Ann Liang's A Song to Drown Rivers is a heartbreakingly good read. She weaves a tale of star-crossed love, sacrifice, betrayal, and the blurred lines of war. Eastern mythology and her skillful world-building set the stage for a tear-jerking, heart-wrenching story.

The novel is a page-turner, filled with political intrigue, unexpected twists, and emotional depth. Liang's writing is lush and evocative, making the reader feel every moment of tension and heartache. The romance, while central, is perfectly balanced with the broader themes of loyalty, identity, and redemption.

Ann Liang's storytelling is nothing short of mesmerizing. Her ability to create unpredictable plot twists combined with deeply emotional character arcs sets this novel apart. Xishi's strength and vulnerability make her a heroine to root for, and her journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring. This book is an absolute must-read for romantasy lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book!

A Song to Drown Rivers isn't in the genre of books I normally pick up, but the description and the gorgeous cover art caught my attention and I decided to give it a shot. I was completely blown away by not just the beauty of the story of Xishi and Fanli, but by the absolute poetry of Ann Liang's storytelling.

The story begins with a chance encounter in Xishi's rural village on an ordinary day, and builds into an epic story of political intrigue, strategy, weaponized beauty, and one of the best forbidden love stories I've ever read. 5 stars, no notes, I love this book and can't wait to read more by this brilliant author. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy.

⭐️ 3.5 stars-

As someone who considers Ann Liang to be one of my favorite authors, believe me when I say that no one is more disappointed by this book than me. But also believe me when I say how shocked I am by the fact that I seem to maybe be the only person who didn’t like this book very much? Let me explain.

I’ll start at the beginning. The first act of this book…a bit of a snooze fest. It felt like the romantic leads had no chemistry and also like the main character had no personality, which is so astronomically different from Liang’s other books that I found myself genuinely baffled while reading. Nothing was really going on, and anything that was going on was told mostly in summary. And for a historical romance (that’s apparently supposed to be a fantasy? Someone please tell me where the fantasy is…this was a historical novel 95% of the book tbh), Liang’s writing style still feels strangely modern on occasion (maybe I’m just too used to her usual writing style), and there’s a lack of historical detail that left me feeling disjointed from the setting and the characters’ personalities in their time period. It didn’t really feel like Liang was particularly familiar with historical genre conventions when she wrote this novel. I just don’t know if this genre meshes very well with her writing style.

A lot of disappointments in the beginning. So many, in fact, that I put this book aside for months. But then I picked it up again, mostly because I had the ARC and felt obligated to push through because of it. And although my former complaints about the modernity of the writing style still hold, the second act picked up significantly in terms of pacing. The second love interest was introduced (oh, yeah, this is a love triangle :/ I kind of hate love triangles because I get attached/feel bad for the secondary love interest and hate not knowing who to root for, so maybe that was also part of my problem with this novel) and I preferred him vastly to the first, even though it’s very obvious which love interest is endgame (not him 🥲). Fanli=no personality. Fuchai=so adorable! exceptionally Cardan Greenbriar coded! He should have been endgame and I don’t care about any and all reasons to the contrary (him being evil and also a murderer…I don’t care! He deserved better 😭). Anyway, I enjoyed the second act significantly more because occasionally I could convince myself that Fuchsia was endgame and not Fanli and I just ate up any scenes where he was present. He was one of the few characters with personality, along with her best friend. But the literal main character, Xishi, honestly had the least personality of them all in my opinion, and Fanli wasn’t much better. I was confused and am still confused as to why Xishi and Fanli were attracted to each other, as well as how/when they formed such an intense bond? I never saw any of their connection on page, so therefore all of Xishi’s motivations in respect to him just made no sense to me.

So, from the second act on, I got into this book, even if I still wasn’t particularly happy about where the plot and the romance were going. But the ending???? Well, there were a lot of twists. And I’m not going to spoil anything, but I will say that the first bit of twists did break my heart a lot, just like everyone said it would. For a book that I’d been fairly uninvested in, emotionally, it still made me shed a couple tears (likely out of pure shock…like WOW it was crazy), so I can’t imagine how heartbroken I would have been if I’d been more emotionally invested. But the second bit of twists...uhmm…huh?? It was all so bizarre and weird and sad and strange I was having a hard time buying any of it. There’s nothing wrong with a sad ending, but there was such a supreme lack of closure in terms of plot, even if you could argue that the romance had closure. What I mean by a lack of closure is that, throughout this book, the themes explore the futility of trying to choose a “right” side in a war and the pitfalls of black and white morality. I was really looking forward to seeing that discussion be developed fully and concluded on. In the height of the climax, it was getting somewhere, but by the end, I found myself a little lost in what was happening with the morality argument. It was left a little too open-ended for my tastes.

Overall, this book was a mixed bag. There were aspects I really enjoyed, others I was confused by, and others I was disappointed by. A lot of things about this book felt disjointed/poorly executed to me, and for that I do not particularly recommend it, but also, I do not think it was a *bad* or terrible book in any way, and I can definitely see why a lot of people would enjoy it, especially as the last third was quite thrilling and full of variously enjoyable twists and turns. 🎑🌜⚔️

thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

2.5 Stars—

I hope this book finds its audience, that audience is not me.

First for the positives, I did enjoy the writing style and the idea of the story had merit. The characters were likeable and the romance had potential!

HOWEVER
It’s like when we got past start, it all fell apart. The plot was nonexistent, the romance was not there and then BAM we were expected to believe it was fully formed. Everything happened at the last 5% and even that wasn’t satisfactory


SPOILER



And the ending!? Absolutely not. I felt like all the trudging I did to get through the book wasn’t worth it by then. Why? It made absolutely no sense and served no purpose other than shock value.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for this ARC of A Song to Drown Rivers in exchange for an honest review. I really love a good “female rage” or rather, a “female tragedy” story, but I kept on waiting for this story to get better and it would incrementally but then dip down. The writing was a bit inconsistent and the imagery just felt like it was there to be there. It just kind of faded as the story went on. Beautiful but lackluster overall.

Definitely a beautiful read. Loved the imagery and the time this took to unfold.
Definitely takes you into a different world …………
3.5 stars

4.5 stars. Who knew a fantasy could be tightly plotted and under 400 pages?!

It’s important for romance readers to know — this is a love story, not a romance. That being said, it was a really great fantasy love story. The story was fast-paced and never dawdled. There is a sort-of love triangle, which I’m sure some people will be mad about how it ends, but I personally thought it was a fantastic resolution to that plot point.

A Song to Drown Rivers offers a compelling star-crossed romance without succumbing to clichés. However, if you seek a traditional fantasy narrative, be mindful that such elements are secondary here. Instead, the novel reads more like a historical reimagining of the Xishi legend than a typical fantasy tale.

A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang 5/5 ⭐️
Releases October 1, 2024

This may be one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read, the cover is also stunning. I did not know what to expect from this book, but all of my expectations were surpassed greatly. I felt probably every emotion- I was happy and smiling at some parts while crying at others (I’m not kidding, I actually cried).

All of the characters were so well written. Ann Liang did such a great job making me hate certain characters and love others, and then making me question if I actually hated/loved them. By the end I actually found myself being fond of Fuchai ❤️‍🩹 On that note, I love love love Fanli.

The politics in this book were so fascinating- I will say a lot of this book is political. The worldbuilding was easy to understand and the plot kept me interested the entire time.

I already preordered a physical copy of this book, it was that good. I need Ann Liang to write more Asian inspired historical fantasy!

*I received this book as an ARC but the opinions are my own

Beautiful cover and a beautiful book. I will be posting more of my thoughts closer to the publication date. But I truly enjoyed this one and I’m looking forward to picking a copy of the book up for myself.

*Full review to be posted closer to publication*

What a gorgeous story! A Song to Drown Rivers had an extremely strong start that seemed to lack consistent momentum throughout the entire book, but overall provided a really entertaining and beautifully written story. This story is inspired by Xishi, one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China, and I thought Ann Liang did a wonderful job incorporating this culture into the story. Although this book does lean into some tropes, I think it did a good job of preventing getting too cliche or overly stereotypical. Overall, a really beautiful story that I had a great time with!

Do not read this if you don't want your heart shattered. A Song to Drown Rivers is a great star-crossed romance that never falls into trope-y traps. But if you're looking for a true fantasy novel, be warned that those elements play a very minor part in the story. It reads much more like a historical retelling of the legend of Xishi than a fantasy retelling.

🌕 𝔸 𝕊𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 𝔻𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕟 ℝ𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕤 🌕

Inspired by Xishi, one of the Four Beauties
In Ancient China, this story brings to life the legend of how her beauty was used as weapon against the enemy kingdom that had terrorized her country.

I enjoy a good femme fatale story, as well as retellings, and I really wanted to love this book. It had so much potential. However, It was literary equivalent of going on a beach vacation, just for it to be overcast the entire time. You’re glad it’s not raining, and there’s still some local activities you can enjoy, but it’s just not the getaway you had planned.

The story starts out really strong and the descriptions create wonderful imagery as you’re reading. Xishi is an incredibly humble and sweet girl, who only wants to do the right thing for her people. I couldn’t help but get attached to her, and as she’s going through her training I found myself cheering her on the entire time. However, she was the only character that is well developed. All the rest felt fairly one dimensional.

The second half is where things began to really fall flat. There are places where the timeline becomes really confusing, and I struggled with putting the narrative together. Another issue I had is that the author sets the story up to make quite a few impactful messages about war and its effects on humanity, but none of them land as well as they could. You definitely get a sense of what she’s trying to say, but it’s like trying to hear with ear plugs in. Why? I’m not entirely sure, I only know that it was lacking the necessary ingredient to really leave an impression.

For what it’s worth, like an overcast vacation, it was alright. Not great, but not the epic retelling I was hoping for. Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pub Date: September 30, 2024

Little known in the west, the classic Chinese legend of Xi Shi, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. Paralleling the Greek tale of Helen of Troy, Xi Shi is also a military pawn between to warring states. It was said that she was so beautiful upon seeing her fish would forget to swim, sinking to
the bottom. Recruited by the noble warrior, Fanli, she is trained to become an imperial spy for the now subordinate birth kingdom. Liang writes from Xi Shi's point of view, sharing her thoughts and fears. Paramount in the story is the forbidden love she feels for Fanli. The setting is beautifully realized, the reader feels that they are also a part of the story. The poignant beauty of their love contrasted with the never ending suspicions and court intrigue suggest this will become a best seller.

Very highly recommended.

Full disclosure I received this ARC from netgalley and Tor in exchange for an unbiased review.

4.25 ⭐️
I went into this book expecting a fun, plot-heavy romance with political intrigue and instead got one of the most heart-wrenching character-driven reading experiences of my life.

Xishi’s character development was the foundation of this story and I loved how nuanced and complicated her feelings were, especially towards the end. Ann Liang effortlessly weaves each character’s story in a way that feels wholly organic without sacrificing the complexity of her characters, and I especially liked that these complexities were explored through Xishi’s point of view as a means of developing her character.

The pacing was also incredible! This book was so hard to put down and I loved that it went in a direction I wasn’t expecting at all (in the very best way). That being said, I think this premise needed more detail plot-wise to really shine; so many events were barely mentioned despite them being integral to the story.

Ultimately, this was a great book and would be perfect for anyone who typically reads plot-driven books and is looking to branch out into something a little more character-driven.

I have more feelings than words for A Song to Drown Rivers. This is Ann Liang’s debut historical fantasy and it sure delivers. ❤️‍🩹

The synopsis mentions it being a story of “womanhood, war, sacrifice and love against all odds” and I truly think that encapsulates this book.

Xishi is given the opportunity avenge her sister’s death and to use her beauty as a weapon by becoming a spy for her kingdom. Her task? Woo the enemy king and weaken them from within.

I thought all of the characters were so well developed. Liang took the time to show you no single character can be solely good or bad, but a spectrum of decisions in between.

I wanted more from the story in the sense that I could have read many more pages and been so completely enraptured by it!

What you get:
+ historical fantasy
+ forbidden romance
+ powerful fmc
+ kingdoms at war
+ scheming
+ ya

I’ll be screaming about this book to anyone who will listen from now on and it will surely stick with me for a while. I cannot wait to get my hands on the physical copy.

This was such a beautiful book. I love stories like this, legends and myths from cultures different than my own. This book was so well written, so beautifully crafted, that I ached for the characters as if they were my friends.

Xishi and Fanli’s story was heartbreaking, but just as poignant was Fuchai’s tale. His love was blazing and it hurt how bravely he met his end.

I loved this book so much and would give it at least ten stars if I could.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Xishi’s & Fanli’s stories are ones that I did not know prior to reading A Song to Drown Rivers, but they’ll stick with me long after finishing. Xishi is a young woman living in Yue, which has been conquered by the kingdom of Wu. Xishi is beautiful, enough so that she is chosen by Fanli to be trained in seduction and sent undercover to Fuchai, the King of Wu, as part of an elaborate plan to secure revenge against the Yue’s brutal conquerors. What results is a story full of longing, heartache, sacrifice, and suspense.

I gave this book 4.5 stars because I enjoyed it on so many levels. First, the writing was beautiful. Liang is descriptive yet concise. This book accomplished more in 290 pages than many do in 400-plus. Second, the story was beautiful, and that isn’t just thanks to history; Liang brought Xishi to life. I have nothing in common with her, but I felt every emotion she felt thanks to the character Liang created by the liberties she took to humanize Xishi. Third, this book had me on the edge of my seat. The deception & espionage is STRESSFUL in the best way.

In sum - if you couldn’t tell - I recommend this!


Give A Song to Drown Rivers a try if you like:
•strong female friendship
•forbidden love
•political intrigue
•historical retellings

the mind destroys, the heart devours

rating: 4.25

the fact that this is the same author that wrote i hope this never finds you is crazyyy (/pos). i enjoyed IHTNFY, it's just a total 180 going from a YA contemporary romcom to this fantasy tragedy in a fictional ancient china. it's a testament to her writing bc if i hadn't known it was the same author, i would never have guessed.

a beautiful but tragic tale of the most beautiful woman from a distant village conscripted to seduce and betray the king of a neighboring kingdom who ruthlessly took over hers. the YEARNING between xishi and fanli was crazyyyy. i was impressed with the writing, as there were very poetic lines and felt very true to the time period/genre, but there was also a simplicity and pacing to it where i never felt bogged down. i was actually able to read this very quickly, and i needed to know if xishi and fanli would succeed in their mission and reunite.

overall, i enjoyed it and but there were a few small things i think could be improved. emotionally though, i'm devastated please give me 5-10 business days to recover 😭 there are romance elements, but fair warning, this is not a romance with a perfect happy ending.

Beautifully written and made me cry. Full of complex characters and moral dilemmas. I couldn't put it down and read it in a day.