Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to review!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 3
Plot development: 4
Characters: 3
Enjoyability: 3
Ease of Reading: 4

Overall rating: 3 out of 5

A Song to Drown River’s is a heartbreaking historical fantasy. Xishu’s beauty is a weapon used by kingdom to top a conquering kingdom. Just a pawn whose real feelings long for her trainer, Xishi wants revenge on those responsible for the death of her sister but her humanity remains through it all. Xishi is a strong heroine who will wow with her resolve to get the job done while breaking your heart with her all to real human side. This was an interesting fantasy with an epic feel but a sad ending. My voluntary, unbiased, and non mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

This book crushed me into a million pieces. I am barely hanging on by a thread and I can’t stop thinking about every. single. part. of. this. book. It’s safe to say that the author has not, to this day, written anything that has not been 5 stars. But this one broke me. And I need her next book to be a silly YA rom-com to fix my heartbreak or we’re gonna have some problems.

This book follows Xishi who is carrying the guilt of not being able to save her sister from the King's guards as she accepts her fate to give her family a better life and save the kingdom from a cruel ruler. Xishi's beauty comes at cost and now is the time to wield her weapon and defeat the Kingdom of Wu. But what happens when the evil you know is not the person you thought? Can she achieve her goal without gaining the label of traitor?
Things to expect: Eastern mythology, splendid world-building, tear-jerking, heart-wrenching forbidden love, and the dangers of beauty. Ann Liang's debut adult novel is as promising as her heartfelt YA fiction works that I truly adored.
Fanli is one of my favorite characters. And his forbidden love story with Xishi is vulnerable and full of sacrifice and heartbreak. I want more for these characters. I would characterize this as a romantsy and recommend it for all lovers of the genre. The pacing is well-executed, and the tension could be cut with a knife. I enjoyed the nuance and the revealing of even the most wicked characters to have fragility and goodness within them. And that our "good" characters can still have vengeful tendencies.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a digital review copy of this remarkable book in exchange for my honest opinions.

4.25 stars

I cried. Twice. This is a historical fantasy that broke my heart. Ann Liang’s worldbuilding and storytelling are fantastic. While the start of the book was slow, once Xishi got to the Wu empire, I could not put it down. Usually, when I read a fantasy, I want magic, and there is none to be had. The reason this did not get a higher rating was the slower start and the lack of magic. I do forgive the lack of magic because once the story picked up, I was invested.

I went into this book without knowing anything about the mythology of Xishi or Fanli. I’m happy to have no background knowledge because I did not know what to expect. The twists and turns, the political intrigue, the character deaths all pulled on my heartstrings.

I found Xishi’s complicated relationship with Fuchai so fascinating. The mixed emotions she has are perfectly human, and it makes the story so much more relatable. The reasons behind her decisions make sense, and I truly enjoyed the story because of them. Liang handles the tension of Xishi’s situation masterfully, and by the end, you’re invested.

The end was brutal. My heart broke for Xishi, Fanli, and Fuchai. I don’t cry often from books, but the tears were wrenched from me. I highly recommend this book to anyone, and I plan to check out more of Liang’s books.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

This is without a doubt one of the best books I’ve ever read. Xishi and Fanli’s love story made me ache- it’s beautiful, slow burn, forbidden, and could mean war if they’re caught.

This is one of the most beautifully written books-it’s the first book to make me feel the way Circe and The Song of Achilles did (although A Song to Drown Rivers is quite different). These characters and this story will be with me long after I’ve finished the book.

This was such a beautiful and heartbreaking story. It made me cry and FEEL. Used for her beauty Xishi is tasked by her kings advisor with becoming the enemies concubine and stealing his heart so that she can help steal his kingdom. I really enjoyed this fantasy retelling and I definitely recommend it for others, just read with tissues by your side! This was truly a sad, beautiful, and tragic love story 😢💕

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.

“A Song to Drown Rivers” surprised me in every good way possible. I was immediately drawn into the book thanks to the author’s masterful world-building and storytelling. With so many unpredictable characters and plot twists, I couldn’t put the book down because I had to know what was going to happen next!

The story is told from Xishi’s POV - a young woman living with her parents to help make ends meet in their small village. Thankfully, she’s a complex and extremely likable character. Xishi reminded me a bit of Disney’s Mulan, except that she doesn’t pretend to be a man to take her father’s place and join the army. Instead, Xishi uses her unnatural beauty as a weapon to serve as a spy for her county. Loyal, brave, and determined, she’s deeply devoted to her family and giving them a better life after the devastating loss of her younger sister.

Fanli was difficult to gauge in the beginning of the book, and I really wasn’t sure why Xishi liked him other than his good looks, but I changed my tune as the story slowly unfolded his complicated past, present, and future. I found myself on pins and needles waiting for him to show up throughout the story to savor the undeniable chemistry between him and Xishi.

I found myself torn by King Fuchai. Like Xishi, I wanted to hate him, but he was so full of passion and often wore his heart on his sleeve that I couldn’t help but warm up to him. Yes, he had some major faults and I still wanted Xishi to end up with Fanli, but what Fanli lacked in romance, Fuchai made up for with excess.

While I personally wasn’t the biggest fan of the book’s ending, I couldn’t bring myself to lower my rating to anything less than a 5. This powerful story brought out a lot of strong emotions in me. I felt like I was right by Xishi’s side through the entire book – feeling her pain, joy, and everything in between. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to teens, young adults, and adults who are interested in an epic historical fantasy. It’s one of the best adult fiction books I’ve read this year!

Wow. What beautiful writing, and such a wonderful mythological retelling. Liang has perfected the art of the slow burn, and I wanted even more of it. It's rare I find a book too short, but this one may have been. I'll definitely be handselling this one.

I really enjoyed the characters in this novel. It was a bit of a slow start for me but when we got to about 40% in, it started ROLLING. I couldn't put it down towards the end. Great story that flowed so smoothly. I thought I knew what was going to happen going in but I was so shocked! Such a good read and I can't wait to check out more by this author.

This book has been on my amazon pre-order for weeks now and when it came up I had to apply and I am so glad I was able to get a copy.

The book is beautifully written and it really had me feeling all the emotions in one go, I can't believe it was already over when that last page slapped me in the face.

Will I read it again? absolutely.
everyone I know is getting it for Christmas so I can talk their ears off about it.

Wow this book!! This book expertly weaves Eastern mythology, intricate world-building, and a heart-wrenching forbidden love story that delves into the essence of longing and yearning.

Her debut adult novel promises a captivating experience just like her beloved YA fiction works. The story unravels power struggles, espionage, and the allure of beauty, with deeply engaging characterizations. It highlights the complexity of characters, showing that good can have an evil side and evil can possess fragility and goodness. Fanli's emotional journey, filled with sacrifice and heartbreaking decisions, stands out among the characters. Equally compelling is Xishi, who must use her beauty as a weapon while facing personal dilemmas and questioning her alliances. As the tension rises and risks escalate, the story grips us with its political intricacies and character dynamics. Liang's adept storytelling leaves us eager for more, catapulting us into another captivating world of mysteries and romance. I absolutely adored the story and the characters!

This novel comes highly recommended for all romantasy enthusiasts. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

Eastern mythology, splendid world-building, and a tear-jerking, heart-wrenching forbidden love story that delves into the true meaning of yearning and longing stole my heart and won me over! Ann Liang's debut adult novel is as promising as her heartfelt YA fiction works that I truly adored.

This book delves into power games, espionage, and the irresistible power of beauty, with great characterization that allows us to engage with each character deeply. It reveals that even the most evil characters harbor fragility and goodness within, while the supposedly good characters also possess vengeful and evil sides. However, the most captivating character is Fanli, whose heartfelt backstory showcases his vulnerability, especially when he sacrifices his love for the greater good of the kingdom. Witnessing him let go of the woman he loves, allowing her to be with the enemy, breaks our hearts. Similarly, Xishi carries the guilt of not being able to save her little sister from the vindictive king's guards, accepting her fate to ensure a better life for her family and to save the kingdom from a cruel ruler. Despite her beauty, Xishi's life comes at a cost, as she must wield it as a weapon to tame the beast and defeat the kingdom of Wu, putting her own life in danger. However, she begins to question whether the evil she knows might not be the person she thinks.

Can she achieve her goal without being labeled a traitor, maintaining her mask even as the risks escalate?

I found myself wishing Xishi and Fanli deserved more, without giving away too many spoilers. Their forbidden love story deeply touched my heart. Overall, the rising tension, intelligent political maneuvers, realistic character analysis, and well-executed pacing make this reading experience truly captivating. After finishing this book, I'm eager to dive into another Ann Liang novel to indulge in another perfect binge-reading experience! I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all lovers of romantasy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a digital review copy of this remarkable book in exchange for my honest opinions.

The kinda sorta love triangle… the forbidden romance… the sympathetic villain… the slight dose of fantasy. Chefs kiss. Beautiful standalone, I could cry just thinking about the ending.

Did I start reading this book because of the cover and the Chinese author? Yes okay, yes.

Was I also holding back tears reading this on the train ride home today? Also yes.

When I tell you my JAW DROPPED. And what that last page did to me, I can’t even explain. Seriously, how dare you.

Thanks NetGalley and the publishers and all that jazz but seriously, wtf have you done to me

Thank you NetGalley for providing ARC.
From the first page, I loved the author's writing. It's a very emotional book with amazing multi-layered characters, slow-burn love, loyalty, and lots of tragedy. This book will break your heart, but you will love it. 4.5⭐️

Intense, atmospheric, and emotional. This book was SO GOOD. One of the best I've read this year. I pre-ordered it and can't wait to get my copy and re-read it. The writing was just gorgeous and from the very first lines I was hooked. I'm not sure how Ms. Liang did it, but the chemistry and energy between all these characters was palpable in even the smallest of exchanges. The story did not go the way I was expecting and I was pleasantly surprised by that even as I shed a few tears at the end. An excellent book all around. Highly recommend.

While I rarely venture into the fantasy genre, "A Song to Drown Rivers" pulled me in with its basis in Chinese history - and I blazed through this novel in less than a weekend.

Inspired by the story of Xi Shi (西施), one of four Great Beauties of China, the novel takes on her first person perspective growing up in Zhuji, a small village in the kingdom of Yue. From a young age, she has known to fear their enemy kingdom Wu, especially having witnessed the death of her younger sister at the hands of the Wu soldiers. An unexpected encounter with a mysterious swordsman leads to her inclusion into a dangerous scheme, one that will put both her and her childhood friend Zhengdan in the middle of enemy territory, as a gifted concubine to the Wu emperor Fuchai. She and Zhengdan are trained in secret by Fanli, the Yue emperor's military advisor, in order to succeed in their task - but as time progresses, it becomes harder for Xi Shi to deny her true feelings.

From the first page, the writing was enthralling and spell-binding, transporting me to the early years of China and crafting a strong and multi-layered protagonist. Xi Shi has been told all her life that she is beautiful - a trait that causes her frustration and annoyance as she realizes that little else about her matters. Her loyalty to her kingdom as well as her desire to help are finally put to use when she's presented with an opportunity to change the course of history, and that remains the core of all her following actions. The storytelling is sublime, with rich descriptions of the setting and environments, deeply emotional movements, and a steady and controlled pacing throughout. While there are elements of romance threaded throughout this novel, it didn't feel front-and-center, which I appreciated as well.

Very much a recommended read when "A Song to Drown Rivers" is published in October 2024!

A normal (yet exceptionally beautiful) young woman called Xishi is recruited by her country's top advisor to become an insurgent spy. Her country, Yu, has been under occupation by their neighboring country, Wu, and she and her people have been suffering under an oppressive regime for over a decade. Xishi hates the Wu for the terror they have wrought through the years of their violent colonization and hesitantly agrees to become spy. She is trained to become the perfect courtesan and beguile the Wu king into falling madly in love with her. Xishi gives up everything to begin her mission: her family, her autonomy, her free will, her loved ones. As an insurgent courtesan, Xishi goes as far as to sacrifice her identity for the greater good of her people. Will her efforts be enough, or will she remain locked in her purgatory and damn both kingdoms forevermore?

This book includes:
- use of feminine wiles towards a greater goal
- extreme yearning
- sacrifice for the greater good, regardless of the person cost
- strength in the face of devastation
- intelligent FMC with a high EQ
- an exploration of humanity vs conflict

This book is PHENOMENAL! I can't stop thinking about "A Song to Drown Rivers." This story is so expertly crafted with gorgeous prose and a deep exploration into Xishi's complex inner world. Her character is so well written and I felt the impact of each of the devastating decisions she was forced to make like I was making them myself. I was on the edge of my seat for every single page of the book, and the end left me sobbing.

If you like the way "A Song of Achilles" left you feeling, you will love this book. If you love complicated female heros, you will love this book. If you enjoy explorations into the humanity of one's enemy, you will looooooove this book. Lastly, if you're a fan of "To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods," this book is also for you.

I received this ebook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Ann Liang, and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads - check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863

Beautiful writing, flows very nicely and gives a beautiful voice to our main character. The world building was easy to follow and really set the scene for what Xishi goes through while in and out of court. nk you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

OH MY HEART!

This will be short, since there's still several months before release and I will spoil things if I try to talk about what I most want to.

The writing quality is a woven tapestry of such high caliber, it becomes another palpable thing in each room, in each scene, a breath of life that burnishes each piece of jade, each shining blade, each sweep of hair across a shoulder, every bird call, and scrape of a leaf along a wet stone pathway.

Know this, going in. It will rend your heart. You might even remember in yourself the echoes of the eons of time your soul has lived and learned. Of all the characters in the book, it's war and revenge, fate and folly, unembodied but visceral, that call out the loudest to be seen and understood.

Very recommended.