A review by novellisa22
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang

adventurous challenging mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Ever admit to purchasing a book because of its cover? I will admit it, I did!

I am slowly adding fantasy to the genres that I read (I need an escape), but I don’t want them to be too far out there. 

While reading A Song To Drown Rivers, I felt that this wasn’t as much the fantasy genre. It felt more like Old Chinese folklore,which was intriguing. The story had war, revenge, love and betrayal. It was a slow burn of a book while setting up the story and very detail oriented.  It was beautifully written but at times I felt dragged just a bit. I could have been (while reading)  a child being told the legend of the concubine, Xishi and how she took down a kingdom with her beauty.

Xishi has been asked to assist the Yue people and kingdom to be the Wu King's concubine as a spy. She will have to learn the ways of court, the palace and etiquette in order to become King Fanchi’s favorite. However, she falls in love with the minister who is training her to seduce the King. (And as we know, it's hard to remember your focus when you are in love!)

I enjoyed reading this and wondering how this was going to play out…I believe I just need a little more of an open mind when it comes to these types of books. It was good. It was sad. It had some words to take to heart. And I liked it.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings