She Who Became the Sun (The Radiant Emperor)
Shelley Parker-Chan’s debut is a historical fantasy of medieval China which reimagines the birth of the Ming dynasty. In the era of harsh Mongol rule in China, the ordinary people suffer famine and deprivation. A father takes his two surviving children to a fortuneteller who predicts greatness for his eighth-born son but nothing at all for his daughter. However, the young woman is determined to escape this fate and, when bandits ransack their home, she sets out to the monastery in the guise of her brother Zhu in a bid to fulfil the destiny given to him. As a boy Zhu becomes a monk and a warrior, leading a rebellion against the Hu and becoming the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty.
Parker-Chan’s storytelling is wonderful, full of humour, pathos, and great characterisation. Zhu’s rise from starving peasant to powerful leader takes time and skill. While death may be a constant presence, we are reminded throughout of Zhu’s strategic thinking and ability to gain the upper hand. This is a wonderful fictional introduction to Chinese history and mythology, and an epic tale of war, love, friendship, sacrifice and triumph that will delight fans of historical fiction and fantasy alike. A perfect choice for fans of Zen Cho’s historical fantasies or those who enjoy the epic historical adventures of Theodore Brun or Tim Hodkinson.
