A Song to Drown Rivers: Deluxe Edition Hardcover by Ann Liang (INSTANT NYT AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER)

OCTOBER 2024 GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK

An October 2024 Indie Next Pick • An October 2024 LibraryReads Pick

Order now and receive the stunning DELUXE LIMITED EDITION while supplies last―featuring a gold foiled cover, gorgeous sprayed edges with stenciled artwork, as well as exclusive metallic ink patterned endpapers and unique foiled front and back case stamps. This breathtaking collectible is only available on a limited first print run, a must-have for any book lover.

Inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of the famous Four Beauties of Ancient China, A Song to Drown Rivers is an epic novel steeped in myth 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.

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

"A beautiful young peasant is selected to become a spy in an enemy king’s court in Liang’s take on an ancient Chinese legend... Lovely historical fiction breathes new life into an old tale." – Kirkus Reviews

"Propulsive...Xishi’s narration brings personalized stakes to imperial court drama and shows the double-edged sword of beauty. Fans of plot-driven historical fantasy should take note." – Publishers Weekly

“Exquisite and devastating. It won’t fail to move you.” ―Shelley Parker-Chan, #1 bestselling author of She Who Became the Sun

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Press

Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 1, 2024

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Print length ‏ : ‎ 336 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250289467

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 9781250289469

Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds

Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.45 x 1.2 x 9.55 inches