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This complex fantasy has multiple POVs that really help to give a full scope of the empire’s activities. Although Malini, Priya, and Bhumika tell the bulk of the story. Malini’s character development was exceptional. There is no easy path for her. She’s definitely my favourite. And I remember a tale of garlands. And ill stars. And two people who found their way to one another.
Praise for the Burning Kingdoms trilogy: "Will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of epic fantasy for years to come." — Booklist (starred review) Stars. This did suffer some from second book syndrome, but I freaking loved it anyway! The Jasmine Throne was my favorite adult epic fantasy book last year so I could not wait to read this and while this book wasn’t quite as good -as it did slow down some in comparison- I really enjoyed it and I’m in love with this series. I personally had a really rough last week which included a bad pet scare and I spent a lot of time at emergency doggie vets (Lady, is still with us but we are waiting on tests to know more) so there were many times I just needed a great story that would transport my mind to another world and that was exactly what this book did. It was the perfect book at the right time for me and I could not be more thankful. It was also so beautifully written that even if I didn’t always love the story choices, I just didn’t mind.
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The fascinating world is gradually re-introduced and then developed further in this sequel. However, while the writing style remains captivating and easy to follow, it also takes on a flowery flair filled with excessive details. Despite this, there are still many unanswered questions regarding various elements of the magic system, including the powers granted by the deathless waters. This book also sees an increase in the points of view (POVs) compared to the previous book. This dragged down the story's pacing and made it less engaging, as some POVs add little to the story. Malini herself survives the battle—surprisingly, she is saved by a tattooed priest. The priesthood is firmly on Chandra’s side (he has elevated them to power) so this is a mystery. In the wake of the battle, Malini sends a coded message to Ahiranya. Not a love letter to Priya, but a request for aid. As for Priya, she is now a temple elder in Ahiranya, with considerable magical powers including the ability to halt the spread of the rot that plagues Ahiranya’s people and its crops. She leaves the politics to Bhumika, who is far more adept at them, and focuses on that. While she misses Malini badly, she accepts that life has taken them down two different paths. Even if Malini asked her to join her, Priya doesn’t feel she could abandon her people when they need her aid. DR: So I know we can’t talk about themtoomuch, because spoilers. But we learned a bit more about the yaksa in The Oleander Sword, with a few pretty mind-blowing twists. Was the history of the yaksa and the Age of Flowers something you laid out before working on the series? (And will we learn more about them in book 3?)
TS: Magic requiring sacrifice is an established concept in so much fantasy fiction, so I admit I’m borrowing from the hard work of writers who’ve come before me. In terms of how I layered in sacrifice – I’ll simply say that all the magic systems reflect some form of my complicated feelings on faith and religion and what they often demand from their believes. I’ll let readers draw their own conclusions on the intent, there.
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Will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of epic fantasy for years to come." — Booklist (starred review) I did really enjoy the magical aspects of the novel. The magic system and the new antagonists feel original and interesting and are very entertaining. I loved the eeriness of the yaksas, that was probably my favorite aspect of the whole novel. The Jasmine Throne has been hailed as a series opener that will "undoubtedly reshape the landscape of epic fantasy for years to come" ( Booklist, starred). Now, award-winning author Tasha Suri's provocative and powerful Burning Kingdoms trilogy continues with The Oleander Sword. The prophecy of the nameless god—the words that declared Malini the rightful empress of Parijatdvipa—has proven a blessing and curse. She is determined to claim the throne that fate offered her. But even with the strength of the rage in her heart and the army of loyal men by her side, deposing her brother is going to be a brutal and bloody fight.
And the magnetic, slow but inescapable, pull that Priya and Malini feel towards one another while Malini must embody an untouchable, godsent empress and they must focus on a war they have to win??? *chef’s kiss* Thank you to Orbit Books and Edelweiss for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. We also got a lot more of Rao and can I just say, it's just Rao pinning after another guy after Prem. Suri please give my boy a break. First, he lost prem, now Aditya. Rao has been through A LOT. What is a star, he thought, in Aditya’s slurred, smiling voice, but distant fire, reaching for you across worlds?” Will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of epic fantasy for years to come."— Booklist (starred review)This book started a bit slow but that wasn’t a very big issue as there is a huge cast and it took me some time to remember the details from book one and to familiarize myself again with all the names. That said, I wasn’t immediately hooked to the story as I was with book 1, but once I got to the second half of the story I couldn’t put it down. In terms of their relationship and in terms of Malini’s overall arc, this reads very much like a bridge book, written to set up a stronger book three. In the last 25% of the book, important developments take place in the Priya/Malini relationship (as well as in the larger political arc). But much of the preceding 75% drags romance-wise and that makes the ending feel like too little too late. Just about every other relationship in the book—Priya/Sima, Rao/Aditya, Rao/Lata, Bhumika and just about everyone in her world—is more engaging than the central one. Priya and Bhumika had planned to communicate in the Sangam (a mystical realm where three rivers meet) but the ability disappears, and that alarms both of them. Communication resumes later, though, and Priya is much relieved. But that’s not the end of their troubles, only the beginning. Because Priya was “hollowed” by her passage through the deathless waters, and only now is she starting to learn what that hollowing means. I think Rao’s nameless prophecy that Malini would name the next leader of the empire hasn’t yet been fulfilled. I think Malini will step down and the prophecy will come true when she names the next emperor in her stead. And I’m guessing that will be Rao. TS: So many! The gothic horror Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid and the wonderful sapphic epic The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi were particularly wonderful, though.
Malini is still determined to claim the throne as the empress of Parijatdvipa but knows that she has a long journey ahead of her. Not only must she engage with her brother’s forces, but she also must try to keep the men following her in line. Priya is an Elder of Ahiranya and wants to rid the land of the rot that is spreading and plaguing it. She’s torn between her duties and wanting to be near Malini. But when unexpected conflict rises that threatens the world as they know it, they realize they must work together to save everything they care about. The prophecy of the nameless god - the words that declared Malini the rightful empress of Parijatdvipa - has proven a blessing and curse. She is determined to claim the throne that fate offered her. But even with the strength of the rage in her heart and the army of loyal men by her side, deposing her brother is going to be a brutal and bloody fight. When it becomes apparent that the only way to save both countries from the people who would rather see them burn is to work together, by using Malini’s cunning and influence and Priya’s raw power, Priya comes when called, even if it means leaving Bhumika, High Elder of Ahiranya, alone.TS: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey, A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore and The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan. I realise between the epic fantasy, the horror-infused literary fiction and the historical romance that’s an odd mix, but it’d keep me well entertained!
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