#FuChai

[jessread-s]

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩🌸🌊Review:

An epic historical fantasy meant to be devoured.

“A Song to Drown Rivers” follows Xishi after her beauty draws the attention of a famous young military advisor, Fanli. He presents her with a rare opportunity: to use her beauty to topple the neighboring kingdom of Wu 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. But if she is unmasked as a traitor, she will bring both kingdoms down. 

Liang’s adult debut is inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. Her atmospheric writing immerses the reader in a world set during Chinese history that has a fantasy feel to it. I really love how Liang’s reimagining characterizes Xishi as someone who is so much more than a beautiful face. She sacrifices her own happiness, draws upon her wit to manipulate men who think her harmless, and never lets her guard down, even in the face of loss and violence—all for the greater good of her kingdom. Her story is one that I find empowering. 

Liang creates an interesting dynamic between her characters that is a recipe for tragedy. Xishi is at the center of it all, coveted by Fuchai (the cruel king of Wu that I couldn’t manage to fully hate thanks to Liang) despite her heart belonging to someone else. That someone else happens to be Fanli, who typically doesn’t allow himself to fall victim to selfish desires. The forbidden attraction that sparks between them over the course of the ten weeks they trained together made my heart race! I could practically feel the yearning behind every stolen glance and brush of their fingers. I wanted nothing more than for them to get together.

The ending of this book is devastating. Seeing what little power Xishi possessed be ripped away from her, and the attempted erasure of her from history, permanently damaged my tear ducts I fear. Yet, the final pages leave a lasting impact in the most beautiful way. 

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[boochubsgeeks]

My Vow To My Liege

During the Spring and Autumn Period (approximately between 771 - 476BC), wars were endless as the Liege of a certain nation struggled for hegemony. The Kingdom of Ng emerged victorious over their old enemy, the Kingdom of Yue. However, the victory came at a great cost as King HéLǘ of Ng sustained fatal injuries. He passed the throne to the new king, a girl named 'FuChai'.

She is forced to live a lie to fulfil the secret and long-standing wish of her ancestors, breaking their sacred vow with the Dragon God. A reprieve suddenly appears amid countless bloody battles to seal the Dragon God. Amid the chaos, who will sacrifice their life loyally and who will plot a scheme of betrayal? Will they choose the man over the country? Love over hate? Who will they ultimately end up with?

CHARACTERS

Chen Feng was orphaned on a battlefield and taken in by HéLǘ to be FuChai's playmate. He studied under Mr Sun Wu to become FuChai's most loyal and dependable bodyguard. He is a calm and unapproachable man who speaks very little.

Shi YiGuang is a citizen of Ng and the upcoming leader of the Shi Clan, which is the most magically powerful clan in the Kingdom of Ng and Yue. He is also nicknamed XiShi. As a child, he played with FuChai. He escaped secretly to ZhuLuo Village in the Kingdom of Yue to avoid being sacrificed at the Sword Pond. XiShi has exceptional medical skills and is known for his gentle and kind nature.

GouJian, the king of Yue, surrendered himself to Ng after losing the war and became a slave guarding HéLǘ's mausoleum. Despite his pride and arrogance, he suffered terrible humiliation as a slave. Despite his pride and arrogance, he suffered terrible humiliation as a slave, which only fueled his determination to take revenge on Ng by exterminating the whole country. However, he inadvertently becomes friends with FuChai.

Wu ZiXu hailed from the Kingdom of Chu. As a young boy, the King of Chu executed his family and clansmen, causing his hair to turn white overnight. He was brought up by HéLǘ and his sole purpose in life is to assist FuChai in breaking the sacred vow with the Dragon God. Wu ZiXu is a highly cautious yet dependable individual.

NOTE: As the developer has only allowed streaming/walkthrough for the prologue and first 10 chapters, I will respect their decision. I will not post any CGs, and the following is the walkthrough/story for the prologue and first 10 chapters.

[slyfire]

shi yiguang & fuchai/ji tengyu purple icons~

pure self indulgence, but i just love them so much 😌. one of my favourite otome ships!

went with purple since it's legally the best colour (and purple is the main colour in their kiss cg, soooo yeah.)

feel free to use these icons without credit.

all artwork/renders used are from official sources.

[wildflowercleaver]

This time, and this time only, will I admit to myself how ardently I love this person in front of me - that my heart will beat for him always.

[moehistory]

The leader of the syndicate,"The Moon". Fuchai once lost to Goujian's organization, "Five Fingers", resulting in her closest friends leaving the group. Unable to forget the incident, Fuchai planned for vengeance while sleeping uncomfortably in the ruined warehouse of her organization. She eventually defeated "Five Fingers" and disbanded Goujian's organization.

Fuchai of Wu

[fortune-maiden]

This drama is all court politics and very few character moments

So the character moments we do get are absolutely precious and Bo Pi may be a schemer but seeing him dote on Fuchai like a father is just too cute 😭

[typingwithmyhandstied]

what’s your fav moment/scene from a song to drown rivers? maybe just some lines too

I really liked how Ann Liang handled everything around King Fuchai, and I really liked Xishi's slow realization that he did in fact actually love her and all the emotions involved with that. Like he was horrible, but he was capable of loving someone. Plus, her betraying him and then him just being hurt not mad? All of it. I ate it up.

How about you? I'm assuming that this means you've finished it. I love that we both love Ann Liang books so much ahhh.

[bookshelvesandtealeaves]

✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨

A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

[instagram]

Thank you Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First off, this book made me CRY! I was so emotionally invested. I loved every beautiful, wonderful, powerful, painful moment of this book.

Xishi is such a brilliant main character. She knows her power and her worth and she does her job so exceptionally well. She’s absolutely ruthless. But she’s also kind and she has such a big heart that she learns to hide so well.

The whole star crossed lovers vibe was agonising and heart-wrenching and just…ugh I was absolutely captivated by them. Fanli was a really interesting love interest and I wish we’d got a little more of him.

The politics at play in this were intriguing and infuriating in equal measure. I came to like Fuchai in a weird kind of way and there were some really excellent side characters in this one too.

I wish we’d had more of Xishi’s training. It’s my only real minor complaint and I almost forgot about it because the rest of the book is so fantastic. The training wasn’t bad by any means, it just felt a little brushed over. I would have loved more details in that part of the story.

I wholeheartedly recommend this to any historical retelling fans.

[rhetoricandlogic]

A SONG TO DROWN RIVERS by Ann Liang

RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2024

Xishi is extraordinarily beautiful. Even as a lowly peasant girl in Yue, she’s been told all her life that her looks set her apart from others. But beauty doesn’t matter much to Xishi. After all, it wasn’t enough to save her beloved little sister, Susu, from being murdered by the invading Wu army. But one day, Fanli, a great military advisor to the king of Yue, comes to Xishi’s rural village and tells her she has been chosen for a special mission. She must leave home, learn the ways of aristocratic life, and be sent as a concubine to the Wu King, Fuchai, and become a spy in his court. Xishi is so beautiful, she should be able to seduce Fuchai and manipulate him to endanger his own crown. Xishi is terrified to leave for the rival court, but she wants to avenge Susu’s death more than anything. When she arrives in Fuchai’s court, her legendary beauty and skill as a seductress win her the king’s heart, and Fanli’s plan looks like it will work. But despite her hatred for the nation that killed her sister, Xishi comes to understand that the citizens of Wu, and even Fuchai, are human beings just like her, and her mission of vengeance might not leave any room for her to live her own life. Liang’s plot follows the large arcs of the legend, and she skillfully fills the pages between plot points with careful character work. What would it feel like to spend years lying to everyone around you? How do large-scale wars stop people from recognizing their common humanity? Do your ideals matter if they prevent you from forming real relationships?

Lovely historical fantasy breathes new life into an old tale.

[scarlet742]

So.. A song to drown rivers is a sad ending book…

Why do I feel like xishi deserved that end ? Cause apparently my heart was tearing apart for Fuchai.

He was a character who just wanted pure love and his surroundings caused him to be the man he grew up to be.

And so goes for Fanli, despite knowing the consequences and Goujian’s intentions, he decided to go along with it all for the sake of better. He not only put sacrificed himself but he also sacrificed poor Xishi and Zhengdan.

In conclusion, it was unlike any stories I’ve read till now but saying it was one of the best would also be lying.

(Ps: my default mechanism is comparing every historical book with a fantasy novel or to be precise with Thorne of glass series as it was one of the best works I’ve read till now in my opinion and comparing the terms of prediction and thrill in both books makes me feel that Ann inserted the element of death to give it a uniqueness it lacked all throughout)

[pipperoni32-blog]

A Song to Drown Rivers

by Ann Liang / 5 stars

**expected release date October 1, 2024**

I finished this one after a sleepless night, when pain kept me awake. What a fitting companion, one that did not contribute to rest once it was finished. I've sat with this book in my thoughts for the day, and I'm still at a loss for what to say. This one broke me, and I have a feeling it's going to haunt me for awhile.

I wished to weep, but my own tears felt insubstantial, a broken gesture. The feeling swelling within me like churning waves was greater, heavier, absolute.

This line resonated with me, a driving force as I read on.

Normally, love triumphs. There are clear heroes, we get to root for them and applaud when they save the day. We hope, and the tide swells and everything is right, as it should be, in the end.

What happens when it doesn't?

In the kingdom of Yue, they've been oppressed and broken by the Wu invaders. They've had no choice but to surrender, and the Wu monsters continue to bully any they find in their path. Two girls are chosen for their beauty, to become gifts to the Wu king. To lie in wait, to spy and plot, to be the key to the Wu downfall and the vengeance of the Yue.

Xishi is to become Fuchai's concubine. Zhengdan her palace lady. Before they are taken to Fuchai, they go to the Riverside Cottage, where Yue Minister Fangli trains them. Zhengdan is a blade and has studied with swords in secret. Now, she's given the chance to learn more. Meanwhile, Xishi learns the art of ensnaring men. Of hiding her feelings, crafting a mask so she shows only what she needs to.

Xishi's attraction to Fangli was strong after he saved her from a Wu warrior at the river in her home village. Before he knew who she was, that small connection formed. Now, they must ignore the call that is drawing them to one another, and instead Xishi will be sent to Fuchai. Her mission is to captivate him, to entice and bind him until he craves her. Until she can trick him into building a way into the Wu kingdom for the Yue invaders.

Xishi is driven by her own need for revenge. Her sister was killed in front of her, and she's never made peace with the missing space her sister used to fill. To get revenge for Zhengdan, whose father was killed in battle. To all those who have fallen, the king who's been humiliated, for Fangli, who suffered at Fuchai's hands. She must be committed, to never forget as she lives in the luxury of the enemy. As the months turn to years, as Fuchai's love and obsession for her grows.

Who are the winners in the games of kings?

[reinaka42]

忘川风华录 Cheat Sheet - PRE-QIN

Character list for the music project/game Wang Chuan Feng Hua Lu

Created solely for my own convenience

All images etc taken from the game's official website

Info taken from Wikipedia

Mao-mao not included, sowwy

姜太公 | Jiang Taigong | Khương Thái Công

1128 BC - 1015 BC

Also known as Jiang Ziya / Taigong Wang / Lǚ Wang

General, strategist to King Wu of Zhou, helped establish the Zhou Dynasty

Song: Gui Diao Yin

Also appears in: Kuang Gu Hui Xiang

In-game rarity: 天

屈原 | Qu Yuan | Khuất Nguyên

c. 340 BC – c. 278 BC

Poet, author of Li Sao, one of the first verse writers in ancient China

Theme song: N/A

Also appears in: Kuang Gu Hui Xiang

In-game rarity: 天

韩非 | Han Fei | Hàn Phi

c.  280 BC – c. 233 BC

Philosopher of the Legalist school, author of Han Feizi

Song: Shi Fei

Also appears in: Kuang Gu Hui Xiang

In-game rarity: 天

西施 | Xi Shi | Tây Thi

One of ancient China's Four Beauties

Given to Fuchai which allegedly led to the fall of the State of Wu

Song: Qing Guo

In-game rarity: 天

范蠡 | Fan Li | Phạm Lãi

Strategist of Yue (Warring States)

(According to legends) discovered Xi Shi and later lived with her after the fall of Wu

Song: N/A

In-game rarity: 地

荆轲 | Jing Ke | Kinh Kha

Died 227 BC

Retainer of Yan (Warring States)

Attempted to assassinate Qin Shi Huang

Song: Yi Shui Jue

Also appears in: Kuang Gu Hui Xiang

In-game rarity: 地

高渐离 | Gao Jianli | Cao Tiệm Ly

Musician of Yan (Warring States), friend of Jing Ke

Also attempted to assassinate Qin Shi Huang

Song: Yi Shui Jue

Also appears in: Kuang Gu Hui Xiang

In-game rarity: 地

干将 | Gan Jiang | Can Tương

Part of a swordsmith couple during the Spring and Autumn period

Forged a pair of swords that also bore their names

Song: Wei Jian

Also appears in: Kuang Gu Hui Xiang

In-game rarity: 地

夫差 | Fuchai | Phù Sai

Reigned 495 BC – 473 BC

Last king of Wu (Spring and Autumn period)

Responsible for capturing and releasing Goujian, leading to the fall of his state

Song: Wen Jian Chun Qiu

Also appears in: Kuang Gu Hui Xiang

In-game rarity: 天

勾践 | Goujian | Câu Tiễn

Reigned 496 BC – 465 BC

King of Wu (Spring and Autumn period)

Exacted revenge on and defeated Wu

Song: Wen Jian Chun Qiu

Also appears in: Kuang Gu Hui Xiang

In-game rarity: 天

伍子胥 | Wu Zixu | Ngũ Tử Tư

Died 484 BC

General and politician of Wu (Spring and Autumn period)

First served King Helü of Wu, was not entrusted by King Fuchai

Song: N/A

Also appears in: Wen Jian Chun Qiu

In-game rarity: 地

白起 | Bai Qi | Bạch Khởi

c. 332 BC –c. 257 BC

Military general of Qin (Warring States), whose victory paved way for the establishment of the Qin Dynasty

Extremely high kill count

Song: Qi Zhan Ling

Also appears in: Kuang Gu Hui Xiang

In-game rarity: 天

墨翟 | Mo Di | Mặc Địch

c. 470 BCE – c. 391 BCE

Also known as Mozi

Philosopher, founder of Mohism

Talented in carpentry

Song: Mo Yin Xia Sheng

In-game rarity: 天

公输班 | Gongshu Ban | Công Du Ban

c. 507 BCE – 444 BCE

Also known as Lu Ban

Carpenter, engineer, inventor of several things including the saw

Song: N/A

Also appears in: Mo Yin Xia Sheng

In-game rarity: 天

庄周 | Zhuang Zhou | Trang Chu

c. 369 BCE - c. 286 BCE

Also known as Zhuangzi / Chuang Tzu

Philosopher, author of Zhuangzi, established the foundation of Taoism

Song: N/A

In-game rarity: 天

[grand-theft-carbohydrates]

Cute Date Idea!

Fight me to the death outside the hubei provincial museum with the sword of goujian and his arch nemesis’s spear of fuchai.

the sword of goujian fucks me up. it was underwater for 2000+ years and it’s still sharp. that’s the kind of sword you’re supposed to use to defeat an ancient evil

[wildflowercleaver]

In an era of mythical tales, ceaseless wars ravage the land. The fate of a great kingdom teeters on the delicate shoulders of a young and resilient girl named Princess TengYu. Bound by the wish of her family and ancestors, she bears the weighty responsibility of shattering the sacred pact with the mighty Dragon God. Yet, to achieve this goal and safeguard the recently established fragile peace that graces the realm, she must don a cloak of deception. Concealing her true identity, she assumes the mantle of her murdered brother, FuChai, ruling the kingdom of Ng with unwavering grace and wisdom in his stead.

[moehistory]

Goujian, the former leader of the syndicate "Five Fingers", was defeated by Fuchai's organization "The Moon". The defeated Five Fingers was disbanded ever since. Goujian now bites down on the sourest of the lemons every day, refreshing her will for revenge.

Goujian

[fortune-maiden]

I like the parallels between Yue and Wu’s succession crises

Two old schemers sought to mess with the succession and depose the elder for the sake of the younger Prince

In Yue, the schemers are shown to weak minded and fighting to maintain a status quo where they’re pressured into submission by a much larger kingdom. Their preferred prince is a literal 10 year old and their argument against the elder is he’s too hotheaded and tyrannical. The plot’s failure is seen a victory

In Wu, the schemers are two most brilliant men in the kingdom and a very large part of the reason they’re so powerful and their argument against the elder is he’s too hotheaded and tyrannical. The plot’s success is seen as a victory

Let’s see how long that lasts…