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A review by whenimreading
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
A Song to Drown Rivers 💙
I absolutely devoured this book, the storytelling kept me engrossed in the lives of Xishi, Fenli, Zhengdan, Fuchai, and others.
What really stands out is Liang’s ability to weave a seamlessly effortless tale that had my attention beginning to end. I made a comparison to the TV adaptation of Shogun, because it evoked similar emotions, and if I read this book before watching that show, I might have had a different experience. But this book was truly an experience. It’s not often a tragic or sad book makes me so happy, but here we are!
The characters were the heart of this story. Starting with Xishi as a young woman, then being trained as a concubine spy, the slow build of her connection with Fenli was the type of romance I look for the most (that ending!!!!!!!)
Zhengdan!!!!! My girl!!! Her shining moment gave me chills. Themes of sisterhood between the characters were everything. The dark history of war and death for both young women was gut wrenching. Much of the palace intrigue had me at the edge of my seat. It’s that understated drama that sneaks up on you, everyone is plotting something. It was amazing.
Natalie Naudus performed the audiobook and she was already one of my top favorite narrators. From the pacing, her delivery is so compelling, the way she adapts each voice to emotion is top tier. 10 stars!
I will be thinking about this book for a long time and I had a wonderful time crying in the finale. Highly recommended!
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the eARC and Macmillan Audio for the listening copy. Officially available on October 1st.
I absolutely devoured this book, the storytelling kept me engrossed in the lives of Xishi, Fenli, Zhengdan, Fuchai, and others.
What really stands out is Liang’s ability to weave a seamlessly effortless tale that had my attention beginning to end. I made a comparison to the TV adaptation of Shogun, because it evoked similar emotions, and if I read this book before watching that show, I might have had a different experience. But this book was truly an experience. It’s not often a tragic or sad book makes me so happy, but here we are!
The characters were the heart of this story. Starting with Xishi as a young woman, then being trained as a concubine spy, the slow build of her connection with Fenli was the type of romance I look for the most (that ending!!!!!!!)
Zhengdan!!!!! My girl!!! Her shining moment gave me chills. Themes of sisterhood between the characters were everything. The dark history of war and death for both young women was gut wrenching. Much of the palace intrigue had me at the edge of my seat. It’s that understated drama that sneaks up on you, everyone is plotting something. It was amazing.
Natalie Naudus performed the audiobook and she was already one of my top favorite narrators. From the pacing, her delivery is so compelling, the way she adapts each voice to emotion is top tier. 10 stars!
I will be thinking about this book for a long time and I had a wonderful time crying in the finale. Highly recommended!
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the eARC and Macmillan Audio for the listening copy. Officially available on October 1st.