ARC review: A Song To Drown Rivers by Ann Liang

Title: A Song To Drown Rivers

Author: Ann Liang

Number of Pages: 336

Publishing Date: 1 October 2024

Genre: Fantasy Romance, Historical Fiction, Asian Literature, Retelling, Young-Adult 

Synopsis:

Inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of the famous Four Beauties of Ancient China, A Song to Drown Rivers is an epic historical fantasy about womanhood, war, sacrifice, and love against all odds.

Her beauty hides a deadly purpose.

Xishi’s beauty is seen as a blessing to the villagers of Yue—convinced that the best fate for a girl is to marry well and support her family. When Xishi draws the attention of the famous young military advisor, Fanli, he presents her with a rare opportunity: to use her beauty as a weapon. One that could topple the rival neighboring kingdom of Wu, improve the lives of her people, and avenge her sister’s murder. All she has to do is infiltrate the enemy palace as a spy, seduce their immoral king, and weaken them from within.

Trained by Fanli in everything from classical instruments to concealing emotion, Xishi hones her beauty into the perfect blade. But she knows Fanli can see through every deception she masters, the attraction between them burning away any falsehoods.

Once inside the enemy palace, Xishi finds herself under the hungry gaze of the king’s advisors while the king himself shows her great affection. Despite his gentleness, a brutality lurks and Xishi knows she can never let her guard down. But the higher Xishi climbs in the Wu court, the farther she and Fanli have to fall—and if she is unmasked as a traitor, she will bring both kingdoms down.

Review:

 Okay, so first off, Ann Liang completely nailed the vibe of this book. If you love historical fantasy, especially anything about ancient Chinese history or mythology, you’re in for a treat. “A Song to Drown Rivers” is all about political intrigue, strategic seduction, and some serious emotional turmoil, and it's got this underlying tension that doesn’t let up from start to finish.

The legend of Xishi is reimagined in such a way, that’s both epic and personal. Xishi is a lot more than just a pretty face—her beauty becomes a literal weapon in this story, and it’s fascinating to see how she navigates a world where her value is constantly tied to how she looks. But she’s no passive character. Xishi is ambitious, sharp, quick problem solver, and complicated. The push and pull between her loyalty to her village and her desire for revenge over her sister's death is intense. And Fanli? Oh my God, don't even get me started. Their chemistry is totally off the charts. You feel the tension every time they’re in the same room, especially because they both know their attraction could quite literally ruin everything.

And speaking of Fanli, I appreciated that he wasn’t just the mysterious and brooding strategist. He’s got layers (thankfully), and his relationship with Xishi is equal parts strategic and emotional, which makes for a compelling dynamic. The power balance between the two of them shifts constantly, and I love how Ann plays with that tension.

The palace scenes were also a standout. The way Xishi has to constantly perform, seduce, and manipulate while staying one step ahead of everyone at court gave me all the edge-of-my-seat vibes. The king himself is a mix of gentle and terrifying, and that makes their interactions so uncomfortable yet oddly intimate and swoony at times. Zhengdan and Luyi are my literal babies. The cuties with the most amazing humor, and answers. You'll find yourself giggling over the fun banter one moment and then crying over all the trauma that Ann had put in this book, the very next moment. You'll constantly be questioning how far Xishi is willing to go to achieve her goals. You won't be able to help yourself but feel sad for each and every character even the evil king Fuchai.

At its core, this book is about survival and sacrifice. Xishi is placed in impossible situations where there’s no “right” choice, and the stakes are sky-rocketing every moment. You can feel the weight of every decision and step that she takes. If I had one critique, it’s that the pacing can be a bit uneven at times. But again, that's where the fun and intrigue is. Some moments feel like they drag a little too much while others fly by (like, I could’ve used more Fanli time, but that might be just me). But honestly, that’s very teeny tiny compared to everything else this book does justice to.

Overall, “A Song to Drown Rivers” is a powerful story about how beauty, power, and agency are intertwined in a world where women often have to fight with whatever tools they have at their disposal and sacrifices their dearest people and sometimes even themselves in the way, for the greater good. It’s intense, beautiful, and heartbreaking. If you’re into historical fantasy with complex characters and high stakes, add this to your Goodreads asap!!

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ARC Review: I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang

 Title: I Am Not Jessica Chen

Author: Ann Liang

Number of Pages: 384

Publishing Date: 28 January 2025

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Young-Adult, Dark Academia, Coming of age, Magical Realism, Romance, Asian Representation, Second Chance.

Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Jenna Chen, rejected by every Ivy League school she applied to and burdened by the weight of her Asian immigrant parents’ expectations, makes a desperate wish: to become her smarter, Harvard-bound cousin, Jessica Chen. To her shock, her wish comes true—literally.

Now living as Jessica, Jenna has access to her cousin’s deepest secrets and journals, only to realize that being the top student at the prestigious Havenwood Private Academy isn’t the dream she imagined. As her parents, friends, and even Jenna herself start to forget who she truly is, she must decide if living out Jessica’s life is worth losing her own identity forever.

Review

I Am Not Jessica Chen is an emotional roller coaster that had me hooked from the very first line. Ann Liang captures the intense pressures and expectations faced by many Asian-American teenagers, making Jenna’s journey both heart-wrenching and deeply relatable. The story resonates on a personal level, exploring themes of identity crisis, family expectations, self-doubt, and the quiet grief that accompanies being “second best.”

Jenna’s transformation from rejected college applicant to embodying her cousin Jessica offers a poignant exploration of what it means to live in someone else’s shadow. Her journey through the cutthroat environment of Havenwood Private Academy is gripping, and as she uncovers the truth behind Jessica’s seemingly perfect life, we’re reminded that even those who appear to have it all are fighting their own battles.

Liang’s writing is both engaging and immersive, drawing readers into a world where the lines between reality and magical realism blur effortlessly. The pacing is masterful, with plot twists that compel you to keep turning pages, even if it means staying up until the early hours of the morning. The themes of identity, family, and self-acceptance are universal, making this novel a must-read for audiences of all ages.

Jenna Chen

Jenna’s struggle to navigate life as Jessica is portrayed with depth and nuance. Her internal conflict raises important questions about self-discovery, individuality, and the true cost of success. As Jenna grapples with the expectations placed upon her, the novel delves into the psychological toll of trying to live up to an idealized version of oneself, adding layers of complexity to her character.

Jessica Chen

At first glance, Jessica seems like the perfect daughter, friend, and student—the epitome of success. But as Jenna delves deeper into her cousin’s life, we see the cracks in Jessica’s seemingly flawless facade. Through Jenna’s eyes, we witness Jessica’s relentless struggle to maintain her “perfect” image, even at the risk of losing everything. This portrayal challenges the notion of perfection, highlighting the immense pressure that comes with being the best.

Aaron Cai

Aaron is perhaps the most vulnerable character in the story, embodying grief, self-doubt, and envy in a way that is both heartbreaking and relatable. Liang skillfully uses Aaron’s character to explore the consequences of loss and the drive to prove oneself in the face of overwhelming odds.

The Parents

From Jenna’s and Jessica’s parents to Aaron’s, Liang presents a diverse array of parental figures, each adding depth to the story. Whether it’s parents who prioritize their child’s happiness above all else, those who view success as the ultimate goal, or those who are consumed by their own grief, the portrayal of these relationships adds yet another rich emotional layer to the novel.