THIS!!! THIS is how female characters should be portrait! Love that is a fantasy book and the focus is not the romance (almost inexistent here). Also, really like the multiple POV, like 5 or 6 of them. It doesn't feel overwhelming and the author doesn't throw a lot of information in your face at once. It's given time to digest everything. Not one single chapter is wasted, and everything happens the way it should. The ending definitely gives you the creeps and it will leave you wanting more. Highly recommend it,

This was a much heavier book than I imagined it would be. Fantasy usually tends to be heavier with the backstories that form the basis for the entire world-building, which is also quite involved. I took time to get through it despite my familiarity with these hurdles.
This is probably my first Indian-origin inspired world(That I can think of). The imagery of bad-ass women fighting in sarees was quite fascinating. I liked my foray into this world, even with all the darkness and cut-throat competition that is a constant here.
A group of provinces/countries that form a kingdom are placed in different positions in the hierarchy, and they have one common concern, the ruler at the top. We are given this information in drips, throwing light onto people hidden in the shadows little by little. The kingdom is dying of rot, literally. The origin of which and the solution for which are not very clear to anyone.
It is a bloodthirsty world, and there's magic hidden in waters that is almost poisonous to drink. The leading ladies of the narrative are a dynamic couple who carry their own individual burdens. They may not share a common goal, but they journey together just to stay alive (at least initially).
Although many plotlines are yet to be answered, it almost felt like a complete book in itself.
We have a history of magic in one country being suppressed through years of cooperative effort. Every such action gets an equal and opposite reaction, so a revolution or two is brewing. It may be hard for some to keep track of the various factions and all that they stand for. Once the relationships and possible future relationships are clearer, the pace is much more attractive.
All the people introduced to us, both good and bad, were very well portrayed. They have a lot more to them than meets the eye. With such a vast cast of people, it is surprising that it was that very aspect that stood out for me in this story. The plot in itself is straightforward and the secrets hinted at do not seem as important as the destinies of all.
I would definitely read the second if given a chance, but even if I do not, I would still recommend this to anyone who finds the blurb interesting.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

5 stunning stars to this book for the most accurate description of India- its culture and heritage, And to top it all, a plot that keeps you on your tows,

sapphic enemes to lovers but they never actually stop being enemies,,, do I need to say anything else?

Listened to the audiobook.

This is a very good introduction to the Burning Kingdoms. I enjoyed it a lot.

Since I've heard it's a very slow book I decided to get in on audio as it helps me get through the slow-burn stories faster and easier. It was certainly the right choice.

I loved this one a lot. I loved the sibling angst we saw and I loved the angst between the two main girls Priya and Malini. There's something about these types of stories that I'm a sucker for.

What's surprising for me is that I actually enjoyed reading all the POVs in this novel which is a big rarity for me and I'm glad that I did.

I can't wait to see more of all of the characters. Loved Bhumika's POV which is actually surprising given her situation but I didn't mind.

I loved all of the strong female characters and their challenged and I can't wait to see where the story leads Priya and Malini (as I'm more focused on them tbh).

I also loved the magic!!

I feel like this book was too long and had too many povs. You could have cut a few out and it wouldn't have made any difference to the story.

The female characters were interesting but the plot was very slow so I struggled to make it through.

Could do with less povs to make the pacing of the story better

Exquisitely, painfully beautiful, this Sapphic novel is a new high for epic fantasy. Set in a world inspired by the myths and history of India, Tasha Suri has built an immersive and evocative world and peopled it with compelling, complex characters.

The most powerful thing about this book is that in every struggle, each character thinks they are doing the right thing. There are no storybook villains - though we do hate some characters - but instead people from a widespread empire from clashing cultures. The true villains of the piece are instead militant imperialism, religious fanaticism and blind vengeance - things that drive the characters but are no means all they are.

Against this backdrop, we are then given a perfect enemies-to-lovers slow-burn sapphic romance between an imprisoned princess and the priestess-in-hiding maid forced to serve her, which is just *chef's kiss*. While Malini is an amazing character, however, our priestess Priya is the one who really captured my heart. Priya has a truly compelling journey from fear and self doubt to self acceptance and a reclaiming of her own power, and it's beautiful to see.

I gratefully received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review - but I still bought myself a paperback copy, because it's that good!

✨⭐ 9.5 out of 10 ⭐✨
Chef kissing the book and the author. What an absolutely wonderful book.

Keyword: high fantasy, Indian inspired, war, nature magic, collonialism and rebellion
Trigger and content warning: murder and violence, drug use, internalized homophobia, immolation (execution by fire), suicidal ideation, body horror
Representation: Indian-coded characters, lesbian

REVIEW
Do you want to read about strong and unapologetic women rising up to save a dying empire? Then pick this one, you won't regret it.

At its premise The Jasmine Throne is about a princess who refuse to be burnt and a mere maidservant with dangerous secret. How their story interwoven, the maidservant searching for herself and tried to make peace with traumas of the past, how the princess perservere even when all odds and the will of empire itself demands her dead.

Though not just that, it's also about hope and resistance. In it a nation is beaten and subjugated to collonialism under a dictator emperor. But even with its dying breath, with poverty, mythical epidemic, and unjustice at the nation's door, there are still people who cling to hope and yearn for freedom. It's about the sacrifice and risk one must take to set a freedom.

As the first book in the series The Jasmine Throne fare well in introducing us to the magical world of nameless God, Mothers of Flame, and Yaksas. And within it the politics of overthrowing an opressive empire.

The many point of views the book contained added more depth and perspectives to the sides involved in it. From the rebellions who raze down everything for greater good, the commoner who want nothing of war and violence, to the politics and scheming of the courts who believe they can correct the wrong of the world.

With beautiful prose it help us immersed in it. The narration is passionate and full of emotions. It carried the feeling of the scenes very well whether it is romantic or confrontation. The vibes of the story also feels rich and atmospheric with cultural references.

As for the magic system and the wordlbuilding, it is not really extensive or unique, but still interesting. It's a nature-based magic system made more intriguing with touches of Indian cultures and lores as well as Hinduism here and there. The imagery of the plant magic itself is vivid, cool, and sometimes eerie.

Another thing worth mentioning is how the book filled with strong women, each trying in their own way to make the world a better place. Among my favorite is Lady Bhumika, the General's pregnant wife who oftenly underestimated and looked down upon. But turned out she's more than what she seems as.

The romance aspect of the book is slow burn, starting with bad notes to me but slowly getting me in. I like how the main characters navigate their relationship and start putting trust in each other. And how they overcome distrust, hurt, and vulnerabilities. The payoff from the romance buildup is really satisfying to read too. And the plus point it's queer af!

Aside from romantic, the book also revolved around familial bonds and friendship. And it also fare well in that regard.

Overall, this book left a glowing impression on me. I can really see why booktwitter folks calling it part of the sapphic trifecta of 2021. Really worth to read, recommended.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc copy of this awesome book!

A truly wonderful, gripping, epic read. I adored the protagonists: the amoral and scheming, complex sapphic characters, but also the secondary cast, with their conflicting motivations and compelling backgrounds. I haven't read an epic fantasy novel in a while that would have been this unputdownable. And the worldbuilding: expansive, fascinating, creepy in the best possible way. I loved learning about the magic and the politics, the religion and the geography. The sequel can't come soon enough.

This book was both good and bad for me. I really enjoyed the female characters Priya, Halina and Bhumika, The rest of the characters could have been side characters and the book would have been shorter and more enjoyable in my opinion. It was far too long..
The love story between Priya and Malina was very good and the attraction they had for each other was well written.
I think reading it on ebook was a mistake since I struggled with the amount of characters I found a character sheet at the back of the book which would havw been helpful throughout had I known it was there - maybe at the beginning, and although the word was well written I thought it was too big without a map. Is there a map in the paper versions?
But where the book really shined for me was the magic and the Rot. The whole temple children backstory was so well done I wanted more. The one/twice/thrice born and the deathless water aspect was fascinating. The rot that was running through towns and cities like plagues and turning people into trees was quite unsettling.
My interest in the book struggled over and over - it was just too long with too much politics and a too big world, but saying that it's set up for another book which will possibly be revenge based and I would very much be looking out for it. Tasha Suri's writing is amazing and although the book wasn't as good as I'd hoped, I'm looking forward to what else she writes in the future

Super well written, the worldbuilding is amazing, very atmospheric. I absolutely LOVE the characters, especially Priya. She's an icon. I can't wait to read the second book!

For me, the most important thing that makes or breaks a fantasy is the world-building. While this was my first Tasha Suri book, I knew she is renowned for her world-building. And her skill of creating extraordinary worlds is evident in this book. The world of The Jasmine Throne is intricate and complex, but it is never confusing. Tasha Suri introduces you to this vast empire bit by bit, which both prevents the book from becoming a huge information dump, and also keeps you intrigued and wanting for more.

The first chapter opens with a lush description of the Hiranaprastha marketplace, and I could almost hear the chatter of the crowded bazaar. When the once-great temple of Hirana is described, I could clearly picture it. The descriptions of the dark and dangerous forests of Ahiranya gave me goosebumps. It has been two months, but I can still visualise the reagent’s mahal and the vines that grew on it. The world-building is one of, if not THE strongest point of this book.

The descriptions of the Hirana and how the magic works are beautiful and mesmerizing. I loved how extensively the magic system is developed and described. Just like the yaksas of Indian mythology, the plant-based magic of the book is both life-giving and terrifying.

For the most part, The Jasmine Throne is a character-driven book. The book is told in the form of multiple POVs, which never once become confusing. All of these characters are so distinct from each other, and have their own beliefs, morals, goals and motivations. They are all morally-grey, powerful characters with tangled and complicated relationships. While there are around eight characters whose POVs we get to read, a lot of them get only a couple chapter each. The majority of the story is told from the perspective of the three badass women of Parijatdvipa, who are here to overthrow the unabashedly misogynistic empire. All of these POVs were extremely fascinating to read and I loved them. I am a fan of the depths and complexities Tasha Suri added to each character and managed to bring all of them to life.

I loved the romance between Priya and Malini, and the way it develops. Malini wants to dethrone her brother and does not hide this desire. She knows what she wants and she isn’t afraid of taking it. Whether she wants the Emperor dethroned as revenge or to save the empire from a merciless killer, is something you ask yourself at every turn.

This was the first Tasha Suri book that I read and I was absolutely blown away by her talent. The world-building, the characters, the plot, the storytelling; everything is top notch. Tasha Suri is an insanely skilled author. The moment I finished reading The Jasmine Throne, I knew I had to read the author’s other books too. Since then, I have finished Empire of Sand and started Realm of Ash, and my admiration and awe of her writing has only grown. Tasha Suri has instantly become an auto-buy for me.

This is the first in a series that promises to be exciting and gripping and I enjoyed it as it's a well written fantasy.
That said I found it a bit too slow, especially in the first part, i understand it was necessary to introduce the world and the characters but sometimes my attention wandered.
I loved the world building and the characters, Malini and Prya are very interesting and well written, and was fascinated by the complex plot.
Tasha Suri is a talented storyteller and, even if I think that the pace was bit to slow, I was fascinated by her imagination and the world she created.
I can't wait to read the next novel.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I really enjoyed this book for several reasons.

I loved the Indian elements, I loved the magic and I loved the characters - especially the supporting ones. I loved how Tasha Suri made me care about the politics even though I found them a bit overwhelming and I got a little confused.

What I didn’t like was the multiple POVs. I found some were pointless and excessive - one POV is a soldier that quickly dies which I understand is a great tactic for an author to give a point of view of a non-main character to give perspective but unfortunately it missed the mark.

I am looking forward to this series continuing … and I can’t wait for some real chemistry between Priya and Malini now that the world is built and the stage set.

I finally finished the sapphic trifecta!! (other two being: She Who Became the Sun - Shelley Parker Chan & The Unbroken - CL Clark)

I loved this book so much I’m kind of mad it took me this long to get to it. The Jasmine Throne follows several characters, primarily Priya and Malini. Priya, a maidservant with a hidden past attached to immense power, and Malini, the princess who disobeyed her (dickhead of a) brother’s wishes and was sentenced to imprisonment. The plot summary’s right there, see for yourself.

There is a war, a dictator, rebels, priests, soldiers, scholars, and royalty. So many sides that were explored with this war through changing points of view with each chapter, with both women play a significant role as well in different ways. Great worldbuilding and politics, you get morally grey and complex characters that all have their own motives, their beliefs, and way of fighting which adds so many layers to the story. If you are into fantasy books that dive into war and politics, this is definitely it.

The writing is stunning. Tasha Suri uses such beautiful imagery and metaphors, highlighted by a magic system that is so tied to nature. The author does a great job of showing not telling, both with the settings of scenes and character introductions. Just feeding a bit of information each time in such a natural way that I was dying to know more about our two main characters, every little thought and action just implies a <i>past</i> or a <i>peak</i> in their lives, I love it. This book had me <b>invested</b> from the get-go.

<i><b>“By her hands—and most importantly of all, by her magic. Every time she breathed they moved with her, as if her own rib cage were their soil, the home for their roots.”</b></i>

The pacing of the book does briefly suffer a teeny bit in the middle for me. Because the chapters are named after the person we’re following, and we’re switching quite often to get the full scope of the events happening (since our main protagonists are in one location for a significant part of the book), I found myself tiring whenever we follow another character that I did not care for (at first), or I would fail to see how this character was significant enough to be getting a whole chapter from... The pace eventually picks up again though, as the story goes on, the author manages to get you invested in and at least interested in every side characters because of how complex they are, especially with their relationships with one another. I felt like it was definitely necessary too as it relays a lot of information without relying too much on exposition/info-dumping, instead it lets us (sometimes throws us) into the room where discussions or raids are happening. I got used to the changing povs pretty quickly and it is amazing how the author manages to make me care for characters that I found annoying in previous chapters.

<b>Speaking of characters</b>, I adore the women in this book. I feel like often with books that revolve around an ongoing war or revolution, the women in these stories are often are portrayed as helpless and just passive in the overall fight. But the author made it a point to show how these women fought the fight in various ways, they’re also depicted with flaws and vulnerabilities, they have selfish wants and methods, they also have strong beliefs and values and will stick to them for the greater good. Just… To quote the little women (2019) movie: <i>“Women.”</i>

<i><b>“There is power that is showy and fierce. And there is power grown slowly, and stronger for the time spent braiding its ancient strength.”</b></i>

THE ROMANCE. This is definitely a slow burn, and my god it is worth it. I want Priya and Malini to be happy together so bad. The chemistry is off the charts, so many words that didn’t need to be said and are instead just revealed through tender glances, soft brief touches, taking care of each other, actions that slowly build to the eventual confession and I just… I root for them so much, my heart. My gay, fucking romantic heart. Both of these characters are pretty restrained and traumatized individually, they also share very different backgrounds, making these little moments feel so impactful and just make me squeal.

Overall such an exciting and interesting start to the series with well crafted and complex characters and amazing world building, pleaaaase read it. also sorry netgalley and the publisher for being several months late again.

THIS BOOK!! OMG YOU GUYS.
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My Rating [4.5/5] 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
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Read this book, if you want....
🌿Sapphic Goodness with Sass
🌿Slowburn Romance with lots and lots of angst
🌿 Knife to the throat while flirting
🌿 Amazing characters who will kill you in an instant
🌿 Badass females in sarees
🌿 Amazing dialogues and quotes that will break your heart
🌿 Lots of Sass, killing and spying
🌿 Just want a book that will break your mind and heart at the same time.
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I'll be honest. There were few instances where I felt it didn't live up to the potential of the characters, story and the plot in general. But it was such an amazing book with really solid development, characters and progress. So I definitely recommend you guys pick it up too!!
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You will thank me. Read this book.
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Thank you @shutupshealea for having me on the tour & @orbitbooks_uk for the gifted copy !

Do you enjoy reading books about morally questionable lesbians trying to overthrow an empire? Do you like your characters messy and complicated? Do you like your colonialism challenged by a world and characters that would see it all torn down and burned to the ground? Then you absolutely cannot be sleeping on The Jasmine Throne, because this is one of the best releases of the year. It's intriguing, it's driven by some absolutely phenomenal characters, it has twists and turns and revelations, it's just superb all around. I'm not overly familiar with Suri's other work, but I didn't need to be: she has completely won me over with this novel and now I am going to have to join the ranks of those waiting for the sequel to come out and have it break me and my heart again and again.

This is the story of Malini, who defies her brother by refusing to die on a pyre and is sent into exile to the Hirana, a decaying temple that was once the seat of power for Ahiranya. She's slowly losing her mind and her will to live (not helped by the fact that she's being slowly poisoned), until she encounter Priya, a maidservant with secrets of her own and a hatred of the empire that could rival Malini's. Together, they need to navigate this new-found trust and find out just what the limits of their powers are. Outside the Hirana, rebels gather to try and inflict a wound on the empire and free Ahiranya from its clutches, while a loyal band of Malini's supporters wait her escape to move against the emperor himself. Against a backdrop of magic, death and warring religions, these two women will face treachery and hard choices on their way to destiny.

I loved what Suri did with the setting. The first half of the book moves a little bit slower, as the pieces all arrive on the scene, as Malini and Priya establish a relationship and as the world is slowly unveiled. I think for some people this would be too slow of a move but I actually really enjoyed it. It allowed me to savour so much of the worldbuilding, understand all the conflicts in a lot of detail and basically just get ready for the second half, where everything really speeds up. There are skirmishes and difficult choices, characters acting monstrously and trying to deny it (as well as characters embracing their monstrous faces for the sake of a higher goal) and an ending that leaves me absolutely yearning for more. You know how some trilogies have a first book that could feasibly work as a standalone? Not The Jasmine Throne! You're in here for the long haul, baby, and I say this completely with love from the bottom of my heart because I really wanted to see what would happen next and where it would all end up.

The characters are all so incredibly well-done, from Malini and Priya through Ashok, Bhumika and even minor ones like the emperor or Vikram. They all have distinct personalities and desires, and it's actually so refreshing to be able to read a book and feel like everyone really has a part to play, even the characters who only appear for one chapter. It also ties in really well with the way that each of them approaches this theme of colonialism, the spread of empire and how to find their own way to freedom. You have some who would choose violence, death and fear to push back the empire's reach over Ahiranya, while others would look to its preservation not just for its history, but also its religion and art, things that have been driven underground by emperor Chandra's fanatical approach to religion. And then you have groups who don't even consider the idea that the empire might be split, that regions like Ahiranya might want their freedom, rather than be enslaved. It's such a fascinating dynamic because none of these people are inherently wrong and their methods for achieving their goals are brutal in different ways. It can be very easy to think that there is one solution to the problem, but the reality is that there isn't and all of them will have to make some very difficult choices in the future, I'm sure.

I don't want to say too much about the relationship between Priya and Malini, because I feel it's best experienced by the reader without too much undue influence from me as a reviewer, but suffice to say that if you enjoy slow-burn romances and hurt/comfort as a (fan)fiction trope, then you will definitely enjoy this book. They are just such an interesting couple and being able to see their own points of view on their actions, even when they don't share it with the other person, makes for a much more interesting and fascinating read. I was completely hooked on it and basically by the end I kept making vague grabby hands at thin air because I can't believe I am going to have to wait another year for it. I have no idea how I will cope, seriously.

The Jasmine Throne is a bold new entry into the epic fantasy genre and I truly can't wait to see what happens next.

I absolutely loved this book. The character are compelling, well written and each one of them had their own voice. The world building and specificaly the magic system were very well thought and put together (but who does not like a good botanical magic system). The writting and the story were flowing and captivating, and I wish the next volume was out already !

This was my first experience with Tasha Suri's writing. The premise sounded amazing, I had heard nothing but amazing things about this book previously, and think that might have left me with extremely high expectations that would be hard for anyone to meet. Unfortunately this seems to have been the case, to a degree.
Don't get me wrong, I still very much enjoyed the story in general and was very intrigued by the characters, but it didn't quite blow me away the same way it seems to have done with so many other people.
I felt the best thing about this book was definitely the amazing cast of diverse characters it introduces to the reader. I loved that they're flawed and morally grey and still have more hidden depths to reveal in future books.
However, as a premise that is meant to revolve around political intrigue, I felt the storytelling fell slightly short in that regard. People's motives are generically vague and I think it was to the detriment of the story not to have more of the background work laid out from right from the beginning.
I will very likely be checking out the next book in the series and have hopes that I will enjoy it more as the plot progresses but for now I'm left with a lukewarm reaction to The Jasmine Throne.

Wow, what a beautiful new story from Tasha Suri. I loved Tasha Suri's previous books and this one was even better if that was possible. We get a beautiful sapphic romance set in a lyrical and rich setting. Suri has the ability to complete transport you into the book and just fall in love with everything.