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fallenpsychic's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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? Yes
4.0
patreesyah's review against another edition
2.0
DNF at 36%
This started great for me, but I got lost and bored.
This started great for me, but I got lost and bored.
kodamafriend's review against another edition
I really enjoyed the first few chapters but then it got so unbelievably boring!! I've been wanting to stop reading for a while but I really hate not finishing books so I just went through with it but now I'm only half way and I'm really not enjoying reading this, I'm literally just looking over it which sucks so I stopped! I'm sure this is actually a great book but not for me I guess! my brain said no!
megan1002's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
You can really tell when the author has genuine love for the historical fantasy wuxia genre. This book is so grand that you can almost hear its own majestic background music. And of course I can't help but love characters who were given nothing in life but decide to take fate by its horns and carve their own path. I'm really excited to see how the characters will grow in the next book, especially Zhu.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Death
ninaskokoro's review against another edition
5.0
the exploration of gender, the tenderness and raw emotion of QUEER desire man… WHAT THE FUCKKKKK i wanna tattoo this book on my forehead. what a fucking read. i anticipated it for the longest and it didn’t disappoint me in the SLIGHTEST
morgob's review against another edition
5.0
This was such an interesting book! It took me a while to finish it because this was a busy month for me, but it sucked me in every opportunity I had to read it. Historical fantasy is a new genre for me. I can't think of too many books I've read in this genre before. I really enjoyed it! The two main characters, Zhu Chongba and Ouyang, are both really interesting. Zhu, at least, is very morally grey. Most of this cast of characters is morally grey, as a matter of fact. Ruthless might be a good word to describe her.
I also really liked how gender was talked about and explored throughout this book. Between a eunuch and basically a cross-dresser, the two main characters thought a lot about gender and what it had to do with their role in the world. And, of course, their fate. Fate was the big motif repeated throughout the book. It's a story about desire, going after what you want with no fear of the consequences, and about identity, specifically how gender relates to one's identity. Anyway, the gender conversation is super interesting, especially when
My favorite part of this book is sort of towards the middle, so minor spoiler. When she took the city of Lu by convincing Lady Rui that she should take control after the governor's death, I thought that was super impactful. In a world where women are basically seen as incompetent, she was given this chance and this hope, and she ran with it. Zhu helped her to see that just because she was a woman didn't mean she couldn't rule. And she did! Like an absolute girlboss! I was hoping she would do something similar for Ma Yingzi, but that didn't happen. But who knows how their relationship will develop!
The subtleties of this book were incredible and made it really enjoyable to read. Political intrigue is one of my favorite things to read, especially in a fantasy novel. The action sequences were rather short but well-written, and it definitely kept you engaged the whole time. I will most likely be reading the sequel someday.
I also really liked how gender was talked about and explored throughout this book. Between a eunuch and basically a cross-dresser, the two main characters thought a lot about gender and what it had to do with their role in the world. And, of course, their fate. Fate was the big motif repeated throughout the book. It's a story about desire, going after what you want with no fear of the consequences, and about identity, specifically how gender relates to one's identity. Anyway, the gender conversation is super interesting, especially when
Spoiler
Zhu is kind of trying to come to terms with her gender and her body toward the end. She really does not feel like a woman, after having to pretend to not be one for so many years. She really isn't quite sure who or what she is, only that she wants to be emperor. Ambitious, for sure. Good for her.My favorite part of this book is sort of towards the middle, so minor spoiler. When she took the city of Lu by convincing Lady Rui that she should take control after the governor's death, I thought that was super impactful. In a world where women are basically seen as incompetent, she was given this chance and this hope, and she ran with it. Zhu helped her to see that just because she was a woman didn't mean she couldn't rule. And she did! Like an absolute girlboss! I was hoping she would do something similar for Ma Yingzi, but that didn't happen. But who knows how their relationship will develop!
The subtleties of this book were incredible and made it really enjoyable to read. Political intrigue is one of my favorite things to read, especially in a fantasy novel. The action sequences were rather short but well-written, and it definitely kept you engaged the whole time. I will most likely be reading the sequel someday.
bravesirtoaster's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
stillmonster's review against another edition
dnf @ 57% will definitely pick it up again when i’m out of my reading slump :(
hannahhbic's review against another edition
5.0
Boy howdy this one ripped my soul to shreds and I thanked it for doing so. She Who Became the Sun is for people who love epic fantasies spanning many years with plentiful richly described settings. The prose in this book is on another level. Good lord. I need the physical book, I think, just to go back and memorize some of my favorite quotes. Natalie Naudus, always the right choice, did a splendid job with the narration. It was always clear whose POV was taking place and which characters were speaking. There's a huge cast too so that's triply impressive imo. My favorite character is Ma but after her it's definitely the protags. Are they on opposite sides of a war? Yeah totally but they go HARD and it's unbelievable sometimes the lengths these characters are willing to go to in order to accomplish their goals. Good for them tbh.
readalikes include: [b:Iron Widow|52459864|Iron Widow (Iron Widow, #1)|Xiran Jay Zhao|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617986668l/52459864._SY75_.jpg|77901205]
readalikes include: [b:Iron Widow|52459864|Iron Widow (Iron Widow, #1)|Xiran Jay Zhao|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617986668l/52459864._SY75_.jpg|77901205]
branthegremblin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Minor: Death of parent, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Child death, Violence, and War