She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan is an epic tale of turning tragedy into power, how the pain of the past can drive a person to greatness, with friendship and unnerving brutality. This is a story of a woman empowered by a fate she claims as her own and how far she would go to fulfil her destiny.
Based in China in the 14th century, the story depicts a poor and famine stricken China, under Mongol rule with regular village raids and an unsettled existence. It starts with the story of Zhu, living with her father and brother in southern China. Impoverished and hoping for a better life, they visit a seer to discover their fate: Zhu’s brother was told he has greatness in him, whereas Zhu would amount to nothing. On the death of her brother, Zhu takes her brother’s fate as her own, and sets off on a journey to achieve it, not letting anything get in her way. Although you might instantly think of Mulan with this description, there is so much more depth here: a story inspired by real-life Hongwu Emperor.
What ensues is a series of tough decisions for Zhu, to keep her on her path to greatness. Zhu takes on her brother’s name and takes his clothes, dressing as a man to open doors into the male-dominated world. It enables her to empower other women into leaders, and give them opportunities no man would normally give. Although, Zhu is not always a likeable character, starting off as someone I felt sorry for then, at times, seeming selfish and egotistical.
What also develops throughout the book, is a searing rivalry with eunuch Oulong who is fighting for the opposing side. The story of Oulong is complex, but it holds similarities with Zhu’s, built on the premise of a drive to fulfill his fate, his fate to avenge his family’s death at the hands of a Mongol leader.
There are so many highs and lows in this book: you get sucked into each stage, hoping it’s the last Zhu has to endure, but with constant tough decisions there are few peaceful times. Although this wasn’t a typical read for me, it’s a powerful book and I was hooked on the unpredictability and breadth of the war, romance, history and ruthlessness. It is a page turner to the very end and leaves you excited for the second book!
C