Collected's 24in24 - Frankie recommends... A Song to Drown Rivers - Ann Liang

Frankie recommends... Liang has well and truly stepped up into the historical romantasy genre and created a heartbreaking, perfeclty paced romantic epic. She retells Chinese myth with poise and flair, and the tension she created practically simmered off the page. Her narrative was inventive and never stale - like so many Romantasies are prone to be! - so if you want something with true heart pick this up. I cried on a train when I finished this - one of my top fantasies published this year!

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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...

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 expect is the doomed attraction that ignites between them. Even worse, Xishi soon finds herself under the hungry gaze of the king and his advisors. Despite his gentleness, a brutality lurks and Xishi knows she can never let her guard down.