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A review by bittennailbooks
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
"But the most dangerous person in a game is the one nobody knows is playing"
Unflinching, visceral, and a howling sequel that blows any possible sequel slump into dust. Parker-Chan's return to the re-imagined Ming dynasty was my most anticipated read this year and it did not disappoint! We return to the fight for the throne as Zhu and Ouyang find themselves on a level playing field, and Wang finds a double-edged sword alliance with the reigning emperor, favored consort, scorned empress with his own sword up his sleeve.
Thumbs up: I had to pace myself with this book. The exploration of sex, gender, power, and sexuality were nothing short of mastery.
- Ouyang's rage-filled rampage for revenge consistently brings him failure time and time again. It isn't until he sees Zhu's unabashed belief in fleshing out other's skills (not a commonly masculine leadership trait) that he starts to feel some kind of embodiment and de-construction of his own gender.
- Although women were not given formal power, Parker-Chan does an incredible job at showcasing that power comes from playing your opponent, not the board.
- I will be crying about Ouyang's storyline for the rest of my natural born life.
- "Heaven can't take you from me, I refuse, I refuse"
Thumbs down: It's been awhile since I read "She Who Became the Sun" but I am still not 100% clear about the mandate, how it works, and its relationship to the ghosts. It may be more of a reader error than a writing one but maybe give the first a re-read before you pick this one up.
Was it a nail biter? I will remember this book on my deathbed, 5 stars.
Unflinching, visceral, and a howling sequel that blows any possible sequel slump into dust. Parker-Chan's return to the re-imagined Ming dynasty was my most anticipated read this year and it did not disappoint! We return to the fight for the throne as Zhu and Ouyang find themselves on a level playing field, and Wang finds a double-edged sword alliance with the reigning emperor, favored consort, scorned empress with his own sword up his sleeve.
Thumbs up: I had to pace myself with this book. The exploration of sex, gender, power, and sexuality were nothing short of mastery.
- Ouyang's rage-filled rampage for revenge consistently brings him failure time and time again. It isn't until he sees Zhu's unabashed belief in fleshing out other's skills (not a commonly masculine leadership trait) that he starts to feel some kind of embodiment and de-construction of his own gender.
- Although women were not given formal power, Parker-Chan does an incredible job at showcasing that power comes from playing your opponent, not the board.
- I will be crying about Ouyang's storyline for the rest of my natural born life.
- "Heaven can't take you from me, I refuse, I refuse"
Thumbs down: It's been awhile since I read "She Who Became the Sun" but I am still not 100% clear about the mandate, how it works, and its relationship to the ghosts. It may be more of a reader error than a writing one but maybe give the first a re-read before you pick this one up.
Was it a nail biter? I will remember this book on my deathbed, 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Homophobia, Abortion, Pregnancy