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A review by reading_with_sydney
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for the eARC (as well as the physical ARC) of He Who Drowned the World in exchange for my honest review.
This was one of my most anticipated reads this year after reading the first book last year and being absolutely destroyed by it. I fully can’t describe how much the Radiant King duology means to me. He Who Drowned the World is a much darker companion and I highly recommend checking out trigger warnings before reading (Shelley has them listed on their Goodreads account or you can DM me!!).
While She Who Became the Sun (SWBTS) was a story of desire and how one’s world can be shaped by the sheer will of those willing to do what it takes to achieve their means, He Who Drowned the World (HWDTW) was a story of suffering, especially at the hands of those previous desires. Once again this book like its companion, shows the harsh realities of war and violence against oneself and others. Yet, the world is crafted in such a way that you are drawn to it, almost like our characters.
This has some of the best written prose I have ever had the pleasure of consuming. It’s dark, beautiful, and unforgiving. Just when you think things are taking a turn for the better, something horrible happens. It’s immersive, I even felt sick to my stomach at times with just how much suffering our characters go through.
This story truly shows how people who were always destined to lose in their world, took their destiny and changed it by their own force. Our main characters don’t subscribe to any specific gender norms and have on page revelations as they move through their lives.
HWDTW is a worthy follow-up and finisher to this series. One of the things I love most about duologies is that it cuts out the unnecessary slump that trilogies often suffer from. This book was a knife to the throat from the get-go and I feel really lucky that I was able to read this early. To end the review, I’ll leave you with my favorite quote:
I claim my place…and if the pattern of the world refuses to let that place exist, I will change it.
This was one of my most anticipated reads this year after reading the first book last year and being absolutely destroyed by it. I fully can’t describe how much the Radiant King duology means to me. He Who Drowned the World is a much darker companion and I highly recommend checking out trigger warnings before reading (Shelley has them listed on their Goodreads account or you can DM me!!).
While She Who Became the Sun (SWBTS) was a story of desire and how one’s world can be shaped by the sheer will of those willing to do what it takes to achieve their means, He Who Drowned the World (HWDTW) was a story of suffering, especially at the hands of those previous desires. Once again this book like its companion, shows the harsh realities of war and violence against oneself and others. Yet, the world is crafted in such a way that you are drawn to it, almost like our characters.
This has some of the best written prose I have ever had the pleasure of consuming. It’s dark, beautiful, and unforgiving. Just when you think things are taking a turn for the better, something horrible happens. It’s immersive, I even felt sick to my stomach at times with just how much suffering our characters go through.
This story truly shows how people who were always destined to lose in their world, took their destiny and changed it by their own force. Our main characters don’t subscribe to any specific gender norms and have on page revelations as they move through their lives.
HWDTW is a worthy follow-up and finisher to this series. One of the things I love most about duologies is that it cuts out the unnecessary slump that trilogies often suffer from. This book was a knife to the throat from the get-go and I feel really lucky that I was able to read this early. To end the review, I’ll leave you with my favorite quote:
I claim my place…and if the pattern of the world refuses to let that place exist, I will change it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Sexual assault, Death, War, and Sexual violence