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A review by sarahfa
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
adventurous
dark
informative
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
Great characters that provide good starting points for really interesting conversations about intersections of gender, religious and cultural expectations, class, and the damage misogyny does to everyone.
I liked this one better than SWBTS because it had less of a story telling style I dislike, though it came back toward the end, especially with Baoxiang. I dislike when the narrator in books (and tv shows, movies) knows more than the reader. It feels like a cheap and lazy way to create suspense. It is a testament to how much I liked SWBTS that I kept reading it with that (imho) flaw. The story premise, characters, and setting I absolutely love.
The Zhu and Ouyang working together chapters were so fun and entertaining. Such interesting characters to compare and contrast! It did start to feel like Ouyang was becoming too OP, but it fit the story.
The death of Madame Zhang was sad. Zhu looks down on her for using marriage and men in her life to gain power, which is not the route Zhu took to gain power. Zhu’s internalized misogyny felt real. That shit is complicated. Zhu’s goal wasn’t gender and marriage equality and people missing hands can now enter temples. It was I want my side to win, and I will have glory forever. And I’ll do anything to achieve that. And she did.
As in the first book, I felt like I was missing some things because I don’t know that much about China, Mongolia, Buddhism, and all the cultural norms and history there in. Once I did a bunch of Wikipedia reading and I realized these characters are based on real people (on Zhu and Ma’s side mostly), I got even more into it.
At first, I found Baoxiang’s chapters boring, but I appreciated them more later on.
After I finished SWBTS, one of the things I was hoping for in this book was a Zhu/Ma kissing scene. I did not get it. RIP Xu Da. RIP Third Prince.
There are many more trigger warnings to add to this book compared to the first one.
I liked this one better than SWBTS because it had less of a story telling style I dislike, though it came back toward the end, especially with Baoxiang. I dislike when the narrator in books (and tv shows, movies) knows more than the reader. It feels like a cheap and lazy way to create suspense. It is a testament to how much I liked SWBTS that I kept reading it with that (imho) flaw. The story premise, characters, and setting I absolutely love.
The Zhu and Ouyang working together chapters were so fun and entertaining. Such interesting characters to compare and contrast! It did start to feel like Ouyang was becoming too OP, but it fit the story.
As in the first book, I felt like I was missing some things because I don’t know that much about China, Mongolia, Buddhism, and all the cultural norms and history there in. Once I did a bunch of Wikipedia reading and I realized these characters are based on real people (on Zhu and Ma’s side mostly), I got even more into it.
At first, I found Baoxiang’s chapters boring, but I appreciated them more later on.
After I finished SWBTS, one of the things I was hoping for in this book was a Zhu/Ma kissing scene. I did not get it. RIP Xu Da. RIP Third Prince.
There are many more trigger warnings to add to this book compared to the first one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, War, Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Outing
Minor: Pregnancy