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A review by shelves_by_sim
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
If I could give this book a million stars, I would absolutely do it. I think this one is probably my most favorite read this year (so far) and I literally never want to stop thinking about it. This was nothing like I expected and everything I didn't know I needed. Liang has such an exquisite way of writing, creating beautiful worldbuilding to fit a stunning story. This read was a literal modern-day fantastical take on a Shakespearean tragedy and it absolutely shattered me.
I love the concept of the plot. The hatred Xishi feels towards the Wu Kingdom and the history surrounding it made this read feel powerful. I loved the "undercover in enemy territory" aspect of it and honestly, I loved getting to know the Wu Kingdom and see the difference between them and the Yue. I also really enjoyed that fact that throughout this read you know something is off, you know that neither the Wu nor the Yue can be trusted and that very clearly outlines the fact that sometimes both sides of the coin can be bad.
What I loved most was how this story depicted the fact that nothing is ever really black and white. In any normal story, Fanli would be the the perfect love interest and Fuschai would be the villain but the way Liang told this story shows that everyone has good and bad qualities to them. The final battle absolutely broke me, it ripped me to shreds, it tore my heart out and I don't think I'll ever recover. Because of Fuschai, because of Xishi, because of everything Fanli had to feel and experience in the aftermath. I also really loved how this entire story was told by Xishi even in then end, it gave it a magical feel and made the tragic ending do beautiful.
Thank you, @panmacmillansa, for sending me this stunning book! I cannot wait to get my hands on more of this author's work!! ✨
I love the concept of the plot. The hatred Xishi feels towards the Wu Kingdom and the history surrounding it made this read feel powerful. I loved the "undercover in enemy territory" aspect of it and honestly, I loved getting to know the Wu Kingdom and see the difference between them and the Yue. I also really enjoyed that fact that throughout this read you know something is off, you know that neither the Wu nor the Yue can be trusted and that very clearly outlines the fact that sometimes both sides of the coin can be bad.
What I loved most was how this story depicted the fact that nothing is ever really black and white. In any normal story, Fanli would be the the perfect love interest and Fuschai would be the villain but the way Liang told this story shows that everyone has good and bad qualities to them. The final battle absolutely broke me, it ripped me to shreds, it tore my heart out and I don't think I'll ever recover. Because of Fuschai, because of Xishi, because of everything Fanli had to feel and experience in the aftermath. I also really loved how this entire story was told by Xishi even in then end, it gave it a magical feel and made the tragic ending do beautiful.
Thank you, @panmacmillansa, for sending me this stunning book! I cannot wait to get my hands on more of this author's work!! ✨