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  • He Who Drowned the World

  • The Radiant Emperor, Book 2
  • By: Shelley Parker-Chan
  • Narrated by: Natalie Naudus
  • Length: 18 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (40 ratings)

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He Who Drowned the World

By: Shelley Parker-Chan
Narrated by: Natalie Naudus
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Summary

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
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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)

What listeners say about He Who Drowned the World

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    5 out of 5 stars

Think Mulan x The Song of Achilles x Game of Thrones

Eeeeeeep I LOVED this, just as much as She Who Became the Sun. I’d been so eagerly awaiting the sequel, I downloaded the audiobook on the day of its release and it did not disappoint. The storyline is just completely epic, the strategies and alliances and enemies always unexpected and well thought out, the character development strong; I was hooked the whole way through, taking in every word.

He Who Drowned the World continues the narrative of a re-imagined 15th century founding of the Ming Dynasty by combining its first emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, with an earlier legend of a female emperor. It’s a ‘fascinating blend of medieval Chinese history, wuxia martial fantasy, and gender-bending character study.’ Think Mulan x The Song of Achilles x Game of Thrones.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Edge of seat exciting

Fantastic follow up to the first book- in no way did it disappoint. Narrator did an excellent job

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Phenomenal yet again!

I truly didn’t expect this to live up to ‘She who became the sun’ but it did and more! This world is a pure joy to get lost in. Exploring the depths of strength, sacrifice and meaning. 5 stars is not enough to describe the brilliance of this series.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it !!!

I really loved the first book in this series and this second book really lived up to every expectation 🥰 I may have even enjoyed it more and loved the deepening of the returning characters 🩶 Loved it and countless recommend more 🦋✨

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Another lively romp through the Great Yuan

I was over the moon to find a sequel existed, and even more excited to discover that it's just as good! Lots of twists and turns, cunning ruses, devious characters and spooky encounters - all read with the same pacing and enthusiasm as the previous audiobook. The author and the voice actor are well matched - together they make the setting of the Great Yuan really come alive!
If you've read the previous book, just get this already - it pretty much continues right where the other ended!

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    2 out of 5 stars
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A disappointing sequel

There was just way to much focus on the dark inner dialogue of the characters to the point where it simply became boring. Plot lines were confusing and some seemed to lead nowhere. Really disappointing follow up to the first book

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