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  1. Books
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  3. Contemporary fiction

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3.6(7)

A Song to Drown Rivers : A devastating Chinese retelling of love, sacrifice and revenge

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

One could live with almost anything, so long as they had something to live for.

‘Exquisite and devastating. It won’t fail to move you’

– Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun

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 as the fate of two kingdoms hangs in a delicate balance.

Her beauty hides a deadly purpose . . .

Since birth, Xishi’s extraordinary beauty has been seen as a blessing. 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 neighbouring kingdom, 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 and seduce their immoral king.

What neither Xishi nor Fanli expect is the doomed attraction that ignites between them. Even worse, Xishi soon finds herself under the hungry gaze of the king and his advisors. Despite his gentleness, a brutality lurks and Xishi knows she can never let her guard down. But the higher she climbs in the court, the further she and Fanli have to fall. And if she is unmasked as a traitor, she will bring both kingdoms down . . .

Why readers love A Song to Drown Rivers:

'I am STUNNED by just how beautiful this was'

'This book will break your heart in a way only a talented author can do'

'Ended up reading until 2am on a work night . . . Beautiful writing and characters'

'Amazing . . . I was fully crying on the plane while reading it'


Author:

  • Ann Liang

Narrator:

  • Natalie Naudus

Format:

  • Audiobook

Duration:

  • 10 h 20 min

Language:

English

Categories:

  • Fiction
  • Contemporary fiction
  • Historic and folklore novels
  • Myths and legends
  • Romance
  • Historic romance
  • Fantasy
  • Epic fantasy
  • Fantasy
  • Romantic fantasy
  • Fantasy
  • Historical fantasy

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  • 4 books

    Ann Liang

    Ann Liang is an undergraduate at the University of Melbourne. Born in Beijing, she grew up travelling back and forth between China and Australia, but somehow ended up with an American accent. When she isn’t stressing out over her college assignments or writing, she can be found making over-ambitious to-do lists, binge-watching dramas, and having profound conversations with her pet labradoodle about who’s a good dog. Ann is the author of If You Could See the Sun, This Time It's Real, and I Hope This Doesn’t Find You.

    Read more

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