A Song To Drown Rivers is a novel by Ann Liang based on the legend of the Four Beauties of Ancient China. This novel focuses on Xishi, a young woman sent to be a concubine to the enemy king. As a spy, she has the fate of her entire nation on her shoulders and when you add her own anger and desire for revenge due to how the war has harmed her village and her family…you have a compelling story. Xishi is not just a beautiful twenty-year-old. She’s also smart and kind and considerate…not ideal traits for a spy and ten weeks of training don’t seem like enough before she is to be married to the man that caused blood to flow like rivers in the kingdom of Yue.
Xishi, along with her childhood friend Zhengdan enter the kingdom of Wu knowing that no one will be on their side. However, they refuse to let that stop them. Xishi will win the heart of the king, cause his destruction and maybe return home to live out the rest of her days with her friend and the man who truly holds her heart. We follow this exquisite story with bated breath and I honestly cannot wait for you all to read it for yourselves.
Stars: 5/5
The storytelling alone is worth five stars.
No, seriously. It is that artful and poetic. Yet, it doesn’t drag on or get so poetic that it is confusing. Liang knows just how far to take it. She also gives us beautiful descriptions that transport you to the world of these two opposing kingdoms before you know it. The imagery is so detailed that you can clearly picture the long flowing sleeves on Xishi’s dresses, the layout of the Wu palace, the home in which she was raised, in which she lost something so precious to her.
If you like masterful storytelling, dynamic characters, and beautiful poetic narratives, this is a book you should be adding to your TBR. In fact, the ending of this book (don’t worry, no spoilers here) is easily the most enthralling and emotional that I have read this year. And yes, I know that the year is only half over, but it will be tough to be what Liang was able to do.
As you can imagine, this novel does involve romance, but it is not a sappy overly sweet one. Nor is it overplayed, like you would see in your favorite soap opera or telenovela. The romance the author gives us is intriguing and captivating enough so that even those who don’t read romance will enjoy it. I want to also say that I have zero negative things to say about this novel, not even anything I would like to add. In fact, I’m hoping that Liang goes on to write retellings of the other Three Beauties!
Side note: I love the font of this novel. It is both a good size and easy to read, which I feel will come in handy to neurodivergent readers. Moreover, the style of the font also adds a bit to the overall aesthetic, giving it a more ancient and archaic flare.
A Song To Drown Rivers comes out in October 2024 so mark your calendars. And guess what? There will also be a deluxe limited edition available! I’m sure that the metallic sprayed edges will add to the allure of the story.
Does this sound like a book you would read? Have a book rec for me? Let me know! And don’t forget to share and subscribe either!
Commentaires