If I could choose one word to sum up this book it would be: meh?

I had super high hopes for this book after the ending of The Jasmine Throne but unfortunately this book had a lot of the same issues that the first book had, but I’ll start off with some positives first.

Bhumika, my beloved. Everything about her is perfection!!! I will hear no slander!!! If this series were about Bhumika it would be 5⭐️ I really appreciate the fact that we got more POVs from her this time around and got to spend more time with her.

The magic system in this universe is so unique and I like some of the developments that we got to see at the beginning of the book.

The romance is done really well!! When people talk about sapphic fantasy I feel like Priory is the go to but Malini and Priya are the blueprint okay!!! Priory wants what they have!!!!

On to the negatives.

THE. PACING. I’m so sorry but the pacing of this series is its biggest downfall there’s so many interesting things going on plot wise that I really shouldn’t be bored, but I was, almost the ENTIRE time. There were WAY too many random one off POVs that really disrupt the flow and momentum of the book and for what reason? The information given by these one off POVs could’ve been introduced easily in other ways and they were so frustrating to read because I just didn’t care.

The magic system was so underutilized this book and I don’t know why?? I feel like SO much more could’ve been done and it’s disappointing that with a magic system that is so unique and cool it was barely used.

Malini and Priya both irritated and annoyed me so much at various points throughout the book. Their choices and actions frustrated me a lot of the time and I just wanted to get back to Bhumika’s POV. I also would’ve LOVED to see an Aditya POV and I feel like that was a huge missed opportunity, especially considering all the random one off POV chapters from characters we barely know.

At times, I thought maybe this book could be a 4⭐️ because momentum was starting to build but the last 1/3 ruined it. The ultimatum that Priya is given I think was supposed to be a gut punch but instead just made me roll my eyes, it felt very predictable and cliche and just really annoyed me.

Overall, it was very……okay.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit for providing me with this eARC!

After falling in love with the world, characters and romance of The Jasmine Throne, I was elated at the opportunity to read The Oleander Sword early. Picking up where The Jasmine Throne left off, and featuring about 5x more Bhumika (if you know, you know) The Oleander Sword is a beautiful addition to this unique world. I believe Tasha Suri’s strengths in world-building and lovely prose were elevated, and her weaknesses from The Jasmine Throne, such as character voice, were rectified and made much stronger in this sequel. Thank you Netgalley for this e-arc.

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit for the opportunity for an early read and review of The Oleander Sword!
The Jasmine Throne is a beautifully written and compelling story that left me impatient for the next installment. I finished the novel content with the relationships built and eager to see where our beloved characters were headed.
I made it halfway through The Oleander Sword before deciding to put the novel down…for now.
The multiple plot points were underwhelming, resulting in my uncaring attitude towards them. Overall, the events felt anticlimactic in nature, and I struggled to invest in the core of where the story was leading and its importance. While I enjoyed the slow-paced writing in the first installment, The Oleander Sword seemed to highlight worst parts of this writing style—we as readers were told about major events and plot points throughout the stroy instead of the beautifully written prose we witnessed in The Jasmine Throne. Certain events, that seemed integral to the story and the characters’ development, were quickly glossed over and other events that seemed less trivial were unnecessarily drawn out.
Priya and Malini are such likeable characters that I grew annoyed each time the POV switched to a minor, albeit unimportant, side character. I would have continued reading the story for their incredibly written tension. Their relationship is beautifully tragic, their requited affection bringing them closer yet their duties in their own lives keeping them apart. I will, eventually, continue my reading of this novel, but concentrate more on the romance aspects, rather than anticipate a climatic plot and a magic system that is more understandable.
Undeniably, The Oleander Sword is more about character development than plot. While this can be enjoyable, I believe I suffered from a case of right book, wrong time. I did immensely enjoy the growing tension between Priya and Malini, Malini’s struggles to cement her place in the prophecy, and Rao’s POV. I do believe the series will end fantastically, which is why I will in due course complete the novel.

“Do the tides obey you? The waning of the moon? No. Then why should pitiless fate garb you in glory, simply because you believe you should be glorious?”

There was so much to love in this absolutely stunning sequel to The Jasmine Throne.

The end of The Jasmine Throne left readers with Malini’s prophesied reign as the rightful empress of Parijatdvipa and Priya’s ascension to Temple Elder after attaining her status as a thrice-born.

The Oleander Sword wastes no time in throwing readers right back into this thrilling world of blooming magic, cutthroat politics, and delicate romance. I found this sequel to move at a much faster pace than the first installment. While this mostly worked to the novel’s favor in moving the action sequences along, I sometimes found myself wishing for further explanation and exposition. I don’t mind a little extra time spent here and there towards building character dynamics and relationships. I think the ending would have had more payoff for me if some of this novel moved a little slower to let me sit with certain events for longer. However, this pacing definitely helped me get through this one quicker. There was always an action sequence or POV change to keep my interest.

Speaking of POVs, I personally believe Suri is an absolute master of multiple POV writing. I love how she sprinkled in minor characters every so often to hint to readers who may be involved with the bigger picture. I think Suri reigned it in a bit from the first novel, and this definitely worked in her favor. There were just enough POV changes to keep it interesting and to move the story along, but not too many that I was confused.

Tasha Suri is a fabulous writer, and her prose always blows me away. She creates such lucious worlds that explode with life right off of the page. Priya and Malini’s relationship was so beautifully created and further developed in this novel. Suri truly writes these characters with so much care––which made the events of this novel all the more heartbreaking. Her prose and character writing will absolutely stick with me long after finishing The Oleander Sword. I absolutely love Malini and Priya, but Bhumika and Rao were standouts for me as well.

I think there was a great balance between the politics, the romance, and the action. I truly believe with a bit more page-time spent on each of the components of the novel, each character’s motivations and choices would have hit harder for me. While the events of the novel were certainly brutal and heartbreaking, I several times found myself searching for the why? I suspect that it moved a bit too fast for me to fully get behind some of the plot points.

I certainly have hope for the third installment that there will be great payoff and I am very excited to see how this trilogy wraps up.

This book absolutely BLEW. ME. AWAY.

I deeply enjoyed book 1, and have found that Suri is a master at gradually building worlds, characters and relationships through that. However, the way she used all of the set up and development from The Jasmine Throne and turned it into a fast-paced, thrilling, resonant, moving and air-tight story is bar-none. This is a complex & unique high-fantasy tale that will absolutely take you on a RIDE.

I loved the distinction we saw from all of these character in this book. I ADORE both Malini and Priya, both together but also deeply as their own characters as well. I'm not sure I've ever read such a strong and complex morally-gray heroine as Malini. I highlighted almost every thought, action and word she said toward the end. Priya has a quiet softness and compassion while also possessing such a profound strength, power and grit. She is faced with absolutely impossible decisions in this book, and it was so intriguing to be inside her head in these moments. Malini and Priya's relationship bloomed so beautifully, while they both maintained their own very separate and distinct ways of being and ways of managing the power they wield. Meanwhile, the storyline playing out back in Ahiranya was unravelled so masterfully, and I found myself feeling the sense of strangeness and danger of the temple children & Yaksa very viscerally.

The war unravelling war between Malini & Chandra was very well thought out, and Suri knows how to write one hell of a battle scene. Especially in the moments when Priya slips into the sangam, even in the midst of battle, Suri found a way to carry the sense of urgency and fear that translated to the quieter moments Priya experienced, even as those times carried a fear of their own. I sometimes feel as though a bunch of different character perspectives can get chaotic and confusing, but Suri's use of this was Illuminating and impactful, and helped to build the world and conflict from all sides. The interaction between this conflict and the different religions is also so complex and intricately woven, and it has come together seamlessly thus far.

And I cannot write a review without mentioning the unflinching feminism infused into this tale. The world these women live in, the challenges they face, and their resilience throughout all of it left me feeling so deeply impacted. All of the women we read about are icons of their own, even the smaller characters. Malini especially is facing an inconceivable uphill battle as she weaves intricate webs of religion, politics and culture and still never bends in her belief and power.

Lastly, I am completely hooked on where this story is going. A major threat has been resolved, and one I never could have conceived is coming. This will likely be an absolute favorite this year, and I will be SCREAMING at any news I get about the sequel because I need it in my hands NOW.

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title before publishing!

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for an eARC of The Oleander Sword.

I feel so blessed that I got a chance to read this book early. The Oleander Sword was my most anticipated release of 2022 and it did not disappoint. I loved the Jasmine Throne but I actually liked this book even more. The world building and continued character development in this story is exquisite. Every sentence feels like you’re submersed with the characters and the world comes alive around you. Honestly everything about this series is amazing, it has quickly become one of my favorite series because of the intricate world building, the magic system, the strong female MC’s, the in depth character development, and phenomenal plot. I cannot say enough good things about this book (and series as a whole).

“You are like ink, Malini thought helplessly. Ink, and all I want is to make poetry of you.”

There are few things in this world I love more than massive high fantasy books with badass and morally grey sapphic characters overthrowing their corrupted government. The Burning Kingdoms series is exactly that. This story is one that you specifically set time out of your day to sit down with a blanket and mug of hot tea to become immersed in the storytelling for a lost amount of time. If you’re looking for a quick light read, this is not going to suffice. This is a book you dedicate time to understanding the characters, their motives, and the world in which they live in

Now, funny enough I believed this series to be a duology, so you can imagine my surprise when I found out otherwise. I was anticipating this story to be summed up with a pretty bow at the end. It certainly was anything but. This book keeps you on your toes as you aren’t sure what’s going to happen next, and then when it does, it’s not what you expected. There have been multiple plot twists involving characters and story directions. Although it keeps it quite interesting, I had a difficult time understanding who was on who’s side and what exactly was going on. Additionally, I’ve given up deciphering between who’s “good” and who’s “bad” as every character in this series is morally grey, which adds a suspenseful twist. You never know who you're supposed to trust, and once you think a character has earned your respect, they stab you in the back (sometimes literally).

Lastly, the writing is wonderful, and Suri does a fantastic job keeping it consistent throughout her books. No multi-paragraphs are describing insignificant objects and scenes, and the dialogue is purposeful and well-thought-out.

All-in-all, this book was absolutely worth the time and effort to read through and I will be eagerly awaiting the third and final book.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Upon reading The Jasmine Throne, I had somewhat mixed-to-positive feelings, as while I liked it, it felt very different from what I had previously read from Suri, and took a bit more time to invest in the complex politics of the large cast of characters. Now knowing what to expect with book two, I’m much more impressed, especially as it was a bit easier to become invested. There’s still quite a lot to take in, but I can appreciate it all a lot more now.
While the first book takes its time to establish the goings-on of the world, it’s easy to become reingratiated with the world here, and there’s a pretty consistent pace of action and intrigue.
While there are still many POV characters (I think possibly more than the first one?), the stars of the book are Malini, Priya, and Bhumika. The moral grayness that was a part of their characters in book one comes out in fuller force, especially with Malini, who is torn between a path of vengeance to claim the throne and her love for Priya. Priya, meanwhile, is also torn by her love for Malini, trying to reconcile that with her role as an Elder of Ahiranya. And Bhumika’s story is wonderfully heartrending, balancing her role as a leader of Ahiranya with her love for her daughter. Each of them has such intense emotional stakes in the midst of such high political stakes, and it’s all further fleshed out by the secondary character POVs to complement and contrast them.
I am now in love with this series, and am anxious for the release of the third book. If you enjoyed book one, you’ll love this one. And if you’re a fan of fantasy with layered characters and a strong romantic arc, I recommend giving this series a shot.

Wow, wow, WOW!!

This book took my heart, carved into out, hollowed me, and filled me with flowers and roots and, ultimately, emotional destruction. I think, somehow, this book was even better than The Jasmine Throne (already a very high bar) and you absolutely need to read this series!!

Suri is able to expand on the characters established in the first book and it felt like there was just more depth added to each character. We see Bhumika coming to terms with motherhood, Priya learning how to use her magic, and Malini stepping in to her role as empress. I am very much a character reader and I think that really contributed to my love of this book. Morally gray women aiming to destroy the patriarchy will ALWAYS be in my wheelhouse. Having the different point of views of both the main characters and side characters just adds so much to the understanding of the story as well as all the different cards in play. As a reader, you're able to draw so many parallels between the different story lines across Parijatdvipa and it's such an intricate weave that is done masterfully.

Truly, this book is devastating, but you know that means you should absolutely read it. If you love political fantasies, morally gray characters, magic systems related to nature, and a lil bit of ROMANCE (Malini & Priya 5ever), then you have have HAVE to read this (please, I need someone to scream about it with until the next book comes out).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

A heart-wrenching exploration of sacrifice and obedience. The sequel to the Jasmine Throne was exciting, traumatic, and as well written as the first book. I went through so many emotions during this sequel and shed a few tears. The way she explores the minds and hearts of characters will always be incredibly impressive to me.

It felt so good to be back with some of my favorite characters of all time, and to go through this journey with them over the course of an uprising was incredible to watch. And it did feel like watching because the writing is so lush and beautiful I felt like I could see the setting coming to life in every scene. I really enjoyed this book but there were a few places I wanted to see more of what was happening with the characters instead of having a time jump. I feel like the book could have benefited from that, especially in the last 15%, but overall it was incredibly entertaining!

As poignant as ever, Tasha Suri continues to weave a tale about forbidden love, trauma, worship, and the intricacies of loyalty.

This has been one of the most anticipated sequels this year and I was very happy when I got it. But while I liked The Jasmine Throne well enough, this one just didn't work for me. I expected to be drawn in and then heartbroken by a suitably tragic ending, instead I was simply bored.

My main problem was the slow pacing. Especially in Malini's part, not much of consequence happens for well over half the book. The army travels. Malini is now an empress struggling to retain control. There's a little bit of action, a little bit of drama. But the plot or the characters, fundamentally, barely move. Bhumika's part, after Priya leaves to go to Malini, becomes far more interesting and with far more tension.

I love ruthless protagonists, but...I don't know. I'm not quite sure what I expected, but being bored and speedreading through to get it over with wasn't it. Perhaps it's my increasing dislike of epic fantasy, especially of the military variety. Perhaps it's that the hurt/comfort aspect I liked in the first book wasn't present here. But I was not having a good time. The ending was suitably bitter, as promised, though it didn't quite make up for how bored I was with the rest.

I don't think I will continue the series. Still, if you loved the first book, you may enjoy this one too.

HIGHLIGHTS
~turn the masks they make you wear into weapons
~much delicious yearning
~(un)holy fire
~careful who you promise your heart to
~watch the queen conquer

I really, really, really enjoyed Jasmine Throne.

But I am here to tell you that I love The Oleander Sword.

The second book in the Burning Kingdoms trilogy wraps around you like a silken sari, somehow even more sumptuous than its predecessor. You can smell the flowers and feel the fire, bespelled by Suri’s exquisite, sensual prose; page by page, Oleander Sword sinks its roots into your heart and doesn’t let go.

Of course, why would you want it to?

Oleander opens a year after the end of Jasmine, with Priya a temple elder dedicated to curing the rot, and Malini waging war to claim her throne as Empress of Parijatdvipa. When the Emperor’s forces reveal a new and terrible weapon, Malini decides she needs one of her own…and asks for Priya’s aid. But ancient powers are waking in Ahiranya, and another, much more devastating war may be on the horizon.

I love how much this series is an ode to and celebration of unlikable women; how these books explore so many different facets of femininity; how they showcase the experience of women in a world built by and for men. When I reviewed Jasmine Throne, I talked a little bit about how well the Ahiranyan plant-magic worked as a metaphor for female strength, and I still think that’s true. The difference is that in Oleander Sword, both Priya and Malini get to be strong – and powerful, which isn’t always the same thing – in the open. In that way it’s more wish-fulfilling, more intoxicating, than Jasmine was; we get to glory and luxuriate in the both of them being different kinds of power-fantasy!

Which is not to say, alas, that life has become easy for either of them: Malini, in particular, is constrained by the expectations – expectations which are very nearly demands – of the men who serve her; she must embody the ideal of womanhood, especially royal womanhood, wherever anyone might see, in order to hold on to their loyalty. But while she was seriously ill and then in recovery in Jasmine Throne, here we see her at her best – and her best is glorious. Empress Malini more than lives up to the potential and promise of her princess past-self: given free rein (and reign) at last, she’s on full display in this book as a master manipulator, the sun at the heart of the political solar system, with generals and princes kneeling at her feet. All while still being her brilliantly vicious, ruthless, vengeful self behind the lovely mask.

Malini is the eponymous Oleander Sword; a blade of flowers, deceptively feminine, but the beauty of it – the oleander blossom – is, itself, a deadly poison. Femininity – the ideal of womanhood – wielded as a weapon, not just against her enemies but also, really, against the men under her banner; men manipulated and controlled by the ideal they hold her to. What’s meant to be Malini’s cage, her constraints, she turns back against the world and uses, and I love her for it.

Priya is very different – she doesn’t have to be pure and dutiful and a Good Woman, because she’s a monster, and her savage joy in that fact is wonderful. In a lot of ways, actually, she and Malini are perfect opposites; Malini is a monster pretending not to be, and Priya wears her monstrousness in the open…and is maybe a lot more ‘good’, as we’d recognise it, than Malini, underneath it all. It’s hard not to adore how well they fit together, and especially the way in which Priya embraces all of Malini, cruelty and mercilessness and all.

I didn’t find their relationship in Jasmine Throne to be a big sweeping romance – and I liked that a lot! – but Oleander Sword very much makes up for it. Despite being surrounded by eyes that can not be allowed to see them together, Priya and Malini become beautifully entwined in this book; and what I loved most about it is that it is so…so unrepentant. There are absolutely soft moments between them, and tenderness, but they both know who the other is, and have no interest in changing each other. Malini is not going to become a good person because she loves Priya. Priya is not going to become a tame thing because she loves Malini. And neither of them want that. Which makes their love story feel very unconventional and unique, and gives their passion a feral, dangerous edge; the two of them together are terribly beautiful and beautifully terrible, and it’s perfect.

<You are like ink, Malini thought helplessly. Ink, and all I want is to make poetry of you.>

Oleander Sword introduces a new POV character that I wasn’t expecting and probably should have been: Chandra, Malini’s fucked-up, religious-fanatic brother, sitting Emperor of Parijatdvipa. All I can say is that Suri absolutely nailed the complicated, horrific tangle of religious devotion and narcissism and racism that is this abominable man. Suri makes him feel human and all-too-real without giving him excuses or making him sympathetic; he’s a complex character, but an unforgivable one, which is exactly the way I’d have wanted him treated if it were up to me.

<his unyielding desire for a better world, for better people.>

The above quote is one I turned over and over in my mind while I was reading this book, because it sums Chandra up so well. At first glance, the desire for a better world is something most of us would approve of, but…it’s unyielding desire. And ‘better people’? The idea of an unyielding desire for better people gave me flat-out chills.

Suri’s writing in this book, her prose, is just like that; her words stay with you, individual sentences getting caught in your thoughts. She’s been a master storyteller since she came out of the gate with Empire of Sand in 2018, but I swear Oleander Sword is on a whole other level even than Jasmine Throne; even lusher, more poetic, jewel-toned, sharp as the titular sword. Suri builds sentences like constellations, every word a star in exactly the right place to dazzle you and imprint its story on your heart.

<It was a voice made for mantras, for song, for guidance. For pouring faith, like wine, into the cup of a waiting heart.>

<That was how priests often asked questions, Kartik had learned. Questions mildly phrased that demanded answers clawed from the marrow of a man’s bones, the deepest blood of his heart.>

<At least she had found the kind of love that would break the world for her sake, and make it into something that would always wear her mark.>

And what a story! I haven’t actually talked much about the plot, because it’s difficult to go into without entering spoiler-territory, but Oleander Sword gives the impression of having so much more space for the story – and characters – to breathe. This book is about Malini claiming her throne, and that means war; it means tactics, battles, shifting alliances, politics, princes and generals to make dance to Malini’s tune. But it also delves deep into religion, into the ancient past of Parijatdvipa and Ahiranya, into the different sects of the Mothers and the various currents of belief and loyalty running through the priesthood. Into the relationship between Parijatdvipa and Ahiranya; what it was in the past, what it is now, what it might be in the future. Suri has spun us a sequel-saga of intrigue and action, faith and love, battles that take place in the world, the heart, and the mysterious sangam of the yaksa – and no one else could possibly do it justice.

The Oleander Sword is soft as petals and piercing as thorns, and the story itself comes together like an offering-garland at the feet of the Mothers, a dozen different blossoms woven together by an impossibly deft hand. Even if, by some un-miracle, you didn’t love Jasmine Throne, you should still pick up Oleander Sword.

It’s simply a masterpiece.

This is the sequel to The Jasmine Throne.

The prophecy has proven both a blessing and a curse. Malini is determined to claim the throne it offered her, but overthrowing her brother is certainly going to be difficult. Priya dreams of seeing her country rid of the rot plaguing it, but is still learning her magic. Though their chosen paths have kept them physically apart, Malini and Priya’s destinies remain entwined.

I read The Jasmine Throne last year as an ARC so it’s been a while, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I remembered! A refresher probably would have been good on my part still, but for the most part this world was easy and fun to get back into.

There was so much mutual pining in this book, including in the form of letter-writing, and ohhh my gosh I was dying (in a good way of course). I can’t say much, but the way this book developed Malini and Priya’s relationship makes me both super excited and super nervous to see where it goes in book three.

Holy hell Suri delivers with book two of this series. The Oleander Sword is a chonker and I just inhaled it. Something about the prose and the character work made this so smooth to read and the setup for book three promises amazing things to come

It’s been over a year since I first read The Jasmine Throne, and like a dumb dumb I went into this book without a refresher. I remembered Malini and Priya of course, our sapphic duo, and Bhumika who was my favorite supporting character from Jasmine, But it definitely took me a moment to remember who some of the others were. Yet, perhaps because the characters were so memorable, or because Suri does an excellent job giving the readers subtle reminders of who did what in book one to jog your memory, the re-learning period didn’t last long at all. The one embarrassing exception was that I’d completely forgotten who Rao was and get to get reminded/laughed at by friends (he’s the cinnamon roll unnamed prince who tried his best^TM)

The Oleander Sword takes place sometime after The Jasmine Throne. Malini’s built up enough support and has quickly begun taking over parts of land her brother Chandra once ruled. I was pleasantly surprised with how Suri handles the war aspect of this book. Because while Oleander is very much a novel about Malini’s attempted takeover, the battles actually felt more like a device used to further the character development than about the fighting itself. And while this isn’t a decision I’d usually like, Suri makes it work with this book.

I know that in my Jasmine Throne review, I mention that despite the marketing, I didn’t really see Priya or Malini as morally gray characters. While I still stand by that statement, especially in the face of Chandra’s comic-book levels of villainy, I really loved to see Malini’s political savvy come into play here. She really makes up for spending most of book 1 drugged to hell by deftly showing her ability to turn Chandra’s supporters and force the various factions and local governments to cooperate with her in this uprising.

Overall, I rate this book a 4.5/5. I just inhaled this book. I can’t say much of the plot due to spoilers, but Suri does a phenomenal job with the second book (the emotional devastation I felt!!) and the setup for book three has me so so excited.

Wow, just wow.

This was one heck of a ride. Like the previous book, most of the starting had been a buildup for the climax which absolutely delivered in a gripping way! Relationships and character dynamics were so much better than in the first book, especially the ones concerning Priya and Bhumika! Can't wait to see how this wraps up!

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher, for presenting me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Tasha Suri does it again. I need a 3-5 business days to process everything that happened, but I'm in awe of how brilliant her storytelling, worldbuilding, magic system, and character dynamics are. I loved The Jasmine Throne, but I LOVED The Oleander Sword. Without spoiling too much of what happens in this novel, I can definitely say that fans of Priya and Malini will be in for a treat. I am so excited for the conclusion to the Burning Kingdoms trilogy, and I will promptly be re-reading this book in the meantime.

4.75 rounded up.

Suri’s follow-up to THE JASMINE THRONE is a magnificently crafted continuation that follows several interwoven storylines that were given root in the first book and are carefully developed as we march on towards what I anticipate to be an explosive and heart-wrenching finale.

JASMINE was a phenomenal book, but, somehow, OLEANDER was markedly better. In JASMINE, Priya was a lot more in focus and other characters and their storylines were noticeably less developed. OLEANDER course corrects and there’s a much more even distribution of the main POV characters. Malini in particular is much more solid as a character—although I do acknowledge she did spend most of book 1 poisoned and definitely not at even remotely close to her full strength. Bhumika’s story is also more brought to attention and the foreshadowed conflicts from book 1 really come into play.

In addition to the main POV characters, there are some one-off character POV chapters as in JASMINE, however, these I found to better serve the narrative as they didn’t feel or fall into the almost gimmicky nature I found in JASMINE. Some were still a bit redundant but for the most part I enjoyed when they added insight and intrigue to where Priya, Malini, Bhumika, and Rao’s threads intersected or brushed against one another.

Suri does a great job of developing the immediate conflict as well as the insidious greater danger that lurks and grows in the undergrowth. She also gave us a great look at the world, the various cultures and how they differ, where they intersect. The South Asian influences are naturally woven in with ease and prominent.

I really loved the relationships that developed more as well. I wasn’t entirely convinced by Malini and Priya in JASMINE, but OLEANDER really expounded on their chemistry—the tenderness, the tension, and of course the angst. I also loved Priya and Sima’s friendship. I really enjoyed Sima’s development as a supporting side character and navigating the sudden change of Ahranya cutting themselves free of Parijatdvipan rule and on the edge of a war. Bhumika, unfortunately, I don’t really care for, but I did enjoy where her storyline goes. And Rao, I was super into his character and storyline in JASMINE, and he’s definitely still one of my favorites with his complicated relationship with Aditya, with Malini, with the nameless, and his struggles with his path.

BURNING KINGDOMS is epic fantasy at its finest, and I can’t wait to see how this trilogy will conclude.

3.75/5 Stars

I finished the Jasmine Throne several months ago and have been excited about this release ever since. This book threw me in from page 1, I definitely had to look back and refresh myself on many of the side characters and their affiliations. There was a LOT of politics in this book, which isn’t my cup of tea, but it came around in the last 30% for me.

I am so obsessed with Priya and Malini. In Jasmine Throne I was lukewarm on Bhukima, but now I am fully in love with her too. What Tasha Suri does better than anything else is develop multi-layered, morally gray, but still such lovable female characters. I rooted for the three of them even when their goals were unaligned. Having 10+ perspectives felt like too much at times — even more so than in Jasmine Thone. I wish that Suri had just focused on these three women. But of course after that ending I will be finishing this trilogy happily. I can’t wait for book 3!

Review copy (eARC) provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I confess that I have not read the first novel in this series.  In requesting an eARC, I was thinking of an old saying I heard via Stan Lee (I'm paraphrasing): every issue/book is someone's first.  The series also came highly recommended to me.  I read a summary online of the first book, and dove into this one, which is the second in the Burning Kingdoms series.
I would give this book a 3.5/5, but I rounded up because I think the reasons I did not like the book are not flaws with the book as much as it's that I'm not the right audience for it.  It was an experience for me of, I know I'm reading a well-written book, but it's just not connecting with me personally.  I think the romantic angles just did not click for me.
The story generally revolves around Malini's battle to establish her right as empress vs. her brother, and her various relationships (romantic and otherwise) along the way. I did enjoy how the author shifted the POV character throughout the novel in a manner that kept things refreshing and moving quickly (but not unnecessarily).  Moreover, the author's writing style/prose is engaging and easy to follow.  
In conclusion, this wasn't the book for me, but not for reasons that warrant giving it a bad grade.

Going into The Oleander Sword, I was ready to be wounded, but I had no idea just how much Suri was going to really hurt me.

We pick up right after the end of The Jasmine Throne, Malini is still hell-bent on taking the throne back from her brother, and Priya is an Elder of Ahiranya.
Throughout the book we get a very sinister feeling, a kind of creeping dread that there is something very wrong within the Ahiranya. We learn more of the yaksa, and Suri’s skill to wind two seemingly disjointed plot threads together is incredible.

With the first book, I had a few pacing issues, but in the follow up I was hooked the entire time, and each chapter switch only left me wanting more. I devoured this book, searching for the small pockets of joy in a very bleak, war-torn story.
There is joy, for sure, and we are given just enough of it to make every painful part hurt as badly as possible.

I grew to love these characters even more in this book. I just wanted them all to be okay but know that’s definitely not going to happen in the finale. One can dream.

My favorite part of this book is just how well done the sense of dread is. Suri knows how to make you feel afraid, like something or someone is always looking over your shoulder which very well may be the case. I cannot wait to read the finale, and this series is shaping up to be a favorite of all time. I will be screaming about it for the foreseeable future.