Engaging audiobook, with dual m/f narrators. The story is a political epic with strong fantasy elements informed by South Asian mythology. Features a strong female protagonist and a sensitive male protagonist with homoerotic leanings. Cool magickal creatures and spirit beings with an environmental message are drawn. Character development is a bit predictable, but well written, with more to come. It's a long book, and obviously first in a series.

This book wasn't on my radar until I found it on NetGalley and I was approved for an ALC. I really liked the narrators for this book, I feel like they both captured the large cast of characters as well as the complexity of the relationship between the female main character having the spirit of another character trapped in her head.

Unfortunately, liking the narrators was the limit of what I really liked about this book. I found the story dragged quite a bit and the world building was confusing. If I hadn't been listening, I likely would not have finished this book. And, having finished, I really don't know what happened for most of the story. It was not memorable.

I probably wouldn't continue with this series. I'd be willing to try another book by this author down the line but it wouldn't be a high priority read for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am in love with the cover of this book. The contains are not as I hoped, but the narration is really nice. It does not necessarily stand out amongst others in its genre.

A really solid debut fantasy! I loved the setting, loved the worldbuilding, and felt like it was executed in a way that made it feel lush and real. Ashoka and Shakti are incredible protagonists with complex inner lives that I rooted for despite them both slowly slipping toward what feels like their find out eras. Pacing-wise, there is some sogginess here that makes the read a tough one to stick with, but I did and I’m glad I did in the end! Looking forward to the future books.

"Change happens when we are sick and tired of waiting for it."

First note, and most importantly- give the people (me) what we want. A BODYGUARD romance with the Prince. They clearly have feelings. Ugh

Second note, the plot is a bit messy, but I have hopes for a more refined storyline for book 2 and 3. On the plus side, I never knew what was happening or going to happen.

Third, she is arrogant and entitled, but I kind of love Princess Aria. She is my favorite side character. Its giving me early Manon Blackbeak vibes, embracing her power, status, and rage.

3.75
While I enjoyed this, it isn't the most revolutionary fantasy novel. On the one hand, we have a witch who is trying to escape being burned for her magic like her aunt. On the other, we have the heir to the throne who is sympathetic to the witches. I really liked the rich Sri-Lankan inspired setting and the nature spirits. Not sure I will continue the series though.

<i>Thank you to Netgalley and HaperAudio Adult</i>
Overall I think this was a solid book. I wasn't fully invested in the story but I liked the elements of it. I thought the magic system made sense for this world. I did think that the book dragged on a little and was predictable but that's not always a bad thing. I thought Aasiya Shah and Kishore Walked did a great job with narrating the audio book! Overall I thought this was a good start to the trilogy and I'm excited to see where it goes and what happens next.