Thank you to publishers and NetGalley for this copy of He Who Drowned The World

I really enjoyed this novel the writing is amazing, although there are many triggers in this novel, it's still a satisfying pull into this story.

The author definitely knows how to keep her readers engaged with her vivid descriptions and the creation of her characters give a great insight to the storyline with their unique personalities and perspectives.

This novel is so promising, the twists and turns are kept me hooked and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it

“I don’t want to be great,” Zhu repeated. Her desire was the radiance of the sun, an immensity that filled every part of her without exception. Who else understood what it was to feel something of this magnitude; to want something with the entirety of their self, as she did? “I want to be the greatest.”

My thanks to Pan Macmillan for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘He Who Drowned the World’ by Shelley Parker-Chan.

This is Book Two in Parker-Chan’s Radiant Emperor Duology, which is a queer reimagining of the rise to power of Zhu Yuanzhang, the peasant rebel who expelled the Mongols, unified China under native rule, becoming the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

At the conclusion of ‘She Who Became the Sun’ Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King, freed southern China from its Mongol masters. She is now determined to seize the imperial throne and crown herself emperor, proclaiming that she has received the Mandate of Heaven. However, Zhu isn’t the only one with imperial aspirations.

The Zhang family have renounced their loyalty to the Emperor and have claimed the resource-rich eastern seaboard as their independent kingdom. Madame Zhang had long run the family from the shadows, allowing her useless husband to take the credit. She is scheming to steal the throne either for her husband or her lover. She’s not picky as long as she becomes the Empress.

The new Prince of Henan and scorned scholar, Wang Baoxiang, is situated even closer to the throne. His machinations involve playing the sycophantic courtier, waiting for his chance to strike. His political ambition is matched by his desire for revenge against his Mongol family and the warrior values that they hold dear. To make a mockery of their traditions, he plans to become the most degenerate Great Khan in history.

In order to advance her own cause, Zhu decides to gamble everything on a risky alliance with an old enemy: Ouyang, the brilliant but unstable eunuch general. All contenders for the throne will do whatever it takes to win. Knowing that it will be Zhu Yuanzhang who prevails doesn’t spoil the enjoyment of the journey and the intrigue along the way.

Given the high number of characters, I would have appreciated a listing of same to accompany the opening map and the short chapter providing the historical context.

I again was quickly swept up by the story, finding Shelley Parker-Chan’s world building powerful and immersive. I felt that the elements of fantasy, such as the presence of ghosts, were well integrated into the narrative. It is a darker story than ‘She Who Became the Sun’. She provides a list of content warnings on her website.

Overall, I found ‘He Who Drowned the World’ a powerful historical fantasy with plenty of political intrigue. It confirmed for me that Shelley Parker-Chan is a gifted storyteller and I look forward to news of their future projects.

This was just incredible. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.
The world building and characterisation within was well done and everything was intricate and intriguing all the way through.

This book so much time, because the wave after wave of absolute carnage was quite something as we finish this duology that was begun with She Who Became The Sun.

If you want characters that can possibly have a redemption arc, you will not really find it here as this book delves into violence and the base of human behaviour as these characters do everything they can to rise to power, with a conclusion and final line that just smacks you in the face and makes you think, 'holy cow we got here and I feel like I need a drink'.

Parker-Chan's writing is grim and punchy throughout, you feel like you are feeling everything that happens in this book and I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, if this book was a game, I would need a constitution check at the end of every chapter practically. I mean considering the end of the last book, I feel like you know things are gonna be pretty dark in this second part however the storytelling is fantastic and the world is built gloriously.

Would be happy to read more of this world, just give me some time to prepare myself for it.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.

“I claim my place. [...] And if the pattern of the world refuses to let that place exist, I will change it.”
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I'm starting this off by saying this is now my favourite fantasy duology ever. At its heart, this novel is about identity, what that means, and how that is expressed and I would say it is this core theme that truly makes this series so special. Even with the backdrop of war, torture, and incessant power struggles, it really identifies the uniqueness of individual identity and how socially constructed differences lead to exclusion and self-loathing.

This novel just had so much depth and really developed on the initial topics of the first instalment. Everything had a purpose and I just absolutely loved the journeys that the characters went on and their own personal development - it really did emphasise the main characters’ motivations that were apparent from this first novel and highlighted the lengths that someone would go to for power even when everything is crashing down behind them. It was definitely a lot darker than the first novel which threw me off in the beginning but as I delved further into it, this just felt like the natural consequence of the power struggles prevalent within this story. Furthermore, because everything was just so flesh-outed and every action and piece of dialogue had a purpose it was clear that everything Parker-Chan wrote was built with intention. It truly is an incredible debut series and I need another Parker-Chan novel right now!
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TW: sexual violence, rape, sexism, homophobia, physical violence, war, torture, ableist language

This was a beautifully written sequel to She Who Became the Sun. I absolutely loved the first book and this second one did not disappoint.
This book picks up right where book one finished. It’s full of action but definitely delves into much darker themes, perhaps a little darker than I expected but it was well written. Just to make you aware this book does have trigger warnings.
The characters in this book are all going through their own hurt and pain which they use to further drive them with their agendas.
At points is was so emotional that I did have to take a little break before returning because this book will make you cry and not just at one point, there are several.
The world building is just as intricate as the first book and I really enjoyed how detailed the author went into describing. I felt that I could see what the author was describing when I was reading which is something I really enjoy. I really enjoyed all the twists and turns this book threw at me and especially the ones I did not expect.

Overall an amazing conclusion for this book which left me feeling so many emotions throughout reading it. Shelly Parker-Chen really has such an amazing way with words. This is definitely going to be a new go to author for me.

I laughed I cried I gasped, but most of all I felt at peace in the end. It has been a Journey and I am so glad I decided to take it. For a book about the drowning and subsuming nature of grief and anger, it delighted me that the main feeling I took away from it at the end was of love and acceptance. THIS is how you land an ending that is both fulfilling and satisfying after so much buildup. Endings and characters truly make and break a story, Shelley Parker-Chan managed to nail both in a two-part voyage of fate, destiny and autonomy.

He Who Drowned the World is immediately a lot darker, angrier and more gruesome than its predecessor. Given the way the last book ended, that's not a big surprise. The sequel focuses more on the themes of grief, identity, gender and desire. While in the first book, there are ways where you can excuse the characters' actions or understand why they are going to such extreme lengths, in HWBTS the characters' begin on a path of no return. They are willing to do anything and everything to get what they want no matter who or what the cost. That makes for a rather grimdark book, with some gruesome scenes. Though most scenes aren't as graphic in nature there is a sexual assault scene at the end of Chapter 8 that I would warn readers about, since it was a bit more graphic for me.

I have a hard time marshalling my thoughts about HWDTW since I don't think all those emotions I felt reading it can be bottled up and labelled nicely. There were moments where I was absolutely horrified at the cruelty and disregard for human life, there were scenes where I couldn't help but feel a dark well of anger over a world that reviles anyone who deviates from the norm. The grief of losing someone who you love but who never saw you as an equal or deigned to tolerate your presence was gut-wrenching. Parker-Chan can write. I don't think there is any doubt about that. They proved that with Zhu's journey in the first book but in HWDTW Parker-Chan delves even deeper into Zhu's relationship with her body and gender. It's absolutely wonderful to see her journey to accepting her body for who she is, and her determination to make the world accept her.

Zhu's character foils beautifully with the other dramatis personae. Madam Zhang and how she never thinks to strive for anything more than what a woman can strive for in a patriarchal world. Her utter lack of imagination that she can only be worth something in relation to a man, is sadly a very real cause of internal misogyny. Ouyang, and his self-hate and refusal to accept himself as who he is instead of destroying himself to take revenge thinking that will be his only path to peace. Wang Baoxiang (my favourite in this book easily. I need to write essays on this disaster of a man) and how he accepts himself as a social deviant but is bent on making the world hate him for it because he feels he is incapable of love.

The way the author mirrors and contrasts these characters, their journeys and their motivations is so so good. Anyone who follows me on Goodreads knows how much I love a doubling narrative trope, and the doomed by the narrative trope. Except, Parker-Chan paints the doomed by the narrative trope in different shades depending on all 4 of the main characters. It is utterly brilliant and writing and characterisation at its best. This is an English teacher's and a book critic's dream of a novel. There are so many motifs and themes to dissect, I would love to reread this duology with a friend someday and discuss all the tiny bits of hints and foreshadowing scattered about. I can see this becoming a polarizing book however, I feel like there are bits that people will be "controversial" about and try to ban in libraries and schools. Sadly that is the world we live in, but thank you Shelley Parker Chan for giving us a series so inherently and unapologetically queer. This duology will go up in my hall of fame of queer books. I look forward to whatever they write next.

HWDTW is also a lot more plot-rich than SWBTS. There is almost no slow part, so much happens and continues to happen so readers will not be bored at all reading this. It also has a lot more court politics and drama which I absolutely loved. I enjoyed that a lot more than the battle scenes which was surprising. The court intrigue is very reminiscent of seaguk KDramas, the exaggerated acting of the courtesans etc. would be so very historical KDrama-ish that I would be giggling and gasping over the reveals and backstabbings. Truly a joy to read. If I had to make a complaint about this, it would be the lack of Ma Xiuying in this sequel. I wanted more of her and more of her influence on Zhu but she was only really in it at the end and while I loved her contribution to the plot and how it all led to a series of events, I still missed her dearly.

A tour-de-force, He Who Drowned the World has the characters look back on their actions in book 1 and say "I can do worse". Full of queer injustice and anger, HWDTW is about the queer and marginalised people who learn to make their place in a world that tries its hardest to erase and crush their identities. But at the same time, it's about making a place for others like you by accepting and loving them regardless of their identities.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First of all I’d like to thank the publisher, Shelley Parker-Chan and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕,” 𝒁𝒉𝒖 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅. 𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒏, 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆; 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇, 𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅? “𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕.”

He Who Drowned the World is a dark, Machiavellian tale of grief, suffering and ruthless ambition. Believe me when I say this book was absolutely soul-crushing (in the best possible way!) This book is much darker in tone than She Who Became the Sun- the first book is about the characters taking control of their destiny in a world that exists to keep them in their place whereas this book beautifully shows the devastating cost of untamed ambition. The pain and suffering of the characters in this book leaps off the pages through Shelley Parker-Chan’s exquisite writing and leaves you raw with emotion.

𝑷𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒅.

He Who Drowned the World is a very character-driven book and wonderfully explores the themes of ambition, suffering and gender. It is a story about humans- with their complicated desires, their suffering and grief and the depths of depravity they can stoop to achieve their goals. New character perspectives are added in He Who Drowned the World and each character had an equally unique and tragic narrative that seamlessly linked with the others. We have four main POV’s- Zhu Yuanzhang, General Ouyang, Wang Baoxiang and Madam Zhang. Each character has their own unique voice that both reflect and contrast with one another. It is rare that I say this, but I adored each and every characters POV in this book, they were just so brilliantly written.

𝑯𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒕?

I adored how each of the different characters were used to explore pain, gender and ambition in completely different ways. Each character was absolutely tortured with grief in some way or the other and their different ways of dealing with it added so much depth and complexity to the characters. My heart broke for every single one at some point in the story but at the same time they were all so ruthless and did despicable things so it makes you feel so conflicted. They are ultimately just people who are fighting for their place in the world or to find peace but are willing to commit atrocities to find it. This book really makes you think- what price is too high to achieve one’s ambitions, where does one draw the line and decide their ambition is not worth the pain and suffering? Shelley Parker-Chan has perfected the art of writing Machiavellian characters so, if you’re a fan of all things morally grey, this book is a MUST READ.

𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒚𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒈𝒊𝒇𝒕. 𝑾𝒆 𝒈𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒕𝒆. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒆, 𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅.

Now, He Who Drowned the World is an adult book and it is INTENSE so I would recommend reading the trigger list! There are so many intense battle scenes in this book and, whilst not overly graphic, are absolutely brutal and have you anxious the whole time. The fight scenes are explosive and cinematic- something about Shelley Parker-Chan’s writing just sucks you into the book and doesn’t let go. Also, I feel like all the sex scenes are very tastefully written, they brilliantly showed how desires can be turned into a weapon and wielded against people and each scene served a purpose to the story. The way sexuality and queerness is explored through the characters’ regard to sex and their bodies differently is absolutely impeccable and masterfully incorporated into the story.

Overall, I think Shelley Parker-Chan has created an absolute masterpiece with the Radiant Emperor duology and I recommend it to absolutely everyone!

When you give up everything else for the thing you most desire, what do you have when you gain it? Zhu Yuanzhang, with her idiosyncratic strategies, has been able to win victories that seemed impossible, and to advance even further she is willing to approach her enemy the General Ouyang. Together they can form a powerful force that can stand against their common enemies, but he is single-mindedly intent on avenging his family’s destruction and only has contempt for the upstart monk. So he made need some persuasion.
Madam Zhang is the power behind the Zhang salt dynasty, working through the men in the family. Her journey from courtesan to noble lady has left her able to withstand any pain or defeat, but it is possible that there are losses that might halt her progress, or will she be able to find another way to assuage her ambition. And Wang Baoxiang, who was so disregarded by his family and who can hide his objectives in the masculine Mongol court by flaunting his foppish mannerisms.
All of them struggle with love (not just romantic love, but love of family and friends) and sacrifice it on their journey to the throne.

I liked this sequel even more than the first book, I think because it brought together two of the most intriguing characters in a reluctant alliance – Zhu Yuanzhang and Ouyang. But it was also interesting to have more of a viewpoint from other characters such as Madam Zhang and Wang Baoxiang. And it was not just their viewpoint on the action, but how we get an insight into their emotions which can be disturbing to read.
I will definitely be going back to read this duology again.

I had a copy of this book early through Netgalley

He Who Drowned the World is by far one of the best sequels I've ever had the pleasure to read. This was SO good and dropped you right back into the action, continuing on from the first book.

This is by far one of the darkest books I've ever read, topping even George R R Martin in its brutality, but it did not feel forced in as if for shock-value. It felt raw and genuine to the dark, traumatised characters present throughout this book.

I cannot wait to see what Shelley Parker-Chan writes next!

I absolutely loved "She Who Became the Sun", but "He Who Drowned the World" was a little bit of a let-down for me. The writing is still superb, and the setting and story still enjoyable, but it just didn't live up to the expectations generated by the first book. Maybe it's just a case of SBS (Second Book Syndrome - where the first has set the bar too high). Might be worth a re-read later...

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

A brilliant conclusion to an amazing duology!

This book maintains the beautifully written and action packed pace of the first book, but diving deeper into dark themes. Although the author rejects the characterisation of their book as "grimdark", there is no doubt that this is a dark fantasy story, filled with violence, twists, and characters in desperate need of therapy. There is very little breathing room from the endless torrent of violence and emotional damage, but He Who Drowned The World is just as addictive to read as She Who Became The Sun.

I highly recommend picking this up!

I loved She Who Became the Sun and was really excited when I was approved for the ARC of the sequel.
Zhu Yuanzhang has overcome everything that the world has thrown at her including being born a woman and is now the Radiant King, ruling over southern China with Heaven’s Mandate shining from the palm of her hand. However, she isn’t going to stop until she is proclaimed Emperor over all of China. There are several obstacles in her way though; the Greak Khan still lives, Madam Zhang is determined to claim the throne for her husband and there is the dark figure of Wang Baoxiang who is working in the shadows and will stop at nothing to achieve his desires.
I loved the beginning of the book and found myself reluctantly enjoying the POV of Madam Zhang and Wang Baoxiang as they plotted and used people to get what they wanted.
After a while though, the grimness of the book began to have an effect. This is a much darker book than the first novel. None of the characters have anything likeable about them and the main characters all use people without any thought for the consequences. Any character with good qualities was fairly certain to come to a bad end. What really got to me though was the continued use of sex as a weapon by several of the characters. There is very little tenderness or love in the book and what there is, is so hidden as to be invisible. Ma is the single redeeming character but we don’t see very much of her until the end.
The writing is brilliant and the characters and settings are vividly portrayed but the story itself and the way it played out was sadly, too dark for my tastes. In the end, after all the twists and betrayals, I just didn’t care who ended up as Emperor.
Thank you as always to Net Galley and Pan Macmillan for providing my ARC in exchange for my honest review. I’m just sorry that I didn’t enjoy this one more.

This is an astounding sequel. Rooted in an alternate 14th Century China and tracing the beginnings of the Ming Dynasty, this is at once a story about the conclusion of a war that has been unfolding since the first book and an inter-personal story about empire, family, love, queerness, self-hatred, and identity.

While Parker-Chan moves away from the moniker of 'grim-dark' (think: Game of Thrones), this is a dark book that commits itself wholeheartedly to the nuance and detail of its characters and world, thinking through morally grey (if not completely black) actions to pose some really careful questions about the consequences of self-hatred, homophobia, misogyny, transphobia, and of a world set up for hatred. It stands out (sometimes awfully - I had tears in my eyes while reading a lot of this book) because of this. Parker-Chan's sequel is epic. It is exceedingly dark. It is always gripping. It is nuanced and challenging. It is deeply human, most of all. I could not stop reading, even as my heart kept breaking.

Simply put, this book is a feat of the fantasy genre. While I do recommend it to all fantasy readers, please be aware that this book (and this series) is definitely 18+ and has a list of trigger warnings that are necessary to look up before reading. Please don't read this if you are under 18!

Very action-packed sequel to She Who Became the Sun.

This book started slow and focused too much on side characters / characters that were frustrating me. It was very melodramatic, and there was a theme of inevitable fate throughout that I did not like, so reading was slow... HOWEVER it really redeemed itself (and at least two of the main characters in the process) at the very end, and I was so happy with the conclusion! The message of "change is possible" was incredibly powerful, and Ma really shined at the end (my favourite character).

In the end, it was a slog for a good part, but definitely worth a read, the end will not disappoint.

What a masterclass in storytelling! This is the epic conclusion to She Who Became The Sun, and follows on from the "what the hell" events of the last book. There is a beautiful yet raw nature to this book, and honestly - I don't think I have ever felt as conflicted about one, never mind three, main characters. Zhu, Ouyang, Boaxiang - I found myself liking and routing for them, and despising them in equal measure. I just wanted to take them to one side and have a word - "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

Parker-Chan superbly explores themes of ambition, revenge and destiny in an almost visceral way. The way that she blends the different threads with them all coming together in the end is outstanding. All this set in the backdrop of 14th Century China. Magic aside, there is a realism where you could absolutely believe the events, the politics and court intrigue, happened in real life.

I loved the ending though I SO want to know what happened next ! But perhaps that's for the reader to make their own guesses...

He who drowned the world by Shelley Parker-Chan

Thank you Tor and Netgalley for the ARC to review.

I recall at the end of my review from She who became the sun, I wrote: 'I just hope Zhu doesn't become completely lost to the darker side of their choices, nor do those around her.'
Somehow, I had a foreboding that this wasn't going to end in such a way.
Then the title was announced for this book, and my stomach dropped. I just knew then Shelley Parker-Chan was going to take us down a deep, dark path.
Then trigger warnings popped up, and that's when I knew this was going to be a bumpy ride.
But how an authors navigates that for me makes a book. Too gratuitous, and a book suffers. So, did they fall into that trap?
Some might think so, and yet, I didn't feel that was the case. This is a book of historical fantasy, with characters we know from the 1st book, and it expands from there. While complex, I loved how once again Shelley Parker-Chan navigates their way through it, allowing us to immerse ourselves into each segment, and while this book is undoubtedly darker in tone (understatement), I still felt the way it was navigated shone through.

This is a book not for the faint hearted, and as such will undoubtedly polarise readers. Yet, as brutal as it was, Parker-Chan writes in such a way, I couldn't stop reading. Battered and bruised by the end, there was one line *I won't include for spoilers* that had me drawing in a breath, because Zhu, despite it all, showed that one glimmer of humanity, and their love for Ma. You'd be forgiven to miss the impact of it all, amongst the clamour of all going before it. Yet, somehow once again we have an ending that left me breathless and satisfied all at once.

Is this an easy read? No. It is, honestly, brutal. I find myself using the term here often, but it is how the story unfolds. But also, this is a period of history where that was the norm. To have shied away from that, would in my opinion, done the book a huge disservice. But be aware of this before you begin reading. Because I had to stop, to claw myself back and in need of a stiff drink more than once as I read.

The skill Shelley Parker-Chan has for me, is inflicting those emotions within you. For pulling a complex and intricate story together. For the pacing, that doesn't let up. Even if we get quieter moments, it is all relative to what is quieter! I was often sitting here, trying to take in what I had read, with my soul feeling broken, and yet, I needed to know! Does Zhu become completely lost to the darker side of their choices, or do those around her?

The answer is there. But you need to read the book to find out.

Battered, bruised, and utterly captivated, despite all the depths of depravity this book hits, it is sublime writing, and I'm giving it 5/5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟

5 Stars!!

Synopsis: Zhu, now the Radiant King, is still intent on claiming her title of Emperor. But she still faces many obstacles, from those she knows and those who plot from the shadows.

CW/TW: Self harm/Suicidal ideation/Marital rape/Pregnancy loss/Drowning/Torture (not overly graphic)/Child harm and death (young teen)/Internalised and externalised homophobia/Ableist language

Rep: Genderqueer MC/Queer side characters/Disabled MC (loss of a limb).

He Who Drowned The World, by Shelley Parker-Chan is a phenomenal conclusion to and epic duology – truly a masterpiece.

Now before I go in to the review I want to highlight that this duology is an ADULT fantasy and this book is much darker in tone than SWBTS.

Parker-Chan has crafted an intricate story that is layered with secrets and plots. Continuing on from book 1 we dive straight back into Zhu’s path of greatness, the one she is carving out for herself, one she claimed. Zhu, as the Radiant King, is on a path to become the Emperor, but first she must face the obstacles of the Zhang’s – who also have eyes on the Empire – and the Empire and current Emperor itself. But while Zhu is on a path to greatness his old enemy, Ouyang, is also on a path – one to revenge. When the two’s paths cross again they must make choices.

Ok so HWDTW is intricate, we get Zhu, Ouyang, the Zhang Queen, Ma, and Baoxiang’s perspectives throughout the book – each of whom have their own ambitions and plans to achieve them. Watching these plans play out was intriguing and compelling, with each of the ambitions and plans crossing across each other we get an intriguing web of twists and turns that alter and change plans.

While the story is based on the history of Zhu himself, that doesn’t stop Parker-Chan from crafting a shocking and surprising story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. While you get glimpses into each of the plans the character’s have, you never get the full picture and as their plans play out things change and unplanned events occur – all of which makes the story all the more compelling. I absolutely adored the plot – it was intricate, clever, ambitious and, from start to finish, effective. Not only is the plot intricate and compelling, it is also emotionally evocative.

While this story is a plot that stitches together political plots and desires, it is also a personal story of gender, sexuality, and overall identity. The characters are all messy and flawed, they make bad and cruel choices, they aren’t good people and yet you can’t help but feel for them, their situations, their losses. Parker-Chan crafts such realistic, flawed characters that you cannot help but connect with pieces of them, their writing is truly masterful.

Zhu’s character was just as ambitious and sly as we saw in the first book, but we still get the rawness of the character come through. Similarly, Ouyang has already shown his cruelty, but again we get a rawness to the character. Each of the characters is well fleshed out we get such a mix of traits that creates such dynamic characters across the entire cast.

Honestly there is just so much I could talk about in this book – its just that phenomenal – from its compelling themes, to its gorgeous plotting – it is an all around masterpiece. But, I’ll leave the review here because spoilers – but let me tell you – this is not a book to miss!

Overall, He Who Drowned The World by Shelley Parker-Chan is honestly a phenomenal read, with a masterfully crafted plot, dynamic characters and powerful themes that will capture your heart and mind.

*I received an eARC via #Netgalley from Pan Macmillan in exchange for an honest review – Thank you!*

Absolutely bloody brilliant. Completely surpassed my expectations.
If you enjoyed book one, you will LOVE book two.
An epic, Machiavellian, ruthless triumph.
I’m very grateful to NetGalley and PanMacmillan for the chance to read an ARC, and in awe of Shelley Parker Chan for crafting an exquisite read.

He Who Drowned the World is at once the stealthy shadow sneaking up behind you and the explosion right before your face. This is a duplicitous, deceitful book elbow-deep in blood, guts, war and the deadly chess game of politics.

This is an incredible conclusion to the gunpowder trail started in She Who Became the Sun. That was an epic tale that weaves historical and fantastical elements together and combines them with themes of identity, fate and above all else, ambition. Parker-Chan takes every element and raises them to the next level. They take these stratospheric stakes and raise them, while also adding so much heart and personal emotions into it. Everything is a calculated move. Everyone has vendettas beneath vendettas. This book is just magnificent in every way.

Frequent readers of my reviews will know that I am very much a character driven reader and displayed here are some of my all time favourites. Zhu and Ouyang are such fractured, fascinating characters that will cheat, lie, manipulate and betray everyone in their path to glory. They will go to any ends, regardless of the cost to themselves, their loved ones or the innocents strewn on the road before them. Yet, some glimmer of love remains in each of them. They just want a world that will recognise them as they are, but they will break the world to reshape it in their image. There is no moral justification for their actions and these are pages dripping with blood.

This duology is a force to be reckoned with. Like the embittered, complex figures at their heart, they are beyond definition, existing only in shadows, stories and the smoke rising above the battlefield. He Who Drowned The World is a tour de force.

Make no mistake, Parker-Chan’s writing could burn the world down.