4/5 stars

A stunningly written story that weaves in fate, spirits, and wonderful characters with history.

Wow...this book was a wild wide. I was sure from the moment I started this book and got introduced to Zhu and the writing of this book that I would enjoy it, and I'm glad to say that I'm right. Luckily this book lived up to my quite high expectations of it, and I will definitely be picking up the sequel when it gets released. I would definitely recommend this to fans of The Poppy War by R F Kuang.

This is such an excellent debut. There are a cast of brilliant characters, and also great representation. I love a good reimagining of an event or series of events in history, and this one is no exception. I know that people will love this book. I was actually expecting it to be more fantasy based, and while there are some moments of light fantasy as Zhu is able to see spirits, it's a lot more historical. Often I find historical fiction difficult to get through, but this had such a good plot that I didn't find this when reading this book. I'm so happy to have received an ARC of this book, even though I ended up finishing it just a day before publication.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am now highly anticipating its sequel. I would highly recommend, and I will be picking up a physical copy as soon as possible as I will probably re-read before book two is released.

DRC provided by Pan Macmillan via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Representation: genderqueer Chinese protagonist, Chinese secondary and tertiary characters, Mongolian secondary and tertiary characters, queer Chinese secondary characters, queer Mongolian secondary character.

Content Warning: death, violence, mention of massacres, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, war, colonisation.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan is the phenomenal beginning of the “The Radiant Emperor” series, a queer retelling of the ascent of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

After losing her remaining family, Zhu decides to take her brother’s name and thanks to sheer determination she manages to join a nearby monastery as a male novice. The years pass and the monastery, showing no allegiance neither to the Mongol invaders nor the rebels, prosper until the fearsome eunuch general Ouyang burns it to the ground. Zhu, then, begins her journey towards the greatness promised for the name Zhu Chongba.

I love starting a book with the highest expectations and it still managing to reduce them to ashes because of how great it is! And She Who Became the Sun did exactly that. I loved it so much and even though I knew I would have loved it before starting it, I was not sure about how much. I am in awe of it. I have literally no negative feedback about it. I loved the pace, the characters and their own complexities, the fact that the comparison titles completely and perfectly encapsulate the book and the writing style.

This book is perfection to me (also, look at both the UK and US covers! I will put money aside to buy the US edition as well because I need them both) and I will never stop recommending it to everyone.

This book is an interesting and exciting Chinese inspired fantasy. Except for the middle section being slower, I really enjoyed it. Loved the story, the plot and the character building. Good writing. Definitely recommended.

4 stars!

My brain is all over the place after reading this. She Who Became the Sun is said to be a Mulan meets Song of Achilles, queer and lyrical. It is absolutely all of those things.

The writing in this book is phenomenal, I felt like I was reading an old fairytale all throughout. However, please be prepared for this to be a different kind of fantasy book. This book is dark and the characters are unforgiving and fighting with all they've got to achieve what they want to be their futures. The characters are complex, there are heavy descriptions of war and strategy and politics. It is lyrical and immersing and powerful.

She Who Became the Sun starts with two children: a boy and a girl. The boy is given a fate to be great, and the girl is given a fate to be nothing. When the boy dies after a rebel attack, the girl uses her brother's identity to claim the fate of greatness that he was meant to have.

This is a brilliant debut with a unique story and powerful writing style.

Perfect for fans of Rebecca Roanhorse! I couldn't put She Who Became the Sun down. A brilliant fantasy that deserves a place on every 2021 best of list

She Who Became the Sun is political and scrumptious and the best book I’ve read so far this year. Oddly it was one I was a little hesitant to pick up, even though I loved the premise and that this is both fantasy and historical fiction with a genderqueer woman at its centre. When a book is described as Mulan (which I love) meets The Song of Achilles (which I adore), I can’t help getting a little worried that I won’t like it as much as I’m hoping I will, especially when I’ve been previously burned by comp titles.

Luckily I loved this novel. A lot. I thought about it so often and, when I wasn’t reading it, I couldn’t wait to pick it up and get lost in medieval China. I know practically nothing about Chinese history and for once I’m glad of my ignorance; I believe this is one of the only times I’ve picked up a retelling with zero knowledge of the source material, and in this case I’m glad of it because I don’t want to know what might happen to a group of characters I’ve grown to love so deeply.

In famine-stricken 14th century China, a widowed peasant takes his two remaining children, one son and one daughter, to a fortune teller, who reveals his son, Zhu Chongba, is destined for greatness. When he and his son die, his daughter takes Zhu Chongba’s name and sets out to take his fate for herself, too.

If you love fantasy novels with politics, power struggles, revenge and characters who are truly morally grey, you need to get your hands on a copy of She Who Became the Sun. Zhu is such a brilliant character and, unlike many early classic fantasy protagonists, she sets out on her path towards greatness by being one of the most Machiavellian protagonists I’ve ever had the pleasure of following. After her family’s death she disguises herself as a boy so she can enter a monastery, where she’s guaranteed food, shelter and education if she can keep her true identity secret, becoming a monk and then a warrior after Mongol troops, led by the eunuch general Ouyang, burn her monastery to the ground.

Ouyang is another fascinating character in his own right, and I loved how he and Zhu are essentially two sides of the same coin: they’re both orphans, both genderqueer, and both far more cunning than the majority of people around them realise. His quest isn’t greatness, however, but vengeance, and yet the very man he wants to exact his revenge upon is the man who means the most to him. I wasn’t sure what to think when Ouyang became a pov character – I wanted more of Zhu – but Parker-Chan’s character work is so exquisite that, whoever’s pov you’re reading, you can’t help craving the others and wishing you could read them all simultaneously. Zhu is already a triumph of a character, but Ouyang is just as delicious.

Another notable character is the noblewoman, Ma, who in many ways is this novel’s moral centre. She understands what’s expected of her in the world she inhabits – she’s the epitome of dutiful – but she’s no fool in the realm of politics, and she’s unfailingly kind. I loved her relationship with Zhu – in fact I’d like ‘Don’t make me want to want’ tattooed on my forehead.

The conflict between the Mongols and the rebels who oppose them is a constant threat, but the majority of She Who Became the Sun focuses on the conflicts between the various factions within these two groups. There are so many people vying for power in a world that feels as though it’s on the brink of change, but I never felt lost or confused; this may be Parker-Chan’s debut, but it’s already clear that she can guide her readers through this rich tapestry of intrigue, power and divine magic with ease. There are times when her writing is very simple, and yet the impact of certain scenes is in everything she doesn’t say.

I honestly don’t know what to say about this book. It’s one of the best pieces of historical fantasy I’ve ever read, if not the best, so now I guess all I can do is sit and wait impatiently for book 2…

Shelley Parker-Chan went above the heavens and beyond with this stunning phenomenal debut that rendered me wholly speechless and broken, cementing this as one of my favorites of the year. I didn't expect this to be such a page-turning read in the sense of being relatively easy to follow and fast paced because of how much you want to know what was going happen next. With different plots and thrilling military strategies as there was literally always something happening, I found myself completely captivated never wanting to put this book down. The build up with Chongba's origins and her means of survival up until how she found herself right in the midst front and center to a war for a nation was excellently done and then intertwining two other mains very important to her story line and development as a person. It was also the aspect of providing multiple perspectives told in third-person that kept the story moving swiftly as we had Zhu Chongba, General Ouyang's pov providing the intriguing viewpoint of the Mongolian side of the war, and Ma Xiuying's that gave the viewpoint of someone more empathetic yet influential in how she calculated strategies. Each chapter was able to provide insight and grasp readers' attention spans as we followed subplots that leave us wanting more as point of views switch up. The three characters all had their own internal emotional conflict with themselves with not just morals but the desire of what exact power they wanted to take hold of and with either accepting or taking control of their fate. Personally my interest piqued at the several times there was an emphasis on fate with how one can accept what they were told or they can desire more and create their own future within their own hands. Parker-Chan's capabilities of providing multi-dimensional characters, fast moving plot with exhilarating political intrigue and action, along with suddenly hitting us with a wave of pain was amazing to experience. I just genuinely loved everything about this, the characters having light-hearted banter despite the bleak atmosphere and then high tension politics based arguments and of course the internal conflicts on both sides of the war vying for higher power within their own. Anyone anticipating this read will not be let down whatsoever and won't have to worry over cliffhangers as this first book having still some details to continue onto the next book, yet ties up nicely standing quite strong on its own. I already want to reread this soon and I cannot wait for what Parker-Chan has next in store for readers with future works!

Wow is the only way I can describe She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan.



This book was addictive from the front cover to the back page.


Fate is a precarious matter. A matter that the peasant girl destined for nothingness decides to take charge of by sheer will and might. Being reminded day in and day out that her older brother is fated for greatness. An unexpected event changes the trajectory of her entire future. Desperate to change her future the peasant girl grasps her brother's identity and seeks the freedom and purpose to forever change her destiny.



This epic story does a fantastic job at delivering a complex and compelling story that leaves you wanting more. The excellence of the story is found in the characters and intelligent explorations of themes such as destiny, ambition and survival.


The opening of the book immediately reminded me of The Poppy War by R.F Kuang. Seeing a character-driven and determined to go against all the odds and destiny has planned and reached their own desires and goals. That is what initially got me hooked on the story.


For Parker-Chan's debut novel She Who Became the Sun, is outstanding.


Parker-Chan blends history with fiction effortlessly. Witnessing Zhu Yuanzhang's rise to power and founding of the Ming Dynasty in 14th century China. The story is brutal, powerful and captivating.


The clever lyrical prose showcases a war-torn period on the brink of a revolution that keeps you at the edge of your seat. Along with the political intrigue, high stakes and loyalties that are put to the test I am buzzing for book 2.

Now characters.

The strong point for the novel overall. Each character major or minor is crafted with complexity and rememberable individuality. Highlighting how identity is at the heart of the story's message main conflict and intertwined plots (especially once you meet Ouyang) Zhu determination to achieve greatness regardless of the cost is mesmerising as it is intense. Which makes her commit to actions that are morally questionable. Yet, I could not get enough of her. Zhu was so damn appealing. Zhu puts herself and her agenda at the forefront. While on a superficial level it might appear selfish but Parker-Chan makes it far more complex.

Zhu does what is necessary but she willingly suffers the cost and witnesses the repercussions it has on other people. Sure it makes her a questionable or heck even problematic character but it makes an interesting character as well. Where's the fun in characters if they are always morally 'good' or 'bad'? Seeing the blurring and distortion of what is even seen as 'morally grey' is a smart move by Parker-Chan which illustrates their skilful writing.

The exploration of gender and gender identity, woven into the fabric of the story with ease and grace. Just like it made to be part and parcel of the story and bold fully too. Parker-Chan does wonderfully examine gender/gender identity in a nuanced way that echoes the many discussions in a refreshing manner.

My only minor critique is the pacing for part 2 of the story was kind of slow but I can forgive that because the story kept me engaged.

Overall, She Who Became the Sun is an immersive masterpiece that strikes a great balance between great characters, worldbuilding and thematic exploration.

I can't wait to see what book 2 has to offer.

4.5/5 stars read.

The thoughts and opinions above are my own.

Thanks very much to Pan Macmillan for an e-arc via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review

Also please view the author's website for a list of trigger warnings prior to reading

An interesting read. I found it got a bit bogged down in the middle. Zhu, the founder of the Ming dynasty didn't need to be reimagined as a woman. Unfortunately this book wasn't for me despite s really interesting subject.

It was great to read about a period that I have know prior knowledge of.

She Who Became the Sun is definitely a historical fiction book that has some fantasy aspects.

The way in which we are introduced to all the characters and see how each one impacts the story was beautifully told.

I loved the characters and the relationships they have. Zhou Chongba was such an strong character who did everything she could to live. Her story arc was incredible.

She Who Became the Sun starts off as a single POV but turns into a multi POV which didn’t bother me as I thought it would.

I am looking forward to reading the next book in the duology and more from Shelley Parker-Chan.

Absolutely loved this book. It’s an epic story, At the start of the book I never imagined this small girl would “become the sun” as it were.

I was heartbroken at the start of the book, then impressed, then proud, and then finally overwhelmed by Zhu.

An emphatic yes from me!

My thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me early access to this book.

I love historical fiction, so this book was right up my street!

I loved the characters, the writing was lyrical and beautiful. The story didn't focus a lot on boring war/battle scenes, which is literally the only thing that could have ruined this for me. I would not compare it to the Song of Achilles as that may set people's expectations in the wrong place, but this is a compelling story of its own.

I cannot believe this is a debut book - the author has done a fantastic job!

I cannot wait for my special Illumicrate copy, I hope it will be beautiful - and I also look forward to the next one in the series!

This book was a masterpiece and I'm so glad I came across it on TikTok as the hype is 100% deserved. This was so beautifully written and had such great, complex characters. I'm also so happy there are so many queer books being published as we didn't have these when I was younger. Also, the ending. I need the second book now.

She Who Became the Sun is the first instalment in The Radiant Emperor zoology, a history-infused historical fantasy and contemporary reimagining of what became known as the Red Turban Rebellion, uprisings against the Yuan dynasty that occurred between 1351 and 1368, eventually leading to the overthrow of the Yuan rule in China proper and signalling the rise to power of peasant and rebel Zhu Yuanzhang. The year is 1345 CE and imperial China is currently ruled by the Mongols. The Zhu family live in a harsh environment suffering in abject poverty, and although there was once 11 members of the family, now only 3 remain having managed to survive the unceasingly torrid conditions in their drought-ridden village: 11-year-old Zhu Chongba, his father and his 10-year-old sister who is purposefully never named. When eighth youngest son Zhu is told from a young age that he is destined for greatness due to his birth order no one knows what to think.

But unfortunately, his potential will go unfulfilled as he dies of grief, starvation and heartbreak after losing his father to bandits. On the other hand, the same village fortune-teller prophesies that his 10-year-old sister’s destiny is nothingness. Now orphaned and responsible for her own survival, she assumes her deceased brother’s identity, and his fate, dressing as Chongba and becoming a Buddhist monk. It's in the monastery she finds food and shelter, but she quickly realises she must achieve her brother’s prospective success using her potent will and cunning. When the monastery is burned to the ground for supporting a rebellion against Mongol rule, she becomes a commander in the rebel army leading to seemingly endless clashes against eunuch General Ouyang, a clever, strategically-minded antagonist, and both become inextricably linked by their shared desperation and passion to determine not only their own futures but those of the Chinese population, too.

This is a compelling, enthralling and richly atmospheric alternate history fused with some fantastical supernatural elements. It is one hell of a debut with such a fascinating and impeccably researched plot and is written exquisitely. As one of the most hyped books of 2021, I can attest that it not only meets expectations but surpasses them. It's an enchanting and highly imaginative retelling of the life of the founder of the Ming dynasty and Parker-Chan explores themes of gender identity, bodily autonomy, power, class, morality and fate in a nuanced manner. A bold, compulsive and riveting tale, it is packed with action, excitement and explosive drama with iridescent and immersive worldbuilding, a complex and beautifully woven plot, lush descriptions of time and place and spectacular characterisation, especially with the tenacious and admirable queer protagonist and her ruthless adversary. This is an unforgettable Asian-inspired fantasy laced with intrigue and fiercely palpable, pulse-pounding tension. Highly recommended.

The first instalment in a new series is the epic fantasy with complex characters I’ve been waiting for. Zu Chongba and Ouyang in particular were very interesting characters to read about, the former’s story drew me in from the very start and never let go. I thought the pacing at times was a little too slow, the plot was intricate and for the most part kept me intrigued. I very much liked the exploration of gender and identity and am excited to follow the internal journey of the characters in the next instalment.

I have to be honest, aside from shallow similarities – queer & military themes – I don’t get The Song of Achilles comparisons, they are tonally very different books.

I’ve talked a lot about this book – so much that it feels like I’ve reviewed it already several times over, but it seems once again that flailing on social media and sharing memes is not a review per se so I’ll try to be more coherent.

Simply put, it was the first book I read in 2021 and I almost felt bad for the rest of my TBR of the year, because oh boy, what a high bar it set. I couldn’t put it down, and now, months later, I find myself still thinking about the characters.

She Who Became the Sun puts the epic in epic fantasy. It has been comp’ed with The Song of Achilles, and it’s pretty clear why very early on – the pull of fate in the story is inexorable, almost as a law of physics. The hubris displayed by the mortals is so brazen that you expect a Greek chorus to make an appearance, pointing out just how fucked those impertinent bastards are about to be.

Chief among the Brazen Bastards, Zhu. Zhu is a magnetic character, a survivor through and through. She was told her future amounted to nothing; fine, she’ll steal her brother’s future. Her ambition has edges sharpened by survival; she will cut anyone on her way up. She doesn’t have a choice. The stakes get higher and higher, it’s an all-or-nothing hand: either greatness or dirt, and Monk Zhu isn’t dirt. Motivations aside, she reminded me a lot of Baru Cormorant, this moral greyness where every action, every reaction, is guided by one unique purpose. Following Zhu is heady and exhilirating, she will keep you on your toes, wondering just how far she’ll go. And, since it’s a retelling of the rise of an emperor, I’m gonna hazard a guess and say: pretty far.

And, across the chessboard, facing her, is General Ouyang. Voted “Sexiest Incel Alive” by Medieval China Red Pill magazine, he on the other hand is motivated by a bright furnace of hatred. Self-hatred, primarily. He serves his prince, Esen, who comes from the family that killed his own off and castrated him. He is attracted to said prince, and is in denial about it, and hating himself for it – a hatred that always threatens to boil over and destroy everything, including and starting with himself. I said “hate” a lot. But you have to understand just how corrosive his feelings are. His mutilation left him with a load of baggage related to gender, and when you add that to his confused feelings for Esen, jock supreme with an actual harem…*extremely Powerpuffs intro theme voice* Thus, virulent misogyny was born.

The face-offs between Zhu and Ouyang are beautiful, the way a natural disaster is beautiful. Ruthlessness against ruthlessness, survival against survival. They recognize something in each other, this thing inside that’s clawing its way out. I cannot emphasize how delectable they are as foes, because they are the embodiement of opposing forces. Not just on a battlefield – even their respective worldviews are in stark contrast. Ouyang hates women; Zhu almost accidentally empowers them (in a brand of feminism that can only be described as “gender? I barely know her”).

While these two are tangled in the complex web of self-identity and feral ambition, another character shines through (she says, unbiasedly). Wang Baoxiang is Esen’s adoptive brother. Under-appreciated by his family, he carries within him the seeds of resentment that every grudge helps nurture into full bloom. And honestly? It is magnificient. What is more attractive than a booksmart nerd letting his inner petty bitch take the wheel, to destructive consequences? I love him and want to see so much more of him (hi Shelley, if you’re reading this…).

Of course, it’s not all inappropriate homoerotic yearning, obsessive confrontations, and petty revenges (although, to be fair, I would have still been very into this book if it were). The story also gives the space for camaraderie, friendships, and even romance. It has one of the most beautiful examples of genderqueer/himbo solidarity in fiction. It has a sweet sapphic love story, featuring the one and only genuinely good person in the character cast – who deserves the world and is too pure for it.

She Who Became the Sun is a masterpiece. Everything is immense – the intensity of feelings, the fallouts of a single decision…It strikes the perfect balance between intimate and epic. The characters are the very definition of morally grey, but you will root for them because, well, the chaos they create in their path is way too entertaining, but also because they’re, in some strange way, relatable. They are deeply human in their monstrosity. Add that to a rich tapestry of rebellions and powerplays, and you’ve got yourself what’s undoubtedly one of the best books in the genre of the past years.

And it’s only the beginning. She Who Became is the first part of a duology, and I am looking forward to more.

She Who Became the Sun is a book so full of longing that it pulled at my heart. The lead characters are driven by such want that it’s a little overwhelming, but if any story were to be like this, it would the one about a young girl who takes up her brother’s place, pursuing the fate of greatness given to him as a child to try and escape the fate of nothing she was predicted. When the girl who becomes Zhu Chongba watches the last of her family give in and die, she discovers a burning desire to survive, which pulls her on and leads her to the monastery her brother had been destined for.

The first section of the book follows Zhu as she grows in the monastery, trying to find solutions to things such as bath day, sharing a pallet with another novice, and the changes in her growing body. This is where we get to know Zhu the most, the way she wrestles with her memories of a small girl in a dusty village and her identity as the young man Chongba, and we see how, even at an early age, she will do anything to keep her secrets and continue on her fated path. In fact, when her monastery is attacked and destroyed by the eunuch general of the Mongol forces, Zhu travels to Anfeng to join the rebellious Red Turbans, knowing that it is through this conflict that she will rise and become known to history.

The eunuch general Ouyang also feels the pull of his fate, however, and when these two characters cross paths their lives are inescapably tangled. Ouyang has grown up in the household of the Prince of Henan, who is part of the Mongol empire, yet he himself is Nanren, and the last surviving member of his family, put to death by the Prince of Henan himself. And though Ouyang is now like a brother to the Prince’s son Esen, he has never forgotten who is responsible for his fate, and the way people skirt around him because of what he is.

Ouyang and Zhu are each the catalyst for the other, and while this book is set within an environment of war, rebellion, and conquest, the true focus are the characters, and the way the actions of one individual can change the course of history; the way one person’s pursuit of glory and power leaves so many lives upended in its wake. This is definitely a strong theme within Parker-Chan’s work, and with neither of the book’s two central characters fitting within one gender binary, the other major element is the dissection of gender and sexuality, which I found fascinating. I absolutely loved every moment spent inside the minds of Zhu and Ouyang, and relished every small victory, every small moment of tenderness, and was cut by every bitter defeat and moment of shame. Parker-Chan’s writing is so visceral that you can’t help but feel everything as intensely as her characters.

She Who Became the Sun is a powerful debut, and I think it will appeal to a wide range of readers – fantasy fans who enjoy the historical setting (though there is minimal magic present), fiction fans who relish character-driven story telling, and history fans who will hopefully appreciate the author’s interpretation of such a tumultuous period in China’s past. I thoroughly enjoyed it and eagerly await the next installation.

Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an e-ARC copy for review!

2.5*
When you hype a book up comparing it to the best Disney film and the most beautiful retelling of the last decade, it sure does set up some high expectations. I too became a victim of this marketing ploy as She Who Became the Sun was one of my most anticipated fantasy releases of the year based on the Mulan & The Song of Achilles pitch. I have also loved the first two books in the Poppy War trilogy which this was also somewhat reminiscent of. Unfortunately, this book didn’t deliver the quality of the stories it’s being compared to. I wanted to dnf it about 20% through but since I have been kindly provided with an e-ARC, I was determined to push through.

Let me preface this by saying that mine is clearly an unpopular opinion, even my issues with the novel seem to differ from other reviewers, and if this book sounds intriguing to you, I still recommend you give it a try, if only because of its genderqueer representation not frequently encountered in epic fantasy.

Let‘s talk about the positives first, few as they were. Unlike some readers who have not loved this, I‘m actually glad the story had multiple POVs because they, or at least one of them, made me finish the book. The only character who evoked any semblance of emotion or sympathy in me was Ouyang, the eunuch general <spoiler>set on vengeance</spoiler>, who was by far the most intriguing and complex character with his conflicting interests, feelings and identity. Another welcome choice Parker-Chan made was to tell the story from several opposing sides of the conflict, all of whom had their own arcs and agendas. Although I ultimately didn’t enjoy its execution because I couldn’t get immersed in the main POV, I really like this storytelling device where the author tries to make you understand or sympathise with all involved. Another major thing this novel has going for it is the already mentioned great genderqueer representation and the unique way it incorporates the characters‘ identities and relationship with their bodies in their ‘fate‘ and story arcs, so thumbs up for that.
The main reasons why this didn’t work for me, however, were the protagonist, writing style and pacing.

Zhu, our hero(ine), had my attention and sympathy at the very beginning: introduced simply as a ‘girl‘ in the first few chapters, she is brushed aside, overlooked and traumatised by her father, brother and community, which only hones her drive to survive and achieve ‘greatness.‘ However, as soon as Zhu arrives at the monastery and trains to be a monk, my interest – and the pace of the novel – started waning. Luckily about 25-30% through, we get the first perspective change.

I found Zhu an incredibly bland and impenetrable protagonist, defined mainly by her resilience and obsessive quest for ‘greatness,‘ which is *great* but I needed a bit more than that to root for her. I don’t think her supposed ‘ruthlessness‘ translated very well, she simply lacked tangible personality which would distinguish her and make me invested in her journey. For a large portion of the book, Zhu‘s actions were driven by more ambitious, ruthless and smarter – or more stupid - people around her, lucky circumstances or plot conveniences. Her rise to command without showing any talent or aptitude for battle never felt believable and justified.

While the prose is well-crafted and poetic, occasionally dwelling on description and character introspection, it is nowhere near Miller’s hard-hitting, immersive lyricism that it’s being sold as. The author occasionally resorts to listing names, rankings or exposition which stagger the pacing of the book substantially. There is way too much telling and not enough showing. On one hand, we get pages of detailed war strategy, on the other hand, unconquerable cities are defeated in a matter of few paragraphs and difficult battles won in a few sentences. This frustrated me because it completely destroyed the stakes and credibility of the characters‘ earlier claims, and I knew that the next obstacle would be easily overcome by some plot convenience. I felt this book moved at a glacial pace but then major events were not elaborated upon.

Lastly, I knew this had been inspired by Chinese history but I was hoping for more fantasy elements; this felt more like an alternative historical fiction with some ghosts. I assume the magic was kept vague intentionally – or may be elaborated upon in the 2nd book, but as I had already been frustrated by how little engaged I was in the story and the characters, that was just another aspect which made me confused and disengaged. Maybe had I known more about Chinese history and the Ming dynasty, I would have been more immersed.

I don’t think this is a bad or badly written book, in fact, it seems to resonate with the majority of readers but unfortunately, it was a complete miss for me - which I’m very sad about.

As The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is my favourite book of all time, when I heard that there was a new sapphic fantasy being marketed as TSOA meets Mulan, I knew I had to read it. She Who Became The Sun was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I had very high hopes for this novel.

The atmosphere immediately reminded me of The Poppy War, a book I read this year that became a fast favourite. Growing up, I never liked reading intense books about the horrors of war, but in the last few years have found a new appreciation for such atmospheres. That is precisely why, whilst I understand the Mulan comparison, I do not understand the reference to TSOA. Whilst the memory of TSOA was the reason I decided to pick this up, the similarities to TPW, and the phenomenal work She Who Became The Sun itself, were the reasons I stayed.

The love was not warm, glistening and poetically woven. It was brutal and harrowing. The charm of this novel is in the world-building, the plot and the way it unravels. While I found the war imagery, descriptions, strategy and battle heavy moments a little hard to swallow, I loved the rich, complex characterisation and relationships. I loved the manipulation and darkness some characters possessed - I’ve always loved villainous characters which is something I will repeat forever.

I am astonished at the fact that this was a debut novel. The writing was truly phenomenally stunning at times. The intricate exploration of gender identity was a marvellous highlight. I’ll always appreciate novels that are unapologetically queer, and I felt that essence from SWBTS. I truly did not want to put this book down and that has not happened for me in a long time!

I’m so happy that there will be a sequel to this phenomenal book. I cannot wait to see how the story continues and look forward to reading anything the author writes in the future.

*Note* My review will be published on my blogs when I have a physical copy after final publication.

She Who Became the Sun was an enjoyable read that tells the story of the Ming Dynasty if the emperor were a woman. The authors writing and prose were excellent, but I found the book a bit heavy and I didn't see the similarities with Mulan. I struggled with all the different characters and for me, this book ended up being a 3 star read.