4.5 stars! Thank you, NetGalley, for granting me an arc in exchange for an honest review!

What a sad, beautiful, and tragic story. I'm never going to fully recover from this. I was not expecting this amount of heartbreak from an Ann Liang book.

Ann Liang has such a way with words, it's unbelievable. The way she weaves and crafts her stories is so beautiful. I will read anything she writes no matter what the genre is, because everything she writes is a masterpiece. And A Song to Drown Rivers is no different. This book was nearly perfect; sometimes I felt like the plot was dragging the teeniest bit, but it was barely noticeable. I fell in love with the characters, both the good and bad ones. And the romance... my heart hurts so much for Fanli.

Read if you enjoy a captivatingly heartbreaking and romantic fantasy read.

A Song To Drown Rivers was a delightful read, my first take on Chinese historical fantasy and it did not disappoint. This book is a gorgeous story about one of the four beauties of ancient China, Xi Shi, a beautiful girl from a village, who became a spy to take over the Wu kingdom and a need to satisfy her vengeance. I felt completely immersed in this story and found myself itching to learn more about ancient China. Ann Liang did a wonderful job at building relationships and emotion, my heart would ache for Xi Shi. I am amazed that every relationship in this book had dimension.

My singular critic is that Ann Liang was able to tell an entire story in 300 pages, which to some people is the perfect length, but to me this made the book feel rushed. I would have loved to see more of Xi Shi's training, and developments with the love interests. But honestly, I fell so deeply in love with this story that I would have kept reading forever.

4.5/5

This book was so beautiful and gorgeously written that I don’t know if I have the words to describe my thoughts, but I’ll try my best.

To start, the core of the story, the historical Chinese folklore, was fantastic and was incredibly immersive. I had originally been planning on spreading out the reading of this book over a few days, however I was so hooked that I finished reading it in just one day.

I loved the main character. A beautiful woman, yet her personality and character comes from her strength. Her romance with the other main character is full of yearning, with my heart aching for them during times they could not be together.

The only reason that this book is (sadly) not a 5 star read for me is because it did feel a bit rushed, and the ending seemed a bit anticlimactic. I would have loved, maybe even just 50 more pages so the ending could be wrapped up in a way that matched the pace of the rest of the story.

All in all, I really don’t think I can do this book justice in a review, but all I can say is that I will definitely be reading more of the author’s post-debut works.

I was so mad. I was so tempted to give 4/5 stars because I absolutely abhorred the ending, but all in all, this book made me feel emotions and I devoured the book within a day. So, in the end, I decided on 5/5 because it was truly a devastatingly beautiful and entertaining book. I feel deeply in love with the characters, immersed in the story, and loved the writing as well. I felt every loving word, every sad twist and turn.

This book was outside of my usual genres, and I do not regret reading it one bit and will definitely be reading more of it. It was a beautiful work of art filled with sacrifice, tension and yearning. It tugs at your heart strings and you can go from wishing death upon one character to not even knowing who to “root for.” The ending was truly heartbreaking.

The authors way with words, antithesis and how she worked poems really made me think deeper about the social issues of the story, especially those surrounding war.

The characters were complex, and I felt as though I got attached to them very quickly. We as the readers get a glimpse into their backstory’s, and what motivated them to the places they are in throughout the story.

I was so happy to be approved for this book! It lived up to the hype and more. The world building was perfect and I could not put this book down!

I got so excited when approved for this book and had to read it immediately and it totally lived up to the hype I had in my mind. It really transports you into the story and the setting and I felt so connected to the story because of Ann Liang’s beautiful writing. She can make it poetic with out being overdone and wordy! Xishi was such a fantastic character and I felt so relatable and interesting! The book was heartbreaking but in a way that makes me feel everything you should feel while reading a good book. I cannot recommend this enough and will be adding to our library for sure!

Big thanks for receiving the digital copy of this book on NetGalley!

My favorite things about this book:
The way this story unfolds started to remind me of the Chinese and Korean dramas I watch. The writing is romantic and lush. I could envision Xishi and Fanli in my mind so clearly, even down to the meaningful looks exchanged when words didn’t suffice. Some of the quotes during those tension filled moments made up for the quick pace. It’s a short book, so every one of those moments felt important to me.
I also adored how flushed out and morally grey some characters were. It let you feel a lot of conflicting emotions for each person, and since war is no black and white matter this seemed realistic. I would feel anger and then sympathy, sadness and then nostalgia. You want to be moved when you’re escaping reality to delve into a book!

I didn’t want to put the book down, and I thought about it when I did have to step away. To me this is the mark of a gripping story.

The things that had me taking one star off:
The ending! I won’t spoil the plot, but I was shocked. I think it also felt disjointed from the first seventy percent of the book in terms of style. The last paragraph seemed so vague and anti-climactic. I realize maybe I would have expected the end if I knew about the real life lore, but I also feel that because writing is meant to build upon things, it could have been whatever ending the writer found fulfilling.

A solid read! I would definitely read other works by this author in the future.

I am screaming. This is PERFECTION.
This was my first dive into Liang's work, and it certainly won't be my last. Her writing style is nothing short of poetic.
A Song to Drown Rivers was devastatingly beautiful. Retelling of a Chinese legend of Xi Shi, one of the 4 beauties of Ancient China. I was completely captivated, unable to tear myself away from the pages. I will be purchasing this book when it is released.

Wow. Didn't expect tjid to be so good. Interesting and tragic, I couldn't put it down. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

disclaimer: received an e-ARC, all opinions are my own

IM SOBBING AND IT WON'T STOP

the book reads like a poem, it crushed me and left me weeping. and i'll read it again, and weep some more. i've never highlighted as many passages in a book. the last 70% were read in one sitting, on my kitchen stool, because i couldn't even bear to look away for long enough to move to the couch. like?????

the characters are well-developed, Xishi is so human it hurts. i love her. (i love them all but she is her) this story is living in my mind so vividly, i'm unsure how to move on. i giggled, i fought against the pit in my stomach, i stilled with anticipation, the array of emotions i went through during this read i will never recover omg

midway through i pre-ordered the hardcover, i want to reread it so badly when it's done being edited and in its physical form, although if nothing were to change i would love it as it is. also the hardcover is GORGEOUS!!!!

*(update: i reread my highlights and im crying again, i finished reading this book last night and im still in pieces)

it's going on my favourites shelf and i will not stop talking about it until it's released and everyone else gets to experience my pain. i swear it's worth it though.

Xishi’s mother has always hidden her beauty. Wherever she goes she wears a covering on her face, to keep people from seeing it. Until one day, she gets a request to use her beauty as a weapon. She’s sent to the palace of the enemy, to seduce and destroy. The longer she’s there, the more attention is on her, and the more is at stake.
I love books like this, and I especially loved how Ann Liang put a different twist on it than most. I love how the story was based on mythology, and how everything was explained simply but still had so much detail. How the characters were so in depth. I absolutely devoured this book in less than a day, and will definitely be seen admiring this cover in person once it’s released. I’m sure it’s going to be even prettier in person.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC of this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

I write this review with tears streaming down my cheeks and a feeling of emptiness consuming me. This book is endlessly immersive with some of the most vivid imagery and characters I have experienced in many months. The writing is effortlessly captivating and poetic, creating some of the most meaningful quotes I have ever had the privilege of reading.

In Liang's adult debut you follow Xishi on her mission to make the enemy king fall in love with her so that her kingdom can attack, and I can not possibly see a way that this book could be executed any better. The plot seems rather predictable in the first 50% percent, only to take you for an absolute whirlwind in the latter half.

The romance in this novel is one of copious amounts of tension and longing, and it is FANTASTIC, it is what gave me life but it also what killed me emotionally. It pains me that this book is unavailable to the large majority of people, because this book is everything the world needs.

I loved this! I devoured it in one day. This was the sweeping, fantastical story I needed for an escape. Excellent

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for giving me this book for review considerations! All opinions are my own.
A Song to Drown Rivers is coming on October 8, 2024!!! Pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and more!! The link is below!!
What’s it about?
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.
Summary from Barnes and Noble (The StoryGraph isn’t posted yet!)
Why I Started This Book
So I got this book from Netgalley, and it honestly just looked and sounded cool! Yes, I did think the cover was beautiful and that was a major selling point.
My First Thoughts
I LOVE this!! Within the first 30 pages, I was in love!! Something about the main character was just amazing! Also, the Asian culture was simply amazing!!
My Rating
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
I loved so many aspects of this book!! Such unique and talented writing!!! I currently rated it 4.5 stars, but there is a chance it’ll become 5-stars one day!!
What I loved
This books has AMAZING THEMES and depth!! It’s basically a that crushes some stereotypes and fights back against sexism! Like the main character is a queen! Also, love the Asian representation! Super well done! For a quick note on the themes, they are embedded through these different topics, which makes them even more powerful!!
Character time! I LOVED the characters!!! All of them were simple wonderful!!! Xishi, the main character, is such an amazing, strong woman!! Love her!!!! Also, the side Ann doesn’t skip out writing well-developed side characters!!! They are literally all amazing!
This book really challenged the prejudice we have towards certain characters overall, and certain type of characters. While this isn’t super obvious at first read, upon further reflection you can really see how the author insinuates how we may be quick to judge people! She does this through super little actions of the characters, also really well done!!
The ending. Wow. Literally all I can say is wow. I have never read an ending written like this one. You just have to read it to understand!! It is so unique, beautiful, and moving!!
What I Disliked
This isn’t necessarily a dislike, but time moves fairly quickly. I felt like I’d be reading the book and next thing I know a month has passed. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s not something I’m used to. I was shocked by the amount of time that has passed, which kind of made me rethink some of the plot. Overall, not a bad thing, just unexpected!!
Book vs. Movie
There isn’t a movie for this book!
Should You Read It?
YES!! The characters, the representation, the themes!! EVERYTHING! It was all amazing! This book is great for anyone who’s looking for a medium-paced fiction novel!!
Conclusion
This book was unexpectedly AMAZING and I LOVED it! I honestly can’t wait to read more books by Ann Liang!! The characters, the plot, the writing style, the ending! This book is amazing!!!

4/5 stars
Not spicy
-retelling of Chinese legend
-strong, kind, brave FMC
-epic and heartbreaking love story
-great pacing
-beautiful storytelling
-handsome, strong, dangerous MMC

Xishi is a fabled beauty living in Yue, a village at war with the neighboring Kingdom of Wu. She is saved from dangerous soldiers one day by a handsome and powerful advisor to the king, Fanli, who offers her an incredible but dangerous opportunity: to save Yue from war by turning her beauty into a weapon. Leaving behind all she’s known, she is trained by him to seduce and destroy the Wu King from within.
They both quickly fall in love, but deny themselves each other, as she is destined for another.

Her time in the Wu Kingdom as a concubine is rife with danger, especially from the King’s advisors, who suspect her from the beginning. She spends years there while fawned over and loved by the King. As she destroys the court from within, she threatens to be found, all while pining for Fanli.

This is a beautifully written, lush, and heartbreaking story. I spent the entirety of the book desperate and hungry for those moments where Xishi and Fanli could see each other. The entire story of Xishi within the palace had me holding my breath, hoping she wouldn’t be found, seeing how the King loved her, hoping she was able to change him or end her suffering. The conflicting settings, between palace life and her life in the village is gorgeously told. The only feedback I could give, would be that it was tricky to follow the timeline. One moment we are side by side with Xishi in the palace, and then a whole year has gone by, making for a choppy transition. However, I would still highly recommend this romance to anyone in the mood a beautiful setting and a really good cry.

Let me start off by saying that I received this advance copy to read from NetGalley.

This novel is based on the Chinese legend of Xi Shi - one of the 4 beauties of Ancient China. And it was an absolute joy to read this take on the legend, which had me turning pages and not wanting to stop. It was a rollercoaster of a ride, and my emotions were everywhere. It had me in a chokehold, and when I wasn't reading this my mind was on it in one way or another.

The process, build up, relationships, everything was written so wonderfully. The romance, the heartache.

I cried so much. There were many parts that I just couldn't stop crying, and wished upon wished why the events couldn't have been different. Perhaps... just maybe...

5/5 for me.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC! I really enjoyed this story as I have all of Ann Liang's books despite how different it is from the others! I was honestly not expecting the ending, but maybe I should've. I can't wait for this to be published so I can see everyone's reactions!!

Wow - I truly truly loved this book. I was totally captivated from the beginning, and was dying to get back to it any chance I get. A story of star-crossed relationships, and playing the assigned roles during wartime and history. Characters become larger than themselves, their duty overshadowing all else. This book left me in a puddle on the floor, and I cannot stop thinking about this story - just wishing for more of it! The writing style is illustrative and very effective. I highly recommend this book! Five stars! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Ann Liang truly has a way with words. The imagery in this story is beautiful. You will be transported to the China of the past and come to know Xishi’s tale. Plucked from her village out of extreme poverty, Xishi’s beauty is to be used as a weapon against her enemies, by hopefully making the enemy king fall in love with her while she schemes behind his back. It’s a dangerous game…

This general theme has been done before, and not always well. This is not the case here. “A Song to Drown Rivers” is written in such a way that you will feel Xishi’s every emotion and understand her motivations. You will cheer for her successes and shed tears at her losses. The (clean) slow burn romance is sweet and utterly believable.

That ending. We have a while to wait before this is published, but I am *dying* to know what others thought of the ending. *GASP*

4.25 stars. Look for this in October!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for gifting me an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.