She Who Became the Sun

by

Hardcover, 416 pages

ISBN:
978-1-5290-4338-9
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(2 reviews)

In a famine-stricken village on a dusty plain, a seer shows two children their fates. For a family’s eighth-born son, there’s greatness. For the second daughter, nothing.

In 1345, China lies restless under harsh Mongol rule. And when a bandit raid wipes out their home, the two children must somehow survive. Zhu Chongba despairs and gives in. But the girl resolves to overcome her destiny. So she takes on her dead brother’s identity – and begins her journey.

Can Zhu escape what is written in the stars, as rebellion sweeps the land? Can she claim her brother’s greatness – and rise, ruthlessly, to take the dragon throne?

1 edition

reviewed She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Love a complex protagonist!

In a version of Yuan dynasty China where magical mandates and ghosts really exist, a “worthless” little peasant girl refuses to accept the fate laid out for her.

At first, I found the prose detached, and somewhat inaccessible, but it grew on me and after reading about 150 pages, I was drawn in, and found it engaging. The setting feels fresh and intriguing, the story is interesting, and the characters are complex and flawed.

A good read about an ambitious protagonist, and now I have to read the sequel to find out what happens!