A review by aellwy
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

adventurous challenging inspiring 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

3.75

I was initially very excited about the premise of this book and hooked by the beautiful writing at the beginning. How we meet and come to know the desires of our main character, Zhu, is a masterclass. 

My main issue with the book is the middle. The beginning and end are deftly composed and tug at the reader's humanity. However, there was a point in the middle that it began to feel like a chore to read. I am not sure if it was a me issue or an issue with the storytelling. So please, give this book a shot. The payout at the end was so very worth it. I am glad I listened to a dear friend and stuck with it.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and War

Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Slavery, and Death of parent