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A review by honeyreads1066
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
First off, this book was incredible. I came into it with the promise that it was a mix between Mulan and The Song of Achilles. It certainly was.
This is a story ultimately about desire, about wanting, desperation, the ascent into greatness and the descent into nothingness and it truly is done exquisitely.
It begins with Zhu as a child, starving and desperate, mistreated by her remaining family and told that she would be nothing at all while her brother (Zhu Chongba) will become great. As fate would have it, Zhu Chongba dies of starvation. To survive Zhu takes on her brothers name and with it his identity going to a monastery to become a novice monk. Her monastery is then destroyed leaving her to not only survive but to claim her brother's greatness.
We are introduced to another voice, Ouyang who has his narrative voice from the second part. While these two are seen to be two opposites it is clear their similarities and how they are fighting for the same thing, though on different sides which is survival.
The description of both the settings and characters had so much detail without being boring or making the story seem long. You truly felt the emotions, desires and pain of every single decision of every single character without meaning to.
The politics were complicated without being impossible to understand, I found it easy to be a part of this world and the characters lives while understanding and anticipating what happens next since it is complex enough for it to appear real. The deep research and passion for the culture and history shone through as though it is not something I'm familiar with, it was easy to be immersed.
The characters were lovable and complex and for the first time, I think I like the main characters. You understanding the thinking, despite not necessarily agreeing with decisions and you feel their needs and desires just as much as they do. The side characters are just as strong as those with the narrative voice. They are so well fleshed out, that they appear as real people and have just as much depth as the main characters.
You are also able to critically think. Despite feeling the emotions of every character, you still think about whether decisions are right or not. The plot is fleshed out so well and decisions so realistic that it's not always clear and opinions change as does those of the characters. I like that I was able to engage with this book as well as be swept up in it.
It also explored topics that I didn't expect with consequences and feelings I didn't anticipate. The themes of gender, sexuality and expectations were discussed beautifully especially due to when and where this was set.
The ending of the book itself was shocking. I am still reeling with both things I hoped would happen and things I completely did not expect at all.
This was truly a literary masterpiece and the best written and most intricate book I have read in a long time. I recommend it and already want to read the next one.
This is a story ultimately about desire, about wanting, desperation, the ascent into greatness and the descent into nothingness and it truly is done exquisitely.
It begins with Zhu as a child, starving and desperate, mistreated by her remaining family and told that she would be nothing at all while her brother (Zhu Chongba) will become great. As fate would have it, Zhu Chongba dies of starvation. To survive Zhu takes on her brothers name and with it his identity going to a monastery to become a novice monk. Her monastery is then destroyed leaving her to not only survive but to claim her brother's greatness.
We are introduced to another voice, Ouyang who has his narrative voice from the second part. While these two are seen to be two opposites it is clear their similarities and how they are fighting for the same thing, though on different sides which is survival.
The description of both the settings and characters had so much detail without being boring or making the story seem long. You truly felt the emotions, desires and pain of every single decision of every single character without meaning to.
The politics were complicated without being impossible to understand, I found it easy to be a part of this world and the characters lives while understanding and anticipating what happens next since it is complex enough for it to appear real. The deep research and passion for the culture and history shone through as though it is not something I'm familiar with, it was easy to be immersed.
The characters were lovable and complex and for the first time, I think I like the main characters. You understanding the thinking, despite not necessarily agreeing with decisions and you feel their needs and desires just as much as they do. The side characters are just as strong as those with the narrative voice. They are so well fleshed out, that they appear as real people and have just as much depth as the main characters.
You are also able to critically think. Despite feeling the emotions of every character, you still think about whether decisions are right or not. The plot is fleshed out so well and decisions so realistic that it's not always clear and opinions change as does those of the characters. I like that I was able to engage with this book as well as be swept up in it.
It also explored topics that I didn't expect with consequences and feelings I didn't anticipate. The themes of gender, sexuality and expectations were discussed beautifully especially due to when and where this was set.
The ending of the book itself was shocking. I am still reeling with both things I hoped would happen and things I completely did not expect at all.
This was truly a literary masterpiece and the best written and most intricate book I have read in a long time. I recommend it and already want to read the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Slavery