". The Mary Sue . Retrieved March 17, 2023. To tame her unnerving yet invaluable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot in Huaxia​. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so easily. She will miss no opportunity to leverage their combined might and infamy to survive attempt after attempt on her life, until she can figure out exactly why the pilot system works in its misogynist way—and stop more girls from being sacrificed.In September 2022, Picturestart optioned the film rights to Iron Widow. It was announced that J.C. Lee was hired to write the screenplay and that the film will be produced by Erik Feig, Jessica Switch and Julia Hammer. [40] [41] A mysterious stone once fell down into the Xuan Realm from outside the world which was then obtained by Ji Fuling and Yu Xuan Yue. One day, their blood accidentally fell onto the stone and Ling Xiao was born from the stone. The Mary Sue Book Club, September 2021: Romance, Magical Realism, and More". The Mary Sue. 2021-09-15 . Retrieved 2022-05-12. Xiran Jay Zhao immigrated to British Columbia from a small town in China in grade five. [2] Their father is of Hui heritage. [3] Zhao would imagine stories growing up, but did not put any on paper until being encouraged to at an anime convention when they were 15.

Gao Qiu: The richest media mogul in Huaxia and a corrupt businessman with underground ties to spread his influence. Initially dismissive, he eventually agrees to exclusive and lucrative media contracts to support Zetian and Shimin's public image. A Girl Prepares Her Brows for Battle in This Excerpt From Iron Widow". Gizmodo. July 27, 2021 . Retrieved 2022-05-12.Since I get asked this a lot: No, there's no way to buy my books directly from me. The royalties will get to me with months of delay no matter where you buy it and which format. But I recommend buying from your local indie bookstore or Bookshop.org if you're in the States, because it shares profits with indies. Colyard, KW (9 April 2021). "Xiran Jay Zhao's Iron Widow Combines Ancient Chinese Culture And Mecha Science Fiction". Bustle . Retrieved 24 October 2021. Zetian attempts to retrieve Shimin's body, but the Heavenly Council has taken it. A secret government document reveals that Huaxia is not on Earth, but actually a colony on another planet. The Hunduns are the native species, defending themselves from invading humans. Before Zetian can share this horrifying information with the public, the Heavenly Council advise her that if she serves them, they will revive Shimin. Ten Terrifying Questions with Xiran Jay Zhao!". Booktopia. 8 October 2021 . Retrieved 24 October 2021. No for real, spy thrillers set in the Republic of China era are a staple in c-dramas, and here Miss Chloe is, finally bringing it to Western YA! The era is famous for the amount of spying and information warfare that went on as the Nationalists (of the Kuomintang, technically the legitimate government of China), communists (persecuted and fighting to stay alive against the Kuomintang), and imperialists (slowly encroaching on China on behalf of Imperial Japan) vied for dominance over a fractured China. NO ONE's true loyalties were certain as the factions planted spies in each other's ranks--you had double agents, triple agents, quadruple agents. Families split along political lines as each member followed their own vision of China's future. Add Captain-America-esque super serums and fake marriage into the mix, and you have Foul Lady Fortune, a mystery that will certainly leave you shook as it unravels layer by sinister layer.