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She Who Became the Sun

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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 Asian & Pacific Islander Creators Destiny Fantasy Historical Fiction China War

Critic Reviews

‘This audacious, brilliant debut is a vivid, original reimagining . . . immersive storytelling at its finest’ – Daily Mail

'Magnificent in every way. War, desire, vengeance, politics – Shelley Parker-Chan has perfectly measured each ingredient' – Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree

‘A thoroughly engrossing read with a fabulous, tragic-trickster protagonist' Megan Campisi, author of Sin Eater

‘A dazzling new world of fate, war, love and betrayal’ – Zen Cho, author of Black Water Sister

‘As brilliant as Circe . . . a deft and dazzling triumph’ – Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

‘Epic, tragic and gorgeous’ – Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January

All stars
Most relevant  
Not my usual genre - but glad I listened to a friend and jumped in head first. A beautifully written story, although heartbreakingly bleak at times. Present day relevant themes, played out in ancient times. Looking forward to starting the second book

Beautifully written and performed

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