Even though I knew exactly how this would end, it still ruined me. A Song to Drown Rivers is such an addicting read, I didn't want it to end. I would've read at least a hundred more pages if it meant I got more content of Xishi, Fanli, and Fuchai. You know its a good book when you come to love the "enemy" as much as the main character hell bent to destroy him in revenge. I will not apologize for this. I'm at a loss for words for how riveting yet heartbreaking this book is. The ending brought a similar heartache to that of The Song of Achilles and leaves an unforgettable imprint. I hope Liang chooses to write more books of this genre, as she does such a phenomenal job weaving together a tale of a heroine that deserves to be heard. Do yourself a favor and preorder this book immediately!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

again Ann Liang’s writing was beautiful, historic and bewitching. the story was heartbreaking and breathtaking; as a reader i experienced all type of feelings. from smiling and giggling to sobbing from happiness and sadness.

the world was investing and attractive. the characters interactions were pleasant and fair. throughout the book i felt connected to all of them, their stories were so different and at the same time very same. after a month of finishing book I’m still coming back to Xishi and Fanli, and wishing their story would get another chapter 🤍.

the number of quotes saved is insane, each chapter was fulfilled with magic and atmosphere.

the beginning of the book was not for me, i was confused about some moments, and throughout book not all of them were answered.

still, i wasn’t expecting so much from it, it easily became my one of 2024 favorites.

I was graciously given early access by the publisher, thank you so much!

I found this story to be beautiful and bittersweet. The beginning instantly hooked me along for the ride. A forbidden and complex love story. It is definitely a story that does not hold back its punches because there will be some sadness. Still reeling from some scenes that happened tbh!

Into some spoilers.































AHHHHHHHHH ok.
It will be double spoilers I suppose, so A BIG WARNING TO STOP READING HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS




So the ending of this story reminded me a bit of another book, one that I loved and it is The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller! The kind of afterlife happy ending is what reminded me of it, it's bittersweet and the road to getting there had a lot of bloodshed and tears.

*Received an eARC from Netgalley for an honest review. Thank you!

The book features our mc, Xishi, who is renown for her unparalleled beauty. But in a time of political strife between two Kingdoms, she must use her appearance and charm in court to bring down her enemy. While being carved into their greatest weapon, Xishi finds herself longing for peace and someone to share it with. She finds comfort in Fanli, their King's minister and Xishi's mentor, and survives in the enemy's territory in the hopes that she'll get to live the life she yearns for.

Oh my heart aches.

I love historical fantasy and, while not strong on the fantasy elements, it explores the legend of Xi Shi with wonderfully added twists. The poetic prose was so gracefully alluring, painting an immersive world with characters that fit perfectly in it. The author wove a beautiful and tragic retelling that had me gripping my phone like a madman.

I had a pleasant time reading Xishi machinating as a courtesan, using her intelligence, talents and beauty to win over the enemy King's favor and heart. And even though she finds pride in her ability to manipulate the most powerful men, she finds herself losing a part of her humanity in the process. While a huge asset to her kingdom, the brutality of war forces her to question the role she is meant to play in the grand scheme of things. Coming from a peasant background herself, Xishi can only hope that her servitude to the king will promise a time of peace for people like her.

While the relationships felt a bit surface level and could have been explored more, the impact of their tragic stories still left an impression on me. Xishi and Fanli's romance was one of hands brushing, an exchange of tender words, and longing looks which are hidden behind their responsibilities to the king. Even Xishi's relationship with Fuchai, the enemy king, was so intricate and heart-grappling.

Honestly, I wish this book was longer. The author's writing is so charming and I would die to get more interactions between all the characters.

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“When the hares have all been caught, the hunting dogs are cooked.” -Laozi

This book was AMAZING! i will be buying a physical copy and will be recommending this to everyone i know. This was a beautiful story. 5/5.

Thank you netgalley for the ARC!

I did not know until I finished the book that Ann Liang's novel was a take on the Chinese Legends of the Four Beauties. The story of Xishi was told in A Song to Drown Rivers. The world Xishi lived in was occupied by a hostile king, Fuchai of Wu. Her sister was murdered by Wu soldiers, so when Fanli comes to her village in search of a weapon, Xishi is primed to accept. Fanli, the minister of rival king Goujian of Yue is looking for a beautiful woman to become a spy within Fuchai's court. In exchange for assistance for her peasant parents and sister, Xishi is Yue and to avenge her sister she agrees to the deception. Her best friend accompanies her for her and Fanli own revenge and the board is now set for the legend to be realized.
This story starts out slow and drags just a little through the first third of the book. Once Xishi arrives at the Wu court, things get much better and the story begins to flow. So if anyone is tempted to put the book down during the first part, please persevere. The second half is worth the read. The lines between good and bad begin to blur and Xishi begins to question her understanding of the world. She is a player on a stage that someone else set and has to continue her part until the end. Liang' writing is flowery and descriptive and except for the pacing problems at the beginning flows very well. I would definitely recommend this book.

Wow. This book brought me to tears. I finished reading and had to take a moment to reflect on if I read it right. I need more like this and with the writing style. I cannot tell you how much I would recommend this to others. At no point did I know where this book was going to take me in the best way possible.

This is a beautiful novel. As a white American of Western European descent my knowledge of Chinese folklore is non existent, so I went in to the story with no knowledge of Xishi. Then Ann Liang swooped in and took my heart for a wild ride. I came out of the novel loving this iteration of Xishi and the entire cast of characters.

This novel has something for everyone… mystery, fantasy, espionage, romance, long burning revenge, and history. With rich world building, engaging character development and beautiful prose, this book was unputdownable. Stunning. For sure a top read of 2024.

I knew ahead of time that the ending would be tragic, but I didn't know everything that led up to it would be so beautiful. The descriptions of place that made me actually see the rivers and blossoms, the spare telling of how time passes and relationships grow.... I got lost in the story and so invested in the characters. Just as Xishi had mixed feelings about Fuchai, so did I. Just as her heart leapt whenever Fanli was near, so did mine. I cried so many tears by the end and I think my heart is permanently broken. Five stars, highly recommend.

This was a book where if you're paying attention to all the clues the author left, you can guess at the ending. Not that it made it bad, it was actually a fantastic book. There was enough tension and drama to keep the story going. There were masterfully written political drama that kept you on your toes, You realize the main character of Xishi never gives up on her goal and fights for it until the very end.

5/5 stars! This is why I love NetGalley providing the opportunity to read such wonderfully sad and complex books in advance! You’ll definitely want to add this to your TBR shelf!!

I firmly believe everything Liang writes is 5 stars and I am so extremely grateful that I got the opportunity to read this ARC!! ASTDR is honestly one of the best books I have ever read and I know it’s going to put me in a book hangover. I loved this from the first line all the way to the last and I was hooked the entire time. The complexity of all the characters had me invested in everyone’s lives so much that I even liked the king at times. The tropes in this book made me scream. I loved all the Xishi and Fanli scenes so much. The massive timeskip was done so well and didn’t impact the reading at all. The last 50 pages broke my soul. I screamed into my pillow and cried on almost every one of those pages. The foreshadowing is also extraordinary and looking back now, it blows my mind. There is no filler, every line and scene in this book is needed. I’m still in complete shock after finishing that but at least it’s sort of a happy ending?

5 stars<3

I have read almost all of ann liang's book and not a single one of them has dissapointed me till now. And this book again did not fail to capture my heart and mark its impact on me.

Ann's writing style has always been so easy for me to read, even in this genre she manages to capture your attention and mind and drown yourself into the book. It was so easy to read through this and I did not wish to put this down once because everything about this book was so encaptivating.

The characters in this book are really complex. All of them definitely have flaws but u still cannot help but love them all and empathize with them. Your heart aches for them and you see yourself in their position and constantly keep worrying about them. That is very rare when it comes to books because in the end they are fictional characters, ink on paper but its crazy that despite that you cannot help but care for THESE characters because of the way ann describes them.

I loved Xishi, our main character who is known for her beauty and is assigned a mission to capture the heart of the king of the enemy kingdom. I did question her choices at some points but regardless, as I said before, I couldn't help but love her.

Fanli was a complex character too but a character you know u can root for since the start and see his development throughtout the book. I loved his character and wished we learnt more about him.

To say that I loved Fuchai would be an understatement. He managed to steal my heart and I have always loved characters with a good character development. Even thought YOU KNOW that xishifanli our meant to be, u cannot help but feel for Fuchai, he is just a great character and my heart breaks for him</3

I loved Zhengdan. When I was reading about her, I just felt like I am her elder sister and had the urge to protect her.

This book was tragical and beautiful at the same time. And even though I feel heartbroken I am glad that I had the chance to read this<3

thanks to netgalley and the author this arc<3

"A Song to Drown Rivers" is a captivating blend of historical fiction and fantasy that takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the intricate web of politics, love, and sacrifice in ancient China. What struck me most about this novel is its portrayal of Xishi as a multifaceted protagonist who defies societal expectations to pursue her own destiny. As she navigates the dangerous world of espionage and court intrigue, her inner strength and resilience shine through, making her a compelling and relatable character. The dynamic between Xishi and Fanli adds depth to the story, highlighting the complexities of love and loyalty amidst conflicting loyalties and moral dilemmas. With its richly imagined setting and gripping narrative, "A Song to Drown Rivers" is a must-read for fans of historical fantasy and epic romance alike.

a song to drown rivers is devastatingly beautiful. i have never been so excited for the release of a book!!! i am confident this book will get the attention it deserves!! written from Xishi’s point of view, Liang creates the most exquisite atmosphere built from Xishi’s desperation for a world of reconciliation and peace. chosen to enter her enemy’s kingdom under the pretense of being offered as a gift for the king, Xishi must become the undoing of Wu in order to liberate her own home kingdom.

my only disappointment with this book is that i will never be able to read it for the first time again. and learn from my mistake, have tissues on stand by.

Ugh my heart.

A Song to Drown Rivers is a retelling of the legend of Xishi, one of the famous ‘Four Beauties of Ancient China’. From the beginning of this story, I was hooked. Ann Liang wastes no time in setting up the overarching plot, the characters and hinting at the relationships therein. By the end of chapter two, I knew this book would hurt me emotionally (in the best way).

The author’s prose was the highlight of the book; I found myself completely immersed in the descriptions of the surroundings and the character’s senses. The romantic aspects had me swooning, and I was immediately smitten for Fanli; no wonder this is a legend!

The last quarter of the book had me up past my bedtime, absolutely glued to the pages. The conclusion was so satisfying and left me with a bittersweet longing that did not leave once morning came.

To the author’s credit, my one and only complaint would be that it wasn’t long enough and I wanted more.
An absolute knock-out of a book, I will be recommending this to everyone.

My sincerest thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press & Ann Liang for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. A Song to Drown Rivers will be published October 8, 2024.

Immersive and Enchanting: 'A Song to Drown Rivers' Delivers an Atmospheric Masterpiece
Liang's skillful blend of simplicity and poetic elegance sets the stage for a breathtaking journey through this fast-paced, beautifully crafted novel. With a deft hand, Liang effortlessly guides readers through the intricate web of emotions that permeate every page, without resorting to unnecessary verbosity.
Rooted in ancient Chinese folklore, the narrative remains remarkably accessible, a testament to Liang's storytelling prowess. Unlike my struggles with 'Circe,' and other mythological retellings where frequent pauses for historical context impeded my progress, 'A Song to Drown Rivers' flows seamlessly, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in its world.

At its core, the novel deftly navigates themes of war, love, and duty, weaving them together in a spellbinding tapestry that leaves a lasting impact. The culmination of these elements is both devastating and beautiful, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's soul.

I wholeheartedly believe that 'A Song to Drown Rivers' has the potential to captivate a wide audience. I eagerly anticipate future works from Liang.

If you like crying, this book is for you 🥲

4.5 ⭐️

This book was outside of my typical wheelhouse, but I’m glad I decided to read it after reading so many positive reviews. Forbidden love, revenge, and female power dynamics come to life at the hands of Xishi and Fanli, whose stories weave together beautifully.
I took off a half star simply because it took me quite a few chapters before I was truly captured by the story, but that’s going to differ from person to person. This was likely due to my inexperience with Chinese mythology, not from a lack of writing ability on the authors part.
All in all, it was a fabulous story. The ending was truly heartbreaking in the most beautiful way, and although I was initially caught off guard- I thought it ultimately remained true to the storyline.

Huge thanks to the Author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the arc.

A Song to Drown Rivers is a perfect mix of political intrigue, espionage, action, historical fiction, and romance that will keep you turning just one more page until somehow all the pages are done. Xishi is more than the beautiful face and traditional aims of being married well to support her family. With the tutelage of a military advisor, she becomes a beautiful weapon to destroy the frequently drunk, irresponsible, brutish neighboring king responsible for much of the tribulations in her own kingdom. But surrounded in court filled with personal agendas, that are always conflict, Xishi has to make choices not just to carry out her mission, but to survive as well.

I loved this book. It was beautiful, thoughtful, and devastating. Every character had a story to tell. Incredible imagery, great pacing, and I was engaged throughout the entire story.