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artemisg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
There were aspects of this book I absolutely loved, and aspects I just didn’t.
The story follows a young girl who takes her brother's identity as Zhu Chongba and therefore his prophesied destiny of “greatness” after he dies. We never learn her given name which is a decision I really loved. She grows to lead the rebellion against the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty. On the other side of the war (kind of - it’s complicated), we follow Ouyang, the eunuch general.
One of my favourite parts of this book were the explorations of gender and its fluidity that stemmed from these characters. Additionally, Parker-Chan does a wonderful job of making us sympathise with morally reprehensible characters and honestly root for them. Admittedly, at the end of this book, I was less of a fan of Zhu than I started. Alternatively, Ma had my whole heart from start to finish.
On the other hand, this story had pacing issues, with some intense battles taking less than a page, and some unnecessary exposition taking up far too many pages. Also, I felt like some of the destiny and fate discussions were too many and too heavy-handed.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and devoured it in one day. I’m looking forward to seeing where this series and story goes, especially after the conclusion of this book.
The story follows a young girl who takes her brother's identity as Zhu Chongba and therefore his prophesied destiny of “greatness” after he dies. We never learn her given name which is a decision I really loved. She grows to lead the rebellion against the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty. On the other side of the war (kind of - it’s complicated), we follow Ouyang, the eunuch general.
One of my favourite parts of this book were the explorations of gender and its fluidity that stemmed from these characters. Additionally, Parker-Chan does a wonderful job of making us sympathise with morally reprehensible characters and honestly root for them. Admittedly, at the end of this book, I was less of a fan of Zhu than I started. Alternatively, Ma had my whole heart from start to finish.
On the other hand, this story had pacing issues, with some intense battles taking less than a page, and some unnecessary exposition taking up far too many pages. Also, I felt like some of the destiny and fate discussions were too many and too heavy-handed.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and devoured it in one day. I’m looking forward to seeing where this series and story goes, especially after the conclusion of this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Colonisation
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Homophobia, and Blood
armontheroad's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
5.0
READ THIS BOOK! This is heavy on the supernatural, light on the magical fantasy, but an absolute gem. I loved all of these characters, even though I really should not. The historical setting was such a breath of fresh air. Adored the trans-nonbinary rep, the queer rep, the asexual rep, and the disability rep. This book had everything I could ever want, with political intrigue as the cherry on top. Cannot wait for the sequel.
Content Warnings: Eye gore, etc (see listed below)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Body horror, Death of parent, Slavery, Alcohol, Violence, Colonisation, Sexism, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Cursing, War, Blood, Ableism, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Death
sunsetcity's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Gore, Trafficking, Violence, Toxic relationship, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Blood, Sexism, Body horror, Colonisation, War, Classism, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Slavery, and Torture
veronikav's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
Got interested in it because of the premise of lesbian fisting , stayed for the eunuch general.
I didn't have some extra high hopes going into this. All I had known about this books were little tidbits and memes from tiktok (some of the more explicit scenes were very popular there) but nothing of real substance. Oh also I had seen some quotes on tumblr and surprisingly enjoyed them. Still I was expecting another run-of-the-mill YA/new adult fiction that gets mass produced and published these days. I was wrong and I am happy that is the case.
First of all - whoever described this as "Mulan meets Achilles" is doing the story a big injustice. While you could draw parallels between those it does feel like whoever wrote that just saw "Chinese girl who pretends to be a man fights in a war" and "gay" and thought it an appropriate comparison. But rather than that I would draw a comparison to what is the predecessor of this book which is the Chinese fantasy web novel genre which then gave birth to wuxia/xianxia dramas.
As much as there are many elements that you would find in a Chinese fantasy web novel it is clearly different - first noticable difference being the language it is written in. After all despite translations the cadences and writing styles of each language are vastly different and it is clear that SWBS was written for English not transformed into it as an afterthought. Therefore it proves a much easier and smoother read while having the same overall tone.
From what I had heard about the novel I didn't expect it to have such a profound message pertaining to conceptions of gender. That was what honestly drew me in more and more with each chapter - the construction of gender in a highly patriarchal society - the existence of Other gendered states of being in such a space. My favorite character of course ended up being Ouyang because there was something so incredibly fascinating about him. Actually in the first book I'd say the romance between Ouyang and Esen is much more well-developed and intriguing compared to the main couple - who despite having more actual moments are on a smoother path. I've always been into the tragic love stories.
Anyways, I rate this book highly - had to hesitate between a 4 and a 5, but ended up giving it a 5 because I know I can't apply my classical lit standards to everything. Think of it as a rounded up 4.5.
I didn't have some extra high hopes going into this. All I had known about this books were little tidbits and memes from tiktok (some of the more explicit scenes were very popular there) but nothing of real substance. Oh also I had seen some quotes on tumblr and surprisingly enjoyed them. Still I was expecting another run-of-the-mill YA/new adult fiction that gets mass produced and published these days. I was wrong and I am happy that is the case.
First of all - whoever described this as "Mulan meets Achilles" is doing the story a big injustice. While you could draw parallels between those it does feel like whoever wrote that just saw "Chinese girl who pretends to be a man fights in a war" and "gay" and thought it an appropriate comparison. But rather than that I would draw a comparison to what is the predecessor of this book which is the Chinese fantasy web novel genre which then gave birth to wuxia/xianxia dramas.
As much as there are many elements that you would find in a Chinese fantasy web novel it is clearly different - first noticable difference being the language it is written in. After all despite translations the cadences and writing styles of each language are vastly different and it is clear that SWBS was written for English not transformed into it as an afterthought. Therefore it proves a much easier and smoother read while having the same overall tone.
From what I had heard about the novel I didn't expect it to have such a profound message pertaining to conceptions of gender. That was what honestly drew me in more and more with each chapter - the construction of gender in a highly patriarchal society - the existence of Other gendered states of being in such a space. My favorite character of course ended up being Ouyang because there was something so incredibly fascinating about him. Actually in the first book I'd say the romance between Ouyang and Esen is much more well-developed and intriguing compared to the main couple - who despite having more actual moments are on a smoother path. I've always been into the tragic love stories.
Anyways, I rate this book highly - had to hesitate between a 4 and a 5, but ended up giving it a 5 because I know I can't apply my classical lit standards to everything. Think of it as a rounded up 4.5.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Child death, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Gore, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, and War
body mutilation one of the important characters is an eunuch and it's a very important part of his character arch. so constant comments about this etc.hamstringy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.25
A great exploration of the politics of desire and gender. Absolutely love the way the two main characters exist like two orbiting stars, and the way this book grips u and doesn’t let go. It isn’t a light read, but it’s rewarding
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexism, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual content, Misogyny, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Dysphoria, and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism
iluska's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, and War
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, and Transphobia
laurareads87's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
She Who Became the Sun was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022 and it far surpassed my excitement. I love so much about this book – the writing, the character development, the exploration of gender and sexuality. Set in the mid-1300s, the later years of the Mongol-ruled Yuan Dynasty of China, focusing particularly on the Red Turban Rebellions, the novel follows two storylines – that of Zhu Chongba, who was assigned female at birth and takes on her brother’s identity at a young age in order to claim the greatness predicted for him, and that of Ouyang, a eunuch general in the Yuan army who carries complex motivations of his own. It is a heavy read, full of political machinations and strategies and manoeuvring as well as reflections on identity, fate, desire, and power. I will say that this book reads much more as historical fiction to me – it is thoroughly researched and many characters and events in the book have a historical basis – than fantasy; the fantasy elements in the book consist of the Mandate of Heaven, ghosts, and dynamics of preordained destiny. I very highly recommend this novel + am thrilled that it is the first part of a duology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Dysphoria, Torture, War, Slavery, Colonisation, Sexual content, Misogyny, Xenophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal death and Gore
aardwyrm'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? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An amazing execution of bright, sharp lives, a mess of protagonists who are none of them remotely good but are painfully themselves, drawn out dooms and tragedies that are no less inevitable for foresight. I love all these terrible people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, War, and Violence
foreverinastory's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
And with this, I have read all three of the Sapphic Trifecta AKA the Classics.
This book was incredible. From the cast of characters, to the plot I was entraced from the first page. There were quite a few time jumps in this, but I found myself enjoying the way this story was told. Even though it spans years, we get enough of every part of Zhu's life. The ending was quite dark, I cannot wait to see what will come next!
Rep: Sapphic genderqueer BIPOC MC, genderqueer BIPOC eunuch MC, sapphic BIPOC female side character, side MLM relationship, supporting cast of BIPOC characters.
CWs: Ableism, alcohol consumption, animal death, blood, colonisation, cursing, death, death of parent, injury/injury detail, misogyny, murder, religious bigotry, sexism, sexual content, violence, war.
This book was incredible. From the cast of characters, to the plot I was entraced from the first page. There were quite a few time jumps in this, but I found myself enjoying the way this story was told. Even though it spans years, we get enough of every part of Zhu's life. The ending was quite dark, I cannot wait to see what will come next!
Rep: Sapphic genderqueer BIPOC MC, genderqueer BIPOC eunuch MC, sapphic BIPOC female side character, side MLM relationship, supporting cast of BIPOC characters.
CWs: Ableism, alcohol consumption, animal death, blood, colonisation, cursing, death, death of parent, injury/injury detail, misogyny, murder, religious bigotry, sexism, sexual content, violence, war.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Blood, Alcohol, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, and War
ehmannky's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Fabulous, though the marketing for this book is... wild. Not entirely sure why this book is compared to The Song of Achilles when The Poppy War and Game of Thrones feel like much more apt comparisons. I really liked this book though. I loved the discussions of fate and destiny, and just how in control of each a person can be. I liked that even though this is a "girl disguises herself as a boy" narrative, Zhu's gender is much more ambiguous and nebulous and I liked that her sexuality is similarly fluid.
Also, every part of Ouyang's narrative got its hooks in me. Like!!! I'm a sucker for a"betrayal but feels badly about it" narrative and good god does this deliver. There's some complex gender stuff going on with him too, but I don't have the mental bandwidth to go into it because I am simply screaming at the conclusion of his arc in this book.
All around a really gripping read and I can't wait for the next installment.
Also, every part of Ouyang's narrative got its hooks in me. Like!!! I'm a sucker for a
All around a really gripping read and I can't wait for the next installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, War, Violence, Sexism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Slavery and Colonisation
Minor: Animal death