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First on the list is A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Leang. This historical fantasy blends romance with Chinese mythology, drawing inspiration from the legend of Zishi, one of China's four ancient beauties. The story revolves around Zishi, who, despite her humble beginnings in a small village, catches the eye of the royal general Fawn Lee. His plan to use her beauty to seduce the enemy king sets off a tale of betrayal and tragic love.
The author’s poetic writing elevates the emotional depth of this story, bringing back the essence of yearning often absent in modern romances. With only 18,000 ratings on Goodreads, this book is lamentably underappreciated and deserves a significant uptick in readership.