Not going to lie, this was kind of a stressful read. This is a slow, slooow burn that's Binsa's slow unraveling, culminating into her transformation fully and wholly into a villain. Because Binsa is largely sheltered (and also, like 16~17), she can be a bit naive and reckless. That's where the stress comes in, definitely, at least for me. There were parts of her character that felt a bit uneven--mostly in her relationship to Ilam--but for the most part I thought her character arc was interesting. I especially liked the bits of horror that popped up unexpectedly.

I think the thing that ultimately held this back was that it was a little too long. While I'm all for a slow burn, there were parts that probably could've been a little less drawn out. Especially since it felt like the ending rushed a bit. Granted, this is a series/duology(?) so the ending makes sense in context, I just think that the way it wrapped up could've felt slightly less hasty.

Overall, I do think this was interesting and unique. I am curious/dreading to see what the author has planned for Binsa. Although slightly too long in parts, I do recommend picking this up if you have any interest in villain origin stories.

Binsa is a young girl pretending to be a conduit for the goddess Rashmutan. When she realizes that her position is in jeopardy, she enters a deal with the demon she harbors for power.

It took me a few tries to get into this. Not because the writing was bad but because the last time I read this type of character, it was in the Poppy Wars. And I love/hate this type of ambitious, imperfect, morally gray, do-whatever-it-takes character. But when I finally got into the story and reminded myself that not all characters are meant to be likable, I did enjoy it.

One thing that pulled me from the reading experience from time to time in the beginning was that I had to keep reminding myself the main character was only 15 (Not what I expected from an adult book). She’s very much a child in a grown up situation.

If you’re into dark fantasy books with morally gray/villainous characters, this is a good one to read.

An exceptional, solid start to what will become a revered trilogy!
This book starts off strongly by being unique in its cultural roots- I personally haven’t come across any works of fiction that feature this particular Nepali religion. With that umbrella setting it apart, I found that all the rituals and other cultural aspects had me engaged throughout.
As for the characters, this is one where the role of “villain” is subjective, in my opinion. The protagonist is incredibly relatable and the inner journey that she goes through is familiar, yet told in a way that sets her apart from other main characters. The writing style that the author employs works well in this work, with the switching between different inner voices working to highlight the fragmented mind of the protagonist.
I think this novel could have been a great standalone work with a slightly different ending, but I am definitely looking forward to the next instalment.
This is ultimately a unique, thrilling fantasy with a masterful plot and setting that forces the reader to acknowledge the boundaries of ambition, tradition, and desire.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC!

This book hooked me from the first page until the last. The world the author created was inspired by Nepali culture/dress/names, but is not a representation of the culture but a purely fictional world.
The world building was wonderful and I can see it gaining more depth and detail as the series progresses.
I loved Binsa. It’s refreshing to have a morally gray FMC that turns into a full out villain. I am so curious to see where her journey takes her. Will she become more villainous? It will she end up the hero?

Overall thoughts…
This was an excellent character-driven dark fantasy with a truly villainous FMC and a lush world. An absolutely wonderful start and great debut novel! I’m really interested to see where this trilogy goes!


What I loved…
- dark fantasy world loosely based on South Asian culture and mythology
- morally gray turned black FMC
- mommy trauma
- immersive prose and world building
- political intrigue
- No romance (ok, honestly I LOVE romance in my books but I’m adding this to the pro column for those who prefer books without)

What I didn’t love…
- This is very much a character-driven story, but it feels like we’re lacking depth to some of the characters. I wanted more background and information on what drives Binsa to act as she does. That said, I would have been ok with the character-depth if the plot felt more direct and higher staked. I understand she didn’t want to give up her Goddess status but I failed to understand why… What was so bad about going back to a normal life?
- I wanted the characters to either be older (my #1 preference), or this should be labeled as a YA. If you tell me a book is an adult fantasy but then give me characters that are 16, I’m going to feel a little robbed - this was definitely the case here. I do see the reasoning for the age, and I can see the factors that would make a 16 year old Binsa mature - but I think with minor adjustments to the storyline an older Binsa would have worked even better.

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for this ARC!

A story where the villain is the main character who struggles with what she must do in order to keep her reign on the scarlet throne. Binsa is a young girl who was chosen as a child to be the mouthpiece of a goddess, but has never been visited by the goddess herself. To keep up the ruse, Binsa gives in to the demands of a demon that already resides within her.

Leow’s writing is phenomenal and accomplished a lot in keeping me engaged in the story. I really enjoyed the false goddess theme and the prose this author brings to the table, however, I don’t think they should have used the Nepali culture and religious backdrop as the setting. This seems like a misstep as Leow is not from Nepal, nor does she have any Nepali background, yet bases the whole premise on the Living Goddess tradition. As this is still a real practice today, the idea of the Living Goddess being possessed with a demon could be highly damaging and hurtful to the people whose belief currently practices this. It’s one thing to take stories from long-dead mythologies, but it is another completely to take from a current culture.

Outside of this possible demonization of current religious practices, I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I hoped to. Binsa as a main character was ok, but I didn’t fully buy anything she did or understand completely why she wanted to continue on the scarlet throne so badly. This may have been due to the lack of world-building that I can only guess would be fleshed out in the next book of the series. Further, this book is being advertised as a political epic fantasy, but the political aspects were barely there and the revelations of who was doing what were predictable to the point that I had to reread certain parts just because I was confused that Binsa didn’t already know what was going on.

Overall, I think this book had great potential and Leow does have spectacular prose, but I will not be continuing this series.

A lot of things to love about this one, including a cover that would look beautiful on the shelf. But more importantly, what's inside that cover includes strong and fascinating mythology, a morally ambiguous main character, a cat-demon, and a solid setup for a series.

Binsa is the host and living embodiment of the goddess Rashmatun, as she's been for the past ten years, since she was a mere child. However, the head priest thinks it may be time for another host - which would be tough, when Binsa has never had the goddess inside of her and instead has a demon lending her magic (for a price, of course) so that Binsa can pretend to be hosting the goddess. And Binsa wants very, very badly to continue this ruse.

The idea of the gods having living hosts - and more specifically, <spoiler>the idea of gods truly being demons</spoiler> - was a fascinating one. I was definitely curious to find out more about the mythos and history, including the Bloodbath where all nine of the other potential hosts died in a brutal fashion. The plot being Binsa's desperate struggle to hold on to power as she deepens her bond with Ilam, the demon, and is forced to revisit her past with Medha, the young girl selected as the next host of Rashmatun, and Medha's sister Nali, who both want to know what happened when their sister died at the Bloodbath.

Where this book didn't quite land for me was the complexity. Binsa wanted to remain as Rashmatun - okay, sure, I understood that, but I never felt that her motivations were fully fleshed out. As well, given that she already was Rashmatun and also had many opportunities to limit having a successor but just never seemed to have that thought cross her mind until the last quarter of the book made her goal feel kind of aimless. I found the characters equally shallow. I understood their motivations, but I didn't feel that much was done with their actual personalities and they felt like plot devices.

Finally, for a villainous main character with a lot of darkness in her past and present, this book didn't feel particularly dark. I don't need (or particularly want) grimdark, but as it was, a lot of the parts that I think were supposed to be morally ambiguous or signs of Binsa becoming deeper enthralled with Ilam didn't pack the emotional punch that I think they deserved. Because it was in first person POV, we were inside Binsa's head the entire time. And because of that, I never got the feeling she was truly committed to the "anything for the throne" bravado that the story seemed to be implying. Mostly, Binsa felt like a somewhat confused young girl - which is fine! That's what she was! But what I felt the book promised me by the synopsis - a dark and political fantasy with the main character on the brink of losing her humanity - never really delivered.

However, there was a part at the end, with the gems, that I really thought this story might go there. I thought it was going to commit to something that would have made sense for the story and Binsa's character progression, and been a point of no return moment. But the story veered away from that, and while it's set up in an intriguing way for the sequel, I do kind of mourn what I thought this could of been.

This would have been a very good YA story, but as it is, it's simply a pretty good adult book that's worth a high three stars. It does have an intriguing setup for the series to go darker and age with Binsa, so I'm cautiously optimistic for future books.

Thank you to the publisher, Orbit, and to NetGalley for the ARC.

Man, what a book. Absolutely love the twist that occurred during this book. While I slowly but surely saw it falling into place it was spectacular to witness it through Binsa. Binsa's character development from morally grey to outright villain was *Chef Kisses* and I can't wait for the second book to drop. I think my main qualm with this book is that I wished it dialed into more of how all the characters presented were deeply flawed even if they pretended to act noble and pure. I am here for a book where all the characters are horrible.

**Book Review: A Complex Exploration of Morality and Mythology**

This novel intricately weaves together elements of Indian mythology with a fresh perspective on deities and demons, offering a narrative that challenges perceptions of good and evil. At its heart is a young woman who has endured severe abuse at the hands of her mother, driven by a ruthless quest for power. As the protagonist grapples with her role as a vessel for a deity, doubts about the existence of these gods linger, adding layers of uncertainty to her motivations.

The story delves into themes of survival and identity, presenting a protagonist whose moral ambiguity is central to her character arc. Binsa's journey is compellingly crafted, her descent into questionable actions paced with precision. While her actions are driven by a desire for security, the narrative prompts readers to question the cost of her choices and the empathy she evokes as her story unfolds.

World-building is solid, although some readers may find themselves wishing for deeper exploration, particularly within the political dynamics that shape the narrative backdrop. The plot, while straightforward, effectively builds tension and delivers key revelations that propel the story forward. The twists, though somewhat predictable at times, are executed with enough finesse to maintain engagement.

Overall, this book offers a thought-provoking exploration of power, morality, and the lengths one will go to maintain safety in a volatile world. Binsa emerges as a complex and compelling character, challenging traditional notions of heroism and villainy. With its rich thematic depth and well-paced narrative, this novel sets a promising stage for future installments, leaving readers eager to witness the evolution of its morally complex protagonist.

A book for people who loved the last 40 pages of The Poppy War.

The Scarlet Throne is about Binsa, a young girl pretending to channel a famous goddess. In reality, she's made a pact with a demon - and she'll take every step possible to make sure no one finds out. I enjoyed a lot in this story, from Binsa's hardened determination to the focus on court politics as the primary plot. I think a lot of people will be tempted to call this YA when it comes out, but I was impressed by how many times Binsa is willing to go there to realize her goals. She's an unapologetic villain! Yet there's also a tenderness to her character that feels believable, with a surprisingly heartfelt meditation on family and motherhood. The mythology and setting feel appropriate built-out, and I was always interested to read more about the side characters, though they exist on the periphery for the most part: This is Binsa's spotlight.

I think my only qualm here is that while the pacing is consistent, the story itself feels meandering. Binsa's goal is to maintain the power she already possesses, so she has actually achieved this goal for the large portion of the book. With nothing concrete to prove that she has lost or won, her arc doesn't have a clear destination, and this feeling of aimlessness shadows the momentum of the story. The ending shows a clear route to the sequel, but I have no idea where this series is going in the long run, or how there will be enough material for a planned trilogy. I almost wonder if this would be better a standalone, with room for a more shocking but cathartic ending.

Regardless, Amy Leow is definitely an author to watch out for, as this is an interesting debut (with no romance!) that I think will appeal to the people who have been waiting for an unrepentant FMC!

4 🌟

When I heard the FMC was meant to be flawed and morally grey, paired with the author's article on Women in SF & F, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this ARC!!!

Binsa's character arc is well-written and developed throughout, with her descent into villainy well-paced. Seeing a female main character allowed to be undoubtedly selfish and ambitious was so refreshing. I can't say I like her as a person, but I love her as a character, and I'm excited to see how she will develop in the sequel.

The world was interesting but just a little limited in scope for adult high fantasy for me; I wish it'd been further developed, especially with the politics. Given the ending though, I see a lot of potential for the sequel to expand further as we follow Binsa's journey.

Finally, the plot was relatively simple and straightforward, but solid. The reveal was solidly executed; somewhat predictable, but not overly so (adding a disclaimer that I tend to predict most twists, so I am not the best judge for these). There were a couple moments that felt just a little too convenient for me, but really, the highlight was Binsa.

This was a DNF for me, though I do think many readers will like it. In novels where the protagonist is a villain, the characterization needs to be ON POINT. Unfortunately, I couldn't connect with Binsa, so I couldn't connect with the text. She didn't feel consistent to me.

That said, the worldbuilding and concept are super cool.

This is a book where you are unsure who the villain is. It uses a mythology and culture similar to Indian (sub continent) but with an original spin on the deities themselves as well as the demons they oppose. The main character is a young woman who has been a victim of a terrifying and abusive mother, who has been torturing and starving her own body to maintain the safety and security she is afforded in her position as a host for a deity. But as she is reaching past the 10 year mark where the hosts change she is terrified. She also has deep secrets due to her blood shaman mother who murdered her way to the top of her power to put her daughter into the position as vessel. There is just one real issue, even with all her attempts she does not actually host a Goddess and is not even sure they really exist. What she does know is she will do anything and I mean anything to maintain her safe haven. This is a fascinating book, with very interesting characters and a good plot as well. You end up wondering how far the main character will go in her quest and is she worth the pity she engenders as the story progresses. It is a very good book and worth the read. Thanks to Orbit for letting me read the book in advance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the arc! My enjoyment and experience with this book very much mirrored the stonk market. Just up and down and up and down and up before it finally crashed.

I had trouble connecting to any of the characters. Binsa especially kept on gaining and losing my trust. I often questioned if she had the potential and skill of a true, cunning villainess. After all, she was bested so many times. You can call her naive, sure, and then she kept on making the same mistakes. Towards the end, I thought we were finally getting there with her character. In chapter 32, she reached her zenith; that was the villainess I wanted. Binsa then proceeded to lose my trust for good during the last 2 chapters of the book. In addition, the focus shifted too severely, too messily. I’m confused about what this book wanted to do, actually. It became something completely different out of left field, and I’m left frustrated as a result.

I also wanted more of a character study for Binsa. We know that she’s desperate and why, but I wanted a complex, in depth study into her desperation. Unfortunately, her character always felt too distant, as mentioned earlier. I often felt that her desperation was told instead of shown. It’s palpable, sure, as she won’t shut up about it, but I wanted something more believable. Instead, the focus remained on corruption, as opposed to the desperation that then leads to said corruption; there’s no build up at all. The “why” is extremely important to make the plot and character believable, and I wasn’t convinced.

I will say, some of the plot was intriguing. Mainly, I enjoyed the book when Binsa was actually competent. I loved the more violent aspects too, as THAT is what I expect from someone who is supposedly desperate and ruthless. I also very much enjoyed when she actually pulled the strings correctly, and truly manipulated people. Again, that is the behavior I expected from her character going into this book. The world building itself was also fascinating. Forbidden historical tomes, all the types of demons, the magic that different nations have, the history and wars of said nations, all the different Rakhtas and who they serve, prophecies, and even more yummy stuff. If only wish the other pillars that held this book up were as strong.

All in all, I wish I liked this better than I did. Unless the sequel exceeds in all areas mentioned, and exceeds them by far, I likely wont pick it up. 3 stars

A fascinating and fantastic fantasy with a dark edge, exquisite characters, and a deeply-engaging world! Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The combination of a dark protagonist, demons, and cats in the description of this book piqued my interest and I knew I needed to read more. The first thing I noticed was actually the author's note where she explains that the story is based on Nepali culture and myths which is not her culture or background, I was a bit surprised that the author did not draw on myths from her own culture for her debut novel, but inspiration comes from many places and I assume that she did her due-diligence researching the culture to be able to honor it in the most honest way. As far as the story, it was an interesting narrative told in first person by the main character who makes a bargain with a demon to stay in the powerful position that she has aged out of. She goes through the motions of bringing in and mentoring her successor while putting into motion a devious plan to change her fate. The writing style is easy to read, the setting and characters are introduced clearly, action moves at a good pace, and the plot kept me interested through the entire book with a few twists including the ending. I am eager to continue with this story in the next book of what seems a very promising trilogy. I recommend this for readers looking for a villainous main character that has you rooting for them in an provocative powerplay with demons and deities or a YA fantasy adventure with no romance.
I received access to this ARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Orbit Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

I anticipate finishing this book, as it's very well written and unique. If its concept and execution was slightly different, I'd be giving it 5 stars with no hesitation.
However, I don't think the authors or editors have fully realized how offensive the concept of this book is. It hinges on the idea that deities (based on Hindu deities) are actually demonic. I actually wouldn't mind a book about a kumari not actually being the reincarnation of the goddess, but as a Hindu there's enough discourse in mainstream western culture about our practices being "satanic" or "demonic". Even if the book distanced itself further from Nepali and Hindu culture, I'd be completely game. However, the author has paid a little too much attention to the setting and not enough attention to anti-Hindu sentiment. Frankly, this book makes me feel gross.
As it stands, this is the kind of book that makes me seriously concerned for the author's safety, considering that the Hindu radical right wing is increasingly violent (and a reason a few people I know have left academia).

I find the book's plot and overall concept deeply hurtful and ignorant to the specific prejudices Hindus face. I wish the author would apply her obvious talents to a different venue.

Thank you to Net Galley and Orbit Books for the ARC. This is one of the best books I have ever read. A truly good example of dark fantasy, this book takes me back to the days when The Young Elites had my heart. I love ambitious women. Binsa had my heart from the first chapter. I loved reading from her perspective. I could feel her ambition and desperation as she did everything to stay on the Scarlet Throne. And I loved every dark moment of it. She is toxic, and I am here for it. I loved all the scheming and manipulating. Watching her trade away her humanity was torturous, but I loved it. After all, the world is unfair, and I am here for women being selfish and doing whatever it takes to get what they want. Her relationship with Ykta and Medha broke my heart. I also loved the world building - the concept of the kumari is so clever and I love how Amy Leow explores it. The author also has such a immersive and evocative writing style. The prose is beautiful, and this book made me feel so much, I feel both heart broken but also extremely thrilled. There was so much intrigue and mystery in the world and Binsa's life that she had to uncover, and I hope we get to uncover more secrets about the world in the next book. This was one of my most anticipated releases and now it is one of my favorite books. I can't wait to find out what happens next.