Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to its release!

A Song to Drown Rivers is an absolute masterpiece. I was instantly captivated by Xishi and Fanli’s story. The sexual tension between the them and then the character development with her “fake husband” was amazing. It actually made me wish this wasn’t YA because I would have loved to see them all behind closed doors.

This was my first book by Ann Liang and it certainly won’t be my last. As someone who typically finds historical fiction novels a little slow, I was pleasantly surprised with how interested I was in the story and I was unable to put it down.

Arc provided by Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

**around 3.5 stars

the problem with fast paced books for me is that they can easily go from fast to rushed. i feel i would’ve liked this even more if we just got a little more time to develop relationship dynamics and characters. instead we were hopping from plot point to plot point so fast i never quite felt like it had time to breathe. while the writing was good, and i really loved the setting and atmosphere, i felt there was a lack of time put into making sure the relationship we’re supposed to care so much about is fully fleshed out.

i think i’m being a little harsher on it because it’s supposed to be an adult fantasy and it just really felt like i was reading a YA novel. i don’t think simply making your characters be in their early 20’s instead of late teens is enough to call a book adult. still, i can see why people will really love this book and i did think the ending packed a good punch. overall there were just some issues that stopped me from being truly invested.

A Song To Drown Rivers is a compelling Historical Romance based upon the Chinese legend of Xishi, one of the four beauties in Ancient China. In A Song To Drown Rivers, Xishi is given the opportunity to use her exquisite beauty as a weapon to infiltrate the Kingdom of Wu. Specifically, Xishi will use her beauty to make the King fall to his knees for her, allowing for an inside takedown of the Kingdom.

Tropes you’ll find in A Song To Drown Rivers:
- Forbidden love
- Based on legend / retelling
- Morally grey characters
- Betrothed to the enemy

A Song To Drown Rivers is my first Ann Liang book and I had a lot of fun reading this! It was captivating and easy to read, somehow making “historical” beautiful. Although the writing was a little more juvenile than I would have liked for an Adult fiction novel.
Interestingly though, I’m unsure as to why this is marketed as “Historical Fantasy”, “Epic Historical Fantasy”, or just “Fantasy” in general. There was absolutely zero fantasy elements aside from maybe the last 2% (even then) of the book.

The characters were fine, I would have enjoyed more character development. For being an “epic romance” I found most of the romance building was actually done… off page? We were only given a glimpse of the dynamic that would have built this “epic romance”. Honestly it felt a little forced, the way it unfolded on page.

A Song To Drown Rivers definitely tugs at the heart strings so grab some tissues. For being written to tell the story of an old Ancient Chinese legend, you’ll never feel like you’re in a stuffy classroom or that the lesson is dragging. It’s a fun read that is captivating and devastating.

The prose of a poet and a truly beautiful book! An amazing, and heartbreaking, story that immediately draws you in and gently unspools keeping you enchanted the entire time.

I wasn’t aware going into this book that this was a retelling of a traditional tale and feared in the beginning that Xishi was going to be another “not like other girls” girl that have been popular in fantasy recently. This absolutely wasn’t the case and her motivations and characterization were well defined and compelling.

I think this will be a five star read for many people. Unfortunately, I was not in the headspace for a tragic story and for this reason it didn’t resonate as much with me as it might for others. Absolutely no fault of the book - just the type of story that I generally prefer. However, I would like to reread this book at a later date since I’m now prepared for all the emotions that the ending made me feel!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I have been provided with a review copy of this title from NetGalley for an impartial review. I was just drawn into this story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. I was so disappointed to turn the last page and I immediately wanted more. I can’t wait to see what's next from this author.

When beauty is wielded as a weapon. A weapon to save a kingdom. A kingdom that betrays.

Xishi's beauty is renowned for her beauty in her village. One day, Fanli, young advisor to King Goujian, approaches Xishi's family with a plan. They will train Xishi to be a perfect concubine and send her as a gift to King Fuchai. She will work as an undercover spy.

The story that unfolds is one filled with longing, fear, and intrigue. It's captivating and just the right amount of gut-wrenching. Helen of Troy's beauty launched a war. Xishi's beauty saved a kingdom.

One of my favorite things about this book is the balance. We first meet Xishi by the river, when Fanli suddenly appears. And we see Xishi for the last time, by the river when Fanli arrives. There's a poetry in it. One I lack the words to describe. But it's beautifully heartbreaking.

If there's one thing Ann Liang does really well, is weave an enticing tale of love and angst. It's her bread and butter and I am all here for it. This novel broke my heart. And it is very well worth it.

Rating: 4.25/5

* ARC courtesy of NetGalley *

I almost don't have words to describe this book. It was beautiful and heart breaking and, while I found myself crying frequently I also enjoyed that it was making me cry. The world building was immaculate - I could easily feel the silk and smell the incense within my own mind. It was lovingly told and tragic and, even though the ending was not one I desired, it was one that I admired.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC to A Song to Drown Rivers. I LOVED this book. I definitely think this will be one of my top if not my top book of the year. I loved the plot, the setting, and the characters so much. The relationship between Fanli and Xishi alongside the relationship of Xishi and Fuchai had me literally bawling and fully engaged literally all of the book. My only complaint was the last 10 percent of the book. It ended differently than I would have hoped, but nonetheless I LOVED this book. I will definitely be recommending this book to other readers!

A Song to Drown Rivers captivated me from the start and held my attention (for the most part) until the last few words. It is SO beautifully written and I wish I had not finished it so quickly. I would have liked it to be longer and the politics to be more complex. However, I still can't wait to add the physical book to my collection once it is out!.

my rating= 4.45/5 (rounded down to a 4) <-- this may change upon a re-read+ further rumination

5 STAR READ!

This book completely swept me away! It's an absolutely beautiful, enchanting, heartbreaking story that made me cry and actually hurt me so much... in a good way!

Xishi finds herself in a precarious position when a prominent military strategist recognizes her beauty and offers her a unique opportunity: infiltrate the enemy palace, captivate their morally questionable king, and weaken them from within. Being trained, Xishi hones her allure into a deadly weapon, but complications arise as she is drawn to her target. The narrative is filled with tension as danger looms and betrayal threatens to undo everything.

Liang's writing is both eloquent and immersive, transporting readers to a captivating world where love and loyalty collide. Each page is a vivid tapestry of detail, bringing the story's settings to life. The characters are expertly crafted, making the novel a sensory delight. The worldbuilding in this novel is simply breathtaking. Liang has created a richly imagined world that is both enchanting and thought-provoking.

I am someone who tends to enjoy love triangles, BUT they have to really be done right, or they are awful. Liang executed this trope flawlessly. The perspectives of the three main characters unfold in a way that defies conventional romance, with each embodying different facets of sacrifice and moral complexity. The evolving dynamics between them are tender yet fraught with tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. At the heart of the story is the forbidden romance between Xishi and Fanli, which adds an extra layer of intensity to the narrative. Liang expertly navigates themes of courtly intrigue and emotional concealment, crafting a gripping and emotionally resonant story.

Overall, "A Song to Drown Rivers" is a fantastic read. The ending, though heartbreaking, feels true to the storyline and leaves a lasting impact. I really can't wait for everyone to get their hands on this book. It really is just so absolutely breathtaking and I loved it so darn much.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars

I finished this this afternoon, and I am still processing. The world building was extremely rich, and the characters well developed. They all had so many facets, strengths, and flaws. Which made them oddly relatable despite being in a completely unrelatable setting.

Without giving any spoilers, the ending caught me off guard. Bring tissues.

Recommended.

4.5 ⭐️

Omg this book was soooo good and heartbreaking!

I didn’t know anything about Xishi and the legend surrounding her. I just knew my heart would be torn in shreds because chinese mythology stories are always so tragic.

There is a forbidden romance in this with lots of angst and tension.

I loved Fanli and how much he loved her. I can’t say too much without giving anything away but this was such a good story.

I was immersed in the very beginning. I literally didn’t want to out it down because I had to know what was going to happen.

I honestly didn’t expect to like a certain character.. actually, I can’t even say I like that character but I felt sympathy towards them.

There was a scene that made me cry! Omg.. I was not expecting it.. but then again I kindof did due to an incident prior.

I’ve never red any of Ann Liang’s books but this is her debut adult fantasy and I am here for it! I planned on reading her YA contemporary romances but I hope she writes more fantasy because she is talented and I will read them all!

My first ARC from Netgalley!

This is probably Ann Liang's best work right now. The complexity of her characters and their rude awakening to the cost of war is tragic and powerful and beautiful.

This was truly a magical and compelling read and it's so hard not to dive into the spoilers on here about how I feel about so many different little details, but oh gosh, this book was so worth it.

Ann Liang is an insanely talented writer. I have so much admiration for her work. Because I've only read her YA romance before this, I wasn't sure what to expect out of A Song to Drown Rivers - but I am once again in awe by what Ann Liang can do. This is a whole nother realm to what she is capable of and I would love to see more!

This book is what I mean when I say I love political intrigue in fantasy/historical fiction books. I mostly requested this book because the cover is gorgeous, but I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I became so attached to all of the characters, and completely drawn in by the complex and layered characterization, rich descriptions, and political suspense. All of the characters felt like real people, and that made the story even more heart-wrenching. I sat down planning to read for an hour or so, and I ended up reading the book in one sitting. I was completely transported into the world Liang has crafted. This book deserves so much more attention than it's getting as a future release, and I really hope that as more early reviewers get to it, it's going to get the credit it deserves. I think this book has the potential to draw in a lot of different kinds of readers. I see that Liang has written some young adult romance and magical realism, which I'm definitely interested in picking up now, but I think she's potentially found her niche in this type of book, and I would love to experience her take on other elements of mythology and history.

trying to write this review and currently holding back tears. wow. what a magnificent book this is. a song to drown rivers is the type of literature that is transcendent… art in its purest form. i can’t describe the way my heart was touched by this story. i was so invested in xishi and fanli and fuchai and zhendang. i really don’t have words right now because the last 75 pages of this book shattered me. i think that there is so much to take away from this book, and perhaps i will have more to say later, but for now i am just in awe.

when i say the SECOND i finished paper 2 (thats a lie, i have more exams coming up) i started fully devouring the arc.

this is, without hesitation, ann's best book to date. one of the best journeys i've had is reading miss ann's book children from if you could see the sun to a song to drown rivers and its been amazing to see ann settle into her voice of writing (if that makes sense LMAO). it's the way ann somehow crafted this story where you root for all three leads (xishi, fanli, AND fuchai). wow what a surprise, i'm rooting for the enemy? but no by the end, i didn't even hate him. i just felt so bad for the king he deserved sm better. not to say that xishi and fanli didn't (THEY DO BECAUSE I SAW THE ENDING COMING A MILE AWAY I GUESSED IT RIGHT AND MY HEART STILL HURTS.)

the risky mission that xishi has to carry out will have you on edge for the entire story. where the enemy could discover the truth of why she's in the wu kingdom at any time. when you think xishi has succeeded in some component, something else happens to completely throw you off balance along with her. i truly wish zhengdan and luyi had more time in the spotlight because they, along with the main cast, were my favorites. zhengdan was the little sister that xishi could have again, and luyi was the elder brother neither of them had but did. the time spent training before heading off into the wu kingdom was such a comfort to me because of how their dynamic was, despite how it wasn't as touched on as the tension between xishi and fanli (for obvious reasons)

on the bright side, i am quite glad that [redacted] was not the traitor. the person that xishi was warned to look out for. i was so scared the final like 10% of the book BECAUSE WHAT IF, YOU KNOW? it didn't seem likely, but that's what everyone would say about most plot twists. im very thankful it wasn't [redacted] if it was i fear my heart has gone through too much for it to recover again.

i will in fact be recommending this book to all of my friends. and if they wont read it, i will buy it for them and annotate the book to gift them because this is just THAT book. it deserves over 5 stars, it deserves more than 10 it deserves the whole world.

to be honest, though, you know who else deserves the whole world? xishi, fanli, fuchai, zhengdan, and luyi. <3

tysm to netgalley for letting me have a DRC !

This retelling of the Chinese legend of Xishi is cinematic, suspenseful, immersive, and romantic.

Xishi was born a rare beauty, her looks unparalleled in the Yue kingdom and beyond. Hidden away from the world by parents who hoped to protect her, gossip of her looks still spread far and wide -- bringing a mysterious stranger to her door and setting her off on a journey to infiltrate an enemy kingdom and topple an empire. Trained by military mastermind Fanli, who happens to be as handsome as he is intelligent, she prepares to seduce the enemy king and gain his trust as a spy. If she fails, both her life and her people are on the line.

The writing in this was extremely cinematic, with immersive settings and scenes that paint vivid pictures in your mind. I imagine this must have taken a heck of a lot of research to build such an intricate historical setting with so much vibrant detail.

I also really liked the characters, who felt well developed and each had their own motivations and complexities.

The "chess game" of Xishi infiltrating the Wu kingdom was very well done, and made for a riveting read to see how well she would hold her own against kings and military experts. I also like the message that the book has in the end about war, and about who suffers most when kings and armies clash.

There was a big romance element that I wasn't expecting. Romance usually isn't my thing (I'm heartless, I know!) But I think for lots of readers that'll be a value add. I can definitely say that the romantic tension was tied into the plot well and drove the story forward in a key way.

4.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this ARC to read and review.

I enjoyed this book. This book is fast paced and the storyline is interesting- I couldn’t put it down. I liked the main characters Xishi and Franli. A must read!

Truly an addictive read that left a lasting impression the size of a crater on my heart. I will spoil nothing; just go read this one ASAP!

This book was unexpected. I quickly became immersed in the story, not quite knowing exactly where it was heading and I have to say I did NOT expect that ending. But what a beautiful way to end this book! Really enjoyed this one and look forward to more from this author..