Book reviews with Pauline Atkins: He Who Drowned The World by Shelly Parker-Chan
Hello South London Book Lovers. This month, I have had book after book delivered to my home for review and the one, I picked with my eyes closed, was He Who Drowned the World.
So, for all of you out there that loves a Chinese war lord come King come Emperor, with a twist, look no further.
The book starts off in China in 1356, a war has been raging for more than a year and rebel warriors known as the Red Turbans find themselves on the losing side until a young former monk takes control of the group and leads them to victory after victory.
Under new leadership, the former monk known as Zhu Chongba, becomes Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King.
But this king has a secret and only his wife, Ma Xiuying, and his sworn brother, Xu Da, know what this secret is, and they will do everything in their power to keep his secret and help Zhu achieve his dreams of becoming Emperor.
The book lead me on a journey over land and sea, to palaces and hovels, within this huge country where the ruthless want to rule but to get to the throne you have to manoeuvre past ghosts that will devourer your soul, avoid being murdered by people you thought you could trust and being hunted by other warriors who also want to claim the throne for themselves.
You will cheer for Zhu throughout this book but what does his army, friends and family give up so he can achieve his dreams, just see for yourself.
I suggest you read the first book She Who Became the Sun, before reading this book otherwise you will question, like me, what is going on!!
The twist is right at the start and once you understand, I hope you too, will be turning every page waiting to see if Zhu achieves his dream, without leaving behind too much death and destruction.
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan, first published in the UK 2023 by Mantle is available from all good bookstores for £20.00 in hardback.
Picture: Pauline Atkins/He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
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