More of a 3.5 maybe.

This was definitely one of my most anticipated books of the year and despite receiving the arc long ago, I kept putting it off. As luck would have it, I got the audiobook copy narrated by none other than the amazing Natalie Naudus and had to pick it up immediately. And as always, her narration is an unforgettable force of nature.

I went into this without knowing the original myth coz I wanted it to feel fresh in my mind and was immediately intrigued by the beautiful Xi Shi. The writing is also very lyrical, with a poetic flow to it, and listening to it made it much more interesting. But I have to say, the plot and characters didn’t live up to what I was expecting from it. Most of the plot happens off the page and we are told about it later, which made me feel very detached from the characters and I couldn’t root for them as much as I wanted.

Xi Shi and her love interest Fanli are also separated for most of the book, with just a few intense scenes between them all throughout, which makes the marketing of the book as a romance disingenuous. The spy part of the storyline also felt unsatisfactory because while I enjoyed the developing dynamics between Xi Shi and the enemy king Fuchai, I would have loved to see more of both Xi Shi’s training to be a spy and the way she applies her training to seduce Fuchai and make him do his bidding. What she actually does in the book felt too simplistic to be such a decisive factor in changing the fate of two kingdoms.

While it might feel like I’m only criticizing the book, it’s more just me venting my frustration because I wanted it to be so much better. But despite these issues, I never did get bored throughout and really enjoyed listening to the audiobook, and was quite heartbroken towards the end. If you are interested in the book, do go in noting that this is more of a historical fiction drama and not a romantasy, and it might temper your expectations. I still wanna see what the author writes next outside of her usual YA contemporaries.

2.5 stars, rounded down
——————

I almost DNFed this book multiple times. I really tried, it just wasn’t for me.

This book had all the markers for something I was I usually love: fantasy, romance, a heroine. But something in the execution of it fell totally flat. The plot was expected, nothing new. I knew how it was going to end very early and found there was no really buildup to it. The book was almost too simple? It was clear to understand but there is no suspense at all. Events fly past, entire years flew by in this with no real action. What even was the world, because it’s barely explained. And her beauty becomes an entire plot point that the book revolved around. We get it, she’s beautiful. Mention something else about her, she’s literally taking down a whole rival Empire. Even the characters were entirely flat. This romance was boring and had no buildup or substance to it. The only character I really liked was killed. I just couldn’t connect to any of them.

This book has so much potential to be great but it was a definite flop for me.

3.5/5

A Song to Drown Rivers is a standalone fantasy about Xishi, a commoner and part of the Yue Kindgom, who is tasked with using her beauty to win over the rival Wu Kindgom’s King and work as a spy for the Yue. It’s based on an actual Legend of Xishi (don’t look it up if you want to read this—it’ll spoil it for you). I looked it up after reading it and it does very closely follow the legend.
 
Overall, I liked it but didn’t love it. What I liked about A Song to Drown Rivers was that it was mostly fast-paced, easy to understand, and I also liked the FMC, Xishi. What I didn’t love was that I wish the romance in here was a little more fleshed out. You’re shown a very small snippet of Xishi training for multiple weeks with the Yue Kindgom’s military advisor for her task of becoming a spy and winning over the Wu Kingdom’s King, and all of a sudden she’s suddenly in love with him and you as the reader don’t really see any of the buildup. Definitely some insta-love there, which I usually don’t care for too much. The ending was also very unsatisfying in my opinion, though it does seem to follow the actual legend.
 
I think if you like fantasies with female heroines who would do anything to save their people, you may enjoy this one. However, for my fellow romantasy lovers out there, I wouldn’t say the romance is very strong in this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book took me by surprise, I do not read anything outside of fantasy. But this was marketed as fantasy (unsure why because it definitely wasn't) and it was more of a historical fiction, and I really enjoyed it. I read it so quickly and I could not put it down once it really picked up. This was based on a true historical story of Xi Shi of the four beauties of ancient China and most of the main events in the book were true to the true legend. The entire journey of Xishi was amazing and her growth from a peasant girl to a spy was exhilarating and anxiety filled. Her relationship with Fuchai and his behavior as this ruthless king who only wants to be seen for who he is. The ending with him had be in tears and even towards the end I did not want him to die either because he was only the product of his environment. Although, my heart hurt for Fuchai, Xishi's relationship with Fanli was my favorite. He and Fuchai were opposites where Fanli was cool and calculated Fuchai was emotional and irrational. I think this paradox was hard for Xishi to reckon with and even though Fuchai was ruthless and violent she would often forget he was a wolf. She may have taken down his empire and was a hero to her own she felt shattered by it all. It was fascinating to witness her feeling the lines start to blur towards Fuchai despite her thirst for revenge.

The only reason this was not five stars for me is because I absolutely hated the ending especially knowing what the real ending was based on the story. I think that there was this huge build up for Xishi and Fanli and then she dies. I hate when they kill the main character, it did not feel necessary at all.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book tells a vivid story about Xishi's mission to be a spy and concubine in the Wu court on behalf of the Yue. I liked the beginning, which clearly laid out the history between the two kingdoms and established Xishi's backstory and motivations. After she leaves to begin training for her mission, I felt that the pacing was a bit odd. I expected more time to be spent on everything she needed to learn, especially considering that she had to essentially reshape her personality. I also wanted more planning with the Yue before she left for the Wu kingdom. Presumably these discussions did happen, but they were off-page. This pattern continues as Xishi begins to ensnare the Wu king. Alliances are built and foundations for undermining are laid, but then we don't see any more of the actual plotting and scheming. Because I don't know what to expect, I have nothing to anticipate or be stressed about, since all I know is, "the plan has been made and it's happening tonight." I also wish that more of the emotional aftermath had been explored, particularly with those who were Xishi's willing (and unwilling) accomplices. The focus was mostly on her relationships with the Yue minister and the Wu king, which is fine, but I wanted to see more maneuvering and complicated court navigating.

I do think this book had strong messages about the cost of war and perpetuating cycles of violence. The historical setting was also done well, and the writing style was very descriptive and easy to read. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a historical read with plenty of emotional conflict.

4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced copy! You can pick up A Song to Drown Rivers on October 1, 2024.

This book was absolutely gorgeous from beginning to end. The writing was lyrical, but not too flowery, and I love how Ann Liang built this world and these characters. The story felt almost addictive, like when you binge a TV drama, and it had compelling interpersonal political and romantic conflicts.

Xishi and Fanli's forbidden romance was delicious and heartbreaking, especially when you're almost tempted to root for the villian of our story, Fuchai. But Liang reminds us time and time again how awful he is, tempering the times we want to sympathize and pity him with the moments when we hate him, like Xishi. Liang showcased how easy it is to place people into boxes like "enemy" when in reality we're so multi-faceted it's impossible to be only one thing.

The ending absolutely devastated me, and I did NOT see it coming. It did feel right, though, after everything that occurred. I wish we'd had a little bit more on-page romance, but the moments we did get had me kicking my feet giggling.

If you're looking for a historical drama with forbidden romance, political maneuvering, and a woman getting revenge, this is your book!

ann liang ate and left no crumbs with this one!!
a beautiful yet tragic story, had my jaw dropped countless times. while i personally don't see how this is fantasy, it's best described as a historical fiction. i loved xishi and how she used her beauty as a weapon, she really had him walking like a dog!
i did find slight issues, such as i didn't really feel any character between the mc's, i wanted yearning but it felt like insta-love sadly. overall, this was such an amazing read and im so excited to get my hands on the physical copy! i love you ann liang <3
4.5 stars
thank you to netgalley and publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A Song to Drown Rivers is Ann Liang's adult debut novel and a retelling of the story of Xishi, one of the four beauties of China.The book revolves around war between the Yue and Wu kingdoms in China around 492 BCE. If you’ve read about Xishi you’ll probably have an idea on how the story ends but if not be forewarned this book is not a cute romance, it's a TRAGEDY. Although this novel is considered adult there are no strong adult topics and it could be considered upper YA. It is a completely different genre from Ann Liangs usual YA romcoms but her writing still has beautiful imagery and is easy to read.

Plot - It follows Xishi, who grew up in a small village in the Yue kingdom, but has always been known for her beauty. One day the king's military advisor, Fanli, seeks Xishi and her friend Zhengdan to convince them to become spies to work to overthrow the Wu. Fanli oversees Xishi’s training where she is then gifted to the Wu as a concubine for King Fuchai, with Zhengdan as her palace lady. Xishi must seduce the king in order give her kingdom a chance for revenge.

Characters:

Xishi - A legendary beauty who will go to great lengths to exact revenge on the Wu who harmed her family.

Zhengan - Xishi’s childhood friend who wished to defeat General Ma of the Wu, who killed her father. She is a very strong willed, free spirited girl. She assists Xishi as a palace lady but did not have enough development or page time to meaningfully affect the plot.

Fanli - The main love interest that Xishi somehow stayed in love with for over 2 years despite only knowing him for about 10 weeks

Fuchai - the king of Wu who is seduced by Xishi. He hates his job and is very naive and gets drunk a lot.

While the plot was interesting I didn’t feel like the characters had enough depth and as a result I don’t think I had such an emotional reaction about the ending like others. None of the characters had much backstory. Xishi and Fanlis relationship wasn’t the most realistic to me and we never truly got to know Fanli. I also believe Fuchai could have been a really good second love interest if he was less childish or if we knew more about him. Although these were not my favorite characters written by Ann Liang, A Song to Drown Rivers is still a intriguing historical fiction novel. I would definitely recommend it to those who love strong female protagonists, forbidden romance, and C-Drama fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martins press for providing an ARC

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Haunting and beautiful this story is inspired by the Chinese legend of Xishi. A young woman renowned for her beauty is tasked with infiltrating an enemy kingdom and weaken it from the inside, while loving another from her home kingdom.

This one is going to stick with me for a while. In less than 300 pages you will be transported to another time, and another kingdom.

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Underdeveloped and contrived characterization, lackluster romance, and unintriguing prose. Inconsistent pacing matches insignificant characters. Non-existent relationships feel forced and unbelievable. Passive worldbuilding oversimplifies the already low-stakes plot. Skips over vital scenes that would've made characters relatable. Exposition heavy with unrealistic dialogue. Premise had potential as it was intriguing in the beginning and instead the execution was mediocre at best. Perpetuates an annoyance from repetitive and unimportant points of focus. Recommended for those into generic stories and tropes. Overall, a bad read. "The moon rises white illuminating your beauty, your shadow which wounds me until my heart's devoured."

I was lucky enough to receive a digital arc copy of this book and still bought a physical copy! well this is not a very complex read i still ate it up. Very addictive plot line and writing style!

A SONG TO DROWN RIVERS is a highly captivating and beautiful novel. While this book wasn't what I thought it was going to be, it was one that caught my attention and held it. A loose retelling of the Chinese legend of Xishi, this book was well done and worth the read.

What I really enjoyed about this novel is the story and the characters. The author takes the ideas of sacrifice, revenge, duty, and honor and transforms it through the characters and the story they tell. What seems like simply a spy and revenge story becomes more complex and nuanced, while still furthering the plot and the overall story.

The characters are fully fleshed out and realized, with wants, desires, hopes, dreams, and fears. At a 336 page novel, I wasn't expecting that. However, the author does a great job realizing these characters and making us remember that even those that are seen as villains in one story may be different in another. This duplicity almost, this sympathizing with all characters is masterfully done. This author could do a master class on character writing honestly.

Lastly, and I think this is where some people were a bit disappointed, is the ending. I won't spoil it, but I thought this book might be a duology or that this is a romance. It is not. It seems like it is a singular book and I would argue that it is not a romance. It has elements of romance, the yearning, the desire, and that tension, but once you let go of those notions, I think the end makes more sense and is less jarring as a reader.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and have become a fan of the author. I am excited to read more of their books and think that this book is one that should be read and soon.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

My thanks for the eARC in exchange for a review. This caught my interest because of what I thought was wuxia or xianxia genre, and while it does have some of what might be that at the very end I enjoyed it mostly because I don't know the stories of the Four Great Beauties, of which Xishi is the first.

Her story starts in a small village, plucked from obscurity for her beauty and along with a childhood friend Zhengdan, sent into the court of a enemy king Fuchai by the king Goujian and his minister Fanli who she's fallen in love with. Yet despite herself, her heart finds in Fuchai a source of security and comfort, despite her being from the beginning a enemy spy.

Beautiful imagery chases scenes full of suspense and intrigue, but be warned this is a tragedy, not a slow burn romance!

(Wishing there's a follow up with modern-day reincarnation and a thruple, but I think I am too much a romantic.)

When I pick up a retelling of an Asian myth with roots in history, I expect it to reflect its culture and time. It's the most basic requirement I have, and not one this book meets. Full review in link!

I wanted to like this book so much, but it just didn't quite work for me.

This is a retelling of the story of Xi Shi, one of the Four Beauties of China. Xi Shi lived in the 7th-6th century BCE, and was pulled into a sexspionage scheme on behalf of her kingdom. She is recruited to become a concubine for a neighboring king and act as a spy, and eventually helps topple that kingdom.

The language was lovely, but it still read very much like young-adult instead of adult. The characters were young, and they felt young. And the romance was honestly nothing to write home about. And considering Xi Shi was meant to be a seductress, there's very little seducing going on in the book.

That being said, it was sad and beautiful and if you're interested in Chinese history, I do recommend the book.

3/5 stars

A Song to Drown Rivers is a vividly written book with complex characters. The book, which is loosely based on a Chinese legend, captured my attention from the beginning and didn't let it go. Xishi's thirst for revenge was palpable, as was her passion for Fanil. There were some parts of the book that did put me off (there is a lot of violence) but it didn't detract from how much I enjoyed reading this book. While I should have expected the ending of A Song to Drown Rivers, it still took me by surprise. It also broke my heart.

If you liked The Bridge Kingdom, but wanted something more devastating, pick this book up. We follow Xishi, who agrees to marry the king of the enemy kingdom in hopes of helping her kingdom to regain control by sabotaging them from the inside.

I could not put this book down from the start and loved every minute of it, even the ones where I was crying. While being very captivating, this is also one of the most impactful books I have read this year and really shows us the true cost of power and war. So often in these types of novels, one side is clearly evil and one clearly good - but what happens when both are in the gray area?

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.

This is textbook yearning and I am HERE FOR IT. A gentle and beautiful tale based loosely on ancient Chinese folklore

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

4.75/5 stars

This book broke my heart in the best way - I love and hate the ending. It was beautiful and poetic and fitting, and I love that Liang didn't shy away from the difficult choice....but god my heart hurts. I'm not crying, you're crying...

The writing was stunning, the voice was clear and positioned perfectly, and the story was wonderful. I loved the characters, even when I hated what they were doing. It didn't dive too deep into every detail but I could still picture what was happening and feel fully invested in every aspect. If I had a complaint, it would have been that I wish the 10 weeks she spends in training could have had a little more time to see her changes, and the romance, blossom a bit more in real-time....but even that is not a big complaint.

I love that she made mistakes and then had to find ways around them - I love that characters died (I mean, I hate it but...) and faced real consequ4eneces for their actions....I love the lyrical writing and the beauty and pain laced together in an elegant and heart-wrenching story. I just loved it, truly.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review!

5 stars overall - this book was so beautifully done: intense, captivating and heartbreaking. It makes me both want more and need a bit of an emotional break.

The story starts out very quickly, Xishi is thrown into her training with Fanli from the start, and their relationship builds beautifully. Xishi becomes a master manipulator and seductress, and is able to use these powers to her advantage, except with Fanli. Which starts our story off, with loads of intrigue and court politics.

Xishi’s growth in both character and skill set is very impressive & truly very fun to read. We go from her more sheltered personality to a master seductress and political spy. The complexities and dangers of navigating court politics and personal loyalties definitely sparked emotion in me and also rendered me very invested in the story, and specifically Xishi’s story.
As a character, Fanli is said to be extremely stoic, and it’s the moments where he cracks only slightly around and/or with Xishi that are the best for me.

I will say that the fantasy aspect of this story, in terms of fantasy and magic was sorely lacking for me, which i didn’t mind too much as the story, characters and atmosphere were interesting enough. It wasn’t until the very end until the fantasy/magical elements started to surface and it makes me wonder if the rest of the series will show much more fantasy and magic.

The worldbuilding is not too in depth, but we do understand the main elements to drive the plot, which is just enough without being too much. It leaves me to wonder if the rest of the series will have more specific world building - but I enjoyed the world and the politics quite a lot in this one, even though it was more character focused.


I really loved the writing, it was accessible without being too descriptive for me. The tension and subtleties were outlined clearly without being too overt and obvious.

This is definitely a series I will continue, and the ending is a real twist, of which I didn’t even see, and will make for a really interesting second book!