3 out of 5 stars

Oh, this book. I went into it with no knowledge and no expectations. For which, I am glad because I am not disappointed.

Xishi has beauty beyond compare, which is beneficial in a society where girls are fated to marry well and support their families. But Xishi faces a different fate when a young military advisor, Fanli, offers her an opportunity to use her beauty as a weapon. Xishi reluctantly agrees and sets off to train and go to the enemy kingdom Wu, where she will appear as a concubine to the murderous king. She then uses her training to help take down the rival kingdom while holding on to an attraction to the man who trained her.

While I did not love this book, the plot is intriguing and well-written. The story captivated me, and I was excited to read about a Chinese legend. A historical fiction based on one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China sounds interesting. However, I am unfamiliar with these legends, so I could not compare the work with those tales. But I am all about competent women, and Xishi fits that category well. She quickly falls into her role, and even though she faces a few hiccups, she sticks to her goals. I believe the best parts of this book happened when Xishi schemed and implemented her plans.

Although the book has a good plot, I do not believe Ann Liang spent enough time building the relationship between Xishi and Fanli. These two represent the forbidden relationship of the book. The one that drives the characters and leads them into trouble. But I do not see it. This whole part of the book fell flat for me. The two spent time together while she trained, but it seemed like their romance happened off-page. I think “romance” is too strong of a word to use here. I believe they had some connection, but not a life-altering one.

For a historical fiction based in Ancient China, I wished to see more explanation of the culture in this book. I did not expect too much because this is a work of fiction and not history, but I wanted to know more about the culture Xishi and Fanli lived in. I think this could have had a bigger impact on a story where a woman, with few rights and freedoms, must infiltrate an enemy kingdom and gain the trust of a king. This is a personal preference, but it impacted my enjoyment of this book.

An interesting story and beautifully written scenes were not enough to save this book for me. I never fully got into the story. However, I did enjoy many aspects of the work. I liked the characters, the overall plot, and even the ending, but I still wanted more.

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

I wasn't sure about this one at first... but I ended up being invested in it. The parts that got me were the relationships, and how they can break you. Also, I think I'm a Fuchai apologist. The poor guy was just clueless.

This book is absolutely exquisite. It ripped me apart in the best possible way. The prose was elegant and engaging the characters were crafted with care and nuance and the worlbuilding and storyline were just so rich and satisfying. The narration was so immersive; it never took me out of the story at all. This is the kind of book you can tell will rip your heart apart from the beginning but you just keep reading because you have to, it's that good. If you like stories that surprise, rich world building, romance that doesn't annoy you or leave you dumbfounded, female characters that are smart, complicated, and human, and a fair share of exquisite angst, this is for you. A hero journey, coming of age epic that grips and delights for sure.

I'm not one to usually read these types of novels but the description caught my eye and wow--this is the fastest I've read a book in a long time. The ups and downs kept my attention, the plotting and scheming by the strong female character. A wonderful novel, although I wish it had ended differently.

5 stars

WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?!?! I still have sooo many questions. honestly this is my first time reading a historical romance so I blame that for being so slow

I don’t cry at books so I said I’ll be fine..
plot twist - I was not

romance
why did I have to get second lead syndrome😭 I was so in love with fuchai and then… ugh

like im sorry just read these quotes
“you are my weakness, you know that?”
“kiss me” he said hoarsely. “kiss me until i forget everything”
“is someone bothering you? who? i’ll kill them.”

YOU CANT NOT LOVE HIM. and yet she had to end up with fanli 😣 don’t get me wrong I love the man.. just not as much.

literally at the start of this book I was like “ooh im excited i like love triangles” and “oh i dont really cry at books I’ll be fine” boy… was i wrong.

ann liang will take your heart and crush it into confetti. in the most beautiful way possible ofc

overview
if you enjoy:
- historical romance
- fantasy (was it fantasy)
- love triangles
- misery…

then you’ll love this 😄 and even if you don’t.. you will STILL LOVE IT!! because it’s ann liang for crying out loud.

also the quotes and writing in this book are literally so top tier >>> never read anything like it in my life it’s one of a kind

characters
xishi - honestly she was so brave and strong!! I loved her. she made a few stupid decisions sometimes and she didn’t always say the right thing in the moment.. but I still liked her. she did what she had to. (however I think im gonna hold a grudge for the rest of my life for what she did to fuchai…)
also im still confused. I think after the plot twist I blanked out a little and I was too teary eyed to read properly because what happened to her!?!? im still confused

fanli - from this review you probably think I hate him but I DONT. he’s so cute and his love for xishi was so pure and beautiful. despite my HUGE obsession with fuchai I still think them two were the right decision to end up together. he was perfect for her and they were so in love <3

FUCHAI MY ONE TRUE LOVE - he’s so misunderstood im telling you like he literally took so much care of her and attended to her every need. here’s some more quotes that had me giggling and screaming:

“i would give up everything for you, you realize?”

just like i would give up everything for a chance with him. fuchai apologist until the die i die.

to conclude
honestly I loved this book so much but I kind of never wanna think about it again. because it hurts a little too much to think of and then next thing I know im sobbing in my room for hours and the box of tissues has run out

so for the sake of my mental health i’m gonna block it out a little. and keep in the good things!! because some moments were cute whilst others were gut wrenching

I highly highly recommend this book and I guarantee you won’t have read anything like it!! thank you netgalley and st martin’s press for providing me this arc.

I don't normally do this (okay, I actually never have before.....) but.............
I started reading and the prose from chapter 1 was flawless.
The physical book is gorgeous.
The premise is lit.
The reviews are so high already.
I think this book will be one of my favorites of the year.
So I /STOPPED READING/ and preordered it, and I intend to experience it for the first time as a physical book in my hands, in October, in all the gorgeousness that it is. I don't know if I'll be able to hold out, but dangit, I am going to try.

GREAT job to the cover designer and edge designer. It's so beautiful.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. I can't wait for the physical to arrive. Will update if I break down and give in to the temptation.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for offering me an ARC!

I already know I love Ann Liang's writing. It always grab me fast and its so easy to read. In this book I think I enjoyed it even better.
I loved the premise, I love stories about real historic figures. The espionage storyline was interesting too and the romance was beautiful and angsty the way I love it!

Unfortunately about halfway through, the book was not grabbing my attention like it did in the beginning and I really cant tell why. The last part was interesting again and the endind heartbreaking (I was not expecting to cry like I did) so it was worthy again.

Overall a solid book! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed the author's books before (thought it should still expect something different and more heartbreaking)! And I'm always looking forward to what she will write next.

This book was beautifully written. It marked my first venture into Ann Liang's literary world, initially drawing me in with its captivating cover. I was intrigued when I delved into the description, but the book surpassed my expectations. While I don't often read historical fiction as often as I would like, Ann's storytelling prowess proved irresistible. She expertly painted the portrait of Xishi's allure, her intricate world, and the complexities of her relationships, touching my heart, particularly towards the men in her life. By the book's conclusion, I was crying.

While navigating the demands of graduate school, I have little spare time for reading. Yet, with this novel, I found myself eagerly stealing moments to immerse myself in its pages. While I typically opt for digital copies on my Kindle for convenience, I am compelled to collect physical copies of certain books when I want to curl up with them for future rereads. This is undoubtedly one such book.

**********************SPOILER ALERT*************

I must clarify that my critique isn't directed towards Ann or her work. I understand that the ending adheres to historical events. Yet, I couldn't help but wish for a different fate for Fuchai. Sympathizing with him due to his upbringing, I felt a pang of regret as he demonstrated a willingness to forsake his kingdom for Xishi, unlike Fanli, who failed to seize the same opportunity. Though often frustrated with Fali throughout the book, the tragic outcome for all involved left me reflecting on the complexities of their choices.

tl;dr
An emotional ride featuring a clever protagonist that absolutely sticks the landing.

Thoughts
I finished this book a while ago, but I had to sit with my thoughts for a while because they are many. Like the lead character, this book is beautiful and clever and ambitious and tragic, and I found myself caught up in it the whole way through. Espionage tales are tricky, but this one really fulfills is promise, with a lead character who is absolutely cunning, and I love every move she makes. Pacing can be a bit hard to follow in some places, with large portions of time passing quickly in a way that makes me feel a TV show would convert it into a quick musical montage. The parts where it slows down to really detail the character interactions are by far the best parts, and I was surprised at how delicate and tender some of the emotions are. If the description of the book seems even the least bit interesting to you, give it a read. Strong recommend on this end.

ARC review on behalf of Dear Asian Youth Book Club

The first book in over a year that I truly felt like I could give 5 stars to. Devoured it in less than a few hours, it was such a right time right book situation, everything from the characters to the worldbuilding to the political intrigue was such sheer perfection. The writing was lyrical, haunting, but never self-indulgent and there is nothing I love more than a tragic romance. My only qualm is that this book could have been longer, 500 pages would have been the perfect length to capture everything that had been condensed along the way.

This book was absolutely amazing! I finished it in one day, because it was impossible to put down. I don’t tend to read historical fiction, but this book may make me read more of them. I cried several times throughout this book and it was so interesting. I truly didn’t guess what would happen in the book and was surprised multiple times. I would love more books like this!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

This book was so captivating from the beginning. The story is moving and I couldn't put this down. The ending completely devastated me and was not at all what I expected. I feel so emotional after reading this book and can't wait to recommend it to everyone in October.

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.