5 wonderful stars!

A Song to Drown Rivers will make waves and maintain its longevity as a modern classic.

I’m speechless. This is one of the best historical fiction books I’ve ever read. The ending was shocking, and the plot was as sharp as the blade Fanli honed Xishi to be.

Set in ancient China, and loosely inspired by the Legend of Xishi; one of the four beauties of China, Ann Liang weaves a story of deceit, forbidden love and a world where everything is carefully calculated, together with a villain king who really is a boy with too much power, coupled with a soft spot for Xishi.

Fanli and Xishi’s relationship is unique and filled with so much longing. I just wish they had more scenes together. The ending was shocking and I totally didn’t expect it.

Can’t wait to get myself a physical copy once it’s out.

As one of my most anticipated novels from 2024, A song to drown rivers was a massive disappointment for me. This book could have been so much more than what it actually was… Well, let’s get started.

Things I liked:
- This book is short. As weird as it is to list this as a pro, I don't think this kind of story would have worked with a longer book.
- The prose is very good, although generally not really my cup of tea.
- The overall idea for the plot was okay, I just think the execution could have been better. Although I didn't know that Ann Linag was a romance writer, now that I'm aware it's painfully obvious that this is her first attempt at fantasy.
- There were bits of the romance that made me feel *things*, and that's pretty exceptional for me.

Things that didn't (quite) work:
- I believe we should address the elephant in the room: this is not a fantasy. If I had to classify it, it would be historical romance.
- The characters have no depth whatsoever, because they do not have enough "page time" to develop. Besides Xishi, we simply do not see them enough.
- A lot of telling instead of showing. Xishi constantly tells, tells, and then tells again.
- The insta love. I seriously thought we had moved on from this kind of trope by now.
- Random things and details are added and then never brought up again. It makes me wonder what was even the point of mentioning some things.

I think a lot of people will actually enjoy this book and I had such high expectations myself, but it was sadly not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Inspired by one of the legendary Four Beauties of Ancient China, A Song to Drown Rivers is a tale of deceit and decadence.

Xishi’s beauty is a blessing, to everyone else. She spends her days veiled, keeping her head down, and trying to keep her parents alive. When she attracts the attention of a young miliatry advisor, Fanli, she is presented with an opportunity to be something other than the wife of a farmer.

She is a weapon. One that the failing army of her people needs desperately. To topple the vicious neighbouring kingdom. She is to wed the enemy king, seduce him, and destroy the oppressors from within. But Xishi isn’t a palace girl, she cannot school her expressions, or guard her thoughts, and she knows nothing of etiquette expected of the wives of royalty. She’s going to have to learn, and quickly.

Fanli will help, but there is something about him that Xishi can’t help but be drawn to. And she doesn’t need any other complications. She’s already engaged to the most dangerous man in all the land. She needs to get up close and personal, turn the king’s head, and somehow get out alive again.

This is a wonderfully picturesque historical fiction, of a super dramatic story I had never even heard of before which was a delight. I’m not sure if this is meant to be a YA, but the softness of the language in regards to the king’s wives and their general ~activities~ made me think it was. (If so, definitely not a bad thing, the story works regardless. Though it’s being compared to She Who Became the Sun which is just more a brutal and explicit book in every sense!) What I really liked though, was the ending. Which because it is the ending I will say nothing about, except, good choice, ballsy. Well done, Ann Liang.

I wouldn’t say this is necessarily for the She Who Became the Sun admirers, but certainly all the historical and mythological girlies and folkies. Fewer gods, but just as many boss ladies.

This book could have been so much better than it was. The broad strokes of the plot are as follows: Xishi is a simple peasant girl who is the most beautifullest of beautifuls who ever beautifulled. Her land, the kingdom of Yue, has just emerged from a devastating war with the neighbouring kingdom, the Wu. Brought by stories of her beauteous beautiness, the Yue king’s advisor finds her and recruits her to go on a special mission: As a diplomatic gesture, she will be sent to the king of Wu as a gift concubine, where she will act as a spy to destabilize his court and lay the groundwork for a retaliatory strike from Yue.

Now, I am as pro-spy as the next reader, but this book is attempting to do a moral complexity at the end that comes too late, and too unsupported by the previous events, to properly land. I think the best demonstration of this failure hinges on a moment when Xishi manages to get herself invited to the Wu king’s council of war. The Wu king’s advisor is urging a pre-emptive strike against the Yue, who have been making some unsettling military troop movements, but Xishi manages to get the Wu king not to launch any kind of strike. This moment comes after months at the court, during which Xishi has been learning that the Wu Are People Actually, not the enemy monsters she had learned to see during the war. They have family and desires and hopes for the future, just like the Yue.

So this moment at the council, when she realizes she has the power to preserve peace, despite her mission, could be incredibly meaningful. It could be the moment when she begins to doubt her task, must wonder whether loyalty to her country is worth the slaughter that she knows will ensue if she proceeds with her orders. But we don’t get any of that kind of insight here. In fact, her discovery that the Wu Are People Actually is really weirdly centered around the Wu king, who does things like behead servants when he gets bored (while somehow respecting her desire—as an explicitly gifted concubine—not to have any sex with him for TWO YEARS. Those two are regularly sleeping in the same bed, but this king, who has never been denied anything in his life, and has a whole stable of concubines who fight for his favour, somehow respects bodily autonomy of thee first woman to tell him no? While inviting him to literally sleep with her, in her bed? I simply don’t believe it. I can imagine there are ways for her to preserve her virginity for her true love back home even in this position, because clearly the author wants it that way, but not if she’s inviting the king to her bedroom to sleep next to her in bed all night. That’s too much of a porcupine for me to swallow.) Actually, even this growing intimacy with the Wu king might work if it were presented as something weird and unhealthy, but instead I felt that I was being encouraged to see a man who regularly beheads servants for fun as someone with layers and complexity, and, I’m sorry, no.

By the end Xishi does come to the realization that War Is Bad Actually—and, in fact, there’s a lot of narrative courage about the ending of this book that I respect—but by then it’s too late. The moment to make this realization anything other than a trite little platitude disappeared when Xishi had the opportunity to think about how her spy power could preserve peace as well as make war, and didn’t even hesitate.

Other narrative sloppinesses are evident. Xishi’s love interest is only 22, but also somehow old enough to have a loyal servant, who is a full adult, who was adopted by Love Interest from the streets when he was fifteen and trained into a fighting man. Xishi makes a deal with another concubine to redirect the king’s attention back to the other concubine in return for one favour to be called in as needed—but then waits a year to actually redirect the king’s attention. If I were the other concubine, I would have considered that deal null and void after a month or two of nonaction. Xishi’s spy-mate, who is sent with her as a palace lady, does absolutely nothing to affect the plot, except to get killed in a scene that had exactly 0 emotional resonance because her role was so pointless; and Xishi’s love interest is very, very boring.

So: I can see some good things about this book. The ending was good. And the spycraft conceit was excellent. Really, the bones of a banging kick-ass excellent book were present here--and even better, they're based on an actual historical legend. But somewhere between the historical inspiration and this book, the story became trite and boring; the characters became limp; and I really wish I'd spent my day reading something better.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My Book Of The Year
It was like nothing I've read before, so simple but so intricate, so cruel but so beautiful, I love the writing of Ann Liang, all her books may seem mainstream at first but have a whole different depth once you dive in — but this one? I was speechless, at the beginning, during Xishi's mission and by the end. My favourite kind of beginning, my favourite kind of middle part, my favourite kind of the end — full of longing, intrigue and real life injustice.
And I'm forever grateful that it's a standalone, it only shows how good of a writer are you to make a story like this fit within limited page number, with no need for a sequel and no feel of a rush. Hats off, I knew Ann Liang's deep dive on the historical fiction will be the jackpot considering my love to her contemporary novels, but this one truly exceeded all expectations and left me ruined, thank you 💙🧡

I loved this book. I initially knew Ann Liang through her romance novels, so I was curious to explore her work in this new genre, and what a delightful surprise it was. Her writing is sublime, with a rich, immersive world and complex characters that draw you in completely. The story is addictive, and the romance is perfect. I was particularly captivated by how she conveyed Xishi's inner turmoil, torn between two kingdoms and their people. And that ending... simply unforgettable. This book is a true gem that deserves to be read by many. I sincerely hope Ann Liang continues writing in this genre!

Thank you Netgalley for giving me a chance to read this book before its release date in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a retelling of Legend of Xishi, one of the renowned four beauties of ancient China. Her beauty was used as a weapon against the enemy kingdom that had terrorized her country. With the help of an alluring advisor, Xishi trained to be the perfect spy.

Note: Spoilers ahead.

What I like about the book:
• Inspired by a legend (The Legend of Xishi)
• C-drama vibes
• Good pacing
• Probably biased of Ann Liang's writing style lol but I liked how simply beautiful it is
• There are a lot of familiar references that I adore (e.g. the scars on Fanli's back reminds me of Lan Wangji, the "laugh or cry" phrase always reminds me of Xie Lian, the guqin, also mentions of other legends: The Legend of Chang'e, The Moon Goddess)
• The "touch her and you die" trope 🔪 (even though it was just for a second, let me have my delulu moment)

What I didn't like about the book:
• Insta-love between Xishi and Fanli. I mean, it was obvious both of them were attracted to each other the first time they met. I would have appreciated it more if they spent a long time together before parting ways.
• Xishi stayed with Fuchai for 2 whole years and continued to pine for Fanli??????? Even when he disappears for more than half of the book.
• FUCHAI DESERVED BETTER
• Fuchai's character clearly has the morally grey potential. He's got daddy issues for fuck's sake. The beef with his father wasn't even explained properly.
• The politics was meh. I was so curious about the history of Yue and Wu. Who started the war to begin with. Everyone just died without explaining their side of the coin.
• Zhengdan's unnecessary death. I would still like to see her kill General Ma with her own two hands.
• Xishi's heart condition. What was the point of this? It wasn't explained why she got such an illness and in the later part of the book it's like she doesn't have such illness?
• Xishi was a terrible spy. All she did was spread rumors and flirt with the king, keeping him at arm's length. Making him build a castle and canal just for her.
• Xishi practiced playing the guqin but we didn't get to see her play it for the king. What was the point of getting her hands bloodied if she didn't even play a single note in the palace of Wu? Let alone at the banquet.
• Also, it was mentioned that the fmc's name isn't exactly Xishi since that was the name the villagers called her. What was her real name then??
• The novel didn't feel like an adult book. The supposedly adult themes were mid??? But there were little to none, imo.
• I feel like there were a lot of character development and storylines that were wasted. So many plot points were dropped half way and so many characters could have had such meaningful impacts to the story.
• The angst, the pining. I didn't feel it as much as I hoped for. The romance was a letdown.

Overall, it wasn't a bad book, just wasted potential which is a pity. It felt rushed, not fully fleshed out. 378 pages weren't enough to give this book justice. Also, I'm confused if this is a standalone or not? I hate that I don't love it (⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠)

Favorite lines:

"The mind destroys; the heart devours."

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

"When men say they want a lover, what they often mean is they want a mirror; they wish to see themselves reflected back at them in the best light."

"One cannot save the world and live in peace."

"When the hares have all been caught, the hunting dogs are cooked."

*minor spoilers*

Plot ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

In the aftermath of a violent war between two kingdoms, the Wu have triumphed over the Yue. Bitter with their loss and seeking to reclaim their future, the Yue king and his cunning advisor devise a plan to offer tribute in the form of a concubine spy, a stunning young lady discovered amongst the survivors of a small village. Xishi must adapt quickly to her new role if she is going to successfully entrap the enemy Wu king and expose the Wu vulnerabilities. Yet, despite her commitment to the mission, her inexplicable connection with Fanli, the Yue advisor, complicates the situation. Can Xishi navigate the complexities and dangers of court life to survive and claim a victory for the Yue?

Characters ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I find it entertaining how the majority of characters in this book are described as being really, really… really ridiculously good looking. Although it’s their primary attribute, each individual is further defined by other unique qualities that sets their beauty apart, giving them a somewhat otherworldly or divine feel.

Xishi, the compassionate, insightful, quick learning protagonist. Fanli, the intelligent, cool, aloof but deeply emotional forbidden love interest. Fuchai, the wolf-like, misunderstood enemy who just wants authentic connection. Zhengdan, the brave, skilled and loyal palace lady.

Consequently, they each have a gravitas to their personalities which would see them fit comfortably into tales of the legendary heroes of old.

Setting ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Ancient China is a fantastic setting for an epic star crossed lovers story due to its rich history and complex politics. The descriptive imagery was vivid and the environments came across as realistic for the time period. I would have like more exposure to the wider court and social structure in the world building but this is just personal preference and didn’t detract from the story.

Writing ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

An enjoyably spicy writing style. The carriage scene was an outstanding favourite of mine and I particularly appreciated the author’s choice to avoid explicit scenes between Xishi and Fuchai. I felt this really helped emphasise Fuchai’s desire for authentic connection in his intimacy, rather than control. As a result, Fuchai appeared much more human and became a very relatable character despite his other flaws. I also feel this abstinence protected the purity of Xishi’s unexplored relationship with Fanli. The constant push and pull within the love-triangle was brilliant yet maddening at times and often left me satisfied but wanting more.

Readability ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I couldn’t put this book down and sped through it from start to finish. The author has a really nice flow and the pacing remained high throughout the book to keep me turning the pages!

Enjoyment = ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I recommend this as a really great book and fun read. However, I did feel sorry for some of the characters in the final chapters and would have preferred a less bittersweet ending.

Favourite quotes:

- In reality we were just two mortals, bound by our respective roles in history, and whatever flickered between us felt so terribly fragile compared to the immovable weight of mountains, of kingdoms, of war.

- “So this is how it feels,” he murmured, almost under his breath, “to be cut by your own blade.”

- There was Fanli, racing toward me, fast as a shadow, like a figure from the fables. My sight had started to fade already, black spots swimming before me, and so perhaps I only thought I saw the wild, raw emotion ablaze on his face, a wretched look I’d never witnessed before, like the world was crumbling around him.

Many thanks to Anne Liang, the publisher and NetGalley for the electronic review copy they kindly provided. In response, the above review is my critical reflection and honest opinion.

A retelling of the legend of Xishi, one of the four beauties of Ancient China. This story is set sometime in the 6th century BC. I enjoyed the story, it kept my interest all the way through and had a good steady pace. The characters were well-developed and distinct.
This is the first book by Ann Liang I have read. Her previous books are classified as young adult. This book, however, is billed as her first historical adult book. I did find the writing, at times, felt as though it was more of a YA book. The writing style is unsophisticated and could do with a lot of polishing in order to make this feel more adult. From a historical point of view, yes it felt like historical China but there was no sense of a specific time period. The publishers blurb for this book labeled it as epic fantasy. It is not epic and it is not fantasy. I was anticipating more action but this was basically a romance. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book and would certainly recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the arc this was my first book by Ann Liang, and it made me UGLY CRY. I read some reviews of Ann Liang's prior works and they commented, "Oh, no wonder this is Ann Liang's book; it will make you cry." I had no expectations for this book, yet I ended up crying for all of the characters. Even after I finished reading, I was struck with sadness, to the point of being outraged that Ann Liang had the audacity to subject them to such a terrible fate lol.

I was terrified to keep reading, even halfway through the book, I was sobbing hysterically for Fanli, who had vowed his loyalty to the Yu kingdom and had to let go of Xishi. My tears continued for Fuchai. I don't really like him, but he's quite lovely and doesn't deserve such a dreadful fate. I believe the plot is neat. The pace is neither slow nor fast, resulting in significant character development, notably for Xishi. The writing is beautiful dan poetic. I think the ending is really suitable after going through so much hardship. I can smile, and my heart feels warm, even though it leaves a slight gap.

Thank you netgalley for giving me permission to read this book it has been e wonderful experience. the book is so heartbreaking yet so perfect in its ows ways I can't even explain.. I am not even able to process the book as I am still in daze of just what did I just read... thank you so much netgalley really

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
4 stars book from me. Loved the plot and the storytelling in A Song To Drown Rivers and the relatable, likable characters,. Loved every single second reading it.

Ann Liang, what have you done to me? This was absolutely heartbreaking but in the best way. The tension, the yearning, the romance, all chef's kiss. I do wish that she made Fuschai more unlikeable. Looking forward to more from her

Thank you soo much netgalley for giving me this book arc in exchange for an honest review

A Song to Drown Rivers: A Novelistic Masterpiece?
Ann Liang's "A Song to Drown Rivers" is a captivating historical fantasy that reimagines the legend of Xishi. This review delves into the novel's strengths and weaknesses, offering a comprehensive analysis.
Strengths
* Rich World-Building: Liang skillfully constructs a vivid and immersive world, blending historical elements with fantastical touches. The portrayal of ancient China is both authentic and imaginative.
* Complex Characters: Xishi is a multifaceted protagonist, torn between duty and desire. Her character arc is compelling and her growth is palpable. Supporting characters, like Fanli and Zhengdan, are equally well-developed.
* Thematic Depth: The novel explores profound themes of womanhood, power, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between love and manipulation.
* Lyrical Prose: Liang's writing is poetic and evocative, creating a mesmerizing reading experience. The imagery is vivid and the language is rich.
Weaknesses
* Pacing Issues: While the beginning is engaging, the middle section can feel somewhat slow-paced. The narrative could benefit from a tighter focus.
* Unresolved Plot Threads: Some subplots and character arcs are left hanging, leaving the reader with a sense of incompleteness.
* Reliance on Tropes: Certain elements of the story rely on familiar fantasy tropes, which might detract from the novel's originality for seasoned readers.
Overall Impression
"A Song to Drown Rivers" is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that offers a fresh perspective on a classic legend. While it has its flaws, its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, making it a worthwhile read for fans of historical fantasy.

i'm going to point out the main things in this book that was the ultimate downfall of it: first is the lack of any believable development for the romance. this is ann liang we're talking about... the book is supposed to have a swoon-worthy romance worthy of her previous ships (and boy are those standards HIGH), but it was barely even developed. we're supposed to just take everything at face value and in 10 weeks, xishi and fanli are in love and have to go through the pains of a forbidden romance. nothing about fanli's character suggests that he'll fall for xishi. he was suddenly telling her his secrets and everyone was surprised that he would do any of that, and i was as confused as they were. and then after 25%, fanli barely appears anymore in the book, so the romance was just us being told that they're madly in love and i don't buy any of it at all.

second of all is the main character herself, our heroine xishi. she's supposed to be someone who learns to be cunning and be a temptress to get into the enemy king's good graces, but time and time again we're being shown just how incompetent she is. she is, for the lack of a better word, a shit spy. the things she does, she shouldn't get away with all of them because most of them makes absolutely no sense. she basically succeeds with her antics through sheer plot armor, because without it, she'd realistically be dead before even the first half of the book. she's also a horrible temptress, and while i get that she might do all of those due to the unearthly beauty that she has, it's still so ridiculous to read. reading it almost makes me mad because you are expected to be stupid enough to suspend all your disbelief and just enjoy the plot that was given to you on a silver platter and not be critical at all.

the side characters for this book are also not as developed as i'd hoped. they all serve their purpose but none are interesting enough for anyone to actually care for. in tandem to that, because the pov is from first person, so many of the interesting actions happen off-page which makes a lot of major plot points in this book appear so sudden and clunky. this book would be so much better if it's from multiple povs or from a third person pov, because then we would get a bigger picture of what's going on and the plot wouldn't feel too flat.

the ending, i must admit, was pretty interesting and i do like it more than the other alternative that is less... tragic, let's just say, and all in all, i don't completely hate this book. i just think it needs much more work in terms of character and plot development because fantasy is very different from writing for the usual contemporary works that ann liang does.

"A Song to Drown Rivers" by Ann Liang is a captivating novel that seamlessly blends romance and vivid description, creating an immersive reading experience. The chemistry between the characters is palpable and authentic, making their interactions and developing relationships both believable and engaging. Liang’s deft hand at crafting romance ensures that every emotional beat feels genuine, pulling the reader into the heart of the story.

The setting of the novel is incredibly detailed, painting a rich tapestry that brings the world to life. Liang’s descriptive prowess allows readers to fully visualize the environments and atmospheres, enhancing the overall immersion and making the narrative feel almost tangible.

However, the novel’s brevity is its only drawback. I was left yearning for more time with these well-drawn characters. The plot moves swiftly, which maintains a dynamic pace but also means there is less opportunity to delve deeper into the nuances of the characters and their relationships.

Despite this, "A Song to Drown Rivers" remains a beautifully written, enchanting read. Ann Liang’s ability to create believable romance and vivid settings ensures that the story resonates long after the final page is turned. It’s a testament to her skill that readers are left wanting more, eager to spend additional time in the world she has crafted. For those who appreciate well-executed romance and richly described settings, this novel is a delightful escape.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of a honest review.

I need a whole day to process this to write my review. Like wow. Just wow.

Ann Liang is truly one of God’s favorites when it comes to words. The way she uses them is just magical. Though we’ve read contemporary from her so far with teenagers, I had no doubts that this would be a masterpiece. And I was right as always when it comes to her.

This is a very visual book. As you read it, you can see them happening right in front of you. It’s detailed enough that you can visualize it, but enough to bore you into unnecessary descriptions. Perfectly balanced.

It’s also like a true myth, one told in verse form back in the day. It leaves a mark on your soul, and it’s timeless. Just the way the original myth came to our time yet is still relevant & interesting, this book holds that timeless aura about it.

It’s clear that Ann knows her history. She put in the necessary research into it and also handled it in such a delicate manner, it’s so clear. You could feel how much she valued her work. Just her posts alone before we even got a cover for the book made me research the original myth.

It’s also soul wrecking, but what did we expect from Miss Ann Liang?

I loved this book.

A stunning story with a complex and intricately crafted main character. Xishi's story is so intriguing and her mental strength is so inspirational.

5 stars (though I do think Fuchai deserved a little better, just a little)

A Song to Crown Rivers is devastatingly beautiful! I struggled to put this book down and I was completely swept away into this historical fantasy. The writing was incredibly immersive and lyrical. Ann Liang has created something truly special here.

The characters were really strong individually and I loved seeing how the thread of fate was woven throughout for Xishi. I can’t believe this is only a standalone and will need to read more from this author and escape into the worlds that Ann Liang creates very soon.

I would highly recommend this to lovers of historical fantasy and Asian mythology!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillian for approving me for this ARC. This is one of my top anticipated reads for 2024 so I was overjoyed to be accepted for this. This is my first novel by Liang as I’ve not read her contemporary YA novels. I’ve heard lots of comments about its emotional angst and how it made people cry.

The opening starts off with Xishi’s beauty. Usually stories which talk about how beautiful the FMC is and focus on appearances are not my thing. I tend to find them irritating but Xishi’s is more a curse and it’s something she knows she has but doesn’t think much about it.

About 10% into the book, I knew this was going to be an incredible book. Liang has a way with words that are descriptive without feeling overdone and flowery and yet manages to keep the pace moving, all whilst setting the scene detailing the history of the kingdom. I am incredibly impressed as she is only 24 and already has a few novels under her belt.

When I first read the synopsis for the book, it reminded me a lot of the Chinese film, Lust, Caution. The film was good but I didn’t love it so I’m glad I enjoyed this a lot more. The whole time I was reading it, it felt like I was watching a historical C-drama in my head and it reminded me of the ones I used to watch when I was young.

I really enjoyed this book. Xishi is generally quite aloof despite it being from her POV. I think it’s to do with her reserved nature and then the need to hide who she is and her not really knowing who she is anymore. I did enjoy her character growth. The romance is a slow burn, a truly slow burn, but it felt more real and fitting of the time period.

The ending was expected yet unexpected. I think some people may not be a fan of the ending but it felt right to me. There is a lot of emotional angst in this book. I didn’t cry but it did move me. I think I may have cried only a few times ever when reading a book and I’ve read over 2000.

Overall, I’ve given this a well-deserved 5 stars. It was a an epic tale reminiscent of a C-drama which Liang set out to do and achieved. The writing and descriptions are done well, and this is one of the few books I would re-read. I am going to be adding her upcoming dark academia novel, I Am Not Jessica Chen, to my TBR.