‘He Who Drowned the World’ is the highly anticipated sequel to ‘She Who Became the Sun’ - an alternate history of the first Ming Emperor of China.

Zhu Yuanzhang, has triumphed over the Mongol forces in southern China but very few people know Zhu’s secret - that the ‘Radiant King’ is actually a woman. And Zhu’s ambitions will not be satisfied until she has defeated the Great Khan and crowned herself Emperor.

In order to get anywhere close to defeating the Great Khan, Zhu has to get through Madame Zhang and her husband and Zhu must ally with her old enemy, General Ouyang, if she has any chance of defeating the Zhangs. But in the meantime, there is another person much closer to the throne, making plans to undermine all Zhu’s efforts.

We follow all of the power players as these characters each begin to count the cost of their ambitions. Zhu must ask herself, is claiming her fate worth sacrificing all the people that she loves? This book feels a little slower to get going than Book 1 but the emotional impact is that much greater for the gradual build up.

Once again, the author layers historical fiction with fantasy to create a compelling, richly realised world and the use of the historically accurate ‘mandate of heaven’ justification as the basis for the magical system is a brilliant touch. I particularly enjoyed some of Zhu’s creative, magical-realist battle strategies.

‘He Who Drowned the World’ is just as epic, ambitious and accomplished as Book 1, and is a suitably satisfying and emotionally resonant resolution to Zhu’s story.

"She blazed with desire. She was full with it, and her faith was in herself."

She Who Became The Sun was one of my favourite books of last year and possibly of all time, so I may have screamed when I got an ARC of this. Everything I loved about SWBTS that made it so unique and powerful - the scheming and betrayals, the eloquent writing, the amazing characters - HWDTW had as well. The battle scenes and plot reveals had me gasping and stressed out of my mind, and I can't express how much I admire the way Shelley Parker-Chan writes so movingly, for lack of a better word.

Unfortunately, whilst I was reading this, the good parts were overshadowed by several elements that left me not even disappointed, just horrified, and I was unable to appreciate how masterfully the story was crafted at the time of reading.

My major issue: the plotline of having sex as a tool to gain power was used for not one, not two, but four major characters, all of whom were emphatically not attracted to the people they were having sex with. I was crawling out of my skin in horror at the very many explicit scenes that depicted this throughout the entire book, which all included narrations of how uncomfortable the characters were feeling throughout these scenes. Please look up trigger warnings before reading this book. I can understand how this could have been relevant and realistic given the setting of the story but I honestly did not need to read that many scenes. Writing Baoxiang as a straight man, and making him have sex with a man on page, every time he was narrating, was a choice.

Another slight issue I had was that the POVs felt repetitive, in particular during the first 50 percent of the book. The phrase "she(Zhu) was willing to do anything to get what she wanted" was mentioned almost as many times as Baoxiang being heterosexual and the word "blackness".

Also, I might be nitpicking here, and I don't think this was the author's intention. But the descriptions of Ouyang's appearance and gender felt like the author was invalidating his identity at times, which I felt iffy about despite understanding why the descriptions were necessary.

On one hand I adored this so much - excellently crafted, intricate, clever, heart wrenching. On the other hand my reading enjoyment was severely impacted by the aforementioned issues.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for providing this book for review. All opinions are my own.

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"Go into your next life. Live it, and bear its suffering. Do it again with the life after that, and the next, and with each one find it easier. Until one day, in a thousand years, the force of the universe will bring you and Esen-Temur back together to start afresh."

This hurt me deeply. I need Shelley Parker-Chan to write a modern day spinoff where Ouyang and Esen meet again, please.

He Who Drowned the World is the concluding volume in Australian fantasy author Shelley Parker-Chan’s epic Chinese-historical fantasy Radiant Emperor Duology. The first book of these She Who Became The Sun was a jaw-dropping debut which went on to make numerous award shortlists, including the Hugo Award, and won the 2022 British Fantasy Award. The follow-up is no less stunning, although if anything it is bleaker and more nihilistic, full of characters who thrive on pain and unrequited longing.
He Who Drowned the World opens with the four protagonists who will circle each other, competing for the right to sit on the throne. Zhu Yuanzhang, formerly the sister of Zhu Chongba before taking both his name and assuming his gender, is in the ascendancy and looking to consolidate her empire by defeating the Zhang family. General Ouyang, a eunuch who betrayed his prince, now seeks the ultimate revenge on the Khan for his family’s disgrace. Now an assistant Minister in the Khan’s court, Wang Baoxiang, brother of the dead prince is playing a long, subtle game which includes a secret alliance with Madame Zhang.
The manoeuvring of the characters and their armies is very much in line with these characters. Ouyang is a vicious sword fighter always trying to prove himself in battle. Zhu has a tactical mind, always looking for ways to short cut direct fighting. Wang Boaxiang works in the shadows, always prepared to betray anyone if that betrayal becomes a stepping stone to his ultimate victory. Madam Zhang succeeds by manipulating the men in who surround her. This leads to well constructed asymmetrical conflicts which often do not necessarily end up going the way anyone planned.
Many of the characters, not just these main ones, also have personal battles with their sexuality, trying to subsume their feelings to pursue their ultimate goals but often undone by growing affection which they start to feel despite themselves. And this is a book that looks at all flavours of sexuality – a woman pretending to be a man, a eunuch desperately trying to proved his maleness, an effeminate schemer who has to hide but also use his attraction to other men, and a woman who disconnects from her physical body in order to use it to achieve her ends.
Parker-Chan very quickly overturns the status quo of She Who Became the Sun. While that book revolved around the cat and mouse game between Zhu and Ouyeng, this volume quickly brings them together in a fractious relationship that allows them to explore their connection. And by focussing on two other characters, broadens out the world and allows, once again, for plenty of surprises, reverses and cliffhangers all the way to the violent conclusion.
But while the action is based in the history of China, Mongolia and Korea in the 14th Century it is also a fantasy. Potential rulers are known by their ability to create light and see the spirit world. And while the existence of ghosts was not deeply explored in the previous book, in this volume this power and the abilities of those spirits do play a sometimes pivotal role in the action.
He Who Drowned the World is a riveting and satisfying follow up to She Who Became the Sun. Once again, engagingly capturing the landscapes and peoples of the time. And while it can be dark and violent (there is plenty of physical, sexual and psychological violence), the action is all in service of (albeit damaged) characters and their personal and political journeys and the way in which they process ambition, grief and pain. And now that this journey is over it will be fascinating to see what Parker-Chan does next.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan, NetGalley and Shelley Parker-Chan for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review,

"He Who Drowned The World" by Shelley Parker-Chan is an exquisite sequel that continues the epic saga of power, ambition, and identity set against the backdrop of ancient China. Following the breathtaking events of the first book, Zhu Yuanzhang, now the Radiant King, is determined to ascend even further, seeking to crown herself emperor. However, the path to the throne is fraught with intricate political maneuvers, fierce rivalries, and unexpected alliances.

Parker-Chan's masterful storytelling is on full display in this installment, delving deeper into the minds and motivations of the characters. The narrative skillfully navigates the complexities of power dynamics, desire, and revenge, leaving readers immersed in a world where every move is a high-stakes gamble. The character development is remarkable, as each perspective offers a unique lens through which to explore the intricacies of gender, identity, and the pursuit of greatness. The story's emotional depth is heightened by its exploration of difficult themes, resulting in a tale that is both devastating and achingly beautiful. The exploration of relationships, both romantic and platonic, is tender and raw, grounding the narrative in genuine human connections. With its exquisite prose, thought-provoking themes, and unapologetic portrayal of complex characters, "He Who Drowned The World" is an absolute triumph, solidifying Shelley Parker-Chan's place as a literary force to be reckoned with in the realm of fantasy fiction.

Book Review 📚
He Who Drowned The World by Shelley Parker-Chen - 4.5/5 ⭐

After reading She Who Became The Sun, I was so eager to have access to He Who Drowned The World. Book 1 was phenomenal and it's going to be hard to outdo that. But book 2 not only outdone book one, it's surpassed it with great detail.

HWDTW has very, very easily become my book of the year for 2023. It was beautiful. It was phenomenal. It was extraordinary. It was brilliant. Parker-Chen is such a talented writer with everything she puts into her books and the detail and description is superior.

It jumps straight in from the back of book 1 and goes into so much more detail and depth of the characters. This is NOT a light read. It's heavy and hard and so fast paced! But that just makes it so much better.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

This book was A Lot. If you thought SWBTS was a lot, think again. Expand your capacity to explore the issues of queer solidarity and anger, of fiery pursuit of one’s desires and what waits over the crest of the hill, of many ways to fight for and against — all of this rendered beautifully on the page like a blissfully uncensored gorgeous c-drama. I was looking forward to this book from the day I finished SWBTS, and I thought I knew what to expect, and those expectations were met with aplomb — but there were many things that I hadn’t known to expect, and that was great too. Some of those twists were *chef’s kiss*. If I had one complaint to make of the book, it is that there were fewer “down” times in the story that I’d have preferred, one where the characters can inject a bit of levity in it if not reflected in the events then at least their reaction to them. (No wonder my favourite sections were the team up between Zhu and Ouyang, because there was so much sentence level comedy in that — besides all the inevitable tragedy).

But overall — very hard to put down, and I feel like the body of SFF work is so much richer for having this duology in it.

Thank you #Netgalley for an arc of #HeWhoDrownedTheWorld. I had a splendid time with it.

I want to gatekeep this book forever.

I've never used the term "masterful" to describe a book before, but using it to define this book seems to be the most accurate choice.

Last year, on a whim for my birthday, I decided to buy "She Who Became the Sun" as a gift for myself. I was quite hesitant to read it, so it wasn't until May of this year that I finally gave it a chance. I absolutely adored the book.

However, "He Who Drowned The World" not only surpasses its predecessor but also executes its story so brutally well that at least for me, I doubt there will be any contenders for the book of the year title.

The book picks up right after the events of the previous installment. Unlike its predecessor, in this final volume, we delve deeper into the minds of most characters. Each character's point of view is exceptionally executed, making it impossible not to experience the entire story through their eyes and skin. Moreover, the way the author incorporates themes like gender dysphoria, the search for belonging and acceptance, and the very human need for love is incredibly remarkable. This accomplishment stands in stark contrast to other books I have previously read. I can't express enough how grateful I am for the existence of this book.

The political intrigue in the book is perfectly balanced and seeks to avoid confusion. While there might be some minor twists that some consider predictable, I personally found that aspect negligible because this book isn't aiming to be a thriller.

Indeed, this isn't a light read; it's far from being a cozy fantasy novel. However, as I read, I found myself trying to slow down my pace because I wasn't ready for the journey to end. I'll miss the characters, flawed yet fully human.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I could go on talking about this book forever (my annotated eARC serves as proof of that). However, I'll conclude this review by stating that if you're searching for a fantasy duology that skillfully blends history, fantasy, and romance, with profoundly human characters, filled with revenge, and written in excellent prose, your search ends here.

I am kindly asking for enrollment in the Shelly Parker Shan fan club, as they have become my new instant-buy author.

He Who Drowned the World was my most anticipated read of the year and I was extremely happy to get an eARC via Netgalley!

She Who Became The Sun is one of my favourite books. One aspect of the story is about seeing how far our characters are willing to go to get what they want. The thing is, we get that answer in book one - they will do anything. So in He Who Drowned the World there's no "will they cross the line?", at this point we cannot even see the line and that puts us in a very interesting position that I did not expect to enjoy as much as I did.

Shelley Parker Chan takes "every villain is a hero in their own story" and throws it out the window. There are no heroes. Our main characters know that they are the villains, they've been reviled and told they are worthless for who they are their whole lives and now they will do whatever is necessary to reach their goals. I've never rooted for characters this ruthless and willing to both sacrifice others and suffer themselves but here I couldn't help myself. I wish they could all go to therapy and deal with their trauma but in lieu of that - go ahead and destroy the world.

This book is full of pain and grief to the point where hope feels dangerous. We get glimpses of alternate paths, moments where the characters could let go of the pain and choose a different path but hope just makes the inevitable more devestating. Pain in this book is often viciously satisfing and a form of relief, grief is all consuming, fear is visceral and hope is terrifying.

Zhu is still my favourite and her character growth in this book was perfect. She seems to have a boundless optimism that she can achieve anything paired with the ruthlessness to make it happen. That she dares to hope even when her hope is repeatedly destroyed is one of her biggest strengths. This book makes her confront the consequences of her actions, make some difficult decisions and live with the guilt.

Zhu would also be completely different without Ma and if there was anyone in this book who could have potential to be a hero it would be Ma with her compassion and capacity for forgiveness as well as the determination to do anything for the one she loves. That last one however tips her over into morally grey at the very least.

I can't even talk about what I think of General Ouyang, Wang Baoxiang and Madam Zhang without crazy spoilers but just prepare to have your heart broken. It is a devastating read but it's worth it. So often second books are disappointing but for me this was an excellent and incredibly satisfying end to this duology which lives up to the first book. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Note: I recommend checking content warnings if you need them, it's significantly darker than the first one. Shelley Parker Chan has put some on their website https://shelleyparkerchan.com/drowned-content-warnings/


Will post this review Instagram and review sites nearer the release date.

Zue Yuanzhang is now the Radiant King and wants the intimate position of Emperor.

An epic follow up novel to She Who Became The Sun. Zue is not the only one who wants to be Emperor and battles will be fought, while alliances will be made and lost.

Great characters with lots of plot twists as Zue tries to reach her goal. Enjoy.

The sequel to She Who Became The Sun drops us straight back to the universe of political and military intrigue of ancient China. I found the epilogue of the first book a very useful aide-memoire for placing the characters and events where they were left at the end of the previous book.

As before, there was action and cunning aplenty as our main protagonist Zhu works her way towards her ultimate goal of becoming the Radiant Emperor. The tone of this book is more sombre than the last instalment and there were few heart-wrenchingly sad moments when we lost characters I was rooting for. The villains were just on the right side of evil without descending into cartoon villainy. I was looking forward to the development of the relationship between Zhu and Ma but except for the last part of the book, Ma was largely absent, which was a bit of a shame from my perspective.

This is a well-written continuation to the tale of the first Ming emperor of China. The story switches smoothly from one character to the next as the all the different strands come together towards the end. However, the pacing towards the conclusion felt rushed and it seemed to skim over the lead-up to the climax. The plot of He Who Drowned the World feels like it could be better as the second and third part of a trilogy instead of a duology.

With the kind of luck that can only be compared to the kind that Zhu forced into the world, I got a gorgeous early copy of He Who Drowned the World.

I lived She Who Became the Sun and I've not waited for this sequel particularly patiently. Then it arrived and I....avoided it. You know when you are just so excited for something that you can't face starting it and it letting you down? It was that.

It did NOT let me down, my god this book hurt me and I was delighted about it!

I would really recommend refreshing yourself on the characters if it's been a whole since you read this one, some players you may have paid less attention to in the first book decide to cause pure drama and trauma in the second 🤣

This duology has pulled me so deeply into its world I kept going to look things up and having to remind myself this is a queer reimagining, not a biography - from this googling what I have now got is a very random knowledge of the real life of Zhu Yuanzhang but also a great respect for how closely Shelley Parker-Chan has clearly researched everything from this time period and woven her story around it instead of weaving reality in where it fit. Not many people reimagining history do this objectively better option and Shelley is one that does it perfectly.

Let's talk about the bits that broke everyone - my recommendation is don't read the 70-85% portion in the evening because you will not go to sleep. My HEART 😭 then oh god that BROKE MY SOUL 😭😭 the emotional damage is so high
Everyone else seems stuck on the first damage, but it was the second for me.

I loved seeing more of Wang Boaxiang and Ma Xiuying in this book - their story arcs were as deeply moving as those of Zhu and Ouyang. The theme if external presentation versus internal characterisation continues so strongly across this book that I never quite knew how I felt about Wang Boaxiang.

This duology has been the queer historical reimagining of the foundation of the Ming dynasty that I never knew I needed. I will read anything Shelley Parker-Chan decides to publish and emotionally damage me with - but I will make sure I start them when I'm not going through a massively busy period at work next time. I needed to concentrate reading this so it took me a while because work had the audacity to need my attention.

An excellent second book in the series, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be recommending to others! I'd say this series does not have the large world-building that is seen in some other fantasy series but it makes up for this with strong characterisation and inclusivity. It is also easier to dip in and out of compared to some other 'heavier' fantasy series. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author in the future.

An epic conclusion to the Radiant Emperor duology…but boy was it a slog to get there! The first ~80% is nothing but the POV characters’ misery and self-loathing: they torture themselves, they are tortured and abused by others. Ouyang, Lord Wang and Madam Zhang can be barely stand to be in the presence of themselves, and I’m not sure the reader feels any different! Zhu is her usual feisty, witty self - but most of the plot involves her travelling to a new location, pulling off a different trick, then returning to her army and the next obstacle that requires a trick, etc.

In the final 20% we did see growth and consequences, and I think the story did end on a hopeful(ish) note. I’m not sure Parker-Chan needed to provide as much exemplary suffering to make their point, though! Approach this book with caution - you need to be in the right headspace to navigate its murky waters.

I loved every part of this book! The first book in this duology was one of my biggest unexpected joys of recent years which set me up with high expectations for Book 2. Those expectations were absolutely met and then some!

HE WHO DROWNED THE WORLD by Shelley Parker-Chan

An ARC was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. HE WHO DROWNED THE WORLD will be published on 24 August 2023.

Even after being crowned Radiant King, Zhu Chongba (now Yuanzhang) is only at the beginning of her journey. But her path to the capital, to dethroning the Great Khan and to seizing his power for herself is full of old enemies and she cannot crush them all. New alliances form and crumble as she marches towards greatness.

A masterful, devastating and kinda sexy milestone of modern fantasy

He Who Drowned the World is just as fierce and powerful as She Who Became the Sun. Zhu is as determined as ever to achieve her goals, but so are her opponents who get even more "screen time" than in the first book in the Radiant Emperor duology. It is absolutely fascinating to see these additional points-of-view explored in depth, all of which, seemingly share the same ambition and desire for power but whose intentions, motivations and means are very different. Continuing a theme from She Who Became the Sun, every character is shaped by notions of gender, either through expectations and actions of others or their own concepts developed as a result thereof. And all of them have learned how to wield these notions as weapons.

Sex, too, is often used as a tool in He Who Drowned the World. While a lot of readers might remember She Who Became the Sun for one particular sex scene, Shelley Parker-Chan wrote a wide range of them for the sequel. Though there really are quite a lot, they are all emotional, crucial to the plot and often visceral. Not all of them are consensual. But Parker-Chan manages to write about rape in a way that feels not good but right. Devastation, despair and determination are some of the many threads continuing in the duology and they weave it beautifully and masterfully.

There are times when Parker-Chan's craft turns a bit too visible, for example in the above mentioned sex scenes, where their multiple functions are quite obvious, or when the endings of certain story arcs feel a bit convenient. Occasionally, that may lessen some of the emotional impact of the story. But, and this cannot be stressed enough, none of it is actually less than good. The sex is layered, the endings satisfying and fitting. She Who Became the Sun was already a strong debut but He Who Drowned the World is a masterpiece.

Rating

When I initially read She Who Became the Sun I was surprised by how much I liked it. It made me really excited for the sequel and I started He Who Drowned the World with high expectations. And it did not disappoint. Though there is a bit of a shift in tone and focus so the two books read differently, they're unmistakably two sides of the same, devastatingly delicious cookie. To think these are only the first two published novels by Parker-Chan... They are without a doubt a major milestone for modern fantasy and I cannot wait to read what they write next. Five stars.

Very cleverly written. Enthralling. A perfect continuation of the story of Zhu and all of the other beautifully queer and/or violent people we follow. I didn’t like everyone, but I understood them, at times better than they understood themselves. That automatically springs compassion for almost everyone. Such a wonderful portrayal of going down the path of no return, of outwardly being evil with no redemption but having an insight into that as a reader that allows comprehension and empathy. Every event is believable, and everything is crafted so well even in the final pages, which are perfectly paced. I usually try and look for a negative but this book was everything I could have wanted.

Before reading, I thought maybe watching Zhu triumph and their buoyant nature would get boring in this book but the character growth and strength of plot meant that, it was nowhere near an option. I loved the first one and I'm so glad this one didn't dissapoint.

Greatness. Zhu had wanted it her entire life. With a certainty as crisp as shadow cast across salt, she knew it would always be everything she wanted.

Thank you to Pan MacMillan for providing the arc in exchange for a review.

Zhu continues her efforts to become Emperor with Ma and Xu Da at her side, capturing Ouyang and his army to further her conquests.

”The reason I follow him is because out of everyone I've met, he's the only one that when the world didn't allow a place for him as he was, he refused to accept it, and vowed instead to change the world.”

I remember loving She who Became the Sun, and this has been one of my most highly anticipated releases since then.
However, I struggled connecting with this one. The writing was just so emotionless and I couldn’t sympathise with any of the characters. Also, the discourse on gender, body, politics, and identity that I remember being astounded by in book one felt forced and brittle in this book. Zhu’s attitude towards her body and others’ perception was blasé and it was as if her hand being chopped off cauterised her will to care of anything but her gains.

The point of view of the Queen was interesting - she too seemed unconcerned with how her body was treated, so long as it got her what she wanted. She’s cruel and vicious, and a seductress, playing two sides of the game.

That's my body, but my body isn't me, she thought. What feels your hands on me, what pleases you, isn't me. My body is for you, it isn't for me. She resided in her body an inch below the surface, wearing it like a doll, with a sense of ownership and pride, perhaps, but never fully being it.

I also found Ouyang’s parts fascinating. His disgust for his own body and the care Zhu shows to others and her own disregard of her own body alarms him, and he finds her perverse for these actions. However, it is through Zhu’s consideration as someone who understands what Ouyang is going through, that he seems to find understanding and acceptance.

Fair warning: this book is a lot more sexually aggressive than book one. Whilst handled well, this can be used to shock at the right moments and drive plot, it felt like a device used too regularly to deliver lasting impact.

With a peculiar flood of heat, Ouyang suddenly remembered the last time he was inside Zhu: the intimacy of their bodies joined by his sword; their faces together at the same height; the way Zhu's dark eyes had been fixed on his.

Ummmmm….

There’s also self-harm, peer-harm, punishment pleasure… it’s pretty sick and disgusting and horrifying and I would say please, please, please bear this in mind if you read this and have trigger warnings!

Honestly, Ma was the only redeeming aspect and she was barely in it.
Sadly, frustratingly, this was a disappointment for me.

The ending of this book was just absolute perfection. I was a bit apprehensive about reading this book because I loved the first one so much but it was just as good if not better.

While I did struggle through the first 40% of the book the remaining chapters had me hooked and I finished the rest in one sitting.
While I kind of knew what would happen towards the end, it still made me incredibly emotional and I cried while reading it. Also the last sentence gave me goosebumps.

I would highly recommend this duology, it is absolute perfection and a new all time favourite for me!

The long awaited sequel to the Radient Emperor Duology and what a read!!!
This is a much darker read and we are still following Zu on her journey to greatness. All the main characters are showing their flaws and are hurting both physically and mentally. This book is so raw and emotional. Plenty of political intrigue and infighting in with touches of another power. Just how far is Zu prepared to go for her vision???? Absolutely loved this Duology. Highly recommended!!!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the Arc in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with an ARC!!

In this second instalment to She Who Became the Sun. The story picks up from where the first ended with Chu continuing in their fight to become the Emperor.

The politics between the characters, plots, and battles were just as intriguing and engaging as they were in the first book

The characters were well developed and multi faceted, furthering their growth from the first book in a satisfying way. I also thought this was a really great ending for Zhu and I enjoyed reading it. I found all of the new POVs interesting and enjoyed reading all of them

The scenes between the characters, especially involving military and politics, were intricate and tense — I found this to be engaging, especially being able to see the thought processes of the characters during fighting scenes.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and would recommend the series!! I would also read more from Shelley Parker-Chan.