She Who Became the Sun

This book did disappoint me I'll be honest. After seeing all the hype and the buzz around this I really thought it was going to blow me out of the water, but it just kinda left me thinking meh 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ I always gage how much I like a book by how mad my imagination runs with imagery in my head and the whole time reading this it was just so colourless and monochrome. The main character was just so bland and one note and I just really couldnt connect with her at all. The only time I ever felt anything towards her was when she was with Ma, a character I actually kind of enjoyed. I felt like the MC had an absolute personality changed come the end of the book totally out of the blue and not really for the better in my opinion. She got more and more unlikable as she went along. I did prefer the other side characters a lot me more and was more intrigued and involved on their side. Ouyang was definitely more intriguing and so conflicted.The love interests on both sides I did like. Ma is such a sweet character and I liked how she brought a little something out of Zhu that I couldnt find anytime else. Although I was not expecting the spice that was just thrust upon me so out of the blue. My jaw literally hit the floor with what was being described to me. Again out of the blue hahahhaaI did enjoy the multiple POVs and the jumps in time. I know others found them very spontaneous and chaotic but I really dosnt mind. For it being a historical war fiction and wars are long.I was more disappointed at the lack of fantasy elements it really was more just historical fiction for me. I did pick this up as it was made out to me to be a fantasy.My interest would peek up and then just disappear but it did keep me picking it back up. I did want to see how it all faired in the end. I didnt originally know that it was a trilogy I believe in the making. I do think I will still pick up the next but maybe wont be in a massive rush to do so.

*I received a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*I finished this eARC, immediately preordered the physical copy and, even though I only just finished it, I am eagerly awaiting my copies’ arrival in July. This was SO good that I’m actually struggling to put it into words.Shelley Parker-Chan’s writing is so gorgeous and as the tale unfolded, seeing the progression of Zhu’s life from peasant, to monk, to rebel, to commander and finally to leader unfold was really stunning. There wasn’t a moment that I wasn’t completely engaged in the story and, despite it being historical (and me having looked up the life of the real Zhu Chongba beforehand), everything that happened felt new and surprising.I also didn’t expect to feel for the opposition characters so strongly - as much as I loved Zhu’s story, it was Ouyang and Esen that made me cry! The conclusion to their arc was so emotional, and even though I knew why it had to happen in the same way that Ouyang did, I wanted them to somehow find another way.Also, while I’m here? I’m in love with Ma Xiuying... and also her relationship with Zhu. Her realisation that, with Zhu, she would have freedoms that she wouldn’t otherwise be afforded and that she would be able to live life her own way made me so emotional for her, and the combination of tenderness and gentle teasing in their relationship is a perfect dynamic.5/5 Stars, and 100% recommended!

The review that made me buy this book said: " Mulan meets The song of Achilles", and i got curious.I loved the book, I'm also so happy that it's a sapphic story, with super interesting female characters.I'm not an English speaker, but i have to say that it was quite easy to understand it, even if i hope there will be also an Italian translation so i can read it to check if i missed some things.

TL;DR: She Who Became the Sun is an amazing work of historical fantasy reminiscent of Mulan crossed with A Song of Ice and Fire. A young girl assumes the identity of her dead brother, for whom a fortune teller had seen a great future; we follow her rise through the political landscape of 14th-century China. It's out TODAY (July 20th). Run (don't walk!) to the bookstore and grab a copy now - you won't regret it!Thanks to Tor Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. (I preordered it for my friend partway through reading, hence this being a verified purchase! It's that good.)---When I was about a third the way through "She Who Became the Sun" by Shelley Parker-Chan, I preordered it for my best friend. It's not just because her name is also, coincidentally, Shelley Chan; I just knew that I was reading something truly special.Sun is the story of a little girl living with her father and brother during a famine. A fortune teller informs her brother that he has greatness in his future, yet both men die. Left completely alone, she takes on her brother's name and identity and seek to take his fate for herself. Thus begins the story of Zhu's pursuit of greatness as she learns just how large -- and cruel -- the world is.This book and Zhu's arc utterly riveted me. I loved Zhu's ambition and resilience, her sheer determination to survive and succeed, even as we watch her truly understand just to what lengths she'll go to achieve it. I loved the politics and seeing characters learn to navigate those treacherous waters (hence the comparison to ASoIaF, though this book is about a hundred times better).The "magic" in this book was focused on three interconnected things in a thrilling, weighty way: ghosts/ancestors; the Mandate of Heaven as a physical manifestation; and the ideas of Heaven and fate. They are fantastical not as creations; the Mandate of Heaven (天命/Tiānmìng), for example, was used to dictate the right to rule (it's loosely similar to the Divine Right of Kings in Europe but includes the right to rebellion against an unjust leader). Rather, it's their physical manifestation to (some of) the characters. I could feel the weight of Zhu's future pressing against her so heavily throughout the book.Finally and most of all, I love how unapologetically queer this book is, how deeply it explores love and sex and gender.If you're looking for a book about someone learning to use their magic, this ain't it. There's no magic school, no focus on harnessing supernatural abilities in the way of many popular fantasy books. But this book is about taking control over one's own destiny; Parker-Chan makes it clear that that's a power that's more dangerous and difficult to wield than any spell could be.I can't recommend this book enough for readers who love historical fantasy, excellent queer rep, badass women, and people fighting their fate. I'm so thankful I was able to read it and can't wait to hear what y'all think of it, too.

I very much disliked this book. The characters were underdeveloped, I didn’t care about any of them because I didn’t know any of them. Even the MC was hard to like because of how horrible of a person she was.There was zero world building. I had no idea why there was a war or where the story even took place. A lot of scenes were weirdly sexual for no real purpose.Also, the writing was hard to follow. Most of the time I couldn’t really tell what was going on or I had to read a section multiple times to understand what just happened. I felt like the author was trying way to hard.