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The Number One Sunday Times Bestseller
An immersive, historical fantasy set in 14th-century China, She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan is a queer tale of love, loss, betrayal and triumph.
'Magnificent in every way' - Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree
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?
This is a glorious tale from a powerful new voice.
She Who Became the Sun is a reimagining of the rise to power of Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu was the real-life peasant rebel who expelled the Mongols, unified China under native rule, and became the founding Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
'Epic, tragic and gorgeous' - Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January
About the author
Shelley Parker-Chan is an Asian Australian former international development adviser, who worked on human rights, gender equality and LGBTQ rights in Southeast Asia. Their debut novel She Who Became the Sun was a No.1 Sunday Times bestseller and has now been translated into thirteen languages. Parker-Chan has previously won the Astounding Award and British Fantasy Awards for Best Fantasy Novel and Best Newcomer. They have also been a finalist for the Lambda, Locus, Aurealis, Ditmar, and British Book Awards. Parker-Chan lives in Melbourne, Australia.
Summary
Zhu journeys from life as a peasant girl to war and the heights of power. This is a traditional Chinese tale reimagined in a subversive new way, for fans of The Song of Achilles and Across the Nightingale Floor.
Foreword
Zhu journeys from life as a peasant girl to war and the heights of power. This is a traditional Chinese tale reimagined in a subversive new way, for fans of The Song of Achilles and Across the Nightingale Floor.
Additional text
She Who Became the Sun is an emotional rollercoaster. Highly recommended and I can’t wait for the sequel!
Report
Magnificent in every way. War, desire, vengeance, politics - Shelley Parker-Chan has perfectly measured each ingredient of this queer historical epic. Glinting with bright rays of wit and tenderness, yet unafraid to delve into the deep shadows of human ambition, She Who Became the Sun, like Zhu, is unquestionably destined for greatness Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree
