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A review by dashie
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
5.0
I need a moment...
Moment done.
I went into this book expecting something else. What it gave me was much, much more. It was a story that many would be able to relate to, even though none of us plans to become the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
The naked determination for greatness that Zhu Chongba had and everything that she did with this utter belief in a destiny she was literally crafting for herself is something I never thought I'd see in an adult fantasy novel. But it is something that I thought I had left behind with my childhood. Not only was it pure, but it was also powerful watching both Zhu and Ouyang rewrite their plots as they moved forward. It was inspiring and at the same time, heartbreaking.
I went into the story with my heart and stomach prepared for wuxia death counts and I am happy to report that it wasn't as bad as I expected. But there's another book coming so let's not party yet!
My favourite characters apart from the lead duo were Xu Da and Ma Xiuying; two sides to one coin. The simple, loyal one and the complicated, loyal one. I was also very intrigued by Lord BaoBao and hope to read more of him.
There was an arch of gender identity that swept through the entire storyline which was written poignantly and simple enough for someone like me who hasn't experienced it, to understand. The complexities were raw and bare which is what can be said of the writing as well. I have so many lines that are etched in my mind, that as soon as I read them, brought tears into my eyes. It was so straightforward and lyrically so.
I devoured this book in 2 days while working a full-time job. I couldn't put it down. I finished it feeling inspired and excited. I can't compare it to anything else I have read. But read it. You have to. It's a book that is destined for classic greatness.
Moment done.
I went into this book expecting something else. What it gave me was much, much more. It was a story that many would be able to relate to, even though none of us plans to become the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
The naked determination for greatness that Zhu Chongba had and everything that she did with this utter belief in a destiny she was literally crafting for herself is something I never thought I'd see in an adult fantasy novel. But it is something that I thought I had left behind with my childhood. Not only was it pure, but it was also powerful watching both Zhu and Ouyang rewrite their plots as they moved forward. It was inspiring and at the same time, heartbreaking.
I went into the story with my heart and stomach prepared for wuxia death counts and I am happy to report that it wasn't as bad as I expected. But there's another book coming so let's not party yet!
My favourite characters apart from the lead duo were Xu Da and Ma Xiuying; two sides to one coin. The simple, loyal one and the complicated, loyal one. I was also very intrigued by Lord BaoBao and hope to read more of him.
There was an arch of gender identity that swept through the entire storyline which was written poignantly and simple enough for someone like me who hasn't experienced it, to understand. The complexities were raw and bare which is what can be said of the writing as well. I have so many lines that are etched in my mind, that as soon as I read them, brought tears into my eyes. It was so straightforward and lyrically so.
I devoured this book in 2 days while working a full-time job. I couldn't put it down. I finished it feeling inspired and excited. I can't compare it to anything else I have read. But read it. You have to. It's a book that is destined for classic greatness.