If you haven’t read Jasmine Throne, stop here, drop everything, get yourself a copy, read it and now come back. I’ll wait. Great. Now we’re all on the same page, and I shouldn’t really have to do a lot of work here. Because Jasmine Throne should have blown your mind enough that you should be, like me, quivering with anticipation for the sequel. You should be dying to know what happened to Priya and Malini. So I’m going to address the rest of this review to people who need to be sold on the series, not just this book.

We are living in a great time for epic fantasy, and this series is one of the reasons why. It feels as huge and grand as Game of Thrones, or Wheel of Time, but with a much more modern and fresh sensibility. It is right in that sweet spot of familiar and new. Fans will recognize the court intrigue and epic battles; the long lost powers suddenly returning to the world, but with just enough of a twist that you’ll be unable to look away. It won’t feel derivative. It will feel new.

I recommend this for fans of R.F. Kuang, Brandon Sanderson, Shelly Chan, N.K. Jemisin, and J.R.R. Tolkien. If you wished Game of Thrones had more disaster lesbians in it, this series is for you.

Thanks to the Orbit Books and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

The Oleander Sword opens with Empress Malini preparing to mobilize her forces against her brother. But to win, she must call on the power only Bhumika can wield. Neither of them realizes the high cost of that power.

I found the first half mostly slow burn as we find our footing and setup for the coming convergence. Thankfully around 60%, the pace picks up and the plot moves quickly towards the epic conclusion.

While The Jasmine Throne was an intimate tale of dark water magic and the pull of two lovers, The Oleander Sword greatly expands the scope and stakes. It had both the most breathtaking romance scene I've ever read and a heartbreaking confrontation.

The Oleander Sword has none of the typical drag of the second book in a trilogy. It resolves enough to make for a satisfying conclusion while setting up the war to come. It is one of the most impressive sequels I've read this year.

Suri never fails to amaze me with her novels. This was a a fantastic continuation of the Burning Kingdoms series. I already cannot wait for the next book.

You know when you read the first book in a trilogy and it's lush with world-building, characters and their development, political machinations and a magic system that reminds you of earthbending from ATLA? A book that's filled with so much aching yearning, the slow build of two people who cannot be more different and yet are so irrecoverably in love anyway?

And you worry that book 2 will go the way of many other promising fantasy trilogies - plagued by middle book syndrome and encumbered by dragging plots, wearied characters and story arcs so lulling they threaten to put you to sleep.

Tasha Suri - I'm so sorry I ever (even slightly) doubted you.

THE OLEANDER SWORD was a class-act, the perfect second book to the BURNING KINGDOMS trilogy. No middle book syndrome anywhere to be found folks, not one little unfurling leaf or tiny, reaching root. From the get-go, you are treated to so many pay-offs that you waited so eagerly for in THE JASMINE THRONE.

Priya and Malini didn't kiss until 70-80% of Book One. But in THE OLEANDER SWORD? You get tantalizing flashbacks and internal dialogue to that kiss within the first few pages.

Parijatdvipa is at war and so everything we got in THE JASMINE THRONE is elevated and urgent. We read about the rising political tensions, the inherent prejudices between nations, monsters wearing the faces of gods, class privilege, an erratic despot backed by religious influence, and the choices and sacrifices we make - how this all interacts to create a perfect breeding ground for war, betrayal and the inevitable loss.

I love how there is a cause and effect with each decision our characters make. I need to shout out Bhumika in particular because I have adored her since her introduction and she always seems to get dealt the worst hands. Her influence is not flashy or showy, but she loves her people and she is always trying so hard to ensure their survival. I'm so interested to see where her story arc goes.

The prose is flowery while being efficient; Suri waxes poetic, yes but the prose isn't overly loquacious.

I could continue to rave about this book until the end of time, but I'll end this review with two things: first, my love for this quote in particular

"I barely understand it, the way I would willingly kneel for you, anywhere, for anything. The way I would fight for you. The way I want to be by your side. Is that what love is, Malini? Is that how awful love is? Because if it is, then I love you, the way that roots love the deep and leaves love the light. It's - the way I am. And no matter how much I try to be good, to do right - I'm all flowers in your arms for your war, for you."

and secondly, with a warning. The is ending is pain. It rips your heart out of your chest and leaves you with a melancholic ache in its absence. I cannot wait for the final installment of this book.

Special thanks to Orbit Books and Netgalley for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Somewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars for this. I had the same struggles to get engaged with this book as I did with the first one. With the first one I thought it may have been due to the world building as the ending picked up for me a bit. After reading the second and also struggling I think the authors writing style just doesn't click for me. I think the story itself is interesting and there is a lot going on but something about it just doesn't get me emotionally invested. I still plan on continuing to read the series to find out what happens though.

This book is a wonderful follow up to The Jasmine Throne. Tasha Suri has a lyrical way of writing that keeps me engaged. I really appreciated learning more about the magic system in this book. I also felt like having less changes in POV was an improvement. It allowed me to really focus on the main characters driving the narrative.

The only issue I had with the book was the pacing. I realize that a lot of world building had to occur and the politics was part of the allure of this book but then all of a sudden, during the last third of the book, I felt like it was like BAM BAM BAM BAM action packed! That being said, the cliffhanger was awesome. I want to know what happens to all of these characters. I want to see what happens between Parijatdvipa and Ahiranya.

It was a great book and I can't wait for the final installment.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit books for the gifted eARC copy!

This book is a gripping sequel to the Jasmine Throne; I did not want to put this book down! The pacing is significantly faster in this one, but it also hurt a lot and made me cry!

I have been impatiently waiting for The Oleander Sword ever since I devoured The Jasmine Throne last year. In The Oleander Sword, Suri dives even more into the politics of Parijatdvipa as Malini blazes through the kingdom and sets her sights on overthrowing her brother and claiming her rightful throne. On the other side, we get to see SO much more of the power that The Elders hold and what forces are behind it.

The Oleander Sword shows us Priya and Malini separately in their own power - unflinchingly claiming their space in the world. And of course, once together we get the longing looks and yearning that we all loved so much in The Jasmine Throne. Once they meet up, this book really dove into the moral grayness that comes along with power on all fronts of the war - which is one of my favorite things to explore in fiction (even if most of the time it leads to me being heartbroken).

The Oleander Sword is a slow, delicious burn, that is the perfect follow up to book one. While I am already anticipating book three, I’m also dreading leaving this world and these characters. Tasha Suri has crafted such a beautiful, strong, perfect example of the what fantasy can (and should) be.

The Oleander Sword is yet another triumph. Sinking back into this multiple POV with my favorite characters has been an utter joy. Considering the immense consequences and earth shaking changes after the first, The Oleander Sword is almost constant action. Embroiled in war, Malini and Priya have to realize the costs of dreams and new sacrifices for our ambition - and love. I loved watching these characters grow and evolve and make some difficult choices.

At the same time, being back with other side characters - won't name names for you, read the book! - gives The Oleander Sword a sense of scale and danger. To know that battles are never simply won and the end of the story isn't in sight yet. In the beginning, I loved how they communicate via letters - cue the yearning - but to be honest, The Oleander Sword has some scary developments. Suri is really putting our hearts through the emotional wringer.

The Oleander Sword was a great sequel. I thought it did a good job of building upon the already thorough world Suri had created. I am very happy that I received an ARC. I had been waiting for this sequel for a bit.

The Oleander Sword follows Malini, Priya, and some other characters as they wage war on Malini's brother, all the while Bhumika deals with a threat at home. There's not much I can say that wouldn't be a spoiler.

I really enjoyed the fantasy piece of this book. I thought it was very creative and well written. The romance part was okay, but it was not why I read it. The ending was crushing. I'm not over it days later.

I'm very excited about the third book.

this was all in all a disappointing sequel to a wonderful book. the politics were weak and the characters were no longer interesting.

We just can't get enough of Tasha Suri!! The second entry in the Burning Kingdoms series takes us back to the Indian-inspired fantasy world that includes five separate nations, each worshiping different gods, loosely under the rule of Parijatvipa. Malini is a Parijati princess who has mounted a civil war against her brother. Priya is an Ahiranyi temple elder, one of only two, making her a de facto leader of the region. In the first book, Priya helped Malini escape from prison, beginning the internal conflict in Parijatvipa and an external conflict, the rebellion of Ahiranya against its Parijati rulers.

This is a typical second book in a fantasy series - wrapping up some loose ends, a few epic battle sequences, laying the groundwork for an even bigger plot in the final book. That said, the fantasy world is anything but typical. The gods are immanent, and regardless of how much self-determination someone might think they have, there are bigger forces at work.

As in the first book, there are multiple perspectives, each of which adds layers of understanding to the text. Don't sleep on this series if you have been!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for the complementary eBook and physical ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

I am SHOOKETH!!! Holy shit, what an amazing sequel! Upon finishing ‘The Oleander Sword’ I was too stunned to speak. Just at a loss for words. This book was phenomenal. The pacing was excellent, and not once did I find myself bored. I was flying through this book and actually had to make myself slow down. ‘The Oleander Sword’ was one of those books that I did not want to end.

The entire book was a ride, with so many twists and turns. The romance between Priya and Malini was enthralling and beautiful. Such a gripping and moving relationship. I couldn’t get enough of it. Both protagonists were so deeply compelling, and their character growth throughout this sequel was emotional and outstanding. The stakes were extremely high in this book, and Tasha Suri conveyed that very well in her writing.

On top of that the political intrigue was engrossing, the war/battles brutal, captivating, and vividly written, and the entire plot was so intricate and intense. An impressive and noteworthy follow up from ‘The Jasmine Throne’ that I did not want to put down. Tasha Suri is a phenomenal writer who knows how to captivate her readers and fully immerse them in her stories. I felt so connected to this story and all the characters in it. There were many heart wrenching moments that made me almost have to reach for a tissue, as well as moments that gave me goosebumps and had my heart racing.

‘The Oleander Sword’ was an extraordinary book from beginning to end, leaving me desperately pining for book three.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of "The Oleander Sword" by Tasha Suri.

This book continues the Burning Kingdoms Series following Priya and Malini on their respective journey's both to save their countries. As they go on both Priya and Malini know that they will need to be reunited for Malini to be successful in her bid to overthrow her brother and when Malini calls Priya answers and leaves behind her unsettled country to go and help Malini.

I am still very unsure of what to think of this series so far. I thought that the romance between Priya and Malini was much more prevalent in this book than it was in the previous one. In that one you had to really search for it and almost wish it there because the actions between Priya and Malini did nothing to show the growth of their love, while in this book there was at least acknowledgement and a show of the love between them. I also appreciated getting to spend more time with Rao and Bhumika and they are characters that I actually liked. I didn't particularly like Malini or Priya in the first book and Malini has definitely not endeared herself to me in this book either. Priya I feel a bit more for and have more of an understanding of.

I think my main issue with this story is it feels like I've been thrown into this world head first without any explanations and the longer I spend in this world the less that I believe I understand. I came through the last book with a bit of an understanding of the deathless waters and what Priya and Bhumika can do but now I am completely unsure. I thought I was beginning to understand the politics of Parijatdvipa and now I am even less sure than I was before.

I am growing more fond of some of these characters and may read the next book simply to end the series and see if I get some closure but I so far have rated both of these books as a solid 3 stars.

Before the review, I would like to thank Orbit Books and Netgalley for a copy of The Oleander Sword in exchange for a honest review.

4/5 Stars.
The Oleander Sword picks up where The Jasmine Throne (book 1) ends at. We see how Parijatdvipa prepares for what’s to come, and we see Malini and Priya come again on a new quest to do what they believe it right for the people around them.
In Book 2, you really get to see the relationships between characters become stronger, to then be painfully torn away from you. The stakes here only get higher, and the prices paid were more grand.
However, there is definitely more of a focus on character development in this book, and not as much action until the end. The build up was a lot of plot thrown at you at once, but I’m sure it will lead to a fantastic ending to this trilogy with the last book.
I can’t wait to see what book 3 has in store, because I am sure it is going to be epic!

A huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

5 fabulous stars for THE OLEANDER SWORD. What an absolutely phenomenal sequel!

"I love you, the way the roots love the deep and the leaves love the light."

The political intrigue, the exciting nail-biting battles, the impeccable development of personal relationships, and of course, Priya and Malini's intense love story filled with longing. All of these things combined together to create one of the best second novels in a trilogy I have ever read.

Although it was over 500 pages long, I read this book extremely fast (for me), finishing it in only a few days because I read it every single chance I got. It had incredible twists that I didn't see coming, and every single line and chapter built on each other to weave an incredible story. And although the politics, religion, and side characters are all extremely creative, well-done, and important to the overall plot, Priya and Malini's relationship and the question of whether they will choose each other or their respective duties is the heart of the book that sets it apart from other fantasies and keeps me reading. The complexity of their relationship is simple unmatched; it is achingly beautiful to read.

I cannot wait for the third and final book!

Gorgeous, romantic, breathtaking, heartbreaking. I wasn’t sure how Tasha Suri was going to be able to top The Jasmine Throne, but she executed with Oleander Sword. With their oldest brother Aditya abdicating, both Malini and Chandra claim the throne of Parijatdvipa. Chandra relies on his lineage, his link to the high priests, and his self-righteousness, while Malini must forge new alliances - proving her strength, as men are reluctant to ally themselves with a woman. In Ahiranya, Priya is coming into her own power now as a temple elder with the ability to cure the rot, the disease that spreads through everything organic, and her temple sister Bhumika grapples with new responsibilities as governor.

The Oleander Sword builds on the political machinations of book one, leading to war. I recently read an article about fantasy’s obsession with war, and yet, it always reads differently to me from a female author and with female main characters. Malini would prefer to avoid war, but she has the tactical know-how to lead an army.

The romantic arc for Priya and Malini is achingly beautiful. At the end of the Jasmine Throne, duty forced them apart. Their longing is tangible through their letters in the early chapters, and then even when they are reunited, it is clear that neither knows if they will choose duty or love.

The religious aspects of this series really set it apart from other epic fantasies. In some ways, it reminds me of SA Chakraborty’s Daevabad, with roots in real religious practices, adapted to the fantasy world. Suri has a seamless integration with religious practices based in reality and that which she’s created. It serves as powerful motivation for her characters.

I do recommend at least re-familiarizing yourself with the characters of The Jasmine Throne before reading its sequel. There are a lot of characters generally, and more POV characters than we often see in fantasie, but Suri weaves them expertly, giving us the perspective most important to progressing the plot.

I will be honest, I was not invested in this story at all. I found myself struggling to get through this because it just was not holding my interest. For me, there was an absence of flavour, as the story didn't manage to set itself apart from other fantasy books that are more unique and better conceptualized. Not to say that there is a lack of it in this story, as there is enough world-building as well as the inclusion of cultural influences.

However, what it came down to for me, aside from the lack of interest and flaws that I will get into next, is that what was presented to me just wasn't enough. We get tyranny, war, rebellion, and betrayal, and I find that that is just not for me. As such, you can end up taking what I saw with a grain of salt, as this is completely subjective.

What I did find was weak about this story though, was something that was a reoccurring issue from the last book. I am talking about the random unnecessary perspectives. In order to get a certain piece of information, you would end up following some random character who has little to no relevance to the overall story. I wish this would have just stuck to Malini and Priya's perspectives alone, as it would have made for a more coherent story. I also simply was not a fan of the direction the story went in towards the end.

Nonetheless, while this was not for me, I can see why it would work for others. That being said though, I think my time with this series is over, as I will not be picking up any future installments because of the lack of interest.

Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit Books, for giving me the opportunity to review this in advance. My review will be posted 2 weeks before the release.

5.0
I am in love with Tasha Suri and her writing. She really knows how to grab you from page 1 and never let you go until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed the second installment in the Burning Kingdoms series. There was gods, and curses and sapphic love affairs. This book I will definitely be purchasing both physical and audiobook copies. I now believe that Tasha Suri is a instant buy author and deserves any awards coming her way.

I love this book so much. The Jasmine Throne is one of my favorite books of all time, and quite possibly my favorite fantasy ever, so I had incredibly high expectations for this book. So much so that I was afraid it would disappoint me.

The book, however, is pure perfection. Every single chapter delivers maximum tension and deepens the characters I already loved.

I hate when second books in trilogies feel almost inconsequential, when they are there mostly to reveal secrets because at the end of it, the status quo has barely changed. This book is opposite of that. It completely changes everything. The revelations are so earned, the character growth is painful but perfect.

I love it. I love it. I love it.