He Who Drowned the World
Shelley Parker-Chan
Hardcover / Ebook
ISBN: 9781250621825
Tor Books, August 2023, 496 pgs

In one of 2023’s most anticipated books, Shelley Parker-Chan returns with the second and final book in the Radiant Emperor Duology, He Who Drowned the World. The novel continues following Zhu Yuanzhang on her journey to power, picking up right after her victory at the end of She Who Became the Sun. In the new novel, Zhu goes even further in doing whatever it takes to win over not only the Mongol army but also burying the past she feared she’d never escape.

After a quick catchup and roundup of the major players in the novel, Parker-Chan drops us right back into Zhu’s motivation to become the emperor and ruler of everything. While Zhu’s desires were significant in She Who Became the Sun, they become monstrous in He Who Drowned the World. Even her wife, Ma, shows concern about the hunger Zhu demonstrates throughout the novel, aligning with unlikely foes, and facing off against rivals far deadlier than her. At moments, the intensity of Zhu’s passion—mixed with the other imperial contenders, like Madam Zhang, Ouyang, and Baoxiang—gave me chills.

The Radiant Emperor series has never been a story of lightness, even during some of She Who Became the Sun’s softer scenes of queer love, friendship, and bonding, but He Who Drowned the World reads far darker. Parker-Chan’s writing is as captivating as ever, though, eloquently describing everything from the landscapes and wardrobes—to physical encounters, both sexual and not. The series’ heat burns from beginning to end with battles, sexual espionage, and greed-confused determination.

He Who Drowned the World brings as much intrigue as She Who Became the Sun. The novel explores the dark side of want, friendship, and unchained hate that bites so deep there is a constant threat of the world being swallowed whole. He Who Drowned the World is a dark and challenging read for fans of queer retellings, S&M play, and endings that come rushing at you and leave you shaken.