I wanted to like this so much, the premise and world building was so interesting but unfortunately it just fell flat. There was so much telling and so little showing, despite all the metaphors it still felt clunky.

I could only read ideas and preaching of non violence and pacifism repeated so many times. It just stops being a metaphor at a certain point with constant over explanation. It really made the character of Ashoka one dimensional.

Speaking of one dimensional most characters unfortunately were just that. The Emperor and his other two children, Arush and Aarya, were just evil to be evil I guess. There was a lack of any true reason besides “powerful empire that hates witches.” Every character felt like a distorted version of stereotype, that had no idea what they were doing. There’s so much based on politics/political intrigue but like no one actually understands court politics because they’re too busy being dictionary definitions of their stereotypical roles. I feel like there’s a time for “no thoughts, just vibes” and this just is not it, it just feels like there’s no real stakes to what anyone is doing (despite the literal murder/genocide of witches.) It just wasn’t able to find a steady balance between a large cast of characters (or literally even the two dual pov characters) and their motivations.

This is the first book in the series and I’m hoping with time (and the other books) questions are better answered, characters are further developed, and the ideas shine through more. I did not expect everything to be tied up neatly within this book, nor should they have been, but I do expect for the first book in a series to get my hyped for what’s to come.

I think this book set up many questions and explored some interesting thoughts about violence and pacifism and who/how can oppressors versus the oppressed benefit from each (or if they even can.) But it is done in a way that feels surface level and pedantic. This book may have benefited from being marketed as YA instead of adult, the readability was quite good and certain scenes could have been tailored towards a younger audience.

2 stars, an unfortunate start to this series but not the end.

Honestly I don't love that I'm dnfing this book, but I just really struggled with the prose. I absolutely love the overall premise, the setting, and the ideas for the characters, but just couldn't settle into this. Every time I put it down I didn't feel particularly drawn to picking it back up to the point that I'm just giving up on it.

In The Prince Without Sorrow we follow Shakti, a mayakari witch who was raised under a pacifist code currently fixated on violent revenge, and Ashoka, third in the line for the throne and doing his best to stand firm in his pacifist beliefs despite a world that demands violence at every turn. Shakti and Ashoka are on a collision course, as the empire that is built on the hunting of mayakari turns a new leaf and sweeps the two of them up in the political machinations to come.

This world was so lush and beautiful. The depiction of the mayakari’s relationship with nature and the spirits that inhabited the world was my favorite part. All of the creatures, mundane and fantastical, that were described really helped breathe life to this story.

A house of cards is unfortunately whats standing on this very solid foundation. The story is very well paced and is always moving forward, but I found it being piloted by some paper-thin characters. Everyone is exactly who they present themselves as, to the point where I can’t tell if we’re supposed to be surprised by reveals in this book and some the series feels like its building toward. The mayakari code of ethics really not developed and implemented well and the coherency of the story really suffers for it. There’s a lot of interesting ideas being set up, especially about what makes someone innocent, that just get completely abandoned. What makes anyone deserving to die? Where to animals fall in this? Is there a meaningful moral high ground for the pacifist mayakari when they have tangible proof that using their magic to harm causes bad karma? I understand that this is setting up a series, but I really don’t think this book gives you any answers to chew on at the conclusion, just plot beats to push you towards book two.

I was also shocked to find out that this isn’t YA. The majority of the characters are in their early twenties but the tone and voice felt very young to me while I was reading it. I don’t know if a single character other than maybe Rahil does any meaningful reflection before they open their mouth. It works better for some of the characters than it does ever. Shakti truly never has a plan. Girl is just coasting on vibes and a dream and I kind of love that for her.

If you’re looking for a gorgeous world and a fast paced fantasy, I think The Prince Without Sorrow will scratch that itch.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC.

I was intrigued by the premise—magic, political intrigue, and a pacifist prince in a brutal empire—but the execution fell flat. The writing felt clunky, making it hard to stay engaged, and the characters lacked depth. I expected more from the story, but it never fully delivered on its potential. While the world-building had promise, it just didn’t work for me.

⭐⭐⭐ | 🐍 Fantasy & Magic | ⚔️ Political Intrigue | 🤷‍♀️ Lacking Depth

I thought this was a solid debut and if you like books like The Poppy War by R. F Kuang then you would probably enjoy this book. The problem I had was there was too much focus on the journeys of the two main characters and not enough world building.

This book is a dual POV, and chapters oscillate between Ashoka and Shakti. Each has their own hero's journey, and I found their characters to be relatable. You have a son who opposes his father at every turn and doesn't believe the genocide of innocent people. Then you have Shakti, a witch raised as a pacifist who goes against her code and curses the Emperor. It seemed strange to me that the magical class in this story had like 3 basic powers, but one of them they are told to never use and to remain pacifist. It's like a don't push the shiny red button plot device.

The world its self needed more building. I get that the Emperor had burned down the library that contained the most knowledge and research regarding the mayakari. I also get that the Emperor essentially used the mayakari as a scapegoat to unite his people against a common "enemy". I just don't get that there could be so much knowledge lost in what seems to be a 25-year period. Mayakari are not hunted in other countries, and I just find it strange how much lore seems to be missing. I had so many questions about the world that I wasn't as invested in the story of Ashoka and Shakti.

I'm not sure that I would continue the series, but I did think this was a good start. I think I just wanted more fantasy and more magic.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Harper Voyager for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

Set in a magical world inspired by the ancient Mauryan Empire, two young people fight to change everything. Shakti is a mayakari (witch) whose family was just killed and whose home was destroyed by the Emperor Adil. Ashoka, a dedicated pacifist, is the youngest son of the emperor responsible for Shakti’s tragedy. Both are determined to save the rest of the mayakaris from the Empire’s wrath.

Despite a lot of promise, I didn’t enjoy this enough to want to continue the series, and I find it difficult to recommend. I love the idea of setting inspired by the Mauryan Empire, but we get so little scene-setting here (do an image search for Mauryan art– it is extraordinary). There’s next to no tension throughout and awkward language that should have been caught during editing.

The characters are my biggest gripe. Ashoka (the pacifist) and Shakti (the pragmatic witch who cast a death curse) are clearly set up as opposites, perhaps to address when violence is necessary or can ever be justified, but we don’t really get any exploration of this, at least in this volume. I found the characterization quite limited too. Ashoka’s desire to avoid killing is clear, but there’s next to no justification why– someone with such deeply held beliefs probably would have a lot to say on the subject. Shakti is a loose cannon. Her impulsivity could be an interesting character trait, but her actions appear almost random and usually work out to her benefit, which misses out on some opportunities for reflection and character growth and makes it feel like the character is just wearing plot armor.

Firstly, thank you Netgalley and Harper Voyager for the digital arc.

This is a great fantasy debut novel with ace/aro, bi, lesbian, and gay representation set in a fantasy Mauryan Empire. It was almost reminiscent of Princess Mononoke with the nature spirits, but more brutal and even worse villains.

The book follows two protagonists: Shakti, a young mayakari (a.k.a. Witch), and Prince Ashoka, third child of the violent Emperor Adil, as they fight for justice and their moral code in a mayakari hating society. Mayakaris are being burned under the order of Emporer Adil for being dangerous and unnatural, ignoring the mayakari’s pacifist principles. When Shakti’s aunt and village is burned by Emporer Adil himself, she goes against mayakari code and curses him, resulting in his fast death and gaining his conscious. Believing the youngest child will help her rid herself of the former emperor, she heads for the palace. Prince Ashoka is the very opposite of his father and siblings. He despises his father and his violent legacy of killing innocents, but when he is in charge of his own governmentship and being helpless of the cruelty against mayakari, he struggles between his code of pacifism and not being his father or righting wrongs with violence.

The characters, to me, were well developed and their challenges were well planned out. They had their flaws, which made them very real, such as Shakti being impulsive and Ashoka stubborn. I loved the relationship between Ashoka and his guard Rahil, it was a good reprieve from the political conflicts.

The world building was also intriguing and descriptive. Learning about the spirits and animals was most interesting to me.
However, this was mostly plot focused so there wasn’t much world building past the first quarter of the book.

The plot was clear and well planned out. There is still a mysterious aspect that I think will be more prevalent in the next book, and even if you caught on to what was to come, there is still that sense of “how will this play out?” It was also interesting seeing the duality of the trolley problem, except with the one person not being innocent.

(Somewhat but not really spoilers ahead)
As for critiques, I felt that Shakti’s ease with her new mental gift was too easy and her immediate trust with the old Emperor didn’t make sense, especially when he was cryptic and she isn’t entirely sure what he did to get this mental power in the first place. Doesn’t even question if it is a curse. This might be because of his character development but with his whole life not liking the mayakari murders, Ashoka didn’t didn’t come up with anything to help ease it even if he was afraid of and powerless with his father. He was mainly idealistic, but I feel like someone that angered and righteous would come up with ideas throughout their life. Additionally, I find it impossible that the mayakari would continue to stay helpless and passive against the violence and only retaliate with petty inconveniences, when they can do more to protect themselves. Like out of all of them only two mayakari used a curse? And how is it mayakari are only granted three powers? I wish that was explained more.

Overall, solid debut.

The Prince Without Sorrow" by Maithree Wijesekara is an impressive debut that introduces readers to the Obsidian Throne trilogy, drawing inspiration from the Mauryan Empire of Ancient India. The narrative centers on two protagonists: Prince Ashoka, the youngest son of the tyrannical Emperor Adil Maurya, and Shakti, a mayakari (witch) bound by a pacifist code. Ashoka, disillusioned by his father's brutal persecution of witches, seeks to reform the empire's violent legacy. Following the emperor's sudden death, Ashoka is tasked with governing a tumultuous region plagued by nature spirits, challenging his ideals and leadership. Conversely, Shakti's life is upended when her aunt and village are destroyed by imperial forces, propelling her on a path of vengeance that tests her commitment to non-violence. Disguised as a maidservant within the royal palace, she aims to dismantle the monarchy from within.

The novel excels in its intricate world-building, presenting a realm where winged serpents soar and giant leopards roam, while witches face relentless persecution. Wijesekara's prose is both intelligent and evocative, effectively conveying the internal struggles of characters grappling with moral ambiguity and ethical dilemmas. The dual perspectives of Ashoka and Shakti serve as compelling foils, each challenging the other's beliefs and motivations.

However, some readers may find certain aspects underdeveloped. The motivations behind Emperor Adil's persecution of the mayakari and his particular cruelty towards Ashoka are not fully explored, leaving gaps in character backstory. Additionally, while the narrative is fast-paced, some plot developments, especially concerning Ashoka, may feel rushed or anticlimactic, potentially impacting the story's cohesion.

Despite these minor shortcomings, "The Prince Without Sorrow" lays a solid foundation for the series, offering a rich tapestry of political intrigue, ethical quandaries, and character development. Fans of epic fantasy with nuanced characters and moral complexity will find much to appreciate in this promising debut.

This book could have been really great. The bones are there for it to be something unique and special, but it missed the mark for me. I felt like there wasn’t a clear plan to the book. I found myself so lost when I was reading.

I did really like the setting and some of the lore that was happening. I think if the plot had been more linear and coherent, it would have been a better book for me. I do think other people may really enjoy this book though, so I still recommend it if you enjoy unique setting and atmospheric writing.

The Prince Without Sorrow is a debut, Indian inspired YA high fantasy novel, set up to have at least one sequel. The plot follows Ashoka, youngest prince of the empire and a staunch pacifist, and Shakti, a witch, or ‘mayakari’, that is forced to hide her abilities in plain sight after she murders the emperor.

The empire, under Emperor Adil, is focused, almost solely, on wiping out mayakari. Shakti and Ashoka both witness witch hunts and violent burnings of those women deemed guilty of being magic users. Because the mayakari do not believe in using their powers towards violent ends – even to protect themselves – the witch hunts run rampant.

Shakti is the first of the witches to break this pact, using her abilities to curse Emperor Adil after he burns her aunt. She is impulsive, and quite fun and surprising to follow as a reader. However, occasionally her narrative lacked direction.

Ashoka, son of the recently deceased Emperor, has a much more significant character arc. He begins as a staunch pacifist, a mayakari sympathizer, unwilling to kill a stag on a hug. Throughout the novel, he begins to question when violence is necessary to achieve the end he is hoping for. His work with the mayakari was intriguing, as well as his relationships with his closest friends and advisors, along with his animal companions. I especially appreciated his friendship with Sahry, his flying serpent.

There was very little romance, but, like the ending of the first novel, there is significant set up for both romance and politics to develop in future installments. The antagonists of the novel, Ashoka’s elder siblings, Arush and Aarya, were somewhat layered, but I hope they become further fleshed out in the sequel. Emperor Adil was, on the other hand, completely lacking nuance. I wished the reader could have seen more of his positive relationship with Aarya, instead of focusing only on how much he disliked Ashoka and his beliefs.

The writing was slightly clunking and uneven at times, and certain aspects of the story – such as the mayakari need for peace, or the anger of the Great Spirits – became quite repetitive. Looking past that, the pacing was well done, and I was certainly never bored.

DNF on chapter two.

It is not my job to read a book, it is the book’s job to pull me in, and this book did not do that.

More than that, it kept annoying me. It was just little things. Early on, the MMC refuses to kill a deer. Fine, I get that, I don’t hunt either. But then when his friend kills one for him, he cremates the deer instead of letting others eat it… that’s just wasteful. I’m not sure if he’s being set up as a character who is out of touch with reality, and maybe there will be a nice arc and he’ll grow… but I didn’t see it.

In the second chapter, the writing was repetitive and pulled me out of the story. I was hoping to make it to 10% before DNFing, but what’s the point?

Set in a fictional world inspired by the powerful Maurya Empire, The Prince Without Sorrow reflects its historical influence, especially its expansion through violence. As a fantasy novel, it introduces mayakaris, individuals with the ability to create illusions or magic. The protagonist, Shakti, is a mayakari who defies her people's code by embracing violence and revenge. In contrast, Prince Ashoka, the third son of the ruthless Emperor Adil, rejects violence despite his lineage. The narrative alternates between these two compelling characters, alongside a cast of multilayered individuals.

As a history buff, I was eager to see how the author would adapt the Mauryan influence, and while the book delivered in many ways, it also had some shortcomings. For a debut novel, it is fantastic. The world is immersive, and the themes of power, oppression , and nature are well woven into the story. However, the lack of backstory at the beginning makes the characters somewhat confusing, as the plot picks up immediately without much setup. That said, one particularly complex aspect of the story (avoiding spoilers here) left me intrigued, and I hope it will be explored further in the sequels.

Overall, The Prince Without Sorrow is a promising start to a new fantasy series, blending historical inspiration with magic, political intrigue, and character dynamics. I look forward to seeing how the story unfolds.

Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager, for this book.

I've seen this book around and added it to my TBR a little while ago so I was super excited to get the opportunity to read an eARC. I was even more excited when I learnt that the author was Aussie.

I really adored this book. I enjoyed the story as well as the world building - the animals and spirits especially. I was inspired to do some further research into the Mauryan Empire which has been a delight.

This is a story of good versus bad, of genocide and oppression. It shows that one does not have to be who others want them to be, their childhoods and upbringing do not define them, nor their DNA.

At times, the characters came across only as one dimensional, especially Ashoka and Shakti. It was nice to see Ashoka push back a little and show some more dimension before the end and I hope to see that in book two. Shakti is hell bent on her vengeance which annoyed me when she couldn't see past it, even for her own good. I hope book two shows her slow down a little and to think first before acting on emotions.

I'm excited for book two and will definitely continue this series.

NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager provided me with a free version of this book for my honest review - thank you!

I look forward to the next volumn of this fantasy series. The characters are men, women, women with enhanced abilities which frighten others who wish to kill them, and nature spirits who can communcate with the women. The organization of the society is interesting----men and women are equal---both can be strong guards, fighters, etc., and sexual attraction is expressed between same and opposite sex. Flying serpents and large black cats are used for transportation rather than horses and large birds. The book is suitable for teens and adults.

DNF at 15%.

Unfortunately there was nothing here to keep me invested in the story. The concept and setting are interesting however the characters are underdeveloped and the writing is verbose.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an advanced reader copy.

3.5 stars

“The Prince Without Sorrow” was an enjoyable, if not especially exciting, tale of corrupt leaders, persecution of witches, psychological warfare, and revenge. Ashoka is the third born child of a tyrannical emperor, who upon his death decrees that his pacifist son should be placed in charge of a province where the late emperor’s crusade against the mayakari is at its peak, in order to teach him a lesson. Shakti is a mayakari and has lost many of her family to the emperor’s orders that they must all be killed. These two unlikely allies team up: Ashoka relocated to Shakti’s home, and Shakti taking the role of an advisor in the palace, to try to bring about a new era of peace.
Something I particularly enjoyed was how well I could see the connections between Ashoka and Shakti before they even met, as both tried to throw off the mantle of their forebears: Ashoka rejecting his father’s legacy of violence and bigotry, Shakti rejecting the idea that the peaceful mayakari must never fight back against their oppressors. From there, however, I felt the book lost a lot of its suspense and much of the rest of the plot just sort of happened. There was also extensive character inspiration from Avatar: The Last Airbender (not necessarily a bad thing, but also not terribly original). I will be curious to see what happens in the sequel.

DNF @ 20%

I found the characters to be all be very flat, the plot very basic, and the villain a caricature. The prose was not strong enough to motivate me to continue, nor was I invested enough in any part of the story to do so.

Such a fabulous story. I was hooked within the first few pages and that saying a lot. It usually takes me a while to get into a book. Fast pace, lots of action and a great plot make up this book. I can't wait for the next book in the series is released.

Not my favorite. I loved that the pain for the witches is immediately discussed and the characters have some redeeming qualities. Unfortunately it felt like there were a lot of unanswered questions and the plot was very flimsy.

The Prince Without Sorrow is a debut novel by Maithree Wijesekara, an Australian/Sri-Lankan author, publishing on March 18th, 2025.

This book is a solid 4 out of 5 stars for me. It takes place in a Southeast Asia inspired fantasy world, where large black panthers are mounts, winged serpents are flown through the sky, and an aristocratic monarchy is trying to take over the land and witches are hunted and burned.
Prince Ashoka is the youngest son of the tyrannical Emperor Adil, and unlike his older siblings, abhors violence and everything his father is doing.
Shakti is a mayakari, a race of witches who follow a pacifist code. After seeing her aunt burned for being a witch, she is forced to consider if this persecution can be solved through pacifist means.
The two have to find a way to work together to bring freedom to the mayakari and an end to the tyranny.

There is queerness (actual queerness, not just a vague potential interpretation), which I am of course a fan of.

The pacing of the book is sometimes really quick, but I honestly enjoy that. It works well with my ADHD, but it's something to note for those who may not.

Ashoka is constantly planning, and it sometimes goes right.
Shakti doesn't know what planning is and it mostly works out for her.
I am somehow both of these people.

This book handles a lot of heavy questions, like if violence or pacifism can solve things on their own, if the death of own to save many is worth it, and if you lose yourself when you give in to violence. If this was a standalone book, it would feel like it didn't finish exploring these concepts. Since it is book one, I am excited to see what is to follow!

There are heavy themes of genocide, witch hunts, and torture in this book, but it is never handled like a horror book. Just something to keep in mind.

A big thank you to Harper-Collins Publishers for the ARC in return for a review!