This book was really well written and a pleasure to read. The culture and mythology was fascinating and complex, but not too challenging to follow. There was a perfect amount of gay pining and sapphic arm admiring. The two leads were very different, the chemistry between them was excellent. The tension about personal obligation of someone in the grips of empire/colonization was really interesting, and I’m intrigued how the author will resolve the tension between the two leads and their conflicting priorities. It was similar to the Priory of the Orange Tree, but did not have as much mythology or POV characters to muddle things up. I’ll definitely be reading/buying the next book and anticipating it’s release!

The Jasmine Throne follows two main characters: Malini, the sister of the emperor, who is being imprisoned in the city of Ahiranyi, and Priya, a housemaid in the governor’s household and who later becomes in charge of Malini’s care. The strength of this book lies in its characters and their complex relationships with each other. In particular, the relationship that develops between the Malini and Priya is so tender and complex; I loved and savoured every second of it. This book is filled with so many complex and flawed female characters, and Tasha Suri portrays each of them with so much empathy while also not excusing their mistakes and flaws. The way Bhumika. Malini, and Priya are all strong women in completely different ways is so interesting and Tasha Suri doesn't position one character as any more morally "right" than the other.

The world-building was interesting, but a little heavy and dense in some parts. There were a few info dumps especially in the beginning, that slowed down the story a bit; however, I also didn't feel like the world was completely fleshed out. I expect this to improve in the sequel as the scope of the story expands past the borders of Ahiranyi. Otherwise, Tasha Suri’s elegant and lyrical prose keeps the story flowing beautifully. There are a few body horror elements but the way she describes these moments is so incredibly entrancing.

The Jasmine Throne was the perfect start to an amazing new series. It gives the reader just enough to know what to expect while also setting up things for the sequels. It is an amazing Indian-inspired sapphic fantasy that I cannot wait to recommend and discuss with other readers!

I know this is marketed to adults but if you have teen patrons who can handle violence, you can shelve this in your high school library.

Very well crafted and mysterious.
I love the naming prophecy part so. So. So much.

Tasha Suri is one of my favorite authors and I was beyond excited when I heard that she was coming out with a new fantasy trilogy. And The Jasmine Throne was everything I hoped it would be and more. The world-building was absolutely breath-taking, I loved how well integrated it was with the rest of the novel (no info-dumps here!). And the characters!! I cannot wait to see what happens next with both Malini and Priya, particularly after the events toward the end of the book.

The Jasmine Throne is also a brilliant exploration of what makes us monstrous, and how actions can be monstrous depending on which side you’re viewing them from. Even when characters have differing viewpoints or at complete odds with each other, Suri does a fantastic job of making you understand why they make the choices they do. The political aspect was also incredibly well done. I also loved how the politics were so interwoven with religion and the history of these nations.

Overall, The Jasmine Throne was an amazing start to a new series. I cannot wait to read the rest of this trilogy and would highly recommend this one to any fantasy fans!

The Jasmine Throne is a beautiful and thrilling start to Tasha Suri’s new fantasy trilogy, populated by complex, clever, and fiercely independent female characters who refuse to play the roles society expects of them. Malini is the emperor’s vengeful sister, sent to an ancient temple to be imprisoned after refusing her zealot brother’s orders to be “purified” through death by fire. Priya is a kindhearted maidservant who doesn’t allow herself to want much more than the safe, but small life she has carved out for herself. But when Priya is attacked at the temple, she reconnects with her true nature, unlocking a dangerous power and purpose in the presence of the princess, irrevocably binding their fates together.

The story introduces readers to an immersive new world inspired by India, with Suri building out the nuanced politics, cultures, religions, and magic system with stunning prose that never veers on info-dumping. The book switches between several POVs in addition to Malini and Priya, with each additional character getting their own rich development and providing unique perspectives on the unfolding events. Of all these characters, it’s Bhumika who stands out the most; the pragmatic and patient regent’s wife, Bhumika’s sacrifices get misconstrued and strengths go underestimated by everyone around her, but particularly by Priya. Their relationship is filled with tension and a complicated love, and I can't wait to see how it develops in the next book.

Everything about this book feels effortless, natural, and precious — from the characterization to the power dynamics to the slow-burn romance between Malini and Priya. Suri’s writing asks readers to savor each line and new development in the layered story, wherein women deemed monstrous prove to be the only forces powerful enough to reshape a corrupt empire.

3.5 stars

Overall, I enjoyed The Jasmine Throne, the first instalment in a brand new epic fantasy trilogy. The Indian-inspired worldbuilding was interesting, and I liked the politics and the concept of the rot disease affecting the population. The way Suri deftly weaved in details about the world was also excellent—intriguing without being overwhelming.

As a multi-POV book, some viewpoints were better than others. I loved Bhumika the most, and honestly wouldn't have minded if the entire story had been told from her POV. Her quiet intelligence and fierce resilience were a joy to read. I also mostly enjoyed Priya's and Malini's POV chapters. I admittedly found their chemistry rather dry, but I do like the idea of their relationship.

However, there were other POVs I found rather dull. This meant the book's pace felt uneven—I'd zip through one interesting chapter, and then slog through the next boring one. There were a few times I found myself getting impatient with the story, skimming ahead to get to the 'good bits'. However, I will say that the last ~10% of the book was excellent—that's the point where all the plot threads that had been slowly building finally came together.

While Suri is a decent writer, I found myself growing tired of The Jasmine Throne's reliance on short, choppy sentence fragments. I felt they were overused, and they made it hard for me to find the rhythm to the prose at times. I think they could've been employed much more sparingly for a punchier effect. Strangely enough, Suri doesn't really use this writing technique during her fight scenes, reserving it mainly for dialogue/character exposition scenes, so I wouldn't feel much tension during fight scenes, yet odd bits of misplaced tension in quieter moments. I personally think it'd make more sense the other way.

i was promised enemies to lovers and morally gray lesbians and the jasmine throne did not disappoint. this was my first foray into the high fantasy genre and i was so impressed by tasha suri’s nuanced, vibrant world building and lovely writing style.

the jasmine throne centers around malini and priya, but suri also includes chapters from several other characters’ perspectives. normally i don’t enjoy this many povs because they rarely feel necessary and tend to run together, but here each character—even the minor ones—has a distinct voice and motivations and it was interesting to see so many sides of the conflict.

i struggled with the pacing here and there, but that may just be a result of my unfamiliarity with the genre. i do wish the magic system had been expanded upon slightly more—maybe i just need to go back and reread certain passages, but i’m still confused about a few things.

but overall, this book was just a delight to read: a sapphic slow burn full of political intrigue that also examines the consequences of imperialism, religious zealotry, and patriarchy. at times vicious and at times incredibly vulnerable, the jasmine throne was a great introduction to the genre and the burning kingdoms trilogy.

Warning: there may be slight spoilers.

This may be my favorite book of 2021! I honestly loved everything about it.

I liked both of the main characters a lot. Priya is a loving, selfless person who puts her needs before everyone else. Watching her develop as a person and really come into her strength was a joy. Malini can seem a bit out of touch at times, and I don’t always agree with her choices, but learning more of her backstory definitely endeared her to me. Both are very strong (and sapphic) leads who perfectly complimented each other.

The book is told from many different points of view. At first it was a bit jarring, but in the end I grew to love it. Seeing events happen though different eyes (even if it was a minor character) and hearing their internal dialog about what is going on, really helped immerse me even more into the world.

While we’re speaking of it, the world building was phenomenal. The magic was unique and well explained. The religions, buildings, food, and even the rot were so beautifully detailed. The descriptions of climbing the Hirana, being in the depths of the deathless waters, walking through the village, the magic being used, and so much more were so vivid that I could easily paint the pictures in my mind.

Finally this had some of my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, and dysfunctional families. The slow burn between Priya and Malini was sooooooo worth the wait. They truly bring out the best in each other and hope we get more of them in the next book!

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Jasmine Throne is the first book I’ve read by Tasha Suri, but now I can’t wait to read more! I fell in love with the world and characters that Suri created. This was truly an excellent start to a new fantasy series.

This multi-POV story primarily follows two women, Priya and Malini. Priya is a maidservant with a kind heart and a mysterious past that even she doesn’t quite remember. Malini is an exiled princess who longs to overthrow her tyrant brother both for the good of the empire and for her own selfish revenge. The two women meet in the Hirana, an almost sentient temple that was the site of a mass murder in Priya’s youth. There, Priya and Malini join forces to, as the blurb puts it, “change the fate of an empire.”

I found Priya and Malini (and indeed, all the POV women in the book) to be wonderfully written. They were complex and nuanced, each driven by clear goals and desires. I also enjoyed the romance between the two women, which was enough of a slow burn that I found it believable (nothing takes me out of a story more than making out in the middle of a battle). But what I really loved was that while Priya and Malini do have romantic feelings for each other, their relationship doesn't instantly become the most important thing in their lives. Instead, they work together when they can and separate to achieve their individual goals when necessary. I love when characters don’t suddenly become co-dependent as soon as they catch feelings! Priya says it best herself when she says, “…[her] first loyalty wasn’t to Malini. It was to herself, and to Bhumika, and to Ahiranya.”

I was pleasantly surprised by the number of different POVs throughout. When the book started, I thought it was just going to be Priya and Malini, but we ended up getting the perspective of several side characters as well. With multi-POV books there’s usually always one that’s a struggle to get through, either because it’s boring or because the POV feels too removed from the rest of the plot. But in The Jasmine Throne, every POV was interesting and shared insight into the larger plot and world. I was genuinely interested in every character’s perspective.

I do wish we knew more about Chandra. All the other characters felt so fleshed out and complex, but we didn’t really get an explanation for why Chandra is the way he is, other than…he’s evil and crazy? It makes sense because he wasn’t a POV character and pretty removed from the action in this first installment, but my hope is that later in the series Chandra’s character is more fleshed out. I prefer villains with reason/purpose rather than senseless violence.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Jasmine Throne. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series as soon as it’s out! Tasha Suri has a new fan in me!

I went into this book with high expectations and it did not disappoint!!! Lovers of epic fantasy, do yourselves a favor and get a copy of The Jasmine Throne. It is an intricate, feminist, political fantasy with a large cast of characters, sapphic representation, and really interesting world-building inspired by the history and epics of India. Thus far, easily the best fantasy of 2021 for me.

Malini is a princess imprisoned by her brother for refusing to willingly burn on a pyre. Kept isolated in an ancient, magical temple and drugged, one of the only people she has contact with is her maidservant Priya. But Priya is more than she seems and carries a dangerous secret from her past.

This is a story of kingdoms rising and falling, rebel factions, dangerous magic, and competing religious beliefs. I don't want to say too much because you should just experience it for yourself but I loved the nuanced characters, the unique magic, and the way she plays on competing loyalties. Oh and the powerful women who refuse to stay in the corners meant for them. This book was everything I wanted it to be. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Easily my favorite book of the month. Set in a world inspired by India, we follow two main characters along with several secondary characters. Malini is a princess that is accused of treason by her brother the emperor and sent to an outlying province not long thrown to the bottom the of the empire for prison inside an old temple. Priya is a maidservant that is assigned to the task of helping take care of the princess. But she has ties to the temple from her past that she has tried to hide. Malini will do and use anyone she can to try and escape her imprisonment so that she can see her brother deposed. Priya is swept up into her machinations. But Priya is not some innocent bystander either as she also has goals that she wants to achieve within the Hirana, even as her “family” pushes her to do the same. Now this book – there are some fantastic characters. Priya and Malini especially. Neither can be categorized as good or bad. But as they like to say, they have monstrous faces (aka sides of themselves that are not good). I also appreciated strong female characters that are not above getting and receiving help. The magic is also fascinating and I’m really hoping it gets explored more in future books. If you enjoy characters with questionable morals, politicking, a magic system everyone is trying to understand and a fast paced plot, this book is for you.

I adored Tasha Suri’s Ambha books and there was no doubt that I was going to pick up this book, and then they released the cover and I practically died from joy. Look, the only reason it took me several days to read this book is because I had to keep putting it down to stop it from ripping my heart out completely. This book is truly an epic, spanning an empire’s worth of political machinations, but it also doesn’t neglect the emotional impacts on its main characters.

“Power doesn’t have to be the way the regent and your rebels make it be,” Priya said eventually, making do with her own artless words, her own simple knowledge of the way the world worked. “Power can be looking after people. Keeping them safe, instead of putting them into danger.”
He gave her a suspicious look. “Are you saying you’re powerful?”
She laughed reflexively. “No[.]”


While it’s told from multiple POVs, it’s mainly the story of three women: Malini, a princess of Parijatdvipa exiled by her brother to the conquered kingdom of Ahiranya; Bhumika, the wife of the Ahiranyi regent; and Priya, a kindhearted maidservant. Those descriptions, though, like the women themselves, are deceptive. They all have secrets that, if revealed, would lead to their deaths – or in the case of one, have them waiting for their inevitable death to reach them. The stories of each of them, and how they deal with with the complexities of love, trauma and family, are masterfully intertwined. But it’s also a story of power, whether it’s trying to save what you can of your country by marrying the occupier, or working to overthrow one brother for another, or the denial, again and again, that you have no power at all. What you use that power for – felling empires, protecting your family, or healing the sick – is another question entirely. Malini’s cunning has no bounds, Bhumika’s pragmatic, and Priya… well, Priya just kept ripping my heart out over and over.

“You’ll see me again. I know it. No matter where you go or what you do, I’ll find you eventually, because you’re taking a piece of my heart with you. You carved it out, after all.”


There’s an absolutely sweet and swoon-worthy slow burn romance between two of the women, but what I really loved about this book was the focus on families, both those made by blood and those made by choice. From Malini’s brothers – the mad emperor and the man who would chose not to be emperor – to the family made by the temple children to Priya’s practical adoption of Rukh, an orphaned boy, the tangled emotions around family – love and duty and grief and fear – drive the characters, and shape how they’re willing to use the power that they have. They live in a society that tells women that they’re powerless, that the only worth they have is through the men related to them or in they way they die (ritual immolation, oof), but that doesn’t stop Malini, Bhumika or Priya from exercising the power they have, whether it’s political or magical.

“She was meant to be so much more, once.
She couldn’t be the person she’d been reared to be. But maybe, just maybe, she could allow herself to want just a little more than what she had. Just a little.”


The author doesn’t hesitate to set the stakes high and then raise them continuously, and the pacing was excellent. The beginning of the book is a bit slow as all the pieces are set in motion, but from there it’s a twisty, nail-biting ride to the finish. The world-building is engrossing and immersive. The scenery alone is magnificent, from the mahals of Ahiranya to the bone bowers of its forest to a remote monastery, but there’s also the twisted political structure between Parijatdvipa and its various vassal states, the multitude of religious traditions, and the magic system.

“Are we fighting a war right now, Malini?”
“Yes,” Malini said. “We always are.”


Overall, this is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year, and I cannot wait for the next book in the trilogy!

I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

How much did I like this book? Well... I sold some books and drove an hour away to my closest Barnes & Noble just so I could have a physical copy.

This book was amazing. It was everything I wanted and more. This is now my favorite book of the year and I don’t think any other book will be able to top it. I have so many feelings about this book and I have to think about what I am typing so I do not spoil the story for anyone.

This is the first book in a fantasy trilogy so the beginning is slow, while you learn the world, but once you get over that point it is hard to put down. I have not read any books by this author so I had no idea what I was in for. The writing of this book was phenomenal; it was like I was right there with the characters. I found myself so invested in the relationship between Malini and Priya that I was reading this book every chance I got. It's like this book did everything perfectly and I can not think of one thing that could have made it better.

The women in this story are:
Passive: No
Morally Grey: Yes
Flawed: Yes
Strong: Yes
Going to save their Kingdom: Yes

I had to give myself some time to come up with words for this review and I still don’t think I am giving it justice. If you like political fantasy, morally grey characters, sapphic romance, strong female leads… you should read this book. You can thank me later.

Thank you Netgalley and Orbitfor providing an e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I've enjoyed past books by Tasha Suri, and was intrigued by this one. When I got it, the story pulled me in, and did so with a mixture of tropes and a novel setting. The tropes, which I believe aren't a bad thing when deployed and then subverted like they are here involve things like dispossessed people rebelling against a larger power, as well as the underclass helping one another. So that familiarity helped to set the tone, and the reader gets a sense of what Suri does exceedingly well-strong female protagonists, set in an Indian subcontinent-like setting. And while there is an epic fantasy story in here, at it's core are the relationships, mostly familial, but also between two of the central protagonists in the story. Some of the marketing, including Suri herself pushes this aspect, so I won't think of it as a spoiler, but there is an attraction between the two. Fans of Shannon's Priory of the Orange Tree especially will appreciate it. So when I was reading the book, I was looking for this, thinking, oh this might be preachy or over-the-top. But instead it was artfully executed, and felt organic to me, a random white male reader. In keeping with the Fantasy background, there is a source of magic, and, in the times we live in, something I found extra amusing, an illness, all mixed with enough action to keep things entertaining. I enjoyed this book, though it isn't exactly in my wheelhouse, I think it will be for many of my friends, as well as fans of the genre. For that reason I score it exceptionally well. Fans of Samantha Shannon, Chakraborty, and Jemisin will like this book. Possibly even fans from outside the genre, such as those who like Amy Tan, will like this book because of the background of family tension.

Thank you to Orbit Books for this E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

You know those moments where you're watching a movie or show, and you know so much can go wrong for the characters? The actions all around are so tense, to the point you're feeling uncomfortable over the fate of said characters? I felt that this whole book, specially the first 50%.

The Author somehow managed to capture the exact words and situations to make me fall more in love, and yet, more worried over the outcome of the character's lives. Add in the most gripping prose, this novel is by far something I'll cherish and read repeatedly.

The Characters themselves have such great voices, and such richness about them. Priya's history and the way she interacts with Malini. Malini's personality and her cunning. The brutality of not just one, but multiple characters. The way the bits of PTSD was touched was seared so carefully into my head and it just felt so vividly real.

But the most interesting portion was how much the relationship between Priya and Malini was done. Two characters from different walks of life, forced together thanks to their own circumstances. Both falling closer in love, and yet... still holding those grudges. I loved the absolute brutal moments they shared, even though I kept begging them to finally admit feelings. Heck, the slowburn just became so good.

This is my first novel by Tasha Suri, but I'm already such a big fan, and I can't wait to see how the series progresses.

I received an early copy in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Orbit Books and NetGalley. This review is spoiler-free.

Two women navigate a difficult world; One is a princess, the other a servant, both dream of murder. The Jasmine Throne is a tale of dark magic and rebellion meticulously crafted and well-paced. The writing flows with grace, propelling the story forward with immediacy from page 1.

I delighted in Suri's prose, thirsting for another taste without end. The magic is refreshingly unique, increasing the impact on the reader. Though the story unfolds through multiple perspective I rarely felt lost and could always feel the connection between each story arc and the larger narrative.

Many of the characters search for the same thing, a mysterious water that is both a source of power and a poison. Will it share the power expected or lead them on an endless quest destroying them in the process like the treasure of the Sierra Madre? The quest for this water parallels the search for power led by the three main women, two of whom are slowly falling for each other.

Malini seeks to escape her prison and remove her brother from the throne. Priya quests to learn the truth behind the power of the water she once knew. Bhumika works to restore the glory of the temple and obtain independence for her home country. Each is restrained by misogyny and their society that considers women only useful as wives, mothers, or servants.

Though there is much yet to resolve, The Jasmine Throne manages to explore many twists in the final chapters as alliances shift and secrets are revealed. We leave with a prediction of the destiny each surviving character plans to follow. Can they reach it? Suri has built a vibrant world that I am excited to return to for the sequel.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of The Jasmine Throne for this honest review!;

Came for the morally gray Indian lesbians, stayed for the exquisite world building and evocative prose! This book is so amazing, and might have even sold me on adult fantasy???

I finished this book last night and I still can’t adequately put into words how extraordinary this was. It’s full of culture, family and war, politics and spying. There’s death and birth and rebirth— rediscovering yourself and what it truly means to be monstrous. This book was stunning in every sense of the word.

It is full of powerful women— Priya, Bhumika, Malini and it delves into different kinds of power that they each portray. The power of self, of power and magic, of politics and the sacrifices of war, what it means to truly love someone— whether it be your chosen family or a lover or your people. They all had such a journey and I loved every moment we had with them in this book. Their character development was expertly done.

Malini and Priya’s relationship! The yearning between them ached so good, I was ready to scream to whoever would listen when they so much as brushed hands. I have so many quotes of theirs saved, they’re all so beautiful and poetic. Tasha Suri knows how to write slowburn!

I loved this book so completely, I need the sequel yesterday. If you need a slowburn sapphic romance, war and political scheming, magic and family and power with rich world-building and settings, definitely pick up a copy for yourself.

5/5 ⭐️

TW: death, execution (by fire and crushing), murder, blood, gore, poisoning, death of children, war, homophobia.

The Jasmine Throne is a beautifully written fantasy that has a rich world, complex characters, and many-layered dynamics that each adds a stunning element to the overall story. This book is long but it doesn't feel that long, since every chapter sweeps the reader onto the next part of the adventure. The ending was very well done and the perfect mix of closure and cliffhanger to make me extremely excited for book two. Some content notes to be aware of: burning alive, illness, drugging without consent, drug withdrawal, colonization, gore, violence, pregnancy/childbirth, suicide attempt, murder, and poisoning. Thank you so much Netgalley and Orbit for a copy of this book in exchange for a review!

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Goodreads: June 11, 2021
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Storygraph: June 11, 2021

This is one of the best high fantasy books that I have read in a long time. I was hooked from the first page and kept putting it down, because I didn’t want it to be over. I would live in the pages of this book forever if I could. The plot was very intriguing and I love me some morally grey characters.

For being a high fantasy book I never felt that there were large info dumps at the start, instead the author did an amazing job of showing the reader the world through different characters. I never felt overwhelmed by the world building, which made reading it all the better. The world was just beautifully crafted and I can’t wait to learn more about it.

I also feel that all the characters were well written as morally grey. They all made choices that made them both good and bad, which I think is more human. I loved that there were multiple POVs, because it allowed me to get a better sense of each character and how they saw the world and the situations they were in.