“A Song to Drown Rivers” is a gorgeous book about the cost of war and utility of revenge, and compulsively readable. Xishi is a villager working with her parents making silk, struggling to get by, when she is approached by the king’s advisor with an offer: use her beauty to make the Wu king fall in love with her, spy on his government, and create opportunities to conquer him in exchange for providing for her family. Xishi, still full of grief for her sister, who was killed in a Wu raid, accepts. She trains with the advisor Fanli, but just as their feelings for one another are nearly acknowledged, she is sent to the court of King Fuchai. The book almost reads as a psychological thriller after that point, as Xishi manipulates Fuchai into draining his treasury, mistrusting his advisors, and building invasion routes into his own palace.
Nearly everyone is motivated by some sort of revenge, making this a fascinating exploration of what revenge means for different people. I also really enjoyed what this book had to say about the impact (or lack thereof) of war for the common people, and about the nature of kings. Inspired by ancient Chinese legend, this was a very compelling read that I would definitely recommend!

This book makes me want to write an eloquent, poetic review that is worthy of the writing by Ann Liang. Such beauty of setting contrasted against the bitterness of revenge, betrayal, court intrigue, and the sweetness of love that endures the most torturous of circumstances. There were many twists and turns I did not expect but I knew the only ending appropriate for this story would be bittersweet. The main characters had a great depth of emotion but each masked it. So much was conveyed in just the faint flickers of eye contact, while those words were never spoken aloud.
The main character, Xishi, experienced numerous hardships, physical, mental, emotional, but her courage along with a newfound power, guides her through them. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys court intrigue or forbidden love. Possible trigger warnings due to the death of a child.

(4.5 stars)

Oh gosh this was heart achingly beautiful. Once I picked it up I kept sneaking away from real life to read just one more chapter.

Please know going in that you cannot expect a happily ever after from this story. However what you can expect is a very thoughtful exploration of the complexities of war and how easy it is to be swept up in nationalism, as seen through the story of a woman sent behind enemy lines as a wife (and spy) to her leader’s opposition in a neighboring country. You’ll also get a slow burn romance full of longing and tension, that you’ll cheer for even when you feel the pit of dread building in your stomach.

Ann Liang’s prose is beautiful here, and does service to the original stories of XiShi. The plot lifts fairly directly from the legend but adds color to her and FanLi’s characters and decision making. You do not need to know the story before reading Ann Liang’s version, but you may find it helpful in gauging your expectations around the plot, given Liang’s previous published works.

Have tissues on hand and know that for 99% of this book there is nothing fsntastical, so again, please go in accordingly.

I loved this, and I really hope Liang will write more in this genre. XiShi was one of China’s four ancient beauties, so maybe another three? My one critique is that periodically I felt like the balance of showing vs telling was tending more toward telling. But the scope of this book was large and I understand why it was more efficient sometimes to be direct.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC copy in exchange for an unbiased review

I loved A Song to Drown Rivers, a retelling of the legend of Xishi and a romantasy about her and Fanli. Xishi is a beautiful young woman from a poor background living in a village torn apart by war between the Wu and her own people, the Yue. She is recruited by Fanli, the minister for her king, Fuchai, to serve as a concubine and a spy in the Wu court of King Goujian. Naturally she and Fanli fall for each other as he trains her in the skills that will keep her alive surrounded by enemies. Xishi enters the royal court and must constantly be plotting and strategizing to keep Goujian close and her enemies from suspecting her plans. Goujian is without a doubt a petulant and spoiled young man, but as time goes on, Xishi begins to see the complications of men at war, and how often innocent people are caught up in the struggles for power and control. Will she be able to stick to her promises when the time comes to betray Goujian? The story is beautifully told and calls to attention how women can be both dismissed as important but smart enough to bring down a kingdom. I'm not going to lie, For as much as I loved the story, I was disappointed by the ending. I don't know how the original legend ends, but I can see the reasoning for why Liang ended it the way she did. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Song to Drown Rivers is an ambitious historical fantasy inspired by the legend of Xishi. It weaves themes of womanhood, war, and sacrifice. Ann Liang's prose is lush and evocative, transporting readers to ancient China with vivid descriptions and intricate details.

Xishi’s journey from a village girl to a spy in the enemy's court is compelling. Her training under Fanli, the military advisor, and her dangerous mission to seduce the enemy king add layers of intrigue and tension. The romance between Xishi and Fanli is subtle, often overshadowed by the looming political stakes, which might leave some readers craving more emotional depth.

While the novel excels in character development and historical ambiance, it fails to deliver its fantasy promise. The absence of a distinct magic system and fantastical elements may disappoint those expecting a truly epic fantasy. Additionally, the pacing drags at times, particularly during Xishi's infiltration of the Wu court.

Overall, A Song to Drown Rivers is a beautifully written tale that captures the essence of its historical inspiration, even if it doesn't fully embrace fantasy. A solid read for fans of historical fiction with a touch of romance.

A Song to Drown Rivers is a retelling of the legend of Xishi, one of China's four beauties. The novel breathes new life into the Chinese legend and makes you fall in love with Xishi, Fanli, and Zhengdan. Ann Liang does a wonderful job creating complex characters that make them feel more real and relatable.

A Song to Drown Rivers is tense, heartbreaking, and empowering. I wish it was longer. I wish I had more time with the characters. I think if the book had been a little longer, Liang could have devastated readers even further with the tragedies that occur in the novel.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story. It demonstrates the power of a woman. She can bring down kingdoms.

This book is categorized as fantasy, but although it is a legend retelling, there are not many fantasy elements throughout the story.

Xishi’s beauty leads her into her enemy’s hands. Trained and honed to be a spy by Fanli, she will use her beauty to avenge her sister and topple the Yue’s rival kingdom. Will she be able to infiltrate the Wu kingdom and win the king’s heart, or will her feelings for Fanli betray her?

This book completely and utterly DESTROYED me.

The writing was stunningly poetic. The descriptions were so vivid, from landscapes to emotions, that I couldn’t help feeling as though I was a part of the story. By the end, though, I was just craving MORE: more from the cottage, more from the palace, more from the ending scene. 🥹

I expected this to be more of a romance based on the description, but it was so, so much more than that. It was a story of loss, survival, hope, fear, war, tragedy, womanhood, betrayal and sacrifice. I was sobbing by the last page.

I highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially those who love historical or women’s fiction.

And finally - thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

"So long as we continue to put mortal men on thrones and hail them as gods, sacrifice our lives to their legacies, history will repeat itself."

This book healed me then broke me then healed me again.

Fanli, a minister who is immovable, and puts his king's desires before his.
Fuchai, a spoiled king, a beast.
Xishi, a beauty that can topple kingdoms, move mountains, and tame beasts.

Such a beautiful story, so empowering, so heartbreaking as well. The lessons imparted beautiful as well. It is not the civilians that are monsters, but the leaders and their egos which cause war. The characters are so fleshed out, with so many dimensions to them. I felt Xishi's struggle, Fanli's pain and Fuchai's disbelief to my core. The writing was so beautiful, every passage like a poem, I had to stop myself from annotating everything I read. Nature and culture were portrayed so beautifully as well, I loved the myths and stories of legends and gods embedded into this work of art. 5 stars, totally recommend it.

Rating: 4.75 stars

Ann Liang could stab me in the heart, and I would thank her for it.

(This is me thanking Ann Liang for stabbing me in the heart.)

I was that child that loved The Giving Tree. I grew up on a steady diet of Asian media and angst/romance fanfiction. I felt like a whole new world opened up for me the day I discovered the term “unrequited love” and its associated trope.

All this to say, I love bittersweet stories—stories full of melancholy, longing, and angst. I like sad love songs and tragical romances with yearning and heartache (ideally with happily ever afters.)

So when I say Ann Liang ripped my heart out and stomped on it for good measure with her Legend of Xishi retelling, I mean it.

I’ve been waiting for A Song to Drown Rivers the minute it was announced. As your resident Ann Liang stan and friendly neighborhood Asian American book blogger known for reviewing Asian-inspired fantasies, I was desperate to see my favorite author tackle my favorite micro-niche.

The more I read (and reread and reread again) Ann Liang’s books, the more I’m amazed by the ways she deftly exercises her craft: her characters have such a distinct voice, she draws you into her stories so naturally, seamlessly building her world piece by piece, her best pieces of prose sound more like a Taylor Swift lyric than a lines from a young adult romance.

And she brings this all into her adult debut.

I don't even know where to start. I have no words because I have been completely and absolutely ruined emotionally by this book.

When I first met Ann, I told her she writes books I didn’t know I wanted but desperately needed, and A Song to Drown Rivers is no exception. It’s a story for the little girl who grew up reading while historic c-dramas played in the background. It’s for the teenager who spent untold hours scouring the internet for that one fanfic that perfectly balanced angst and romance. It’s for the young adult who took an East Asian history class and realized there was so much of her culture still left to explore.

In many ways, I spent years trolling the romance/angst sections of ff.net and AO3 because I was chasing that elusive feeling of sorrow—that gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, agonizing ache—that I never found in books (at least not the ones I was reading.) That’s changed in recent years thanks to authors like Joan He and Sue Lynn Tan, but Ann Liang took a no holds barred approach in her historical fantasy and went all-in on the angst in a way that perfectly captured that feeling I’ve been subconsciously looking for in fiction my whole life. Reading A Song to Drown Rivers feels like listening to a sad Chinese love song, and if that isn’t enough to convince you to read the book, I don’t know what is.

Full review to come.

I just learned as I finished this that there is a boycott going on against St. Martin's Press. However, I've been a fan of Ann Liang for a while, and I won't let that impact my review at this time. Moving forward, I'll be more conscious of the ARC reviews I take on.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC - as previously stated, I've read Liang's work before and heavily enjoyed it. I was overjoyed when I got news I was accepted to review this one!

A Song to Drown Rivers is a folklore retelling of Xishi, one of the four beauties of Ancient China. The story being told is true, but the novel is fictional, and any facts of the four beauties of Ancient China have been changed into legend over time. With this basis, Liang takes the reader on a literary journey of what may have happened to Xishi, and the man who discovered her, Fanli. Fanli is the advisor to the King of Yue, and it is his responsibility to turn Xishi into a court concubine, to be sent over to the warring Kingdom of Wu. She is to seduce their king and bring the Kingdom to it's knees at last.

The story is, first and foremost, that of revenge. The world around these characters is war-torn, and we see the impacts that this has on the citizens of both countries. Every character is impacted by the war, and each of them have a reason to be set on revenge, from the two Kings to the lowest common denominator. In almost every case, we see the deep consequences of the need for revenge.

Ultimately, without getting too deep into spoilers, Liang wrote of what happens when you break the cycle of violence. Despite what has been lost, and despite the futility.

It was a beautiful story. Akin to Romeo and Juliet, for me. It was never about the romance, only ever about the tragedy. It's an extremely powerful piece, and elegantly written as well.

The boycott of St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, and other related imprints is a direct response to the publisher’s lack of accountability regarding statements made by an employee in their marketing department and their failure to respond to concerns about possible systemic issues within the department.
We are asking the company to address and denounce the Islamophobic and racist statements and behavior, as well as take active steps to protect employees, influencers, readers, and authors from racist and discriminatory behavior. Terminating the employee is not, and has never been, a demand of the boycott.

I raced through this because I could not put it down. Fantasy is not usually my plane but this was so absorbing.

Ann Liang’s A Song to Drown Rivers is a beautifully crafted historical fantasy that retells the legend of Xishi, one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China. The story follows Xishi, whose breathtaking beauty becomes a powerful tool in the political strife between kingdoms. Liang’s lyrical prose and vivid imagery transport readers to ancient China, making every scene feel rich and immersive.

What makes this book stand out is the emotional depth and complexity of its characters. Xishi’s journey is filled with intrigue, love, and sacrifice, making it impossible not to root for her. The blend of historical detail and mythological elements keeps you hooked from start to finish. If you’re into epic tales of love and war with a touch of magic, A Song to Drown Rivers is definitely a must-read.

If you’re looking for a book that will break your heart then look no further. This is a story about sacrifice and vengeance but it is also a story about love.

This book was not at all what I was expecting it to be. It’s classified as a historical fantasy but it’s more historical fiction with a bit of folklore woven in.

I have no idea how the title relates to the book but I enjoyed it nonetheless. There was one moment towards the end when I was furious but I suppose I understand why the author ended the book the way she did.

I started reading this with the expectation of a fluffy romance like Ann Liang's other works but this... this was devastating. It was written beautifully though, with each sentence painting a vivid picture. I got. hungry many times throughout the book because the food is described so well.

I appreciated the recognition of the complexities of war. Although a cut-and-dry good defeats evil story followed by the main characters living happily ever after would have been far less painful, I did enjoy the more nuanced story. From starting off knowing Fuchai is public enemy #1 to starting to pity him despite the reminders of his terrible deed to crying over his death. The final victory scene that the whole book had been leading up to and anticipating instead made me feel conflicted.

Perhaps more secondary to the main plot, there was also a romance subplot. I am a complete sucker for slow burns because why do I get so excited over absolutely nothing- It's actually so cruel that they didn't even get to celebrate with each other for a second before she was killed. AND THE SCENES AFTER SHE DIED??? THEY DEFINITELY WERE DESIGNED FOR MAXIMAL PAIN.

Altogether, this was a well-crafted story that I can't wait to get a physical copy of once it's actually released.

This was beautiful and I think that the ending actually ended me. The main characters were amazing I loved them so much, I just wished that I saw more of their dynamic in the beginning of the book.

The ending actually made this book, the beginning was slightly dragging and I wish it was more focused on Xishi and Fanli. The second half was good I just wanted a bit more fantasy plot. But the ending was honestly one of the best things I have ever read. One thing that I think could have made this so much better is if there was more communication between Xishi and Fanli while she was in the palace. I did almost cry (it is rare I ever cry for a book) but the pain was so worth the ending!

If you loved the poppy war but want something that is less dense this is definitely the read for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the arc :)

➵ 4.5 stars ✩

Finishing this book at 1 a.m. was a big mistake. I couldn’t sleep after that tear-jerker of an ending but I also *could not* put the book down.

╰⪼ 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓻𝓽 𝓼𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂
A Song to Drown Rivers is based on the legend of Xishi, one of the four beauties of ancient china, who was said to have lived in a small Yue village during the spring and autumn period. Xishi is discovered by the famed military advisor Fanli who fashions her beauty into a blade. She is sent on a mission to seduce the king of the enemy Wu kingdom and topple them from within.

╰⪼ 𝓶𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼
This is such a lyrical and heartrending read that will linger and haunt you long after you finish it. That being said, it’s not a perfect book by any means.

There is a great deal of plot armor and unrealistic, contrived plot points. The forbidden romance that was heavily marketed was actually very underdeveloped (dare I say it was the blasphemous insta-love).

Despite the book’s flaws, I could not help but be absolutely captivated by the story and hypnotized by its lush prose. Everything from the setting, to the food, and the scents described were so vivid and immersive. It really did feel like I was transported into a historical drama! I truly sensed the high stakes and found myself on the edge of my seat throughout the whole story. The book also makes powerful and necessary commentary on the devastating consequences of war for both sides.

Would highly recommend this book! so lovely but be prepared to cry. I really hope that Ann Liang continues to write more books in this genre. The book releases oct 1.

now if you’ll excuse me, im going to go read something happy to recover from the trauma.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

WOAH ! I'm at a slight loss for words after that ending, even though I did suspect it I DIDN"T THINK IT WAS ACTAULLY GOING TO HAPPEN OH MY SOUL !!!!

Now that I'm done with that. I'd love to once again say Ann Liang never misses, however this time . . . This book had the angst, the pining, the guilt and something I love seeing in books, DEATH. I absolutely adore the way Ann has written her other books, especially the way the romance bits were written out, yet here they were just ??? flat.

Bonus points for the ending, otherwise it would've been a full 3 star read.

[minor spoilers below]

Fanli - uhm, I'm not a fan of instant love, that already had me just not loving it, there was some ?? tension but not enough for me to be rooting for Xishi and him to end up together so I didn't feel even slightly effected when the thing at the end happened.

Fuchai on the other hand, THIS MAN DESERVED BETTER !!!! how Xishi didn't fall in love with him is beyond my comprehension. The final scene with him . . . oh it BROKE me.

Ann Liang has done it again. A Song to drown a River was beautiful, painful, and manipulative. It is a historical book about a forbidden romance between a beautiful civilian who become a spy for her country to take revenge and a minister advisor. This is my first time reading a custom/ historical book so I was worried about not being able to understand the context. But Ann Liang did an amazing job with bringing the character and setting of the book to life. I was able to imagine the Yue and Wu kingdom vividly based on Ann’s writing and it was amazing to read about new things that I haven’t read before. I also learn that this book is retelling about a real story, which makes more interesting to read the book. Moving on the characters, Ann did an amazing job at creating a strong characters that are very much attractive in different ways even if they are villains. While reading the book, I could vividly imagine how beautiful Xishi is and her ability to stay strong to finish her mission and restrain herself from her own desire. Fanli was also a beautiful determined, intelligent, and strong minister advisor who does not have any weaknesses and is great at his job until it come to one person. As for the villain, like I mentioned, Ann really know how to make all of her characters very attractive because why was I feeling a little attracted to Fuchai because of how much he’s actually loved and cared for Xishi even though he is an evil man. Throughout the book, there were a lot of tension of wanting and longing for each other. I was gripping my sheets while reading the book because I wanted the characters to be with each other as much as they wanted to be together. Overall, this book was well written and emotional. I do not want to write too much to prevent myself from spoiling but just so you know the book is much deeper than what I said and it is really good. So please mark your calendar, A Song To Drown a River is out on October 1st!!

This was a fairly quick read for me, but I did not think it was very compelling.

This was written like a spoken tale or a fable so stylistically I understand why it was simplistic. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

There were plot details that were introduced that did not end up having any payoff, like her learning how to play an instrument until her fingers were bloody - to never end up picking an instrument up again for the rest of the story. The relationship she has with the king is frustrating, as it appears his affection is genuine and she feels guilty, but she doesn't try to influence him to be a better ruler. She only blindly follows the plot against him. The romantic subplot was also lacking for me.

The ending especially felt needlessly tragic but I'm not familiar with the story that this is based on so it's likely there is some context that I am missing.