She Who Became the Sun

The Radiant Emperor, Book 1

By: Shelley Parker-Chan

Narrated by: Natalie Naudus

Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

An absorbing historical fantasy, She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan reimagines the rise to power of the Ming Dynasty’s founding emperor.

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 her dead brother’s identity and begins her journey. Can Zhu escape what’s written in the stars, as rebellion sweeps the land? Or can she claim her brother’s greatness – and rise as high as she can dream?

This is a glorious tale of love, loss, betrayal and triumph by a powerful new voice.

She Who Became the Sun is a reimagining of the rise to power of Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu was the peasant rebel who expelled the Mongols, unified China under native rule, and became the founding Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

©2021 Shelley Parker-Chan (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Epic, tragic and gorgeous." (Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January)

"As brilliant as Circe...a deft and dazzling triumph." (Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne)

"A dazzling new world of fate, war, love and betrayal." (Zen Cho, author of Black Water Sister)

I liked it but not enough to bother with the rest

These books about ancient Chinese culture and the women that live as men and eunuchs are a bit of a common theme these days. This one adds to the plethora. It's not bad but I won't be in a hurry to buy the trilogy. It just isn't that memorable. It didn't add to my knowledge base and I really didn't care about the characters. If you are interested in the history of China there are many books to choose from, if you want it in fiction form then China by Edward Rutherford may be for you. If you want a book about women that live as men to gain power in a society in which they were/are absolutely disposable then this one may be OK for you.