Is this book a standalone or part of a series?

This is the second and final volume of The Radiant Emperor duology, which begins with the novel She Who Became the Sun.

Can I read this book without reading the first one?

The narrative directly continues the events and character arcs established in the first book, making it necessary to read the series in order to follow the plot and character development.

He Who Drowned the World

Reader reviews of He Who Drowned the World

Mae · 2026-07-26T20:08:38.000000Z

Genre: Historical Fantasy 🗡️✨ Tropes/Themes: Wartime; Mythology; Monastery; East Asian MC; Disguised as a Man; Gender Exploration; Sapphic Pairing; Achillean Pairing; Unique Magic System - Fire Magic; Multiple 3rd person POV CW: Self harm, Suicidal ideation, Marital rape, Pregnancy loss, Drowning, Torture (not overly graphic), Child harm and death (young teen), Homophobia, Internalised homophobia, Transphobic language, Ableist language 🌶️: 🌶️ (cracked door) Medium: audiobook 🎧, narrator Natalie Naudus Review: Complex. This is a complex story - with intricate characters, an elaborate plot, and immersive world. No one is truly good, and you’re left to battle that while the cast wage their own wars. Nobody wins in the end, even if they achieved their goals. We explore so many identities and discoveries with the characters, it’s impossible not to get wrapped up in their stories. Another incredible read ✨

Dark Fantasy Epic Fantasy

Pages: 400
Published: 2023
Language: English

Synopsis

In a world ravaged by war and famine, two rivals rise to power, each determined to claim the Mandate of Heaven. Zhu Yuanzhang, a peasant girl disguised as a man, and Ouyang, a eunuch general, navigate a brutal landscape of political intrigue and military conquest. Their paths are intertwined by ambition and a shared destiny to reshape the empire, no matter the cost.

Collected in

Radiant Emperor Duology

3 reviews

How it reads

Dark Tense Complex Philosophical

Morally Grey Anti-Hero Revenge Betrayal

Prose complexity 7/10

Content warnings (3)

ViolenceGraphic ViolenceTrauma

Genres

About the author

Shelley Parker-ChanFantasy · Historical Fiction

Frequently asked questions

Is this book a standalone or part of a series?
This is the second and final volume of The Radiant Emperor duology, which begins with the novel She Who Became the Sun.
Can I read this book without reading the first one?
The narrative directly continues the events and character arcs established in the first book, making it necessary to read the series in order to follow the plot and character development.