She Who Became the Sun

She Who Became the Sun

  • Downloads:9858
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-07-29 00:16:32
  • Update Date:2025-09-24
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Shelley Parker-Chan
  • ISBN:1529043395
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

She’ll change the world to survive her fate 。 。 。

In Mongol-occupied imperial China, a peasant girl refuses her fate of an early death。 Stealing her dead brother’s identity to survive, she rises from monk to soldier, then to rebel commander。 Zhu’s pursuing the destiny her brother somehow failed to attain: greatness。 But all the while, she feels Heaven is watching。

Can anyone fool Heaven indefinitely, escaping what’s written in the stars? Or can Zhu claim her own future, burn all the rules and rise as high as she can dream?

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan is a re-imagining 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。

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Reviews

Natalie

3。5

ella

★★★★☆ 4/5 bruh。

Sifa Poulton

SHE WHO BECAME THE SUN was a great debut, retelling the life of first Ming Emperor by reimagining Zhu as someone born a girl who decides to take another destiny for herself。 It is a brilliant exploration of identity and taking on a world that would erase you if it had its way。I know some marketing has called this a historical fantasy, but there's so little of the fantastical in this book - a few ghosts and the odd flame flickering in the hand。 That it doesn't feel fantasy enough for me to call i SHE WHO BECAME THE SUN was a great debut, retelling the life of first Ming Emperor by reimagining Zhu as someone born a girl who decides to take another destiny for herself。 It is a brilliant exploration of identity and taking on a world that would erase you if it had its way。I know some marketing has called this a historical fantasy, but there's so little of the fantastical in this book - a few ghosts and the odd flame flickering in the hand。 That it doesn't feel fantasy enough for me to call it historical fantasy, because these elements are frequent enough or integral to the story/driving the plot along。 For me, it's historical fiction with a scattered few fantastical elements。It's a gorgeously written book, using such inventive and lyrical ways of describing surroundings that really bring it to life。 The pacing in slower, but that often is used to mimic the slow continuation of the monastery or the trudge of an army, and it is such beautiful writing that I just didn't care。 If anything, a slower pace left for more time to admire it。There are many POVs in this book, though the first section is only from Zhu's, charting how she came to be in the monastery and then growing there until its destruction。 Then, as Zhu is forced back into the world, the story flies open and the other POVs come flooding in the fill the scope of the book。I'd already guessed from the author's promotional pieces that Ouyang, the eunuch general, would be a fascinating character, but I wasn't prepared for how well he stole scenes。 The twisted mess of hatred for the family that caused his family's deaths and this humiliation was tangled up with his mangled love for one of the sons, a desire that he hated and feared, was fascinating and made for such compelling character dynamics。The next book in the series (I think it's a duology?) cannot come soon enough。 。。。more

Neelam

I think I am in the minority when I say that I struggled with this book。 I felt like it dragged but also did a lot of telling rather than showing and it made me lose my interest in the story。 I do think a lot of people will enjoy the book though。

Lucy

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC。I love a good feminist retelling, and in this novel Parker-Chan reimagines Chinese history to place a woman at the centre of one of the biggest political and military shifts in world history。 I know very little about medieval Chinese history so it was fascinating to see it retold in this way, and I'm really looking forward to how she squares the narrative later on in the story。 I also loved that Zhu is not a completely likeable character - she w Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC。I love a good feminist retelling, and in this novel Parker-Chan reimagines Chinese history to place a woman at the centre of one of the biggest political and military shifts in world history。 I know very little about medieval Chinese history so it was fascinating to see it retold in this way, and I'm really looking forward to how she squares the narrative later on in the story。 I also loved that Zhu is not a completely likeable character - she wants power and she'll do pretty much anything to get it - though she does have more morals than some of her male counterparts。 The addition of the magical element of the Mandate is interesting as well, and I can't wait to see how that unfolds。 。。。more

Ellie

its here its here its here its here its here its here :D

Tania

Any rating lower than 4 stars should be a crime

Milsi ✨ I cast FIREBALL! ✨

I have。。。 thoughts

Alyssa

"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。”Thoroughly enjoyed this read! On top of the fact that it is a fascinating retelling of a period of Chinese history, it has some of the most complex and bold characters I've ever read in fantasy。 -5 Stars "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。”Thoroughly enjoyed this read! On top of the fact that it is a fascinating retelling of a period of Chinese history, it has some of the most complex and bold characters I've ever read in fantasy。 -5 Stars 。。。more

Kate (Feathered Turtle Press)

4。5 full rtc

Jonathan Strahan

A strong historical fantasy debut。

Rusty

[4。5] this was not perfect but I enjoyed the experience of reading it so much I can't help but round up! Parker-chan's writing style somehow manages to be immersive, lyrical, textured, and build a vast empire, but also make the intricacies of the power dynamics and political intrigue crystal clear。 and the way they explore gender identity and roles in this extremely gendered world through exquisite character work!! my one criticism is that some of the themes were heavy handed throughout, but I'm [4。5] this was not perfect but I enjoyed the experience of reading it so much I can't help but round up! Parker-chan's writing style somehow manages to be immersive, lyrical, textured, and build a vast empire, but also make the intricacies of the power dynamics and political intrigue crystal clear。 and the way they explore gender identity and roles in this extremely gendered world through exquisite character work!! my one criticism is that some of the themes were heavy handed throughout, but I'm especially willing to overlook that with a debut。 I wanted to devour this book bc it is so readable but made myself savor it bc it was such a joy to read。 this was dark, powerful, and just as queer as I had hoped。 a new favorite and highly recommend! 。。。more

wisteria

five stars bc this is everything it said it would be and more。 there is the song of achilles in it but there isn't fluffy happy love bc she's trying to survive the whole time。 all in all it does have it's moments of tenderness between everyone and i think that's beautiful <3 five stars bc this is everything it said it would be and more。 there is the song of achilles in it but there isn't fluffy happy love bc she's trying to survive the whole time。 all in all it does have it's moments of tenderness between everyone and i think that's beautiful <3 。。。more

Katelyn | whatiskatelynreading

This is an incredible work of historical fantasy the likes of which I have never read before。 Not only did it bring to life a period of history that I have never really read about, it also addressed gender and power and sexuality and connection and morality in totally nuanced and complex ways。 I will be thinking about this book for a while, and I am eager for book 2 to see where Zhu's journey continues。 Would definitely love to see a Game of Thrones -esque series adaptation for this as well (fin This is an incredible work of historical fantasy the likes of which I have never read before。 Not only did it bring to life a period of history that I have never really read about, it also addressed gender and power and sexuality and connection and morality in totally nuanced and complex ways。 I will be thinking about this book for a while, and I am eager for book 2 to see where Zhu's journey continues。 Would definitely love to see a Game of Thrones -esque series adaptation for this as well (fingers crossed!) 。。。more

Haylee Jalyn

This book was beautiful。 The writing was poetic and elegant, so even through the middle portion of this story, which lagged after a great beginning, I was still enjoying the writing for its own sake。 The ending of the book was exciting and heart wrenching。 It's setting up a series, I believe, but it was still a very beautiful ending as it is。 The exploration of gender and identity was amazing。。。 And with two different queer characters trying to figure out their place and their life in ancient Mo This book was beautiful。 The writing was poetic and elegant, so even through the middle portion of this story, which lagged after a great beginning, I was still enjoying the writing for its own sake。 The ending of the book was exciting and heart wrenching。 It's setting up a series, I believe, but it was still a very beautiful ending as it is。 The exploration of gender and identity was amazing。。。 And with two different queer characters trying to figure out their place and their life in ancient Mongol China, their two perspectives were fascinating。 There were places where the pacing was off。 The middle lagged and the action/war scenes were too quick, I thought。 Listening to the audiobook, I personally struggled some with keeping the unfamiliar names of side characters straight, which I assume would be better if I were reading the physical book, but it did hinder my ability to get to know many of the less important characters。 Ma, though。 Ma was beautiful and I hope that her gentle, empathetic ways are able to help mold Zhu in future books。 I loved their relationship。 Overall, a wonderful read。 。。。more

Riley Trist

I MAY BE CANCELLED FOR THIS:: but my favorite character is ouyang!! yes misogyny bad, but the amount of gender angst in this man—>STRAIGHT(lol) INTO MY HEART YOU GO!

pres

this book。。。 everything about this is so perfect and beautiful and amazing literally the chain of events the writing and the parallels to chinese history got me spiraling down into a broken shattered mess。the characters make you fall in love with them through their flaws。 romance is minimal but when its there it makes your heart wrench and twist your insides because the words make you feel what the characters feel too。 zhu and ma are so wonderfully written i just have no words。it gives you a pow this book。。。 everything about this is so perfect and beautiful and amazing literally the chain of events the writing and the parallels to chinese history got me spiraling down into a broken shattered mess。the characters make you fall in love with them through their flaws。 romance is minimal but when its there it makes your heart wrench and twist your insides because the words make you feel what the characters feel too。 zhu and ma are so wonderfully written i just have no words。it gives you a powerful mc who has a strong desire for something, making her so human and relatable it just draws you in to know more about this world and how things work。 tbh its probably one of my all time favs ITS THAT GOOD 。。。more

Viv

pheww

Andrew Chida

I have heard this book being compared to Poppy War and I see why, because there are active gods the main character has a relationship with。 I would say it is most similar to Guy Gabriel Kay’s Under Heaven。 Rin has super powers, Zhu has a destiny occasionally favored by divine intervention。 It takes place in a fantasy China under Mongol rule where a Red Turban Rebellion is formed around a reincarnated god in a boy’s body。 He exhibits a Mandate of Heaven, which are physically manifested in potenti I have heard this book being compared to Poppy War and I see why, because there are active gods the main character has a relationship with。 I would say it is most similar to Guy Gabriel Kay’s Under Heaven。 Rin has super powers, Zhu has a destiny occasionally favored by divine intervention。 It takes place in a fantasy China under Mongol rule where a Red Turban Rebellion is formed around a reincarnated god in a boy’s body。 He exhibits a Mandate of Heaven, which are physically manifested in potential rulers and indicated by the ability to summon fire of a particular color corresponding with the incarnated deity that potential ruler is。 The book centers around a poor peasant girl who is visited by a fortune teller and told her brother has a destiny of greatness, but her destiny is nothing。 Her brother dies and she assumes his identity and, she hopes, his destiny。 From here, it follows her as she becomes a monk and then commander in the war。 The book has a heavy theme of LQTBQ characters and their identity struggles throughout。 It has light fantasy elements and I’d put it in the category military drama。 Her writing is beautiful, original, and emotional。 Her plot moves along nicely and there is a hefty amount of excellent character development, albeit focusing mostly on two characters。 Though it is a military book, there isn’t much direct action; you get strategy and tactics more so than blade on blade combat。 This doesn’t detract from the story as the main character is a cunning and divinely blessed leader, but no warrior。 The plot is far from predictable, you become very attached to and invested in the main character, and the LGTBQ focus, while a little heavy-handed at times, as a whole is a very natural and deep look into the struggles and emotions of the characters。 I’m torn in how I feel in her approach towards LGTBQ characters。 On the one hand, I often don’t like when books have a focus other than just telling the story。 I am also wary when a book is focused on issues or minorities because of the many times I have seen it awfully executed。 The result is often shallow, token characters instead of human beings where it feels like the author is just trying to cash in on a trendy issue, or characters speaking in unnatural monologues like Ayn Rand, and/or the story suffers and becomes just a subplot。 She avoided all of these pitfalls, mostly。 There are times when I feel like the inner emotional experience gets a bit repetitive and times when we have just been following it for a really long time to the point I would consciously think that I’d like to get back to the story。 However, these instances are few and far between and I can’t really fault her much, because she did such an impressive job both telling a full and satisfying story and giving deep insight into her characters that made you feel like you understood them as an individual person who was LGTBQ, not just a token representation。 You fully understand how they’re feeling and why they would feel that way。 I can imagine, were I going through anything like the characters, I would deeply relate to them。 However, I also found them complex, fascinating characters without having any deeper connection。 If you like historical fantasy fiction, historical fiction, or fantasy, or a somewhat irreverent badass monk, I would strongly recommend this book。 。。。more

brenda ☾

When publisher advertise a book by comparing it to other popular books, I try to ignore it, bc most of the time you will end up being disappointed。In this case She Who Will Become the Sun was compared to Mulan and The Song of Achilles。While I can see parts of Mulan in it, the story was nothing like The Song of Achilles。So, be aware。BUT, in general, it was still an enjoyable read。The author put a lot of effort and research in this book and it's noticeable in every single chapter。The atmosphere wa When publisher advertise a book by comparing it to other popular books, I try to ignore it, bc most of the time you will end up being disappointed。In this case She Who Will Become the Sun was compared to Mulan and The Song of Achilles。While I can see parts of Mulan in it, the story was nothing like The Song of Achilles。So, be aware。BUT, in general, it was still an enjoyable read。The author put a lot of effort and research in this book and it's noticeable in every single chapter。The atmosphere was really great and I liked to read about China during this time period。Our main character, Zhu, was interesting and I liked to reae about her。 At least at the beginning。Around 30%, the POV suddenly changes and from this moment on she felt more distance。The pace of the book was sometimes really slow。 Maybe you know that, when you feel like you already read 300 pages, but in reality you only read 50 pages。That's how I felt sometimes。 。。。more

Hannah

4 STARSWow, OK, I have a lot of thoughts about this book。 Mulan meets Song of Achilles? Check。 Queer and Chinese? Check。 A fantastic debut? Definitely, check。 “It would be the biggest gamble of her life。 But if she wanted greatness—she was going to have to stand up and claim it。”She Who Became the Sun is an adult historical fantasy retelling of the rise of the emperor of the Ming Dynasty。 It's the year 1345, and the Zhu family is living under the Mongol rule, starving in a famined village。 The y 4 STARSWow, OK, I have a lot of thoughts about this book。 Mulan meets Song of Achilles? Check。 Queer and Chinese? Check。 A fantastic debut? Definitely, check。 “It would be the biggest gamble of her life。 But if she wanted greatness—she was going to have to stand up and claim it。”She Who Became the Sun is an adult historical fantasy retelling of the rise of the emperor of the Ming Dynasty。 It's the year 1345, and the Zhu family is living under the Mongol rule, starving in a famined village。 The youngest Zhu daughter has always been told that her life is fated for nothingness while her brother is fated for greatness。 However, in a twist of fate, her brother, Zhu Chongba is killed and Zhu takes his name to claim his abandoned greatness。"If he took my fate and died 。 。 。 then perhaps I can take his, and live。"The premise of this book drew me in immediately。 And then I saw that it was queer and Chinese, which made me want to read it even more。 There were a lot of things that this book did well for me。 The characters and worldbuilding were spectacular。 Each character was well developed and had compelling storylines and character arcs。 The star of the book, Zhu Chongba, of course, was my favorite by far。 I loved her determination to escape her destiny and her desire for greatness。 Zhu was definitely such an interesting character to read about and Shelley Parker-Chan did an amazing job with her character。 The worldbuilding was also great。 I love the way Parker-Chan took an already existing history and world and reimagined it。 Their desciptions were vivid and lush and the prose was beautiful。 My biggest problem in this book was probably the pacing。 I'm usually a fan of faster-paced stories, but it's not necessarily a bad thing to have a slower, more literary story。 However, the pacing in She Who Became the Sun just confused me。 The first act was amazing and hooked me from the first chapter, and the third act was equally amazing and was a great ending to the book。 But the second act is where it fell short for me。 I have no other way to describe it other than that I was bored reading it。 There were long desciptions of war and political intrigue that just seemed monotonous for me。 I also dreaded reading Esen and Ouyang's chapters。 They just weren't as compelling as Zhu and Ma。 I did think that some of their internal emotions were very well done, and their desires vs their loyalties created such a fascinating contrast。 Overall, this book was a beautiful story of war and fantasy and gender and destiny。 I would definitely recommend it, and fans of The Poppy War would definitely enjoy it。 This was such a great debut and I look forward to reading more of Shelley Parker-Chan's work。 。。。more

Didi Chanoch

Incredibly ambitious in scope and depth, this is a fantastic debut。 I won't go into what's it about, as there are plenty of other reviews that do that。 I'll talk about how many balls Parker-Chan manages to juggle expertly at the same time。 Debut novels aren't supposed to be complex character studies that are also massive historical fantasies。 They aren't supposed to deliver a rendition of dysphoria that is this specific and powerful。 And yet, this one does。 This novel has a protagonist that hits Incredibly ambitious in scope and depth, this is a fantastic debut。 I won't go into what's it about, as there are plenty of other reviews that do that。 I'll talk about how many balls Parker-Chan manages to juggle expertly at the same time。 Debut novels aren't supposed to be complex character studies that are also massive historical fantasies。 They aren't supposed to deliver a rendition of dysphoria that is this specific and powerful。 And yet, this one does。 This novel has a protagonist that hits every "unlikeable character" button, and still manages to be absolutely engaging (and even likeable) by sheer force of will - and force of Parker-Chan's writing。 。。。more

Martyna

Intriguing, complex characters, a world in conflict and a battle of two strong wills driven towards each other and their fates。 What's there not to like Intriguing, complex characters, a world in conflict and a battle of two strong wills driven towards each other and their fates。 What's there not to like 。。。more

LeAnn

4。5 stars

Laura Jacobsen

This book blew my mind。 So powerful and well-written, and the author does really cool things with gender and queerness。 Definitely one that will resonate with gnc/nb/trans readers, and still a win for literally everyone else。 Amazing!!

Paulette

This is a magnificent book。 Beautifully written, imagined and plotted, it immersed me in a story that I didn't want to leave。 Determination, love, betrayal, fate, fascinating & compelling characters, Shelley Parker-Chan has created a master work。 Read it! This is a magnificent book。 Beautifully written, imagined and plotted, it immersed me in a story that I didn't want to leave。 Determination, love, betrayal, fate, fascinating & compelling characters, Shelley Parker-Chan has created a master work。 Read it! 。。。more

Gemma

This is it boys: my favourite book of the year。 Set in 14th Century Mongol occupied China, this book reimagines the story of Mulan with a fresh, queer, historical perspective。 We begin the tale with Zhu, a poor peasant girl whose fate, as dictated by a seer, is to be ‘nothing。’ When her father and brother get killed by bandits, Zhu is determined to escape both death and destiny, assuming her brother’s identity and beginning her epic journey。 And oh boy, what a journey it is。 Parker-Chan builds s This is it boys: my favourite book of the year。 Set in 14th Century Mongol occupied China, this book reimagines the story of Mulan with a fresh, queer, historical perspective。 We begin the tale with Zhu, a poor peasant girl whose fate, as dictated by a seer, is to be ‘nothing。’ When her father and brother get killed by bandits, Zhu is determined to escape both death and destiny, assuming her brother’s identity and beginning her epic journey。 And oh boy, what a journey it is。 Parker-Chan builds such a rich atmosphere of religion, magic, and politics, that fans of Katherine Arden’s Bear and the Nightingale or Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles are sure to love。 The characters are great, the treatment of LGBT+ themes is nuanced, and the plot keeps you hooked in a white knuckle ride from page one。 God, it’s so fucking good。 。。。more

Hanna (lapetiteboleyn)

What can I say that other reviewers haven't already said better?My grain has leaked out of my ears。 Reading this felt like the best possible kind of book where any interruption is the worst thing to have ever happened, and every plot twist makes you need to stare out of a window for a minute。I loved it。 I loved it。 I loved it。 Books like this are the reason I fell in love with reading as a child, and they keep me reading as an adult。 I cannot recommend it enough。 What can I say that other reviewers haven't already said better?My grain has leaked out of my ears。 Reading this felt like the best possible kind of book where any interruption is the worst thing to have ever happened, and every plot twist makes you need to stare out of a window for a minute。I loved it。 I loved it。 I loved it。 Books like this are the reason I fell in love with reading as a child, and they keep me reading as an adult。 I cannot recommend it enough。 。。。more

Rana

Do you ever just want to love a book and need it to be THE BOOK and then it just grazes instead of hits? Don't get me wrong, this is a fabulous book that deserves everything but maybe wrong book wrong time for me? I just couldn't latch onto the story which makes me sad because it's a breathtaking retelling。 Do you ever just want to love a book and need it to be THE BOOK and then it just grazes instead of hits? Don't get me wrong, this is a fabulous book that deserves everything but maybe wrong book wrong time for me? I just couldn't latch onto the story which makes me sad because it's a breathtaking retelling。 。。。more

Kate Vane

I was interested in this novel because I recently read Conn Iggulden’s Conqueror series, which tells the story of Genghis Khan and his descendants。She Who Became the Sun begins in 1345, some fifty years after the death of Kublai Khan, and charts the rise to power of Zhu Yuanzhang, founder of the Ming dynasty。 In this reimagining, though, there is one vital difference。 Zhu is a woman。Zhu grows up in grinding poverty, as the ruling Mongols lay waste to the land of her people。 During a raid, her fa I was interested in this novel because I recently read Conn Iggulden’s Conqueror series, which tells the story of Genghis Khan and his descendants。She Who Became the Sun begins in 1345, some fifty years after the death of Kublai Khan, and charts the rise to power of Zhu Yuanzhang, founder of the Ming dynasty。 In this reimagining, though, there is one vital difference。 Zhu is a woman。Zhu grows up in grinding poverty, as the ruling Mongols lay waste to the land of her people。 During a raid, her father and brother are killed and she is the only surviving member of her family。 She decides to adopt her brother’s identity。 Remembering that he was told by a fortune teller that he was destined for greatness, and given that he is now dead, she decides the prophecy must have been meant for her。She takes refuge in a monastery, where, despite near misses, she manages to keep her secret from all but the monk who becomes her closest friend, the worldly Xu Da。 As adults, they leave the monastery and find their way into the rebel Red Turban army, united under the figurehead of the Prince of Radiance。 Zhu’s courage and initiative saves them in battle against impossible odds and means that she is put in charge of her own band of fighters。She finds her nemesis  when the Mongol army comes to the monastery。 She sees the eunuch commander Ouyang, and immediately recognises that they share a bond, as outsiders, because of their ambiguous gender identities。 Ouyang is also of Nanren, rather than Mongol, origin, so he is serving in the army that subjugated his people。 Later, Zhu and  Ouyang fight on opposite sides, struggling to establish themselves, both confronting and empathising with each other。She Who Became the Sun started really well for me。 The sense of place and time is vivid and the voice is distinctive, giving Zhu a believable balance of naivety and insight, confidence and fear。 She takes opportunities when they come but is always aware of her perilous position。 I liked the idea of Zhu as a woman。 There have been documented real-life examples so I’m not bothered about plausibility, and much as I enjoy books by authors like Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell, their focus on military feats means they are inevitably dominated by male characters。However, after a while the book began to grate on me and I did have to soldier on myself。 The difficulty, I think, is that there isn’t enough dramatic conflict。 Zhu is preoccupied with her identity and her sense of destiny above all else。 Although she does suffer setbacks, there is no real jeopardy。 That’s always a difficulty with historical fiction – most readers know how it ends, so you have to create suspense in another way, such as putting your character in a seemingly impossible situation。 Then, although we might know she'll survive, we can't imagine how。In the best of this kind of fiction, there are strategic, political and economic interests, and then there are personal dramas that may run along these lines or may conflict with them。 In She Who Became the Sun the focus is firmly on the personal。 Zhu and Ouyang act purely because of their identity or childhood experiences or relationships, which can give it a soapy feel as if the historical moment is just an attractive backdrop rather than integral to the story。Still, She Who Became the Sun is fantastically atmospheric and an impressive achievement for a first novel。 I would be interested in reading the sequel as the first book ends at an interesting point in Zhu’s journey。*I received a copy of She Who Became the Sun from the publisher via Netgalley。 。。。more