She Who Became the Sun
By Shelley Parker Chan
Blurb
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.
Our Review
She Who Became The Sun had a wonderful premise and on the whole it did live up to expectations. However, I did find that the sheer number of characters were difficult to follow at times and could be quite confusing.
Unfortunately, I lost track totally at 2/3 of the way through and ended up not finishing the book, Part of this was because I was very busy and the book just didn't hold my attention. Partly it was because I decided I wasn't sure if I cared enough about the characters to continue.
"At some point, though the girl couldn't remember exactly when, she had become the only girl in the village. It was an uncomfortable knowledge, and she preferred not to think about it. Anyway, there was no need to think, she knew exactly what had happened. If a family had a son and a daughter and two bits of food, who would waste one on a daughter? "
She Who Became The Sun started off at a good pace and was full of feminist fire but even that could keep it going for so long. As a girl growing up in a famine-stricken village she should be fated to die but what if she doesn't want to give in to her fate.
"If he took my fate and died...then perhaps I can take his, and live."
I would say this book is still worthy of your time, despite me being disappointed with the results you may find it easier to stick with and it had the potential to be a great book.
Our Final Rating...
Read & Shared 7 Times.
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