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.

Okay, hear me out. If I had to recommend one book for 2024, it’s this one. And to think I almost didn’t even add it to my TBR! 😱📚

It’s been over 24 hours since I finished listening, and yet here I am, still emotionally compromised. Ann Liang’s prose is hauntingly beautiful. Like, sneak-up-on-you-in-your-dreams beautiful. Her writing is poetic, and she has this unreal ability to bring her characters to life with such raw, powerful emotion that they practically jump off the page and slap you in the face 👋💥. The last chapter broke me—I'm still crying, and, for the record, I’m not the kind of person who normally cries over books. So, obviously, I’m now obligated to add all of Ann Liang’s previous novels to my (already spiralling out of control) TBR 📚🔥.

Shout-out to Natalie Naudus, the narrator, for making this audiobook an even more soul-crushing experience 🎧💔. Seriously, her narration was next level and made every emotional gut punch hit harder.

In short: give this one a shot. It’ll wreck you. You’ve been warned ⚠️. Releases 1st October! 📅

3.5 stars rounded up

I am once again going to complain about deceptive marketing - this is not historical fantasy. It is historical fiction with some narratorial choices that lend a lightly speculative vibe to a very small section of the book. I like historical fiction, I would have picked it up anyway, but marketers please stop lying to me. Now to review the book that it actually is:

If I could turn my brain off, I would be OBSESSED with this book. There is ANGST there is TORTURED ROMANCE there is POLITICAL INTRIGUE. It was absorbing, and I didn’t want to put it down. Except I can’t turn my brain off, which means I was unsatisfied by how little romance actually happens on-page, and how the political intrigue was so shallow. Xishi’s training as a spy took ten weeks. TEN WEEKS. She could have had actual, thorough training and we could have got more time with the love interest at the same time!! But no.

A real sticking point for me was that in her years as a concubine, Xishi never has sex with the king. At first this was passed of fine with the king being like “it’s not fun if you don’t want to” etc, but again, she’s there for YEARS, and her whole mission is to manipulate him, presumably through any means possible. It was just so unrealistic, and it felt like a concession to the romance between Xishi and Fanli, as though readers couldn’t possibly deal with the complexity of a protagonist having sex with someone other than the love interest. It’s a book for grown ups!! We can cope with strategic sex outside the MC/LI special bond!!

Despite all the little problems that kept piling up, I honestly did enjoy this book, which is why I’ve rated it higher than I might otherwise. It could just be so much better than it is.

I received a free audiobook from NetGalley in return for an honest review. The narrator was Natalie Naudus, whose narration of SHE WHO BECAME THE SUN I greatly enjoyed. She did just as great a job on this too.

I haven't read a book that I found so moving and thought provoking in a long time.

The character development and romance were magical. But I enjoy a book that makes me question and think, and this certainly delivered. A book that makes you think about humanity, war and as human beings - is there ever a totally right / best side to be on? People will always suffer and loose their life - regardless of the side you chose. The story flowed beautifully and I loved the characters more and more. The ending I know will stay with me for a long time, and one that has moved me deeply.

Touching on myths about womanhood, war, sacrifice and love against all odds. Inspired by legends of ancient China - be sure to pick this fantastic book up and be transported to a world of political intrigue and spy's.

A Song to Drown Rivers left me in tears.

Although the main romance felt slightly underdeveloped, I fell for the characters and without spoilers, efforts were made to round out characters so they were not all one dimensional ‘good guys’ or ‘bad guys’.

It follows a young woman who makes the sacrifice to try to volunteer as a concubine for a king in a neighbouring kingdom, where there have been recent wars and tensions. Her character development is wonderful and I liked that the pace was intermittent but I know this isn’t for everyone.

I’d recommend, I listened to the audiobook and the narration was excellent.

4.25-4.5⭐️

I had the audiobook of this historical fantasy /romance read by Natalie Naudus who is excellent.

Inspired by the Chinese legend of Xishi one of the four beauties of China. Though its inspiration is Chinese it has a very western vibe.

Xishi is persuaded to use her beauty as a weapon to help her Kingdom over throw the cruel neighbouring King and claim revenge for her sister’s brutal murder. Interspersed is a tender love story.

It’s a sad and moving story. It doesn’t feel like an out there fantasy,it’s easily relatable.
It makes you realise that opponents in war are all human, that everyone suffers loss and pain at the hands of their enemy. I felt sorry for Fuchai.

I feel it’s suitable as a YA novel. It might not be one for hard core fantasy fans.

3.1 stars

I was very excited to start this book, I mean the plot sounds awesome, a gorgeous woman who shall seduce the enemy king and win the war that way.

What I liked:
First of all, the narrator. Like always Natalie Naudus did an amazing job of bringing this story to life.
I enjoyed the beginning of the story, a glimpse of her life in the village and how she is as a person. I liked the idea of the plot, or what it was supposed to be.
The ending was a bit unexpected and besides one certain very stupid moment around 90% I hated with my entire soul it had me pleasantly surprised with this flip. Another show of how war is just little boys fighting with each other and using lives of thousands to prove a point.

What I disliked;
The writing. I feel like the idea was very good and intriguing but it just lacked in the end. It feels like something that could have been so good but just kind of fell flat.
The romance was rushed and I didn’t really like it? It felt like if they added a few more weeks or months in the “training “ the romance would have bloomed way beter. It went from zero to let’s die for each other way too quickly for my liking.
All the side characters didn’t really have any development for me to get really attached ? And some things they did are so obviously just writing cause the author wants something specific. Which is fine if it just wasn’t so horribly obvious.
I’m kind of disappointed cause this could have so clearly been more and beter and perfect it just feels slightly rushed and even a bit childish somehow.

Reasons for people to die or for the plot to go forward feel invented on the spot for most convenient instead of intriguing and logical. It literally doesn’t make sense to do some of the things the characters did.

I would still recommend this, cause it might as well just not be something for me.

One of my favorite booktubers sometimes picks up books if an author she likes blurbs them. I realized I had never done it and when I noticed Shelley Parker-Chan (aka the Quing of Chinese historical fantasy) had blurbed this, I went for it. A Song to Drown Rivers it’s a historical fantasy and a retelling of Xishi’s story, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. Unfortunately, Parker-Chan’s praise made me think this would be a feast of cajun french fries and it turned out to be potato salad with extra mayo (I don’t eat mayo). Anyways, this is a 1.5 stars.

Xishi is a beautiful village girl who is approached by Fanli, a military advisor, one random day. He asks her if she’d be willing to marry the ruler of the neighboring kingdom - the enemy of her people, a drunk who only worries about having women around every night. But not as a wife per se... as his spy.

I hate describing things as “very YA” but I don’t know what to call it otherwise. The main character just came out of the same cookie cutter than 95% of YA books I’ve read: Mary Sue main character who’s only flaw was being so perfect and naive she seemed stupid at times. Xishi was, by definition, more beautiful than your regular YA MC girlie, of course (and she knows it, but she’s not proud about it, of course). The romance and just story overall asked me to suspend my disbelief too often. The writing was fine, I liked it. Simple and nothing too flowery. The story was just okay.

I think this is supposed to be adult and not YA, but I’m considering it YA because Xishi is supposed to be a concubine and this was embarrassingly PG-13. Don’t get me wrong, I usually hate sex in books, but this was a bit nonsensical and unrealistic. My other beef with the book is just how stupidly cheesy it was. I do appreciate the feminism but somehow the story is narrated as if everything was tough, and hard, and heartbreaking… while nothing really goes wrong at any point? Like, if you ever go to war, don't forget to pack a plot armor that's as thick as the one the characters in this book wear. ([I mean sure, sure, the last chapter, the very last moments. But she was insufferable so I’m counting it as a happy ending.])

This is a shitty review but I’ve got nothing to say. It was just not for me. Someday I’ll read a YA book and not want to lobotomize the main character, but today isn’t the day.

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.