Enjoyed this book both the plot and the characters were original and escaped the cliches of both fantasy and historical novels. Looking forward to the sequel, although it will be a challenge to write a book with as many unexpected developments as this one.

This historical fantasy novel of China was as intriguing as it was action-packed. Shelley Parker-Chan has done an excellent job of creating a historical novel with small fantasy touches that don't distract from a complex tale of conquest and political intrigue.

Definitely enjoyed this own voices fantasy! The examination of gender and destiny on the back drop of a war no one really knows the origins of is fascinating. Ma and Zhu endear themselves to the reader almost immediately. I'll be talking this book up to readers for sure! Especially people who may have just discovered The Song of Achilles.

Oh yeah. OH YEAH. This is my kind of book.

She Who Became the Sun starts with Zhu Chongba, a girl who was given a fate of nothing, but who ultimately says “f*ck it, I’m taking my own damn fate.” I loved Zhu for the same reasons I loved Fang Runin from The Poppy War trilogy - they’re both terribly ambitious, endlessly stubborn, and just a touch too ruthless to be considered the good guys. If you aren’t a fan of those kinds of characters, you might not like this book.

But I like those kinds of characters, and I loved this book.

Speaking of characters: every character is complex and well-realized. Some are cruel, some are crass, many are cunning. Zhu Chongba is a fascinating character, whose desires and emotions are incredibly visceral. General Ouyang, our second protagonist, is basically having an eternal existential crisis, and gods, it’s painful reading his inner narrative.

Bringing me to my next point: Shelley Parker-Chan has a fantastic voice. I savored each sentence like a fine wine (I don’t like wine, but let’s ignore that for the sake of the metaphor). Something about the way she describes the character’s emotions and thoughts is so poignant - despite not being able to relate to them in essentially any way, I was consistently struck by how often I could relate to the way they felt about their anger, or fear, or longing. Shelley crafts her story with a lilting, lyrical voice; she had me hanging onto every single word.

Let’s take a moment to talk about the ending. Just kidding, this is a spoiler-free review. All I will say is that the comparison of Mulan meets Song of Achilles is very accurate, and very agonizing. I normally hate comparisons (I understand their value in marketing, but sometimes I feel they are either inaccurate, or they take away from a book’s ability to sell us through an intriguing premise/pitch alone) but in this case, I’d say it’s a scarily accurate selling point. Basically, the ending killed me and I’m not even a little bit mad about it.

In short, just from the blurb alone, I was entirely certain I was going to love this book, and personally, it 1000% lived up to my expectations. If you like Asian-inspired (historical? kinda) epic fantasies, LGBTQ+ representation, badass characters, and some good-old backstabbing and political turmoil, you’ll probably love She Who Became the Sun. I will now sit and suffer silently until the release of the next book in the series. Thank you, Shelley Parker-Chan.

(note: this review is also available on Goodreads! https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17017237-cathy-cao)

I loved the character development in this book! Zhu is such a great, strong female character and I thoroughly enjoyed following along on her journey. I couldn't put this book down and eagerly await the next book from Shelley Parker-Chan.

Okay look. I’ll start out by saying that this is already one of my favorite reads this year. It’s an absolute gem of a book. It will wreck you, it will mess with your head and just— UGHHHHH!!! The characters had so much depth that you’d find yourself rooting for every one of them. The plot is amazing and intricate. Well thought out. JUST READ IT! It’s stunning. 😭✨

This is a book about a girl who decides to take her fate into her own hands. When her brother dies, Zhu seizes the opportunity to take not only his identity but his prophesized fate of greatness. This is also a book about a man who is only seen for his identity and nothing else, and who must decide if he is to follow his fate or fight against it.

Shelley Parker-Chan did an amazing job writing this novel, but what really shines is how she wrote her characters. The characters came to life on the page through her writing. Out of all the characters, my favorite is Zhu. She's fierce, clever, ambitious, and stubborn, yet has a sense of humor. despite all she's been through in life. Ouyang's story intertwines with that of Zhu's in part two, which enriches the story. Both of them at so alike, yet different. They both struggle with how the world sees them and with who they really are, and both are willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want.

This book hits on a lot of hard-hitting topics including: gender, identity, famine, war, and loyalty. A lot of the characters struggle with the roles they have been assigned in life, and how they can fight against them or learn to live with them.

I would say this book is more of a historical fiction book with elements of fantasy thrown in, than actual fantasy. It isn't necessarily a bad thing but is good for potential readers to know. Some parts of the book were harder to read, especially since it does take place in wartime. But overall, this was a great read!

Oh my god.

This book was one of my most anticipated releases of 2021 and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT. I absolutely LOVED this Mulan re-telling and will recommend it to everyone I know. The characters, the political intrigue, and exploration of queer identity are all excellent. Truly the best debuts I’ve read this year.

What I will say is that comparing this book to The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller does both readers and the book itself a huge disservice. She Who Became the Sun is best suited for fans of R.F. Kuang’s the Poppy War trilogy, Ken Liu’s Dandelion Dynasty, and Game of Thrones. This book is a dark and brutal war story. There is no wholesome and sweet love story in this book.

I was so excited to read the description of this book! "A bold, queer, and lyrical reimagining of the rise of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty". This is a cultural emersion that I was dying to embark on and I was not disappointed. It is dark and brutal and delightfully queer!

Best part?- Hands down the culture. Reading about the discipline, the chauvinism, the dedication. I have so much respect for Chinese culture and just loved watching Zhu's determination to break the mold in her journey as she tackled each obstacle. First by becoming something she was not and then continuing to evolve and learn and grow into herself.

I connected so much with Zhu and I loved her time in the monastery. The shift into the second part was a little more difficult for me. The introduction of new POVs took me a minute to develop the relationship I had already solidly built with Zhu. She is a strong female character and I'm glad to see her transformation and acceptance. She begins to come into her own instead of having to continue to pretend to be something she is not. As part two wraps and I ventured into part three I found the new characters lining up for me and I'm thoroughly intrigued for the continuation of this story.

This is a great immersive read and I'd recommend you take this journey along side Zhu. In the future I'd love to try this as an audio book as well!

I want the sequel, now. The characters are so rich and complicated and complete. I'm not convinced that there is even one truly good person, but I genuinely want to see more of them all. Zhu is fascinating and complicated. Her (the pronoun she uses for herself) journey to achieve her greatness and the risks she is willing to take are mesmerizing. Just as important are all the other stories that are woven together. You see how these lives interconnect and you care.

The daughter of the Zhu family was considered useless by her father and given the fate of "nothing." After the rest of the family perishes during the long famine afflicting her province, she adopts the name Zhu Chongba and disguises herself as a boy in order to change her fate. Inspired by the Mongol era in China, She Who Became the Sun follows Zhu Chongba in her adventures, from life as a monk to her time as a rebel leader, always fighting to claim her fate. Well written and engaging, this book is recommended to people who like epic tales of fate and clever, gender nonconforming characters.

This book was intense from beginning to end. Gripping storytelling pulls you in and makes it hard to put the book down. I can't wait to see more titles from Parker-Chan.

Shelly Parker-Chan wrote a stunning and evocative novel. It's harsh, dense and immensly capturing.
I have a few notes about the style and the rhythm, that are sometimes not as solid as the worldbuilding and the story, but that said i really can't wait for She Who Became The Sun to come out and conquer the world!
One of the best breakthrough novels of the last decade

This book is a fantastic entry into a new series, I was enthralled by the story and couldn't put it down until I finished it completely. I cant wait for the next installment! As someone not familiar with Chinese history it was still a very enjoyable read through this reimagining of the creation of the Ming Dynasty.

4.5 stars

I can see why it would be smart to advertise this book as “Mulan meets Song of Achilles”, since those comparisons were definitely the biggest draw for me and I’m sure many others, but in execution and style it feels entirely distinct. Despite the high expectations, this novel did not disappoint.

She Who Became the Sun is a story you wouldn’t believe is the author’s debut novel. For a reader, it seems to have it all – well-researched historical details and thoughtfully executed creative liberties, meticulous imagery, nuanced characterizations, and a very cohesive plot. Zhu is a fascinating vessel through which the story is told, carrying the reader from a barren and poverty-stricken Zhongli village to the secluded Wuhang Monastery and innumerable sites of political warfare. No matter the circumstances that inhibit her success, Zhu is unfailingly governed by her conviction that she is meant for greatness. Despite her determination for success, Zhu’s journey takes on a palimpsest-like structure where the past is always in the shadow of her unfolding destiny. In her humble form, no one can imagine what lengths Zhu will go to in order to ensure the destiny that is hers to claim.

Again, contrary to my expectations, there were few fantastical elements to be found in this novel, which is more impressive than not since historical fiction is not a genre that I’m naturally inclined to read without heavy embellishment. Although this novel had its peaks and valleys, Parker-Chan’s writing style and narrative is so compelling I still felt captivated throughout.

If there were one thing I’d have to nitpick it would be that, although the main characters had well-developed back-stories, I thought it difficult later in the novel to appreciate their actions and motivations. I was disposed to root for Zhu and Ouyang as they combated adversity to earn the respect of their communities, although felt that, even though their underlying convictions were hinted at, their decisions ultimately took a turn from much of their growth throughout the novel. Perhaps that’s just me, and I’m more than willing to give this series the benefit of the doubt when the saga completes next year!

My sincere thanks to Tor Books, Netgalley, and Shelley Parker-Chan for this phenomenal read!

I really liked how this book started off. It was really captivating and I loved the characters. However, I lost interest once part two started. I think this book was really well written, but it wasn’t for me. I would recommend it to someone who likes descriptive writing and doesn’t mind complex timelines and characters. This is definitely not a light read, but it was enjoyable and well written!

“All that means is we have to make this life count”

She Who Became the Sun is a breathtakingly beautiful novel. This is undoubtedly one of my favorite books so far in the year, perhaps(i think definitely yes) going to my all time favorite fantasy books as well.

The novel follows, who the story knows as Zhu Chongba, a predestined figure waiting to fall in place with greatness. The main character is the sister of this said figure, whom after several turns of fate, is taking destiny in her own hands and with this the author weaves a truly, hauntingly beautiful tale, of deception and acceptance, love and betrayal and what i know for certain; a masterpiece in the making.

I simply cannot highlight enough on how the word beautiful suits this novel. The writing style had a grip on me since the very beginning and unlike so many books, it held me in that firm grip because of just how gorgeous this writing was. It’s exactly the type of writing i want to read about, its the style of which i want to write with, and this book in particular with its atmospheric tones that suit SO WELL with the melancholic yet sombre undertones of the story had me in absolute awe. I have so much praise for the author on this aspect alone.

The results of the gorgeous writing style and the atmosphere it built, were the distinct character voices. Zhu and Ouyang in particular had so well defined and distinct personalities it leapt off the pages and their mannerisms, quirks, remarks, thoughts became something that i was able to visualize in my head. And so the character work that was done in this book was unbelievably good. I felt invested in the characters right from the very beginning. Ill say generally, character backstories, development and dynamics were absolutely impeccable in She Who Became the Sun. Individually, Zhu, Ouyang and Xu Da struck out to me so much and im so invested in their story lines. Honestly this should be illegal. How dare the author make me care THIS much about characters??? ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST HALF OF THE BOOK I STILL REMEMBER SO VIVIDLY MY MINDSET ON HOW FOCUSSED AND ON EDGE I WAS BECAUSE I DIDNT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THEM. And wow i missed having that feeling. Not a lot of books accomplish that and im so so glad i got to read this.

Before i shutup about characters i HAVE to point out the banter and dynamic between Zhu and Ma, like WTF?? Im usually someone who’s really picky about banter. Most of the time its either too cringey or too bland but holy shit i enjoyed that particular character dynamic so much while reading this story!

Okay no i’ll keep talking about Zhu. This kind of overlaps with how good the plot was, but the realism with which things like poverty and famine was written really cemented my investment in the story as a reader. It FELT real. I felt what the characters were feeling and again this backtracks to how good the writing was especially in terms of showing and not telling.

With the plot, something i noticed was that a lot of the scenes moved the plot forward. Yes, we had a lot of different locations (i mean this positively) and most of which included its own plots BUT UNLIKE A LOT OF BOOKS, THEY ACTUALLY MATTERED IN THE GRAND SCHEMES OF THE story and had me entertained and THE POINT IS I WAS ALWAYS AT THE EDGE OF MY SEAT AND THERE WAS NO BORING POINTS ALL THROUGHOUT THE BOOK WHICH a lot of other books fail to do. Im getting irritated bc im unable to express how much i like that but y’all get the point. ITS GOOD.

Ill also just mention that I appreciated a lot on how there were idioms/sayings used that lead to a different but interesting conversation regarding the Chinese language itself with my friend and yes i will definitely be using some of these idioms henceforth hehe🥳. The fact that this was a retelling itself and how a lot of it was presented to us sparked more conversations regarding history and what i want to say is that is another reason i love historical fantasy as a genre too, because it opens the doors to make me learn and know more and i am eternally grateful for that.

Side tangent aside, i REALLY LOVED this book, but just in case ill leave my friend’s review here bc I absolutely love this review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3845122643


Thank you to Tor Books for granting me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.

Ps: some thoughts i had while reading!!!

- hate chaghan the prince of hannan
- Ma Xiuying banter i love it
- Ouyang my baby
- Baoxiang my beloved
- ESEN MY BESTIEEEEE
- XU DA SUPREMACY

She Who Became the Sun follows a peasant girl named Zhu who assumes her brother's place in the world after he dies. She becomes a monk and then a warrior, all following her destiny to become great. Along the way she has to make difficult choices in order to succeed. Both Zhu and Ouyang, another prominent character, struggle with gender identity and sexuality and the paths leading them to their ultimate fates.

This was a solid epic historical fantasy that I would recommend with the caveat that can be heavy on politics and war. For the most part I didn't mind, as there are plenty of other plot lines to sink your teeth into, but at times the war-talk made the book drag. Otherwise I thought this was a great story with plenty of interesting characters (Ma and Wang Baoxiang are two more that stood out). I'll be waiting to see where Shelley Parker-Chan takes this story next!

This book has been compared to Mulan and The Song of Achilles. I know the basic premise of Mulan and absolutely loved SOA, so went into this with high expectations. I'm not really sure how I feel about those comparisons, but I can see why this book is so popular everywhere. The writing so immersive and intense, I felt a general unease throughout. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, but that being said, I think Zhu's single-minded determination despite all odds is what I valued most about this story. Great addition and a must-read for anyone who enjoys epic high fantasy and historical fiction.

This book was received as an ARC from Macmillan-Tor/Forge - Tor Books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I absolutely love the adaptation and rendition of this book being similar to the story of Mulan. I am all about female empowerment and fighting for what's right for the country and the harsh cruelty of the Ancient Chinese Hierarchy is tested like none other. Despite the risk of her life, Zhu learns that she can do anything she sets her mind to and is capable of doing more than the expectations of her peasant hood. I love the passion and perseverance Zhu demonstrated throughout the book and it will be inspiring to all young women all over the world. Greatness is not destined for one person but, destined for anyone, it is not given, it's made and Zhu is a perfect example of that.

We will consider adding this title to our Fantasy collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.