3.5 stars

She Who Became the Sun is full of vivid, atmospheric writing. At times it overshadows the narrative; this dark, haunting vibe running beneath the storyline. Even though only Zhu can see the ghosts, her ability suggests their constant presence, contributing to this undertone.

Another aspect that Shelley Parker-Chan nailed is the emotions tormenting every character. The narrative is certainly not lacking depth; no character is ever experiencing only one emotion - it's always a range, and it's never simple. The relationships are complex with tortuous histories, and almost every conversation feels like a minefield of religion, gender, and bloodlines.

She Who Became the Sun is an epic narrative encompassing a lot of time and a lot of information. Because of this, there are sudden jumps in time which can make it feel rushed or like you're missing out on some of the character's experiences. For example, I would have loved more time in the monastery during Zhu's early years. By missing out on these formative years of her life, it's a lot of telling, not showing, and the reader is expected to accept the information presented without a wealth of evidence. This happens with a lot of the characters; we're told their backgrounds but don't get to experience them. I want to attribute this to She Who Became the Sun being the first novel in a series, but I won't know for sure until there's a second instalment. I will be keen to read the next book to see if, after all this buildup and backstory, the pace will slow down a little, and we'll be allowed to spend more time with the characters and their experiences.

I first tried reading She Who Became the Sun in July - or even June, can't remember - but my mood wasn't the best (yes, I'm a mood reader and that often dictates what I read - or if I read at all), I found I couldn't focus on the complex story and its numerous characters, so I decided to put it aside.

And I'm very glad I did that because, had I forced myself to continue, it would have been a DNF. No, not because of the book, but because of my mood - or lack thereof.

I honestly was not expecting to be so into it. I'm usually not all that fond of too many POVs, or politics, war strategies and whatnot. But the author made it all work for me.

It all starts with one girl wanting to change her fate and, when she gets that opportunity, you better believe she takes it. She poses as her brother and pretty much manages to rise from a nobody to somebody. Does it take years? Yes. Does it take a lot out of her? Yes.

And you know, she kind of doesn't care who she has to walk on, to achieve her goals. She's not a good guy, you might say, but - given the times in which the action takes place - I don't blame her one bit. As a woman, you were nothing. As a man, you could have everything.

And Zhu would have everything.

Now, the other character I was fascinated of was her direct opponent, Ouyang. He wanted revenge against the man who took everything from him and ruined his life. But that would be at the cost of losing the person he loved the most.

Yes, amid all the gore and war scenes and whatnot, there's also some love sprinkled in, here and there. It's LGBTQIA+ in all its glory - Zhu and another female character, while Ouyang is also secretly in love with another man.

I was there for it, all of it. I loved the heartache, the pining, the flirting, the banter. I loved how different the two loves were. I mean, there were scenes with Ouyang and his beau that I was listening to while working and they just immediately drew my attention.

Same with Zhu and her wife. I mean, given the rather sexual nature of some scenes and most of what happens in this book, I really wouldn't recommend it to readers under 17.

But do I recommend it? Oh yeah. I'm curious to see where the author takes the characters next, what will happen.

Many thanks to the publisher for granting me access to an early copy via Netgalley and many apologies it took a bit for me to read it. 4 stars.

She Who Became the Sun is a classic fantasy that deals with themes of destiny, gender identity and those who struggle to find their way with both. It’s an alternate history based on 1345 China. I was intrigued by the story the moment I started reading.

Early on the audience is introduced to a no-name girl living in poverty and desperation. That girl eventually becomes Zhu Chongba. Her need for more than what’s she’s been given in life is palpable and this becomes the basis of her character throughout the story. Zhu is a one track minded character and it’s understandable considering where she came from. It’s easy for the audience to understand Zhu’s motivations even though they might not agree with her. In this regard I think Shelly Parker Chan did an excellent job with her character development. In terms of the other characters, I found them all to be morally grey and at certain points unlikeable. Morally grey is my favorite character type which is the main reason I enjoyed the story as much as I did. I found Ouyang to be the most fascinating character and I’m interested in seeing where his character arc goes. I also adored Ma, she’s the type of character that’s too good for this world. Overall, I think the characters were well developed and I enjoyed my time reading them.

In terms of themes, this story deals heavily with themes of destiny and gender identity. She Who Became the Sun poses questions of what it means to be destined and if it’s possible at all to avoid that fate. It’s something that I haven’t seen many authors explore in the books I tend to read. I also enjoyed the exploration of gender and how it impacts Zhu mentally, emotionally to be in constant search of her identity. Zhu, as a character, is certain about her destiny but in this one aspect she stumbles as she tries to discover herself. Zhu and Ouyang are two sides of the same coin in this regard.

The story starts off in the middle of a war between the empire and the rebels. As a result, this story is heavily driven by political machinations as well as military strategy. Readers who enjoy political backstabbing, military fantasy, and historical fiction would highly enjoy She Who Became the Sun.

In terms of the world, the magic is fairly light, to the point of being almost non-existent. I would recommend this to someone who might be new to fantasy and are intimidated by complex magic systems. This is a morally grey society where anything goes. The characters will kill, brutalize, and manipulate whomever they need to in order to get what they want.

Overall, She Who Became the Sun is a strong debut and I can’t wait to continue on with the series.

I DNF'd this book after the first part. The writing was beautiful and the story had promise, it was just more of a historical fiction with a touch of fantasy than a fantasy with touches of history which is what I was in the mood for. I will absolutely be trying to read this again at another time because I did really enjoy the lyrical writing, I just want to be in the right mood for it.

If you’re a fan of historical fantasies, then She Who Became the Sun will not disappoint. It’s touted as “a bold, queer, and lyrical reimagining of the rise of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty,” and it was this description alone that got me interested in reading it in the first place.

This book covers several decades of the main character’s life as she movies through childhood, losing her family and becoming a monk, and joining the rebellion to secure a spot in a future that was never meant to be hers. It’s a lush, full, gorgeous story that encompasses the very definition of an epic. If you’re the type of person who loves to sink right into the pages of a novel and live the story alongside the narrator, She Who Becomes the Sun will happily take you along for the ride.

The other main component of this novel is Zhu’s gender identity and how that affects her relationships with the people around her. The way she views herself slowly unfolds over the years, often complicated by her drive to survive. But the book does not concern itself with labels, and Zhu is often allowed to exist without putting a name to it. It’s refreshing to see such a perspective set against a historical background.

This book was a wild ride of political intrigue, romance, action, and adventure! I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to read more by Shelley Parker-Chan.

I have now read two books of the sapphic trinity of 2021 and I'm floored. Shelley Parker-Chan blew me away with this story and all the hype I heard surrounding this book beforehand could not compare. I loved the historical nuances incorporated in the story and just the empowerment of the characters. Truly a masterpiece!

A genderbent reimagining of the founding of the Ming Dynasty with slight fantasy elements. Love, war, identity, the costs of ambition and revenge — it’s not quite Mulan x TSOA but it’s easy to see why that’s the tagline ★★★★

An immensely readable and engaging queer retelling of the founder of Ming Dynasty in China. There is a lot to like here, the representation of the male king (and for some Han Chinese, savior) as the worst possible thing from Confucian point of view - woman in disguise - would make Confucius turn in his grave like e corkscrew. And that's awesome, cause that philosophy is one of the worst human inventions. But at the same time, I couldn't but feel that the gender of the protagonist did not matter at all (which is a good thing overall, but maybe not when the whole schtick of the book is the protagonist being a woman in disguise). Moreover, there is also very little character development here, which is a shame. Not sure if I'll bother reading the second part, to be honest.

I think this is going onto my list of “Favorite Books of all Time.” I really can’t say much more than that.

Thanks to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I'm blown away that this is the author's first novel! I loved this book because the writing is beautiful and the characters are well-developed. I'll definitely read more by this author in the future.

I really really expected to like this book. It was one of my most anticipated of the year. However, it fell short for me. I loved the first few chapters where she enters the monastery and is getting up to all sorts of trouble, but then there were so many moving parts added to the book and I just couldn’t keep track of them. The one sex scene was so incredibly graphic, and then she kills a child so that she can be successful?? I just don’t really understand what the message was supposed to be from this book. I expected an uplifting novel sort of like Mulan with some of the heartbreaking components similar to Song of Achilles, but I missed all of that if it was in the book at all. Really wishing I had better things to say about this one!

Absolutely spectacular. The writing is exquisite. The characters are phenomenal. The plot is so highly political intrigue and I adored it (no battle scenes!).

Parker-Chan has such an astonishing ability to make you feel for these characters and recognize everything they are feeling. Character dynamics are absolutely fantastic and painful.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan is a genderqueer retelling of The Red Turban Rebellions, which gave rise to the Ming dynasty. Zhu Chongba is destined for greatness, while his sister is destined for nothing. After bandits come to their famine plagued town and orphan the two children her brother, Zhu Chongba, gives into grief and dies. Left to fend for herself, with nothing but her fiery will to survive, she chooses to take her brother’s name and his great destiny and embarks on a journey for greatness. That begins as a monk, but soon gives way to commander and more.

This title has been called “Song of Achilles meets Mulan”, which I find to be a flimsy description for such a unique and intense piece of literature. Does no justice to the emotionally intense and thought provoking work that Parker-Chan has elegantly crafted. I found parts to be a challenge to read, for no other reason than I have difficulty with descriptions of military strategies, which is a prominent feature in many chapters. I was always impressed with the genius ideas Zhu would conjur, which always ended with outstanding, and sometimes brutal, results.

Zhu battles both with the enemies on the battlefield and within as she struggles with her identity. She is driven by her will to survive and defy the heavens by doing whatever is necessary. Which at times shocked me at the lengths she would go. However, to see moments and instances that would ruin and break most in her world, they further elevate her to greatness and bring her closer to her goals. An awe inspiring feat, to say the least.

This is not a story for the faint of heart. Set during a fantasy tinged retelling of Mongul ruled China during the Red Turban Rebellions, it is an intense, violent and often dark story where the lines are blurred. Trust is rare, and hunger for power and revenge reign alongside each other. As previously stated, there are a lot of military strategies and complex political plots that can slow down reading for those, like myself, who don’t read those themes often. However, these themes were easier to follow than most.

I found She Who Became the Sun to be thought provoking, emotionally intense and a comfort zone shattering experience. Those who enjoy character driven historical fiction on an epic scale, with just a touch of fantasy, should not pass on this title.

Thanks Netgalley for the arc!
This was a page turner! I am a great fan of historical fantasy and this queer retelling of the founding of the Ming dynasty kept me totally engrossed. A young girl destined to be nothing, as foretold by an astrologer, assumes her brother’s fate of greatness after he dies of hunger. She poses as him to gain entry to a monastery where food is available and never looks back. She becomes Zhu Chongba and decides that nothing will keep her from rising to the top. First in a series and I can’t wait for book two!

WOW. I think that this book truly deserves all of the hype. I actually loved how dark this book was, and how the characters seemed at times to lack a moral compass in order to accomplish their cause. This was a bit different than my normal read as I am used to a bit more of a romance based or influenced... but honestly I liked the change of pace. I actually liked how unlikable the characters were at times. I think that there is a great mix of magic, fantasy, and history. I loved the politics and the descriptions, and even the war scenes. This was just brilliant and truly unlike anything I have ever read. So unique!!

I started this and immediately ordered a hard copy of the final book. Such a fantastic concept. I already can think of multiple people I want to lend it to, and I haven't even finished it yet.

Full review here: https://fictionfixerreads.wordpress.com/2021/08/23/arc-review-she-who-became-the-sun/\Shelley Parker-Chan’s She Who Became the Sun is a masterful work that first builds the deep, desperate desire residing within Zhu Chongba, showcases their resilience and strategy, and critiques the systems that failed them–all in order to lead me into following Zhu and their cause, before wrenching my heart out with its still-beating-heart-wrenching turning point.

It weaves each character’s story with purpose and highlights how in war, in desperation, in love, there are no absolutes, and that more often, a compromise is necessary to survive. Yet, as brutal as the story gets, there are moments of quiet, accompanied by elegant prose that exude emotion out of its lyricism.

Overall, She Who Became the Sun is a strong debut and I look forward to the second book of The Radiant Emperor duology.

Full review here: https://fictionfixerreads.wordpress.com/2021/08/23/arc-review-she-who-became-the-sun/

This story was an absolute stunning debut. I don't typically read historical fiction, but I think the way that fantasy was laced throughout was done in such a perfect amount. It suited the fantasy lover in me, but it still felt as if I was reading something based in history.

This novel had such a wealth of good things about it. First off, the character development was powerful. It felt as if I knew each character intimately, especially Zhu, Ma, Wang, and Oulyang, especially. I certainly did not agree with each of their choices, but I could empathize strongly and felt myself at different times rooting for each of them. For readers that want to read something that has strong right/wrong ideals, this may not be the book. There's a lot of decisions stuck in that morally grey zone, but that made for a fascinating read that was ever-changing.

Additionally, I loved the writing style that Parker-Chan employed. Her prose did a great job of showing versus telling, and while it was probably more "literary" in style than books I typically read, I don't think that it made it a hard read. The pacing moved pretty evenly throughout and I didn't find myself having to slow down simply because the language was challenging. This book was descriptive in its settings and characters' feelings, making me feel as if I was living within the pages, experiencing this right alongside the characters.

Lastly, I loved the themes of this book. There were SO many, but each felt well pursued: identity, desire, greatness, revenge, and war. Most importantly, this book covered the idea of gender fluidity in a way that was accessible but so pertinent throughout. It made me think really hard about the ways society has advanced in terms of acceptance, but also the ways we have yet to grow. I enjoyed reading this historical retelling that brought gender and sexuality to the forefront.

This was a powerful debut, and I already cannot wait for the next book in the duology. Parker-Chan is a force to be reckoned with as a writer. If it isn't clear, I definitely think it's worth noting that this is definitely an adult fantasy with mature topics and scenes, especially in the way it covers war quite graphically at times.

A brutal book of war and famine, She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan is a queer reimagining of the founding of China’s Ming dynasty that has no business being as poetic as it is. (That is not a dig. The prose in this book is beautiful.)

I know this may seem ridiculous, considering I review Attack on Titan which is not exactly a fluffy story, but I’m not a huge fan of violence and bloodshed in my fictional stories. As far as She Who Became the Sun goes, I was dazzled by the pretty cover and I guess failed to realize the entire premise of the book. But even knowing now what I didn’t know then, I still would have read this book.

Also, most of the violence happens off-screen, but I have a very vivid imagination.




This is the story of a young girl who, after the deaths of her father and brother, assumes her dead brother’s identity. For Zhu Chongba has been gifted a great fate, and she was gifted nothing, and she is determined his fate will be hers. She lives as a man, seeking refuge at a Buddhist monastery (which is eventually burned down by the Mongols) before joining up with the rebel Red Turbans, who are hoping to drive the Mongols out of China.

This is also the story of General Ouyang, who chose becoming a eunuch over being murdered like the rest of his family and has spent every day since plotting his revenge against the Mongol invaders who destroyed his life.

For the most part, the book alternates between Zhu and Ouyang’s perspectives as both of them do whatever they must to achieve the destinies that are laid out before them. It emphasizes the importance of power, and freedom of choice, regardless of circumstances. Zhu’s stubborn refusal to become the nothing she was fated to be is inspirational, albeit pragmatic and not always moral. I don’t agree with a lot of her decisions, but you have to admire her resilience and craftiness.

It’s hard to believe that She Who Became the Sun is Parker-Chan’s debut novel. The prose is almost lyrical, painting a well-crafted portrait of a war-torn country; the characters are complex, and the author’s skill at building tension is fantastic. This is an extremely engaging read, and the POV shifts will leave you concerned for the fate of the various characters. (If you’re like me and know absolutely nothing about this very real, very historical event.) In fact, the first change in perspective had me worried about Zhu, because the first part of the book is told entirely from Zhu’s POV and then suddenly it’s not, and I was so sure she had died.

While this is a story about war, death, and vengeance, it is also about the complexities of gender and identity, as both Zhu and Ouyang are genderqueer. (Also, I think Zhu may be asexual, which is pretty awesome.) It’s very much an exploration of how gender is not about biology, and I like how this is paralleled between the two characters, because they have very different journeys.

There are some aspects that I don’t think were developed enough, and the ending felt very abrupt… and then I discovered that this is the first book in a duology. (Why does this keep happening to me?) After Zhu decides to take her brother’s place, she begins to see ghosts, which is apparently a sign that one possesses the Mandate of Heaven, but I felt like this was an underutilized aspect of the story.

If you are someone who enjoys a lot of politics and strategy in your fantasy, or you’re into historical C-dramas, I really think you will enjoy this book.