A Song to Drown Rivers – An Insightful Novel That Reflects the Shades-of-Grey in Relationships

☆☆☆☆

Very much a YA book and I think it has great messages and undertones for young readers (although the message is applicable for all ages).

Does Xishi come off a bit like a Mary Sue? Sure. However, the book is based off one of four women (the Four Beauties) who existed in Ancient China (although embellished in legend). There is no way for her to not be without pivotally changing the legend. I think Liang did well balancing the inherent Mary-Sueness of Xi Shi while still giving her likable traits. Her sidekick is the lovable usual humour-relief type of characters. There was a fantastic balance of male and female characters, I enjoyed the relationships that were fostered, and the bits of humour here and there were witty.

I found the repetitiveness of the loss of her sister a bit much. I think the trauma could have still been portrayed still, but as the novel isn’t even all that long, the reader doesn’t need to be reminded that frequently. (I’m not sure how to write that without making it sound like I don’t think the loss of her sister or her PSTD from it is pivotal to Xishi’s character.)

The “messages” in the book aren’t heavy handed. Do I believe that the women would have been able to learn all of those skills to the point of expertise in that short amount of time? No. That was the only time that I found the content to be a bit jarring.

The romance side of the story was created organically and doesn’t feel forced. A major strength of this book are the relationships, both romantic and otherwise. Liang presents shades of grey and how “us vs them” mentalities are dangerous.

The book has great pacing although I wish that it was longer. The plot is definitely there for it, but as a YA novel it’s not unexpected. The novel is well written and insightful.