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A review by faerieoftheforest
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
4.5
➵ 4.5 stars ✩
finishing this book at 1 a.m. was a big mistake. i couldn’t sleep after that tear-jerker of an ending but I also *could not* put the book down.
╰⪼ 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓻𝓽 𝓼𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂
a song to drown rivers is based on the legend of xishi, one of the four beauties of ancient china, who was said to have lived in a small Yue village during the spring and autumn period. xishi is discovered by the famed military advisor Fanli who fashions her beauty into a blade. she is sent on a mission to seduce the king of the enemy Wu kingdom and topple them from within.
╰⪼ 𝓶𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼
this is such a lyrical and heartrending read that will linger and haunt you long after you finish it. that being said, it’s not a perfect book by any means.
there is a great deal of plot armor and unrealistic, contrived plot points. the forbidden romance that was heavily marketed was actually very underdeveloped (dare I say it was the blasphemous insta-love).
despite the book’s flaws, I could not help but be absolutely captivated by the story and hypnotized by its lush prose. everything from the setting, to the food, and the scents described were so vivid and immersive. it really did feel like I was transported into a historical drama! i truly sensed the high stakes and found myself on the edge of my seat throughout the whole story. the book also makes powerful and necessary commentary on the devastating consequences of war for both sides.
would highly recommend this book! so lovely but be prepared to cry. the book releases oct 1.
i really hope that ann liang continues to write more books in this genre. now if you’ll excuse me, im going to go read something happy to recover from the trauma.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
finishing this book at 1 a.m. was a big mistake. i couldn’t sleep after that tear-jerker of an ending but I also *could not* put the book down.
╰⪼ 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓻𝓽 𝓼𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂
a song to drown rivers is based on the legend of xishi, one of the four beauties of ancient china, who was said to have lived in a small Yue village during the spring and autumn period. xishi is discovered by the famed military advisor Fanli who fashions her beauty into a blade. she is sent on a mission to seduce the king of the enemy Wu kingdom and topple them from within.
╰⪼ 𝓶𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼
this is such a lyrical and heartrending read that will linger and haunt you long after you finish it. that being said, it’s not a perfect book by any means.
there is a great deal of plot armor and unrealistic, contrived plot points. the forbidden romance that was heavily marketed was actually very underdeveloped (dare I say it was the blasphemous insta-love).
despite the book’s flaws, I could not help but be absolutely captivated by the story and hypnotized by its lush prose. everything from the setting, to the food, and the scents described were so vivid and immersive. it really did feel like I was transported into a historical drama! i truly sensed the high stakes and found myself on the edge of my seat throughout the whole story. the book also makes powerful and necessary commentary on the devastating consequences of war for both sides.
would highly recommend this book! so lovely but be prepared to cry. the book releases oct 1.
i really hope that ann liang continues to write more books in this genre. now if you’ll excuse me, im going to go read something happy to recover from the trauma.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review!