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btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Death, Sexism, War, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Bullying, Child death, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit and Torture
knicke's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
She Who Became The Sun is outstanding. The tale is familiar due to the source material being Chinese myth and folklore, but the story is still so original. The characters are fantastic, too. It’s soapy in the best way. This book is a personal favourite of the year for sure!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Body shaming, Child death, Death of parent, and Gore
leweylibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I put off this review for so long, I think because I was conflicted. The blurb on the front promised that this would break me and I would be grateful, but I just do not feel broken at all? Lol I think I needed time to sit with it and appreciate it more, hence the 4.25 stars.
I LOVED the Mulan vibes and Song of Achilles vibes of this book. I loved the queerness and how much gender and the stereotypes and roles around them were discussed. I think it was a fun look into a fictional version of life back in this time in China. There are also a TON of spots I highlighted for quotes, so that counts for something in my mind.
Mainly what I didn't like was how slow it was with what always felt like very little happening even when a lot was happening if that makes sense? I also wanted more from the genderqueer MC and less than the male MC, although I do understand why they included that second perspective. Lastly, idk why but I expected it to be a bit more about their journey to being emperor, but by the end they're really just getting started on that journey officially. That is why I do think I'll read the second book, but I'm not like super, super enthusiastic about it.
I LOVED the Mulan vibes and Song of Achilles vibes of this book. I loved the queerness and how much gender and the stereotypes and roles around them were discussed. I think it was a fun look into a fictional version of life back in this time in China. There are also a TON of spots I highlighted for quotes, so that counts for something in my mind.
Mainly what I didn't like was how slow it was with what always felt like very little happening even when a lot was happening if that makes sense? I also wanted more from the genderqueer MC and less than the male MC, although I do understand why they included that second perspective. Lastly, idk why but I expected it to be a bit more about their journey to being emperor, but by the end they're really just getting started on that journey officially. That is why I do think I'll read the second book, but I'm not like super, super enthusiastic about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Murder, Sexism, and Death of parent
bibliomania_express's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Toxic friendship, Grief, Genocide, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Torture, Racism, Gore, Xenophobia, War, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Slavery, Sexism, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Dysphoria, Death, Child death, Body horror, Blood, and Ableism
sofiwithaphd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Sexism
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Child death
_lovedelirium's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
you know what the romance in this was really bland now thinking about it more ..... need more of that zhu x ouyang rivalry !! that's what made the book interesting, also it was kind of slow to take off but once they started switching pov it got better, peak of engagement was definitely more on ouyang's side. reading book two for more ouyang!!! because zhu pissed me off at the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Transphobia, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Blood and Body horror
acogna's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Visceral, beautiful, real. The setting and characters have such a mature and complex way about them that I couldn't help but laud it to death. The nuances on gender on the novel's two leads are also so gracefully and wonderfully done, they resounded so well in me.
Also, Ouyang is still the best, cannot change my mind.
Also, Ouyang is still the best, cannot change my mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
melliedm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I try to be a bit more eloquent with these reviews, but I really have to be honest: Holy shit this was good.
Zhu is a young girl living in poverty in Yuan dynasty China who has a fortune of nothingness. Her brother, Zhu Chongba, has a fortune of greatness. But when he and their father dies, Zhu decides to take his fortune for herself, and his identity. She joins a monastery which in short time is destroyed by the wronged Eunuch general of the Yuan army, Ouyang, which sets them both on the path to their fate.
For Zhu, that means going to Anfeng and working her way through the complexities and dangers of court politics in an attempt to rise through the ranks and achieve the greatness she has stolen for herself, and encountering surprising (sapphic) love along the way.
For Ouyang, it means accelerating his plans for vengeance against those who ruined him and slaughtered his family...all the while his complex feelings for his Prince, the son of the man he hates, attempt trouble him.
The pacing of She Who Became the Sun is incredible, delivering information, drama, and tense action in such a way that I kept finding it hard to put the book down for any length of time. The court drama was enthralling and frequently left me unsure of how things would end up—no plan could be certain when everyone has their own interests to serve, and they wait only for the perfect opportunity to take what they need.
Both of the main characters, Zhu and Ouyang, are incredibly characterized. Though one is protagonist (Zhu) and one is perhaps the antagonist (Ouyang), it is less that they oppose one another and more that they balance one another, something reinforced many times throughout the book. Even in their identities: Zhu with a female body, but living as a man, and feeling like she is neither; and Ouyang who wants to see himself as a man, but as a eunuch knows the world doesn't share that view, and who internalizes it to a painful level, existing somewhere in between. The story hinges on the push and pull of their sides (not just them individually), and they are incredible foils to one another. The chapters tend to alternate between the two, and I never felt disappointed when we switched, because they always felt like the perfect next step in the narrative.
Both Zhu and Ouyang are saddled with innumerable flaws and exacting ambitions, and their passion makes it easy to care about what they want even if you disagree with the route they choose to try and get it. Zhu may be the protagonist, and she may have many relatable qualities, but she is not a good person. For some, that may be a problem, but I love when female or genderqueer characters can be human--even if it means they do horrible things along the way. Ouyang, as the antagonist, gets more leeway from us with his actions because we accept his role in the story, but also commits truly terrible acts. Like I said: they exist in balance.
All in all, She Who Became the Sun is an incredible feat of storytelling. I devoured every word, and although the end was incredibly satisfying, I was also left wanting more of whatever Shelley Parker-Chan could deign to give me. I cannot wait for the sequel!
Zhu is a young girl living in poverty in Yuan dynasty China who has a fortune of nothingness. Her brother, Zhu Chongba, has a fortune of greatness. But when he and their father dies, Zhu decides to take his fortune for herself, and his identity. She joins a monastery which in short time is destroyed by the wronged Eunuch general of the Yuan army, Ouyang, which sets them both on the path to their fate.
For Zhu, that means going to Anfeng and working her way through the complexities and dangers of court politics in an attempt to rise through the ranks and achieve the greatness she has stolen for herself, and encountering surprising (sapphic) love along the way.
For Ouyang, it means accelerating his plans for vengeance against those who ruined him and slaughtered his family...all the while his complex feelings for his Prince, the son of the man he hates, attempt trouble him.
The pacing of She Who Became the Sun is incredible, delivering information, drama, and tense action in such a way that I kept finding it hard to put the book down for any length of time. The court drama was enthralling and frequently left me unsure of how things would end up—no plan could be certain when everyone has their own interests to serve, and they wait only for the perfect opportunity to take what they need.
Both of the main characters, Zhu and Ouyang, are incredibly characterized. Though one is protagonist (Zhu) and one is perhaps the antagonist (Ouyang), it is less that they oppose one another and more that they balance one another, something reinforced many times throughout the book. Even in their identities: Zhu with a female body, but living as a man, and feeling like she is neither; and Ouyang who wants to see himself as a man, but as a eunuch knows the world doesn't share that view, and who internalizes it to a painful level, existing somewhere in between. The story hinges on the push and pull of their sides (not just them individually), and they are incredible foils to one another. The chapters tend to alternate between the two, and I never felt disappointed when we switched, because they always felt like the perfect next step in the narrative.
Both Zhu and Ouyang are saddled with innumerable flaws and exacting ambitions, and their passion makes it easy to care about what they want even if you disagree with the route they choose to try and get it. Zhu may be the protagonist, and she may have many relatable qualities, but she is not a good person. For some, that may be a problem, but I love when female or genderqueer characters can be human--even if it means they do horrible things along the way. Ouyang, as the antagonist, gets more leeway from us with his actions because we accept his role in the story, but also commits truly terrible acts. Like I said: they exist in balance.
All in all, She Who Became the Sun is an incredible feat of storytelling. I devoured every word, and although the end was incredibly satisfying, I was also left wanting more of whatever Shelley Parker-Chan could deign to give me. I cannot wait for the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, War, Xenophobia, Dysphoria, Body shaming, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Murder, Slavery, Infertility, Medical content, Child death, Grief, and Death of parent
zoeolivia1199's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
OBSESSED with this historical fantasy which reimagines the beginnings of the Ming Dynasty in China. Parker-Chan creates beautiful, evocative, heartbreaking characters (Ouyang apologist here). You FEEL their desires and motivations in your body. The two main characters are fascinating foils for each other through their complicated relationships with queerness, gender, and fate. Can't give this book high enough praise. So excited for the sequel to drop in August. Parker-Chan outdid themselves with this debut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Misogyny, Murder, Ableism, Death, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Sexual content, and War
Minor: Child death
chimichannika's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I… I feel so conflicted about this book. I want to simultaneously give it a 2.5 and like a 4.25. I may come back to this review when my thoughts on it are more organized because I definitely do have A Lot of thoughts on this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Murder
Moderate: Vomit and Sexism