The plots and betrayals that swirl around the book’s events are themselves intensely compelling, but it is Zhu’s strength of will and passion that give this novel its spark.”- Booklist, starred review

Zhu is a powerful queer anti-hero, her means sometimes questionable, her desire overflowing. “Parker-Chan’s novel is an epic tale of the power of desire, the role of free will in deciding a person’s fate, and the twisting machinations of power. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy, you can’t miss this one.”- BookPage, starred review With every turn of the page, the book offers a new set piece, a new revelation, a new horror. “Parker-Chan’s gorgeous writing accompanies a vibrantly rendered world full of imperfect, fascinating characters. This inspired queer retelling of Chinese history is an exciting read.” - Library Journal, starred review Parker-Chan’s debut is forceful, immersive, and unforgettable. Epic worldbuilding, high action, and ruthless shades of love and desire make the tale at turns tragic and inspiring. “The characters are bold and complex in this story of fealty, family, and self. There, propelled by her burning desire to survive, Zhu learns she is capable of doing whatever it takes, no matter how callous, to stay hidden from her fate.Īfter her sanctuary is destroyed for supporting the rebellion against Mongol rule, Zhu takes the chance to claim another future altogether: her brother's abandoned greatness.

Desperate to escape her own fated death, the girl uses her brother's identity to enter a monastery as a young male novice.

When a bandit attack orphans the two children, though, it is Zhu Chongba who succumbs to despair and dies. The fate of nothingness received by the family’s clever and capable second daughter, on the other hand, is only as expected. When the Zhu family’s eighth-born son, Zhu Chongba, is given a fate of greatness, everyone is mystified as to how it will come to pass. For the starving peasants of the Central Plains, greatness is something found only in stories. In 1345, China lies under harsh Mongol rule. In a famine-stricken village on a dusty yellow plain, two children are given two fates. To possess the Mandate of Heaven, the female monk Zhu will do anything She Who Became the Sun reimagines the rise to power of the Ming Dynasty’s founding emperor. 'A dazzling new world of fate, war, love and betrayal.'-Zen Cho, author of Black Water Sister 'Magnificent in every way.'-Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree

Radiant emperor duology book 2