A diaspora espionage novel: Oxford Soju Club by Jinwoo Park

 

Title: Oxford Soju Club

Author: Jinwoo Park

Number of Pages: 244

Publishing Date: 30 September 2025

Available format: paperback

Genre: Asian Literature, Espionage, Asian Diaspora 

Synopsis:

When North Korean spymaster Doha Kim is mysteriously killed in Oxford, his protégé, Yohan Kim, chases the only breadcrumb given to him in Doha’s last breath: “Soju Club, Dr. Ryu.” In the meantime, a Korean American CIA agent , Yunah Choi, races to salvage her investigation of the North Korean spy cell in the aftermath of the assassination. At the centre of it all is the Soju Club, the only Korean restaurant in Oxford, owned by Jihoon Lim, an immigrant from Seoul in search of a new life after suffering a tragedy. As different factions move in with their own agendas, their fates become entangled, resulting in a bitter struggle that will determine whose truth will triumph.

Oxford Soju Club weaves a tale of how immigrants in the Korean diaspora are forced to create identities to survive, and how in the end, they must shed those masks and seek their true selves.

 

Review:

First time reading an espionage novel, kinda nervous

This book isn’t just about betrayal, hidden identities, and secret codes, it's a book that proves that the biggest missions are the ones inside yourself.

We’ve got three main players tangled in secrets:

Yohan Kim, a North Korean spy hiding in Oxford under an alias;

‎Yunah Choi, a Korean-American CIA agent trying to unravel the web of lies after her mentor’s murder

‎And Jihoon Lim, an immigrant restaurateur whose life was meant to be quiet, but the Soju Club restaurant drags him into intersections of identity, grief, and danger.

 

‎What hits me hardest: it’s not just about who kills who or who is double agenting. It’s about those masks we wear — assimilation, loyalty, sacrifice, heritage — and what it costs when you’re forced to shift them depending on who’s watching.

The setting is gorgeous in its tension: Oxford’s cobbled alleys, secret meetings in a Korean restaurant (Soju Club), spies in daylight pretending everything is normal. It’s both moody and alive. Yes, there are twisty spy bits, some betrayals, some heartbreaks. But what really stuck with me were the quieter moments — Jihoon cooking his mother’s recipes, Yunah fighting to not be “othered,” Yohan trying to carry both loyalty to his homeland and the weight of his mentor’s dying request. And honestly? I deeply loved how Doha and Dr. Ryu’s quiet, steady affection for Yohan gave the story some of its most tender layers. In a book built on suspicion and secrecy, their warmth toward him felt like flickers of light in the dark.

On top of all that, Jinwoo Park’s writing is poetic and beautiful, but also sharp enough to cut right into your heart. One of my many favorite moments came when a character, standing so close to death, has a conversation about how the people we love most can slowly disappear from our memories. That reflection gutted me — tender, haunting, and so true it’s almost unbearable.

My only caveat:

because there are multiple POVs + flashbacks, the timeline shifts can get confusing. Sometimes I had to pause and think, “Wait, who's this again?” But I think that messiness mirrors the characters’ inner confusion, so it kind of works.

Final Verdict:

‎If you love spy thrillers with heart, identity crises, diaspora nuances, and characters who aren’t just cogs in a system but people battling to be seen, Oxford Soju Club is for you. High tension, and even higher emotional stakes.

connect with me on instagram

Is she in danger, or is she the danger? read A Twist Of Fate by Sae-Ah Jang(translated by S.L. Park) to find out | ARC review

 Title: A Twist Of Fate 

Author: Sae-Ah Jang

Number of Pages: 352

Publishing Date: 29 July 2025

Available formats: hardcover kindle

Genre: Suspense, Crime Thriller, Murder Mystery, Asian Literature, Translated Literature

Synopsis:

Two women meet on a train. Each is running from a deadly secret. When one disappears, the other decides to take her place—for better, or for worse.

Jae-young has just left everything she’s ever known, not that it was much. Her thankless job, her infested apartment, her abusive boyfriend—who happens to be dead on the kitchen floor. Murder was never the way she envisioned leaving, but it was desperate times. Now, escaping her transgressions on a train to the bustling city of Seoul, Jae-young is just hoping to become invisible—safe.

On the train she meets a chatty mother with her infant son who seem to be running from a similarly harsh life with her unfaithful husband, hoping to find refuge with the in-laws she’s never met. To avoid further conversation, Jae-young excuses herself for a moment. When she returns, the woman is nowhere to be found, but her crying child remains with a note, pleading with Jae-young to take him to his grandparents in a remote province far from Seoul.

It’s not an ideal pitstop, but for the sake of the child she can’t ignore the request. When Jae-young arrives, the house takes her by surprise. It's a gated manor oozing with opulence and the finest luxuries. Having never met their grandchild or daughter-in-law before, the family assumes Jae-young is the boy’s mother and ushers her in. Then Jae-young There’s nothing more invisible than becoming someone else.

But both women have ghosts in their pasts. Jae-young may have no idea what lies rotten under the shiny veneer of her new life, but there's nothing she won't do to make sure she never goes back.

Review:

Disclaimer: This book holds the power to not only bring you back to your murder mystery/crime thriller obsession if you've strayed away from it(lie me...) but also to start your murder mystery/crime thriller obsession if you aren't already obsessed with them.

Imagine boarding a train to escape your past, only to accidentally step into someone else's life… and decide not to leave. A Twist of Fate by Sae-ah Jang is a slow-burning, chilling thriller that wraps you in silk and paranoia at the same time—and let me tell you, it does not let go.

If you love books where every character is a potential liar and every luxury setting feels like a trap—this book is gonna mess with your head in the best way.

Sae-ah Jang slays with atmosphere. The writing is elegant but sharp, like drinking your favorite warm tea but laced with poison. The manor is almost a character itself—haunting, cold, and full of things unsaid. And Jae-young? She’s a fascinating mess. Not quite a hero, not quite a villain, but deeply human. You’ll judge her. You’ll root for her. You’ll side-eye her every move. Same can be said for the young mother from the train. Both women show and represent many topics that have been deemed a taboo discussion topic, by our global society. 

The characters of the dead boyfriend and the rich fake brother-in-law are also well written and were even more dark, sick, and twisted than the women. I think that these two are the characters that Collen Hover was trying to achieve while writing/coming up with Ryle in It Ends With Us. When i say that every single character here is trying to bury down some secrets of their own... I ain't exaggerating anything. The multiple layers of this book and all of it's characters(the main and the side characters) will have you second guessing your own second, third, fourth guess(and many others that you'll keep making until the very end for sure).

The slow pacing may not work for everyone, but if you’re here for that creeping sense of dread—the kind that builds in your stomach like thunder before a storm—this is it. Even with the slow pacing the book is written in such a epic , smooth, and intriguing way, that once you are hooked you won't even realize it and you'll already find yourself reading the very last chapters. Last but not the least, a shout-out to S.L. Park for the translation; the prose flows naturally, but never loses that eerie, K-thriller tone.

 Themes to Look Out For:

Identity & performance

Domestic suspense + found family gone wrong

Class divide (poor woman faking her way into the 1%)

Grief, motherhood, and the lies we cling to

The classic “is she dangerous or in danger?” tension

Content Warnings:

Domestic abuse (past)

Death of a partner (off-page)

Psychological trauma

Child neglect (minor subplot)

Final Verdict:

If Parasite and Rebecca had a psychological baby and dressed her in luxury Korean fashion—this would be her. A Twist of Fate is suspenseful, morally grey, and dripping in slow-burn tension. It’s not loud. It doesn’t shout. It whispers. And that whisper will live rent-free in your brain for days after the final page. For the fans of Verity by Colleen Hoover (but make it classier and add a well written Ryle), My Lovely Wife, The Housekeeper, or K-drama thrillers like Mine, The Glory, Parasite and Little Women (the 2022 one, not the March sisters).

Would I recommend it?

Absolutely—but don’t go in expecting twists on every page. This is a psychological unravelling, not a plot rollercoaster. It’s for patient readers who love watching someone slowly lose their grip on reality… while sipping tea in a designer robe

A desi take on Jane Austen's Persuasion, "Yours, Eventually" by Nura Maznavi + Q&A with the author

Title: Yours, Eventually 

Author: Nura Maznavi 

Number of Pages: 400

Publishing Date:18 February 2025

Available formats: paperback kindle

Genre: Romance, Asian Literature, Young-Adult, Re-telling

Synopsis:

A mesmerizing debut novel set in a tightly knit Pakistani American community where a young doctor gets an unexpected second chance with the first love she never got over when he becomes one of the most eligible bachelors in town.

The Ibrahim family is facing a crucial moment: Their patriarch just lost his fortune as the result of a Ponzi scheme, and the family is picking up the pieces. At the family’s core is Asma—successful doctor and the long-suffering middle daughter who stepped into the family center after the death of her beloved mother years ago. Despite what the prying aunties think, Asma is living the life she has always wanted, fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a doctor . . . or so she thinks.

In walks Farooq Waheed, Asma’s college sweetheart whose proposal was cruelly rejected by Asma’s aunt and father. Now, eight years later, Farooq has made his fortune by selling his Silicon Valley startup and is widely considered one of the most eligible bachelors in California. As he enters Asma’s social orbit, she finds herself navigating a tricky landscape—her pushy sisters, gossiping aunties, and her father’s expectations—on her path to reconciling the past and winning Farooq back in the present. If there is still time. 

Yours, Eventually is a story about a young woman finding the courage to follow her heart and coming to the realization that living your life according to what other people think is no life at all.

Review:

Let me just say this upfront—Yours, Eventually is a total chef’s kiss of a retelling. Imagine Jane Austen’s Persuasion but set in a vibrant, tightly knit Pakistani American community, complete with all the auntie gossip, cultural expectations, and one deliciously awkward reunion between old flames. Nura Maznavi has absolutely nailed it with this debut novel.

Asma Ibrahim is the kind of protagonist you root for from page one. She’s the dutiful middle daughter, the glue holding her family together after a financial disaster shakes their world. On paper, she’s living the dream: she’s a doctor, respected in her community, and totally “put together” (according to those meddling aunties). But beneath it all, there’s this ache—the kind that comes from making life decisions based on other people’s expectations.

Enter Farooq Waheed, the one who got away. Well, actually, the one who was pushed away thanks to Asma’s family rejecting his college proposal years ago. Now, Farooq’s back, richer, more handsome, and armed with an energy that screams “I’ve moved on”—but you just know he hasn’t. The tension between these two is thick, especially as Asma realizes she’s never stopped loving him.

What makes this book shine is how Nura captures all the layers of South Asian family dynamics. From the meddling siblings to the judgmental whispers of the auntie brigade, it’s all so hilariously relatable. But it’s not just drama for drama’s sake—there’s so much heart here. Asma’s journey of self-discovery is powerful, as she learns to put her own happiness first, even if it means challenging the expectations of her father and community.

And Farooq? Oh, he’s a dream. He’s charming without being over-the-top, successful yet grounded, and the way he still carries a torch for Asma is just the right balance of swoony and heartbreaking. Their reunion is filled with just the right amount of tension, angst, and longing. Every glance, every conversation is loaded, and you’ll find yourself yelling at them to just talk it out already!!!

The community setting adds so much depth to the story. Maznavi brings the Pakistani American experience to life with vivid details-the food, the family gatherings, the relentless matchmaking. It's all so rich and immersive, and you'll feel like you're right there in the middle of it all. At its heart, Yours, Eventually is about second chances-not just in love, but in life. It's about finding the courage to follow your heart, even when the world around you has different ideas. It's hopeful, emotional, and deeply satisfying. If you're a fan of Austen, South Asian lit, or just love a good slow-burn romance with all the feels, this one's for you.

By the end, you'll be smiling, swooning, and maybe a little hungry for a cup of chai. Honestly, Nura Maznavi has arrived, and I can't wait to see what she does net!

Q&A WITH NURA MAZNAVI

Q1. Yours, Eventually reimagines Persuasion through a distinctly Pakistani American lens. What inspired you to take on Jane Austen’s work, and how did you balance staying true to the original while making it your own?

Nura: I first read Pride and Prejudice in high school and loved everything about the world Jane Austen created. It felt so familiar to me and South Asian American Muslim community in which I was raised, especially the themes of love, family and community. I took a Jane Austen class in college and read the rest of her novels - Persuasion was my favorite, I thought it was the most romantic of all her books. It also struck me well that it lent itself to a modern adaptation in my community. I personally knew people whose relationships didn’t work out because of parental disapproval. Family plays such a huge role in our search for a partner and I wanted to tell that story. 

Q2. Asma and Farooq’s second-chance romance feels layered with cultural expectations, personal growth and desire. How did you approach crafting their dynamic and weaving in those challenges?

Nura: I took a lot of inspiration from the characters in Persuasion. I rooted for Anne Elliot in Persuasion because I felt her heartbreak, but I also wanted her to be a bit more assertive. I knew Asma had to have professional success to contrast her role and the weight of responsibility she had in her family. I also wanted to show how we sometimes see ourselves so differently at work compared to within our family and community. Since Sine this was set in the San Francisco Bay Area, I knew Farooq had to be a startup hundred millionaire who was kicked to the curb as a college dropout. 

Q3. The Ibrahim family adds such richness to the story, from the meddling aunties to the fiercely loyal sisters. Were any of these characters or dynamics drawn from your own life or community?

Nura: I think there’s a little bit of me and everyone I know in all the characters! I grew up in a large South Asian and Arab Muslim community in Southern California where there’s constant interaction with all sorts of different people. What I really wanted to show in the book is that none of us are one-dimensional – even the meddling aunties! 

Q4. Adapting a beloved classic can be daunting. What were the biggest challenges in reworking Persuasion into "Yours, Eventually", and what aspects of the novel felt the most rewarding to write?

Nura: I think the biggest challenge is that in Jane Austen’s time there was a lot of room and opportunities for missed communication and delayed information. That’s not the case here – we get info (gossip!) within seconds via text. So there were some scenes where I had to figure out a creative way for Asma to miss that gossip. I think the most rewarding (and fun) scenes to write were between Farooq and Asma and seeing them slowly reconnect.

Q5. Your background as an attorney and editor is fascinating. How do these experiences shape the way you approach storytelling, especially in a novel that balances romance with social critique?

Nura: I don’t like reading books where I feel like the author is trying explicitly to teach me something or preach culture or religion – my goal is to write a compelling story and let the story and characters speak for themselves. 

Q6. The novel blends Austen’s timeless themes of love and regret with the cultural nuances of South Asian identity. How did you ensure the story resonated with both South Asian readers and a wider audience?

Nura: There’s the old adage that you should write specific to write universal and I think that’s the case here. Love is a universal emotion and love stories have a way of connecting people across cultures and faiths because it’s something we can all relate to. 

Q7. Asma’s journey highlights the tension between societal pressures and personal happiness. What do you hope readers—especially women in similar situations—take away from her story?

Nura: I think there’s a fine line you have to balance living in a close-knit community and enjoying the support that comes along with it without being suffocated. I hope readers can see how it’s possible to figure out yourself and what you want while tuning out the noise of what everyone else thinks and might say. 

Q8. You’ve previously co-edited anthologies featuring Muslim love stories. How did that experience influence your approach to writing "Yours, Eventually", and what drew you to retelling a classic novel?

Nura: The process of putting together Love InshAllah really expanded my understanding of how young American Muslims meet for marriage. Family and community usually plays a role and I wanted to dig into that in this story and Persuasion seemed the best vehicle to do so.

Q9. What advice would you offer to writers, particularly those from underrepresented communities, who want to reimagine beloved classics or tell stories rooted in their cultural heritage?

Nura: Keep going! I talk to so many people who are interested in writing a novel. There’s no timeline – if this is something you want to do, keep writing until you get there.

Q10. Can you share what’s next for you? Are there more retellings, anthologies, or other projects in the works?

Nura: I’m working on my next novel which is about a type-A overachiever whose life spirals out of her control two weeks before her wedding.

The Romance Rivalry: A trope-filled delight with Heart, Humor, and Swoon-worthy chemistry. ARC review

Title: The Romance Rivalry

Author: Susan Lee

Number of Pages: 384

Publishing Date: 13 May 2025

Available format: paperback

Genre: Romance, Asian Literature, Young-Adult, Rom-Com, Coming of age

📝synopsis:

She’s read every romance…except her own…

Irene Park loves romance novels—so much so she’s made a career of them as an online book reviewer with a massive following. But Irene’s real life dating story? Non-existent. So when she starts her freshman year of college, she sets her sights on finding true love using the one thing she really understands…romance book tropes.

If only it were that easy.

Enter Aiden Jeon, Irene’s online book review rival and biggest nemesis. When Aiden challenges her to see who can find love-by-trope first, he becomes the one person standing in her way to getting everything she wants both professionally and personally, too. So when the competition takes an unexpected turn, forcing the two of them to have to partner in the ultimate trope, fake dating, Irene is not prepared for everything she believed about romance, and Aiden, to flip on its head.

As Irene tackles the challenges of college life, struggles to figure out what she really wants for herself, all while trying to win the race for love, Irene realizes the answers may not be found in a romance novel. Happily Ever Afters seem so easy on page. But for Irene to find her ultimate HEA, she’ll have to get her nose out of the book and become the main character of her own story.

📝review:

A book that takes the beloved rivals-to-lovers trope(it packs plenty of other reader-favorite tropes too) and gives it a literary twist. If you’re into stories about fierce rivalries, a sprinkle of mystery, and  a satisfying slow-burn chemistry, this one’s for you. It's filled with everyone's most favorite romance tropes, bookish banter, and a rivalry so intense and fun, it’ll have you flipping pages like your life depends on it, rooting for these two to find their way to each other.

📝characters:

We’ve got Irene Park, a die-hard romance reader who lives for happily-ever-afters—on paper, at least. In real life? Her love life is as silent as an empty library. But when she starts college, Irene decides it’s time to stop reading about romance and start living it. And because Irene’s a romance connoisseur, she’s got a plan: find her soulmate through tropes, obviously.

Enter Aiden Jeon, her snarky online book rival. He’s just as passionate about books as Irene but with a slightly annoying knack of challenging her opinions. Surprise surprise, he is now in the same college as Irene. When Aiden throws down a challenge to see who can find their trope-tastic love first, it’s game on. But the real fun starts when they’re forced into the ultimate trope: fake dating. Yep, the very thing Irene’s been dreaming about turns out to be her worst nightmare—and maybe her best dream come true?

📝Irene and Aiden:

Watching Irene tackle the highs and lows of college life, friendships, and her dreams—both romantic and academic—adds so much depth to her character. She grows from someone caught up in doubt and fantasy to a person who knows her worth and understands love beyond fiction.

And Aiden? Beneath his confident and outgoing exterior lies a deeply caring soul. Despite his own struggles (which I can’t spoil for you here!), he constantly prioritizes Irene. He’s the kind of book boyfriend who will make your heart race and leave you swooning faster than you can say "fake dating". His moments of vulnerability, paired with his unwavering attention, support, and care for Irene, make him unforgettable.

📝them and their friends:

Chemistry between Irene and Aiden is pure chef’s kiss. From the very first in-person interaction to the very end of the book, the chemistry and tension between them was off the charts. Their rivalry? hilarious, their banter? electric, the brief jealous moments and the slow realization that maybe they see each other as more than mere rivals/enemies? PERFECT. 

One can not talk about this book without mentioning Irene and Aiden's best friends –Jeanette and Charles– who were there to help and encourage our main characters at all times, providing unwavering support and some-much needed humor. It was so cute and adorable to see how they start from being supportive friends who end up as a sweet romantic pair of their own-such a delightful sub plot, all while betting on Irene and Aiden's love life.

📝what makes the book stand out: 

What sets The Romance Rivalry apart is it's ability to mix the swoony giggly moments with authentic real-life struggles. Susan Lee doesn’t just deliver a fun rom-com; she gives us a heroine who in the beginning, feels like an imposter in her own skin in the start and comes out out as someone who's not chained to the shackles of her insecurities anymore, and is a strong-headed and wise person by the end of the book. She also learns that love isn’t about following a formula. 

Aiden’s arc is equally powerful. Behind his charm and wit is a boy navigating the complexities of strict family expectations and personal hardship.

By the end of the book Susan Lee has made it very clear how, Irene and Aiden's journey isn’t just about love—it’s about breaking free from insecurities and embracing one's true self, taking risks, challenging norms, and finding beauty in imperfections.

📚Recommend for:

If you love rivals-to-lovers, fake dating, or books about people who love books, this one’s for you. It’s smart, heartwarming, and laugh-out-loud funny. By the end, you’ll want to grab your favorite romance novel, cozy up, and maybe start plotting you own happy-ever-after.

The Romance Rivalry is a page-turner that will leave you smiling, swooning, and utterly satisfied. Don’t miss it!

ARC review: Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan

 

Title: Immortal

Author: Sue Lynn Tan

Number of Pages: 464

Publishing Date: 7 January 2025

Available format: hardcover paperback

Genre: Fantasy Romance, Mythology, Historical Fiction, Asian Literature, Re-telling, Young-Adult

Synopsis:

“What the gods did not give us, I would take.”

As the heir to Tianxia, Liyen knows she must ascend the throne and renew her kingdom’s pledge to serve the immortals who once protected them from a vicious enemy. But when she is poisoned, Liyen’s grandfather steals an enchanted lotus to save her life. Enraged at his betrayal, the immortal queen commands the powerful God of War to attack Tianxia.

Upon her grandfather’s death, Liyen ascends a precarious throne, vowing to end her kingdom’s obligation to the immortals. When she is summoned to the Immortal Realm, she seizes the opportunity to learn their secrets and to form a tenuous alliance to safeguard her people, all with the one she should fear and mistrust the most: the ruthless God of War. As they are drawn together, a treacherous attraction ignites between them—one she has to resist, to not endanger all she is fighting for.

But with darker forces closing in around them, and her kingdom plunged into peril, Liyen must risk everything to save her people from an unspeakable fate, even if it means forging a dangerous bond with the immortal… even if it means losing her heart.

Review:

Sue Lynn Tan returns with Immortal, a lush sequel that draws us deeper into the world of Eastern mythology with storytelling as intricate and spellbinding as her debut, Daughter of the Moon Goddess. Immortal is a tale of love, resilience, and destiny, set against a breathtaking mythic landscape that will captivate fans of fantasy and folklore alike.
Immortal follows the journey of Liyen as she confronts trials that test not only her strength but the core of her very identity. While Liyen’s earlier journey was fraught with danger and discovery, Immortal explores the emotional complexity of power, love, and loss on a whole new level. As her ties to the celestial realm deepen, Liyen faces new challenges that blur the line between duty and desire, loyalty and freedom.

What I Loved:

Sue Lynn Tan’s world-building is once again exceptional. She crafts realms that feel both dreamlike and tangible, using rich descriptions that transport the reader into a vivid tapestry of gods, dragons, and magic. Linyen’s character continues to grow with depth and nuance, making her feel even more relatable as she grapples with both personal desires and obligations that could shape the future of her world. The tension and chemistry between Linyen and Zhangwei from the start to the end is plausible.
Tan’s prose in Immortal flows with an elegance and sophistication that match the mythic tone of her narrative, weaving together not just action and intrigue but tender moments of vulnerability that make the characters feel profoundly human. This story doesn’t just rely on its fantasy elements; at its heart, Immortal is about the courage it takes to choose your path in a world that often tries to define it for you.

Themes and Impact:

Immortal explores themes of fate, loyalty, and self-discovery, betrayal and undying love, giving readers much to ponder about the choices we make and the sacrifices we’re willing to endure for those we love. Tan has a way of exploring these themes subtly yet impactfully, drawing parallels between myth and our own human experience. It’s a tale that urges us to seek our own strength while respecting the forces that shape us.
Immortal is an enchanting follow-up that will satisfy fans of Daughter of the Moon Goddess while inviting new readers into its richly woven story. If you’re a fan of lyrical, myth-inspired fantasy or just looking for a story with a strong, resilient protagonist, Immortal is a must-read. Sue Lynn Tan continues to prove she’s a master of weaving mythology and emotion into a seamless narrative that’s both heartfelt and exhilarating.
Be prepared to be swept away into a world where myths come to life and choices shape destinies.

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!!

Follow me on Instagram for more book content 

ARC Review: The Blood Orchid (The Scarlet Alchemist book # 2) by Kylie Lee Baker

 

Title: The Blood Orchid

Author: Kylie Lee Baker

Number of Pages: 384

Publishing Date: 22 October 2024

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

Synopsis:

Since Zilan entered the world of royal alchemists, she has learned that alchemy comes at a price. She has lost loved ones in her search for broader justice against the evil Empress and all she wants now is to find some way to bring them back. Resurrection is her specialty, after all.

In search of the myth of Penglai Island, where it’s rumored life can be fully restored, Zilan starts a new adventure. But when old threats come back to haunt her and the path to Penglai Island means facing down unpredictable, sometimes dangerous, alchemists, she wonders just how high of a price she may be willing to pay.

Review:

In "The Blood Orchid", Kylie Lee Baker picks up right where The Scarlet Alchemist left, it weaves a captivating narrative that delves into the dark side of alchemy and the true cost of playing with the fundamental forces of life and death. Zilan, a talented and determined royal alchemist, is driven by a personal tragedy that sets her on a perilous quest for resurrection and redemption.

As Zilan navigates the treacherous world of alchemy, she finds herself entangled in a web of old threats, new dangers, and unpredictable allies. Her search for Penglai Island, a fabled haven where life can be fully restored, becomes an all-consuming obsession that challenges her morals, her loyalties, and her very sense of self. 

While reading book #1 all I could think about all day long was how Kylie was feeding my Full Metal Alchemist fangirl early teenage self. And then I got the book #2 e-arc on netgalley. As soon as I read the dedication, I screamed out of joy, lol. There was a lot of banter and family moments that made me giggle and kick my feet in the air, and then there was even more betrayal and angst in The Blood Orchid as compared to The Scarlet Alchemist. The duology was completely action packed and is now in my top 5 fantasy duologies. One of the many things that I loved about this book, is the different types of alchemists we got to see who have thrown their morals out in the trash for glory and power.

Kylie's world-building is exceptional, with a richly detailed environment that draws inspiration from Chinese mythology and culture. The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with Zilan being a particularly compelling protagonist. Her growth and development throughout the story are authentic and satisfying, making her an easy character to root for. The writing is lyrical and evocative, with vivid descriptions that transport the reader to a world of wonder and magic. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of high tension and action expertly interspersed with quieter moments of introspection and character development. Each chapter is like as if it's ending with a cliff hanger, which keeps the reader engaged throughout the book. Every time the reader might start thinking, oh this is the biggest plot twist nothing will top this. And then wham bam yes ma'am, here comes another even bigger and better totally unexpected plot twist, right in your face.

As compared to the book itself the last chapter was lightly written, and the subtilty with which everything was described, oh my God it scratched an itch in my brain so good. "The Blood Orchid" is more than just a fantasy adventure – it's a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. Baker raises important questions about the ethics of alchemy, the consequences of ambition, and the true cost of redemption. Through Zilan's story, we are reminded that even the most well-intentioned pursuits can come at a steep price, and that the line between good and evil is often blurred.