A Song to Drown Rivers is a genre debut from Ann Liang, inspired by the legend of one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China, Xishi.
We meet Xishi within the pages of this extraordinary historical fantasy, where she catches the eye of Fanli, a military advisor who wishes to bring down the King of Wu, using Xishi’s beauty as the weapon in his plan. What transpires is a beautifully written sweeping tale of beauty, war and romance.
Xishi must use her beauty to seduce the Wu King, a task which she throws herself into, but behind closed doors the sparks of romance sizzle, creating a dangerously urgent undertone. If our main characters are caught wrapped up in this deceit, they may not make it out alive.
I really enjoyed the secondary thrust of the storyline where revenge lurks beneath Xishi’s beautiful gaze, and where grief and bloodlust entangle around her heart, for the Wu kingdom is responsible for the death of her sister. This is a fantastic, exquisitely written slice of historical fantasy, you will be hooked on every single word. I haven’t seen if this is the first in a series, but I’m telling you for my sanity... it better be!
Reviewed by Danielle.
A Song to Drown Rivers was published on 3/10/24 by Tor
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