Heavenly Tyrant (Iron Widow, Book 2)

By: Xiran Jay Zhao

Narrated by: Rong Fu

Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller
CBC bestseller
USA Today bestseller

Zetian must balance dangerous politics with a new quest for vengeance in the sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Iron Widow.

Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers.

After suffering devastating loss and making drastic decisions, Zetian finds herself on the seat of power in Huaxia, but she has also learned that her world is not as it seems. Revelations about an enemy who dangles one of her loved ones as a hostage force Zetian to share power with a dangerous man she cannot simply depose. Despite their mutual dislike and distrust, the two must work together to take down their common enemy and stoke a revolution against the systems of exploitation that plague their world.

However, power is not so easy to wield once seized, and a revolution is not so easy to control once unleashed. As Huaxia’s former elites strike back and the common people’s fervor for justice turns bloody and paranoid, can Zetian remain a fair and just ruler? Or will she be forced to rely on fear and violence and succumb to her darker instincts in her quest for vengeance and liberation?

Critic reviews

Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller
Indie #1 Bestseller
A CBC Books Bestseller
USA Today Bestseller
Nominated for the 2025 GoodReads Choice Awards
A 2025 Indigo Best of the Year (So Far)
One of the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens, Spring 2025
An Amazon Editor's Pick for Best Teen and Young Adult Books of December

PRAISE FOR Heavenly Tyrant:

"[S]trong worldbuilding lays a foundation for a story that explores social issues, contains a steamy romance, and delves into Zetian’s internal battles . . . A roller coaster of entertainment, emotions, and political machination." —Kirkus Reviews

"Returning fans will find many things to love in this cathartic power fantasy." —School Library Journal

"Full of action and intrigue . . . Whatever happens, Zetian remains in the center of it all. She is relentless, and she is sometimes a mess. But she is determined to bring down the gods—and anyone else—who control her and her country by any means necessary." —Reactor Magazine

Incredible

Excellent, no notes.
Slay queen.
The is an excellent continuation of the story and I can’t wait for the next book!

The hype deserved and the anger that follows

This was a long wait that was definitely worth it with the twists catching me off guard, the decisions the characters make causing laughter and annoyance, the length of this second entry making me weary then angering me for feeling too short. All the negatives feeling like positives at the end adds up to me loving listening to this. I will be lying in anguish waiting for the next book but making up for it with more and more listenings.

This was too good

I'm so happy to know there will be atleast one more book and maybe screen adaptation.
This series are that good

loved it and can't wait for more

fantastic narrator, and the story kept me engaged all the way through. I eagerly await the next in the series

Imaginative and exciting. I would recommend it to everyone.

I want more. I want the next book. Give me more. When does the next book come out?