A review by katelin00
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

I cried. Twice. This is a historical fantasy that broke my heart. Ann Liang’s worldbuilding and storytelling are fantastic. While the start of the book was slow, once Xishi got to the Wu empire, I could not put it down. Usually, when I read a fantasy, I want magic, and there is none to be had. The reason this did not get a higher rating was the slower start and the lack of magic. I do forgive the lack of magic because once the story picked up, I was invested.

I went into this book without knowing anything about the mythology of Xishi or Fanli. I’m happy to have no background knowledge because I did not know what to expect. The twists and turns, the political intrigue, the character deaths all pulled on my heartstrings.

I found Xishi’s complicated relationship with Fuchai so fascinating. The mixed emotions she has are perfectly human, and it makes the story so much more relatable. The reasons behind her decisions make sense, and I truly enjoyed the story because of them. Liang handles the tension of Xishi’s situation masterfully, and by the end, you’re invested.

The end was brutal. My heart broke for Xishi, Fanli, and Fuchai. I don’t cry often from books, but the tears were wrenched from me. I highly recommend this book to anyone, and I plan to check out more of Liang’s books.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.