He Who Drowned the World is an excellent conclusion to She Who Became the Sun and while by no means perfect I assume anyone who enjoyed She Who Became the Sun will be satisfied by it.

(Note while I try to avoid specific spoilers as this is a review of a sequel it’s impossible to do so without some general references)

The excellent thematic explorations of gender, societal expectations, desire and it’s relationship to suffering/sacrifice continue to be well done, threaded throughout the story in different ways through each of the characters.

Speaking of characters, for the most part I loved how Parker-Chan depicts these characters and their inevitable feeling journeys.

Zhu herself felt less like a villain protagonist and more anti-hero than I expected after the first book, yet oddly I was not at all disappointed despite having looked forward to getting to read her more as a villain.

Ooyang continues to be wonderfully complex. He is of course greatly affected by the events of the first book, yet his reactions feel very much him. I loved his journey even when I wanted to scream at him and cry for him.

Ma I found wonderful when we saw her — but I also felt she didn’t get enough screen time which weakened what could have been a much more impactful ending.

We also get two new major pov characters in this one. Wang Baoxing who is also greatly impacted by the events of the first book and is the perfect character to spend more time with in the ways he also contrasts with our main character and sheds a different light on the themes and driving events of the novel.

On the other hand my biggest criticism of the book might be in the character of Madam Zhang. There’s a lot that I did love about her inner life, but after how she was talked up in the first book I expected a lot more competency and scheming on her part, whereas I felt I kept being told she was competent but then shown the opposite.

The plot itself did not disappoint, nothing really felt forced by the plot/history nor did I ever find the pacing to lag. The book also expands on the magic in a way that I generally found quite clever and well woven in.

Overall, if you enjoyed She Who Became the Sun it’s hard for me to imagine that you won’t enjoy He Who Drowned the World.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so gender.

But hot damn, it is also so MUCH. I sometimes had a hard time picking it up because it was emotionally and mentally tiring. I think craft-wise this book can hardly be improved upon, but I only gave it 4* because I had a hard time getting into it. Definitely a page-turner, but definitely not a book that I couldn't put down.

The interpersonal dynamics in this one ratchet up to 11 real quick and stay there. The interactions between Zhu and Ouyang in particular are fascinating and definitely the star point, but the way all of the primary characters exist in their context is really great. Compared to book 1, He Who Drowned the World really digs into the idea of sexuality as a tool and a weapon, which was definitely uncomfortable, but fascinating, and very well done.

It's very heavy on military action and strategy, which is not necessarily my scene. That's the main thing that I struggled with, because I generally find it a bit confusing and not as compelling, and since the whole plot of this book was structured around the campaigns, I found it hard to stay grounded within the plot. Within the characters, absolutely. They're stellar and for all literary intents and purposes, perfect. I just did have kind of a hard time with the structure of the story around them.

I'd say that anyone who liked The Poppy War will enjoy this, since it has a similar flavour of ruthlessly ambitious female leader in a Chinese history-inspired military fantasy. This has less brutality and more focus on gender identity, though, which in my opinion is a dual mark in its favour.

Shelley Parker-Chan is going to be a star, if they're not already. It's their fate.

I love this duology and its ability to make intensely personal the political. Parker-Chan is brilliant at laying bare the internal life of the characters with all their insecurities, desires and rages. In a duology that could be purely a military adventure set in this period of Chinese history, the intimate character development in the real star of the show. And the queerness! Every character is in some way othered so that despite the outward derision of queerness is this world, it is actually the norm, perhaps reflecting our current world. I enjoy these books so much, and this is a very satisfying conclusion to this tale.

I loved She Who Became the Sun and was so excited for this sequel. The author is truly able to transport the reader into the world they are writing.

Such a dark book. At times I needed to get away from it just to soak up some light. That being said, it is a fantastic end to the duology and a must read for anyone who read "She Who Became the Sun". Definitely not a book to uplift your soul but for those who like a dark tale that is basically historical fantasy, you need to read this. When the author posts a list of warnings in her Goodreads comments you know you are in for a read that will rip you apart. Who knew such darkness abounded in the hearts of mankind. Thank you to #NetGalley#TorBooks for the eARC taht just about finished me off
#HeWhoDrownedTheWorld

Unfortunately, for me, He Who Drowned the World didn’t match the expectations set by She Who Became the Sun. Of course, it’s still a phenomenal book—it just didn’t have quite the same spark.

The characters are messy and fascinating because of it. Although my memory of the specifics of She Who Became the Sun are still a bit hazy—I struggle to believe so much time has passed since the prequel—I feel like reading He Who Drowned the World once has only allowed me to graze the surface of the characters’ intricacies. Subterfuge, political intrigue, and action are constant, and Zhu, Ouyang, Baoxiang, and others’ violence continued to shock me.

In that regard, He Who Drowned the World is a historical fiction narrative that is overwhelmingly bleak. As suggested by the content warnings, there is little respite from sexual, emotional, and physical trauma. I found it gratuitous at points, though I can’t deny that these events are essential to character development and do not solely exist for their shock value. Where the prequel’s oppressiveness coincided with bouts of optimism, He Who Drowned the World feels more akin to The Poppy War trilogy’s grimdark atmosphere.

Overall, I enjoyed witnessed each character’s suffering. It was remarkably grueling to read (again and again) but incredibly psychologically compelling. They are all haunted by self-loathing, though the consequences all manifest differently. The conversation around gender roles and the perfection of gender also permeates the narrative, albeit a bit more subtly than themes of desire, revenge, and duty.

I’ll miss these characters as much as I hope to never meet anyone like them face-to-face.

Phenomenal sequel. Parker-Chan reimagines history and makes space for queer characters in ancient China, and she does a fantastic job. The writing and storytelling are immersive and imbued with anger and vengeance, so much so that it is palpable.

After absolutely loving the first book in this duology, She Who Becomes the Sun, I was desperate to get my hands on the finale.

This book is brutal. The main protagonists are dark and unrelenting in their separate quests- for power, for redemption, and for revenge. These are terrible people who repeatedly do terrible things. The story is told from multiple POVs and it’s hard to figure out who is the bigger villain. Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King, is convinced of her right to rule and will do anything to accomplish this goal. General Ouyang has his own ghosts that drive him toward the Great Khan and murder. Wang Baoxiang has embedded himself within the capital and is playing a long game full of manipulation and deceit. There are other players, who use murder, sex, and coercion as tools to stay in power. And all of it leads up to a powerful, deadly conclusion that left me speechless.

The last 25% was stressful, but I couldn’t stop turning pages. I wouldn’t recommend this book for everyone- please read the content warnings. But I’m glad I finished this story.

Content notes- murder, torture, rape, mutilation, cruelty, self-harm

This story took on the difficult task of taking all the brightness of book one and showing us the shadows that inevitably form beneath without making the story or characters feel stagnant or letting them lose their ambition. Vulnerability entwined with cruelty, ambition with betrayal, and the ever-present question resurging like a heartbeat: “will it be worth it?”

Zhu has the same drive as ever, and I think keeping her as this anchor while shifting the world around her kept the story balanced. She’s cunning, willing to take steps that others would balk at, and willing to take blame and shoulder responsibility for all of it. Though she is told once, early on, “you are young enough to believe that, since you haven’t experienced loss, you will never lose” - and of course that simply must come back with a vengeance later. And my how hard that hit when it did.

Then there is General Ouyang, coming apart at the seams, slavering in his mindless desperation for revenge, to “make it all worth it” in the wake of the ending of the previous book. He is rabid with it, and it gives him a jagged edge that drags at and catches on the other characters in brilliant and devastating ways. His story is quite likely the most tragic of the lot, though none are particularly happy.

And Baoxiang who could outsmart and out-strategize everyone else in the cast, who is so gutted by his own darkness that he’s drowning in it (the title is all about him, by the way), who consistently mistakes his vulnerability for the cruelty he tells himself it must be, even as he is laid bare all the same. His story felt so much more human.

I was a little sad to see less of Ma in the story, but when she does finally take center stage, it is well worth the wait. Her empathy, freely given, provides such a good foil for Zhu and the other men.

The darkness of the story, the consequences for lives carelessly spent like so much coin, and the very real emotional center at the heart of each of our main cast cemented this one as a new favorite for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Shelley Parker-Chan brings an amazing historical fantasy once again! The brutal world of tragedy, culture, beauty, politics, intrigue, and ambition is just as vivid and heart-wrenching as the first book. The characters are still flawed, unique, nuanced, complicated, and real to a fault. But, my complaint from the first book was even more prominent in this sequel - there are so many characters with similar names and places and motivations and relationships to keep track of.....it made it hard to follow along at times. That's why this is only a 4 star instead of a 5, but it was still amazing.

Parker-Chan brings forth a strong ending to an amazing duology. I never knew exactly what was going to happen, who would survive (spoilers, a lot of people die), and who would succeed. I laughed, I cried, I was so confused I didn't know what my own name was - and man was it enthralling.

This series is heavy and complicated - it's not for the feint of heart or those that was to fully relax while reading. But, it is intricate and beautiful and tragic and thoughtfully executed. You'll find yourself immersed in the themes of ambition, fate, gender, sex, sexuality, expectations, and loyalty. The reader gets a front row seat to how the smallest of actions can have a gargantuan impact on not only your life, but everyone's. Be prepared to ask yourself - how far am I willing to go for what I want, would I go even a fraction as far as the characters?

I would caution readers that the changing of POV and intensive list of characters and locations can become confusing, especially because the changes often happen mid-chapter. Context clues are enough throughout to keep you interested and informed, but there were times where something was referenced and I felt like I was missing a connection. But, I still loved the story and wasn’t confused in the end, even if I worry I may have missed a few enhancing details.

I highly recommend this book and author to any historical fantasy lover!

Zhu Chongba has become Zhu Yuanzhang. Now possessing the mandate of heaven, she intends to not just win a war and claim a title. No, she intends to claim the world. Zhu Yuanzhang will become Emperor and remake the world in her own image. But Zhu isn’t the only one with the mandate of heaven. At the great Mongolian Palace, Wang Baoxiang — whose mandate is as black as Zhu’s is white — has his own dreams, not of ruling the world, but conquering it.

Zhu is a white light, as brilliant as the sun, but, like the sun, she is blind to her own shadow. Moving forward and never looking back, she takes no lessons from the past in her desire to shape the future. Oyuang, the eunuch general, wants only to finish his grand quest, to kill the man who murdered his father, so that he might rest. Having murdered Esen, he murdered the only person who ever accepted him, who ever loved him, and he stands now, half alive, in the pain of that betrayal. Madam Zhang is a courtesan who has worked her way up to become the wife to an emperor, hating him while loving his brother. Baoxiang did everything for Esen, including murdering him. He wanted his brother’s respect, his admiration, even just his acknowledgement, so much that he destroyed everything Esen loved. Including himself.

This is the second story in the Radiant Emperor series and I think this will end up being a very polarizing book. Some people will hate it because the characters are almost universally unlikable. The things they do are irredeemable, done for the wrong reasons. The tone of the story is bleak and the writing is so purple it verges into indigo. They will see the misogyny the characters hold for themselves — a woman dressed as a man, a eunuch, a female sex worker, an effeminate man — and be uncomfortable or uninterested in continuing. But, for me, these are all things that make the book worth reading.

Each character — Zhu, Oyuang, Baoxiang, Madam Zhang — is a tragic, broken person lashing out in pain, uncaring who they hit so long as they make someone else feel even a fraction of what they feel. The story isn’t about glory and conquest; it’s about the price of war, the price of betrayal, the price of failure, and the price of success. It’s about grief and pain, isolation, and the need for human contact, both fair and foul. This is a book about the selfishness of pain. The obsessive, narcissistic, loneliness of grief. Of hurting so badly you want nothing more than to hurt everyone around you. There’s a lyricism to it, a sweeping beauty to the self-destructive paths the characters fling themselves onto as if, by being in motion, they can outrun everything they are feeling. The writing is brutal, lushly written, and poetic. At times, it’s spare, at times overwritten.

We watch Zhu realize that the cost of her ambition is the lives of those she cares about, watch her humor and optimism wane and fade into something more brilliant, honed like the edge of a knife. We see Oyuang struggle with his need for his betrayal to mean something, for his pain to be something real and physical rather than just the aching emptiness inside of himself. And we watch Baoxiang destroy every part of himself to get revenge upon the memory of a brother or Madam Zhang disassociate from her own body in an effort to preserve her own identity. It is equal parts painful and beautiful. There are no easy answers, no fairy tale endings. It’s an exploration of pain, grief, and love.

The themes of gender and gender presentation, of being yourself even when society looks down on you, are well done (if not subtle.) Zhu several times puts aside her own clothes to wear the clothes of a woman — to be seen as a woman. It’s not that she’s ever denied her gender, but for Zhu, her clothes have never been how she identifies herself. Gender is more than a robe, a hairpin, or makeup, it’s the person who wears them. The story contrasts this with Baoxing, who with his exaggerated dainty manners, the way he walks, the hobbies he indulges in, emphasizes his effeminacy and, for all that he sleeps with a man, he isn’t gay. He is simply himself, rubbing it in everyone’s face how much he wants their scorn and contempt, because the hatred he feels for himself isn’t fairly earned. It’s one thing to hate himself, it’s another to have the validation of the world loathing you.

The characters are light and dark, female and male, warrior and scholar. The two of them are my favorite characters and I regret there won’t be a third book in the series. This book won’t be for everyone, but it was for me. I loved it. And yet, I will completely understand why it might not resonate with some people. If you do decide to give it a try, I hope you, too, take enjoyment from this story and these characters. For myself, this is a five-star read and one of my top three books of the year.

I will absolutely be picking up a physical copy of this book. I adore the consistent writing style and the way the plot doesn't flounder between novels, instead picking up directly from where it left off. The alternating POVs, while more frequent in this novel, serve to deepen the magic of the story and the strategic intrigue of the war efforts on all sides rather than severing the reader's attention and momentum.

I did have a harder time with this sequel than the original, as this one is much heavier on the sexual content, whereas the first one was more heavily focused on the action on the battlefield. This is one of the rare instances in my reading experience that I will concede that the inclusion enriched the plot, however, and informed much about the state of each character, their relationships, their trauma, and their commitment to a future.

Masterfully woven and absolutely heart-wrenching.

Fantasy doesn't often work for me so I am picky with what I picked up. I'm so glad I decided to read this one. This was complex, yet easy to follow. This was rich, yet easy to digest. This moved me in ways fantasy often doesn't.

The author states in their acknowledgements how hard it was to write this sequel during the pandemic. For me, the reader, it was hard to read the sequel two years after the first book. I forgot so many details. I had to find a fairly lengthy synopsis to review what I had forgotten. There are a lot of Asian names for my non Asian brain to remember. I enjoy these books but highly recommend that you read both as close together as possible. Who cares if they’re each lengthy. A good read is a good read. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

This is everything I was hoping a sequel to She Who Became the Sun would be and more.
(Content warnings for sexual violence, murder, and self-harm/self-destructive behavior.)

He Who Drowned the World kicks off in the wake of the total shift of power that concludes the first book. Zhu is on top of the world, and Ouyang is at its deepest depths. This book begins by establishing the emotional stakes for its four POV characters, placing them on intersecting paths that they cannot (or will not) avoid.

I LOVED the characters in this book. The return to Zhu and Ouyang's perspectives was welcome (if also devastating), and I thoroughly enjoyed the ways that the additions of Wang Baoxiang and Madam Zhang as POVs expanded the world and brought in new understandings of it that weren't based in military domination. The emotional journeys for every character were poignant and difficult. Baoxiang became my favorite POV, but there wasn't a single one I didn't find compelling.

The directions this book goes took me completely off guard. Every time I thought I understood where the plot was going and how the characters were going to achieve their various ends, something would shift, subtly or dramatically, and I found myself with my jaw on the floor as the events unraveled. I also enjoyed several moments of dramatic irony that came from having the multiple POVs, where I would see a character walking into a situation they didn't fully understand and have to read on in horror and fascination as even the best laid plans fell apart.

Thematically, this book was brilliant, and I'm fascinated by the book's discussions of embodied experience. There were so many moments of intimacy in this book, most of them non-sexual, and the ways characters found (or failed to find) connection with each other was so real and interesting. I also enjoyed that, despite the heaviness of the book, the overall tone was hopeful. This read to me as a book about the strength and power of kindness, the importance of human connection and individuality, and the impossibility of changing a system you submit to.

I cannot wait to see what Parker-Chan writes next. An auto-buy author for sure.

This was an ok read for me- Zhu's POV was a bit weaker this time and a bit boring to be honest. And overall this did not grip me the same way the first volume did. However I still enjoyed it but it is not worth a 4 stars for me.

I also did find the sexual interactions in this one to be a bit too much-and overall this sequel was more gory than the first one. Some parts of the plot felt dragged out and I felt could have been skipped and we could have seen Zhu getting to the capital earlier.

However I enjoyed seeing Zhu's struggling side whilst still maintaining their wit and strength- a solid read if you loved She who became the sun

The second part of 'The Radiant Emperor' series after 'She who become the sun' is just great. It is surely one tone darker than the previous one. Manipulation and violence are present in each pages. But the author has the capacity to hold you till the very last page. It is not for light hearted read for sure. I enjoyed every bit of it. I am grateful to NetGalley and tor books for providing me the eARC of the title.

[4.5 out of 5] HE WHO DROWNED THE WORLD is a masterpiece of political maneuverings, all-consuming grief, and the use of sex as power. This final book in the duology follows Zhu Chongba, now Zhu Yuanzhang; Ouyang; and Baoxiang, now the Prince of Henan. It is much darker than the first installment. The effects and deep feelings of grief and revenge often taking the spotlight.

Parker-Chan powerfully showcases how grief can be all-encompassing through Ouyang and Baoxiang. Ouyang seeks to avenge his father's death, but is also grief stricken because he had to kill Esen-Temur to proceed with his plan. Baoxiang also wrangles with his newfound grief despite his complicated relationship with his brother. These feelings are further amplified by a lifetime of society treating them as "other." This sowed the seed for the birth of vengeance. Grief tunnels into their psyches and pervades them internally, slithering and crashing into the external world to spread like a disease.

Zhu is the foil to the darkness personified in Ouyang and Baoxiang. Parker-Chan consistently shows the reader how Zhu and Ouyang are alike, pulled together by their similarities. But Zhu also chooses to act and react differently. Zhu's Mandate of Heaven visually shows this difference. It is a white light compared to the mandates of others, past and present. She has not had an easy life, either. But her actions and decisions during trying moments show that it is possible to break through the grief and choose a path that leads to positive change in the world.

Her path still contains blood and death. Yet, her goal is a noble one: to make the world into a vision that changes societal norms so that no one feels ostracized. This brings to mind whether the ends justify the means. With this change, though, perhaps ultimately there will be less grief and destruction perpetuated by society's toxic masculinity.

HE WHO DROWNED THE WORLD also examines the use of sex to obtain knowledge and hold power. There are many different tones of sex, such as the comfortable, trusting, and loving sex between Zhu and Ma. However, other characters use sex as a window to the soul to benefit themselves rather than create a trusting partnership. These scenes are not incredibly explicit compared to some of the fantasy romance available to read. However, they became heavier to read with each scene. Nearly every character used sex to gain influence, whether they initiated it or were the participant.

There are also many brilliant instances in which Parker-Chan employs metaphors or double entendres to allude to how sex, power, pain, and trust intertwine with each other. Additionally, sex also allows for the exploration of perceived boundaries of binary and queerness. What one knows about oneself is what defines someone, not necessarily their actions or how they dress.

Of course, Parker-Chan's writing speaks for itself. It is rich and langourous in the way a a summer day meanders, allowing the reader to soak up the events and context. This is not a book for speed reading. It is meant to be enjoyed with full dedication to details. To some HE WHO DROWNED THE WORLD may feel like it has a slow start. But don't let that be a deterrence for it packs a punch that begs for release.

HE WHO DROWNED THE WORLD is the perfect finish after an extended climax for fans of SHE WHO BECAME THE SUN. It's a vivid and frank portrayal of how easily one can allow grief to overwhelm and destroy to satiate one's pain for some degree of pleasure and satisfaction. Moreover, it's an ode to a goal to reshape the world into a vision that benefits all, especially those a society treats with derision. Shelley Parker-Chan delivers an exceptional retelling of the rise of the 14th century historical figure Zhu Yuanzhang, founder of the Ming dynasty.

Review will go live on my blog on August 28, 2023 at https://aliteraryescape.com/2023/08/28/he-who-drowned-the-world-by-shelley-parker-chan/.

Zhu Chongba is now Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King with the white Mandate of Heaven, and is more than ever ready to fulfill her destiny: to become the Radiant Emperor.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang is not the only candidate with a Mandate. Madam Zhang in the South has the control over salt and a candidate for the throne in her arsenal, not her idiotic husband but his brother and her lover: General Zhang. The Great Khan is still ruling the North with Wang Baoxiang as one of his ministers, who is also shooting for the throne. Zhu’s only chance to win against Madam Zhang and the Mongols is to ally herself with an old enemy, General Ouyang. Ouyang might have cut off Zhu’s hand, but he is still one of the most talented warriors in the Empire and he has the same goal as Zhu: killing the Great Khan to avenge the death of his family.

She Who Became the Sun was one of the best books I’ve read last year so let’s just say I was extremely excited to read the sequel. So much so that I broke my own rule and requested an ARC of it that I devoured. He Who Drowned the World delivered on all my expectations and surpassed them, it was great finale to the duology.

After the events of the first book, Parker-Chan explored the consequences on the different characters masterfully, making this story darker and more tense than in She Who Became the Sun.

Ouyang’s grief after loosing the one he loved more than a brother was heart wrenching and painful to read about. I don’t think I’ve ever read a character who hated himself more than Ouyang. So much so that at times, I had to put down the book just to take a breather from the tension.

Another character whose emotional journey was hard to read about was Wang Baoxiang. He’s probably my favorite character from the duology and his character arc from the beginning of the duology was fascinating to read about. Since he was looked upon from birth because of his academic abilities (seen as unmanly from the Mongols who only cared about military abilities without realizing that they couldn’t run their armies without administrators behind them), he decides to harness his talent to take his enemies down from the inside. He makes more than a few decisions that have horrific consequences yet, he can’t stop himself.

This is a recurring theme in the duology and even more so in this finale. What are you willing to give up in order to reach your fate and at which point should you stop, when you have already sacrificed everything that you cared about? At several points, the characters realize that they have gone too far but they just use those moments as justifications to continue hurting themselves, and others. The road to the throne is always bloody after all.

As previously mentioned, this book was darker than She Who Became the Sun. This book probably has all the trigger warnings you could think off: sexual violence, rape, death of a child, forced abortion, death, torture, suicidal ideation, internalized homophobia and self-harm. It’s not an easy read and they are a lot of explicit scenes. While I tend to disliked unwarranted non-consensual explicit scenes, I think they had purpose in the story and moved the story forward, they didn’t feel added for the shock value. However, if you can’t read such scenes, I don’t think this book will be a right fit for you.

If you’re a regular watcher of historical Asian drama, you’ll find a lot of similarities between them and this duology, right to the pacing. Some chapters are slow because of how emotionally important they are for the characters while other chapters are fast-paced and filled with twists and turns. As an avid watcher of K-dramas, it was not surprising that I couldn’t put the book down (except when I had to take angst breaks!). However, also like in historical dramas, Parker-Chan manages to create small moments of hope and lightness for the reader to process all the grief and trauma. While those moments were rare, they were very much appreciated

To say that I recommend this duology would be an understatement, I absolutely loved the characters, the story and how this book pushed all my historical dramas buttons and turned some tropes on its head. It’s also very queer which is very much appreciated because representation matters. If this series sounds like something you would enjoy then please pick it up!

Highly, highly recommended.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. All thoughts opinions are my own. My thanks to Netgalley and Tor Books for the ARC.

MY REVIEW: 2 Stars
Triggers: rape, self-harm, violence, torture, etc

I just didn’t love this one like the first book. It didn’t grab me and there were too many triggers for me.

There are plenty of great reviews so try the book on for yourself

*Thank you to Tor for the offer of this book and Netgalley for the digital.