‘The Radiant Emperor’ by Shelley Parker-Chan

She clung to life because it seemed to have value, even if only to her. But when she thought about it, she had no idea why.

‘She Who Became the Sun’ is the first book in the duology ‘The Radiant Emperor’ by Shelley Parker-Chan (a genderqueer author!). Set in 1345 in Yuan China, which was then ruled by the Mongols, the book follows the life of Zhu.

About ten years old, Zhu grows up in a poverty-stricken village plagued by hunger, disease, natural disasters, and violence. She lives—or rather, survives—with her father and brother. Most of the girls in her village have mysteriously vanished and she is still around only because she can provide food.

On her brother’s birthday, her father takes him to the village fortune teller to inquire about his fortune. The old man predicts greatness. When Zhu asks about her own fate, however, he tells her ‘nothing.’

Then, one day, bandits visit the family and Zhu’s world changes. Her father is killed, her brother dies, and she decides to live as her brother and claim his destiny of greatness.

The second book, ‘He Who Drowned the World,’ continues the story. However, it centers mostly on wars and intrigue, which I didn't enjoy that much. The ending was really good, though!

I loved the variety of queer characters and representation in these books!

CW: torture, domestic violence, self-harm & suicidal ideation, dysphoria, misgendering, ableist language, colonial rule, trauma, amputation