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She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker Chan (The Radiant Emperor: Book 1)
In She Who Became the Sun, Zhu Yuanzhang, a rebel leader who opposed the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty and later helped establish the Ming dynasty in 14th-century China, is reimagined as ascending to power. With the exception of the beautiful genderqueer inclusions, I don’t know enough about the time period to say how much of this was fiction by Shelley Parker-Chan and how much was based on the truth. Regardless of the basis, the author’s imagination is evident on every page, though. The book is a work of art.
The most memorable aspects of the book are its characters, who are all created with complexity and breathtaking individuality. Their reluctance to be any one thing, pursuit of individual goals, and individual brilliance and flaws all contribute to their authenticity. The central theme of the book is identity, which is fueled by rivalry and conflict. In the two connected narratives, the subject of a person’s true identity is explored, making it difficult for the reader to comprehend the many layers of motivation and deception. The handling of gender is crucial; it is inclusive rather than ostentatious. It is a crucial component of the novel’s examination of love and longing; it is not used to mock contemporary thought. It contributes to the main themes of the story—self, family, and obligation. Which of these obligations does a person have the most responsibility to? is the one challenge that all the characters must overcome. This query will get an answer by the end. And blood will be used to write it.
Zhu’s voice is distinctive. Her zeal in pushing herself to succeed no matter the cost is captivating. Sincerily, I’m still not entirely sure how the author managed to make her seem so incredibly alluring. Ever since I finished reading the novel, it has been on my mind. Zhu makes her own decisions, and she does so in a way that I hardly ever see. She simply takes the required action to move the situation along; there is no overt villainy there. It is only fair that she suffers as a result and that others suffer even more. She’s prepared to pay for it. She is ready for others to cover the cost. I don’t know what would sound more scary than that. She’s not the only troublesome character in the book, either. Everyone has a favourite, despite the fact that it can be difficult to decide. Even as I was reading this, I could already tell that a tonne of amazing fan fiction and fan art would be generated by this book, which is not something I ever think about. These are people you both love and despise (with a passion). I’m looking forward to hearing what other readers think of it.
This is the first book in a duology that, when finished, could rank among the best epics ever written. If you get the chance to read it before anyone else, take it. For the remainder, be aware that 2021 will bring at least one wonderful development.
The Review
She Who Became the Sun
9.3 Score
This was an epic story in both its scope and what the author managed to achieve with the characters within. As I followed along with Zhu as she strives and struggles to be someone else, to essentially be who she is, I was so completely invested in her journey. That tenacity, that all consuming desire to not be nothing but to be great was brilliantly conveyed.
PROS
- Absolutely absorbed by this.
- There are no words to describe how incredible this book was...
- Beautiful exploration of gender, fate, and desire
- Such an epic story!
CONS
- The characters were underdeveloped.
- There was zero world building.
- Overrated garbage
- Tedious Machinations in 14th-Century China
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