DNF.

This is an objectively awesome book. HOWEVER. I think marketing it as fantasy is a mistake. For those of us familiar with epic fantasy, this is a let-down, simply because there's no fantastical element. (At least, not in the first third if the book, which is as far as I got before giving up.) If I'd gone into this expecting historical fiction/alternate history, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more. And that's not a fault of the book itself, but its marketing, which is why I'm still rating this so highly.

What a phenomenal first book! The main characters are engaging and complex, the prose is elegant, and the examination of fate, destiny, and the pursuit of it is exceptional. There is a maturity in the tale that left me constantly aching for characters, understanding their motives and lamenting them all the same. It is a brutal world, dominated by flawed characters, and a story of love, romantic and filial, and a ghost story, and a political thriller....

This book has been all over my Twitter feed for the past one month and I was eager to see what the hype was all about.
She who became the sun is the queer gender reversed retell of the founder of fhe Ming dynasty. It was promoted as Mulan meets Song of Achilles and I would say that it perfectly describes the book.
There are multiple points of views but we mainly follow Zhu our heroine and Ouyang both of whose fates are greatly intertwined with each other. Zhu reminded me of Rin from the Poppy War but much more level headed with a lot of cunning and deviousness which I found I loved. Zhu is also ruthless to the extreme which I had a bit more difficulty stomaching. She is very well complemented by Ma, who is actually my most favourite character in the book. I loved loved loved their romance!!!
Ouyang the other main character, had me all twisted up in knots. I am still not sure how I feel about this character, it’s all a field of grey.
I enjoyed the world building and the vague glimpses of the magical system we get to see and would love to read more about both in future instalments. The first book dod a great job of setting up the stage for the actual story to unravel in the sequels.
Although I was gripped from start to finish, the overwhelming feeling I was left with at the end of reading was grim resignation to the horrible fate that might befall all the characters and that’s not a great feeling to end a book with. So for this one I am going with 3.25 stars .

I was really disappointed by this novel. I picked it up because it's been receiving so much hype, and it sounded like exactly the kind of fantasy novel that I've been wanting to read. But sadly, it didn't come together for me. I think my main issue with this novel is that nothing in it seemed to emotionally affect me in any way. The writing is not bad, the character development is not bad, the plot isn't bad, but none of it was particularly impressive to me either. I felt impassive while reading this novel, and that was something that really dragged down the reading experience for me. It felt like these characters were missing a spark. I also thought was too slow paced, and it really stretched the limit of believability at times. Overall, this wasn't bad, and I can definitely see many people loving it, but it just wasn't for me.

4.5/5

This was pitched as Mulan meets The Song of Achilles, and it was that and so much more. A glorious epic in every sense of the word. Fate is a tricky thing, and after hearing a fortune teller give reference to her brother's destiny for greatness, the girl expects to hear very much the same. However, her own destiny is revealed to be just that: nothing. While her brother is fated to rise up and leave his mark upon the world, she is expected to fade from view, unremembered. Starving and desperate, an unexpected event changes the trajectory of her entire future. She takes her chance, seizing her brother's identity and assuming his fate in the process. Under this new circumstance, she may just find freedom, glory, and a way to change her destiny forever.

She Who Became the Sun is, simply put, a masterpiece of a debut. It’s a powerful, evocative, and brutal high fantasy that will leave you utterly wrecked and begging for more. Parker-Chan blends history with fiction in this sweeping story that chronicles Zhu Yuanzhang’s ascent to power and the rise of the Ming Dynasty in 14th century China. It’s the perfect novel for anyone looking for complex characters set amid a backdrop where loyalties are tested and the stakes are high. The lyrical prose paints a vibrant picture of a war-torn period, reimagined, but ultimately true to its roots. Right from the get go, I was pulled into the ambitious nature of the narrative amidst its definitive passion and decisive action. I straight up devoured this in under a few hours and then realized I would have to suffer in silence since none of my friends had finished reading. What it means to be an arc reviewer am I right? The exploration of gender and gender identity, tied up in a story that is so brilliantly queer, is the true hero of all of this though. There was a very nuanced conversation taking place within the novel, that I appreciate and can tell will be carried over into the next installment. To see a character that was not only flawed and determined, but honest with themselves about their own identity and who they are, was incredibly powerful to read. Looking forward to seeing just how that evolves in the next book. And my God, that ending. So devastatingly beautiful it may just keep me up for the next few nights. If we're lucky, otherwise I may not ever get to experience sleep again.

Trigger warnings: starvation, death, abuse, public execution, mass death, misgendering, ableist language, dysphoria, life-altering injury, offscreen murder of a child.

Three words came to mind as I finished this book: Survival, Desire and Tragedy.

Mind numbing, heartachingly stunning writing. And a fucking stellar cast of deeply flawed, beautiful and realistic characters. I’m so- I don’t even know what all to say at this point without dumping spoilers into your lap. If this book isn’t already on your TBR, I very very highly suggest adding it.

<i>I received this ARC from the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I found the first part of the story to be very compelling. Zhu suffers through famine and drought at the hands of an abusive brother and father, and finally finds her way out of that life by taking on her brother's identity, hiding her female body, and joining a monastery where she finds friendship and learning but is also subject to the whims of the strict monks overseeing her training. I appreciated this portion of the book and really wished we'd had more detail about these years, including Zhu's experience with being able to see ghosts, as they're basically used here as interesting scenery with little impact on the plot.

Moving into the next section of the book however, I felt set adrift among factions in a civil war that I honestly hadn't paid that much attention to during previous discussions of the politics of the world. I didn't care for Ouyang as a character much so it was hard for me to get into his point of view. If I had known how much of the book was going to be a military/warfare/conflict story, I likely wouldn't have picked it up. I didn't realize until reading reviews here that this is based on an actual character Zhu Yuanzhang in Chinese history, and instead was thinking this was a fantasy story set in a sort of alternate-China. What you're getting here is a historical fantasy, and a lot of warfare, politics, manuevering, with a side of characters that I might have really enjoyed in another type of story.

I did enjoy the exploration of gender and the spirituality aspects of Zhu's time as a novice and then a monk to be very interesting and compelling, and I am a fan of the inclusion of more LGBTQ+ and ownvoices novels in the speculative fiction realm. I think someone who loves this type of military/political novel in a similar vein to the Poppy Wars might enjoy this one for sure.

SHE WHO BECAME THE SUN is such a powerful story. I was absolutely blown away by how Shelley wrote this novel. What powerful characterizations. Amazing plot. Starts, I would love to see this as a movie. Hey, Disney, you want to have a instant hit?????? Zhu is EVERYTHING!!!!! I can't stop screaming about this book enough. The action. Fights. Strength. Perseverance. I loved everything!!!!!! I STRONGLY recommend this one.

note for publisher: this is the same review as the uk editon I was also approved for on netgalley

4.75 stars

She Who Became the Sun is a stunning debut filled with charming characters, a fantastic and visceral historical setting with a fantastical twist and complex nuanced politics. We follow 4 main characters:

Zhu – Zhu is such a delightful character to follow, she strikes the perfect balance of cheeky, driven and resourceful. She is also very interesting study on gender, I believe she is non-binary, the author uses she/her pronouns when narrating but Zhu often refers to herself as he and has several dysphoric experiences regarding her female body. I think this book could mean a lot to people who are gender non-conforming, Zhu slow discovery of her true form is so beautiful to watch. Zhu is also posing as her brother for most of the book after at the start raiders kill her father and brother so she joins a monastery in order to survive but in order to get in she pretends to be her brother, she is also trying to become her brothers fate, as he was said to be a bringer of greatness whereas Zhu was told she would be nothing. Her drive to avoid being nothing is something I think is very reflective of the human experience. I also like the almost trickster elements of her character, there is something about those kind of characters that are always so charming to me. She has so much ambition and drive and I loved exploring the theme of creating your fate, even when the odds are stacked against you. I also really liked the idea of how you have to be an active force for change in your own life, rather than just a passive observer.

Ma – When we first meet Ma she is engaged to General Guo, one of the Red Turban rebellion leaders, although this is clearly an unwanted arrangement. Ma is such a sweet character and her kindness and resilience really shine through, especially in a world not particularly friendly to women. I also love how she subtly defies gender roles imposed on her at the time, this is much more understated than Zhu but done so well. At one point she is described as having fierce compassion, which I think summaries her character perfectly. She is caught up in the tides of war and power, very much against her will but shows beautifully the toll it takes on the people supporting those in power, especially those with soft hearts and the choices and sacrifices she makes for those she loves.

Esen – Esen is the son of the prince of Henan, an important figure in the Yuan empire. At the start of the book he is very optimistic and pure-hearted, but certain events lead to him becoming a bit more jaded. His family has a very complex dynamic, he has an adopted brother who is a scholar who has been looked down on, by their father and Esen for being more of a scholar than a fighter and not conforming to traditional masculine roles. Esen and his brother have a lot of resentment and distrust but you can lso see the love, which I think makes for a complex and nuanced relationship.

Ouyang – I don’t think I’ve ever flipped between liking a character and hating them so much as I did Ouyang. Known as the Eunuch general, he is Esen’s battlefield commander and very renowned. He is a very haunted character, and you can feel his simmering fear and resentment for the situation he is in, as well as his reluctant acceptance of his pre-ordinated fate (or at least what he thinks his fate is). He is also very emotionally repressed, and you can tell he is in love with Esen but he refuses to act on it. He also comes across as slightly misogynistic, he is very woman hating and I think part of that stems from his resentment of being a eunuch, but seriously if a character ever need therapy it’s him lol.

I really liked how at the beginning of the novel we follow Zhu growing up, both with a scene at the beginning which is pretty harrowing but then also Zhu growing up in the monastery. I loved the monastery scenes (I’m a sucker for that setting), Zhu’s friendship with another character called Xu Da was SO PRECIOUS and you can see the elements of Zhu’s personality that will continue to blossom whilst also seeing her be basically an insecure teenager doubting whilst also trying to desperately prove their place in the world.

The setting of the novel is also fantastic and I think a testament to the authors writing. You can really see the historical influences (from my limited research I believe it is set around the time of the fall of the Mongol Yuan dynasty) and it seems incredibly well researched. The atmospheric feels so vivid, you can feel the despair of this worn torn land whilst also having little glimmers of hope. Her writing is also stunning, it’s very beautiful and evocative whilst also being simplistic in the best way, and some of the emotional dialogue is GOD TIER and will rip out your heart. I also loved the inclusion of ghosts in the book, both literally and metaphorical ghosts. I always love ghost elements in books so this was a nice surprise, and some nice foreshadowing for certain events.

The relationships between the characters are so well written and nuanced, and the romantic relationship (between Zhu and Ma) was so well done and so sweet, although I did think it happened quite abruptly but it fit the tone of the book. Also there was a steamy scene I was not expecting but was so here for hehe. The other relationships were very well written as well, especially the family relationship with Esen and Zhu and Xu Da friendship (as previously mentioned).

Another element of the book I loved was the politics. There was a lot going on, and I don’t think this is the best book for fantasy beginners but for an avid fantasy reader like me it was SO JUICY. There is also quite a bit of military strategy which is not something I always love, but I thought there was the perfect amount in this book to keep me engaged but not too overwhelmed. There were betrayals left and right and you really didn’t know who to trust or what people’s true goals and motivations were. Also the subtle political set up of the ending was woven in beautifully throughout the novel, so you really felt the impact when certain shocking events took place. On that note the ending was rough T_T but also made me so excited for the next book!!!

One con I had was at one point in the book, about 25% there was a slight jar in pacing and characters, as we go from following Zhu growing up in the monastery to suddenly being thrust into the middle of a war and a complex political situation with new characters. So at this point I felt a little lost but soon I got back into the story again.

In conclusion this is a fantastic debut, I can’t wait for everyone to read it when it comes out in July and hopefully it will get all the hype it deserves!!

I described this book as “the kind of book where it’s a complete understatement to say it wrecked me. This book does not just wreck you. This book pulls out your heart with a pair of tweezers, stomps all over it, sets it on fire and, when it’s done, hands it back to you and says come back for the sequel!! And all you can do is say thank you.” in a recent rec list, and I think that’s the best place to start for this review. She Who Became the Sun is a book that will tear you to shreds and leave you thinking about it for days, weeks, even months.

The story follows Zhu who, in a bid to escape the destiny that has been foretold her, takes up her (dead) brother’s and becomes a monk. Parallel to this narrative, we also follow Ouyang, the famous eunuch general, and part of the Mongolian army. Their two paths criss-cross throughout as Zhu and Ouyang cross metaphorical swords.

There is so much to love about this book, not least the characters. It’s a book about ambition, really, Zhu’s and Ouyang’s (in many ways they parallel each other, while acting as foils to one another) in particular, but also Esen’s, Ma’s, and many others in between. It’s also a book about characters who will use everything at their disposal to achieve their ambitions. I would hesitate to say they are morally grey, because that would imply there are individuals with morals around them (Ma, perhaps, being the exception). But they are the kind of characters you can still latch onto. It might be more accurate to say they form their own set of morals and work by those and, as such, you can always see how the decision makes sense. It’s the kind of book where you’re rooting for everyone, even though you know it has to end in tragedy.

The book also lives fully up to the label of epic. It’s epic in its descriptive sense and also in scope. It spans an entire empire (and the beginning of the end for that empire) and it’s intense, high-stakes action all the way through. I think this is where multiple POVs is a huge benefit, because you can see the repercussions and ripple effects of actions across the expanse of the world. It’s part of the reason you find yourself wanting everyone to win (or at least, I did), and contributes to its general feeling of epicness.

I would be remiss not to at least mention the ending here (in a non-spoilery way, of course). I think it’s a testament to Shelley Parker-Chan that I read this entire book expecting something bad to happen at the end, and yet I was still surprised when it did. It’s the kind of ending you think you’re prepared for, only to find out just how wrong you were. You were not prepared, you could never have been prepared in any possible universe. It leaves you just a little bit shell shocked, in the best way.

So, if you’re hearing a lot of hype surrounding this book, and aren’t sure whether you can trust it, let me reassure you that yes. Yes, you absolutely can. It lives up to every bit of hype and even more.

A modern Mulan story with LGBTQ+ inclusion? I'm in!! This book was beautifully written. It moved a little slow for me but I think everyone should still give it a chance if it sounds interesting to you! The story is beautiful and unique.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for the Arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book fulfills the Mulan trope while actually going full in on the gay. Zhu Chongba may have practical reasons for disguising herself as a boy and taking her brother's fate, but the way her identity gets tangled up with his and her feelings on gender are nothing short of unique to her. She's unique as a character in other ways: her sharp, burning ambition and determination, her lack of empathy but desire to do right by other people anyway, the way she's willing to cling to life and chase after what she wants no matter the cost, and no matter how much she regrets it or suffers for it later. This book grabbed me and had me anxious and worried and on the edge of my seat, but I still never wanted it to stop.