Shelley Parker-Chan
Shelley Parker-Chan
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About
Shelley Parker-Chan is an Asian-Australian writer of historical fantasy, based in Melbourne. Before turning to fiction they spent close to a decade as a diplomat and international development adviser, working on human rights, gender equality and LGBT rights across Southeast Asia.
Their debut novel, She Who Became the Sun (2021), reimagines the rise of Zhu Yuanzhang — the peasant rebel who expelled the Mongols and founded the Ming dynasty — as a queer story of ambition, fate and self-invention. It was a Sunday Times bestseller and has been translated into fifteen languages.
Its sequel, He Who Drowned the World (2023), completes The Radiant Emperor duology. Parker-Chan is a previous winner of the Astounding Award, and of the British Fantasy Awards for Best Fantasy Novel and Best Newcomer; in 2017 they received an Otherwise (Tiptree) Fellowship. They use they/them pronouns.
Top genres
Fantasy Historical Fiction Epic Fantasy Political Thriller Dark Fantasy
Links
Featured works
Start here4.5
She Who Became the Sun
Shelley Parker-Chan
The Radiant Emperor #1
5.0
He Who Drowned the World
Shelley Parker-Chan
The Radiant Emperor #2
Sneak Peek for He Who Drowned the World
Shelley Parker-Chan
Radiant Emperor Duology
Shelley Parker-Chan
Several books
No cover available
Take His Memory to Your Grave
Shelley Parker-Chan
Series
Authors in the same genres
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Frequently asked questions
What is the reading order for Shelley Parker-Chan's books?
Shelley Parker-Chan's Radiant Emperor duology begins with "She Who Became the Sun," followed by "He Who Drowned the World." These two novels tell a complete story within the same world.
What awards has Shelley Parker-Chan won?
Shelley Parker-Chan won the 2022 Astounding Award for Best New Writer, presented at Chicon 8. Their debut novel, "She Who Became the Sun," was also a finalist for the Nebula Award and the Locus Award for Best First Novel, and won the British Fantasy Award for Best Fantasy Novel and Best Newcomer.
What makes Shelley Parker-Chan's writing distinctive?
Shelley Parker-Chan is known for her historical fantasy that reimagines historical figures and events with a focus on gender, power, and ambition. Her work often features morally complex characters and explores themes of identity and destiny.