Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-Arc in exchange for my honest review.

A Song to Drown Rivers, is a fictional, historical retelling of the legendary Four Beauties of China. We follow Xishi, one of the four beauties, on her journey to use her beauty to sabotage and destroy the Wu Kingdom. This story was very well written and kept me engaged the entire time! I was especially interested in the exploration of the costs of war and of the idea that in war a hero to one group, is most likely a villain to another.

I did have to take off one star because of the categorization of this book that I did find to be a bit misleading. This was categorized as an adult, fantasy romance and I can't say I agree that this book is a fantasy novel. I kept waiting for some involvement of magic, or other fantasy elements, and they just never appeared. There were small fantasy elements at the very end of the book, but I would lean towards categorizing this book as a historical fiction similar to mythological retellings, rather than a fantasy novel. It also is categorized as an adult novel, however, there were many aspects of the romantic relationships that read YA.

That being said, if you're looking for historical fiction (very light on fantasy elements), and slow burn, YA romance then I highly recommend this book!!

This book has such captivating writing that I didn’t want to put it down from the start. It weaves a gripping narrative of the legend of Xishi, a story I wasn’t familiar with. I felt an intriguing mix of connection and distance with the characters. It was almost such a grand story that it was difficult to get too close, and maybe we weren’t meant to. It had the feel of a legend that took place long ago, and we are now getting to look into the details.

Surprisingly, I found myself deeply engrossed in the love triangle, a plot element I typically don't favor. I was certain I wouldn't sympathize with Fuchai, but I was proven wrong. The emotional depth of the narrative was compelling, and I found myself shedding tears, something that hadn’t happened to me for quite some time.

I see quite a few mixed reviews, but I enjoyed it despite being outside my usual reading taste.

Thank you so much to the publisher, NetGalley, and the author for an eARC of this book. All opinions are late but still all my own!

I really enjoyed this; I thought it was great! I loved its take on romantic fantasy, and actually loved that it is YA/there was no spice. I think if it had had any spice at all, it would have done a disservice to the story because - though marketed as a romantasy - there's so much more to the story than the romance woven within.

Though time flowed faster than what we'd normally see in a novel, I actually think it really worked with this one. I loved the way Xishi came into her own and was so cunning throughout her time in the Wu kingdom and especially with King Fuchai. I thought it was really touching that by the end, even though she had no real reason to, every complicated thing she ended up feeling for Fuchai was so real.

I also loved the ending. Absolutely heart-wrenching end to the story, and I ate it up.

I would definitely recommend this!

I could not put this down! I very much enjoyed the writing, pacing, and all the exquisite forms of character, plot, and romantic tension. 🤌 There were definitely some parts that were less believable but they did lend to a feeling of the story being a fairytale/legend retelling!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC!

Easy, quick read. Kept my interest enough that I wanted to keep reading it and find out how this story unravels. I was drawn to promises of espionage and spying, which, sure it happened. But it was quite rushed, bland, and uneventful. We seemed to fast forward through all of the training that happened in 12 weeks that supposedly made Xishi ready to infiltrate an enemy kingdom for years. What?

I'm not sure why this is categorized as fantasy. There were no fantasy elements whatsoever (unless we are considering Xishi's "otherworldly" beauty to check that box). Also, on that note, romance? Hardly. This is a historical fiction retelling, through and through.

I know there are a few different speculations for how the story of Xi Shi actually ends, but I did find the one Ann Liang wrote to be the ending I had hoped for. Tragic, maybe HEA (depending on your perspective).

I think that the plot and characters were really interesting and I liked the world building. However, it was pretty slow at the beginning for me, making it hard to keep reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC of A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang. I absolutely loved this epic fantasy novel. Rating: 5 stars.

One of the unique aspects of this book is how it beautifully blends elements of womanhood, war, sacrifice, and love. Inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of Ancient China’s Four Beauties, it’s a captivating historical fantasy that left me with happiness only a 5* read can leave.

Synopsis:
Inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of the famous Four Beauties of Ancient China, A Song to Drown Rivers is an epic historical fantasy that explores womanhood, war, sacrifice, and love against all odds.Xishi's beauty is seen as a gift to her village, where a woman’s best fate is to marry well and support her family. But when she captures the attention of Fanli, a young military strategist, he offers her a different path: use her beauty as a weapon to infiltrate the enemy kingdom of Wu, seduce the immoral king, and weaken them from within. As Xishi trains under Fanli’s guidance, perfecting everything from classical instruments to emotional concealment, the attraction between them grows, though both know the risks. Once inside the enemy court, Xishi must balance power, deception, and survival, knowing that one wrong move could bring down both kingdoms.

Things I loved:
• Xishi is an incredible main character with depth.
• The themes of war, womanhood, sacrifice, and the personal cost women pay in these battles.
• I appreciated the exploration of who the real monsters are when kings fight for power.
• The retelling of an ancient Chinese legend enriched the story and made it even better.
• The love story between Xishi and Fanli was beautifully written.

Things I disliked:
• Nothing! I loved everything about this novel.
Highly Recommend.

e-ARC from NetGalley.

This is truly a tragic tale overflowing with beautiful writing. Unfortunately, I did not feel the way I was meant to feel

The relationship between Xishi and Fanli never felt real or established to me. Their first interaction held so much promise, but the rest of their time together felt like wasted potential. I did believe in Xishi and Fuchai, but not enough time was spent with just the two of them, and Xishi's (understandable) refusal to accept her feelings for him stole some of the impact from the conclusion of the story.

I think this is a good story that was well executed, but I think I'll love it more when/if it's translated to film.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book. I have read Ann Liang's other young adult novels but was incredibly excited to see a historical mythology retelling. This is a retelling of Xishi--one of the famed Four Beauties of Ancient China. This book was lush, poignant, and yearning. Xishi is selected by Fanli, royal advisor to King Gouchian of the Yue kingdom, to act as a courtesan and infiltrate the court of their enemies, the Wu. There, she attracts the attention of the Wu king Fuchai. The pacing of this novel was great, balancing small everyday details with the larger sweeping tale of wars and battles among empires and royal courts. As I was reading, I only wished that the beginning 3rd of the book held more details about how Fanli and Xishi fell in love while she was training to be a noblewoman. However, this is a tiny criticism as their love story felt beautiful and poignant, particularly by the novel's end. The ending of the story is heartbreaking and poignant, but ultimately satisfying. As a fan of the recent Asian mythology retellings written by Sue Lynn Tan and Elizabeth Lim, I think anyone interested in ancient China will love this story. I began by reading the Netgalley digital version of the story but quickly invested in the Barnes and Noble 1st edition printing with its sprayed edges because it was so beautiful. The book's cover matches the beauty of the epic story. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

THE ENDING????????? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO ME???? AHHHHHHHHHHH

A Song to Drown Rivers is based on a traditional Chinese legend and follows Xishi, known in her village for her great beauty, who is sent to the Wu Kingdom under false pretenses as a bride to King Fuchai where she is tasked to spy on the kingdom and turn the tides of battle. It was an incredibly captivating and breathtaking read. Not only was Xishi a great fleshed out character but so were our other two main characters General Funli and King Fuchai. I really found myself wishing better for Fuchai despite him being the enemy. My biggest and only complaint is that I wish the weeks Xishi spent in the beginning of the book with Funli were more detailed. Overall and incredible read and I would love to read more fantasy from Ann Liang. 4.5

A beauty who is tasked to seduce an enemy king in order to avenge her sister's death and save the lives of her people...but finds herself for the handsome military advisor, a heart breaking story of sacrifice, forbidden romance, and womanhood. Xishi is a beauty, which would be seen as a. blessing as she would be able to secure a good marriage to support her family... except she draws the attention of a famous military leader, Fanli. Fanli offers her an opportunity: in exchange for her using her beauty to seduce and help destroy a neighboring kingdom that seeks to ruin them and work as a spy.... he will protect her family and she would save their people. Xishi and Fanli grow closer and closer.. but as she delves deeper into the enemy king's court the higher the risks become and the deadlier the game gets as all eyes are on her and if her act isn't perfected then she could lose her life and the life of everyone she holds dear. This was a fantastic read and the ending was heartbreaking. I am a sucker for stories like these and this one was inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China. This is a beautiful story of the lengths that we would go to to protect what we love, the endurance and constant trials that Xishi is put through is just testament to her strength. I really had fun reading this one and would absolutely recommend it! If you love forbidden romance, political intrigue, and inner strength, I would absolutely say add this book to your TBR.

Release Date: October 1,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

this novel would have benefited by being at least 100 pages longer. a lot of things just felt underdeveloped, but ann liang’s writing is beautiful and the imagery of the world was the best part.

This is the book all of the little girls who watched Mulan and are now adults! I absolutely adored this book! I’ve never read an Asian fantasy so I am glad this is my first. It was easy to get into and to fall in love with the characters quickly. Sometimes fantasies can be confusing and I loose interest quick especially with a lot of long and unique names. This was not the case with this gem! Perfect for those who are just getting into fantasy.

A Song to Drown Rivers is a beautifully written and captivating tale about love, war, and sacrifice; about a woman tasked with using her wit and beauty to topple an enemy kingdom, all while navigating danger, potential war, and every difficult decision - but between her heart and the good of an entire kingdom, in the end, what choice does she really have?

I absolutely loved A Song to Drown Rivers, and I loved the well-written characters, emotional writing, twists and turns filled plot, and most of all, the forbidden romance.

Xishi and Fanli's story was as devastating as it was beautiful. It was bittersweet and heartbreaking to know that they belonged together, but may never have a chance to be together. But that made every sweet, even slightly romantic scene between them all the more precious. Everything was so emotional, from when they spent time together during her training to when they parted ways as she went to Wu.

But her time in Wu was just as engaging, and the plot was constantly filled with twists and turns. I was afraid to put the book down as Xishi navigated the court and it's advisors. It became apparent that she was a strong and brave FMC, and so much more then just her beauty.
This is also where Fuchai, the King of Wu, is introduced. He's written as a tormented boy, given a throne he doesn't want, and unsure of who to trust in his own court. I wish he was written as more "evil", because I felt bad for him, but I also couldn't deny Xishi's need for vengeance and the cruelty of his actions.

The fast pace of this book definitely made it engaging, but it also made it so I had no sense of how much time had gone by. Ten weeks seemed to pass by just as quickly as two years, and I wish there had been more of a difference.

The ending though, was so defined, so final, so matter of fact, and shocking in every way. I was unable to do anything but keep reading. It's devastating, yet oddly fitting. There's no doubt that this is how the tale was meant to end, but it doesn't erase all the emotions that come with the ending, all the emotions that set in after I flipped the last page and put the book down and took a moment to process everything I'd just read.

Final thoughts: A Song to Drown Rivers exceeded and defied my expectations in every way and I'm so glad I got a chance to read and review this book. It's one I could never forget and I don't think I could recommend this book enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.

I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would! I thought there was great world building and I quickly found myself transported into the story. There were so many times when I was gasping out loud. I look forward to more from this author!

Short synopsis: Ixshi is one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China. Approached by the military man Fanli, Ixshi is going to use her beauty as a weapon to defeat the King of the rival Kingdom of Wu.

My thoughts: I was immediately drawn into this sweeping tale of revenge, forbidden romance, and strong women!

The strength portrayed in this one, was remarkable. I’m a huge fan of a strong female character but I absolutely adored how the author used Ixshi’s beauty to hide her real identity and true mission.

The ending in this is one that you just might need tissues for. Luckily for me, my box came equipped with some. But definitely came unexpectedly and one I won’t forget anytime soon.

I adored the audio narration of this! The narrator told the story so beautifully, and I can’t get the way Fenli says Ixshi’s name out of my head!

Read if you love:
- Chinese Legends
- Forbidden romance
- Strong female protagonist
- Revenge
- Slow burn

3.5⭐️
A Song To Drown Rivers is a beautiful Chinese inspired historical fantasy. It follows main character, Xishi, a peasant girl who lives humbly with her parents in a small village in the middle of a war. As a young woman with extraordinary beauty, she has been hand chosen as a concubine offering to King Fuchai. Little does the King know that she is really being trained as a spy for the other side.

I really loved the writing style and storytelling in this novel. The writing style is very beautiful and it captured my attention from the beginning. I really fell in love with the main female character, Xishi. I loved seeing her growth throughout the story and as her training progressed. I did find myself getting a little bored towards the middle of the story. The seduction of King Fuchai felt a little repetitive and slow at times and I was left waiting for a bit more action. The other romantic storyline was lacking chemistry for me as well unfortunately. I felt we were more told than shown the connection and it happened a little too instantly and intensely to feel believable. Though this is labeled as fantasy, there aren’t actually many, if any, magical elements other than the fact that it is based on a Chinese legend.

That said, I found the “grey area” to be super interesting in this story. At times you’re left feeling confused on who you should be rooting for and who the real heroes and villains are since we’re seeing it through one perspective only. Though the story is predictable, the ending did leave me shocked!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ann Liang, and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Content warnings: blood, violence, murder, war, injury/injury detail, child death, torture, drowning, grief

3.5 stars
First off, the cover is gorgeous! I don’t own any physical books but this is one I’d consider keeping! While it felt like a forced proximity/almost enemies to lovers storyline, the tension came from outside forces. I liked that it wasn’t a toxic dynamic between the two main characters. The writing style was easy to follow, which allowed me to connect more with the story. I plan to check out the author’s other works soon!

A beautifully written and emotional read. I was hooked from the start. I would recommend this books to fans of historical romance or mythology. My only complaint was that there were no fantasy elements.

3.5 stars

This was a tricky book to rate, because the premise is so cool, but the execution was lacking in some parts. I do think that this will largely be one that people either love or hate. It's based on the Chinese legend of Xishi, which I was not familiar with until reading. We follow Xishi, a 19-year-old Yue peasant girl of legendary beauty, as she is recruited from her home village for a special mission by Fanli, a Yue military advisor. Her mission is to infiltrate the conquering kingdom of Wu's palace as a gifted concubine for the young king, seduce him, and pass information back to the Yue government from the inside. 

Basically, it's ancient Chinese "John Tucker Must Die". But of course there is romantic tension between Xishi and Fanli, and then the king isn't as bad as she thought, but palace life is full of professional liars. How could this possible have been boring, you might be wondering. I don't know, but for 3/4 of the book I felt like nothing was happening. Fanli trains Xishi to become an expert spy and seductress in 10 weeks somehow, but we don't actually witness most of this. We also don't witness any actual sex scenes between her and the king. Which is fine, but that's like ... a big part of the story. I was not super into Fanli, but our girl Xishi was obsessed with him even for the over TWO YEARS she was at the palace after knowing him for 10 weeks. K.

There wasn't a ton of world-building, and until I read reviews I hadn't realized this was set in like 500 BC. I also am still not sure if it's fantasy, or if there was any magic in the world. It's classified as a fantasy book, but I don't remember there actually being anything fantastical. I did like the palace shenanigans, Xishi, and the king, as well as the moral questions posed throughout the book and especially by the ending. But I didn't feel particularly strong connections to any of the side characters, and if it weren't for the ending of this I'd call it forgettable. As it stands, I don't know what to call it. But if you read it, let me know, because I need to discuss the end with someone. Thanks to St. Martin's Press and the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.