"He Who Drowned the World" is Shelley Parker-Chan's ambitious sequel to "She Who Became the Sun," continuing the story of Zhu Yuanzhang's rise to power in a reimagined Yuan Dynasty China. This is historical fantasy at its most uncompromising—a book that demands readers grapple with morally complex characters pursuing power at devastating costs.

Zhu, now revealed as a woman who has spent years living as a man, faces increasingly impossible choices as she fights to establish the Ming Dynasty. Her relationship with Ma, her wife who knows her true identity, provides emotional grounding amid the political chaos. The novel's greatest strength lies in Parker-Chan's unflinching examination of what it means to want power badly enough to sacrifice everything for it.

The author doesn't shy away from showing how Zhu's ambitions corrupt her relationships and compromise her humanity. The prose is elegant and often brutal, matching the story's themes of transformation and destruction. Parker-Chan excels at depicting the psychological toll of living a false identity while navigating court intrigue and military campaigns.

The queer themes are woven seamlessly into the historical framework, never feeling anachronistic or forced.

However, this book isn't for everyone. The pacing can feel uneven, with political maneuvering sometimes overshadowing character development. Readers expecting traditional fantasy elements will be disappointed—this is historical fiction with minimal magical elements. The violence is graphic and the emotional content heavy, dealing with themes of gender dysphoria, sexual assault, and the dehumanizing effects of war. Those who struggled with the first book's moral ambiguity will find even less comfort here, as Zhu becomes increasingly ruthless. The ending may frustrate readers seeking clear resolution or redemption arcs. This book rewards readers who appreciate complex, morally gray protagonists and aren't afraid of stories that challenge conventional notions of heroism. It's perfect for fans of literary historical fiction who want diverse perspectives on familiar themes of power and identity. Skip it if you prefer straightforward fantasy adventures or need likeable protagonists to enjoy a story.