SPOILER ALERT
Beautifully written, heartbreaking tragic love story, strong FMC. Towards the end I actually felt pain for Fuchai, he was willing to leave everything behind for Xishi & for a moment it seemed she almost changed her mind about him. Then I grieved with Fanli over Xishi.. Finally at the end Fanli & Xishi meet again in the afterlife, with the hope of returning for a new life cycle. Bittersweet

This novel is an all-consuming, devastatingly beautiful story that I could not put down. Liang's lyrical prose brings to life a mythical retelling of the legend of Xishi, seamlessly weaving together heartbreak and political intrigue into a captivating page-turner. At its core, the novel features a woman who wields her beauty as a weapon against those who seek to oppress her and her people, using her allure to navigate and manipulate the treacherous political landscape. The poetic language and gripping narrative keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating each twist and turn. This is a must-read for anyone seeking a powerful story that beautifully intertwines history and legend, showcasing the strength and resilience of its heroine.

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

Legends tell of the Famous Four Beauties of Ancient China. Xishi was arguably the most beautiful. “My beauty was something unnatural transcending nature itself. And that beauty is not so different from destruction.”

Xishi was born in a mountain village in the State of Yue [present day eastern China’s Zhejiang Province] around the 7th to 6th centuries BCE. A chance encounter with Fanli, the military advisor of King Goujian, would soon provide her with the means to weaponize her beauty to bring down the Wu Kingdom.

A military defeat left King Goujian humiliated and forced into the service of the King of Wu. Scars on Fanli’s back were indicators of his denouncement as well. Three years later, both were set free. There had been no end to the turmoil in the Yue Kingdom since the capture of Kuaiji [the fallen city where Goujian had been forced to surrender to the Wu soldiers].

Xishi spent her days cleaning silk in the river and selling it at the market. “Our supply of beans was low, our supply of rice lower…I had learned to think of time in days, the stretch between two meals, from sunup to sundown…all my life…the repetition of tasks necessary for survival”.

Yue military minister Fanli “seemed to be a man who had severed all worldly desires in order to save the world, he who has sworn total loyalty to the state…”. Treason…Traps… Treachery…methods that could be used for entrapment. Fanli’s idea was to convince Ishi, a maid of breathtaking beauty, to embrace a plan to help overthrow the Wu. The Yue Kingdom had suffered greatly and weakened daily as survivors of war. Constant fear of subsequent battles with the King of Wu was ever present.

How could a peasant girl seduce a king and bring down a kingdom? Fanli would create a grueling training schedule to teach Ishi how to play the guqin, learn all styles of dance, and observe and follow eating rituals. Most importantly it is dangerous to openly wear one’s emotions. “Control is a matter of willpower and technique.

Ishi and Palace Lady Zhengdan would soon be brought to Wu as tributes to King Fachai of Wu. The assignment-bewitch Fachai, outwit the leadership by seducing the king. Find a way to separate Fachai from his advisers and concubines. Distract the king from his duties while gathering military information. Make Fachai “desire you. Keep him reaching for you…until he is consumed by thoughts of you.”

Ishi was conflicted. Was King Fachai truly evil? He believed in Ishi’s goodness and wanted to lay the world at her feet, ignoring all advice. Did she believe in the total goodness of the Yue Kingdom while she spied and sent military secrets to King Goujian? Ishi pined for her true love. "When we were apart, all I wished for was to be with him. Yet as soon as we were reunited, all we did was tell each other to leave.”

This character driven read of historical fiction was both beautiful and tragic, making the tale compatible with screen and operatic interpretations. Ishi’s sacrifices would change the course of history! Highly recommended!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off I would like to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me a copy of this book. I had so much fun reading this that I forgot that I was reading a book most of the time.

I've been reading a lot of asian/mythology inspired books lately, and boy this did not disappoint. THe legends of the four beauties are some of the most well known Chinese legends. I hope to see the other three stores from his author because I truly loved this.

Xishi was just a commoner that was raised to the status of concubine due to her outstanding beauty. But in truth she is a spy for her kingsome to help topple another country in revenge for the war that ravaged her homeland. And her elevation ins status is all thanks to a minister named Fanli who was searching high and low for someone who would captivate the king of the enemy nation.

As Fanli trains Xishi to become a spy/concubine the pair find that they are drawn to each other, but due to the circumstances they are not allowed to be together. Once her training is over Xishi is sent to the King of Wu as tribute.

The story progresses quickly over the course of two years in devastating events mixed with political intrigue. This was the perfect blend of romance and myth. When the end came around I felt my heart break for all of the characters. It was bittersweet, but still the perfect encapsulation of everything that the characters worked for.

I hope that when this book comes out in October that more people will read and appreciate it as much as I did. This was a masterful retelling that deserves so much love and attention.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers.

A Song to Drown Rivers is an Asian inspired romantasy. The most beautiful woman in the country is given the chance to turn her unearthly beauty into a weapon and she is transformed from a simple village girl into a femme fatale, ultimately betraying the enemy king and bringing the downfall of his kingdom.

this book was life changing, im heartbroken, I need therapy, ill be forever crying over this story. Fuchai I love you, Xishi I love you, Fanli I love you, I have no words!! Ill try to write a coherent review closer to release day, thank you to the publisher and to netgalley for sending this my way.

It was fine. I’ll recommend it to a certain type of person but maybe not everyone. I can’t put my finger on why but it was fine. Thank you NetGalley for this arc

Xishi was born and raised in the kingdom of Yue. She was beautiful and has been chosen to infiltrate the enemy kingdom of Wu. She is to entice King Fuchai and distract him so that he can be captured or killed to end the wars between the two kingdoms. A heartbreaking but enchanting story. Thank you Netgalley for the early copy! This comes out October 1, 2024. A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang. 4.5 stars

i've only read ann liang's fluffy debut novel, [book:if you could see the sun|60099660], which i adored! so thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me an arc for an honest review!

what drew me to this book was how it was based on one of the four beauties of china, and if you know anything about that legend (i didn't), you'd know where this book was going. but i am so glad i didn't because the lyrical writing and immersive atmosphere hooked me from beginning to end. i highly suggest not reading the legend before this because miss liang will tell you anyway - in the most heartbreaking, excellent way possible. story short, this book was beyond my expectations.

i want to be as general and vague as possible since this is an arc review, but i have to talk about our main character, xishi. her character development from a village girl to an elegant spy was so satisfying. it always felt like the story was in her voice. every choice she made was reasonable and clever. i adored her flexible character and where her decisions always led the story. also, i saw how the author marketed a "villain is obsessed with her" trope in this, and despite my doubt, she made it work so good that i started rooting for certain characters to be together. the romance in this wasn't cliche or corny - it was genuinely enticing and the yearning was so good that i had to scream into my pillows.

one more thing i have to say: this book made tears stream down my face. i wasn't expecting a tear-jerker, but the fact is that it made my heart ache, like a fist was squeezing it, and that i couldn't stop my tears no matter how much i made fun of myself for crying. it's been a very long time since i've cried over a book, so great job for breaking my heart miss liang.

i highly recommend this one if you're into court politics, intriguing relationships dynamics, and c-dramas! this one won't disappoint. i'm excited to read more of this author's works!

A huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book absolutely wrecked my soul and wrenched my heart from my chest. If you want to feel all the feels while being immersed in a fascinating Asian culture, this is the book for you!

A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang was such a beautifully written story. I don't know about the mythology of Xishi, but the way this story ass written was heartbreakingly eloquent and magical. Liang did a really good job of using a lot of vivid imagery to build the world in this story. It was quite often whimsical and enchanting. She also did a good job of establishing the characters and letting us see their growth and development throughout the story. Also, the anticipated first edition copies with the beautiful cover and sprayed edges would look amazing on anyone's book shelf.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Okay okay okay… but… MY HEART.
This story was so eloquently written with vivid imagery and exploration into Asian culture without being overwhelming. I loved being transported into the beautiful world. The conflict in the story was heart wrenching and so full of longing, I couldn’t put it down and devoured this book in two days. And then… that ending ripped my heart out. I was honestly not expecting it as there are so many happy endings in stories these days you grow to expect it, but this story held my heart and slowly ripped it until that last thread was brutalized in the last two chapters.
But I wouldn’t change a thing about the story. It was magical and such a delightful read.

It was such a rollercoaster of emotions, I delayed all my responsibilities just to finish this book because I just couldn´t manage to put it down.
As an Asian (Korean), it´s hard to find representation in literature, but thanks to writers like Ann Liang we get complex characters and amazing stories that have the ability to captivate the readers, while also sharing Chinese legends and historical settings.
It surprised me to read something so different from her previous works (all in a modern setting),, it felt like watching a movie and at the end ... I was just super attached to the characters that I couldn´t help sobbing, I need someone to pay me therapy..
Highly recommended!!!

Tropes include: angst, pain, suffering, and heartbreak🥰🤩🥳🤭🎀

Full review on Goodreads (this book was BEAUTIFUL)

This was an incredible book. I couldn’t put it down!
Thank you so much NetGalley for letting me read in advance

I love a book that you just can’t put down and this was one of them! Why did I like it? It’s not smut, but the love story woven into the plot is just as addictive! Ann Liang gives you just enough romance that you’re teased throughout, which will ultimately crush your soul in the end! I also loved the theme of war and the messages Liang conveys to her reader that people are more a like than we care to admit. This story follows Xishi, a great beauty, modeled after the legend of one of Agent China’s four beauties. She is approached by Fanli, a young military advisor, who offers her the chance to use her beauty as a weapon for revenge. The mission? Seduce the immoral king and bring down the rival kingdom of Wu, the people who continue to bring sorrow to her lands and family. This story left me wrecked in all the right ways! Grab a box of tissues and happy reading!

Thank you NetGalley, Ann Liang, and St. Martin’s Press for the eArc in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve been looking forward to this since it was first announced and it didn’t disappoint! I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed Ann Liang’s other works. I’ve always found it difficult to put down her books once I’ve started on them and the same goes for this one. It blew me away! Although the pacing can be a bit slow at a few parts, I thought the story was very well written and takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. Liang’s a fantastic writer and is shown through her complex characters and their relationships with each other, making you contemplate which side should you really root for. Even though it was heart wrenching, I really enjoyed the book and was invested in the story and characters. I am looking forward to see what Liang has in store next!

Brutal and beautiful, Liang‘s A Song to Drown Rivers absolutely lives up the praise. A much quieter and more thoughtful novel than what I’d expected, but that made me like it all the more. It’s not flashy and Xiejie isn’t the badass heroine in the way too many “feminist” heroines are forced to be. She is a complex character with layers and depth that make her point of view throughout the novel engaging and rich. I really like that Liang did not rely on tropes in obvious ways and, while I may not have been kept guessing, I certainly enjoyed the ride she took me on.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

Xishi's legendary beauty attracts the attention of a young military advisor who enlists her help in toppling a neighboring empire.

Within the first few pages, Liang was able to draw me in with her lush, atmospheric world. The book started off strong for me, but I felt it was unable to sustain that momentum over the course of the entire book. As this was an adult novel, I expected a slow burn to the romance between Xishi and Fanli but it felt more like insta-love. I couldn't fathom what they liked/loved about each other beyond the physical looks. I also thought once Xishi entered the palace, the stakes would be higher, but was disappointed in how easily the king fell for her. This book had a lot of potential, but I felt that there were too much "telling" and not enough "showing" for me.

A Song to Drown Rivers is perfect for those who love a good, heart aching, Asian lore fantasy.

The charecters were likeable and relatable, the chapters flowed together smoothly, when you get the point of the story where it is meant to hurt- it really hurts.

This is a book I will reread in the near future.

Ann Liang did a great job writing this story, all the details were perfect.