Who Would Like This Book:
This epic fantasy dazzles with a lush, Indian-inspired world, evocative prose, and a refreshingly complex cast of morally grey female leads. If you crave court intrigue, slow-burn sapphic romance, and thoughtful explorations of power, colonialism, and resistance, you'll be hooked. Readers who value rich worldbuilding, multi-POV storytelling, and a focus on character development - especially those hungry for more diversity in their fantasy - will feel right at home here.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the pacing on the slower side and the large cast of characters a bit overwhelming, especially if you prefer tightly-focused plots and minimal points of view. Others felt that the romance or worldbuilding could have gone deeper, or wanted the narrative to concentrate more on the main duo. If you dislike intricate politics, ambiguous morality, or prefer your fantasy settings to be more familiar, this might not be your cup of tea.
About:
In The Jasmine Throne, readers are introduced to a richly woven fantasy world where Princess Malini, exiled to the treacherous Hirana temple by her despotic brother, and Priya, a maidservant with forbidden temple magic, must work together to keep Ahiranya safe and overthrow the emperor. The story delves into complex political machinations, betrayal, mystery, and magic, all set against a backdrop of intricate worldbuilding and compelling storytelling. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, offering a depth of character development and exploring themes of strength, love, revenge, and the blurred lines between them.
The writing style of Tasha Suri in The Jasmine Throne is described as evocative and beautiful, incorporating elements from South Asian myths and motifs to create a unique and immersive reading experience. The world she has crafted is reminiscent of ancient to medieval South Asia, filled with symbols, cultural items, and fantastical elements that set it apart from traditional fantasy settings. The book expertly weaves together themes of imperialism, zealotry, and decolonization, all while showcasing morally grey female characters and a slow-burn romance that captivates readers from start to finish.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of oppression, violence, and potentially distressing events related to colonialism and religious zealotry.
Has Romance?
The romance in The Jasmine Throne is a significant aspect, highlighted by a slow burn and emotional depth between the two main characters.
From The Publisher:
"RAISES THE BAR FOR WHAT EPIC FANTASY SHOULD BE." -Chloe Gong, author of These Violent Delights
A ruthless princess and a powerful priestess come together to rewrite the fate of an empire in this "fiercely and unapologetically feminist tale of endurance and revolution set against a gorgeous, unique magical world" (S. A. Chakraborty).
Exiled by her despotic brother, princess Malini spends her days dreaming of vengeance while imprisoned in the Hirana: an ancient cliffside temple that was once the revered source of the magical deathless waters but is now little more than a decaying ruin.
The secrets of the Hirana call to Priya. But in order to keep the truth of her past safely hidden, she works as a servant in the loathed regent's household, biting her tongue and cleaning Malini's chambers.
But when Malini witnesses Priya's true nature, their destinies become irrevocably tangled. One is a ruthless princess seeking to steal a throne. The other a powerful priestess seeking to save her family. Together, they will set an empire ablaze.
"An intimate, complex, magical study of empire and the people caught in its bloody teeth. It's about resistance and power, histories both personal and political, and the heroes who must become monsters to survive. I loved it." -Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January
"Suri's writing always brings me to another world; one full of wonders and terrors, where every detail feels intricately and carefully imagined. The Jasmine Throne is gripping and harrowing from the very start." -R. F. Kuang, author of The Poppy War
"Suri's incandescent feminist masterpiece hits like a steel fist inside a velvet glove. Blisteringly furious and astonishingly tender by turns, its women take on the patriarchal empire with every weapon at their disposal. Their combined force will leave you as stunned and gasping as those who would deny them. Simply magnificent." -Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun
"Truly, The Jasmine Throne is one of the best fantasies you'll read this summer - so do yourself a favor and just add to your TBR right now." -Culturess
"A fierce, heart-wrenching exploration of the value and danger of love in a world of politics and power." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Ratings (81)
Incredible (13) | |
Loved It (33) | |
Liked It (14) | |
It Was OK (12) | |
Did Not Like (9) |
Reader Stats (336):
Read It (81) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (203) | |
Did Not Finish (14) | |
Not Interested (37) |
5 comment(s)
I really wanted to like this one because of the lore and worldbuilding, the ideas were very interesting and I could tell the author put a lot of thought into them. Unfortunately the writing killed it for me. The romance didn't feel natural and the pacing was weird. I have no idea how much time passed during the story. If you like sentences like "she could see the question in the tilt of her head and the shape of her mouth" then you'll love this book, but it wasn't for me.
It took me awhile to get into, but the world and relationships depicted are rich. I'm not sure if I will continue the series, I don't know if I have the patience. Overall, I enjoyed it and I love the fact that it is fantasy influenced by Indian culture.
цікава концепція, але паршиве виконання
Ось, як краще описати цю книгу.
3.5 rounding it to a 3. Pacing is way too slow and there are way too many povs. This feel like a prologue to a book and I honestly I couldn't get through it. It has potential to be good, but unfortunately I don't have the patient to see the plot unfold.
Both Malini and Priya were so well written—they knew what they wanted and knew how to get it. I love them.
What can you read after
The Jasmine Throne?
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