Firstly, I would just like to say that this is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a romance. No, I will not take any alternative opinions at this time. The two MCs barely get any time together, the FMC spends years wooing the enemy but never has a physical or emotional relationship with him (so we don't even get an inkling of enemies to lovers on that side of things), and the ending...I wanted to throw the dang book. While NetGalley did its job by not labeling it as a romance, all the hype I was seeing was how amazing this author's YA romance books are, so naturally, I just assumed this would be a romance as well. BOY WAS I WRONG.

This review will have SPOILERS, so proceed at your own risk. I'm spilling all the tea.

Our FMC, Xishi, is the most beautiful woman on the planet, apparently. Forced to wear a veil over her head to conceal her beauty from prying eyes, she's never even been kissed. She has a tragic backstory after the enemy kingdom killed her sister during the war, and she has hated them and their king ever since. When she is approached by an emissary of her king to pose as a concubine for the enemy king, she doesn't take long to decide this is what she must do, and she leaves to get ten weeks of training on how to be a seductive spy, complete with formal court etiquette and the ability to hide all her emotions. During this time, she falls in love with the emissary, Fanli, who is himself a very beautiful man and one who is completely devoted to serving his king. While they both slowly develop feelings for each other, they don't act on it, and she is subsequently delivered to the enemy king on a silver platter alongside her friend (serving as a palace lady). Lots and lots of time jumps throughout the story show her progress in getting into the king's bed and good graces, but oddly enough, they never do the deed the entire time. The story lost me a bit there with all that was going on, but somehow she never actually has to do a whole lot to keep the king interested. Seemed odd to me! And then...SPOILER...her friend dies by poisoning, as punishment for a theft she was framed for, and then Xishi gets even more enraged at the king and continues to put in place the plan of revenge she was sent there to accomplish. Her king's military arrive, she escapes with the enemy king against her will, and then when they are cornered and he learns she's a spy...he just hands her sword and asks her to kill him, which she does...and then sobs over his body. Which again, I was confused by, because the author doesn't really show us a whole lot about their relationship. AND THEN, when she can finally be with Fanli, she is assassinated by her king, and that's how the book ends. The end. I know, WHAT? WHY? What next?

This book is four stars given that I was thoroughly invested and interested in how it would end...but the writing was quite chaotic with a lot shoved in to a very short period of time. This likely should have been a duology or trilogy, and the least the author could have done was give us a little romance. I don't think that was too much to ask. That death in the end just came out of nowhere, and I really didn't understand the ending. I hope it means there's another book where she's suddenly brought back to life, as it seems to hint at.

4.25 stars!!! This book was absolutely incredible and depicted the more emotional aspects of the fight for justice and the more hidden and darker aspects of rebellion not often spoken about! I absolutely loved every moment in our main characters perspective as she navigates this dangerous undercover situation as well as the complicated feelings that arise throughout her time. I also really enjoyed how this talked about women’s contribution to war and how oftentimes they go unrembered or underappreciated. I think this book is such a fresh take on the war aspect in books and would love to see more of it in books.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

I debated on whether or not to give this book four or five stars. It had a couple of problems, but at the end of the day, I couldn't stop thinking about the book and its characters!

A Song to Drown Rivers is based on an Ancient Chinese legend. A kingdom under attack enlists a beautiful young woman (Xishi) to attract and entrap the warring kingdom's ruler. There she learns the world is not as simple as it seems in her small, remote village. In fact, a character in the end puts into words perfectly what Xishi is feeling. (Being purposefully vague so as to not spoil.)

Strengths:
- Intriguing characters. While I really enjoyed the FMC, some of the side characters were really intriguing and enjoyable to 'see' on the page. (In fact, I kinda wish would could have seen more of some of them.) I wouldn't be upset if we ever got some bonus content from the Wu king's perspective!
- Fun premise/great pacing. I found myself staying up late, reading longer than I should have because I couldn't wait to see what happens next. Was someone going to make a stupid choice? Could a slip of the tongue cost someone their lives? I'm all here for some courtly intrigue!
- The writing was great and flowed really well. It was easy to read longer than planned.

There were two things I think could have made this book stronger:
- I would have liked to have stayed in the training section a bit longer to see Xishi and Fanli's relationship build a bit more. To increase the oh, so lovely tension.
- (Again being vague to avoid spoilers) Near the end, there's a type of magic that appears seemingly out of nowhere. I'd have liked a better explanation for it. Or at least some acknowledgement of it earlier. Some hint or breadcrumb. So while this didn't put me off the book, it made me ask questions, and It think this could have been handled better.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read that I was sad came to an end. I laughed, cried, and winced page after page. If you like books with tension, courtly intrigue, and/or ancient settings, this book is for you! It's a quick read in the best way! This is my first Ann Liang book, and now I can't wait to pick up more of her work!

Many thanks to the publisher for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own. (And yes, I ran and preordered my own copy!)

Thank you, St Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the advanced copy of A Song to Drown Rivers.

Beautiful. Amazing. Heartwarming. Heartwrenching. Madenning. Shocking.
Those are all words that I used at one point or another to describe what I was reading. This novel was inspired by the legend of Xi Shi. I did not look up the Ancient Chinese legend because I didn't want to taint my reading of this novel. I suggest you do the same if you do not know the legend. I was not ready for this one to end. This was the first Ann Liang novel I read, but it will not be the last. The way she made the characters/historical figures come to life off the page and the feelings she invoked in me as I read is what every reader wants when they pick up a novel. This is definitely one of my favorites for the year.

Xishi is the beauty of her village, Yue. While at the river, she catches the eye of a famous military advisor, Fanli. She is exactly what he needs to bring down the neighboring kingdom, Wu. When asked if she's willing to infiltrate the Wu kingdom by becoming a concubine to the king, Xishi jumps at the chance to avenge her sister's murder and help improve the lives of those in her village. The novel follows Xishi's training and her journey in the Wu kingdom. War brings tragedy, and Xishi is no stranger to either. As Xishi makes her place in the king's life and the Wu court, she puts herself at risk of being discovered as a traitor. Will Xishi get the ending that she believes her village deserves or will it all come crashing down around her?

For the most part, this vividly written modern updating of a very old Chinese tale sticks to the plot of the tale. There are a few threads that dangle, but the reader is drawn inexorably toward the tragic ending--as obliquely promised in the title. The characterizations are excellent, and the anti-war message is powerful.

Inspired by an ancient Chinese legend, A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang is a powerful work of historical fiction that highlights one woman’s intelligence, courage, and ultimate sacrifice.

Xishi is born with extraordinary beauty, and as she grows, her mother keeps her veiled to protect her. However, her beauty does not go unnoticed, drawing the attention of a powerful minister. Trained to use her charms as a weapon, Xishi is thrust into a game of thrones where everyone is a pawn. But amid the treachery and intrigue, the question remains—can she save herself?

The legend of Xishi is tragic, and this book masterfully brings it to life. I couldn’t put it down. In a world where women were seen as property, Xishi rises above, wielding power in her own way. Though marketed as fantasy, the book leans more heavily into historical fiction, with only light fantastical elements and minimal romance. Regardless of genre, I found it captivating.

I received a free egalley of this book from the publisher, and all opinions are my own.

An epic historical fantasy meant to be devoured.

“A Song to Drown Rivers” follows Xishi after her beauty draws the attention of a famous young military advisor, Fanli. He presents her with a rare opportunity: to use her beauty to topple the neighboring kingdom of Wu and avenge her sister’s murder. All she has to do is infiltrate the enemy palace as a spy, seduce their immoral king, and weaken them from within. But if she is unmasked as a traitor, she will bring both kingdoms down.

Liang’s adult debut is inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. Her atmospheric writing immerses the reader in a world set during Chinese history that has a fantasy feel to it. I really love how Liang’s reimagining characterizes Xishi as someone who is so much more than a beautiful face. She sacrifices her own happiness, draws upon her wit to manipulate men who think her harmless, and never lets her guard down, even in the face of loss and violence—all for the greater good of her kingdom. Her story is one that I find empowering.

Liang creates an interesting dynamic between her characters that is a recipe for tragedy. Xishi is at the center of it all, coveted by Fuchai (the cruel king of Wu that I couldn’t manage to fully hate thanks to Liang) despite her heart belonging to someone else. That someone else happens to be Fanli, who typically doesn’t allow himself to fall victim to selfish desires. The forbidden attraction that sparks between them over the course of the ten weeks they trained together made my heart race! I could practically feel the yearning behind every stolen glance and brush of their fingers. I wanted nothing more than for them to get together.

The ending of this book is devastating. Seeing what little power Xishi possessed be ripped away from her, and the attempted erasure of her from history, permanently damaged my tear ducts I fear. Yet, the final pages leave a lasting impact in the most beautiful way.

Beautiful, and haunting, and undeniably heartbreaking. This was such a pleasure to read, and despite the plot twist that I did not see coming and was SO MAD AT, the ending was perfect. I will be telling everyone I know about this beautiful book.

A marvelous story...the writing, the character insights, the plots- you truly get lost in the legend of Xishi. As someone who did not know the legend ahead of this read, I was immediately wrapped up in the small village, in the palace, in the journeys. Liang introduces the characters in such an effortless fashion, they so quickly become like old friends.

One thing that stands out the most I think is the tension. Whether it be romantic or an internal struggle, this story more than most can convey genuine feelings. Words are not used without intention at all in this story. I have to imagine if you do know the legend, it will feel like revisiting one of your favorite places. If you are like me and did not know, the fog rolls away just long enough for you to view the journey and you'll be missing it all the second the story ends.

A Song to Drown Rivers, Ann Liang writes a beautifully crafted tale that captivates me from the very first page! Her lyrical prose are truly captivating. The pace is well-paced, and each chapter is rich in detail. Every character is meticulously portrayed, Ann Liang managed to captured their emotions, actions, and physical appearances with her words. It truly is easy getting immersed in the scenery from the flow and how she uses the words. This story, inspired by the legend of Xishi, skillfully blends elements of Chinese historical fantasy with themes of war, womanhood, and romance. Each chapter flows seamlessly, drawing you deeper into a world rich with intrigue and complexity. This book is undoubtedly one of the best I’ve read this year. I've always loved her works, from "If You Could See The Sun" and "I Hope This Doesn't Find You"! Cant wait for another book from her!

Thank you, Ann Liang and NetGalley, for the advanced copy! I truly appreciated it.

3.5 rounded up.

This book was really cute if you avoided thinking too hard about the implausibility of the premise. Xishi is a beautiful girl who is recruited to work as a spy while acting as concubine for a rival kingdom's ruler. She, of course, falls in love with the man who trains her to be a concubine (she does not even know how to bow properly when initially recruited), and then yearns for him while simultaneously getting the rival prince to fall in love with her. If I was digging into it, there are a lot of issues in the plot. When looking at vibes only, I enjoyed it! This book is advertised as adult, but I would say it's more in the young adult category. Xishi learns the complications of war, and how there often is no "right" side to military issues, but it doesn't go much deeper than that. I only gave it that extra .5 star because it got me feeling a little giddy at times.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love myths and retellings and this was a fun if slightly tragic retelling. I liked that the beautiful woman Xishi and her BFF were more than just beautiful faces and were truly Badass and complex characters with fun motives. I do wish we got to see more of Xishi and Fanli their relationship was cute and i actually really liked him despite his calm attitude. I also liked the Wu king no two sides are ever really innocent in a war and this retelling definitely plays to that cliche. I did actually wish that Xishi developed a truly deeper connection to the wu king because like she realizing he Is kind of pawn as well and she learns her own king is not that innocent either. I do wish we got a littler deeper into history of why the kingdoms are so combative with each other but overall it was an interesting retelling.

“The men will fight for their thrones and their power and their legacies, but to them we are nothing more than crickets and ants, insignificant, expendable.”

3.5

A Song to Drown Rivers tells the story of Xishi as she turns from a simple village girl in the kingdom of Yue to a spy disguised as a concubine in the kingdom of Wu. With the use of her beauty and training, she is tasked to deceive and distract King Fuchai of the Wu Kingdom as her home kingdom seeks their revenge.

I just want to start this by saying I am a big fan of Ann Liang’s books. If it’s written by her, I would definitely read it. A Song to Drown Rivers was a pretty good book, it was very easy to follow along, and it was very beautifully written, albeit flowery at times. I do wish there was more politics to it, that was something I felt this book lacked.

I really liked Xishi’s character. I think she’s really brave to have taken this task of pretending to be the enemy king’s concubine when all she had was ten weeks of training. It did think it was kind of silly that she only needed ten weeks to train and to study all that was needed to be the perfect concubine and spy.

Xishi’s romance with Fanli was very much love at first sight which I really don’t like. In the span of ten weeks they fall in love with each other. There was so much yearning especially on Fanli’s part because he was the king’s minister and he’s a ‘duty first’ kind of guy. They were a nice pair but I do wish their relationship developed gradually instead of being in love with each other from the get go.

King Fuchai was an interesting character. I actually liked him and thought he deserved better. He was someone who starved affection and I can’t blame him for that, especially with the circumstances of his childhood.

I may not have loved this book as much as I do Ann Liang’s contemporary YA ones, but it was still a nice read.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest and review.

I LOVED this book!!! It was easy to read and follow. It wasn’t super complicated. It is not really a fantasy. There is light discussion of the “after world” but that’s as close to fantasy as we get. But I’m not complaining. It was a beautiful book. I grew attached to the characters. It was almost a love triangle sort of thing. The plot twists at the end!! This must be very closely related to the Chinese mythology because I was describing the book to my husband and he told me he watched the same thing in anime. He knew how it was going to end before I did! I was SOBBING!!! SOBBING!!! There was so much teasing between the love interests in this story and then everything changes!! I felt for Xishi!! What she was asked to do in the end! I did not think she was going to do it! I wouldn’t have!!! I honestly thought there was someway everything was going to come together in the end! It went a completely different path. Be prepared, if you do not know the mythology behind this, this is not a predictable cute sappy ending. You will be crying. Your heart will be breaking but you will love it all. 5 stars for story and making me feel everything!!!!

Ann Liang's A Song to Drown Rivers is a captivating exploration of identity, culture, and the tumultuous journey of self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of both contemporary and mythological elements, the novel follows the protagonist as she navigates the complexities of her dual heritage. Definitely a heart wrenching love story between the main character Xishi and the military advisor Fanli.

Liang's writing is lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into the rich tapestry of emotions and experiences. The narrative deftly balances moments of joy with profound introspection, as the main character, Xishi, grapples with her sense of belonging. The integration of folklore adds depth, creating a vivid connection between past and present that resonates throughout the story.

The character development is particularly strong; Liang crafts a relatable and multifaceted heroine whose struggles feel authentic. The supporting cast is equally well-rounded, each contributing to the protagonist's journey in meaningful ways.

Overall, A Song to Drown Rivers is not just a story about personal growth, but also a poignant commentary on the power of heritage and the universal quest for connection. Ann Liang has delivered a beautifully written novel that lingers long after the final page, making it a must-read for anyone interested in stories of resilience and identity.

I highly recommend this book to all lovers of romantacy.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

I did genuinely have a good time reading this book for a majority of the time but had a few issues that brought it down to the three star book for me (or maybe closer to 3.5 stars). I liked most of the characters, specifically Zhengdan, but felt like a few more characters could use a little more personality. The plot pacing was also a little all over the place for me. I enjoyed the medium/slower pacing of the first 70% and then the last bit was fast and wrapped up quickly and the love interest barely explored. I’m not opposed to tragic endings but this ending could have spanned several more pages and been given more time. Overall, a fun read and would generally recommend. Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I’m not sure where to begin with this review other than I wish I had some warning as to the amount of tragedy that occurs. I have zero knowledge of Chinese mythology, so I went into this book with only the knowledge that it is a historical fantasy(ish).

Xishi is an otherworldly beauty who, like everyone else, suffers from the side effects of war. Her sister was killed and her village suffers. She hates the Wu people. Xishi is able to potential enact her revenge when Fanli, the advisor of the Yue Kingdom, recruits her to become a spy disguised as a concubine for the King of the Wu. Xishi and her best friend, Zhengdan, train with Fanli to become a concubine and palace lady respectively. When Xishi finally arrives in the palace she must question her feelings of affection, play the games of the court, and win over King Fuchai in order to bring down his kingdom.

Ok, so… the story itself is great. Beautiful and heart wrenching, Liang explored what the true idea of freedom is among a monarchy. The ending really pulls at your heartstrings in addition to making you question your beliefs. It reads like a K-drama, which I assume is the point. The prose was beautiful if not overdone. I thought the pacing all over the place. The action would be nonstop only to lull with page after page of prose and inner monologue. I skimmed over a lot that did not advance the plot.

The characters were all incredibly tragic. I feel like Liang did all of the characters justice in terms of development. The development between characters was lacking. There was so much potential to build the connection between (to avoid spoilers) both sets of couples, but instead it’s assumed that they just grew closer. I also found it weird that Xishi’s illness basically goes away even though it was prominent at the start.

Overall, it was a solid 3. It wasn’t bad, but I don’t see myself buying a copy or rereading it. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC

This is truly a historical c-drama in book form.

The story is of Xishi, the most beautiful woman in all lands, who goes from being a young woman in rural village to being their kingdom's tribute to the enemy kingdom's monarch. She is discovered and trained by Fanli, (likely) the most beautiful man in all lands, also the most intelligent and adept at martial arts. Fanli plans for her to be a spy, to seduce the enemy king, Fuchai, and open a way for their own kingdom to take revenge. But things get complicated when Xishi and Fanli develop feelings for each other and when Fuchai is not straightforwardly the monster Xishi imagined him to be.

I can see beautiful scenery, the luxurious costumes with the prettiest faces, and the gut-wrenching pain of love and betrayal, all painted out vividly in my mind. It's surprisingly refreshing how this story unabashedly make their protagonists the most good-looking, most talented people ever. It also doesn't have any big twist - I knew at around 30% where it is going and still didn't want to put it down. It's charming in a simple way that feels like a fairy tale I already know by heart but never get tired of reading again and again, of feeling that heavy emotion pressing on my chest again and again. Ann Liang has always been amazing at writing drama in her contemporary YA romance, but she manages to turn it up a notch with this book. Despite the simple writing style, the maturity and intensity of the story definitely feels like an adult book.

With this genre, one thing I expected a bit more of is the politics, the intricate dynamics of the court, the complex machinations of the concubines. All of these exist in the story but at a pretty simple, straightforward level. It's enough to provide a backdrop for the romance, but I came into it expect it to be more of a historical fiction, and the plot falls a bit short for me in that regards.

Overall, it's a very enjoyable read and a great adult debut. It solidifies Ann Liang as my auto-buy author. I can't wait to read more of her historical and adult fictions.

Title:  A Song to Drown Rivers  
Author:   Ann Liang    
Genre:  Fantasy       
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Her beauty hides a deadly purpose.

Xishi’s beauty is seen as a blessing to the villagers of Yue—convinced that the best fate for a girl is to marry well and support her family. When Xishi draws the attention of the famous young military advisor, Fanli, he presents her with a rare opportunity: to use her beauty as a weapon. One that could topple the rival neighboring kingdom of Wu, improve the lives of her people, and avenge her sister’s murder. All she has to do is infiltrate the enemy palace as a spy, seduce their immoral king, and weaken them from within.

Trained by Fanli in everything from classical instruments to concealing emotion, Xishi hones her beauty into the perfect blade. But she knows Fanli can see through every deception she masters, the attraction between them burning away any falsehoods.

Once inside the enemy palace, Xishi finds herself under the hungry gaze of the king’s advisors while the king himself shows her great affection. Despite his gentleness, a brutality lurks and Xishi knows she can never let her guard down. But the higher Xishi climbs in the Wu court, the farther she and Fanli have to fall—and if she is unmasked as a traitor, she will bring both kingdoms down.

This was an engrossing read from the beginning. Xishi was a wonderful character:  so caring and kind and determined. Seeing her grow and change and become sure of herself and confident was lovely to read. Fanli was only present in part of the book, and he felt very reserved and distant, but I liked him. This was not a fuzzy-bunnies-ray-of-sunshine read—not in any way—but it was a gripping read that completely absorbed my attention.

Ann Liang is a bestselling author. A Song to Drown Rivers is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

Yeah, just couldn't get into this one. The writing is better than average, but the story itself is beyond boring. Xishi didn't catch my interest, neither did Fanli, and I just couldn't find a reason to care about anything that was happening. Hard pass. DNF.