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.
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.
This sweeping historical fiction inspired by the Four Beauties of Ancient China is in Natalie Naudus's more-than-capable hands. Xishi is the most beautiful woman in Yue--perhaps in the world. In military advisor Fanli's eyes, Xishi's beauty has the power to overturn King Fuchai's quest to colonize Yue. When Xishi begins her mission to seduce, spy on, and sabotage the king, she's torn between her l
