Name: Wonko the Sane's review of She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
Item: She Who Became the Sun
Rating: 5
Author: Wonko the Sane

Shelley Parker-Chan

‘Epic, tragic and gorgeous’ – Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January ‘A thoroughly engrossing read with a fabulous, tragic-trickster protagonist . . . I've been waiting for a book like this’ – Megan Campisi, author of Sin Eater ‘A dazzling new world of fate, war, love and betrayal’ – Zen Cho, author of Black Water Sister She Who Became the Sun reimagines the rise to power of the Ming Dynasty’s founding emperor. In a famine-stricken village on a dusty plain, a seer shows two children their fates. For a family’s eighth-born son, there’s greatness. For the second daughter, nothing. In 1345, China lies restless under harsh Mongol rule. And when a bandit raid wipes out their home, the two children must somehow survive. Zhu Chongba despairs and gives in. But the girl resolves to overcome her destiny. So she takes her dead brother’s identity and begins her journey. Can Zhu escape what’s written in the stars, as rebellion sweeps the land? Or can she claim her brother’s greatness – and rise as high as she can dream? This is a glorious tale of love, loss, betrayal and triumph by a powerful new voice. ‘As brilliant as Circe . . . a deft and dazzling triumph’ – Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan is a historical fantasy reimagining of the rise to power of Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu was the peasant rebel who expelled the Mongols, unified China under native rule, and became the founding Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

She Who Became the Sun

Rene

If you want a fate other than what Heaven gave you, you have to want that other fate. You have to struggle for it. Suffer for it.

sofia 🪆

His joy seemed to expand past the bounds of his body and into Ouyang’s own. Ouyang was captured by it, vibrating helplessly with it. In that moment Esen seemed breathtakingly handsome: so much so that Ouyang felt a sharp ache of incomprehension. That someone this perfect, so alive and so full of the pleasure of the moment, could 

kinda sums up the experience of following this story 

miya

Pure emotions are the luxury of children and animals

Syrina

For a moment they stood there in better acknowledgment of it, feeling that likeness ringing through the space between them. The one reviled for not being a man, the other for not acting like one.

The courtyard’s ginkgo trees had turned yellow and dropped their fruit all over the flag stones, which added an unpleasant smell of baby vomit to the proceedings.

She had the mandibular look of a brown locust

aagh the morally compromised protagonists and queer love and all consuming love that finds a way no matter what, so complicated, messy and so worth it - all you could ask for in a anti-hero’s story

Beatrix

As Zhu stood looking down at her, she suddenly saw how their journey would go: Zhu’s desire propelling them higher and higher, until there was nothing left above them but the dazzling vault of Heaven. And for Ma every moment of that ascent would be compromise and heartache and the gradual erosion of her belief that there was always a kinder way. That was the price Ma would pay — not just for Zhu’s desire, but for her own. Because she loved Zhu, and wanted to see her rule the world. 

He had done what he had to do, and in doing so he had destroyed the world.

Ouyang imagined the snow coming down outside, blanketing everything in its cold muffled stillness. If only he could take that blankness and wrap his heart in it, so nothing could ever hurt him again.

, and with such a foolish, beautiful intensity, that witnessing her emotions made Zhu’s own internal landscape seem as barren as a cracked lake bed.

A man could want anything the world offered and still have a chance, no matter how small, of achieving it. ..he hadn’t seen her reality: that she was a woman, trapped within the narrow confines of a woman’s life, and everything that could be wanted was all equally impossible.

[They] had been on fire: they had felt the fragile nature of their own lives. But instead of being lifted into enlightenment, they had fallen. The pressure of their mortality had driven every human thought from them but the determination to survive.

Natasha Johnson

She said rather sharply, "I thought monks teach that desire is the cause of all suffering."

“It is." he said. "But you know what's worse than suffering? Not suffering, because you're not even alive to feel it!

Inside her there was only the perfect, blank rightness of belief and desire. Desire is the cause of all suffering. The greater the desire, the greater the suffering, and now she desired greatness itself. With all her will, she directed the thought to Heaven and the watching statues: Whatever suffering it takes, I can bear it.

Senta

The body became used to exercise, particular sounds and sensations, or even physical pain. But it was strange how shame was something you never became inured to: each time hurt just as much as the first. 

Denying desire only made yourself vulnerable to those who were smart enough to see what you couldn't even acknowledge yourself. 

but honestly it shatters my heart into a million pieces having to read this, i can’t handle reading queer tragedies

Mey-Thip Mortensen

Ouyang looked at him. And the instant he saw the depth of hurt and betrayal in someone he loved, he knew he would never survive this.

WHEN I AM TELLING YOU THE PURE SHOCK THAT WENT THROUGH MY BODY WHEN READING THAT SENTENCE💀 HOW CAN WE GO FROM “ur the most beautiful man to ever be alive” TO “i betrayed you and everything you love”,,,, I KNEW THIS WAS COMING BUT WHAT THE HELL? NOT SO ABRUPT THO😭

oh to have someone so devastatingly in love with me that it hurts them like nothing else have,,, i can only hope

In that moment Esen seemed breathtakingy handsome: so much so that Ouyang felt a sharp ache of incomprehension. That someone this perfect, so alive and so full of the pleasure of the moment, could be. It hurt like grief. 

😭when is it my turn to be hopelessly in love?

What could this be other than love, this surrendered feeling of her heart beating around Zhu's hand? Zhu, who could hurt her, but chose not to—who in filling Ma's body was as intimate as any person could be, and yet who at the same time was always moving away from her in pursuit of her own greatness.

But somehow it made sense that she would feel Ma's pleasure as she felt her suffering, because their hearts beat as one

Theo

Don't look down as you're flying, or you'll realize the impossibility of it and fall. 

He stood there, breathing heavily. “You disappoint me.” 

Baoxiang's lip curled. “When haven't I?”

“Oh, I know I’ll suffer for it in my next lives. But when I ask myself if future pain is worth it for this life I have now, I always find that it is.”

Wonko the Sane

I was reading this book without any ideas and expectation towards it and guess that kind of make I'm quite happy with it. However, there are some things that still bothering me and make it not so impactful.

Going back, this book starting strong with the first chapter that can make you hooked to the story, but as the story progress I felt the gap start to form with Zhu's narrative and instead resonating with Ouyang as I feel his story flow better. 

As Zhu and Ouyang as our main narration I can't help but feel both connection and line between them is quite shallow and underwhelming. 

From side of story, as I said, I'm quite enjoying Ouyang's side more, how contradictory his feelings are with his objective, along with his interaction and feeling towards every other character and himself as well, and 

one scene that crushed me, build up and executed very well that I didn't see it coming. 

I think Zhu's side and background complexity give interesting choice in driven her action, but in the other hands it still gave some question mark. The concept of mandate is still questionable, so does her journey at the end that feel rushed by my perspective. 

I do clearly oppose some to few-many things both of them did, but hey their ambition each driven by greatness and revenge somehow admirable by that thanks for the ride. Honorable mention for Wang Baoxiang that surprisingly the one that I root the most, keep speaking your truth Lord Wang.

I was reading this book without any ideas and expectation towards it and guess that kind of make I'm quite happy with it. However, there are some things that still bothering me and make it not so impactful.

Going back, this book starting strong with the first chapter that can make you hooked to the story, but as the story progress I felt the gap start to form with Zhu's narrative and instead resonating with Ouyang as I feel his story flow better. 

As Zhu and Ouyang as our main narration I can't help but feel both connection and line between them is quite shallow and underwhelming. 

From side of story, as I said, I'm quite enjoying Ouyang's side more, how contradictory his feelings are with his objective, along with his interaction and feeling towards every other character and himself as well, and that one scene that crushed me, build up and executed very well that I didn't see it coming. 

I think Zhu's side and background complexity give interesting choice in driven her action, but in the other hands it still gave some question mark. The concept of mandate is still questionable, so does her journey at the end that feel rushed by my perspective. 

I do clearly oppose some to few-many things both of them did, but hey their ambition each driven by greatness and revenge somehow admirable by that thanks for the ride. Honorable mention for Wang Baoxiang that surprisingly the one that I root the most, keep speaking your truth Lord Wang.

Is that why you helped me? Because you’re a woman, too. 

angel

Is that why you helped me? Because you’re a woman, too. 

p. 183

It was alright, but I could not connect to or see the value of the pursuit of greatness (Zhu) or revenge (Ouyang).

 Also, the concept of the Mandate of Heaven seemed underdeveloped, I wish it meant more then just being able to summon a glowing ball of light.

halfmoon

It was alright, but I could not connect to or see the value of the pursuit of greatness (Zhu) or revenge (Ouyang).

 Also, the concept of the Mandate of Heaven seemed underdeveloped, I wish it meant more then just being able to summon a glowing ball of light.

The characters are incredibly believable and I care about them deeply. The main antagonist is deeply layered, as is the protagonist, and neither of them are perfectly redeemable/irredeemable. They're both deeply flawed and deeply similar, and I love the way they reflect each other. All the characters are unique and distinct and they come alive on the page.

The atmosphere is incredibly immersive and the descriptions of places are thorough and delicious. The book is very description heavy, but each one feels like a treat rather than a slog.

Parker-Chan's writing is lavish while remaining clear and understandable. I deeply appreciate their desire to bring epic East Asian stories to an English audience, and I'm incredibly grateful.

I would never seek out a book that so strongly centers religion and war, and yet it drew me in fully. I care about the military strategy and I care about the religion of the characters, despite the fact that I have very little interest in and tolerance for these things in my daily life. I hate historical fiction as a rule, but this book transcends its genre and I'm reluctant to place it on that shelf despite it so clearly belonging there. It's more than historical fiction.

I thought about this book constantly while I wasn't reading it, and found myself repeating the main character's name out loud because otherwise it would ricochet around in my head like the DVD player logo.

The character arcs were painful but made sense. There was never a point at which I believed a character was acting in a way they wouldn't.

I really, really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the second but I need a break because this book is not a light read. I felt the characters' hardships and my heart broke when theirs did. It's a very intense read and there's absolutely nothing about it I would change. It's so gay and so gender and I love it with all my heart.

Jonnie

The characters are incredibly believable and I care about them deeply. The main antagonist is deeply layered, as is the protagonist, and neither of them are perfectly redeemable/irredeemable. They're both deeply flawed and deeply similar, and I love the way they reflect each other. All the characters are unique and distinct and they come alive on the page.

The atmosphere is incredibly immersive and the descriptions of places are thorough and delicious. The book is very description heavy, but each one feels like a treat rather than a slog.

Parker-Chan's writing is lavish while remaining clear and understandable. I deeply appreciate their desire to bring epic East Asian stories to an English audience, and I'm incredibly grateful.

I would never seek out a book that so strongly centers religion and war, and yet it drew me in fully. I care about the military strategy and I care about the religion of the characters, despite the fact that I have very little interest in and tolerance for these things in my daily life. I hate historical fiction as a rule, but this book transcends its genre and I'm reluctant to place it on that shelf despite it so clearly belonging there. It's more than historical fiction.

I thought about this book constantly while I wasn't reading it, and found myself repeating the main character's name out loud because otherwise it would ricochet around in my head like the DVD player logo.

The character arcs were painful but made sense. There was never a point at which I believed a character was acting in a way they wouldn't.

I really, really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the second but I need a break because this book is not a light read. I felt the characters' hardships and my heart broke when theirs did. It's a very intense read and there's absolutely nothing about it I would change. It's so gay and so gender and I love it with all my heart.

Eva Ströberg

She who became the sun - Shelley Parker Chan
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⭐️⭐️
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It all started very interesting with Mulan x Three Kingdom thing, but it quickly got boring imho. The story started in the early China under Mongol rule in the 1300s when famine and war pretty much killed everyone. There was this insignificant girl who was basically nobody until she took her dead brother’s name and destiny.
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As I said, it started quite interesting but as she travelled further and became more involved in the “business of wars”, I could no longer keep track of the many names, generals, noblemen and other characters in the book. I almost DNF’ed the book.
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#shelleyparkerchan #bookstagram #2023reads #currentlyreading

[tries not to let out a sob of anguish but fails] 

 comparisons were so wild because i find 

much much better. the perpetual sense of unbelonging, gender dystopia, hidden homoerotic desires, brutality of the war, overcoming against the heavens itself. oh, this book was everything. someone preserve it in the museum.

sani

[tries not to let out a sob of anguish but fails] The Song of Achilles comparisons were so wild because i find She Who Became The Sun much much better. the perpetual sense of unbelonging, gender dystopia, hidden homoerotic desires, brutality of the war, overcoming against the heavens itself. oh, this book was everything. someone preserve it in the museum.

aica

Bria

I didn't read too much about this book before starting it, so I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I loved it more than I thought I would. Zhu's self-discovering journey was nice to read.

Mulan meets The Song of Achilles in Shelley Parker-Chan's She Who Became the Sun, a bold, queer, and lyrical reimagining of the rise of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty from an amazing new voice in literary fantasy. Download a FREE sneak peek today! To possess the Mandate of Heaven, the female monk Zhu will do anything “I refuse to be nothing...” In a famine-stricken village on a dusty yellow plain, two children are given two fates. A boy, greatness. A girl, nothingness... In 1345, China lies under harsh Mongol rule. For the starving peasants of the Central Plains, greatness is something found only in stories. When the Zhu family’s eighth-born son, Zhu Chongba, is given a fate of greatness, everyone is mystified as to how it will come to pass. The fate of nothingness received by the family’s clever and capable second daughter, on the other hand, is only as expected. When a bandit attack orphans the two children, though, it is Zhu Chongba who succumbs to despair and dies. Desperate to escape her own fated death, the girl uses her brother's identity to enter a monastery as a young male novice. There, propelled by her burning desire to survive, Zhu learns she is capable of doing whatever it takes, no matter how callous, to stay hidden from her fate. After her sanctuary is destroyed for supporting the rebellion against Mongol rule, Zhu takes the chance to claim another future altogether: her brother's abandoned greatness. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

She Who Became the Sun Sneak Peek

Written beautifully and each character was interesting to follow but they’re driven by fate that makes them inhuman in ways that are unsettling, so there wasn’t anyone to truly route for. But I guess people at the head on either side of a war tend to be selfish, inhumane people so maybe they all were more human than characters in a book who are all good and moral.

Jordan

Nova

gay but also i zoned out during part three so i'll be sure to reread

Mulan meets The Song of Achilles in Shelley Parker-Chan's She Who Became the Sun, a bold, queer, and lyrical reimagining of the rise of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty from an amazing new voice in literary fantasy. To possess the Mandate of Heaven, the female monk Zhu will do anything “I refuse to be nothing...” In a famine-stricken village on a dusty yellow plain, two children are given two fates. A boy, greatness. A girl, nothingness... In 1345, China lies under harsh Mongol rule. For the starving peasants of the Central Plains, greatness is something found only in stories. When the Zhu family’s eighth-born son, Zhu Chongba, is given a fate of greatness, everyone is mystified as to how it will come to pass. The fate of nothingness received by the family’s clever and capable second daughter, on the other hand, is only as expected. When a bandit attack orphans the two children, though, it is Zhu Chongba who succumbs to despair and dies. Desperate to escape her own fated death, the girl uses her brother's identity to enter a monastery as a young male novice. There, propelled by her burning desire to survive, Zhu learns she is capable of doing whatever it takes, no matter how callous, to stay hidden from her fate. After her sanctuary is destroyed for supporting the rebellion against Mongol rule, Zhu takes the chance to claim another future altogether: her brother's abandoned greatness.

Tatiana

She Who Became the Sun: 4/5


  “I can do this. I can learn. I can survive.”

Premise:
She Who Became the Sun is a sapphic, gender-bent retelling of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty. The main character is Zhu, who takes her brother's fate for greatness after he dies, and becomes a monk. We also follow General Ouyang, who is deemed as a traitor to his bloodline. Both Zhu and Ouyang are driven, but for different reasons, but as their paths cross, their goals can only be achieved by blood, love, pain, and betrayal. Besides the incredible politics and action, SWBTS is a deeply emotional exploration of gender and what gender means to the characters, despite social norms. 

Writing & Plot:
I'm unsure where the comparison to The Song of Achilles comes into play here. There is nothing wholesome and lovey about this story. It is a dark, brutal, and honest tale about survival in an unforgiving world. The plot is so emotional, and Shelley Parker-Chan's writing breathes life into the page, making it all the more devastating. I will say that the book's first half was pretty slow, which is why I took it down one star, but this book is incredible overall.

Characters:
I went into this book expecting to resonate with Zhu most of all, but I found myself feeling deeply connected to Ouyang. Both characters are vastly complex, and the reader finds themselves sympathizing with them, even as they make the wrong choices. 

I don't want to give any spoilers accidentally, so I think I'll stop there, but these characters feel so visceral and honest, it is shocking this is a work of fiction. The torment they feel and how that manifests in their actions is astounding, and it is something I've never read before. It makes this book feel one of a kind.

Conclusion:
SWBTS is a whirlwind. It's a book you won't soon forget. Lyrically written, SWBTS brings up emotions from the unforgiving setting to the difficult choices of the headstrong characters. Although the beginning is slow, everything ties together through an emotionally charges plot that will keep you guessing until the very end. I loved this book and would 100% recommend it.

nina 

3.5 stars

finally some Good Writing! and from a debut author too!

Zita Azlina

Listen. I know that books are solely their own personal preferences and how we see them depended solely on our respective taste, but to know that this book had people who rated it anything less than 3 stars is quite surprising in my part. When I was preparing to go to bed, I keep reading it. Sleepiness get the better of me, but that doesn't stop me from reading it sneakily (or not quite) in class. Basically this book transcend the situation I'm in (whatever it was), and being the winner at where I'd let my attention laid on to.

If perfect was incarnated, if perfect had a personification, this book is not going to bear it with a shame to its meaning. This book is the kind of masterpiece that you won't see twice, a kind of book that would make you wonder whether there would be any book that gonna reach 1/8 of the perfection that this book had. The plot, the characters, the relationship, on the pacing and how every events were unfolding; is surprising in a way that is neither me nor Heaven could probably imagine. The ink used to create this masterpiece should have praised itself for participating in the birth of a true art. Basically, what I'm saying is; this book is everything

Listen. I've read many books in the same genre in the same spectrum, but I couldn't really say that anything is as nearing as deserving of praise as this was. The plot is magical; its historical references are very nicely put, even to its details, there is nothing that could escape you as any trifle with no meaning. Every events had ties to each other, every events has nuance, has impact to each of the characters, has meaning. There is nothing that happen because it happen, but more because it's the after-impact whatever character did, or whatever character want it to happen—the kind of occurence. Basically you won't see some random coincidences being put there and seeing some lazy writing. And I could guarantee you as much.

We haven't even delve into the story telling. The pacing is very nice, it was going in the speed of a very matched time that is fitting for such fantasy/historical fiction. Not to mention the chronological events that was nicely arranged and also how not everything was blatantly on the face. The authors trusted the readers as much as she trusted herself. That, too, is an amazement.

The relationship is quite fine. The relationship between Ma Xiuying and Zhu Chongba were only feel interesting at the  ending . Although it wasn't that bland at the beginning of course, but I just think that their first time fell for eachother is too short. Which is fine, of course, but kind od too short for my liking. When they finally get married though, I could feel the warmth that they radiated seeped through the book just fine, so how it started no longer mattered. But the ending? Absolute banger. Nice fuckinggggg way to start the second book. The FUCKING trope that we all need. 5/5.

And I haven't even reached the relationship between Esen and Ouyang. Bitterness. Everything i needed. The angst-core is THICK as ice. Quite literally reminded me of every ships I ever like, THE LITERAL living proof of all tropes I longed for. Their relationship are VERY interesting to the point where I couldn't even paid my attention to anything when they were mentioned. The in-depth POV when they're together? Now that's an ABSOLUTE bangerest of a banger.

The relationships between Zhu and Xu Da, Yuchun, Jiao Yu etc is also HEARTWARMING. they're the real equivalent of found family (I SWEAR). The sick relationship between Baoxiang-Esen-Ouyang and Ouyang with the Nanren rebels though? ALSO banger in an angst way.

So basically, even all the relationships carried all sort of emotions. VERY very fucking amazing.

But the best of all for me is, if you haven't realize it by now, are the characters, on HOW SMART the author is for creating both Zhu Chongba and General Ouyang, and how smart it's to make them change POV, same yet different—two sides of the same coin. right.

They are the morally grey characters that you would easily love. Both of them had their own insecurities, had desire for thing, and was obsessed with fate. But one didn't want the fate while one wanted it so much she basically stole it. They both are cunning, they both know each other so well they started using it against each other. And It wouldn't be complete without me saying that both of them are alluring—very VERY alluring.

Zhu is a very interesting girlboss, Ouyang is a very fragile-outside-rotten-inside kind of man, and both of them struggled from their gender identity being robbed, this was the most integral part of their characters btw. They have dimensions in their personality, they are strong, but not in Gary Stu way. They have their own weaknesses, they were shown as having fear and guilt and remorse that was rarely shown in a morally grey characters. My point is, they both are perfect in a way that's imperfect. Like an art created beautifully with no fault yet still remain shown as something created by real human.

Which means, even if the plot, the setting, the hidden meanings, and the storytelling didn't entice you, the characters sure will do. It was created in a very elaborate way that you can see yourself indulging in their complexity. Also everyone, even the minor one who died in the first few chapters had their own dimension and trait that's unique from each other. This story was written in such an elaborate way that it was intricate. And an intricate novel will never fail you.

The author is great. They know what they were doing, and I know they feel intense passion toward this book. This book is a very page turning masterpiece that I'd love to devour forever.

Must read to you people who LOVE this kind of historical fiction. 

18281828828282/10.

“Magnificent in every way."—Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree "A dazzling new world of fate, war, love and betrayal."—Zen Cho, author of Black Water Sister She Who Became the Sun reimagines the rise to power of the Ming Dynasty’s founding emperor. To possess the Mandate of Heaven, the female monk Zhu will do anything “I refuse to be nothing...” In a famine-stricken village on a dusty yellow plain, two children are given two fates. A boy, greatness. A girl, nothingness... In 1345, China lies under harsh Mongol rule. For the starving peasants of the Central Plains, greatness is something found only in stories. When the Zhu family’s eighth-born son, Zhu Chongba, is given a fate of greatness, everyone is mystified as to how it will come to pass. The fate of nothingness received by the family’s clever and capable second daughter, on the other hand, is only as expected. When a bandit attack orphans the two children, though, it is Zhu Chongba who succumbs to despair and dies. Desperate to escape her own fated death, the girl uses her brother's identity to enter a monastery as a young male novice. There, propelled by her burning desire to survive, Zhu learns she is capable of doing whatever it takes, no matter how callous, to stay hidden from her fate. After her sanctuary is destroyed for supporting the rebellion against Mongol rule, Zhu takes the chance to claim another future altogether: her brother's abandoned greatness.

I do believe it’s a great book. It’s just that I took a long time reading it that I kind of lost interest by the end and almost dnf-ed it. Also couldn’t really grasp the whole history of it that I was kinda frustrated I had all these unanswered questions. 

What struck me the most I guess is when Esen walked towards Ouyang’s sword like oohhh angst. Ohhh forbidden love and the sacrifices intertwined with it. I also loved Zhu & Xu Da's friendship and Zhu's relationship with Xiuyang like yass my sapphic couple.

I do believe it’s a great book. It’s just that I took a long time reading it that I kind of lost interest by the end and almost dnf-ed it. Also couldn’t really grasp the whole history of it that I was kinda frustrated I had all these unanswered questions. 

What struck me the most I guess is when Esen walked towards Ouyang’s sword like oohhh angst. Ohhh forbidden love and the sacrifices intertwined with it. I also loved Zhu & Xu Da's friendship and Zhu's relationship with Xiuyang like yass my sapphic couple.

Really enjoyed the journey of this book, I was connected with the main character from the very beginning. Strong work of queer lit. 

Abigail Swallow

An epic tale about how your future it what you close your fist around and punch through, rather than what you hold your hand out and ask for. Love the relationships in this story especially. 

Apiecalypse Jen

Mae Erceg

This book just wasn’t for me. What started off as a really interesting tale of a woman who needs to hide her secret to become more than what society told her she could be turned into a really jumbled story full of too many similar personalities, a chaotic plot with no real direction, and a really graphic couple of scenes I could’ve done without envisioning. And none of the graphic scenes seemed to add to the plot either IMO, they were just for shock value it seemed. 3 stars because the world building was beautiful and I enjoyed many of the historical connections. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend.

This is a fantastic reimagining with beautiful writing and scenery, that was very artfully created as a perspective of a young girl who takes her brothers place in pursuit of his destiny. 

I really loved all the POVs from this book (though Ma was my favorite) and the way that the story unfolded. The most interesting thing to me, that I didn’t really notice until pretty far into the story, is how little fantasy actually is in the writing. Fantasy elements are mentioned here or there, but I kept expecting there to be stronger ties and stronger magic elements the whole time. 

I did read this as an audiobook, and while I loved the narrator, the switching of characters mid chapter with little to no distinction except in some cases their pronouns, was a little on the confusing side to follow. I think reading a physical copy would help this quite a lot, but that being said I would still whole heartedly recommend this in any format. 

Tace

This is a fantastic reimagining with beautiful writing and scenery, that was very artfully created as a perspective of a young girl who takes her brothers place in pursuit of his destiny. 

I really loved all the POVs from this book (though Ma was my favorite) and the way that the story unfolded. The most interesting thing to me, that I didn’t really notice until pretty far into the story, is how little fantasy actually is in the writing. Fantasy elements are mentioned here or there, but I kept expecting there to be stronger ties and stronger magic elements the whole time. 

I did read this as an audiobook, and while I loved the narrator, the switching of characters mid chapter with little to no distinction except in some cases their pronouns, was a little on the confusing side to follow. I think reading a physical copy would help this quite a lot, but that being said I would still whole heartedly recommend this in any format. 

Can’t wait for the second! 

Jodie Reads

Q&D- feel like I need to read this as a physical book to truly appreciate it. Despite listening to the audiobook, thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, the historical fantasy, the easy questioning of gender and identity that seems to be hard to come by. It was a main component of the story but the issues weren’t thrown in your face in such a way that you internally groaned. Big fan. Definitely want to revisit this book 

Abigail F

I was so excited to read this book, but it fell a little flat for me. I love historical fantasy, but the switching of POVs left me feeling little emotional connection to anyone besides Xu Da (which was because of his banter in his early friendship with Zhu). This was described with a sapphic MC, but the dissonance Zhu has with her body feels more complex than her simply pretending to be a man. She wants to be a man in order to fulfill her fate, but that has given her the mindset that she has to believe she’s a man and not just fool others. In that way, it feels queer, but not necessarily sapphic. I think the relationship between Ouyang and Esen was more fleshed out than Ma and Zhu’s. In some ways, both romance plots feel Achillean in nature. I think the sex scene with Ma and Zhu felt so oddly explicit compared to the rest of the novel. The rest was very PG in nature (regarding sex) and that skipped to NC-17. This novel had potential, and I think the beginning up until the monastery was burned felt cohesive, while the rest felt like it needed more development. I think it lacked intrigue (besides killing off characters) and nuance, but there were beautiful descriptions and symbolic behaviors that make me hopeful for future works by this author.  

Really enjoyed this book and eagerly await the second in the duology.

The writing is rich in its descriptions and gives the reader a real sense of being there despite it being a world difficult for me to imagine.

Mhairi Ramsay

Really enjoyed this book and eagerly await the second in the duology.

The writing is rich in its descriptions and gives the reader a real sense of being there despite it being a world difficult for me to imagine.



This book was so much better than the expectations I had going into it in the best way. It honestly made me wish I was still taking English courses because I kept thinking of all the interesting papers I could write and discourse I could have about this book. Questions of fate, of desire, what it means to be a real person/a whole person, identity, slave/master dynamic, I could go on. I also enjoyed the Zhu/Ouyang foil. This book was emotional, heartbreaking, and hopeful all wrapped into one. I loved reading every second of it and I can’t wait to read the next in the series. 

Katie Allard

** spoiler alert **
           I’ll nail my colours to the mast right away by saying this book is brilliant. A queer reimagining of the historical founding of the Ming Dynasty? Sign me up, chum. With that sort of premise Shelley Parker-Chan had already hooked me, but then they had to write beautifully as well. 

Of the two interconnected storylines that weave in and out of each other, we’re first introduced to the character that will be known as Zhu Chongba. From the start, Zhu faces an uphill struggle just to survive, but mere survival is not all she desires. We follow her evolution from peasant to monk to military commander to emperor in waiting, and it’s a heckuva ride. She’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants and - like her wife, Ma Xiuying - you can’t help but want to follow her to her destiny, no-matter what.

The protagonist of the second story is General Ouyang, a eunuch forced to serve his enemies. Ouyang is a truly tragic character in the classical sense - driven by hate and torn in two by love.

Second book when?

Wonko the Sane &
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

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Wonko the Sane &She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Reviews

Highlights

Join the club

Wonko the Sane &
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan