Reviewed by Sun (work experience student June 2023)

'She Who Became the Sun' is a historical Chinese fantasy novel focusing on political warfare during the Yuan Dynasty. The book can be split into two parts. With the start, we are introduced to the protagonist, Zhu, and watch her live out her childhood before being trained as a monk. She takes advantage of the chance to assume the identity of her brother, who, according to a fortune teller, has a brilliant future ahead of him, after her family tragically dies from starvation and an attack by bandits. 

We are shown during the second part of the book that Zhu has managed to create a place for herself within the Chinese army where she fights against Mongols. Zhu climbs her way up the hierarchy from a lowly monk to a great commander showing the lengths to which she goes to achieve the destiny she wants as interesting and impressive, if not startling.  

The universe of She Who Became the Sun, which is set in ancient China, features an extremely strict, male-dominated structure of governance as a result of the political climate. Males that are physically powerful, soldiers, and fighters are much preferred, even above government officials who keep everything running (as seen by the Mongol side of the army). 

Zhu battles with her gender queer identity throughout the book as someone who is effectively living a masculine life while assuming her brother's identity. She confines her feminine form out of fear that someone may learn her secret and risk fate, which has granted her a second chance at life. However, she discovers that she empathises with other powerful women throughout the novel, including Ma, a love interest who she sympathises with. This furthers her confusion as she makes an effort to deny her feminine side. Shelley Parker-Chan's debut novel beautifully illustrates the ideas of gender as a social role and as a matter of performance rather than the body you are physically born into.

The political intrigue of the troops of the Chinese and Mongols dominate the storyline. There is a lot to take in, from the emperor who has the authority of heaven to rule, to the several royal families and their influence over the army, the power dynamics, and the resources they need to devote to win battles. Because of all the intricate information centred around this, I occasionally had trouble following the storyline. Some events would unfold very fast, often in only a few phrases. For instance, important sequences like a wedding would happen in a paragraph or two. Several battles would also be fought over a short period of time. 

Given the intricacy of the narrative, I didn't mind that the romance subplot really takes a backseat to everything else that is going on in the novel. Ouyang is one such person who harbours unrequited affections for both his Commander and best friend. The sapphic romance involves Zhu and her one remaining chance at humanity, the soft-spoken and betrothed Ma. 

I really enjoyed both aspects of this story – Zhu Chongba and her determination to grab a glorious fate and the ways and means she adapts to go about this, as well as Ouyang and his struggle between loyalty and revenge. I didn’t realise until I was almost finished this book that it is in fact the first book within a series and I honestly cannot wait to read more. considering this is a reimagining of the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, which ruled China for nearly 300 years, there should be plenty of material for future books. 

I was surprised by how some scenes in 'She Who Became the Sun' made me feel as if I had been ripped in two – during one particular scene right towards the end of the book in which, despite the book having kind of hinted it was the end game, I still did not realise that it would come into fruition due to the complications surrounding the situation. However during the scene where it was confirmed, I had to re-read it several times before it truly sank in. I also felt that the character evolution was excellent and that the reader was forced to come to grips with the fact that things would change, that the levels of ruthlessness would only increase. The next book looks like it's going to be amazing and I cannot wait to read it.