Scan barcode
ash06's review
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wow. I am left speechless and sobbing.
I could not book this book down, instantly I was drawn in and did not want to stop reading. When I did have to put it down, it was all I could think about. The world, the writing, the storytelling…it was all amazing.
This is such an incredible and well written book. I never expected the ending, and I was left sobbing. I am going to be up all night thinking of this book and the characters. I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this book but will be pre-ordering so I can have one of the beautiful limited edition copies for my collection.
This is the first book in a long time that has brought me to tears and left me shocked. This is one of those books that I wish I could re-read for the first time. Once the shock wears off I think I will reread this one soon.
St. Martin's Press provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own. Publication date is set for October 1, 2024.
I could not book this book down, instantly I was drawn in and did not want to stop reading. When I did have to put it down, it was all I could think about. The world, the writing, the storytelling…it was all amazing.
This is such an incredible and well written book. I never expected the ending, and I was left sobbing. I am going to be up all night thinking of this book and the characters. I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this book but will be pre-ordering so I can have one of the beautiful limited edition copies for my collection.
This is the first book in a long time that has brought me to tears and left me shocked. This is one of those books that I wish I could re-read for the first time. Once the shock wears off I think I will reread this one soon.
St. Martin's Press provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own. Publication date is set for October 1, 2024.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, War, and Blood
Minor: Murder and Suicide
dymonlikestoread's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
ARC Review
A Song To Drown Rivers
Author: Ann Liang
Rating: 4.5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
Spice: 0/5
Release Date: October 1st 2024
I HAVE NEVER LOVED AND HATED A BOOK SO MUCH IN MY LIFE.
There's so much to unpack in this book I don't know where to start. I will give a full review closer to the release date.
The book follows Xishi from the Yu kingdom whose curse is her undeniable beauty. Because of her beauty, she's recruited by King Gouijan's handsome military advisor Fanli. Xishi is offered the opportunity to use her beauty as a weapon to bring the neighboring Wu kingdom down and get personal revenge on her own by seducing their tyrant King Fuchai. Personally trained by Fanli, Xishi quickly discovers her desire for him, will she be able to seduce Fanchi in order to bring down the Wu kingdom and be with the man she truly desires?
I was gasping for air I couldn’t believe the amount of twists I could not predict the ending if I tried. I am screaming this is the biggest WTF ending. I am not okay. But if you’re looking for a book that entices you from the beginning and breaks you at the end read this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Child death, Alcohol, War, and Murder
lastblossom's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
An emotional ride featuring a clever protagonist that absolutely sticks the landing.
Thoughts
I finished this book a while ago, but I had to sit with my thoughts for a while because they are many. Like the lead character, this book is beautiful and clever and ambitious and tragic, and I found myself caught up in it the whole way through. Espionage tales are tricky, but this one really fulfills is promise, with a lead character who is absolutely cunning, and I love every move she makes. Pacing can be a bit hard to follow in some places, with large portions of time passing quickly in a way that makes me feel a TV show would convert it into a quick musical montage. The parts where it slows down to really detail the character interactions are by far the best parts, and I was surprised at how delicate and tender some of the emotions are. If the description of the book seems even the least bit interesting to you, give it a read. Strong recommend on this end.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
An emotional ride featuring a clever protagonist that absolutely sticks the landing.
Thoughts
I finished this book a while ago, but I had to sit with my thoughts for a while because they are many. Like the lead character, this book is beautiful and clever and ambitious and tragic, and I found myself caught up in it the whole way through. Espionage tales are tricky, but this one really fulfills is promise, with a lead character who is absolutely cunning, and I love every move she makes. Pacing can be a bit hard to follow in some places, with large portions of time passing quickly in a way that makes me feel a TV show would convert it into a quick musical montage. The parts where it slows down to really detail the character interactions are by far the best parts, and I was surprised at how delicate and tender some of the emotions are. If the description of the book seems even the least bit interesting to you, give it a read. Strong recommend on this end.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Murder, War, Xenophobia, Grief, Death, and Suicide
Minor: Alcohol, Trafficking, and Child death
More...