This book was so very good and Tasha Suri's writing gets better and better.

We follow multiple POVs on multiple different sides, but primarily focus in on Priya and Malani. Both are women who are coming into themselves and changing rapidly in order to survive.

It took me about until the 25% mark to become truly engrossed in the story, but I think Tasha Suri did an excellent job spreading little mysteries around in order to keep the reader hooked. There's always a feeling of wanting to know what exactly is going on, whether that's finding out someone's name or whether that's discovering what the true relationship between two characters is. Suri withholds the perfect things and keeps them back long enough to keep you hooked, but not so long that it feels unsatisfying. Well done.

I enjoyed the incredibly complex relationships between the characters. The relationship between Priya and Bhumika is particularly interesting. But the theme of family bonds and broken relationships and unfulfilled love is apparent throughout the book and it had me feeling angry and sad and switching loyalties between characters often. The only relationship I thought was not as well developed was oddly the one between Priya and Malani. I wish there had been more quality time between those two. The relationship just wasn't completely believable between them for me. The emotional heart of the book definitely lies in the frayed bonds of family between Priya, Bhumika, and Ashok. Although I wish we had a little more of the romance (the want between them) so some of the actions Priya chose to take would be more understandable, I was totally okay with this. There are so many beautiful, complicated relationships and the story unfolds in a way where the threads are so intertwined and complex that it feels well balanced. All to say, I didn't feel the lack that I mentioned to be much of a lack at all. It felt skillfully done in order to make the reader feel invested in all the connections/relationships. I'm so excited for the story to continue and to delve more into these characters and all the feelings between them.

I've read Tasha Suri's previous work and feel that her world-building skills have much improved in this work!! Suri opens up this world to the reader skillfully and beautifully. I hope that you enjoy falling into Suri's well-crafted universe as much as I did! Gimme the next book Tasha!! You did so good and now I need moreeee.

My thanks to Tasha Suri, Orbit books and Netgalley.
What can I say? I loved this book so much!
I've recently found that I love Sapphic Fantasy.
As an extremely boring, hetero white gal? I love the thought of females coming together against a very Patriarchal culture, and messing it all up!
Watching Priya and Malini find each other was lovely. I loved watching them slowly build up trust!
I've lately read alot of fantasy books, but this story was lush! The plant's, flowers, waters, colors..
I can't wait to read more!

5/5

It begins with a burning and an exile. Malini is a traitor — a vengeful princess banished to the Hirana, a ruined temple, to atone for her crimes. Kept under lock and key, she grows weaker under the watchful eye of her caretaker, facing almost certain death. Priya is a maidservant tasked with taking the treacherous path to the Hirana every night to care for the captive princess. The job is dangerous, accompanied by the risk of revealing her most well-kept secret, and when Priya is attacked one evening, she reveals a power long kept buried to the last person she intends, the princess herself. Having witnessed Priya’s true nature, Malina and Priya are bound together on a journey that will have them uncovering the hidden power behind the ancient temple and setting them on a path to transform an empire.

It may have taken me a moment to fully immerse myself in the world of The Jasmine Throne, but once I did, it was impossible to put down. Tasha Suri has seamlessly combined everything I adore about fantasy into one novel, full of intricate history backdrops and character-driven storylines. Add to the list that this includes morally grey lesbians set in an Indian-inspired fantasy world, and you'll understand why I went absolutely feral over this. There are almost ten different points of view combined throughout the entire story, which is no easy feat to accomplish, but one that was pulled off beautifully by Suri. While most of the book concentrates on the journey of Priya and Malini, the other points of view added a much-needed interlude, providing a necessary perspective on significant events taking place. Where this really wowed me though, was in the complexity of the plot and the depth of each of the characters. This is a slow-building story, with simmering tensions that wait until the last second to boil over, allowing for the motivations of both characters to be carefully picked apart. Just like the pacing, the romance was the most satisfying slow-burn, developing from reluctant allies to something much stronger. Truly, the best part of the story was watching these two women come together to strive to gain power and get their revenge. The romantic development alongside all of that really outsold this for me. With evocative language, an incredible magic system, and compelling characters, Tasha Suri once again makes her mark on the fantasy genre. The Jasmine Throne is a delicately layered story meant to be savored slowly and devoured with care. A triumphant start to what is sure to be an outright amazing series.

Trigger warnings: blood, gore, violence, murder, poisoning, torture, public execution, homophobia, forced drug use, body horror, suicidal thoughts, self-mutilation, abusive family member

The Jasmine Throne was fantastic and my only regret is that I have to wait all the longer for the next one to come out! The prose were gorgeous, the plot well paced, and the characters intriguing.

This story is the first one by Suri I've read, and I started it after going to an online event where I saw the author in discussion with an interviewer and they were referring to this book. It's not out yet, but will be soon, and it's the first in a new epic-fantasy series.

I didn't know too much about the story when I started, despite having heard the author in the interview, but I knew there was a sapphic relationship and that it was Fantasy. I think possibly the relationship aspect is something I thought would have more emphasis than it ultimately did, although it's certainly brewing for a lot of the tale, it feels like it's not the main attraction.

This book is heavily political, focusing on a variety of characters who all come from different walks of life and parts of the world. We pick up the story when one particular part of the kingdom, Ahiranyi, is rebel-strewn and broken by a disease known as 'rot'. The inhabitants include one of our main PoVs, Priya, who used to be a Temple Child, something she has to keep deeply secret. The temple children all burned long ago, and she is serving as a maid in the regent's household to survive.

Our other main PoV is Malini who is an exiled Princess sent to this part of the world and imprisoned. She's sent away by her brother the Emperor, and locked deep in the place children were burned with little to distract her from her supposed sins and thoughts of her plans in ruins.

Alongside these two we have a few other PoVs who come into play such as Ashok (a mystery I'll let you discover), Bhumika (wife of regent), Rao (a prince) and Vishok (regent). Each of them play an interesting part, although personally I don't think their stories were as strong or necessary as the two main ladies.

The magic of this world comes from the Deathless Waters, a magical river under the temple which can bestow powers of nature upon the temple children who are strong enough to survive it. The waters have lain dormant since the death of so many children, but their magic goes on.

The culture of this world is heavily inspired by Indian and South-Asian culture. I really liked the weaving of stories and myths into the plot, along with many of the day to day things you would see in a historical setting from these parts of the world.

What I liked most about this was the magic and mystery of the temple and it's elders and sad past. I think to me that's the most intriguing bit. There's a plot and conspiracy against the crown brewing from rebels and rebel groups, but I found these sections less to my personal taste, and it was the magic and the two lead characters who most drew me in.

In the end I think the pacing is a bit slow at first, but speeds up a lot in the second half. I enjoyed getting into the world and the magic, but had a harder time connecting fully with the characters and their political aims or agendas. I'd give it a solid 3.5*s and I expect the second will build on the foundation of the first.

The first book in The Burning Kingdoms series, The Jasmine Throne was one of my most anticipated books of 2021. A carefully constructed and nuanced story, this book captivated me from the first page and surpassed my expectations. I love the author’s beautifully poetic writing, the gripping storyline, and the amazingly layered characters and world.

Suri is an amazing storyteller who creates rich and atmospheric worlds and characters. I was so engrossed in this captivating story, and I loved the writing. The author uses vivid descriptions, wonderful imagery, and powerful symbolism, all of which fully immersed me into the novel. The world is complex, and I loved learning about the history of the many kingdoms as well as the people who inhabit them. It explores the different beliefs and faiths of the kingdoms and how their beliefs define their cultures. It shows the destructive nature of colonization and the misogyny and prejudice that permeates all of their lives. It also exposes the oppressive nature of their world and how that oppression affects all aspects of one’s life, no matter the circumstances.

The multiple points of view work so well with this story, and you really get an in-depth look at many different characters even though the perspectives mainly focus on Priya and Malini. The characters are diverse and well-crafted, each with their own goals and motivations, which often clash with the other characters in the story. I love that each voice is unique and distinct, and all of their respective stories and perspectives are compelling. These characters show that there are different kinds of strength, especially Malini and Priya.

I love Malini and Priya and their complex relationship. They, as well as the other strong female characters in the story, are so well layered and interesting. Malini is exiled by her powerful brother and forced to live in the Hirana, an ancient temple with a horrific history. It’s there where she meets Priya, a maidservant with secrets. Malini is fueled by revenge, but without help, her circumstances seem dire. She is intelligent and a bit power-hungry, and she can be ruthless at times. Malini is such a morally grey character, and I enjoyed trying to peel away the layers of her character.

Priya is so kind and stubborn, and her compassionate spirit and unwavering strength are remarkable, especially considering how difficult her life has been. From her first introduction, she shows her caring and protective nature. That’s not to say she is a pushover because she can be ruthless and hard when she needs to be, and she’s very stubborn at times as well.

As you would expect, the enemies-to-lovers relationship between Malini and Priya is complicated and messy and filled with obstacles, and I loved every second of it! It is slow-building and slow-burning and absolutely *chef’s kiss* perfect. Though it is not the main focus of the novel, it’s definitely one of my favorite parts.

Like the characters, the story is so well-layered. The magic and the mythology are complex and woven seamlessly throughout the book. Political machinations are also fascinating and detailed. The corruptive nature of power plays a predominant role in the story, as it explores the lengths people will go to attain and maintain it. Politics, the quest for power, morally grey characters, a terrible disease, revenge, rebellion, and more contribute to a unique and immersive story.

In addition, this is a thought-provoking and captivating read with strong and relevant messages, and I love that the story focuses on women – women faced with tremendous adversity who don’t succumb to the harsh dictates of society, women who resist familial greed and power and fight for what they believe in, women who fight for each other, and women who try to be true to themselves.

This is an outstanding epic fantasy that I thoroughly enjoyed reading – the perfect balance of character and plot. There’s so much more that I want to say about the plot and the characters and my experience while reading this powerful book. The political intrigue, the examination of different kinds of relationships, the plight of those infected with a deadly and horrifying illness, the detrimental effects of hubris, the corruptive nature of power, and more make for an engrossing read that I’m sure to be thinking about for a long time to come.

Evocative and immersive, The Jasmine Throne is a fantastic introduction to the Burning Kingdoms series, and I can’t wait to read the next book! I’m so thankful to NetGalley, Orbit, and Tasha Suri for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

After being disappointed in Suri's, "Empire of Sand," I was hesitant going into this book, despite the awesome blurb. My misgivings turned out to be completely unfounded, because this was a deeply enjoyable story. It includes...

1. Morally ambiguous main characters.
2. Lots of different ways in which women can be badass.
3. Sapphic yearning.
4. An India-inspired fantasy world.
5. A large-scale conflict brewing.
6. Some low-key magic.
7. Gorgeous, evocative writing.

Look, the thing I didn't like about "Empire of Sand" was how things always felt too over the top. There was a literal wicked stepmother, the main girl was soooo special, the writing felt flowery for the sake of being flowery. This volume, however, manages to balance things out in such a beautiful way. The writing was lovely without tipping over into florid. The characters had some angst, but it was deeply rooted and added to their complexity. And yes, it feels rude to me to review a book by comparing it to a different book, but it's all that I have to go on for this author so here we are. I really, really enjoyed "The Jasmine Throne." I thought that certain pieces of it were very predictable, but that's my only real qualm. I can't wait to pick up the next one, and see where these vicious, powerful, queer characters end up next!

An outstanding epic fantasy! Raising the bar for what I now expect when reading epic fantasies!

To be frank, most of the novels that I read have an m/f relationship, with that being said I am trying to integrate other relationships into my reading, and let's just say The Jasmine Throne was the perfect novel to start with! I absolutely adore the Indian folklore that Tasha Suri incorporated into the Jasmine Throne, when reading, I like to learn about other cultures and I was able to achieve that hope as well.

Nitty Gritty Review:

The Jasmine Throne follows Malini after being exiled by her brother and Priya, a powerful priestess.

Tasha incorporated multiple POV into the Jasmine Throne which is always inciteful when reading a novel when the readers want to get an insight into the other character which was what I wanted lol.

I am finding it difficult to wrap my mind around my thoughts as I just loved this novel so much. Tasha created a new standard for what epic fantasies should be. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole novel and honestly devastated when I finished the epilogue. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book. I have so many questions that need to be answered!!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

CW/TW: Drug use/forced drugging, homophobia, burning at the stake, trauma, gore, violence, execution, death.

Rep: Indian characters, Indian inspired settings, Lesbian mc’s, lgbtq+ rep.

The Jasmine Throne, by Tasha Suri is the first absolutely astounding book in the Burning Kingdoms Trilogy and it is a glorious start! This is how you kick off a new series because, let me tell you, I sat and binge read this book – I could not put it down. And when I read the word Epilogue I actually verbally told (or screeched but shhh) the book “no” because I did not want it to end! (You just know a book is good when you verbally react to it.)

“If I must burn, then I’ll take you with me, throne and all.”

The Jasmine Throne, by Tasha Suri
The Narrative/Prose: So if you have read any or both of the Books Of Ambha by Tasha Suri then you already know that she is an amazing writer and storyteller who creates incredibly immersive worlds. The Jasmine Throne is even more beautifully written than her previous books but is also incredibly different with a larger scope, multiple POV’s and a beautiful, poetic complexity that gives you everything you previously loved and more.

Tasha Suri’s writing in The Jasmine Throne is breathtakingly poetic and beautiful. From start to finish the prose is strong and immersive, it immediately captivates you and lets you fall into the pages of the story. Suri‘s prose is passionate and powerful, she perfectly manages to blend horror with beauty, violence and kindness, love and strength to create something truly phenomenal. The rich descriptions are wonderfully vivid, seamlessly bringing the multiple scenes and settings to life capturing the sublime beauty of nature and its undeniable power, while simultaneously painting a stark picture of collonisation and oppression. The writing encompasses multiple narratives, themes and aspects and weaves them into a complex and powerful image of a corrupt Empire and the women who use their unique strengths to try and bring it down. While Suri masterfully breathes life into her characters and setting with her captivating prose, she also manages to capture the magic in an incredibly unique light. From the Temple to the way the magic works, the descriptions make you feel as though the magic is running through you, there is something so fundamentally beautiful about the way Suri describes how the magic works and responds to the wielder. You feel connected to the magic and to the nature from which it springs and yet it’s raw power is ever present and terrifying. Every single part of this book from the descriptions of the settings to the descriptions of the magic pulls you in and mesmerises you – Suri’s writing is truly magic in it’s own right.

The narrative in this book is compelling and intriguing. Suri uses a multiple POV structure in The Jasmine Throne with the two main view points coming from Priya (our Ahiranyi maidservant) and Malini (our Parijati Princess). However we also get some elements of the story told from Rao, Bhumika, and Ashok (And a couple of other minor perspectives that help to give insight into more elements of the story). This may seem like a lot but the majority of the story is told by our two mc’s (and all the other pov’s works incredibly well). Each perspective has a strong, unique voice, is interesting and moves the story along, helps the pace of the book and builds tension by giving us insight into multiple side of the story.

Overall, the prose is strong, well written, beautiful and atmospheric. The multiple narrative structure works well with the story and the book is well paced from start to finish with a good amount of action, emotion and politics entwined to create a story full of depth.

ThePlot/Story: The Jasmine Throne has a brilliant plot that is epic in scope and full of complex dynamics that keep you engaged. The first part of the plot is Priya’s story – her’s follows her life as a maidservant, an anonymous Ahiranyi worker, with a dangerous secret. The Ahiranyi were oppressed during the Parijati’s move to colonise them, their history, language and magic was stripped away, but Priya still has magic running through her – and her magic could get her killed. I adored Priya’s story, she is such a strong character (physically because magic but also her kindness is a massive part of her strength and I LOVED that) – I also loved how her story is more than a fight for the Empire. Yes she ends up entangled with Malini and her plans surrounding the throne, but Priya is Ahiranyi, she fights for her people, her family, but I particularly enjoyed her focus on the Rot. Priya’s story is one that resonates deeply with you as a reader, because it goes beyond the Empire’s conflict, it is personal – a story of identity, Priya wants and needs to find herself through this fight. It shows such a complex and personal perspective of the consequences of colonisation, of the horrors it can bring and the effects it has on individual identity as well as a collective identity – it truly draws on the importance of culture and the self. In finding herself, Priya truly shows her love for her magic, for the Ahiranyi and this is shown remarkably through the Hirana and her handling of the Rot.

The second part of the plot follows Malini, a Parijati princess imprisoned by her dictator brother, the cruel Emperor of Parijatdvipa. Malini is imprisoned in the Hirana, a stark and cruel reminder that she should burn. But when Malini witnesses Priya’s true nature, her mind begins to concoct plots and plans. Malini’s story is another I loved, though she is on the ”winning’ side of the Empire she is oppressed in a different way, locked away for refusing to burn as her brother wished. I adored Malini and her story which is much more centered around the throne, Malini is strong in a different way – not through strength (though the woman is stronger than she looks fighting through that ‘wine’) but through intelligence. Malini is a master of manipulation, she uses the system to her advantage in order to end the dictatorship her brother is running and regain her freedom. Malini wears many masks, her own story is also deeply tied to identity, but her story is one of power free from the oppression of her family and her progression over the course of the story is wonderful. I loved this element of the story and how Malini and Priya are so alike and yet so different – the contrast in their lives and powers makes them formidable as a duo.

The final part I wanted to mention in a bit more detail was the Rot. The Rot is a big part of the story and is present throughout. Firstly, the Rot is the most beautifully horrifying thing ever. It is a fatal disease, an infection, that is spreading through the Empire. Horrifying yes? But not entirely because it is so beautiful in description – it causes flowers to sprout from you, through your skin, and that is just one aspect. Again, yes, very horrifying but also the way it is described is just so darn beautiful. The whorls, the buds, the natural beauty, the leaves that rustle. It is almost gothic, but mixed with the sublime, the body horror resulting from something so pretty is just such a captivating element of the story- it needed a mention! There is more to it in the story, and the part it plays is compelling and intriguing and had me terrified for Rukh the WHOLE TIME (this child is utterly precious and adorable).

And that doesn’t even scratch the surface of this amazing story. Suri masterfully concocts a story full of revenge, rebellion and dangerous alliances that is full of suspense and tension. I adored every single element of the story, from Priya and her magic, fighting for her magic and her people, to the Ahiranyi rebels (I particularly like how this was portrayed, rebellion is not one act and there is no one was to fight against an oppressor – this was such a big and clever part of the story), to the conflict surrounding the throne. Not to mention Rao’s perspective coming into play, the secrets of the Aloran princes, and the shadow of prophecy that lies throughout the story.Get ready to have your heart broken because this book hits you straight in feels and does not hold back.

Overall this story is amazing, it has absolutely everything from individual challenges and journeys, to political webs and fights for the throne, to rebellion, sickness and power. The story is the perfect combination of action, emotion and plotting. The Jasmine Throne is a story of colonisation, oppression, family, identity, strength and sacrifice.

The World/Magic: As I said the world is Indian-inspired, set in a world where the Parijati have colonised the Ahiranyi and tried to force assimilation to their cultre while keeping the Ahiranyi at low levels throughout the Empire (Servant’s etc..). However, the world is os much more than the Empire, on the Parijati and Ahiranyi sides. The Parijati Empire is not solely Parijati, we also have the Aloran Princes who have their own system of beliefs and rules – and who play their own incredibly fascinating part in the story! The Alori are nameless princes with a heavy focus on prophecy and it is an absolutely fascinating element of the world that I can’t go into much detail about! But it adds a whole new dimension to an already rich story.

The Parijati Empire is very patriarchal, though it’s religious beliefs sanctify women – in a very cruel and sacrificial way that is suppose to lead to purity. The Parijati have rigid systems of power that they follow, though they do adhere to some of the Aloran wisdom, but the Empire is a dictatorship that, beneath the beauty of their home, is cruel and ruthless.

The Ahiranyi has one of the more intricate systems built behind it because it is heavily magical. Ahrianyi was a much more liberal place, their society was queernormative, and had unique but strong views on family and familial ties. The Ahiranyi’s magic is tied to the Hirana temple which has the entrance to the Deathless water (which just from the name sounds magical, amazing and terrifying) – Temple members were family. I can’t say much without spoilers, but the Ahiranyi are deeply tied to nature and each other, and suffer from the oppression of the Parijati as all of it was taken away from them.

The other element of the world that comes into play is the forest, and we all love a creepy forest! Suri’s naturalistic settings are the absolute best, also shown in the Hirana which from the outside and nature surrounding it is beautiful. The forest is such a compelling setting, eerie, magical and richly described, it’s just breathtaking – the world and its settings are so well crafted that they really do come to life, imprinting a picture in your mind.

I loved how all of these systems and beliefs came into play and interacted, it was done incredibly well and was interesting from start to finish. The lore behind it all was incredibly rich, the societies were well established and the dynamics worked phenomenally.

The Characters: The story, the settings and the prose for this book are all fantastic and masterfully done but the characters are simply amazing, they really work to pull the story together and bring it to life. The characters are the heart and soul of this story, and they are wonderfully crafted. The cast of characters are, of course, Indian, but there is also Lgbtq+ rep with the mc’s being in a f/f relationship (as well as many Ahiranyi stories that include/encompass lgbtq+ characters – which by the way were an amazing addition to the book). All of the characters are well developed, multi-dimensional, complex and flawed with their own unique voices and identities.

Priya: Ahiranyi. Priya is an amazing character – she is very straightforward, incredibly physically strong and stubborn. But, she is also incredibly kind and her heart is a strength (her interactions with Rukh are the cutest). I love how Priya’s strength comes from more than just physical power, especially that kindness is a strength of hers despite her ability to be ruthless if necessary. Priya is a strong personality, but she hides it well in her invisible armour of maidservant, but if you see through her she won’t play around. I loved her dynamic with Malini, especially after her true nature is revealed, and her determination for her people. Not only that, I adore Priya and her use of magic, her connection with the Hirana, and the nature around her, it is all written incredibly well and her character is one you are drawn too. Though more direct than MMalini, Priya is also incredibly smart and can play a role if it means doing what is right but her compassion still shines through. Priya’s development over the course of the book is compelling and impressive, and brilliant to watch play out.

Malini: Parijati (Princess of Parijat). I LOVED Malini’s character. Malini is intelligent and incredibly good at manipulating people, she has multiple masks and makes the oppressive system work for her in order to try and beat it. Malini is less direct than Priya, because of the masks she wears, but she is not cold. She can be cruel and ruthless but below it all there seems to be something more. Despite playing passive princess, Malini has a strong personality that comes to light over the course of the books, she is startlingly brave and sure and as stubborn as Priya. Her interactions with those around her are fascinating to watch as she concocts plans in her mind, switches gears to manipulate them and understand their motivations. I love a manipulative character, and Malini is a shining example of a morally grey mc whose mind could be her success or ruin. I particularly love her interactions with Priya, especially when she wears a mask more true, perhaps, to who she really is but their mental sparring is also so great to read.

Rao: Aloran. Rao is the sweetest guy in the book, and probably the only one worth a dang sacred wood bead. I don’t want to say too much about Rao (our cinnamon roll) because spoilers but his character is incredibly interesting. Sweet, determined and secretive, Rao is stubborn and loyal and an all around fascinating character with great relationships with those around him.

Bhumika: Ahiranyi. Bhumika is an interesting character, married to ‘the enemy’ as some of her own people claim. I found Bhumika to be one of the more fascinating characters who, like Malini, tries to make the system work for her, but like Priya has incredible strength and doesn’t fit into the Parijati system well. Bhumika is actually quite terrifying but she has undeniable amounts of patience and is not quick to violence for the sake of it. Bhumika has a silent, good wife persona, that is her armour, her way of fighting the system but she is a force to be reckoned with when needs be, the woman is pregnant and fighting for the Ahiranyi – I mean that just says it all. I loved Bhumika’s character and she definitely grew on me over the course of the book.

Rukh: Ahiranyi. The adorable Ahiranyi child who should be protected at all costs and suffers from the rot. This character with have you in constant turmoil, and your heart will be in constant fear for him. He is clever and brave but naive and innocent. A child on the streets who has learned life can be cruel but a child desperate for somewhere to be home, someone to be family. I love him and his interactions with the other characters.

Aditya: Parijati. Another character I won’t say to much about but Aditya is an irritating character. Well written, undoubtedly, but the actual character is frustrating. He is a good guy it comparison to some of the other characters, but his reluctance to act and step in makes him a character you don’t hate or love. Aditya is religious and committed to his beliefs which is admirable but he doesn’t act when he is needed and that makes him frustrating. His character is interesting though – and I was curious about what he would do or choose.

Chandra: Parijati (Emperor of Parijatdvipa). Oh how I HATE him and you don’t even see him much! However, you know an evil character is well written when they don’t need to be constantly present. Chandra makes a very deep impression from his first appearance, and his influence can be felt throughout the book when he is not even present, and it will make you loathe him without you realising it (AND THE ENDING) I honestly just, this character is fanatical and evil to the core – and obsessed with the pyre. He is an unsettling presence and oppressive and seems to relish in cruelty. An excellently written villain.

Ashok: Ahiranyi. Avoiding spoilers again, but Ashok is complex. I did not like him, but I loved how he was written. Extreme and violent but compelling and interesting. I can’t say much more but he is definitely a character that sticks in your mind.

Pramila: Parijati. Do I understand her pain and loss? Yes. Do I like her. Absolutely not. Pramila is Malini’s jailer and is incredible cold and cruel. She believes in the purity of the pyre and everytime she opened her little book I wanted to smack her with it. Pramila is a victim of the patriachal Empire but she is also oppressive and cruel.

Overall the characters are phenomenal and there are so many more that I could have spoken about because they are all amazing and the cast is significant. The relationships between the characters are so well done and are absolutely brilliant and complex which makes the consequences of the book all the more heart-breaking.

Extra: The symbolism in this book is ASTOUNDING and honestly I love it so much and the way it linked with a very certain part of the story was actually so clever and brilliant that I just have to have an appreciation for it. Also a spotlight on all the beautiful influences of this book, from Indian history, stories, myths, lore, Hinduism, and weaponry – the influences are strong and compelling, utilised in such an original and unique way- it truly makes this book a masterpiece.

Overall: I don’t know if it came through but The Jasmine Throne is an EXTRAORDINARY book and I LOVED it. The writing is absolutely beautiful, the pace is perfect, the story complex and captivating, the world/magic compelling and well crafted, and the characters are multi-dimensional, flawed and full of life. I cannot recommend this book enough, it has so many lines, threads, themes and elements that all come together to create something truly remarkable,

I highly recommend this to people who enjoyed The Books Of Ambha, or who love epic fantasy. If you love magic, Empires, beauty and horror mixed together then you will love this book. If you love morally grey characters then this is the book for you. This is a fantasy with everything you want to see.

*I received a #netgalley eARC of this book from Orbit/Nazia, in exchange for an honest review. A big thankyou for the eARC!*

In the city of Hiranaprastha stands the Hirana, a magical temple whose temple children kept the way to the legendary deathless waters that gave them power, until the emperor of Parijatdvipan and his regent of the land of Ahiranyi decided that they were monstrous and must be burned. Not all of the temple children died that night, some, like Priya, survived only to end up living as a maid in that same regent’s household. Since that emperor died and his cruel second son Chandra took the throne, life for the Ahiranyi people has gotten even worse, but Priya does her best to survive, keeping her true nature secret. When the emperor sends his sister Malini to live as a prisoner in the abandoned Hirana, Priya is chosen as one of the maids who makes the dangerous trek to the ruin of the temple to clean the princess’ chambers. When an unfortunate incident lets Malini in on Priya’s secret magical powers, the two women end up joining forces to try and free Malini so she can continue trying to depose her brother. And many shenanigans are had along the way.

I loved this book quite a lot! Priya is a great character, and was easy to cheer for from start to finish. The antagonist was a very easy character to dislike, and so wanting Priya and Malini to succeed in changing their world was naturally super easy. Obviously I am also here for the Sapphic Longing. Watching their relationship develop and change over the course of the book was fabulous.

The prose was lovely, and I would happily pick this book up and read it for long swaths of time, sometimes avoiding doing anything else to get as much of it in as possible. It was paced really well and never felt overly bloated, even during the slower parts in the beginning. The world felt so real at times, it was a very immersive experience.

It is told from several points of view, and by several, I do mean several. It is mostly told from the POV of Priya and Malini, but occasionally we’ll see it from the POV of everyone from secondary characters to a random minor background character, which some people might find off-putting, but I actually found quite intriguing because at times things would be happening that no other character but that specific one would know. This might be a sticking point for some people, but I liked how it helped tell the story, personally.

All told, I had a great time with The Jasmine Throne, and I can’t wait to see what will happen next! More pls more moremore!!!

The Jasmine Throne takes place in a lushly imagined high fantasy world inspired by the folklore and culture of India. The world building seems really deep and solid, and I feel like there is so much more to discover about the multifaceted magical world Tasha Suri has created for this series.

The book’s POV rotates between several key characters. Three of the main characters - Malini, Priya, and Bhumika - are strong female characters whom many men underestimate, women who wield great power in a world that, for the most part, overlooks and devalues women.

It took a little while to feel fully immersed in this world, but now that I’m in it, I can’t wait for book two!

This book is beautiful! Epic! Exciting! The Jasmine Thone was probably one of my most anticipated books this year and it did exceed expectations. It follows a structure not unlike GRRM's A Feast For Crows- with primary POVs speckled with smaller/less important ones (this can someones make it a challenge to keep up with/remember who those smaller people are)

The main romance that has been used in all of its marketing is a slow burn, and most certainly not the most important part of the book- sharing it's moment in the sun with the relationship between Priya and her brother. I liked the different impactful relationships the story had to offer- though it was a little frustrating to see them focus on a single character. The other POV characters were a bit isolated outside of their relationship with Priya.

The story starts fast, slows down, and picks back up again as needed. Pretty decent pacing for a book that feels so long. This is sure to be a hit!

The Jasmine Throne has been one of my most anticipated books of 2021 for over a year now, and I am just. still stunned, Still so incredibly blown away. I finished this book a bit less than a week ago, and have been frantically trying to snarl thoughts together to come up with a coherent review that isn't just screaming about Priya and Malani and Bhumika and Rao. That I can do quite easily (and would happily) but it just mostly be a lot of very garbled words from changing my mind mid-sentence and needing to gush about someone else.

I read Tasha Suri's Books of Ambha some months back in anticipation of this book to get more of a feel for her writing, and I was excitedly looking forward to more of what I've read. Tasha Suri was excellent there and her further development as a writer for this book was incredible. I was so very spellbound and kept trying to read even as my brain struggled to piece together sentences at 4am (my fault for beginning it late).

Tasha Suri is incredible with words painting pictures, being extremely clear so that all might be visually with ease. I am terrible at forming images in my mind while read, yet Ms. Suri was clear, concise, and descriptive enough that the images could almost stay in and stick. I could always tell where people were, their body descriptions, and picture their physical positions— which usually I’m unable to do.

Priya is incredible. She is so much that I aspire to be, and she’s one of the strongest characters I’ve read. Malani is fantastic in so many ways too, possessing a different kind of strength, a sharp turn of mind that others do not. Her uncertainty of how far she might go felt utterly gorgeous, and completely realistic. Bhumika I’m absolutely in love with in every single way— she too is spectacular. And where would we be without Rao, one of the best men I’ve read?

Throughout the book, characters bloom against both each other, the mysterious Rot, and their circumstances. The yearning of so much— sapphic, for family, for belonging, for power, for the ability to help— is top tier. Tasha Suri wrote with an incredibly deft hand, balancing multiple points of views, storylines, character morals, and fleshed out an incredible world where no one truly felt one-sided— they all had a web of relationships that felt so real.

I can only hope my flailing about this can do this book justice. And I’ll go down screaming about it!

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

The Jasmine Throne is just simply marvelous. The world Suri has created and written for this book is magical, lyrical, complex and I love every second of it. It is so vibrant and lush and complex.

The characters and the plot are so fleshed out and it was such an experience to read their story. The women of this book, who are so vastly different from one another is what I love most of all. The story about their power, their fight for freedom, their survival is what I love to read about most.

This book is one of my most anticipated read of the year and it did not disappoint in the slightest. I think it might be too soon to say that I can't wait to get my hand on the sequel but I would be lying to say that I'm not.

This diverse fantasy was everything you could ask for. I feel like this is perfect for fans of An Ember in the Ashes but want something a little more... adult. The characters and setting were very fleshed out and the plot had me gasping!! The twists!!!!!

Thank you for the egalley!

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

The Jasmine Throne is one of my most anticipated releases of the year and Tasha Suri did not disappoint! The world she created was so lush and vibrant. I could picture everything clearly in my head. The magic and own world mythology was so original and creative. I was fascinated by all of it.

I also appreciated the complexity of this story. You get to see every side of the conflict through numerous character perspectives, not just the main characters. I thought this was quite unique and loved that she gave a voice to other characters directly impacted by the events in the story. I'm honestly blown away and I can't wait to read the next book. If you like political intrigue, morally gray characters, and unique magic systems, I highly recommend you pick this one up.

What an exciting and involving novel this is! Tasha Suri’s The Jasmine Throne takes a while to set its crowded stage but soon launches into a powerful story of two extraordinary women, each trying to gain power of very different types. When thrown together, despite their vastly different backgrounds, one (Priya) apparently a lowly servant, the other (Malini) a princess, they feel the strong pull of feelings they are not sure they can express and the push of needing to use each other to survive and achieve a wholeness that may drive them apart. It is a brilliant South Asian-based fantasy that explores issues of relationships and power deeply relevant to today’s world.


The Jasmine Throne opens with preparation of a funeral pyre on which three young high-born women of the Parijatdvipa empire are to be immolated in an act of purification by fire. The princess Malini refuses this fate that her emperor brother Chandra has pushed on her as part of his fanatical faith. And even more by his abhorrence at what he sees as her impurity (her attraction to women). At her refusal, Chandra has her imprisoned in the abandoned citadel of a religious order of Ahiranya, a country brutally conquered and now ruled by a Parijati regent. That prison, the Hirana, had been the sacred center of Ahiranyi culture until destroyed by the invaders, and its elders and children burned alive.

From that inferno years ago, the children Priya and her brother Ashok had escaped with the help of an elder of their faith and of supernatural powers they were just beginning to learn. Priya had to make her way then as a servant, finding work in the household of the regent, due to the kindness of his wife, Bhumika. Ashok disappeared into the killing fields of the bone forests to await his chance to take revenge on the Parijati invaders.
The Jasmine Throne is the first book of The Burning Kingdoms trilogy. While it sets up the story for a continuation, you never have the feeling that the author is holding back. This is a powerful story, of both sapphic love and a rise to power on multiple levels, told with great human warmth and sensitivity yet never flinching from the hard realities of a brutal world.
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The Jasmine Throne is the first book of The Burning Kingdoms trilogy. While it sets up the story for a continuation, you never have the feeling that the author is holding back. This is a powerful story, of both sapphic love and a rise to power on multiple levels, told with great human warmth and sensitivity yet never flinching from the hard realities of a brutal world.

Read the full review at SciFiMind.com

A wonderfully intricate world filled with morally grey characters that perfectly illustrate that each person is the hero of their own story. Each chapter switches POV, mostly between Malini and Priya, occasionally other major characters, but also sometimes a side or new character seemly out of no where. Although so many POVs is not normally my favourite, in this situation it was suiting to help keep up with the multiple moving parts of the political situation.

This story is light on the fantasy and heavy on the politics. The comparison I've seen to City of Brass and the Poppy Wars is very accurate, but with a little bit more romance. There is a romance and it is a slow slow burn that had me going back and forth from cheering that the couple gets together, to not trusting one of them in an endless loop.

Like the characters of this story, The Jasmine Throne is a book with many faces. It's about women who experience tragedy, and rather to succumbing to its effects, they sharpen themselves from it. It's about trust in the name of survival, and how love can screw it all up. It's about a conquered nation who is systematically being flushed out of their art, identity, and hope.

And it is about time for someone to do something about it.

While there are sporadic POVs, Prya and Malini are the backbone to this story. Priya is from Arihanya, a nation under rule by the psychotic, woman-burning zealot emperor Chandra from the neighboring country of Parijat. Priya was raised under unusual circumstances, granting her a taste of unspeakable power, before a terrible event forces her away from all she knew into service as a maid for the local regent. She has kept her head down, reinventing herself and thankful for her station.

Malini is the princess of Parijat, sister to the mad emperor Chandra. Malini's denial of her brother's violent, religious faith has forced her into exile where she will serve out her days as a prisoner in a broken temple. Cunning, ruthless, charming, and determined, Malini must use all her skills -- and many she's never used before -- to turn the tables on her situation and change the tide of the empire.

Some of the highlights and notes taken while reading this story:
- Chapter 7 : My favorite chapter of 2021
- So many flowers, you can smell the scents wafting from the pages
- I want to draw the 'sangam'

And five fist-pumping paragraphs of dialogue. You know who you are.

This is a character-driven story that dives deep into the souls of its two protagonists. Their relationships, histories, thoughts, and reasons for action -- all are carefully considered, well-developed, and breathe life into this South Asia-inspired tale. It asks big questions, such as what it means to be human, what the right move is when left with no good choices, and how far one can be manipulated before being pushed over the edge.

The Jasmine Throne is a stay-up-far-too-late book, a gift that keeps on giving through the very last page. A fantastic start to what will be another massive hit for fans of Tasha Suri, both new and old.

Did I like this book? Absolutely. Did it feel much longer than it was? Yes.
So overall, I liked what was going on. We had some clear worldbuilding, cool characters and well-developed backstories and relationships, etc. There was a lot of struggle, but none of it seemed to drag down the plot. I actually kept track of who was who and around 75% of what was going on even though usually I can account for maybe 50% (Publishers, that’s a joke I swear I’m qualified),
The one issue I had was how slow this book seemed to go. I can’t tell what made it take so long for me to read, maybe it was the amount of different POVs, but I read 300 pages of another book in an afternoon and barely got through 20 of this one. I liked reading it, but it took a while.
Overall I’d totally recommend this book as a well-written adult fantasy with a lot of magic and some rebellion and political intrigue.