Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan UK Audio & Tor for the ARC.

This is probably one of the most beautiful stories I've ever heard. I kind of wish I had read the book instead of listening to it, but I think Natalie Naudus did a great job narrating the characters. It's a story that blends history and fantasy with romance and heartbreak.

What an astonishingly beautiful book.

I read the synopsis ages ago and was obviously super excited, but when I actually settled down to read I didn’t remember much and so was in for a bit of a whirlwind of emotions! I’m just a little in shock at how incredible this was.

I felt drawn in from the first few moments and couldn’t quite grasp reality again until it was over - and even then, I was left with a hole in my chest and no more tears left to cry. All the joy and love I felt was ripped away as my hope for humanity (and authors trying to leave us happy) diminished at the end of this - but like in the best way, it was just a lot for my sensitive soul!

Just fantastic, beautiful, gut wrenching, everything you ever wanted and everything you’ve desperately been trying to avoid in a book. I don’t know, I’m a mess

Xishi's beauty has always toppled between a blessing and a boon in her life. When a military advisor discovers her, he proposes a deadly plan to avenge their kingdom. However, as they spend time together training, their close proximity has an effect that neither of them wants. Torn between the will of her heart and her aim to serve her nation, Xishi sails off to foreign lands. Where she must always be on guard and keep her cards close to her chest. Even a tiny misstep can cost her everything & she must learn to survive here amongst the wolve's gaze.

It was such a sweet tale of forbidden love, historical animosity and subjects moving like puppets on the whims of Kings, in the name of protecting their nation. It's the common people who suffer and even to the very end, the rulers remain safe. The end broke my heart in two & I wished there was a different possible outcome. As a reader I loved reading this story, it felt somehow so pure and devoted, despite the court politics involved in the book.

Recommend this to book lovers looking for non-smutty books in Chinese historical fiction category.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️

A beautifully written story full of political intrigue and heartache. Some very important themes of what’s right and wrong, a compelling read. The end utterly broke me and I did tear up.

I love Natalie Naudus so was delighted when she narrated the audiobook. So well done and she brings the characters to life so vividly. 4.5 stars.

This book has left me in shambles, and I love it 🥹

Few chapters in and it got me hooked already. I really love that even though the story is easy to understand and follow, it has this heavy effect on you that tugs your heart and attention, then add the complex characters that leaves you guessing on who really are the 'good' guys or are they really that 'bad'?
This made me unable to put the book down ✨️

The last few chapters left me bawling, and I can't wait for you guys to be left in shambles as well after reading this one. Out on October 1st! 💙✨️

A huge thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance!

I really enjoyed this beautifully written Asian inspired historical fiction tale! I do not know the original story that it was based off of to compare it, but it definitely kept my attention from start to finish. It was full of action, political intrigue and hints of romance. Although it was beautifully written, it was also tragic and heart wrenching. I personally wish this book was made into a duology and some parts would have been more fleshed out. I think if the ending went a little bit differently and wasn't as tragic. this would have happened definitely been a five star for me. The narrator Natalie Naudus is becoming one of my favorite narrators, she always does such a great job telling tales!

As I've already reviewed the ebook of A Song to Drown Rivers (and devoured it, would have given 6/5 stars if possible), this review is for the audiobook only.

I was super happy to see that it's narrated by one of my favorite narrators, Natalie Naudus. Her voice is just mesmerizing, and makes intense stories even intenser (Starling House comes to mind, as well as She Who Became the Sun...among many others).
She delivers again, and her voice is just perfect for this story. So if you have the chance, consume this book as audiobook....and it will consume you.

The quality is great as always with this publisher, and I'm sure I will get back to this again and again.


Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the eARC!

I found this story extremely captivating, almost like an old fairy tale in the way that it was told, it was brilliantly written.

I saw somebody advertising this is having the ‘love triangle trope’ which I strongly disagree with and do feel like if I’d seen that before I started reading this book it may have completely put me off. This is a complicated love story between two people with a side of unrequited love from another party..

The narrator does such a great job catching the perfect tone for the main character and the tone of the whole story

[Spoilers from here]

Everything came together and fell apart beautifully in a devastating fashion by the end of the book, I was truly left in tears, I don’t normally like a book to end in the way that this book did but given how conflicted our main character was by the end of this book it really fit well with the message, which is war is terrible and for most people involved it doesn’t end very well!

(This book made me cry at 2 am as I was getting to the end of it I really should have put it down and save it for the morning)

A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang captivated me with its emotional depth and politically driven characters.
The protagonist’s journey of power and sacrifice reminded me of The Poppy War trilogy by R.F. Kuang, though with less world-building and complexity.

Even though the ending felt predictable, it still brought me to tears. It was the HEA we all hoped for Xishi and Fanli.

Fans of morally gray stories and intermediate world-building will find this a gripping and heartfelt read.


Additionally the audio, narrated by Natalie Naudus was phenomenal. She really nailed each character and made you feel so immersed. I will be keeping my eyes on all Natalie’s works in future.


Thank you to Macmillan, Macmillan audio, Tor, and Ann Liang for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not usually a historical fiction girlie, but man, Ann’s writing captures you and pulls you into the story until you’re completely enraptured and in love with the world and the characters. This gave me reverse mulan vibes with how Xishi (our FMC) needs to disguise herself as a proper lady and have training so she can fool the King into falling in love with her as a spy!

This was such a cool story and the narration was absolutely fantastic. The story was so rich and emotional and I couldn’t put this one down, which isn’t surprising as I haven’t been able to put any other of Ann’s books down either!

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.

Three stars for this retelling of the legend of Xishi - one of the four beauties of China.
I didn’t know anything about the legend of Xishi starting the audiobook, and it was interesting to get an insight into the legends of another culture.
The writing style is beautiful but for me, my enjoyment of the book was hampered by juxtaposition of the very slow pace and the insta love between the two main characters. It felt like an effort to keep listening at times. That said, the ending is emotive yet satisfying.
I see a lot of reviewers have loved this book, so I think it would be a generate a great discussion within a book group, or if you had set yourself a challenge travel around the world with the books you read.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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 .

This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed the writing and storytelling in this book.
I really enjoyed the character arc of the fmc and the romance between her and her love interest. The world building was really flawless and enriched with imagery.

I had conflicting feelings as we got to know the king she was sent to overthrow. I didn’t know which love interest I wanted her to end up with and I felt the fmcs guilt as she realised all the collateral damage in her mission.

Im unsure how I feel about the ending as a whole and it felt to me like there were a few parts that were glossed over and left unfinished. However, I understand this is a retelling, so imagine the ending is similar to the myth it’s based on which is why I’ve still given it a good rating. I enjoyed my time listening to the audio, the writing was easy to listen to and the story was intriguing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc

I really enjoyed the audiobook of this one - for a start if (like me), you’re less confident in pronouncing Chinese names, then the audiobook takes that away by pronouncing them perfectly. Our heroine (“See-Sha”) is asked to sacrifice her happiness and undertake a dangerous mission: enter the enemy king’s palace as another concubine all the while spying for her homeland and paving the way for them to invade/take revenge for a previous loss. She accepts and we follow her through her training and entering the enemy kingdom. Is the enemy king the monster she’s always been told he is? Or is she just a pawn in something much larger.

The audiobook was very well read and I’d recommend it. I received an advance review copy of the audiobook for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was fine. Probably unusually for a western reader, I was already familiar with the historical figure so I was interested to see how the author handled it. The romance didn't land for me. While the writing was beautiful, the story didn't really grab me. It might be that YA bent - I'm probably outside that target audience now. So overall an ok book but not one thatvreally excited me.

★★★
thanks to netgalley for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨--> Hmm, this was pretty good, but I'm also a bit let down. But before I delve into what I found less appealing, I guess we should start with some positivity. For example, I really enjoyed the writing and the dark and tragic undertones throughout the book. They helped to create an atmosphere that I really loved reading about. Also, the deceit woven throughout the book was truly unlike anything that I've read before, which made for a very enjoyable ending.

𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨!
As I've said a million times, there were a fair few parts of this book that I didn't enjoy.

For example, the romance, which in this case was insta love 🤮🤮🤮. Ann Liang WHYYYYY, the one part of this book that I thought I could rely on you for was the romance, and it was arguably my least favourite part. They caught feelings from basically the second they locked eyes, and by 30% in, we were supposed to be convinced that they were in love. And then, for the bulk of the plot, they were separated, so I thought that left room for a cheeky love triangle, which, in this case, I probably would have enjoyed. But NO! She spent the entire 2 years thirsting for a man that she knew for ten weeks, and I'm sorry to say, the romance lacked lustre and lowkey pissed me off.

Similarly, there was so much untapped potential! This book could have been thoroughly explored and even expanded into a series due to the numerous intriguing plot lines. However, with its modest 300 pages, many aspects felt hurried and, frankly, underdeveloped.

Speaking of underdeveloped, can we discuss these characters? I felt a significant disconnect from all of them. They seemed so flat! I couldn't provide any substantial information about most of them, and I certainly couldn't pick them out in a crowd.

I could go into more detail about things I didn't like, but A) I don't feel like it & B) writing this review is making me sad. To sum up, this book was potential wasted, and it could have used 200 more pages of world and character building.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan UK Audio for the ARC

Oh how I loved this novel! I was captured from the start and was never bored. I liked everything about it; the plot, the characters, the romance, the tension. I was just enarmored by the story. The fmc was strong and inspiring, a role model. The forbidden romance was captivating and daring. And the end was heartbreaking. Such a fantastic fantasy novel which I hope everyone will read!

This was so well written focusing on our female protagonist, highlighting her growth from nobody to the one leading an important role for her kingdom.
The writing style was very nice and very easy breezy, the pace was well maintained throughout the whole book. While I was reading this book , I felt like I was watching a Cdrama and thus you can totally understand how well described each scene were in this book 🤌✨💫
Plus, the supporting characters, damn they were equally brilliant as our protagonist in the book.

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.