I was so excited when I heard about this one. I've read Suri's previous books and loved them, and The Jasmine Throne has certainly continued that trend. The prose is absolutely spectacular, I could sit and read the author's writing all day long, and that was prepared with some truly magical world-building. The world of The Jasmine Throne was wonderfully realised, and I loved all the layers and little details that permeated the book, from the nature-based magical system, to the political intrigue. This was a world to lose yourself in, and I happily did so. The characters were rich and compelling too, and the central relationship was everything I wanted and more - and one of the main reasons I was so excited for this book, and I love both Priya and Malini with my whole heart.
My only problem with this one was the pacing, particularly towards the start of the book. This was a book that took it's time, and while that certainly did add to the richness and depth of The Jasmine Throne, it also sometimes caused my attention to wander. However, overall I loved this book and I can't wait for the next one.

While the blurb of The Jasmine Throne attracted me from the very first time I read about it, the book was WAY better than my expectations. If your thing is character-driven, Indian inspired fantasy with feminist themes, morally grey lesbians and angsty romance, this book is for you. The book features close to 10 POVs executed perfectly and an exciting storyline that keeps you on your toes.

The main characters are females of vastly different backgrounds and skills but each more impressive than the next- Priya, Malini and Bhumika. The other POV’s support their journeys in the overall plot. Since this is the first book in a series, the story progresses slowly as the focus was more on developing the characters and building a solid foundation for the plot – so don’t go in expecting a lot of twists and turns. Each character is beautifully developed and depicts a woman rising against the oppression by empire in her own unique manner.

Priya is a lowly maidservant who has magic in her veins and a tragic secret past which she tries hard to put behind her. Malini on the other hand is the sister of the emperor who defied a horrifying death by burning in the name of purification, and is hence left to languish in the ancient temple of Hirana, where she comes across Priya. The third character is Bhumika, who is the wife of a general and shares some history with Priya. She is level-headed and kind with protective instincts, but rises to the occasion when required. The three narratives are vastly different but inextricably tangled in history, ambition, familial bonding and love.

While the Sapphic romance is an integral part of the book, there is so much more to the characters and the plot beyond the romance, which makes my heart so happy. The Jasmine Throne delves into theme of a misogynistic empire trying to confine the women and others it sees as “impurities” to stereotypes or eliminate them altogether, and the oppressed fighting back in their own ways.

The slow but heady romance between Priya and Malini has ALL MY HEART – there is manipulation, seduction, yearning, rage, conflict, passion and so much more. There is very little actual romance and a lot of slow-burn, but that just gives more depth to the dynamic these two share. Both the women are hardened by circumstances and are very individualistic and ambitious, but the romance brings out a very beautiful, tender facet to their personalities. Most importantly, the romance angle does not overshadow their individual personas and narratives, rather complements it gorgeously.

Another dynamic that I absolutely loved was one shared between Priya, Bhumika and Ashok, characters who share the same bloody and tragic history as her. Each of them have taken different approaches to deal with what they’ve been through, which puts them in conflict with each other. However, the shared history lends their relationship a bittersweet familial bond which cannot be ignored under any circumstance.

I am super stoked to read the next book in the series and I can feel that it will be even better than this one!

I unfortunately did not finish this, I couldn't get into the writing style or connect with the main characters.

I am a huge fan of Tasha Suri's books so The Jasmine Throne was, of course, one of my most anticipated books of the year. Unsurprisingly, I absolutely loved it!

When I think of Suri's books, there are a few things that leap to mind:
- Gorgeous worldbuilding
- Beautiful and unique magic systems
- Amazing female characters
- Fantastic, slow burn romances

All of these things are featured in The Jasmine Throne, and I couldn't be more in love with this book.

Suri builds a beautiful, yet tumultuous world with conflicts across politics, religion, social class, and the colonial government. This world is so lush that it comes to life on the page -- this is one of those rare fantasy books where, despite the magic, it genuinely feels like a real place. The magic infused in this world is haunting and gorgeous -- I love nature horror and this book surprisingly scratched that itch. Between the rot and the deathless waters, Suri has once again proved she's one of the best worldbuilders in the business.

The Jasmine Throne showcases strong female characters, but each woman is so individual and different. They are complicated, morally grey, and fantastic women that are willing to fight for what they believe is right. Suri showcases different kinds of strength through her characters: they are physically strong (Priya), have the emotional fortitude to prop up empires (Malani), and willing to do whatever it takes to save the people they love, no matter the personal cost (Bhumika). The relationships, both romantic and familial, are so incredibly intricate and Suri weaves incredibly connections between her characters.

I could go on and on (and on) about how much I loved this book. If you're a fan of Tasha Suri's previous books, you'll love this ambitious and bold fantasy book. I could not recommend it more highly!

I love Empire of sand by Tasha Suri and I was so excited to receivre The jasmine throne in advance. Sadly this book wasn't as enjoyable as I expected.

I think my main complain is the writing style, I love the way Tasha write in Empire of Sand, and I wanted to have this poetic way, sadly I find this book a bit flat, nothing scream at me, nothing really feel unique. And sadly that why I think I didn't get into this book as much.

The characters seem great on paper but I didn't connect with them. Priya wasn't really active she kind of wait for something to force her to act, and I don't really like this kind of characters, Malini was kind of no-existent in this first book as a drugged person it's king of normal but she seems so great if you listen to the other characters and I wish the sequel will show her potential.

For the plot everything seems so slow, it's a characters driven book, and sadly I didn't connect so the plot wasn't that strong to me.
I don't have that much to said, sadly this book didn't work for me but it could for others.

4.5 stars

This book was so good! I absolutely cannot wait for the second book!
I'm a sucker for fantasy books with lots of worldbuilding and I loved the world Suri created, all the different kingdoms, the politics, the religions and beliefs, the magic. It's all so well developped and I can't wait to learn more in the next books.
And the characters are wonderful, they're all so complex and well written. Having so many POVs scared me at first, I thought I'd never remember that many characters but it was beautifully done and very useful to the story.
If you like morally grey lesbians who want to overthrow an empire you're in for a treat.

This arc was provided by Orbit, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

TW: homophobia, gore, violence, execution by immolation, forced drug use

I wish I could write the most eloquent and remarkable review but the main thing that comes into my mind whenever I think about The Jasmine Throne is how the waterfall scene will live rent-free on my mind.

This is not only an incredibly written and complex fantasy novel about forbidden magic, the characters are so vibrant and memorable, you can't help but be hooked by the narrative. I usually dislike multiple POVs, especially by non-main characters but I have no complaints when it comes to this book.

The Jasmine Throne is a compelling read, Priya and Malini are going to stay in my mind for a very long time. I just *clenches fist* love them.

Tasha Suri's writing is incredibly beautiful, and I adored the sapphic yearning, lush world-building, and complex politics in this book. While the start was slow and purposeful, I did get a bit impatient and in that vein, I almost gave up on the book. But oh, what a mistake that would have been! Morally grey lesbians longing for each other and longing to incinerate a stifling empire is such a vibe and I can't wait for the rest of the trilogy to be out!

Firstly, thanks to Hodder and Netgalley for sending me an EARC of the Jasmine Throne.

My masterpiece for a soul - this book knocked me out. I devoured it and took periodic breaks to shout about it to my fiancee before coming back. I will be selling this book to anyone and everyone looking for new fantasy. It's so good.

I can't say much without spoiling the magic of this book but I can say that this is some of the best lesbian representation I've seen in fantasy in a long time. Priya and Malini each have their own corners of my heart but Priya - oh, Priya - she's immovable, she's fierce, she's this fiery beating heart at the center of this book and I'm obsessed. God. I want more lesbian stories like this and if Tasha Suri decides she wanted to write all of them, I wouldn't complain.

That's a really long sentence. Anywho. If you were pondering reading this - go do it. It deserves it. The only minor critique I have is that the many perspectives confused me a little to begin with. (There are a few.) Everything else knocked me head over heels.

The Jasmine Throne is a desi fantasy set in a world of magic and politics and misogynistic, patriarchal leaders. In the midst of it all we have our two main leads – Priya and Malini, one a servants-maid and one a princess in exile. Along with them are a host of varied side characters who play major roles too. When Priya and Malini’s paths collide, they have to trust each other – despite being from the enemy lines – and help to save each other’s lives. What follows is a stunning tale of love, family, loyalty and strength.


This was my first book from Tasha Suri and I was very impressed with the writing from the first line itself. Suri’s writing flow is marvelous and has a beautiful, lyrical charm to it. The narration was smooth and seamlessly fell into place with the varying POVs. From the first few lines itself I was completely drawn to the story and the world that was created. The world building was definitely one of the strongest parts of this book, followed by the characters.


The author built a fantastic world that felt so familiar and real. With the story taking place in different settings, we get to see contrasts between the places throughout. Most of the first half of the book took place in the sacred and feared, difficult to traverse Hiranya, which was a place that intrigued me the most. Then there was the Sangam and the temple, the deathless waters, which was another interesting element. As I said, the world building was perfect and detailed enough to arouse an image on my mind. The author took much care with the minute details, which added so much flair to the reading experience. For those not accustomed to the desi terms and references, the writing surely made it easy to visualize.


The visual aspect of the book was super on point. From the setting to the characters’ descriptions and their emotions, everything was so visually described that you cannot help but picture it playing out in your mind. The characters were another aspect that made reading so much exciting.
Right from the main characters to the side characters, everyone had distinctive personalities and aided strongly to the plot. What more – they all were so interesting to read about. Priya and Malini – although different in their upbringing – were very much alike despite. And the little kindling romance between the two was just adorable. Slow burn adorable! Ashok, Prem, Bhumika, Rukh and all the others were carefully crafted characters with their own secrets, and kept me wondering who to trust and who not to. It was a ride, I’d say.

Throughout, I was at the edge of my seat with these characters as I couldn’t bring myself to trust any. I loved Priya but at times I also judged her decisions, I won’t lie. Malini was a character who I was the most unsure about, and still am to be honest. But all together, they came in to create one hell of an adventure.


The plot now was the tricky part. Since I had no prior idea because I decided not to read the blurb, I was totally unaware of anything. The first few ten chapters were super intriguing that kept me hooked, as I hungrily turned every page to know more. However, the mid half of the book fell flat. For a couple of another twenty or thirty chapters, things moved so slowly that I almost lost my interest and in turn, it took me a couple of days to pick it up again. However, the story picked up pace once again, after which all the exciting things started happening.


One of the best parts was reading about all the desi references. The perfect descriptions of the food and the clothes, of the women and girls in beautiful sari, fighting in those clothes. It always warms my heart to read and visualize about women fighting in sari – there’s just something very homely about reading this on a Young Adult fantasy. You can well spot the South Asian influence on the story and it’s elements and I totally cheered for it!


The plot itself is a complex web of loyalty, survival, women power, strength and love. It is very cleverly woven, each subplot points carefully woven into the main plot with precise details. I loved how each character had their own arc and story of sorts, which made it much more thrilling to follow along beside them too.
But one of the things that took me back a bit while reading this was the lot of character POVs. There were just so many, and not in any sequential or patterned manner. Different character POVs kept popping up late or in between, and sometimes they didn’t play as big a part. The excess of characters made it a little difficult in actually getting into the story at first, I won’t lie. With each being in a supposed different setting initially, that took more time to let sink in.


However, it becomes easier by the middle. The bits of magical realism and scientific elements infused only makes the plot further complex as well as fascinating.


The Jasmine Throne is ultimately a high fantasy with clever plot and character craft that is bound to keep the readers hooked. I loved the fact that the story wasn’t just one dimensional but had so many layers that we as readers are left to unpeel as we progress. The end chapter was very chilling and I’m so excited to see where the story goes next.

The Jasmine Throne was a delight to read. Filled with complex characters, lush descriptions and a mysterious magic, I loved reading this book. Through Suri’s detailed writing, I could easily fall into this Indian inspired fantasy and picture what was happening with ease.

It took me a while to get used to the multiple points of view but slowly the strong voices of Priya, Malini and Bhumika became distinguishable, each with their own powerful personalities. I do think that some of the perspectives were unnecessary to the central storyline and could have been left out.

I think one of my favourite tropes in fantasy is when different storylines and perspectives finally meet up. It builds so much tension and almost always has such a fantastic payoff. The pacing of this book is very slow. It does help build that tension before certain characters cross paths but towards the end, I felt like the action didn’t pack enough punch and I was left a little bit bored in the last few chapters. I was expecting a more explosive end to the book and felt a bit let down.

The connections between the characters is what I loved most about the book. I adored every interaction between Malini and Priya. They were fleshed out characters before they meet but somehow became more real once they appeared together on the page. It was magical to read. Their romance got my heart beating faster and I loved that one scene with the waterfall.

What impressed me so much is the unique magic system. There is something about plants burrowing themselves under the skin of people and transforming them that I love so much. It’s the type of body horror I ADORE seeing in books and this particular brand of plant body horror was perfectly executed.

I loved the conversations surrounding religion in this book too, especially surrounding purity in religion and what the right way of practicing religion is distorted and manipulated by those in power.

Overall, I am beyond excited for the Oleander Sword and I would highly recommend this book to people who love high fantasy and would like to try something unique and different. The female characters really made this book spectacular. I do hope that the second book has a bit more action though.

The Jasmine Throne is an epic fantasy inspired by Indian history and epics, with powerful, morally grey lesbians and a horrifying disease which cannot be explained creating fear and horror among everyone.

This book is all about the yearning, powerful women and political intrigue - some of my favourite things and I enjoyed them all a lot. I loved the dynamic between Priya and Malini and how they would do anything to get what they wanted and yet somehow, the other worms their way into a special place in the other's heart.

The book is a little slow, but that in no way means there is a lack of action. In fact, there are many interesting details being revealed to us one by one that come together beautifully to make up the climax of the book and lead perfectly into a new set of questions and possibilities arising, which I can't wait to discover in the next book.

This book is about the women - mainly Priya and Malini, but also Bhumika, all of whom have their goals and visions that they'd give anything to see happen and how they don't back down. No matter if people vilify them and call them monsters, they have their purposes that they will achieve and who can resist characters like that?

This book had great elements which were all came together nicely and I am excited to see where the plot will go in the next book!

A review of the first book of a new adult fantasy series today, one I’ve taken a few days to mull over so I can be sure what I really think of it. I loved Tasha’s first book, Empire of Sand when I read it a few years ago (and the stand alone sequel, Realm of Ash is still on my wish list) and while The Jasmine Throne I think will kick off a series that is much richer and more complex, and while the writing was still brilliant, for me it did not have that same addictive quality that Realm of Ash did which had me staying up to read late into the night.

Malini may be an Imperial Princess, but she’s been imprisoned in the Hirana, an ancient, magical temple with a mind of its own and the site of a horrific act by her dictator brother. Priya is a maidservant with a past that makes her something more, but that she’s desperate to keep a secret, happy to hide within a life of drudgery. But when Malini accidentally bears witness to the truth of her, the two women are thrown together in a way that might just change both their destinies, as well as that of the entire empire.

I enjoyed the rich world building and the beautiful writing, but I think what made this book slightly less than perfect for me was I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters (or their romance) - I know they were not supposed to be sympathetic, but I think it is the characters more than anything else that really draws me into a book - I also felt that the same story could happen in less pages and it could have been snappier. However, one device I really loved in the book which was a benefit of the sheer number of pages was how in some chapters we got behind the eyes of random people we only ever met once as a way of showing us what was happening elsewhere from the perspectives of the people Priya and Malini’s actions will impact. It made the storytelling special in a way of not seen before.

The Bone Shard Daughter springs to mind as a book I absolutely ADORED last year, that, which, if you also enjoyed I really think The Jasmine Throne is worth you seeking out a copy of too.

this book was really good ! I liked the characters although it was slow in starting! The plot of the book was amazing and it was so diverse! Will recommend it you !

If you were a fan of The Poppy War Trilogy this absolutely has to be your next series to read!
Malini's dictator brother has imprisoned her for not dying as she was meant to, in a patriarchal society living as a woman is almost treason, Priya, a maidservant who cleans the Hirana where Malini is kept, is trying to live quietly whilst helping those in need but she has a secret. When this secret is revealed to Malini through an accident their destinies become entwined as each realises the other may have the power to give them what they desire and change the fate of the empire.
This book is epic grimdark fantasy with LGBTQIA+ representation and was absolutely phenomenal. The main female characters were all amazing all so different and strong in their own rights. Incredible world building as well as character development and the nuances of politics in this world which are intriguing. The combinations of different character's points of view was very well done and the different veins of the story woven together to create this amazing tale. The addition of various details specific to South Asia made the world even more vivid as I could easily imagine everything the story described. The review I saw that made me want to read this was "morally grey lesbians" and if that is what you want with high fantasy and high stakes this is the perfect trilogy for you. The romance is enemies to lovers but with lots of twists and turns and had been intrigued despite my usual distaste for romance plots in fantasy. The twist at the end was incredible and I absolutely can't wait for the rest of the series!

I really enjoyed reading this Indian mythology-inspire adult fantasy. The world feels so authentic and unique. In fact, the world in combination with an extremely accessible writing style and morally grey characters narrates a story which is both immersive and entertaining.

The story is told through multiple POVs but the two main characters are Malini, who is an exiled princess and Priya, who has been appointed as Malini's maid servant, while Malini is imprisoned in an ancient temple of Priya's people. I loved both these ladies, they are completely different from each other but both of them shows so much strength and courage when facing such bleak situations. However, I would have really liked if their romance underwent some more development. The author has left things pretty much open at this point so I would love to see how it goes in the future books but I wasn't really onboard with the romance in this one.

There are other significant characters such as Ashok, Bhumika and Rao whose POVs we get and I really liked seeing the world and story unfold through so many varied characters with such varied values and ethics.

Overall, this is a story of rebellion and oppression as much as it is of Magic. I loved how seamlessly the author combined the two in the narrative. I loved seeing the opposing views on rebellion and how it must be carried out and I loved the twisted relationship that existed between different characters. I look forward to seeing how the story will progress.

With thanks to Netgalley, Little,Brown Book Group UK, Orbit and Tasha Suri for an advance eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Well this was excellent. In a nutshell - morally grey, sapphic romance, South Asian fantasy full of consequences, questionable loyalties, and power struggles.

This has been one of my anticipated reads ever since I found out about it. And it did not disappoint. It's a very vivid and intense read, there is some very dark and disturbing moments which give it a macabre and realistic depth. There are several character perspectives which builds the story in such a way that even the 'villainous' characters can be sympathised with.

The magical elements were really interesting, nature based and very spiritual. I often struggle with abstract concepts but the descriptions of the Deathless Waters and the sangam - both spiritual mystical spaces - was particularly good.

The characters exist in a patriarchal society but also under an imperial regime, where they are very much repressed. The female characters, the peace-bearing religious figures, the poor, the sick and the young are all suffering under the regime of Emperor Chandra, who has a particularly cruel streak to him, who burns women upon pyres to religiously 'purify' them. His sister Malini is imprisoned by his order for refusing to go to the pyre and burn, and she is mistreated in her exile, poisoned and weakened. She is devising a plot to dethrone her brother and crown her eldest brother Aditya. Chandra has her imprisoned in a mystical temple called the Hirana, to her horror it is the setting of an historical burning of a group of temple children and their religious elders, ordered to burn by Chandra and the Regent.
Priya, the only survivor of that incident, is now a maidservant, and ends up becoming lady in waiting to Malini. Her sister Bhumika is married to the Regent who killed their siblings. These three women seek to change everything. But there are morally grey aspects to all of these threads, and the revelations that we come across and the different perspectives flesh out such a great story.

There are two things in particular that make this a great beginning to a series - the first is that the romance between Priya and Malini is complex, and builds over the course of the entire book. It is not the 'instant attraction' pitfall that many authors use; and they make difficult choices, instead of blindly following each other they choose duty over what they want i.e. each other. Tough for them, but satisfying to read!

The second thing, which is an absolute must for me now with a series, is a clear, closed ending for the first chapter in the series. Rather than an abrupt cliffhanger or dead-end it is nuanced and intriguing. At the end of this first book our three main female protagonists have all taken a stand, completed a journey, and undergone a metamorphosis. There is very much a resolution to what we've read so far but a great hook for wanting to read on. Such good writing.

I should have known going in that I would love this book, but I wasn't prepared for just how much. The Jasmine Throne, and the characters that reside in it carved out a little place in my heart, and I was absolutely blown away by Suri's epic storytelling.

Imprisoned by her brother for refusing to burn Malini spends her days in isolation, drugged by the keepers sent by her brother, knowing that death is coming for her one way or another. Priya is a servant in the regents household, forced to face the treacherous journey up the Hirana to clean the Princess' chambers, fearing that someone will discover her secret. But a chance encounter places the two close together and before long they realise that they both have power, power that could be used to save all of Parijatdvipa. But the gap between Priya and Malini, Parijati and Ahiranyi may be too big to bridge.

The Jasmine Throne is told from a multitude of POV's, each bringing something different but equally important to the story, and while every POV has their part to play Priya and Malini were by far the main characters of this book. Priya has been living a life in the shadows after the Hirana burnt along with her brothers and sisters, as a servant in the regents household she puts her position to good use, using her wages to ensure the safety of children and attempting to save who she can from the rot, a disease that has been plaguing Ahiranya since the fire. She has hidden the part of herself that was once a temple child so far down that she can hardly remember it, but when the Princess arrives and she is sent back to the Hirana to serve her, Priya's memories start returning and show a history different from the one she remembers.

Malini is stuck between her two brothers, one a bully who desires nothing but power and the other a coward who has the power to change Parijatdvipa but not the will. She has never been strong, but she could not live if her brother Chandra remained on the throne and so strong she became. Sent to Ahiranya because she refused to burn to purify herself, she has resigned herself to death by either her brothers hand, or the slow wilting away of life she is sure will happen once she is locked away. She would rule, if only she wasn't born a woman, but she suffers at least knowing that the plan she put into action will come to fruition. She will see her brother off the throne one way or another, for his cruelty and dismissiveness of those he see's as lesser are sure to bring war to a continent already on the edge.

Through the different POV's Suri shows the contrast between those with a thirst for power, and those that do not wish for it but were born to lead. There are too many POV's to name a go through every single one, though some of my favourites were Rao and Bhumika. Rao is a Prince of Alor, and a friend to Aditya, the brother that Malini is trying so hard to get on the throne. His religion tells that each person is born with a true name, one that tells them their purpose in life, and his is tied to Malina. Bhumika is the wife of the regent of Ahiranya, she holds a secret close to her chest, one that could see her killed, and though some may see her choices as a weakness, we can see the strength it would have taken to make the decision as well as her reasoning behind it. It's so hard to talk about some of the POV's without giving away spoilers, but they all play an important part in furthering the story.

While in some stories POV's of this multitude might make it seem disjointed, Suri twines them all together seamlessly, interweaving them so you never quite know what will happen next. You're never a step ahead of the characters, instead you come to the realisations at they same time they do which makes it easier to feel as though you are a part of the story yourself, and ensures you stay invested in the outcome.

With Jasmine Throne Suri creates a masterclass in worldbuilding. She effortlessly brings Parijatdvipa , Ahiranya and all their neighbouring cultures to life and establishes a continent that you feel you can traverse with ease. Through the multitude of POV's we get little insights into the different cultures, their beliefs and their religions and while some have a larger part to play in the story Suri leaves no stone unturned in ensuring you have a wealth of knowledge about the world you are travelling in. My favourite of the religions by far were those of Priya and The Ahiranyi people. Their belief in the Yaksa, ancient God's who died and now bestow their powers via the deathless waters to those deemed worthy. As well as Rao and the Aloran people's belief in the 'nameless ones.' According to their beliefs each person is born with a true name that is also a prophecy, they are unable to tell their true names until the time of the prophecy arrives. These are also the two religions that play the biggest roles in the story.

I was promised a slow burn, partly enemies to lovers and partly two idiots in love romance and that was what I got by the boat load. The romance between Priya and Malini was slow to come but absolutely worth the wait, they know it is forbidden, and even it it wasn't a Parijati and Ahiranyi together would been seen as strange enough, never mind a Princess and a servant, but they will take what little time together they can get. We also get treated so a host of other relationships, some romantic, some familial, some simply friendship but Suri ensure's everyone weaves it's way into your heart. I defy you to not get emotionally invested in the relationships and their outcomes.

The Jasmine Throne is definitely a slow burning story, but Tasha spends her time wisely. In the first part of the book we get introduced to the politics of her continent, who rules who, who has the true power, as well as meeting all of the players. While some may say this was too slow, I love getting these introductions to fictional worlds, especially when done as elegantly as this. The pace does pick up in the second half with plenty of action scenes thrown in as well as some truly epic fighting with magic and I found it incredibly hard to tear my eyes away from the pages. Suri has once again created a book and world that I struggled to leave and I can guarantee this book will make my favourites of the year, if not all time.

4.5 stars!
Loved it so much. Can’t wait for the sequel now!! So glad the book was written in multiple POVs! I don’t read fantasies often but the blurb was so appealing. I loved everything about the book! Indian inspired, the love story, the prophecies and the characters are so well written! Ahhhh I am looking forward to read the next book! Thankyou Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Uk for the arc in exchange of my honest review.

Not sure what I was getting myself into. I've never read by the author before but I was hoping for a diverse cast and an interesting plotline with some magic. And that is exactly what I got.

The story itself is an intricate web neatly spun by the author. The many narrators gave interesting points of view that expanded the story-verse. The story never went on a tangent that was unexpected or questionable. There were always leads leading towards the end and it all made sense even though I had healthy questions making me intrigued about the sequel in the end.

The magic is fascinating. It's all surrounding nature and growing things but the most interesting thing is the way you have it. Not everyone has the ability, it's given to you through a form of sacrifice/baptism event. If you survive that your fine and have powers to control growing mediums. It's really cool!