SCREAMING, CRYING. The last page ruined me for life. I WILL be forever haunted by this story. I definitely need to read a light-hearted book after this one.

This is my first Ann Liang book, and her writing is poetic. She delivered us a powerful story with a beautiful tragic love affair. I didn't originally know the story of Xishi, so I went into this blind and I don't know if I regret it or not. MY HEART HURTS. I can't wait for it to come out so I can purchase it.

Freaking PERFECTION. 10/10. This was just so so good. I couldn’t get enough of it and wanted a thousand more pages of this.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

My heart was pulled out of my chest, stomped on it million times and then was healed and hugged yet there is an empty space. I’m completeley stunned and shattered and amazed. This is gonna be the it book.

Perhaps I should have done more research into the myth of Xishi to prepare myself for how terribly sad the ending to this book was. Never the less, most of this book dissatisfied me. The pacing was too fast. Long periods of time would pass by in a single chapter. It left me feeling like I missed something and had to go back to make sure I didn’t miss a chapter. The romance is a big part of this book, and I wasn’t a fan of either of the potential love interests. The Insta-Love between two of them just wasn’t believable. I didn’t believe that they loved one another because the pacing was too fast. The story had suggested that months had passed, but it felt more like a couple days and they had fallen in love. There was no development in the relationship. I didn’t feel anything for any of the characters and that might have had something to do with the pacing. It is possible to have a fast paced book but also have developed relationships, but this one just didn’t quite hit the mark. I did enjoy the political/court intrigue. I didn’t really get interested in the story until Xishi arrives at the palace which is about half way into the book. The story was entertaining enough, but in the end I found the book just to be okay. It passed the time.

Wow. A Song to Drown Rivers is my first Ann Liang book, and what a book to start with. It is devastatingly beautiful.
Since I'm reviewing an ARC (thank you NetGalley), I will keep everything general because I don't want to ruin anything for anyone.
The writing is so elegant and lyrical, even when the words are brutal, it is truly amazing. Ann Liang is an artist.
I started this book thinking I would read a little before bed, which was a mistake. I didn't want to stop reading, the plot pulls you in and makes you desperate to see what will happen next. Xishi's world exists on the edge of a blade, and it is as intoxicating as it is nerve-racking.
The characters in A Song to Drown Rivers are so complex and well developed that it feels like they can walk right of the page. It makes the story that much more rewarding and wrenching.

Seriously, I'm going to tell everyone about this book. It made me laugh and cry, rage and hope, and really, what more can you ask for?

I NEED A MOMENT OR TWO TO RECOVER. IM SHATTERED. THIS YEAR IS ANN LIANGS YEAR FOR SURE WE LOVE HER WE LOVE THIS BOOK i need yall to pick this book up right now. pinky promise it's worth it.

Ann Liang's latest book is an absolute masterpiece! I had high expectations for this historical romance novel, and I was not disappointed. As soon as I saw the book on NetGalley, I knew I had to read it. The plot was beautifully crafted and the characters were well-developed, making it a truly immersive read.

The story of Xishi and Fanli's relationship was both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and I found myself laughing and crying throughout the entire book. Liang's writing style is so engaging that I felt like I was right there with the characters, experiencing their emotions and struggles.

Although the book was not very long, it was packed with enough action, romance, and drama to keep me hooked until the very end. I was so invested in the story that I was disappointed when it ended, wishing there was more to read.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical romance or is interested in reading about forbidden love. Ann Liang has truly outdone herself with this one, and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this Arc .

Ann Liang weaves a stunning masterpiece of love , betrayal , sacrifice and the grey areas of war . ASTDR is as exquisitely written as her contemporary books . Reading it was just like watching a xianxia drama .

Wish for Ann to write more books in the mythology/fantasy genre

This book should come with a dozen trigger warnings. The first and foremost being, 'Emotional damage ahead, proceed with caution, might grow a sudden attachment to your wall.'
I want to reach out and strangle every single character just so they could die before having to go through that ending. I want to draw a period on a random page of contentment and walk away, imagining it to be the happily ever after we never got. I want to say 'screw it' and give it 1 star but I'm a masochist and I can't. It isn't even funny how much pain this book caused me, how much I love it still. It's my first time reading a historical fiction of it's kind—a certain retelling of a story from ancient China. I can't express with mere words the myriad of emotions it crashed me into. It gave us the kind of tragic story that can be found on the pages of history, one that makes readers wonder, 'How is this real?'. This book stitched the beginning, middle, and end with so many complex emotions that you'd read on and only realize with a bitter twist towards the end, that it was just a story.

i am out of words. first and foremost, i am absolutely utterly grateful i got the chance to read my number one most anticipated release of the year. safe to say that i had the best time ever reading A SONG TO DROWN RIVERS by Ann Liang.

when the author shared that "sad beautiful tragic" is a part of the song playlist, she was right, because it indeed was. it may not be a five-star read for everyone, but it is to me, in fact this book is an infinity star read. these characters, the story, the ANGST! it was all i could ever want. it had me clutching my chest, tears were shed, i fell to my knees countless of times. no thoughts, head empty just a song to drown rivers, a song to drown rivers, a song to drown rivers filling every crevice of me. it's a part of me and they will haunt my thoughts for as long as i live, i really couldn't have asked for a better read to start the new month with.

a huge thank you to Ann Liang and the team for providing an arc!

thank you to netgalley for the ARC❣️ i am so, so unwell. this book was so heartbreaking oh my gosh. idk if i’ve ever read a book that had such a sad end. this was so so beautiful and original and just ugh i am broken.

things i loved:
1) all the characters were so intriguing, i cared for everyone.
2) the split feelings i had were so insane i thought i could never feel so torn about how the MC should feel but i did.
3) it’s so tragic and i love crying
4) the fact they never got to be together is so freaking sad but like it made this book so impactful
5) the world built was super interesting to read about and the politics as well
6) super fast paced i never found a good stopping point
7) emphasis on men being the real problem all along no matter who sits on the throne things for the little people never change, this felt so significant and impactful

things i think could’ve been better:
1) i think i would’ve liked it a bit more if fuchai didn’t have the random tendency for violence against people, like just because he was king. i didn’t feel like it fit his personality
2) i think the characters could’ve been flushed out a bit more
3) i think the romance between fanli and xishi needed a bit more lead up before they were separated bc sometimes i had a hard time believing why they were so in love with eachother
4) i have a hard time believing in all 2 years fuchai and xishi never… yano… but i digress

overall i wouldn’t change the ending at all i think that was perfect no matter how much i cried. this book was so good and i would definitely recommend❣️

LOVED the premise, historical/mythological context, tense narrative/stakes, and worldbuilding. Though the romance here was JUST my cup of tea (and really did hit on many occasions), overall, the story could have used more development of the main love interests and their arc. Most of their romantic build-up happens off-page, for example, and so the ending (!) didn’t hit quite as emotionally for me. Appreciated the low spice level here, it worked well for the tone/nature of the story. Would recommend to YA/NA audiences.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

“But home? I could no longer tell you what it meant, much less where it was”
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“What is home if not you?”
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A book of love, war, and betrayal, what does it really cost to be a hero in history? Xishi, a peasant girl from a Yue village is known for her stunning beauty, so when she’s called upon by her country’s defeated king and his trusted minister Fanli. to use her beauty as a weapon, how can she deny her country and her family a chance to restore their lives? As someone who doesn’t know very much about Chinese folklore this story was such a great read. It especially picked up for me when our FMC arrived in the enemy kingdom’s palace in Wu and meets the man she is destined to deceive, King Fuchai. Feeling Xishi’s struggle to balance her love for Fanli while seemingly giving her heart to Fuchai was so devastating, especially when she comes to realize Fuchai is not the demon king she thought him to be. Having to give away all of herself through this game of pretend causes much more pain and suffering than Xinshi initially anticipates, and the ending of this story really caused me the same. I so wish I could change the end of this story to a happy one for some of these characters, but overall this heroes tragedy was so beautiful to read.
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Thank you again to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early for review!!

This book is a masterpiece. I felt like I was reading an epic tale passed down over centuries. It was an epic revenge tale that should be considered a classic and studied.

I loved the relationship between Xishi and Fanli, of course, but I couldn’t help loving Fuchai. When it was stated that it was a war between two kings, it all fell together so perfectly.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who asked, and even to those who didn’t ask. It ripped my heart out over and over in the best way.

This book was a really lovely read. The story of Xishi, a legendary beauty sent to bewitch a conquering king to leave him vulnerable to an attack from her oppressed homeland, seemed like a story I'd heard before, and for the first three-quarters of the book it was very much what I thought it would be. The writing is good enough to invest you deeply into Xishi's world: not just her mission to take down the king, but also her loved ones, her village, and the people she comes to know in the enemy palace. When all the pieces come together at the end, the book takes you to an unexpected place that you realize it was building to all along, because legends (and beauties, and kings, and warriors) are all just people, too. I highly recommend reading all the way to the end of this book.

A Song to Drown rivers is a quick read set in a world at the end of a war. The book follows a woman, Xishi, that is known For her beauty. When the displaced king’s minister hears of her beauty and sees how truly beautiful she is, he knows she is the woman he needs for his mission. While dealing with her own grief from the war she agrees to become the new king’s concubine and gain the kings trust to help her kingdom win back the throne. But she quickly learns that in war no one really wins.

This really was a lovely book . I was enthralled from the first page until the last. I gave it 4 stars because I felt some of the relationships could have been formed a little better to make me more attached to some of the characters, but overall it was a well written book. It had me transported to another place with the descriptions of the scenery and it had my heart breaking for the pain the characters were dealing with.

Thank you netgalley for a free ARC of this book it was truly as wonderful and unexpected as it was heartbreaking.

Thank You Net Galley for the advanced reader copy of A Song to Drown Rivers! The review below is my honest opinion.

Release Date: 10/1/24
Rating: 3 Stars


"The mind destroys; the heart devours"

The first chapter started so strong and you're instantly sucked into this world. Our main character Xishi is known as the most beautiful girl (cringe how it's described) and she encounters the King's advisor Fanli while being attacked by Wu soldiers.

Fanli asks for her help in a plot to infiltrate the Wu kingdom. The plan is for Xishi to go to the kingdom as a concubine, become a spy and help destroy the kingdom from within.


The start and end of the book were strong but everything in the middle.. The obstacles they faced became too easy to overcome and it lost the intensity that sucked you in by the 3rd / 4th chapter. Everything happened perfectly in Xishi 's favor. There were no obstacles she didn't immediately overcome. The king was immediately eating out of her hand like a love sick puppy. I like the pacing and the plot concept but some of the plot made no sense. How can you have a plot about a concubine but zero sex scenes? And then the kings decision at the end? That twist could have happened so many different ways.

This was still enjoyable to read and an interesting plot concept. I would recommend this to readers looking for a light fantasy romance.


#2024Release
#NetGalley
#AnnLiang

You know the saying "You're gonna suffer but you're gonna be happy about it." Well, I'm probably sure this quote is about this book. I'M A MESS. I was sobbing while turning the last pages.

Ann Liang's writing, the poetry of her words, delivered a powerful tale of love and sacrifice, inspired by the legend of one of the famous Four Beauties of Ancient China, Xishi. It's a beautifully tragic story, mesmerizing and breathtaking. Heartbreaking, too. But I'll read it again for the first time if I could. I highly recommend it.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Song to Drown Rivers is a book that if you love court intrigue, Chinese dramas, doomed love you need to have it on your lists. It's just... I got no words. None. It's been a while since I walked away from a book thinking about it, and realizing that I thought I had this book figured out for the author to absolutely take it in another direction and crush me.

I mean, from the first chapter, I thought that I knew where this would go. Girl gets trained to be a hidden asset to a kingdom currently being crushed by another. The girl is kept at a distance from the one who sets this all up, trains her to be absolutely ruthless with her beauty, while both of them start having feelings for the other. Will they be together? Will they admit their emotions? SHOULD they admit their emotions?

As soon as the main story got wrapped up, I realized there was 15% left in the book. I asked myself, what else needed to be done? Quite a bit. Because that's when everything you knew gets flipped, and it wouldn't be a Chinese drama without the things that the author had her characters go through. Shockingly though, while some would hate it, it fit. And the title, the title came to haunt me and the world that these characters live in.

I just really can't say any more about this book. Read it. Ride the emotions out. It's worth it.