Solving YA Novel Love Triangles - Iron Widow Trailer (no

vote for this book in the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards lmao, it made it to the finals of the YA Sci-fi / Fantasy category?! / young-adult-fantasy-bo...
It got nominated for 2 Book Shimmy awards too (best novel and best group cast)! www.epicreads....
Get this book: ironwidow.com (highly recommend ordering from your local indie store!)
Audio Source: ProZD / @prozd
Animatic: Hans Qu / nerdychineseboy

[@XiranJayZhao]

Iron Widow is just 400 pages of Zetian and Shimin suffering nonstop while Yizhi has the most bisexual time of his life

[@tinyhowie]

I feel offended you didn't include Di Renjie in that pile 🤣

[@Lili-uq4vg]

Facts

[@WhiteRaven696]

It's a damn shame Shimin does not exist, he sounds perfect.

[@MollyHJohns]

Now I miss my old Wattpad triangle pairing lol. The female isn't in the middle of the two men though, and they're the opposite of how simple you describe your characters' relationship dynamics. The middle husband is the one suffering 🤣

[@roswynn5484]

Yizhi also gets to shoot sweet sweet lightning from his hand in the end. I love that man ^___^

[@stephen2624]

It's brave to take a spoiler and make it a major selling point. Kudos where kudos is due.

[@XiranJayZhao]

I got bigger surprises in stock 😎

[@rorygal2991]

I NEED THE SEQUEL

[@orelalaith]

spoiler-ish? I kinda guessed that's how it would go given how Xiran railed against the conventional "love triangles"

[@realisezmoi]

@@XiranJayZhao GIVE US A HINT

[@insawid]

@@realisezmoi my theory is a love triangle between three entire polycules 🤔

[@the1disaster]

When Zetian said "the triangle is the strongest shape" I got a really good feeling about the direction things were going

[@endless2239]

"And so, anime was solved forever" Considering how much sexual tension tends to exist between "the rivals" trope, I'm surprised this isn't the default.

[@xandersaurenmann6958]

And now I'm imagining an AU Naruto where team 7 is a strong triangle.

[@roselover411]

It should be.

[@MollyHJohns]

It's a default in a branch of the harem setting. You'll find them someday because they already exist, just not as mainstream.

[@kjarakravik4837]

@@MollyHJohns I get what you mean, but most harem is all of the characters dating one person instead of all the characters dating each other

[@MollyHJohns]

@@kjarakravik4837 so it's more like polyamory than the standard harem dynamic, right?

[@DarkestElemental616]

Like I said before, my favorite part was when Shimin and Zetian came back from torturing assholes and Yizhi was just baking the whole time and had sweets ready. Relationship goals!

[@spiderwickian]

YES

[@larissafracalossi9847]

Zetian looking from one to the other like "oh yes, perfectly balanced, as all things should be"

[@oniplingz]

YES

[@princesokkaofthewatertribe6407]

I didn't read this part, maybe I skipped it. Which chapter?

[@eldritchmarshmallow5618]

Facts

[@encyclogeekia1865]

On behalf of anyone who has ever read a book with a love triangle ever, thank you for just making it poly and getting on with the plot

[@shytendeakatamanoir9740]

I saw that in an anime once, and it's my favorite way to solve a love triangle (well, that or creating a love sphere)

[@viddergrapho8488]

IT'S AN ACTUAL LOVE TRIANGLE!! IT'S GOT THREE SIDES!! Het-Triangles are just badly aimed love arrows, Change My Mind.

[@lea6385]

@@shytendeakatamanoir9740.... please tell me you remember the anime

[@jerryskeepero]

Truer words have not been written….

[@macaronmoon]

@@lea6385 Same, I need to know now

[@nobellprizz2831]

Zetian really went "Guys, I do not have time for this love triangle bullshit I have a patriarchy to destroy let's just be poly". But on a more serious note, the book was such a refreshing read. I've read it twice now (once for enjoyment and second to pick up any themes, foreshadowing or details I may have missed) and it is nothing short of incredible. I cannot wait until your next book drops.

[@zillafire101]

"Hey, me and my wife saw you across the bar and liked your vibe. You wanna grab a drink with us and see where the night goes?" ~Yizhi

[@XiranJayZhao]

LITERALLY THEM IN THE BOOK

[@justicedreams]

And then they lived happily ever after!

[@luv9397]

@@justicedreamsha. Hahahahaaha 😭😭

[@CheddarSticks_]

@@luv9397fr 😭

[@alexm-e4910]

I’ll be honest, the speedy and mutually agreeable poly relationship was the biggest surprise in the book except for *SPOILERS*

[@NotMeButAnother]

This spoiler just convinced me to buy the book.

[@OhSkyeLanta]

That’s the dang mood

[@inteligentidiot7233]

I've seen so many references online before having read it, it's not even a spoiler anymore. I'm just looking forward to it now.

[@nopenope5035]

Get all the "will they, wont they" out of the way and just have the fun, actual relationship stuff.

[@annaaquitaine4225]

I mean, they did advertise it as a “polyamorous reimagining.”

[@lyannastarkweather]

As a tired bisexual who has ready too many love triangles to count, Zetian/Shimin/Yizhi is quite literally the best thing to have ever happened to me.

[@WhiteRaven696]

I mean, as a reader, I’m definitely here for a bisexual love triangle. But as a gay, I’m also here for both of the boys to escape to the woods and be blissfully domestic while Zetian burns down the patriarchy.

[@cupcakejack7375]

every single one of my Twilight Fanfics have gone like that verbatim

[@WhiteRaven696]

@@cupcakejack7375 Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson smashing in the woods while Kristen Stewart and the Cullens kill all of the Volturi? I’m here for it.

[@magicalmelancholy970]

@@WhiteRaven696 You posted that thrice

[@WhiteRaven696]

@@magicalmelancholy970 KZbin sucks sometimes lol

[@NoiseDay]

That sounds like the greatest romance of all time.

[@jessicabudin]

I was so surprised and delighted by the poly relationship when it finally came to fruition in the book, it was just so refreshing and handled so beautifully! Iron Widow was the absolute best book I’ve read this year, definitely the best YA I’ve read in a very long time, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!! 💖

[@roswynn5484]

The triangle is the strongest shape ^___^

[@puffin8252]

Honestly your story is just inspiring. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy in French!

[@stick9898]

I was too hasty to wait for the French release and ordered an English exemplar ToT

[@leazekrom5538]

@@stick9898 I did the same thing for my birthday lmaooo 😭😭😭

[@XiranJayZhao]

I heard it's releasing in January!!

[@StripsofLight]

@@XiranJayZhao awesome, I've been hyping the book to my sister so much, who only reads in French :DD

[@puffin8252]

@@XiranJayZhao Can't wait!

[@IndigoRose13]

Honestly, though, it was so damn nice to read a book where they actually handled a love triangle in a sensible manner. Also just a very good book over all. The only problem with it was that I finished it over the course of like, four days, and then I had no more of it to read. Fantastic book, but clearly not enough of it.

[@cyeayttheratking9501]

haha yeah, finishing books too fast is the worst, im a speed reader so i finish things in a few days max, but the obsession doesn't wear off for another week :(

[@miramari732]

I feel ya... It's too good to end! I want more... (I finished reading same day I got it so... fastreader pain)

[@eldritchmarshmallow5618]

Dude agreed! I need like a whole series of this that lasts for at least 17 books, 10 movies, and a thriving open-world sandbox video game franchise

[@LavastormSW]

I know right? I finished it in like 5 days. I need the sequel so badly!!

[@random23287]

Also one where it’s actually a triangle and not just a corner that the girls backed into

[@Slm99]

As a bi guy, I live for this even though I am monogamous.

[@jarrakul]

As a kid, I always felt like there was an obvious solution to love triangles. As a poly adult, I've started to realize why it seemed obvious to me, specifically.

[@AngeliqueDaemon]

Honestly 110% LOVED the way that was handled in Iron Widow. I've been screaming about solving love triangles this way for ages, and reading that was just *chef's kiss*

[@xvivido]

Love how all their content so far has been very well thought out video essays on niche topics, and now this

[@roxanne67789]

Xiran uses they/them pronouns! Very much agree though

[@xvivido]

@@roxanne67789 Oh gosh, thank you so much for letting me know!

[@ditzyrose700]

I'm halfway through the book and I wasn't EXACTLY sure how it was going to play out.. But thank you for confirming all of my best suspicions. The only thing that would be better is if Zetian got her own gf on the side.

[@StripsofLight]

might happen, I could see that happening in book 2 :D

[@SketchyHippopotamus]

Well she already has her femboy boyfriend

[@shinyagumon7015]

Well that's the weirdest spoiler I've ever seen, but ok. Hopefully I can still read your book and take it's love triangle seriously 😂

[@HeartFeathers]

No worries the love triangle isn't really a big part.

[@UchihaKat]

There's honestly never even a love triangle in the traditional sense. Both guys wanna support the MC so they both get on the same page real fast rather than being rivals, even before making it more of a three-way thing.

[@eldritchmarshmallow5618]

Honestly it's really well-written. Like I was surprised at how good the love triangle was; it takes balls to do it, but it takes skill to do it RIGHT.

[@samiai8905]

I hope this becomes the blueprint in future YA books

[@lokimemes4694]

LITERALLY I was SCREAMING when Zetain started describing how she & Yizhi were probably bisexual and then IT KEPT GOING and AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH I LOVE IT

[@Lizzy_Lizzard]

The poly relationship was literally the cherry on top oof what an amazing book

[@thesandwich5321]

Your book's been making the rounds around my flat. I don't think I'm getting it back before Christmas 😅

[@cyralamen]

The animated book cover at the end though

[@klausoshaunacey8429]

Truly the best advertisement for a book I’ve ever seen. Iron Widow is truly an amazing book that made every twist and turn feel like my world was being rocked. Truly one of the best YA books I’ve ever read (and possibly one of the best books I’ve ever read tbh)

[@LavastormSW]

I finished the book at like midnight right before going to sleep (stayed up way too late to finish it) and in the morning I had to reread the last couple of pages to make sure I didn't dream the ending and it was actually real. It was WILD. I cannot wait for the sequel omg.

[@ava_marie_v]

This, and Nightmare Queen Zetian burning the patriarchy to the ground, are my favorite parts of your book. I can't wait for the next installment!

[@xrosyxposyx]

I LIVED for this moment. If it were a movie I would have gotten up and cheered in the middle of the theater.

[@masterjennifer4549]

They are turning it into a movie 🤩

[@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight]

If all three agree to be together, then it’s an actual triangle. If it’s two straight guys and one straight girl, then it’s a badly structured ANGLE and not a closed shape.

[@talkingcowthatwasthereallalong]

[...] Then our lord and savior, Xiran in a cow costume, announced for all the lost souls upon this wretched land: "Fuck love triangles" Amen my brothers, sisters and siblings

[@heywhat6676]

This! This is exactly what I thought of when I first heard about the romance in your book! Its great seeing you acknowledge it too lmao

[@apaalad]

Prozd narrating the audiobook is something I now need

[@RachelMWinship]

The Iron Widow movie trailer looks great!

[@eldritchmarshmallow5618]

Please for the love of all the gods write a sequel. You are quite literallythe only author I have encountered in my 27 years on this earth that managed to throw me off guard with a plot twist I did not expect in the least. Twice. In one book. As a lifelong avid reader, I can say without reservation that that alone is an amazing feat. But on top of subverting expectations, you did it RIGHT. Iron Widow is an absolutely amazing book and I 100000% need more

[@PotiusSeroQamNumquam]

Coming December 2024! 🎉

[@000Dragon50000]

Actually... Could we have a chinese history video going into depth on Polyamoury and how that was seen in the past in china? The topic is only ever discussed in a western lens and whilst reading Iron Widow it struck me that I'm actually really damn interested in the history of polyamoury elsewhere in the world, as well as pre-christianity in europe.

[@000Dragon50000]

@La La I mean that was a mechanism elsewhere in the world too but IDK that doesn't really work since with a few exceptions it's usually not a romantic thing, unfortunately. Plus the patriarchal aspect to it, those societies geeenerally didn't let their female rulers and nobles do the same.

[@finngswan3732]

For once, I LOVE A SPOILER. This shoots it to the top of my TBR.

[@renakellner4448]

When I caught on to you setting the poly up I got SO EXCITED.

[@viddergrapho8488]

I put the book down 3 times while reading it, but otherwise binged it in 7 hours. I'm pretty sure 2 of the 3 pauses were me realizing where the love triangle was going, then freaking out when IT WENT THERE. 😆😆😆

[@SilverTheLover]

this scene in the book had be literally squealing with delight i loved it so much

[@Lohengrin1850]

I'm even more excited to get this for Christmas now! THANK YOU for finally doing a poly relationship instead of a triangle

[@marinabarcellos9859]

Dude, I have to thank you again for just depicting a poly relationship without any judgement! It made me so happy to see!

[@larissafracalossi9847]

I finished reading it just a couple days ago and OMG I was so glad when Shimin and Yizhi finally resolved their sexual tension after hundreds of pages of holding hands and being cute ToT I love those three

[@Jekyllhyde360]

Hahaha, i love this solution for the triangle issue

[@RoseGamingRG]

I just got to the part where Yizhi meets Shimin and I can honestly say I’m here for it after being initially skeptical with this video 🤣🤣🤣

[@SailorLarkspur]

i am so in love with the iron triangle more memes plz

[@mommaneganhobbystuff2409]

Having read the book, I love how it got solved

[@arleneanimated9772]

You have no idea how excited I was when I read the book and saw where it was going

[@just_that_girl3873]

Traditional love ‘triangles’ are just love bent lines and you cannot change my mind

[@cora2192]

and we love iron widow for this

[@brookietwiling]

Me: * planning to buy this book at some point* * hears there's a poly relationship in it* Me: * cue Scooby dash to Amazon* (but seriously I'm not a big fan of sci-fi in general but I thought the plot sounded interesting, and I like Wu Zetian- she a cool lady, so I figured I'd put it on my wish list and buy it sometime in the future when I have money. Now I know there's a poly relationship in it and that's not even the main plot? ... ehh, my niece/nephew can have a cheaper Christmas present. It's fine, they won't know. *grins*)

[@FlowersOfMoss]

ProZD with voice perfection

[@eeklee8980]

I’ve been really angry lately and decided to read Iron Widow in an attempt to help validate my hatred of the patriarchy. Damn did it work. 💯

[@enuj3043]

annnd we love it! can't wait for the second one!

[@gayjayy]

POLY BABY!!! I'm really glad you didn't go the traditional, typical "live triangle" route.

[@AppleStrawberryLove]

Honestly, thank you so much for going there! I am bisexual and polyamorous and I was so happy reading this book but especially that reveal. You approached it so wonderfully and I recommended it to my poly friends as a must read because you did so great. THANK YOU. On the other hand, you gain no thanks for making it so your book has been stuck in my head for almost a month now and my need for more. I starve... T-T

[@delmicortave]

Lol problem solve 😆 finally I hate love triangles so this is my favorite solution

[@hydrofalls8154]

Best part of the book. The triangle is truly the strongest shape.

[@spiceupyourafterlife]

As a poly person, thank you for giving us positive and healthy representation. ❤️

[@Flowtail]

i'm honestly astonished at how closely the relationship dynamic reflects a fanfic i've been writing myself--a badboy with a himbo heart, the slyly evil but fiercely loyal one, and the academic softboi

[@ather7804]

OKAY so I just read the preview and am speechless. THIS LADY CAN WRITE!! 😫😫😫

[@artemisvsvenus]

ProZD's skit is great. Nice animation

[@Jemini4228]

Thankyou for being the first author I've read to write a love triangle that was actually a triangle (the strongest shape!).

[@lunaguy1195]

This is how all the love corners become loves triangles

[@kochany5]

you do notknow the utter relief i felt when she just. made the triangle. goddamn. love thisbook

[@christophermerrill8925]

Your book was a big inspiration to a book series I'm planning in the future, and this video gave me some clarity about the love triangle I've been chewing on for quite a while. They can all just f*ck each other lol, a big gay poly relationship between a "dragon", a half vamp vampire hunter, a shapeshifter, and a faerie. Thx so much Xiran 😉

[@skylarlillileblanc3590]

What the fuck did I just read?

[@christophermerrill8925]

@@skylarlillileblanc3590 Probably should add some context to the uh Dragon part, the MC is a Dragonborn, people who possess the ability to turn into dragons.... I was not going to add beastiality into the story

[@nadiazahiraputrirachmadi734]

@@christophermerrill8925 Oh well, best of luck with that.👌👍

[@WhereNajaDoesStuff]

I would like to know the title of this book, please.

[@geonah05]

I'm not a reader. Like at all. But I was consumed with Iron Widow for 1.5 days straight and now that I've finished it i don't know how to go on. This book is EVERYTHING. I am living to read the sequel.

[@acecat2798]

No joke, we watched a Truffaut movie for class (The Last Metro) and it involved a love triangle. It ends with all three holding hands and I said in class “I mean it seems like a thruple ending. Seems like the most logical conclusion.” My prof thought I was joking. But like the married couple mentions having a threesome before so like the only real barrier is a lack of chemistry between the wife and other man despite the comphet hookup.

[@brandonhall7498]

I mean...this solves so many issues with so many series.

[@Syurtpiutha]

I prefer two kinds of solutions to love triangles: Gay or poly. It depends on how interesting the character who 'has to choose' is. Zetian had no issues in this regard. I stan her Righteous Rage.

[@parker_lofi3033]

I read the entire thing. Xiran, A SEQUEL IS NEEDED! I LOVED IT SO MUCH, IT REALLY SHOULD CONTINUE, I'D LOVE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORLD YOU CREATED ❤️

[@juicedrewthis]

Ok funny jokes aside OMG HANS THIS IS SO COOL-

[@pancakemaxx4377]

On behalf of all of those of us who have read the book... ...I am still hurting

[@SenMysrana]

Lemme tell you, I was bouncing in my seat when I realized where this is going. A triangle is the most stable shape, indeed.

[@driellyveras4464]

Just finished the book. I was broken, repaired and broken again. Loved every piece of it (coming from someone who's not a big fan of robot fights you need to know this is a BIG compliment) and I'm here hoping there'll be a sequel. I need more of this power trio! Probably you got more to reply, but I want to show my support as a brazilian fan that just got your book

[@Resejin]

This touched me in a funny way. I think I need an adult. (TBC, fecking loved it)

[@avahasson6921]

I loved seeing how shame, jealousy, and platonic/familial/romantic relationships are portrayed in Iron Widow! There are some absolutely incredible quotes throughout

[@laurensummers5364]

I CANt stop watching this is so freking funny... yet so freaking accurate. As soon as my school library brought this book I snatched it.

[@BlueSewist]

Iron Widow has pulled me from my post grad school reading slump and made me love reading for fun again. I'm only just at the crowning but I cant wait to finish this book! Thank you!

[@Damerouge]

It made laugh for so long my abs hurt like hell, I'm crying x'D Djeebus, can stop the replay button !

[@kassandrajack3818]

I just finished the book yesterday and Please, please. I need like six more sequels. I love it so much.

[@elizabethozi2109]

Truly, Iron Window is ground breaking and should become the new standard for love triangles in books AND media. 😍 I love the story with all my heart and I hope to see more of your work in the future!!! 💕

[@blueedits.comofficial]

I can't stop laughing 😆, the randomness , also we are reading your book in my book club at school and I just realized that the author is you because of your picture on the back of the book, this part of the book is my favorite it is so random admit all of the sadness.

[@Rixec2]

Heh, my girlfriend and I also tend to agree that is the best way to solve love triangles. So long as all parties are consenting, it's good!

[@dangernoodledee111]

Halfway through my brand new copy I just recently bought myself after finding it in the wild, and not only do I generally love everything about it and am enjoying every second of it, but the fact that a pointless love-triangle is not going to derail the plot is the best news in the world to me. It's a win-win senario. You like all the ships? You get all the ships with little drama and a power squad!

[@nadinevonderlichtung8308]

I stumbled upon one of your cultural breakdown reviews and was considering buying your book. But now? Now I know I need to buy it. :D

[@ohno8398]

I'm so excited to get your book, everything I hear about it is just more and more incredible

[@clairavoyant1212]

Xiran AND ProZD audio? My day has been improved by a 60% margin

[@xmascritter2383]

Perfection.

[@MysteryDisc]

As soon as I hear ProZD's voice I knew where this was going

[@lilac2131]

This is amazing 😂😂

[@Cheezbuckets]

It’s very ironic that you posted this today, and today I happened to go to a book store and see Iron Widow on the “Staff Pick” shelf. I stared at it for a good few minutes before deciding, fuck it, this can be my Christmas gift to me. XD It’s now almost midnight, and I’ve been unable to stop reading for hours. Someone come save me, I have things to do tomorrow. XD

[@josephineblum3839]

I watched the video, immediately ordered Iron widow from my library, and then watched it again. I'm hyped

[@apoorvasastry7073]

I loved your book so much! I was especially happy with the love triangle. This plot point became a full fledged 30 minute discussion among my me and my work friends 😂

[@thepsychoticempress03]

I SAVED THIS IN MY GALLERY A FEW DAY AGO FROM YOUR TIKTOK! Thanks for upl9ading it on youtube too😎😎😎😎

[@emmareijonen635]

😭😭😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 OML i cant this is too perfekt!!

[@unhingednerdyredhead5509]

I love this book!!! Fuck the "love triangle" trope. It's one of those cheap-ass literary Victorian hangovers that is so cliche as to actually be demanded by studios and publishers. Polyamory and bisexuality are the way

[@Zippy-pj9jc]

This has to be the best Trailer I've ever seen.

[@nozon5686]

I just clicked on this and did not realize till the end this was an ad for your book let alone on your channel. I honestly thought it was just a sh*tpost animation thing

[@takoyakiiii]

This is the best book marketing I've seen in a while

[@rachelleclarabelle]

I borrowed Iron Widow from my school library a few months ago. I had no idea this person wrote it !

[@zombistaydead2679]

This is now how the steamed buns scene went down in my headcanon