I am an avid reader of Ann Liang’s novels. Heck, if she wrote a shopping list, I too will read it. You can only imagine my excitement when I found out that she will be releasing a new fantasy novel this fall. I literally begged the publishers for a copy and I will always be grateful to St. Martin’s and Pan Macmillan for sending me an ARC!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

I went into this with the highest expectations because, after all, this is written by the author of A Song to Drown Rivers, one of my favourite books EVER. And THANK GOD, this did NOT disappoint!! Don’t get me wrong, To Dream in Darkness is nothing like ASDR. The latter was a historical retelling of a well-known Chinese tale but TDID truly embodied Chinese Xianxia Fantasy! It reminded me so much of various Xianxia C-Dramas, especially: 三生三世十里桃花 (Eternal Love). This novel has three arcs, with each serving its own distinct purpose in worldbuilding, context setting, and furnishing the plot. I thought this narrative structure was wonderful.

While I wished that the pacing in the first arc was a tad faster, I was fully immersed in the fantasy world Ann Liang has created this time around. The Xianxia landscape was magical and simply cinematic. You’ll read about immortals, gods, and the three realms, all grounded in lyrical and lush albeit somewhat melancholic prose. The narrative is easy to follow as the author builds an immersive and highly atmospheric universe with distinct Chinese-drama-inspired elements/vibes. From the magnificence of the Celestial/Heavenly Palace to the haunting grandeur of the Night Realm, I was truly enamoured. To Dream in Darkness features one of Ann Liang’s best descriptive writings yet.

I loved loved lovedddddd the dynamics between Rujia, the (aspiring) Goddess of Healing, and Keran, the God of Death. I mean like COME ON, one that gives life vs one that takes life??? You already KNOW you are in for a ride. As usual, Ann Liang is so good at the enemies-to-lovers trope, although in TDID, it was more a reluctant allies-to-lovers. But the TENSION and the POLARITY. OMG. C L A S S I C. It was so agonising yet gratifying to witness how their initial hostility and mutual suspicion gradually melted away through stolen glances and softened resolve. Despite your constant screams of: “JUST KISS ALREADY!!”, TDID is HANDS-DOWN a slow-burn romance alright.

I appreciated how side characters like Crown Prince Junyi added to the story’s richness. His role in the story not only provided the opportunity for us to gain a deeper insight into the dynamics between Rujia and Keran, but also allowed us to see a more humorous and “human” (? even though strictly speaking, he’s an immortal, but ykwim) side of our MMC. I liked how Junyi’s romance with Ziyan reinforced one of the core ideas (imo) of TDID: the unyielding grip of fate and the ultimate tragedy of defying it. Junyi and Ziyan’s bond sorta mirrors Keran and Rujia’s. As in many Chinese Dramas, the cosmos can be unforgiving and terrifying in its indifference to individual desires. It shows how agency, even in a xianxia setting, is a luxury, and fighting for forbidden love always demands a devastating toll and tremendous tenacity.

The ending might not be everyone’s favourite cup of tea since it is reminiscent of a classic C-Drama trope which is precisely why I personally enjoyed it. I think it leaves much to your own imagination, although it’ll definitely be a great idea for there to be a bonus short novella epilogue/sequel some time in the future. One can only manifest 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

I wish I could read this book for the first time again. like HONESTLY, it was such an experience and a privilege for me to have enjoyed it ahead of time!! Above all, this is definitely a must-read for fans of Ann Liang’s previous works and for those who enjoy Xianxia as well as Chinese-inspired fantasy!

To Dream in Darkness
Author: Ann Liang
Publication Date: 29 October 2026
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

To Dream in Darkness is a beautifully written historical fantasy that blends mythology, romance, and heartbreak into a captivating story. Ann Liang creates a rich and immersive world inspired by ancient China, where gods, destiny, and sacrifice intertwine in unforgettable ways.

The relationship between the Death God and Rujia is compelling from the very beginning. What starts as an uneasy bargain gradually evolves into a poignant romance filled with tension, trust, and impossible choices. Their emotional journey is every bit as powerful as the sweeping fantasy adventure, making it easy to become invested in both their fate and the world around them.

The lyrical prose adds depth and atmosphere to every chapter, while the themes of love, duty, redemption, and sacrifice give the story lasting emotional impact. The combination of divine politics, high stakes, and heartfelt character development makes this a memorable read that lingers long after the final page.

A stunning fantasy that will appeal to readers who enjoy mythology-inspired worlds, slow-burning romance, and emotionally charged storytelling. Ann Liang delivers a captivating tale filled with beauty, sorrow, and hope.

#ToDreamInDarkness #AnnLiang #PanMacmillan #HistoricalFantasy #BookReview

A big thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc

5 stars!!☆

First of all, I have to say I loved this book so much. Typically I love all that Ann Liang writes, and this is not an exception.
The book is written in typical Ann Liang style, with magical language and following her previous standalone 'A Song to Drown Rivers', where she based her ideas off of a more historical period. This allowed her to include more fantastical elements in both the former book and this one, especially since she used this book to explore the idea of a celestial realm, which I found suited her writing style more, especially since she was able to write in a more enchanting manner. I absolutely adore how she adds subtle Chinese elements and terminology throughout the book in addition to the initial setting, and it contributed to the immersive experience this book gave.
Throughout the book I found that she kept me engaged, despite there being scenes that weren't as fast-paced or necessarily interesting as concepts and though normally when I read I find some parts in books aren't as compelling as others, but this wasn't the case.
There seemed to be two different plotline running alongside each other at the start (the exploration of the relationship between Ziyan and Junyi/Keran and Ruija's initial meeting), though the first wasn't as prominent and may not be perceived as another plotline, instead more backstory for the later events. I liked how the author managed to have them seamlessly incorporated together and how she was able to go in-depth for both stories, instead of focusing on one more than another.
Romance was another aspect that played a big part in this story, and the one thing that drew me towards this book was that there was a constant development of romance throughout the story, so later on when there were bigger moments between them, it wasn't perceived as an instalove situation, Keran's small acts of service allowing for the reader to follow along with the romance building up. I wouldn't necessarily say that the romance was a subplot, but I believe that the overarching theme of the story was more focused on everyone's characters, and how the way they acted led to the things they underwent later on.
The way Ann used contrasts between Junyi and the Death God also helped to build up character, the Death God being ostracised for who he was and Junyi praised and revered simply because of the status in which he was born into - these differences helped to build up to the overarching idea presented - fate.
How she described mortal Junyi, an outsider's view into his childhood and upbringing truly changed the way I saw the prince, especially how he seemed like a completely different person. After seeing both sides and how he would've been so long as he hadn't been a god, it allowed for me to perhaps see that his character wasn't entirely bad, it was just due to his upbringing and how he was spoiled as a child.
Just one point that may be slightly nitpicky, but despite Junyi being a reasonably important character throughout the series, his death did seem slightly unceremonious to me, but because it happened near the end of the book, I was more focused on the relationship between Keran and Ruija so it didn't stand out to me as much.

Those last 50 pages genuinely reminded me why I love Ann Liang. I was genuinely bawling my eyes out the whole time.
All in all, I loved this book so much, and I'm very grateful I got the chance to read this arc!!

What a journey! Once again I fell absolutely in love with Ann Liangs stroytelling! 
I adored Rujias and Kerans relationship. Both of them were kind of fierce but also true to themself and authentic. 

From the very beginning of the story, I already had a feeling about how it would end. Everything had pointed in that direction, and the closer Rujia and Keran grew, the more certain I was that they would sacrifice themselves for each other. And that’s exactly how it turned out. 
I enjoyed the journey with the two of them right up to the end and shed a few tears along the way (especially at the end). I’m glad that Keran found Rujia again in the end, even though she’s lost her memories. After all the suffering he had to endure, that was the least he deserved. And it will be good for Rujia, too, because she is reunited with her soulmate and no longer has to suffer under the humiliation and pressure from the gods. 
I’ll highly recommend this book to everyone as soon as it’s published, and I’m already eagerly awaiting the next story by Ann Liang. 

Many thanks to Macmillan for providing me with this digital copy in advance!

Ann Liang will never not be my favourite author, this was incredible. Was I absolutely devastated? Yes. Would I still read it all over again? Absolutely yes.

I absolutely adored Rujia and her unending kindness and compassion. She honestly deserves the absolute work and it’s absolutely no wonder the death god ends up so smitten with her. Their relationship is both incredibly romantic and devastatingly tragic, I may have cried a lot…

The development of their relationship from her kidnapping to their teamwork in helping the crown prince was adorable!! I love them so much.

I will forever read anything Ann releases and will definitely be thinking about this one for a while.

Devastatingly beautiful. I knew this book was going to emotionally destroy me the second I read "healing god falls for the God of Death."
Respectfully... I walked straight into that heartbreak.
This book has such a dreamy, almost haunting atmosphere that completely wraps around you. Every page feels soft and melancholic, like you're wandering through a beautiful myth that you already know isn't going to end without emotional damage. I was absolutely obsessed with the vibe.
The romance???
I have not recovered.
There's just something about Life falling for Death that scratches something in my brain. Every interaction between Rujia and Keran felt so gentle, so full of longing and quiet understanding that I found myself hanging onto every conversation. It isn't loud or overly dramatic. It builds slowly, and before you realise it, you're completely invested in two immortal beings trying to outrun fate.
And Keran...
Broody? Yes.
Powerful? Absolutely.
Convinced he's impossible to love while quietly yearning anyway?
Inject it directly into my veins.
What I loved most was how human these gods felt. They're immortal, but they're grieving, hoping, making impossible choices and desperately trying to hold onto the people they love. It made the whole story feel incredibly emotional without ever losing that magical, mythical feeling.
The writing is gorgeous too. Every chapter felt so immersive and I kept slowing down just to soak in the atmosphere before immediately speeding back up because I needed to know what happened next.
This isn't an action-heavy fantasy. It's quieter, more character-driven and built around grief, hope, fate and love. If that's your kind of fantasy, this absolutely delivers.
By the end I was just sitting there staring into space wondering why I willingly do this to myself every time I pick up a beautifully written fantasy romance.
Apparently emotional devastation is my favourite genre.

Thank you again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“You came for me,” I whisper.
His compexion is white, his fingers trembling, but he nods. “You called.”


A Song to Drown Rivers is one of my favourite books ever so to say I had high expectations for the newest fantasy novel by Ann Liang was an understatement. I’m so glad to have had the chance to early read this book because I absolutely loved it🥹🫶🏻

There is something about Ann’s poetic writing, about the honest and straightforward (although sometimes morally gray) men she creates that always does it for me! Not to talk about the amazing fmcs, Rujia was such an interesting character, a flawed and sometimes egocentric goddess with a pure heart that just wished to be loved. Seeing her relationship with Keran unfold was so sweet, they’re the definition of soulmates!!

The setting was also super charming and the descriptions evocative. Besides the main couple, Junyi’s presence made the story much more complex and layered, i really loved their chapters together! I feel like the author always knows how to weave different dynamics and characters together, without focusing solely on the two main characters.

Overall there were some hilarious moments but the ending threatened to destroy me (so yeah, prepare your tissues) but at the same time, it is full of hope!

To Dream in Darkness is truly a wonderful, enchanting and bittersweet tale with gods ready to defy fate in name of their love🥰

I hope everyone loves this book as much as I did!

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy, all opinions are my own!

To Dream in Darkness is now my favourite read of the year so far, and one of my top reads over all. It grips you right from the start, the prologue setting up the inevitable death of the FMC by the MMC’s hand and has you needing to know how it could possibly come to pass.

Ann Liang writes prose like its poetry, lyrical and seamlessly woven into each scene, moving it forward without disrupting it. Her writing style makes even the longer chapters breeze by.

It’s a love story about deeply lonely and misunderstood people, the secondary couple’s relationship masterfully mirroring the main characters’. It shows us the duality of love, how it’s both entirely selfless and selfish all at once. Tragic, heart rending, crushing, and yet hopeful. Full of love and loss, joy and sorrow, it’s a beautifully devastating and yet powerful tale. A must read for anyone wanting to feel everything high and low.

The MMC in particular is now a favourite of mine with how unintentionally romantic and complex a character he is. The MMC and FMC complement each other so well, making their story all the more compelling. I cannot recommend this book enough, if you’re even thinking about picking it up, just do it. You won’t regret it.

Ann Liang needs to write more historical fantasies.

I remember when I first read A Song to Drown Rivers, I was in such awe, I couldn't fathom how someone could write something so stunning, beautiful, and heart-wrenchingly devastating at the same time.

To Dream in Darkness was another stunning piece of work. This doomed love story of the God of Death and the God of Healing where one is destined to kill the other—Is there really no other way out of this tragedy? :( Ann Liang why must you do this to me :(

The prose of this story was again so lyrical and beautiful, and it showcased the world of Chinese mythology beautifully. Rujia was a true ray of light, and I loved the way Keran's character was written—The way his layers slowly peeled apart one by one was done to perfection. I also found Junyi and Ziyan's love story haunting and beautiful. The contrast between the celestial realm and the mortal realm was really interesting to witness, and the way Ann Liang wrote this really shined a light on how mortals lived compared to the deities. I was prepared to have my heart broken, yet no matter how much I braced for it, my heart was still, very very much broken :(

Now bear with me as I will need 10 business days to recover from the hole in my heart :(

I am absolutely living for Ann Liang and her utterly sweeping words. The way that Ann’s books effortlessly draw me into her worlds time and time again has me following her into the unknown no matter what. Ann Liang doesn't miss. To Dream in Darkness begins as a beautifully written, mythological-esque romantasy filled with gods, fate, and all too impossible decisions.

And just when I began to convince myself I had the plot in hand, Liang threw a curveball that shocked and surprised and had me loving this all the more. The yearning in the romance, the depths of the emotions, and the everlasting questions of life, death, and fate stay with me from even before closing it. This is what the bittersweet books, books that simply seep into your heart before it breaks it, consist of. I am so thankful I get to read this immersive style too, of getting the audiobook and ebook because wow, what a roller coaster.

I was also incredibly lucky to experience this through immersive reading. Having both the ebook and audiobook made everything even more intense, and I was completely emotionally invested from beginning to end. The audiobook in particular captured the atmosphere and the world full of mythology, wonder but also heartbreak beautifully

Another stunning novel by an author who continues to amaze me.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @panmacmillan and @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the eARCS

#ToDreamInDarkness #AnnLiang #NetGalley #Bookstagram

I wanted to postpone reading this book as long as possible but at the same time I was very curious of the story due to the plot and because of one of my favourite books A Song to Drown Rivers and To Dream in Darkness is on the same level as A Song to Drown Rivers. I loved the way characters were depicted and the slow burn love and the way it ended. Loved everything about it.