Story: 3.75/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Setting: 4.5/5
Themes: 4.5/5
Enjoyment: 3.75/5

First, the obvious: Tasha Suri's writing remains gorgeous and the storytelling is still similarly paced, although the complications are often of–sometimes enigmatic–future threats rather than clear-cut, immediate ones. The threat of crows coming home to roost rather than an armed man around the corner.

The Oleander Sword also has a keener focus on politics, but doesn't neglect individual characters. There are numerous key scenes–sometimes between characters, and sometimes focusing on a single character–which have been a long time coming and were deeply satisfying to read.

Suri engages in compelling themes in Oleander Sword, especially around the choices expected of women, both by expanding on the dialogue around women and sacrifice that was focal in The Jasmine Throne and through introducing new elements.

Unfortunately, I found Rao and Aditya’s subplot a bit limp, sometimes even feeling shoehorned in, as though Suri hadn't fully committed to including it, or as though parts were excised. Given that part of the emotional context echoes Rao’s experience in TJT–particularly the climax–it seemed oddly thin and unfulfilling. In general, I felt a lot of the non-Malini/Priya/Bhumika POVs didn't hold enough emotional or narrative weight to justify inclusion. They all either needed more substance or a full excision.

In general: a solid sequel that occasionally falls into the usual traps of that plaguing second books in trilogies.

The Oleander Sword was a great read!

anyone who has heard me talk about this book knows that my only problem with it was a bit slower in the middle and gave this book
'middle book syndrome; which just means the pacing was a bit slow in the way the plot was progressing. I know that its because some characters need to be developed and things need to be set in place for the third book.

The world building in this series just gets better and more extensive as it progresses and I can't wait to see how it'll grow in the third book.

When reading this book if you jump in expecting a romance know that there is romance but this series is a fantasy book about war, strange magic and the consequences colonization with a sprinkle of romance (its mostly yearning).

Ohhhhh, boy. This book. I couldn't put it down; I read it in one day between classes and homework and midterms, and I can't bring myself to regret it. There's nothing like it, and although I'm sure everyone has had these thoughts about their favorite author, I can't help but feel that no one has ever crafted a story so tender and fierce like this, like Suri has; no one has ever written an Indian epic fantasy that does justice to the ancient and vast mythological history of India without lumping its numerous cultures together, or even any story this thorough, Indian or not. I know I'm emotionally swayed, having just read that jagged, gripping ending, but I believe these books are something special.

Yes, this series has morally grey sword-wielding lesbians, but it also has more: it's a sweeping fantasy epic with lush world-building, thoughtful commentary on imperialism, sharp critique of blind faith, unapologetically fierce women, the complexities of family of every kind, a love both pure and tainted by the cruel world, and of course, dazzling, striking writing.

(Honestly, I too would let Malini destroy me for a moment at her side.)

Was it good? Yeah, it was. Am I now counting the long days until the next book? Yep!
Things have changed in this book. War is on. Malini against her brother. Emperor/Empress.
Priya? Well, far as I'm concerned Priya is the heart and soul of this story. I adore her.
Whereas the first book was lush, this one wasnt. This book "let the shit hit the fan."

This series is so freaking good. Second books in a trilogy often fail to live up to the first in the series or tend to feel like filler, just moving the plot along for the conclusion in the third book. That is simply not the case with The Oleander Sword. The world expands, new characters are introduced, existing characters and relationships are deepened and the narrative arc of this book is just as compelling and propulsive as the first one. Also the ending is completely bananas. This book really brought me around on Bhumika, I really loved getting inside her head and understanding her actions and why she moves through the world the way she does. I love Malini and I cannot wait to see what our Empress does in the final book. If her and Priya don't get a happily ever after I will be gutted.

Wow, I thought I reviewed this eons ago. I loved this followup to The Jasmine Throne, I love it when girls kiss and also when girls do political subterfuge for 600 pages.

Building off of its predecessor, The Oleander Sword is a much more action-packed sequel. Where The Jasmine Throne is quite small -often confined to a single room, even- this novel is expansive and travels all over the world.

There are big battles, quite a few twists that truly turn known facts on their head, and quiet philosophical moments and moral reckonings. For most of their world is not as it seems, and choices made with imperfect information often carry steep consequences.

The quiet, mounting threat of the yaksa was well-handled, though I do think the Ahiranyi were the weakest part of the story despite being the spotlight of the prior novel.

This was okay. I really didn’t care for the plot or characters or writing style which was a bummer. Not for me, but others might enjoy and appreciate it!

Despite my issues with the pacing in the first novel of this series I decided to give this one a go. While I did enjoy this one more than its predecessor I still found the majority of this book to be slow paced. Once again the writing and world building are top notch and beautifully done. I think that this one just kept building and building and that maybe in the next book it will be the catalyst needed to make something happen. I feel like the ending set up the next book perfectly and will be continuing on with the series to see what happens.

*Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This book was SO SLOW. And the pacing really detracted from the plot for me. I also couldn't remember anything from the previous book, which didn't help... I contemplated DNFing, but ultimately I did want to see how it ended. I won't be continuing in this series, but perhaps people with more patience than I will enjoy it.

The yearning intensifies in this one so much. And so does the strife and the conflict. Priya and Malini find themselves both fighting together and at odds with one another. We get to see more of the lush world and learn a lot about the magic, the rot, and the history behind it all. This continues to raise the bar in the fantasy setting, especially when it comes to diverse fantasy reads.

With Malini’s plans to overthrow her brother as emperor and take her prophesied seat as empress, there is a lot more politicking and strategizing than what we saw in book one, so if you love that side of the epic conflicts in fantasy stories, then you will love this even more than The Jasmine Throne. Also, the love and connections that build between the characters is so natural and so well done, that some of the relationships sneak up on you, while others burn as bright as the sun.

This is possibly one of my top series now and I am so excited to see what happens next in The Lotus Empire.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @orbitbooks_us for my eARC. All thoughts are my own.

Where The Jasmine Throne felt like a close study of Priya and Malini, only giving secondary characters to support their backstory or worldbuilding necessary to the plot, The Oleander Sword revels in an expansive cast of characters. We get so much more depth to regional politics, religion, and individual interest groups. Occasionally slow as the many threads pull together to the culminating battle, The Oleander Sword is a wonderful feast of motivations and complex justifications. I also enjoyed how much more magic we get in this second installment, particularly the cosmology and powers of the yaksa. Their completely inhuman morality added new horrors and complexities to the story. I cannot wait to dive in to book three!

Unfortunately, I requested this before I decided to DNF The Jasmine Throne so I won't be getting to this one. I think I am interested in picking up Tasha Suri's other series and giving that a try and hoping it works out a bit better for me.

This is the second book in the Burning Kingdoms trilogy. I was a lot more engaged with this book than the first. I love our main characters so much. These three women approach problems so differently. Malini is gaining her footing as the empress while learning what it means to lead as a woman. She has to contend with High Lords who doubt her legitimacy or who would rather her brother, Aditya, take the throne. She is smart, patient, and savvy. Priya has traversed the deathless waters again and is now thrice-born. She is capable of so much and has so much power, but it comes at a cost. My hope for Priya is that she learns who she is and not just how she can serve those she loves. Bhumika has always played in the shadows, but she is finally learning that it's not enough to save her people.

I think one of the most fascinating parts of this was the return of the yaksa. These creatures are feared all across Parijatdvipa. They almost took over the whole continent and they aim to try again. The people of Ahiranya venerated these beings and thought that when the yaksa came back, they would be free. The yaksa may be back, but all is not as it seems and they may be in even more danger than they anticipated.

I can't wait to see what book 3 has in store for us. Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books!

In The Oleander Sword, Malini and Priya continue to fight for vengeance and to try to save the Burning Kingdoms but will their quest bring them closer together or tear them apart?
The Oleander Sword is the epic, action packed sequel to The Jasmine Throne.

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.

Ahhh, I'm really so glad to finally be reading these. They're just as good as I'd hoped they'd be, and I can't wait to dive into The Lotus Empire!

This was very atmospheric and the world-building is outstanding, unique and so original. Tasha can do not wrong.

Suri builds upon the tension and path forged by Priya and Malini in the Jasmine Throne. Realizing that it is together that they will find the strength to stand and save the ones who matter and create an empire that reflects all that they have fought for, believe, and embody.

The Oleander Sword has a lot going for it - an interesting setting and world, especially as the yaksa become larger players; a strong sapphic romance with compelling characters; a high stakes plot where the stakes only get higher. Yet despite all this, getting through this book felt like a slog, with things happening mainly to set things up for the third book. While still worth reading, I’d caution readers to temper their expectations and perhaps wait for the next book.