 Today I am reviewing Sheikhu Became the Sun by Shelley Parker Chan. I'm crazy about historical fantasy and Sheikhu Became the Sun is one of the best I've read in recent memory. It is also, as far removed from the previous historical fantasy I read, the Night Circus. Drawing the Red Turban Rebellion against the Mongol Yuan Dynasty into the ever so slightly fantastic, Shelley Parker Chan rewrites history in more than one way, the most defining that this would be progenitor of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Chongba, dies at the onset of the novel, his identity and destiny, taken up by his nameless sister, whose own fate is to become nothing. In taking up the name, Zhu believes herself capable of also claiming her brother's destiny for herself. In some ways, Sheikhu Became the Sun is both a confirmation of these hopes and a renouncement of the very way the destiny and fate work and are perceived. Much about the way in which this novel is written, bolts at typical fantasy conventions. Time passes at a breakneck pace, events folding and unfolding with a swiftness and brutality you never quite learn to expect. Massive battles are built up to then dismissed with a few lines describing the outcome. Concentrating on how this outcome affects the increasingly influential players on both the Mongol and the Red Turban sites of an ever more brutal conflict. You might find this anticlimactic if you read fantasy for the gritty visceral descriptions, the blood-bounding glory and horror of combat. For that, I'll happily point you to Joe Abercrombie, who does it better than nearly anyone else, or if you care for another Asian-inspired and Chinese-centered fantasy series of novels that does excellent combat and excellent magic, this would have to be the Poppy Wars. Excellent, I tip my hat off to that one. Park and Chan's novel has different aims in mind, and she succeeds in those creating characters who are harsh, achingly human, locked into destinies of their own making, shaped by them as they are shaped by the culture of the times. Another way in which Park and Chan dismisses typical conventions and then steps outside the genre conventions is with POV, point of view, changes in that often come with a jolt rather than divided into clear-cut chapters for each main character, as say George RR Martin does in his Song of Ice and Fire books. One chapter might jump between three four different perspectives in She Who Became the Sun. Creating at times a stereoscopic view of key scenes, at other times this technique stumbles, creating some confusion, even a sense of whiplash. Ultimately, I enjoyed this far more than I disliked it, so I can see how some might take issue with it. This is also excellent queer fantasy, in that it captures forbidden yearning in so breathtakingly beautiful a way. Desire is a central theme to She Who Became, and for good reason. It is what drives all our main characters, as well as the novel's finest antagonists. The Will to Power defines Park and Chan's red tubans, blah blah. Let's try this again, shall we? The Will to Power defines Park and Chan's red tubans as much as their fight against the Mongol Yuan dynasty. Perhaps more. True herself desires authority over others as much as she desires survival itself. Perhaps even more. The extent to which she will go to gain a place of prominence among the rebels is neither less nor more than what other among the rebels' leadership are willing to do. Make of that what you will. But I was telling you about the aspects of this novel, which make it queer fantasy. Much of this can be seen not so much in Chu as in the unique general Wu Yang, whose complex relationship with the Mongol prince Essen, Wu Yang's former owner, master and friend, has so many twists and turns as to give you even more whiplash. But in a good way this time. On a side note, I adore Chu's first impression of the general. She saw someone who seemed neither male nor female, but another substance entirely. Something holy and powerfully of its own kind. The promise of difference made real. Nathalie Nordus narrates the audiobook, which is how I came to enjoy she who became the son. I first became acquainted with Nordus' work on the narration of the Boneshard daughter, and I continue to be in awe of the talent this narrator displays. Her range of voices, the smoothness of the delivery, the emotion she summons and imbues each character with. It makes for truly great listening, if you enjoy, the medium. That sounded like I was talking about the video game, the medium, which... Anyway, she who became the son is the first in a duology leaving off at a place at once of triumph and of bitterness. I do not know when the second book will be coming out, but I know I will be there at launch. You get to listen to every last line. It's a good book, I recommend it. You should pick it up. If you like audible versions of books, this one is phenomenal. If not, I imagine the text reads just as well. And let me know, have you read any Chinese inspired fantasy before? Have you read Arif Kwan's The Poppy War, which I mentioned earlier? Perhaps some others? Let me know. And also, as always, if you have any books you'd like to hear my thoughts on, just say so in the comments down below. Meanwhile, I have but one more word for you, and it is subscribe. I demand it. I will see you next time. Bye! Oh, and don't forget to smash that like button.