Reviews

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

chninamir's review against another edition

5.0

Review tk

darianmary's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

ajax's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

anael21's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

jk003's review against another edition

tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

peripetia's review against another edition

4.0

I understand the comparisons to Mulan and Song of Achilles, but they fall short. I would recommend this more for people who like political scheming and grand arcs. I believe Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire is a more fitting comparison.

As in Game of Thrones, all the extended scheming made the book slow around the middle. I still very much liked it. I've decided not to read anything that doesn't entertain me, and this did, through the slow parts as well.

I really enjoyed the characters, especially the protagonist, who must be one of the most complex characters I've encountered. She's in many ways such an unlikable character, and yet... I'm here for it.

mirmmaid's review against another edition

4.0

This debut aches with fealty and betrayal. Parker-Chan's world is lush, but harsh. The fate of the world can be unforgiving, but the players here are not asking for forgiveness--they're claiming their destinies. Zhu's journey from nothing to a great 'something' is inspiring and intimidating because of her relentless ambition. She is at once a role model and someone you should fear if you run into her on the street. This historical fantasy is the rich epic you need to read this summer.
Plus there's kneeling.

matildaaa2722's review against another edition

4.0

The fisting scene took me by surprise

celestevaliozis's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

saraubs's review against another edition

5.0

I can't believe I pushed this book off for so long - I loved it! It was far darker than I expected, but I found myself incredibly drawn to the characters and desperate to see what happens next.