In 1435 China under Mongol rule in a famine-stricken village, a young girl named Zhu assumes her dead brother's identity to join a monastery. But when her sanctuary is destroyed for supporting the rebellion against Mongol rule, Zhu takes the chance to further claim her destiny and her brother's fated yet abandoned greatness.

BECAME THE SUN is an epic and captivating tale that transported me to 14th-century China. With a Mulan-esque plot, the novel explores the limitations of being a woman during tumultuous times, which, unfortunately, still ring true for some even today.

I adore how Parker-Chan contrasted Zhu's experiences dressed as a man with the experiences of other women in the novel. Through Zhu's journey, we see how women were expected to move through the world–as invisible caretakers and grateful wives–and how these expectations differ vastly from those of men. BECAME THE SUN is a fascinating exploration of gender & identity that made me think deeply about the limitations placed on individuals based on their gender.

On top of the comprehensive world-building & captivating plots, what stood out to me was the scheming! The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat, and I found myself rooting for Zhu and her allies as they navigated the complex political landscape. In this sense, BECAME THE SUN reminds me of GAME OF THRONES, and I would love to see this on screen (even though I'm squeamish and probably won't be able to stomach the gorier scenes