Xiran Jay Zhao further explores the world of Huaxia in this sequel to Iron Widow, fleshing out not only the characters and their motivations but the revolution they are inciting.
The story of Heavenly Tyrant follows immediately after the end of Iron Widow, as the characters deal with the consequences of their actions.

Wu Zetian has to not only manage being the Empress but also Li Shimin's kidnapping, the distance she has to keep from Yizhi, new relationships and the realisation about the Hunduns. All this while she tries to stick to her convictions and survive among so many people who want to do her harm.

The book spends more time describing the characters' activities and their conversations than the first one. This was a good choice as so much happens in such a short time in Iron Widow that you are left reeling and rather overwhelmed, even after a second read-through. Spending more time with the characters in moments of less action also allowed for more nuance when expressing their ideals and different points of view.

It was important to have time to dwell on the explorations of the practical consequences of the policies Qin Zheng and Wu Zetian implement, of the terror, anger and fear involved in a revolution, and of how hurt and oppressed people deal with that in different ways.

Xiran Jay Zhao is able to explore complex themes in a nuanced and multifaceted way and I can't wait to read more of their work.

And of course what is going to happen next to the Iron Triangle and the toxic waste Darth Vader...