This book took its time, but in a way that felt deliberate and layered, not slow for the sake of it. The worldbuilding is rich and textured, inspired by Indian history and mythology, and I really appreciated the way politics, religion, and rebellion were all tangled together. Malini and Priya were both fascinating on their own, but what really kept me reading was the slow-burning tension between them—equal parts wary alliance and impossible longing. I loved that both women were allowed to be powerful, angry, soft, and strategic in turn. That said, it is dense at times. There were moments when the pacing dragged a little, and it took me a while to get fully grounded in the world. But once I did, I was in. If you’re into morally complicated heroines, quiet magic, and stories where loyalty and love collide with empire and resistance, this one’s worth your time.

3.5 Stars

I have to start by mentioning how many different P.O.V.s this book had. I think there were 9 or 10 different P.O.V.s in this book. And 9 of them were first introduced very early on in the book. As the book went on, I began to understand why Tashi Suri did it, but I do think it could have been avoided.

The first time I heard about this book was when “The Sapphic Trifecta” was being promoted heavily on twitter. If you haven’t heard about this, the books that make up this Trifecta are She Who Became The Sun by Shelly Parker Chan, The Jasmine Throne by Tashi Suri and The Unbroken by C.L. Clark. These are all adult fantasy books that were published in 2021 and featured sapphic main characters, they are all the first books in trilogies as well. The romance wasn’t the only thing used to promote these books but the sapphic romance was definitely the main selling point that a lot of creators were using to catch the attention of new readers. However, if your are going into this book solely or mainly for the romance, you will be disappointed. Yes, Priya and Malini develop feelings for each other, but this book is definitely a politically fantasy. The romance takes a back seat so don’t go into it for the romance.

The world building and character work in this book was great. The Jasmine Throne is one of those books where readers are learning about the world about the world up until the very last scene. It was written spectacularly as I didn’t feel like new information was being delivered because the author only just thought of it, the way details were delivered made sense based on the characters we were following and the scenes that were taking place. Overall the world building in this book was quite immersive and I look forward to seeing what else we learn in the sequels.

Regarding the character work. I think the cast of characters in this book was very interesting. Priya and Malini were very complicated characters who decide to work together each for their own reasons. I think there is a possibility that some readers will struggle to root for the romance because of the characterisation. As I’ve said, the characters are very complicated, there are times when relationship development happens but you aren’t sure if you can trust it because the motivations of the characters and the way they go about things, Malini specifically, can make it difficult to determine if it is simply a means to and end or if she is acting on real feelings. And I’m glad this is something we see that both Priya and Malini struggle with. Bhumika is also an interesting character that I took a liking to. Her dynamic with and feelings towards and surrounding her husband definitely added another layer to her character.

The magic system was probably my favourite part of this book. I look forward to seeing how it’s developed in the later books.

This is my first Tasha Suri but it certainly won't be my last. The Jasmine Throne has been on my shelf for a while and I'm so glad I finally picked it up. The world is extremely cool and I love the alternating POVs. Can't wait to tear through this entire series!

I love morally grey lesbians. I cannot believe I waited so long to read this. Everything about this worked for me except the slow start. The characters, the plot, the politics, the representation. Gah it was so good. I can't wait to read the next book.

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri is a captivating fantasy that combines political intrigue, great world-building, and complex characters. Set in a world inspired by South Asian cultures, the story follows Malini, a princess in exile, and Priya, a servant with a powerful secret, as they navigate power struggles, forbidden magic, and a slowly blossoming, yet fraught, bond between them.

Suri’s prose is vivid and evocative, submerging you in a world full of danger, mystery, and betrayal. The complex relationships between the characters, especially the dynamic between Malini and Priya, are intriguing and realistic.

While the pacing can be slow at times, the world-building and character development more than make up for it. The political tension and moral dilemmas at play are fascinating, and the slow burn romance is satisfying.

I loved the strong, dynamic characters and intricate, well-developed world Suri created. It’s a very enjoyable read, with just enough depth that I can't wait to read the next book.

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!

An all-time favourite book that I have read twice because I am OBSESSED.

THINGS I LOVED-
1. The fact that the main characters are morally grey and realistic rather than being holier-than-thou.
2. The geopolitics in the book isn't simply good vs evil. There are multiple factions that want different things and they all clash and collaborate in some way or the other.
3. The writing is so pretty!
4. There are different kinds of strengths shown. It isn't only the sword wielding women but also the magic wielding women and the women who wield their minds to influence the politics of their state.
5. Complicate familial relationships.

I will be reading book two soon, can't wait to see here the characters' arcs go.

Great world building and really interesting magic system. Found some of the random non main character POVs unnecessary and maybe would have been better from an omniscient narrator

A book that unfortunately did not work for me. Tasha Suri is one of those authors whose style I desperately want to like, since she seems to toe the fine line between fantasy and romance (emphatically NOT romantasy as it currently stands) but I cannot get on with her characters, who sometimes feel more like tropes to fill a specific niche (in this case "enemies to lovers lesbians") than fully formed characters that develop relationships in their own right. Will probably read something else from her, but this one was just not the one for me.

The writing in this book is absolutely gorgeous. The world building is absolutely awesome. It's really easy to get sucked into the setting and lose yourself in the imagery. Unfortunately for me the pacing of this novel made it hard to get through. For those that love slow burn paced books this will definitely be a great choice. I wish that there had been some more action and faster goings on to balance the book out a bit.

Ugh this was so good. This is the type of fantasy story that I can get lost in so easily. The world-building is phenomenal and while I typically have trouble picturing things, Suri was able to describe the world so well. There are two main POVs, Malini and Priya, who are two of my new favorite characters. They both are so different in ways, yet yearn for a lot of the same things.

There are many other POVs, which was somewhat confusing at first, but got easier as the book continued and these minor characters became more prevalent. I might just drop a bunch of quotes in her because there are some very relevant quotes that may just be some of my new favorites.

If you want a story with morally gray lesbians that is enemies-ish to lovers in a lushly built Indian-folklore-based world with a fantastic magic system, then you need to start this book ASAP.

I'll be honest—this took me a few tries to get into. I lost count of how many times I stopped and started; the pacing felt so slow at first, and my brain's been all over the place lately. Thankfully, it did pick up toward the end, just enough to keep me interested in reading the next two books.

The magic system, though, really intrigued me. The concept of walking through the "Deathless Waters" to gain powers akin to ancient beings is just brilliant. I love that it’s not something easily obtained—there's strength required, and a willingness to sacrifice something of yourself.

The Hirana, a temple you literally have to climb with a rope to reach the top? Such a cool idea for a building. I kind of want one. Haha.

Priya is a fantastic character. She’s strong, resourceful, and powerful, with a great sense of compassion and moral depth. But Malini is my favorite. She’s also incredibly resourceful and knows how to use whatever she has at her disposal. She spends so much time behind the scenes orchestrating a coup that she doesn’t realize she's being shaped into an empress. There’s a lot of focus on Aditya, Malini's brother, who actually has no interest in the throne—hence why he’s gone off to a monastery. It takes nearly the whole book (and a prophecy) for Malini to realize she can command armies, rule Parijatdvipa, and ultimately face off against her other brother. Here’s hoping she doesn’t girlboss too close to the sun, though!

Thank you NetGalley and @Orbit Books for the chance to get caught up in this world before the third book is released!

Together prisoner Malini and maidservant Priya will end the treacherous rule of a dictator and find love along the way.
A Sapphic epic fantasy set in a world inspired by historical India, The Jasmine Throne will appeal to readers who loved the politics and romance of Samantha Shannon's Priory of the Orange Tree.

Forest magic is my jam.

This world screams summer vibes with its beautiful scents, plants, and atmosphere. The world-building is incredibly unique and largely steeped in religion: from the powerful and plant-based yaksa in Ahiranya, the followers of the nameless god whose names are prophecies in Alor, and the mothers of flame in Parijat... there's a lot going on here.

I didn't really feel attached to the characters or the slow-burn romance, but I'd love to dive more into the Hirana because I think the temple itself has the potential to be a complex and interesting character. The world and the prophecies are interesting, and I'm actually pretty into Malini's political storyline.

This was actually really good: 4.5-5/5

An astounding series opener. Suri creates a lush world full of magic, religious and political tension, and storied past. I could not put this one down, and cannot wait to jump into book two soon.

This book has very unique and interesting ideas about magic intersecting with religion. It just didn't shock me with how good it was.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for a copy of this book post-release in anticipation for The Lotus Empire which releases November of 2024.

This was fantastic and I am so so glad I finally read it. I love Priya and Malini and Bhumika and so many others from this large cast of characters. Definitely going to dive right into The Oleander Sword now.

As time goes on, I realize more and more that political based fantasy is just not in my wheelhouse. I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed this setting, based on a place I have never been but would love to learn more about. I just couldn't love this as much as I really wanted because of my own taste in books (meaning that I just can't get into political machinations no matter how many times I try), which feels really rude to put this one book. I sometimes had trouble tracking the side characters, but that could be my own inability to remember names.

I really tried with this one but itwas not for me. It’s very difficult to pin point why exactly; but I couldn’t get into it. The story wasn’t compelling, which made it drag and take forever to get through. I do not think it needed to be as long as it was and it would’ve benefitted from a tighter edit. The world building was well done but at the expence of the character development that didn’t get enough page time, or as much consideration.

The Jasmine Throne is a sapphic fantasy romance between two characters that desire magic and power; in which the setting is inspired by ancient India. The forbidden romance, which was hyped, was very much overblowen and took a way back seat to the separate arcs of both main characters.

I think this novel would be best for those who read fast and devour books in few sittings. Those that take a while to read books will find this one hard to get in to as well as difficult to finish; as it manages to be boring even with so much going on.

*Thank to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me access to an early copy of this book*

Why I Requested It: After reading Suri's Books of Ambha series, I liked it well enough to be mildly interested in this one. I did not immediately read this book when I got my hands on a copy because I wasn't in the right head space, however as time passed I became less and less interested in reading the book, to the point where I was considering removing it from my TBR shelf. Eventually, after a very mediocre to bad reading month that put me in a bit of slump, I buckled down and finally gave this one a try because I assumed it would at least be a fast read that I wouldn't dislike it.

What It's About: The Jasmine Throne is a multi POV narrative with a focus on power, magic, and colonization. Priya is arguably the main character as she links the two overarching storylines, one follows the princess Malini who has been banished for not throwing herself into the pyre at the orders of her tyrannical and zealous brother, and the other follows a brewing rebellion by the original inhabitants of the land. Initially working as maidservant for Malini, who is slowly being poisoned, Priya attempts to hide her magical abilities as to not jeopardize those close to her or their cause. One night she is attacked and reveals her true nature to Malini, which triggers a gradual avalanche of events that hinges on the bond these two share.

My Thoughts: My main criticism of this book can be summed up as "too much style, not enough substance." There was a lot going on in terms of world building, from religion to politics to current affairs, but all of it was spread rather thin through at least half a dozen POVs which results in a world that felt tangible but confusing. I personally felt there were too many POVs which created a lack of focus. The males POV's felt especially unnecessary based on both their contents and conclusions. The author wants to show the readers all the aspects of her cool world (and I was intrigued by most of what I could grasp) but she seemed to want to get it all in one go and didn't let it develop organically. As for the characters themselves, I liked all the women because each one felt complete, distinct, and generally sympathetic (I don't understand why so many reviewers emphasized that Priya and Malini were morally grey). Bhumika was my favorite POV but that's probably because she was the most active. All the male characters I was dismissive of because I either found them uninteresting or unlikeable. The pacing of this book was also not great, a bit too slow for my taste. Despite not having even read this a month ago, much of it is slipping from my memory like sand. I don't plan on continuing the series, but this was a perfectly decent book.