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

adventurous informative reflective slow-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? No

3.5

I became interested in reading this book after reading a review describing it as a mix between Mulan and The Song of Achilles. Boy did it live up to that. It's slow at times, but still a good read.

This book is a beautifully written historical fantasy that puts a twist on traditional gender roles and sexuality. Zhu Chongba was an actual Chinese emporer who was really married to Ma Xiuying. This book puts a spin on this, where Zhu Chongba is actually his sister pretending to be him, after she stole his identity as a child after he died. She almost gets caught a bunch of times, but her determination to reach her destiny overcomes.

Also, do you want to read about the disgusting bathing, pissing, and shitting habits of ancient Chinese monks? If not, skip the first quarter of the book. The book transports you to ancient China and spares no detail.
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