A SONG TO DROWN RIVERS is a stunning, atmospheric novel, both intimate and epic in scope, the way that Ann Liang writes is imaginative and transporting.

“So long as we continue to put mortal men on thrones and hail them as gods, sacrifice our lives to their legacies, history will repeat itself. Just as the ocean tides ebb and flow beneath the moon, empires will rise and collapse, wars will start and cease, and the rest of us will be left to struggle against the currents.”

I’ve just finished reading a masterpiece. I really cannot fanthom how someone could be as talented as Ann Liang; this is the first book i’ve read written by her and it left me completely speechless. I’ve finished A Song to Drown Rivers in less than a day and this says much about the captivating world that the author has created, nothing is as it seems, the perspectives often shift, until the reader and the main character finally achieve a full vision of the situation. The narration is actually haunted from the very beginning, if only one pays attention to it. The story is told by Xishi’s pov, our main character of bewitching beauty, who has to infiltrate the enemy’s palace to avenge her people. Xishi goes through a lot of changes in a short span of time, first she trains with Fanli, her king’s most trusted advisor, renowned for his stoicism and his acute intelligence, who silently, steadily and almost unwillingly steals Xishi’s heart. However whatever potential story they might have lived, has to be sacrificed to their greater good once Xishi reaches the enemy king Fuchi as his concubine.
I cannot stress enough about how rich, poetic and heartbreaking this story is! I would definitely recommend anyone who enjoys historical fantasy to go pick up this book once it comes out on October 3rd!

I’m incredibly grateful to netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the opportunity of reading an advanced readers copy for this beautiful book. All opinions are my own!

Before reading this I's seen alot of great reviews and praise and wasn't sure if the book would live. up to my expectation, but it certainly did! I loved reading A Song To Drown Rivers, it was a captivating read that had me looking forward to reading more of it each night.

A SONG TO DROWN RIVERS is a beautiful tale of a beautiful woman turned into a weapon.

This is a world that puts women into boxes, trades them as concubines and values them for their bodies and beauty. Xishi is taken from her home for that beauty and turned into a weapon to advance the causes of men, tossed into danger and belittled even though their plans rely on her.

The ending really echoes this lack of appreciation, the callous way women are often treated as stepping stones to power, not to be respected but used and discarded. It gives the book a painful resonance, giving voice to a woman who isn't given one by her surroundings.

But it is also the tale of traditionally feminine power - beauty, desire - being used to reshape kingdoms. Xishi and her friend navigate the treacherous world of court, manipulating desire to achieve their goals and destroy a kingdom.

Natalie Naudus narrates. There is a slow cadence to the book she leans into, a tale of myth that's too far away to touch but echoes still. Also I like listening to books that are entrenched in cultures I am not familiar with because someone who is knows how to pronounce the words and it means I can learn how to.

A good 4⭐

I’ve never read a Ann Liang’s books but apparently their YA rom-com are really good so I might pick that up somedays

‘’’ Just a quick note : I've never made that much research for a book . It was hard to write a good review because Chinese mythology is not a mythology that I know much . I could not confidently tell if the retelling was good or not without making some research on my own .
ALSO I think that the book is wrongly advertise. That is a retelling of a myth but it is not a fantasy. And you can call it a romance if you want but for me there’s no love in it just obsession’’’’


This book is a retelling of Xishi one of The Four Beauties of China .

The Four Beauties of China are legendary figures known for their exceptional beauty and influence in Chinese history and folklore. Besides Xishi, the other three renowned beauties are Diaochan, Wang Zhaojun, and Yang Guifei. Each of these women is celebrated for their beauty and the impact they had on the people and events of their time. Their stories have been passed down through generations, highlighting the significance of beauty and its role in shaping history and culture.

Xishi is a fascinating figure in Chinese history and folklore. She was one of the renowned Four Beauties of ancient China. Xishi's story is often associated with sacrifice and political intrigue. Legend has it that Xishi was so beautiful that when she washed her silks in a river, the fish would forget how to swim and sink. Her beauty was used as a tool by the King of Yue to seduce the King of Wu for political gain. This tale showcases the power of beauty and its impact on history and politics.

Xishi's beauty played a significant role in her life. It led to her being chosen as a political gift to the King of Wu by the King of Yue. This decision ultimately led to her being separated from her family and home, symbolizing the sacrifices she made due to her exceptional beauty. Xishi's beauty not only affected her personal life but also had a profound impact on the political landscape of ancient China.
While there are many legends surrounding her life, only one of the stories suggests that she had a lover named Fan Li. Fan Li was deeply devoted to Xishi and supported her in various ways.


If I take the book as a whole , it was really good . The writing was the better part tho .
But there’s some aspect that would make people DNF this book or don’t like it.

First, the pacing is slow to medium. There’s nothing happening in the first 60% of the book. I remember being at 63% and thinking that the scene that I was reading felt like the beginning of a book . I don’t know if the pacing was deliberately that way but for some chapters a the slowness made sense and in some it was just soporific.

Also, I did not find the characters particularly loveable because none of them felt « real » .

LiYi was interesting and could have been a really good side character if he was a bit more develop. From my research his character is not part of the myth so maybe that’s why he is not really present

Xishi feels everything 10 times stronger than everyone else, she made decisions that could have been avoided and sometime her reaction made no sense.
She’s not driven by her thought or her gut. She have a mission and she will finish it even if that have to destroy her in the end .


In the myth, Fan Li played a significant role in ancient China as a prominent figure known for his relationship with Xishi. He was recognized for his loyalty and devotion to Xishi, and their story is often celebrated in Chinese folklore for its portrayal of love and dedication.
Fan Li was also known for his wisdom and strategic thinking, which contributed to his importance in ancient Chinese history.
In the book he is The King of Yue minister so his wisdom and strategic thinking were portrayed, not much but still portrayed. He is depicted as a beauty himself thought I haven’t read description of him in the myth.

The King of Wu during Xishi's time was King Goujian. He was a significant figure in Chinese history, known for his military achievements and strategic prowess. King Goujian of Wu played a crucial role in the events involving Xishi and the state of Yue, showcasing his leadership skills and determination in the ancient Chinese context.
King Goujian was renowned for his exceptional strategic abilities, which he demonstrated through his military tactics and decision-making. His keen understanding of warfare allowed him to outmaneuver his enemies and secure victories for the state of Wu.
The relationship between King Goujian and XiShi is where the book turns into historical fiction . In the book, Xishi is send as a « peace gift » to became one of King Goujian’s concubine . And throughout the book their relationship develop in a way that Goujian may became a new love interest . He is rumoured to be cruel, vicious and a monster but he is actually just a boy thrown into royalty . He is young, naive and really sheltered . Yes, he killed people but only because that’s the only way he know to show his power not by pure cruelty .

Historically speaking, Xishi and King Goujian were not close in a personal sense but were connected through the historical events and political dynamics of ancient China. King Goujian's reign and military strategies intersected with Xishi's story, showcasing how their paths crossed in the context of that time period.
They never met in person as they belonged to different states and historical contexts.
However, their lives and stories intertwined through the events of ancient China, highlighting their indirect connection and influence on each other's narratives.


This retelling follow XiShi’s legend and incorporated that love story to it.

Fan Li and Xishi's love story is often depicted as a tragic one in Chinese folklore. The story goes that after achieving their goals and serving their purpose, Fan Li and Xishi parted ways. Fan Li, heartbroken by the turn of events, chose to leave and live a reclusive life, while Xishi's fate varied in different versions of the tale. Their separation marked the end of their legendary love story, leaving a bittersweet legacy in Chinese culture.

In here, Xishi and FanLi are both involve in the political intrigues, they both work for the King of Yue to defeat the King of Wu and that’s how they got to know each other but something was wrong with their relationship .
They were OBSESSED with each other but my issue don’t lay there .
My problem with it is that there were no build up to this .
From the beginning they loved each other even if they never had a real conversation which would make no sense in real life but because it is a legend the idea that their love was written in the stars would emphasise the mythological aspect of it.
I wish we would have an explanation to that obsession.
They were so found of each other that death of one was the death of the other .

4.5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and Macmillan UK Audio for the arc and the audiobook of A Song to Drown Rivers in exchange for an honest review.

It took me by surprise how utterly heartbreaking and tragic this books was. The writing was beautiful, and the author did an incredible job at setting the atmosphere of an epic historical fiction. Reading the arc while listening to the audiobook only made the experience better. Natalie Naudus and her narration made me feel, to my very core, every last bit of the emotions portrayed in the story.
I was expecting a little more fantasy in this book. Now that I’ve read it, I don’t actually think it should be described as a fantasy, more like a historical fiction with very few fantasy elements towards the end.
Still, the book was amazing. If you want a story inspired by Chinese legends, with a woman that craves revenge, romance, the complexities of war, and specially if you want to cry, this is for you. Can’t wait for it to get published and have it on my shelf.

Thanks to Pan Macmillan, NetGalley and Ann Liang for this eARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

This was my first Ann Liang book and the writing was so beautiful, it captivated me from page one. I liked the plot, that a young woman was manipulating the enemy king to take revenge for what he did to her people, and how the fmc Xishi was turned into a spy to became a femme fatale of sorts. I enjoyed the tension/forbidden love between her and Fanli and how conflicted she felt because Fuchai was so nice to her even though he was the enemy.
Zhengdan was the best side character – so loyal and strong! She gave me Mulan vibes but definitely deserved better. My heart broke for her and I wasn't expecting that to happen (no spoilers).
The political intrigue and secret mission were so enthralling that I couldn't stop reading, but at the same time, I didn't want the story to be over. I wished to read A Song to Drown Rivers again for the first time, even though I hadn't finished – the writing was THAT good.
However, the ending left me sobbing and I'm still not okay…I felt like Xishi and Fanli’s story was over before it even began. I know the story is inspired by a Chinese legend/myth, but it could've been a retelling with a feminist ending. While the pacing of the story increased the suspense, I honestly think this could've easily been a duology. I wish Xishi’s training had been longer and described in more depth because it also would've led to a stronger connection between her and Fanli. Additionally, there are some plot holes that left me with questions. Like what happened to her heart condition? What was the purpose of it? What happened to the Wu in the end? Did Gujian manage to rule over two kingdoms or unite them? Therefore, I’m rating this book 3.5 stars and rounding it up to 4 here.

Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed the book and the fact that there's increasingly more diversity in fiction. I love that stories from all over the world are getting accessible to everyone and am excited to read more in the future.

Definitely not my favorite by Ann Liang.

Had problems with the pacing, the character development and the potential this book had led me down.

I really liked the ending of this book and I think it suits the overall vibe and expectation of how such a legend could have ended.

If you want to experience a sublime cdrama full of politics and romance (and very attractive people) in the medium of a well-written book, Ann Liang got you. I had a fabulous time, cried a river but like, cathartically, and now am mentally fancasting the dramatis personae.

Rating - 4.5⭐️

Ann Liang strikes again!!
Historical romance isn’t my usual genre but I ended up enjoying this book SO MUCH MORE than I thought I would!!! Ann Liang is such a talented writer and I don’t know how else to show my adoration for the books she’s written into existence🙇‍♀️.

Ann Liang’s writing style shines through with all her novels including this one. There’s something so hypnotic about her writing that leaves me unaware that I’ve read a majority of the book already until I’ve reached near the end. The setting was so atmospheric that I felt like I was truly inside the world she has written. The book also had a very romantic and yet, a tragic feel to it that I was so in awe of.

The characters!!! I adore them!! Fanli, Fuchai and Xishi my fav trio🤗 they were all emotionally complex characters and I especially have a soft spot for Fuchai🫶🏻 (I’m sorry but they can never make me hate you😭). Xishi was such a strong and determined character and I loved seeing all her schemes play out. Even till the very end, she never lost her spark. I want to comfort Fanli and give him a big hug because he’s so precious and I feel for you bro!!😭😭😭

This book turned me into a sobbing mess and every time I think about this book, tears automatically surfaces and threaten to spill from my eyes. Ann Liang, you have once again written a book that left its mark on my mind and soul. This is a story (and legend) I will never forget.

𝗔 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 • 𝗔𝗻𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗴
★★★★.𝟱

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁
- Fantasy
- Inspired by Asian mythology
- Forbidden love
- Political court intrigue
- Tragic romance

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
I genuinely cannot stop thinking about this book. That ending was so powerful. The title to this book is so ironic since after reading this book, my river of tears and extensive sobbing could have drowned a small country.

I was so tense this whole book! The relationships are so multilayered and easy to invest in. There is a thread of sadness throughout the book which sets the tone perfectly for the plot. This book demonstrates how two men with too much power can destroy a world. And how particularly women are caught in the crossfire.

𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀
“𝘐𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺.”

“𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦𝘯? 𝘞𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘵𝘴.”

“𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘸𝘢𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘺𝘵𝘩.”

Firstly, Gorgeous cover! Love it.
I’ve heard of the author before but never read of any her work, so was excited to get my hands on this one.
I found the story itself interesting and the author brought it to life beautifully. There did seem to be more attention to the scene setting and world building more than there was to character development.
This doesn’t bother me as much as I see that it’s has others, due to the fact that the author has a wonderful writing style and attention to detail. In the whole, it balances out into a good solid read.
I’m definitely going to go and read the author’s back catalogue after the one. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

This is one of my favourite books that I read this year. I loved all the characters and the ending was not expected. I wish there was a second book but I guess that's not possible. I can't wait for my deluxe edition to arrive. I will not say more words about it just read it.

🏞ꪖ ડꪮꪀᧁ 𝕥ꪮ ᦔ𝕣ꪮ᭙ꪀ 𝕣ⅈꪜꫀ𝕣ડ🏞
@annliangwrites

I read this book on the flight home from Rome last week and omg it was absolutely fantastic!

we follow Xishi as she is offered a rare opportunity by a famous military advisor; use her famed beauty to infiltrate the palace of the enemy king and weaken his reign from within. she is impeccably trained by Fanli the mysterious, reclusive military advisor, and despite all her reservations finds herself drawn to him beyond all sense.

I absolutely loved this book; yet again based on a myth/legend I'd never heard of before! it was incredibly enthralling read with captivating characters and worldbuilding; filled with rich description and details.
I loved how Xishi developed her relationship with her own beauty and how she was able to channel her backstory into determination to fulfill her task to the best of her ability - as well as how the novel examined the stereotypical "role" of a woman, especially in wartime.
I also loved how it realistically depicted how a person's perception of war can be shattered once they're removed from the outskirts of it and dropped right into the fray. It was really interesting to see how Xishis emotions changed and adapted throughout the novel and I really empathised with her near the end.
speaking of the end it absolutely brought me to tears; I wasn't expecting it at all yet it was so so fitting for the overall message of the novel: war is cruel and power will corrupt even the best of men.
I definitely reccomend this book! it comes out on the 3rd of October!

○

thank you to @netgalley for my e-arc 🫶

This has been on my wishlist for so long and so was thrilled when I was sent an early copy.

It is my first of Liang's books, but it sounded so mystical and mysterious and so addictive - and it was.

I don't think I've read any books set in (albeit fictional) Chinese culture, so that was an interesting angle, and it was a nice interlude to the various Christmas books I was reading at the time.

It's hard to classify the genre It is historical, yes - I am unsure of the era but it definitely had this feeling of Chinese legacy to it. But it had action, mystery, subterfuge, family drama, romance; it had a bit of everything but never felt too heavy. It is so addictive that you just want to stay with it.

Xishi is our main character. She's an open book when it comes to her emotions, but at the same time she is closed and secretive, which I know is a paradox but go with it. She's had to learn to hide herself away for her beauty means more than anything else to anyone who meets her. But she is determined and she is willing, and she is grieving. It was fascinating to read her journey, from sometimes timid to strong and powerful. But I think underneath it all, she's always been this strong character, just possibly not in an obvious way. I could see her being looked up to.

We then have two main male characters. Fanli, one of the King's advisors who trains Xishi in everything she needs to know to fool a King. He's mysterious, quiet, and beautiful. But we don't seem much of him, and I'd have quite liked just a little bit more because he was delicious. And then we have King Fuchai. The enemy. I know he's meant to be this big evil character who we all hate but he leapt off the page and I found him charming. Possibly slimy and deceptively charming, but I couldn't help it, the heart wants what it wants.

Ann has really given us a sense of space. From the struggling village of huts trying to build back up after war, to the opulent King's palace to everywhere in between, you can really place yourself anywhere and get a feel for it.

I don't think it's a spoiler to say that the "training" part of the book takes up much of the first half, with the actual task coming in at about 40-45% of the way through. At first I wondered if that was too late, if the first half was too dragged out and the second too rushed, but I surprised myself by just how much I enjoyed the training sections and would have quite easily read a whole book of that. But then the second half was just as good. And so, it almost feels like the first section is too long but I wanted more, and the second section too short and I wanted more. But overall, I loved both halves and I didn't actually feel they were too rushed or drawn out in the end, she's found the right balance of enjoying what is there but wishing it didn't have to end.

Now I know this is a fictional book, and I don't know how much is real or not, but there is so much rich Chinese culture in it, it's glorious and beautiful and eye-opening. I don't know much, if anything, about Chinese culture and so it was interesting to read about that as well as enjoyed it as a novel.

Now that I've finished, I can say it is an utterly fabulous story with fantastic writing. Everything about it is just right. And by the end, I was in tears, it's that beautiful. It will definitely be on my 'Best Books of 2024' list. It is a work of art.

Sadly, this did not work out for me. I attempted to try immersive reading approach with this one by listening to the audiobook and reading the eARC at the same time but it was excruciatingly boring. The narrator had a dull voice too.

A tragic retelling of one of China's renowned Four Beauties, Xishi, that really tugs at the heartstrings!
I was hooked from the first chapter, where you're immediately introduced to key characters and the state of play. Just as Xishi seduces Fuchai, the author seduces the reader with the vibrant, enchanting writing style that really set up each scene vividly. I loved watching Xishi and Fanli fall in love slowly and innocently, but I also felt so much compassion and sympathy for Fuchai by the end of it, despite everything. Darker themes such as the treatment of women in war, hierarchy and servitude, and suicidal honour are all woven through the narrative as catalysts for other events, and it's truly masterfully executed!
The ONLY thing that held me back from giving 5 stars (I rated it as 4.75 stars) was that I wanted more of a build-up between Xishi and Fanli. Their part of the story felt brushed over and unfulfilling, but maybe that was part of the point!
I highly recommend to those who enjoy historical romance, particularly set in China.

A historical novel set in ancient China, based on the legend of the beautiful Xishi. Short and sweet, although fairly bland. Rushed romantic relationships, not much character development or definitely no fantasy elements. Overall just ok.

I really enjoyed this book. Xishi was an interesting protagonist and the conflict of her heart versus her duty was really interesting to read. I also really enjoyed the relationship she has with some of the other characters such as her lady's maid. I will say the pacing was a bit all over the place at points and while I raced through the novel I could see this being an issue for some. It did mean some of the other characters couldn't really be explored such as Fuchai's advisor. We know he was incredibly loyal to his father but it isn't clear WHY. It then meant his character ARC of dealing with Fuchai wasn't as clear as it could be. I would say this does also read more YA than an adult novel which I think could put some readers off as well. Overall though, as someone unfamiliar with the story I had fun with this novel.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

Oh My...
FIRSTLY, ANN LIANG HAD HOLD OF MY HEART WITH THIS TALE. It's tragic and gripping and honestly just WOW.

You can expect an epic fantasy, that explores womanhood, beauty, war, sacrifice and love, which will grip you from page one and pull on your heart strings.

Not only is "A Song to Drown Rivers" a captivating read with a exquisite romance, but it's a tale that explores how war effects everything, how kings often fight not for their people but power and how women navigate war, love and sacrifice. It's a tale filled with strong women standing up for what they believe to be right. The espionage and political intrigue was on POINT, the characters were all realistic and complex, the world was well crafted and I know this tale won't leave my mind anytime soon.

Ann Liang has crafted a seamless and beautiful tale, one that gripped both my attention and my heart.