Do I need to read the first book before starting this one?

This title is the direct continuation of the Iron Widow series and picks up immediately following the events of the first book, making it necessary to read the preceding volume to understand the political and personal stakes.

Are there any specific details I should know about the text?

The author issued a formal correction regarding a scene in Chapter 46, providing clarifying lines that are intended to be read as narration immediately following page 433 to resolve ambiguity in the original print.

Heavenly Tyrant

Fantasy High Fantasy

Pages: 525
Published: 2024
Language: English

After a devastating loss, Zetian seizes power in Huaxia, but her world is far from stable. She must ally with a dangerous man, despite their conflicting views, to confront a formidable enemy and reclaim what was taken from her. Together, they'll navigate a treacherous path of deception to defeat their common foe.

Prose complexity: 7/10

Dark Emotional Tense Thought-Provoking

Enemies to Lovers Revenge Morally Grey

Xiran Jay Zhao

Xiran Jay Zhao is a Chinese-born Canadian author and online content creator. They are a first-generation Hui Chinese immigrant who moved from a small town in China to Vancouver, left a biochemistry degree to write, and make educational videos about Chinese history and culture. Their debut novel Iron Widow (2021), a mecha science fiction reimagining of Wu Zetian, reached No. 1 on the New York Times list and won the 2021 BSFA Award for Best Book for Younger Readers. They followed it with the middl...

ZetianProtagonist

All characters in Heavenly Tyrant

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to read the first book before starting this one?
This title is the direct continuation of the Iron Widow series and picks up immediately following the events of the first book, making it necessary to read the preceding volume to understand the political and personal stakes.
Are there any specific details I should know about the text?
The author issued a formal correction regarding a scene in Chapter 46, providing clarifying lines that are intended to be read as narration immediately following page 433 to resolve ambiguity in the original print.