Thanks to NetGalley & St Martin's Press for the eARC
I read this eARC in tandem with an advanced copy of the audiobook.
Narrator- Natalie Naudus

I think this book wasn't for me. I struggled to get through it (picking it up and putting it down for MONTHS), even with the audiobook.
A Song to Drown Rivers felt more like historical fiction than anything, which often is a miss for me. There was also a lot of "telling" vs. "showing" when it came to any potential action. Everything felt very melodramatic, too. Everything was an emergency or breathy monologue. Naudus did a great job bringing the melodrama to life it just simply wasn't for me.

Loved. LOVED this novel. I am a glutton for mythical stories full of danger and revenge — this books delivered.

This definitely did come off a little more historical fiction but this one still just hit just right somehow where I usually don’t go after that genre.

I felt like this book was well fleshed out with memorable characters that had their flaws, but were strong and also had incredible depth. The chemistry was fantastic and you could almost feel it yourself.

With twists and turns around the corner consistently this book kept me hooked and i could not for the life of me put it down.

Revenge. Espionage. Romance. Sign me up! I am a sucker for a retelling of old mythology every time.
I enjoyed the characters a lot. Xishi was a strong & brave and flawed in ways I love & appreciate. I mostly just was hoping for my fantastical fantasy elements. This was much more historical fiction.

*I love Liang's books, and this departure from her romantic comedies is inspired by the Chinese legend of Xishi. It's full of danger, deceit, noble sacrifice, bravery, and love.*

<blockquote>I would light the fire. I would heat up this whole room. And when that didn't work--I would burn this kingdom down to ashes, turn all its men into smoke. I would, I would.</blockquote>
Xishi is a beautiful young woman who makes her village in the region of Yue proud, for she will almost certainly make a good marriage match.

But she catches the eye of the well-known young military advisor Fanli, and as she becomes trained in playing music and hiding her emotions, she becomes the key to an elaborate, traitorous plan: to overturn the kingdom of Wu, empower her own people, and avenge her sister's death.

She rises through the ranks of palace concubines and gains almost unfettered access to the king, all the while well aware that if she is revealed to be a traitor, not only she and Fanli but their homeland will be destroyed.

<blockquote>"The men will fight for their thrones and their power and their legacies, but to them we are nothing more than crickets and ants,

insignificant, expendable. We will continue to worry over the rice and soy sauce and oil, three meals a day, how to escape the cold in the winter and the heat in the high summer, the holes in the roof and the bedding and the taxes. What does it matter, who wears the crown, if they will not change any of this for us?"</blockquote>
This story ticked so many of my boxes--a strong, young, underestimated female; an important quest; forbidden love; great dialogue; heart-stopping tension; and fierce revenge. The Eastern mythology, Xishi's deep link to her heritage, and her reluctant moments of affection for her enemy, who is foolish but vulnerable, added depth to the heart of the story.

I love Liang's characters and their voices, and I was intrigued that A Song to Drown Rivers was a reworking of an early writing piece of hers.

The ending is fanciful and strange; the tone of the book doesn't seem to be leading to a too-convenient happy ending, and as expected, Liang provides a complex set of conflicts to consider at the story's close: duty, corrupt power, the suffering of the common people, regret after retribution, and life-and-death struggles that don't always end well.

I received a prepublication edition of this title, which was published earlier this fall, courtesy of NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.

Check out my Bossy Ann Liang love!

I fell in love with Ann Liang's fake-dating young adult novel This Time It's Real, read it in one rainy afternoon, and included it in my Greedy Reading Lists Six of My Favorite Light Fiction Reads from the Past Year, Six Rom-Coms Perfect for Summer Reading, and My Bossy Favorite Reads of Summer the year I read it.

And you can find my review of her great young-adult rom-com I Hope This Doesn't Find You here.

Was a lovely read, and the premise of this book was something I truly enjoyed! Took awhile for me to get hooked, but was worth it in the end!

I wasn’t able to read and review this book before the publish date but now that I have I gave it 3.5 stars.

I really enjoyed the yearning in this one, it was great, I feel like fantasy authors don’t write this type of thing in their books anymore so it was super refreshing to read a story like this one. The characters were well-fleshed out and their chemistry was there, nothing felt awkward in terms of the characterization or writing style. The storyline was fascinating, I enjoy books that encompass the use of mythology in their plot. The author really did a good job of evoking such a distinct feeling in the writing, I was captivated at multiple instances and wanted to know what would happen next! However, I did find some issues with the pacing, more so near the ending of the book. I wish this had been a duology rather than a single novel!
(Unless I’m wrong and the author will write more within this world?) Nevertheless, I’m interested in reading their other books now, this book truly had me hooked from start to end!

THIS. WAS. AMAZING!!!
The characters were relatable and they had so much chemistry with each other.
The storyline was incredibly unique and exciting. I didn't want to put this book down because there was so much action and so much going on.
Ann Liang is really an amazing author who knows how to write amazing books. This book was very different from what she typically writes but I'm so happy she ventured out because this book was a real masterpiece.

This book was a beautiful story, but also tragic at the same time. This book was truly about love and sacrifice and how the enemy is sometimes not a complete monster. This book emphasizes the humanity in all but also the inhumanity of war. This book is truly such an emotional journey full of deceit and loss. This was beautifully written, but the ending kept me from rating it higher. I know the ending makes sense for this story, but I still just wanted it to end differently.

I was willing to give A Song to Drown Rivers a chance because I’ve been a fan of Ann Liang’s writing since This Time It’s Real, plus the cover and all the promotional material drew me in as they have been exceptionally gorgeous. Alas, it pains me to admit that A Song to Drown Rivers is my least favourite Ann Liang book. The pacing of the story was slow, and the plot doesn’t pick up until the characters get to the Wu palace. The story had potential, but unfortunately, most of the political intrigue and espionage that could have made it compelling happened off-screen. I realize that A Song to Drown Rivers is a retelling of Xishi, which emphasizes dynasty politics. Yet, I was left feeling disappointed because the marketing emphasized a “love story” that ultimately lacked the romance I anticipated. Sure, there is some UST between Xishi and Fan Li, but they were barely together, and Fan Li was an enigma of a character, so I didn’t care much about the relationship between the two. As for the other key relationship in the book, I found it refreshing that Xishi didn’t fall for the enemy. Yes, she does gain a better understanding of the king, to the point that she feels a bit bad for him but unlike most other characters in her situation, Xishi doesn’t fall in love with him. I also appreciate the fact that Xishi’s story showed how difficult and restrictive it was for women in ancient China as well as how very few truly benefit from war. Ultimately, I admired how A Song to Drown Rivers highlighted the tragic bloodshed that often accompanies war, illustrating that those who ascend to power through violence are frequently no better than the leaders they replace, even if they profess to be different.

I was so hyped for this book. The premise sounded so good. But after finishing it, I’m left feeling…underwhelmed and slightly disappointed. I really wanted to love this, but it just didn’t hit the way I wanted it to. The potential was absolutely there but it didn’t come together the way I hoped.

Based on the premise, I was ready for amazing chemistry, slow-burn tension, and some top-tier found family vibes. Instead? Insta-love. (Yeah…that trope T_T) I can’t express how much I wanted a gradual build-up, where I could feel the romance simmering under the surface. But it was nowhere to be found as our leads are already pining for each other by the 20% mark. And let me tell you, it’s hard to root for a story when the FMC, who’s supposed to be a spy in enemy territory, and she spends most of her time pining over a man she barely knows. Like…girl…Priorities?!

If this had been a duology instead of a standalone, I think it could have worked better for me. There just wasn’t enough time to really develop the characters, and I felt so disconnected from everyone. The main love interest? Practically a ghost for most of the book, only popping up in the beginning and near the end. And when the big emotional finale finally came…yeah, I felt nothing.

Now, I was prepared for the ending since I knew this was inspired by the legend of Xishi. But even though I saw it coming, it didn’t wreck me like it should have. Why? Because the characters just weren’t fleshed out enough. If I don’t feel for them, how can I be devastated by their story? I wanted my heart to break, but instead, I was just…underwhelmed…

That said, let’s talk about the things I did like. The setting? STUNNING. Ancient China came alive on the page, I could visually picture it. The atmosphere gave me major C-drama vibes, which I ate up. And Ann Liang’s writing? Gorgeous, vivid, and absolutely amazing. I kept turning pages just for the prose alone.

Overall, I think this was just an okay read for me, but it didn’t live up to my expectations. If it had more time to development on the characters and their relationships more, it could’ve been incredible. As it is, it’s a decent read with a beautiful setting and great writing, but the emotional impact just wasn’t there for me. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on Ann Liang’s future work.

Thank you @St. Martin's Press for the ARC and the beautiful, finished copy.

oh, the YEARNING.

i was hesitant to pick this one up after seeing mixed reviews, but a song to drown rivers left me in tears. it’s a lovely, lyrical retelling of the legend of xishi, one of the four beauties of ancient china. plucked from her small village and trained to seduce an enemy king and spy for her people, xishi’s renowned beauty becomes her weapon to avenge her sister’s murder and better her people’s lives—at any cost.

i loved so much about this book: the yearning, the angst, the court politics, the commentary on womanhood and war, xishi as a character. i could read an entire series about her.

if you, too, think about the “name one hero who was happy” scene from the song of achilles at least once a week, a song to drown rivers is for you.

A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang is a beautifully written story that grabs you by the heart. It’s about the messy, complicated journey of figuring out who you are while juggling expectations and doubts. Liang captures this struggle with raw honesty, reminding us that identity isn’t just found; it’s created.

Liang’s exploration of memory and storytelling adds another layer of depth, reminding us how much our lives are shaped by the stories we believe. It’s a moving, unforgettable story that lingers long after the final page.

Xishi is known for her beauty and that is the only thing anyone cares about for her. One day she is approached by a young military advisor, and he says that her beauty could save their ruined kingdom and prove to everyone she is more than her physical appearance. I always love Ann Liang's plots, but this one didn't really hit the same. I was interested in what was happening, but I had to force myself to read this book. However, I have been in a reading slump these past four months thanks to college. I was only surprised and felt something in two certain events at the end of the story and that I might think about every now and then. One thing that always impresses me with Ann Liang is her writing in general. It is so powerful, and her descriptions are just so heavenly. I want to be able to write as well as she does.

This is supposing a fantasy world but there were no fantasy aspects at all. The world was how people in the 1600's would have lived. I don't know why this was categorized as a fantasy because it's just a plain world. You also didn't get to explore it, so we were stuck in a little village that Xishi grew up in and the enemy king's castle.

Xishi reacted how any normal person would to the things that have happened to her. I felt bad for her multiple times throughout the book, but I didn't really have an emotional attachment to her. The only character that was in most of the story was Fuchai and I didn't really like him. We saw Xishi's thoughts about him and what she did to her friends and family, so that was mainly why. the other characters I would have loved if they were more involved with the story. I really liked Fanli after we found out more about him as a person. I would have loved him more with Xishi if we got more moments of them with each other, but it felt like the romance between them was rushed.

I liked Ann Liang's writing and the plot at times but overall, this story isn't that memorable. I wish we saw more of the side characters, like Zhengdan and Fanli. The plot would have made a bigger impact for me and I would also not feel like I was forcing myself to pick this up.

DAMN I really wanted to love this. I've loved all of this author's previous books and was excited for this - her first departure from YA romance!
This was marketed as a romantic fantasy and was weirdly neither romantic or a fantasy? This book was just BORING. We spent 250 pages learning about Xishi's manipulation of the King, building tension, preparing for action, only to get...an anticlimactic ending? I truly could not believe this book got published without more developmental editing because it felt like a first draft that needed to be honed into a more interesting book.

A Song to Drown Rivers is the story of Xishi, one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China, and it is one of war, love, power, deception, sacrifice, heartbreak and hope.

Days later and I am still thinking about how unexpected and beautiful this book is. I don’t think it’s accurate to call it fantasy, since it’s based on Chinese history, but there is a touch of magical realism that makes the narrative that much more meaningful.

Yes, there is romance, but not in the way you would expect. There are themes and conflicts in this story that go beyond simple tropes, and it felt so good to feel some of the harder emotions this story deals with.

I highly recommend the audiobook. @natalienaudus is a gem of a narrator. I would never be able to do pronunciations and inflections justice in my head, and she is able to make characters and places come alive.

I just really loved this story. One of my new top favorite reads for the year. Thank you, NetGalley for an eARC and @macmillan.audio, for the ALC. all opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Historical (Light) Fantasy/Fiction
Age Level: Adult
Content: some violence, kisses, implied intimacy

This book is a retelling inspired by the story of Xishi, a character I had not known prior to reading this. The narrative follows Xishi, a commoner renowned for her beauty throughout her village in Yue. She is trained to infiltrate the court of the King of Wu with the aim of toppling his kingdom. During her training, she spends time with Fanli, a warrior of her age and equal beauty, although he is quite standoffish. Naturally, the two develop feelings for each other, but their duties keep them apart.

While the book does contain subtle romantic elements, I would classify it more as a romantic tragedy—or simply a tragedy. Xishi is sent into a dangerous situation, marked by the suspicion of the king's advisors who want her dead. As she struggles to find her footing, she eventually manages to establish herself. The losses depicted in the story are deeply poignant, manifesting in unexpected ways. The author does a remarkable job of making readers empathize with the enemy, leaving us to hope for alternate outcomes, even in the harsh realities of war and espionage.

Although I found the portrayal of Fanli lacking—he is not present in the story for very long and there is little on-page interaction that would foster romantic feelings—I still found the narrative compelling. Additionally, I noticed that this book is often categorized as Fantasy, but I would argue that it is more appropriately classified as historical fiction, as it lacks true fantastical elements (except perhaps at the very end). I would be happy to read more from this author in the future.

This is one of the most lyrical and beautiful stories I have ever read. I read and listened to the audiobook and I definitely recommend both formats. Such a beautiful book I will read again and again.

Drawing on the Chinese legend of Xishi, A Song to Drown Rivers is a gorgeously written historical fantasy. I enjoy reading fantasy that draws on non-European legends and folklore, so this one was a treat. Liang crafts a story with a compelling plot and a tear-jerker ending.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy.

“A Song to Drown Rivers” by Ann Liang is a clearly stunning book! The cover itself is a pure masterpiece. The insight into Chinese historical fiction was beautifully written, The fantasy elements were well integrated into the plot. The political tension was compelling and I would love to see this expanded on. Overall, the book offered a mix of history and fantasy, and I can see a lot of potential for the next book!