This is a beautiful novel. As a white American of Western European descent my knowledge of Chinese folklore is non existent, so I went in to the story with no knowledge of Xishi. Then Ann Liang swooped in and took my heart for a wild ride. I came out of the novel loving this iteration of Xishi and the entire cast of characters.

This novel has something for everyone… mystery, fantasy, espionage, romance, long burning revenge, and history. With rich world building, engaging character development and beautiful prose, this book was unputdownable. Stunning. For sure a top read of 2024.

I knew ahead of time that the ending would be tragic, but I didn't know everything that led up to it would be so beautiful. The descriptions of place that made me actually see the rivers and blossoms, the spare telling of how time passes and relationships grow.... I got lost in the story and so invested in the characters. Just as Xishi had mixed feelings about Fuchai, so did I. Just as her heart leapt whenever Fanli was near, so did mine. I cried so many tears by the end and I think my heart is permanently broken. Five stars, highly recommend.

This was a book where if you're paying attention to all the clues the author left, you can guess at the ending. Not that it made it bad, it was actually a fantastic book. There was enough tension and drama to keep the story going. There were masterfully written political drama that kept you on your toes, You realize the main character of Xishi never gives up on her goal and fights for it until the very end.

5/5 stars! This is why I love NetGalley providing the opportunity to read such wonderfully sad and complex books in advance! You’ll definitely want to add this to your TBR shelf!!

I firmly believe everything Liang writes is 5 stars and I am so extremely grateful that I got the opportunity to read this ARC!! ASTDR is honestly one of the best books I have ever read and I know it’s going to put me in a book hangover. I loved this from the first line all the way to the last and I was hooked the entire time. The complexity of all the characters had me invested in everyone’s lives so much that I even liked the king at times. The tropes in this book made me scream. I loved all the Xishi and Fanli scenes so much. The massive timeskip was done so well and didn’t impact the reading at all. The last 50 pages broke my soul. I screamed into my pillow and cried on almost every one of those pages. The foreshadowing is also extraordinary and looking back now, it blows my mind. There is no filler, every line and scene in this book is needed. I’m still in complete shock after finishing that but at least it’s sort of a happy ending?

5 stars<3

I have read almost all of ann liang's book and not a single one of them has dissapointed me till now. And this book again did not fail to capture my heart and mark its impact on me.

Ann's writing style has always been so easy for me to read, even in this genre she manages to capture your attention and mind and drown yourself into the book. It was so easy to read through this and I did not wish to put this down once because everything about this book was so encaptivating.

The characters in this book are really complex. All of them definitely have flaws but u still cannot help but love them all and empathize with them. Your heart aches for them and you see yourself in their position and constantly keep worrying about them. That is very rare when it comes to books because in the end they are fictional characters, ink on paper but its crazy that despite that you cannot help but care for THESE characters because of the way ann describes them.

I loved Xishi, our main character who is known for her beauty and is assigned a mission to capture the heart of the king of the enemy kingdom. I did question her choices at some points but regardless, as I said before, I couldn't help but love her.

Fanli was a complex character too but a character you know u can root for since the start and see his development throughtout the book. I loved his character and wished we learnt more about him.

To say that I loved Fuchai would be an understatement. He managed to steal my heart and I have always loved characters with a good character development. Even thought YOU KNOW that xishifanli our meant to be, u cannot help but feel for Fuchai, he is just a great character and my heart breaks for him</3

I loved Zhengdan. When I was reading about her, I just felt like I am her elder sister and had the urge to protect her.

This book was tragical and beautiful at the same time. And even though I feel heartbroken I am glad that I had the chance to read this<3

thanks to netgalley and the author this arc<3

"A Song to Drown Rivers" is a captivating blend of historical fiction and fantasy that takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the intricate web of politics, love, and sacrifice in ancient China. What struck me most about this novel is its portrayal of Xishi as a multifaceted protagonist who defies societal expectations to pursue her own destiny. As she navigates the dangerous world of espionage and court intrigue, her inner strength and resilience shine through, making her a compelling and relatable character. The dynamic between Xishi and Fanli adds depth to the story, highlighting the complexities of love and loyalty amidst conflicting loyalties and moral dilemmas. With its richly imagined setting and gripping narrative, "A Song to Drown Rivers" is a must-read for fans of historical fantasy and epic romance alike.

a song to drown rivers is devastatingly beautiful. i have never been so excited for the release of a book!!! i am confident this book will get the attention it deserves!! written from Xishi’s point of view, Liang creates the most exquisite atmosphere built from Xishi’s desperation for a world of reconciliation and peace. chosen to enter her enemy’s kingdom under the pretense of being offered as a gift for the king, Xishi must become the undoing of Wu in order to liberate her own home kingdom.

my only disappointment with this book is that i will never be able to read it for the first time again. and learn from my mistake, have tissues on stand by.

Ugh my heart.

A Song to Drown Rivers is a retelling of the legend of Xishi, one of the famous ‘Four Beauties of Ancient China’. From the beginning of this story, I was hooked. Ann Liang wastes no time in setting up the overarching plot, the characters and hinting at the relationships therein. By the end of chapter two, I knew this book would hurt me emotionally (in the best way).

The author’s prose was the highlight of the book; I found myself completely immersed in the descriptions of the surroundings and the character’s senses. The romantic aspects had me swooning, and I was immediately smitten for Fanli; no wonder this is a legend!

The last quarter of the book had me up past my bedtime, absolutely glued to the pages. The conclusion was so satisfying and left me with a bittersweet longing that did not leave once morning came.

To the author’s credit, my one and only complaint would be that it wasn’t long enough and I wanted more.
An absolute knock-out of a book, I will be recommending this to everyone.

My sincerest thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press & Ann Liang for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. A Song to Drown Rivers will be published October 8, 2024.

Immersive and Enchanting: 'A Song to Drown Rivers' Delivers an Atmospheric Masterpiece
Liang's skillful blend of simplicity and poetic elegance sets the stage for a breathtaking journey through this fast-paced, beautifully crafted novel. With a deft hand, Liang effortlessly guides readers through the intricate web of emotions that permeate every page, without resorting to unnecessary verbosity.
Rooted in ancient Chinese folklore, the narrative remains remarkably accessible, a testament to Liang's storytelling prowess. Unlike my struggles with 'Circe,' and other mythological retellings where frequent pauses for historical context impeded my progress, 'A Song to Drown Rivers' flows seamlessly, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in its world.

At its core, the novel deftly navigates themes of war, love, and duty, weaving them together in a spellbinding tapestry that leaves a lasting impact. The culmination of these elements is both devastating and beautiful, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's soul.

I wholeheartedly believe that 'A Song to Drown Rivers' has the potential to captivate a wide audience. I eagerly anticipate future works from Liang.

If you like crying, this book is for you 🥲

4.5 ⭐️

This book was outside of my typical wheelhouse, but I’m glad I decided to read it after reading so many positive reviews. Forbidden love, revenge, and female power dynamics come to life at the hands of Xishi and Fanli, whose stories weave together beautifully.
I took off a half star simply because it took me quite a few chapters before I was truly captured by the story, but that’s going to differ from person to person. This was likely due to my inexperience with Chinese mythology, not from a lack of writing ability on the authors part.
All in all, it was a fabulous story. The ending was truly heartbreaking in the most beautiful way, and although I was initially caught off guard- I thought it ultimately remained true to the storyline.

Huge thanks to the Author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the arc.

A Song to Drown Rivers is a perfect mix of political intrigue, espionage, action, historical fiction, and romance that will keep you turning just one more page until somehow all the pages are done. Xishi is more than the beautiful face and traditional aims of being married well to support her family. With the tutelage of a military advisor, she becomes a beautiful weapon to destroy the frequently drunk, irresponsible, brutish neighboring king responsible for much of the tribulations in her own kingdom. But surrounded in court filled with personal agendas, that are always conflict, Xishi has to make choices not just to carry out her mission, but to survive as well.

I loved this book. It was beautiful, thoughtful, and devastating. Every character had a story to tell. Incredible imagery, great pacing, and I was engaged throughout the entire story.

This book was a good read. I kept my attention from the first page.. The world building details were very descriptive and pulled me in. I was rooting for Xishi throughout the entire book. It was sad but bittersweet ending.

5 stars ☆
⤿ arc-review
tropes: friends? to lovers <3
(read 2 times)

i have read all of ann's books now (quite an accomplishment for me actually, if you couldn't tell, i am very proud!) but a song to drown rivers is by far the best one. i want it engraved upon a heart shaped locket, it's a story that i want to tell everyone i know. the writing is so beautiful and heartbreakingly poetic, while weaving an ancient tale in a seamless manner, paying attention to every single little detail. the characters, xishi and fanli, are so unbelievably lovable. if ann could possibly write a novella of them living in a cute cottage with zhengdhan, while birds chirp in the background and the scent of wisteria lingers in the air, that would be lovely! the friendship in this was precious and endearing, a feeling of love and care, an invisible string connection ♡

the protagonists and antagonists have somewhat of a blurred line. by this, i mean that i couldn't quite distinguish who was "bad" or "good." the characters' development was written in a way where you realize that all humans do have flaws, but who must prevail in the end? will one's hubris ultimately be their downfall? is love such a tragic feeling after all? it leaves you with these unanswered questions to ponder on and reflect, what makes this person the way they are?

historical fiction and mythology are some of my favorite genres for many reasons, and i believe this book is such a perfect representation of why i adore this style of writing so so much. i don't want to give away too much or go into the reasoning behind my annotations because the experience of reading a song to drown rivers for the first time is a feeling like no other. you experience what xishi is going through, the emotional turmoil, the angst and pining, everything. a reader does truly live a thousand lives, and thank you so much to ann for giving me a novel i will treasure forever.

thank you to netgalley and the author for the arc!

This is a historical fantasy inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of the four beauties of China. It is a story of war, sacrifice, betrayal, and love.

I loved this book. It was so addictive and I had a hard time putting it down once I started it. It was so beautifully written and absolutely heartbreaking. I was not expecting that ending and it completely destroyed me. I loved these characters and they all deserved better!!

I really hope the author writes more books in this genre in the future!

This was such a beautiful and cunning read just like Xishi. The start of the book was slow but it was needed to understand how normal Xishi’s life was and how suddenly it changed.
That moment when she meets Fanli was the point in the book when I could not stop reading. Their chemistry was on from the very first time and all throughout the book.
For me, my favorite parts were seeing Xishi’s development from villager to trained court lady to cunning spy. She is such a great lead character that shows her thoughts about honor and dury vs happiness and clear consciousness. Another favorite of mine was the imagery in this book.
Now all I have to say about the ending is be prepared to getting all the feels. This is a very inspiring, beautiful, clever and tragic story all at the same time.

I loved this book. Being completely unfamiliar with both the author and the subject matter, I wasn't really sure what I was getting into, but by the end I was compelled to begin researching the myths and stories that formed the foundation of this novel.

There were certainly a few points that I felt the pacing could have been improved but it wasn't enough to stop me from enjoying the story. And there were a few minor points where I wasn't entirely clear on how much time was passing, particularly once Xishi arrives at the Wu castle.

The ending was also entirely unexpected, and then unexpected one more time before it all wrapped up. Maybe if you're familiar with Xishi's story and the variations of her myth, you won't be surprised at all, but I certainly was.

I hesitate to make this comparison, because I feel like it puts too much pressure on this book, but I would say that people who enjoy Madeline Miller's works will also enjoy this one. Miller's prose is likely the stronger, but I was hardly disappointed by Liang's writing style either.

The romance was also constructed in a way that felt compelling and satisfying to read, and I found myself anxious to learn the ultimate fate of Xishi and Fanli.

I devoured this in almost a single sitting and only stopped reading because it was 3 am. I can imagine myself returning to this book to read it again, perhaps at a slower pace that allows me to savor what I might have missed the first time around.

Perhaps the highest praise I can give this book is that it moved me to tears, and any book that can move me to feel real emotion is worth my time.

What a lovely book! I found the story line to be captivating and heartbreaking at the same time. Also the end events I think I literally gasped when I read it, truly heartbreaking. This book left me thinking that’s not fair!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for letting my reading this advance copy in return for my honest opinions, it was a beautiful book.

This is a novel interwoven with star-crossed love, betrayal, war, and sacrifice. This is a book that will incite large emotions from the reader. The last quarter of the book I was tearful. The author does an incredible job tugging at your heartstrings and helping you to feel invested in the characters and the storyline in general. This is not commonly my chosen genre but the description sucked me in. I think this is a novel that transcends genres in general and will appeal to most people that want to feel emotionally entangled in a novel.