Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for inviting me to read and review this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Song to Drown Rivers is a breathtaking masterpiece that left me wrecked afterwards. I was instantly captivated and transported by Ann Liang's storytelling. The character development is spot on, and the world-building is strong. I fell in love with Xishi, her story and perseverance, and the people around her.

The romantic tension between Xishi and Fanli is chef's kiss. The secret hand brushes, the forbidden stolen moments, and the chemistry showcase that you don't need to have a sex scene for some spice. I had to fan myself a couple of times.

Ann Liang's writing is immersive and enthralling. I was hooked from the very first word to the very last heartbreaking page. I will forever recommend A Song to Drown Rivers.

If you enjoy reading Chinese and Japanese historical fantasies and watching dramas on Netflix, you will love this bittersweet and heart pounding story.

This was my first Ann Liang read- and I was sent the book directly by St. Martins press! I am a big lover of Chinese/Japanese fantasy, and this did not disappoint. At first I was like okay…this is going to be a horrible story line, like who the heck can be too beautiful it is to her detriment, but whoa. Ann threw me for a loop- I ate this book up in like two days and it was NOT predictable like I thought it was going to be. Well written, romance, excitement, and curve balls- kept me flying through this book. Don’t doubt the story line- it’s worth it. I am definitely going to look into Ann’s other books- thank you St. Martins Press for the ARC read!

A Song to Drown Rivers proved to be a captivating read that effortlessly delivered everything. The storyline flowed smoothly, with well-crafted characters and a plot that kept me hooked from beginning to end.Overall, I think Ann Liang presents a mesmerizing tale of resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love.

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Stunningly beautiful and emotional. Spent the last fifiteen minutes of the book m crying while on a plane. Ann Liang has mastered the YA Romcom but she’s also showing she has mastery in other genres too. If you’ve enjoyed Ann Liang’s other books (This time it’s real, if you could see the sun) you’ll see some of the charm of those books here but really the his book is in the upper echelon of fiction based on Chinese history and legend.
Also a bonus for all the titanic girlies out there. There’s one scene that…well, you’ll know it when you get to it