Just finished A Song to Drown Rivers? Next up read Strike the Zither…
If you've just closed A Song to Drown Rivers with that satisfying mix of heartbreak and triumph still buzzing in your veins, Joan He's Strike the Zither is the kind of follow-up that hits all the right notes without retreading the same path. While Ann Liang's tale centered on beauty as a weapon and the art of seduction, He's reimagining of China's Three Kingdoms legend swaps those tools for something equally sharp: razor-sharp intellect and tactical genius.
"Rich with intrigue and epic in scale. Strike the Zither grows tall on the heroic classics it draws from, yet beats powerfully with a heart of its own."— Chloe Gong, Goodreads
What makes this transition feel so natural is how both stories channel that same undercurrent of revenge and empowerment, but through completely different means. Where Fanli used her allure to topple a tyrant, Zephyr—our brilliant orphaned strategist—becomes the puppet master in a chaotic era of warring lords, using mind games and battlefield maneuvers to shift the tides of war. It's got that same bittersweet emotional depth and exploration of identity that made Liang's work so compelling, but infused with witty banter and clever political twists that keep things fresh.
Perfect for Strategic Minds
This isn't just about swapping one Asian-inspired fantasy for another—it's about finding that perfect balance between the familiar themes you loved and exciting new territory. The political intrigue is dialed up to eleven, with alliances flipping like pages in a whirlwind plot, and there's enough forbidden tension simmering in the background to satisfy anyone still thinking about those charged moments in A Song to Drown Rivers.
What sets Strike the Zither apart—and what makes it such a brilliant follow-up to Ann Liang's work—is how Joan He captures that same deeply personal journey of self-discovery within the grander political machinations. Zephyr grapples with her identity and the costs of her ambitions in a way that feels achingly familiar, yet distinctly her own.
"i love the themes this story explores - the rise and fall of fortunes, how closely fate is tied to individual lives and choices, and how greed and ambition are inherent human qualities."— jessica, Goodreads
This is a Three Kingdoms reimagining where almost every single person in power is a woman—and it absolutely works. He doesn't just gender-flip the classic tale; she rebuilds it from the ground up with female agency at its core. The result is a story that feels both epic in scope and intimate in emotion, where war politics, found family, and strategic betrayals blend seamlessly with moments of genuine vulnerability.
Fresh Energy, Timeless Themes
As a 2022 release, it's riding that perfect wave of Asian-inspired stories that are redefining fantasy literature. But unlike some books that promise "deadly strategists" and fail to deliver, Strike the Zither pulls through completely. You can tell Zephyr is genuinely brilliant—she's earned her place as a master tactician, and getting inside her mind as she navigates enemy camps and shifting loyalties is absolutely captivating. It's the kind of book that avoids overdone tropes while still delivering on everything that made you fall in love with stories of empowerment through intelligence rather than force.
