He Who Drowned the World

The Radiant Emperor, Book 2

By: Shelley Parker-Chan

Narrated by: Natalie Naudus

The Song of Achilles meets Mulan in He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan - a dazzling queer historical fantasy of war and destiny set in an epic alternate China, and sequel to Sunday Times bestselling She Who Became the Sun.

‘Transcendent, heart-wrenching’ - Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat

What would you give to win the world?

Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King, is riding high after her victory – one that tore southern China from its Mongol masters. Now she burns with a new desire: to seize the throne and crown herself emperor.

However, Zhu isn’t the only one with imperial aspirations. Courtesan Madam Zhang plots to steal the throne for her husband. But scorned scholar Wang Baoxiang is even closer to the throne. He’s maneuverered his way to the capital, where his courtly games threaten to bring the empire to its knees. For Baoxiang also desires revenge: to become the most degenerate Great Khan in history. In the process, he’d make a mockery of the warrior values his Mongol family loved more than him.

To stay in the game, Zhu must gamble everything on one bold move. A risky alliance with an old enemy: Ouyang, the brilliant but unstable eunuch general. All contenders will do whatever it takes to win. But when desire has no end, and ambition no limits, could the price be too high for even the most ruthless heart to bear?

©2023 Shelley Parker-Chan (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

He Who Drowned the World blew me out of the water. Deep, dark and peopled with deliciously complex characters, this book will draw you irresistibly into a world of tragedy and triumph. Shelley Parker-Chan is a genius (Jen Williams, author of Talonsister)

A powerful historical fantasy filled with complex people and high stakes. . . . Paying equal attention to fierce battle scenes and deep conversations and filled with desperate decisions and brutal actions, this book is immersive and intimate (Library Journal, starred review)

A heart-racing, emotional story that is also heartrending and shocking . . . The conclusion of the Radiant Emperor duology makes use of every last word and stamps this series onto the map as a new must-read of the fantasy canon (Booklist, starred review)

A stunning performance for a fantastic end

Although I had my complaints here and there, this was no doubt a great end to the series only made better by the narrator's fantastic performance

Stunningly good

Parker-Chan has achieved that rare gem, a series that ends as well as it begins.

The Radiant Emperor Duology is easily the best thing I’ve “read” in the last five years. The story is grounded in Chinese history and culture, but universal in appeal. No specialist knowledge is required of the reader, Parker-Chan meets you where you are and the story takes you along for the ride. It’s queer and kinky but never pornographic, violent and exciting but never gratuitous. The characters are so well formed and so kindly portrayed that you will love even the most terrible of them. And, in He Who Drowned the World, their fates, however brutal or tragic, have a satisfying harmony. The story is complete, wholly resolved in a way I can compare only to the best pieces of music. Though it took us to some dark places, the final chord is uplifting and hopeful.

This work is a treasure. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Loved it

All of the main characters are in desperate need of therapy. And I LOVE IT.

We meet a group of people responding to pain in extreme and different ways. One lashes out at the world and wants to drown it and himself in darkness. One wants to change it for the better at any cost. Even if it meant committing terrible deeds.

We follow the plot as it unfolds from multiple locations and through different characters.
Baoxiang’s has to be my favorite. He’s story is told in the capital of their great empire. We see him navigate his way through the backstabbers of the court of the great Khan with nothing but cunning and wit.

This duology addresses the issue of gender identity through its characters. Which is a subject I tend to shy away from. However, I have to give credit when it’s due. Reading some of these passages was interesting. I appreciate that the author shed a light on this topic without being too forceful. It felt smooth within the narrative. It kind of got preachy at the end. Which brings me to my next point. The ending.

The tension near the ending kept me at the edge of my seat. But the ending itself wasn’t what I had hoped for. It felt predictable. Don’t get me wrong, It was a good enough ending. But I was hoping for something more impactful.

The ending was also abrupt. I wished we spent more time after the conflict resolution.

All in all. This is a great debut series for Shelley Parker-Chan. I look forward to future projects.