A Song to Drown Rivers: A devastating Chinese retelling of love, sacrifice and revenge Paperback – 30 Oct. 2025 by Ann Liang

Instant New York Times bestseller

‘Exquisite and devastating. It won’t fail to move you’ ­– Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun

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 expects is the doomed attraction that ignites between them. Even worse, Xishi soon finds herself under the hungry gaze of the king and his advisors. A brutality lurks behind his gentleness, 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 . . .

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.

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 2 a.m. on a work night . . . Beautiful writing and characters’

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