She Who Became the Sun cover art

She Who Became the Sun

The Radiant Emperor, Book 1

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She Who Became the Sun

By: Shelley Parker-Chan
Narrated by: Natalie Naudus
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About this listen

THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

An absorbing historical fantasy, She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan reimagines the rise to power of the Ming Dynasty’s founding emperor.

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 her dead brother’s identity and begins her journey. Can Zhu escape what’s written in the stars, as rebellion sweeps the land? Or can she claim her brother’s greatness – and rise as high as she can dream?

This is a glorious tale of love, loss, betrayal and triumph by a powerful new voice.

She Who Became the Sun is a reimagining of the rise to power of Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu was the peasant rebel who expelled the Mongols, unified China under native rule, and became the founding Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

©2021 Shelley Parker-Chan (P)2021 Macmillan Audio
Action & Adventure Fantasy Fiction Historical Science Fiction Destiny Extrasensory Perception

Critic Reviews

"Epic, tragic and gorgeous." (Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January)

"As brilliant as Circe...a deft and dazzling triumph." (Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne)

"A dazzling new world of fate, war, love and betrayal." (Zen Cho, author of Black Water Sister)

What listeners say about She Who Became the Sun

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phenomenal in every way

an incredible story told with verve and heart and grief and palpable tension. absolutely stunning.

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1 person found this helpful

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Excellent story

It is a very interesting historical fantasy book about changing one's fate and having a strong will to succeed against almost insurmountable odds. I loved the main character and her unwillingness to "fall into nothingness". Lyrical and beautiful prose.
Natalie Naudus did a great job on the narration too.

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Story trajectory impeccable!

Beautiful and captivating story telling ability with complex, layered characters who I immensely enjoyed, in their Journey of self-discovery!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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An odd one

Hybrid fantasy x historical fiction with a lot of gender bending. I basically hated the plot...hence not more stars. The narrator did a good job with Chinese names, but I got confused by the voices used for different characters.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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if mulan met avatar last Airbender - with more war

Its a great premise and the ending made this feel like it would make an epic movie. excited for more.
perhaps better in print, narration made it a little harder to follow switching narrative. but quite enjoyable

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Exceptional

This story is entrancing
The narration is excellent
The Characters have depth and layers but aren’t always the purest god like unrealistic creatures other books make them out to be but they are really likeable and connectable
Loved it
I can’t wait for the second book!!!!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Narrator destroys this

The narrator has ruined what is probably a very good book. The excessively American accent with the nasal male voice impersonations are just dreadful. What should be an epic cultural narrative has been hollowed out. Read this book to avoid this experience.

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Great writing, very memorable

This is a great listen if you've been feeling unmoved by what you've been reading / listening to for a while, or you have high expectations for writing quality. It's amazing writing for a debut - evocative and tightly edited so that the pace is always perfect. The main characters are vividly imagined and play well against each other. Fantasy elements exceedingly subtle, treading lightly into genre fiction on a few fine lines. The plot is perfect for keeping the scope intimate at first, and expanding it, and the world building, along with the character growth. Deserves a place on your favourites shelf. Looking forward to book 2!

I wasn't a fan of this narrator in a previous work but I thought she had a lot to offer here and I enjoyed this performance. You could hear the connection to the characters

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Beautifully written and narrated

A compelling story with expertly crafted prose and fantastic characters. Can't wait for book 2!

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Loved it!!

What an epic tale, beautifully set with the characters detailed to perfection. Can’t wait to hear the next chapter!

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1 person found this helpful

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