Scan barcode
A review by thea
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
5.0
4.7 stars. i've only read ann liang's fluffy debut novel, [b:if you could see the sun|60099660|If You Could See the Sun|Ann Liang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1644595325l/60099660._SY75_.jpg|89044509], which i adored! so thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me an arc for an honest review!
what drew me to this book was how it was based on one of the four beauties of china, and if you know anything about that legend (i didn't), you'd know where this book was going. but i am so glad i didn't because the lyrical writing and immersive atmosphere hooked me from beginning to end. i highly suggest not reading the legend before this because miss liang will tell you anyway - in the most heartbreaking, excellent way possible. story short, this book was beyond my expectations.
i want to be as general and vague as possible since this is an arc review, but i have to talk about our main character, xishi. her character development from a village girl to an elegant spy was so satisfying. it always felt like the story was in her voice. every choice she made was reasonable and clever. i adored her flexible character and where her decisions always led the story. also, i saw how the author marketed a "villain is obsessed with her" trope in this, and despite my doubt, she made it work so good that i started rooting for certain characters to be together. the romance in this wasn't cliche or corny - it was genuinely enticing and the yearning was so good that i had to scream into my pillows.
one more thing i have to say: this book made tears stream down my face. i wasn't expecting a tear-jerker, but the fact is that it made my heart ache, like a fist was squeezing it, and that i couldn't stop my tears no matter how much i made fun of myself for crying. it's been a very long time since i've cried over a book, so great job for breaking my heart miss liang.
i highly recommend this one if you're into court politics, intriguing relationships dynamics, and c-dramas! this one won't disappoint. i'm excited to read more of this author's works!
what drew me to this book was how it was based on one of the four beauties of china, and if you know anything about that legend (i didn't), you'd know where this book was going. but i am so glad i didn't because the lyrical writing and immersive atmosphere hooked me from beginning to end. i highly suggest not reading the legend before this because miss liang will tell you anyway - in the most heartbreaking, excellent way possible. story short, this book was beyond my expectations.
i want to be as general and vague as possible since this is an arc review, but i have to talk about our main character, xishi. her character development from a village girl to an elegant spy was so satisfying. it always felt like the story was in her voice. every choice she made was reasonable and clever. i adored her flexible character and where her decisions always led the story. also, i saw how the author marketed a "villain is obsessed with her" trope in this, and despite my doubt, she made it work so good that i started rooting for certain characters to be together. the romance in this wasn't cliche or corny - it was genuinely enticing and the yearning was so good that i had to scream into my pillows.
one more thing i have to say: this book made tears stream down my face. i wasn't expecting a tear-jerker, but the fact is that it made my heart ache, like a fist was squeezing it, and that i couldn't stop my tears no matter how much i made fun of myself for crying. it's been a very long time since i've cried over a book, so great job for breaking my heart miss liang.
i highly recommend this one if you're into court politics, intriguing relationships dynamics, and c-dramas! this one won't disappoint. i'm excited to read more of this author's works!