This is quite simply a mesmerizing tale of beauty, betrayal, and courage. “A Song to Drown Rivers” by Ann Liang is a captivating tapestry woven with threads of ancient legends, forbidden love, and the indomitable spirit of a young woman. Ultimately, this is a triumph of storytelling. This book will haunt your dreams, linger in your thoughts, and leave you yearning for more. I highly recommend this read for fans of historical fantasy and epic romance.

Liang's lyrical voice transports us to a world where beauty is both a blessing and a curse, and where love and loyalty collide. Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous kingdom, this epic historical fantasy transports readers to a world where beauty conceals danger, and sacrifice becomes a symphony.

Meet Xishi. Her beauty is both a blessing and a curse. The villagers believe that a girl's best fate lies in a prosperous marriage, but Xishi harbours a secret purpose. When she captures the attention of the renowned military advisor, her life takes an unexpected turn. He offers her a rare opportunity: to wield her beauty as a weapon against the rival kingdom. To achieve this, Xishi must infiltrate the enemy palace, seduce their immoral king, and weaken them from within. Trained by the military advisor, she hones her allure into a lethal blade, but the attraction between them blurs the lines of deception. As Xishi climbs higher in the enemy court, danger looms, and betrayal threatens to unravel everything.

This is a lyrical masterpiece that I was immersed in and couldn’t leave - I read this in one sitting! We enter a world of political intrigue, forbidden desire, and the clash of empires. Liang's prose flows like a silken river, carrying us through lush landscapes, opulent palaces, and treacherous corridors. Her vivid descriptions evoke the scent of lotus blossoms, the rustle of silk, and the taste of forbidden fruit.

In this novel, we get a heroine for the ages. Her beauty is her armour, her weapon, and her curse. Liang skillfully portrays her inner conflict: the desire for vengeance versus the longing for love. Xishi's journey from a village girl to a spy in the enemy court is a testament to her resilience and cunning. Her relationship with certain people crackles with tension, and their forbidden romance adds layers of complexity to the plot.

The world-building is exquisite! Liang seamlessly blends historical accuracy with fantastical elements. The court intrigues, the delicate dance of alliances, and the simmering tensions between kingdoms come alive. The mythical creatures, from the river spirits to the moon dragons, add an enchanting touch. The pacing is relentless, propelling us toward a climax that leaves us breathless. As stated previously, I could not put this book down. I was in it until the last page from the moment I finished the first page.

Liang's exploration of womanhood is poignant. Xishi defies societal norms, challenging the roles assigned to her gender. She grapples with duty, sacrifice, and the cost of wielding her beauty as a weapon. The novel celebrates female resilience, intelligence, and agency, making it a timely message for our world.

The supporting characters are equally compelling. The immoral king, the enigmatic advisors, and the loyal servants: they all have their secrets and motivations. Liang paints them with shades of grey, blurring the line between hero and villain. Each revelation deepens the intrigue, keeping us guessing until the final page.

This book is a symphony of emotions. Liang's prose swells with longing, heartache, and courage. The romance is tender yet forbidden, the betrayals gut-wrenching, and the sacrifices heart-rending. As Xishi navigates treacherous waters, we root for her, fear for her, and ultimately celebrate her triumphs.

With her impeccable storytelling, Liang has crafted a gem that shines brighter than the moon on a clear night. Whether you're a lover of historical fiction, a seeker of forbidden love, or simply someone who craves a tale that sweeps you away, “A Song to Drown Rivers” will leave an indelible mark on your heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was beautifully written. I was hooked from the beginning to end. It had a bit of everything and more. The way the story unfolded with waves moving in many ways just had me hooked! I had to know what was going to happen to Xishi. So much richness, emotions and actions! Even the relationships in this story was amazing. Such a beautiful story.

I love the cover of this E-Arc too...well if the physical book comes out like the E-Arc or the photo up above, I am definitely going to buy a physical copy of this beauty.

So much...it's a must read if you like historical, action, drama, richness and a tiny bit of romance! I will admit this story did have me yell a few times which is a good thing. You must get this when it comes out October 1, 2024, trust me!

Wonderful story about Xisty, a beautiful Chinese maiden who beauty and cunning skills helped capture a kingdom. A love story that has been shared over may centuries. Beautiful tragedy.

4.5 ⭐

A beautiful retelling of the legend of Xishi (one of the four renowned beauties of ancient China). Xishi is recruited and trained to spy on the enemy, King Fuchai. She is to seduce him to do her bidding in order to bring about it's downfall. She, alongside her best friend, Zhengdan, is honed to be the perfect weapon for the Kingdom of Yue. She is trained by the king's trusted advisor, Fanli. Xishi learns that war isn't as black and white, enemies are human as well, shaped by their circumstances and environment.

This was exquisite writing. Some parts felt slow in the book but overall it read quickly. The main characters were relatable and I was invested in the outcome. The ending was unexpected, which I love, but others may not. If you love political intrigue, forbidden love, and historical fiction this book is for you.

This story was beautiful and devastating. It’s not a book that’s usually my style, but it was so well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ann Liang is one of my favorite authors she just weaves such beautiful stories. The tragedy of it all really got to me, but the best books are the ones that make you feel and this definitely succeeded.

Xishi, a rare beauty, is conscripted by Fanli to wed the rival King of Wu. She is taught the art of seduction and how to gain what she wants. Her lessons fuel her hatred of Wu and prepare her to lull the country into complacency. Once ensconced in the palace, she gains the trust of the King and slowly enacts the plan to topple a kingdom.

Overall, I thought this was an ok book. The plot seemed a bit predictable and the characters a bit lacking. Perhaps more points of view would have helped the storyline and development. The ending of the book felt extremely rushed. I wish the author had taken more time to allow the story to unreal naturally. Unfortunately, not a book I would re-read or recommend.

Thank you NetGalley for this wonderful ARC!

A Song to Drown Rivers intrigued me with its premise and promise of a strong female main character who is asked to use her beauty to bring down a king, but what will really make me remember this story for a long time is the amount of emotions Ann Liang has evoked from me through her writing.

The way Ann Liang writes character development is absolutely beautiful!!! The emotions Xishi goes through in accordance with the decisions she makes and the reactions to the actions of the other characters around her is so genuine and thoughtful!

One thing I did not expect to do while reading this book was SOB. I think of this story and it makes me want to cry all over again just knowing the characters and their endings.

(Spoilers!:)
The character development of Xishi's emotions toward Fuchai throughout the story was so believable to read! Having her spend so much time with the enemy then getting to know him and understand him and having that conflict with her original feelings towards him (while her still having love for Fanli) felt so real and right!

Having Xishi cry over Fuchai's body after delivering the killing blow was so cruel but beautiful in her character development and I'm glad there was a scene like that to really solidify growth of Xishi's character.

Liang really wounded my heart with the scene where Fanli was burying Xishi and he told the boy to spread the word that she was still alive and travelling the world because it was the ending she deserved for her hero's tale.

And I absolutely understand why the king had Xishi killed in the end (war and kings and such mindset) and Fanli's response to it just devastated me! So cruel, tragic, and beautiful!

I know there is happiness in the end of the story, but just the way Liang wrote the scenes where Fanli is in ruins just really evoked strong emotions from me.

It was like I wanted a happy ending because it was such a tense situation that was successfully pulled off, but at the same time somewhere in the back of my mind I knew an immediate happy ending was too easy for an epic story like this.
(End of Spoilers!)

The story of Xishi is one of bravery, of selflessness, and a cruel but beautiful mix of evoked emotions!

This was such a beautiful book from start to finish. I fell in love with characters and I grew to hate others. The world building was so interesting to see, especially with the two kingdoms. I absolutely loved the tension between Xishi and Fanli. The small moments, the hesitation, the secret touches, everything was just amazing to see! I was pleasantly surprised at the ending and it only confirmed the range and depth of Ann Liang’s writing skills. I loved every second of it! This is a beautiful read for anyone who is looking for a new YA fantasy book.

I love the themes that this book brought forth, the cost of war and the concept of people not being wholly good or wholly evil. I went into this book thinking it would be a romance at its heart and came out with so much more. This book will make you think, sweep you away in its atmosphere, and have your heart pounding throughout. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read "A Song to Dorwn Rivers"
This book was about a girl sent to destroy a kingdom. and that she did.
I will have this book in my heart for a while. GREAT JOB

**Thank you, Netgalley and publisher, for giving me an electronic ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

I cried when I finished this book. It felt like A Song of Achilles all over again. I wanted them to get together only for them to be seperated by duty.

A Song to Drown Rivers is beautifully written novel. It shows the human and political complexities of war, and what we are driven to do when the people we love are suffering. The forbidden love component only adds layers to this saga. Excited that I had the opportunity to read the ARC.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I was so drawn to this book based on the synopsis and general themes, but for a book that had so much potential it felt shallow to me. There were such interesting characters and plot points but it felt like we weren't able to go very in depth with any of them because of how much ground there was to cover. That being said, it was a very quick read because of how much was happening in the plot. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!

Of the famous Four Beauties of ancient China, Xi Shi is said to have been the most beautiful. From the state of Yue, she is approached by king Goujian's minister Fan Li (who becomes her lover) and given to enemy king Fuchai of Wu, who has a weakness for beautiful women, to act as a spy, sowing discord in his court and lessening the influence of his advisors.

Ann Liang's gift for lyrical, engaging prose, made reading this book a lovely, heartfelt experience. Xi Shi and Fan Li 's love is always in danger of being discovered, and both are well aware of the consequences. This book will stay with you long after you've read the last page.

So good! I devoured this book in two sittings, could not put it down. Beautiful settings, interesting and memorable characters, intrigue and danger, love and war, heart wrenching plot twists - the ending is tragic and perfect. Highly recommend, this wonderfully realized, complex and absorbing tale will not disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I read this book in one day because I could not stop. I can't even recall the last time I wanted to stay up half the night to finish a book until I read A Song to Drown Rivers. Besides being well-written, the story compels you to keep going partly because you know the inevitable outcome and partly because you wish for a different one. The tension is definitely a factor as a beautiful peasant woman is recruited and trained to seduce a rival king and act as a spy save her country. However, nothing in life is ever black and white or good and evil. We can't choose the people we love or hate - only their actions.

I don't want to give the story away so I'll say it is a love story, it is a tragedy and contains a lesson that's as relevant today as it was a thousand years ago. I highly recommend it if you like historical fiction.

Thank you Ann LIang and St Martins Press and NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review.

A slow burn that will leave you thinking about the characters long after it’s over. I don’t think I have felt a love so deep between two characters before. This story left me absolutely gutted.
Xishi is on a quest for revenge after the Wu have destroyed her kingdom. Can there be winners in a tale on revenge.

Thank you NetGalley & An Laing for writing such an exceptional book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This was my first by this author and it was a beautiful retelling of equal parts true history and myth surrounding one of the Four beauties of China: Xishi. I did not realize how much of this story and it’s characters were true! Some 2500 years ago, the Wu & Yue Kindgoms both fought for power. Initially, King Goujian and the Yue kingdom were brutally defeated, and Goujian was made to serve as a stable boy for 3 years until the King of Wu (Fuchai) deemed him no longer a threat. Sent back to his wartorn country, he regrouped with his advisor, Fanli, and devised a plan for revenge. They would engage in “sexpionage” by sending beautiful women as tributes to Kind Fuchai, who was known for his weakness for beautiful women. The Fanli found Xishi, a peasant, and trained her in court etiquette before sending her to spy on Fuchai and get him to fall in love with her to distract him from making decisions that could hurt the Yue. But it is not without its challenges, as Fuchai’s advisor, Xixu, is suspicious and attempts to sabotage her at every chance. Liang writes a beautiful story of the history of the countries, the feelings that develop between Xishi and Fanli, the politics and tension she has to walk in the enemy’s palace, and the drama of how it all ends. I completely thought it was a Chinese folktale at first, but the fact that this was really historical fiction made it so much more enjoyable to me. I’m not sure how I feel about the ending, I partly hated it and partly understood that it was appropriate given the various rumors about what ultimately happened with Xishi and Fanli. I wanted the happy ending, but as Xishi said when she accepted the role, “ When it came down to it, the choice was this: a kingdom, or my happiness.”

I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to read A Song to Drown Rivers. Evocative, tragic, and eloquently written. Every word is thoughtfully used. I highly recommend it.

This was hauntingly and devastingly beautiful. From beginning to end a rollercoaster of emotions. Each chapter was a whirlwind. I cant help but to marvel at the writing! I devoured this book within a few days. It has reduced me to tears. This book has resonated with me. Ann has breathed such life, such sorrow, such longing, and turmoil into these characters it is utterly ulastounding. Reading this for the first time was a treasure! Immediate pre-order I have to have a physical copy to keep and cherish.