This was an excellent sequel to the Jasmine Throne. I think this series would be great for readers of YA fantasy who want to get into adult fantasy. The plot moves quickly and the writing is beautiful, yet accessible.

It delves deeper into its themes of religion and power. I love to see queer girls be violent and make questionable choices! The relationship between our main characters developed a lot in this one and I really appreciated their complex dynamic.

Tasha Suri is an auto-buy author for me at this point. Everything she writes is exceptional and this is no exception. The Oleander Sword is a breath-taking follow-up to The Jasmine Throne. I am honestly awed by Suri's writing at every turn. I am so in love with this world and it's characters, the immaculate writing, and the dense plot. This trilogy might be a little "slow" as compared to many fantasy books, but that's the beauty of the story. I've rarely seen such character driven fantasy and I love it so, so, so much. Absolutely cannot wait for the conclusion. I'm sure Suri will blow it out of the water, as always!

Thank you NetGalley for an e-arc of this book. The Jasmine Throne (vol 1) is one of my favourite book of all time. It has the best characters I have read in a while. So, I was incredibly excited The Oleander Sword was available. I was a little nervous as I had very high expectations for this book, but I shouldn't have been nervous because this is incredible.

I loved being back in this world with these characters. Priya and Malini are my favourite and I wanted to see more about them. The only thing I can complain is that this was to short and I just want more. I cannot wait for the 3rd volume.

It's an intense sequel that will wow those who adored the first. It felt more like a drag to read and not as memorable as the first. Normally, multi-perspective novels are a hit for me, but I hardly felt interested in the perspectives outside of Malini and Priya.

I absolutely adored this sequel!

I think it's extremely accomplished. Even though I struggled with connecting to the characters in the first book, I was pretty much immediately hooked here. Every single POV felt like it had its own purpose and I think The Oleander Sword is an incredible, meticulous set-up for what's to come in the third book while still being able to hold its own.

Personally, I was also a big fan of the pacing, the characters in general, all the intricate storylines we followed throughout the book, and I liked the ending as well. I especially appreciated how the relationship between Malini and Priya changed, too - it was another thing I didn't really connected to in the first book but it gave me actual, literal chills here. I think I had goosebumps at least four or five times over the course of this book.

Tasha Suri's writing overall read much stronger and I just loved, loved, loved this sequel. I think it will ultimately be my favorite book in the trilogy because it has everything I like. Characters, twists, ruthlessness, love, epic love-related speeches, protagonists behaving antagonistically - ugh. Tasty. So good.

The Oleander Sword is the sequel to The Jasmine Throne, the second in The Burning Kingdoms Trilogy. I was surprised to find that I enjoyed this book much more than the first - I don't believe it suffered from second book syndrome at all. The first book was very political and heavy on world building. In comparison, this sequel was all action, filled with magical battles and a a triumphant fight for a throne. And boy, what an ending... I normally get frustrated at cliffhangers when you have to wait so long for the next book but this was executed really well and instead of frustrated I'm merely impatient and excited to continue the story.

I really loved the first book and so I was excited to continue the story but unfortunately this book disappointed me. It suffered from second book syndrome and I just found it very slow and got bored waiting for something to happen.

The catchphrase that can accompany this book is definitely true, a much-awaited sequel. This book came off as a better book than the first, a rare feat in my experience. That said, the reason that it has such an impact is because of the foundation laid for all of the relationships in the first visit.
I would not recommend picking this up without having read the previous one.
In this series, in the first book, we were introduced to a single evil ruler whose ambitions had driven him insane. By the time the book came to a close, we had a lot more factions to contend with, each having its own agenda. Morally gray is an understatement in this world. The world is seeped in personal wants and needs that counter some of the bigger goals.
We have two main parts of the story, one where the queen is trying to establish a kingdom and struggling with the fact that the people are more used to a man being in charge. On the other side is an elder of the Temple, who has made one too many deals with another world to back out now. The ending was unexpected, and I cannot imagine where things will go in the next book!
This is an entirely different kind of fantasy book than any I have read before, one where the names roll off my tongue easier than the Norse ones or other such, and that is just one of the reasons I enjoyed my experience with it.
I know this review may not make sense without an inkling of what the series is about, but the books do a wonderful job of introducing concepts before immersing the reader in the plot. The main reason it is not a five-star read for me is that, at heart, I am still a happily-ever-after person, and these kinds of stories will never have that!
I highly recommend picking this up if you have any interest in war-like fantasy books.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publisher but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

The Oleander Sword is the sequel to The Jasmine Throne and what a sequel, this manages to keep up the pace of the previous book and even take the action and drama to an even more intense place. I was gripped from the beginning p, these books are just so immersive from the world building/magic systems to well constructed and thoroughly believable characters, it’s just wonderful. I absorbed it all and at the end I still have so many questions that I need to know the answer to, more betrayals and fighting, just everything I wanted and needed, I cannot wait for the conclusion, seriously I can’t

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

One of my favourite fantasies of 2021 returns with a ruthless brutality to her, and dear me she's even more awesome for it.... Tasha Suri continues Priya, Malini, and Bhumika's journeys against the fanatic Chandra hellbent on sending his sister Malini to a fiery death and the rot that plagues Ahiranya. Military stratagems are afoot, and heartrending twists and sacrifices are abound in this vengeful new installment of The Burning Kingdoms series. The Oleander Sword dives deep into the politics, divided loyalties, and serves delectable anguish in its ending; setting the stage for its grueling climax in the final book (coming soon, I hope!)

The Oleander sword picks up straight from the previous book. We dive in the deep end with fantastic magic systems, loveable characters with an underlying LGBT current. This book is tense, adventurous and mysterious. I can't wait to read the sequel!

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded down)

Thank you so much to Little Brown Book Group/Orbit and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book.

It feel like an age since I read the last book. I feel like a recap would have been a good idea to help the reader recall everything that had gone on-as there is a lot!

I really enjoyed this book, I love the writing style and the world-I do think like so many second books in a trilogy that this one wasn’t as engaging as the first. It was all setting up and action and less time to continue to get to know the characters and expand on the world building.

Looking forward to the last instalment!

So I'll start by saying that my dumbass didn't realise it was a sequel, so I started reading this book by buying the first part. And the first thing I noticed was the thickness. Because, let's be honest, both are bricks. And as much as it scared me at first, as I kept reading I realised there couldn't be anything less. The pacing was quite fast, and the cast of characters was so large it never felt boring. I absolutely loved every single chapter, every plot twist and every event seemed to be planned so carefully, so thought-through it made a perfect sense and left me completely satisfied. I'm so glad I've got this one through netgalley because I'm not sure if I'd pick it up in the store. on the other hand - come on. lesbians. that's a very good selling point.

I was so so excited for this sequel, and I was right to be. This was an excellent follow up to The Jasmine Throne, we got more into the minds of the characters and the dynamics we were introduced to in book 1. It was interesting to read Malini trying to keep her claim to the throne and battle with the choices she has made and makes throughout this installment. Something that surprised me was Bhumika, and how much I loved her POV, she was just a side character to me in book 1, one I didn't really care about, but she shone in this and I love the development of the magic and religion she encounters in this world. The Yaksa were truly creepy too, their presence promises an unpredictable and intriguing 3rd installment that excites me more than the other half of this story (especially because of Priya?? the angst this promises is truly great). My only complaint would be that it does suffer a little from 2nd book syndrome and seems to lose it's purpose half way through and takes too long to remember what is supposed to happen. But I'm okay with that because instead we got great character development moments.

The way this book had me screaming means I need all of you to delight in the suffering that is forbidden romance and the burning of an empire.

One thing I love about Tasha Suri's books is that they always hit when it comes to romance. Yes, they do politics, and magic, and stabby stabby, but the romance. It just. Gets me.

The Oleander Sword was one of the books I was most looking forward to last year and as is sometimes the case, life gets in the way even though you're sending virtual crying emojis to your friends because you got a digital arc. That you didn't read.

For ages.

Happily bought it on release day and finally. FINALLY. I got to read it.

And like I said I said with the opening, I was screaming.

Malini. My baby. Love you. Bhumika. Step on me. Rao. Let's not. I can't even.

The full cast of characters absolutely shone, even my love to hate little zealot who likes to burn women. So well written.

I for one, can't wait to read the finale and as the first of the sequels in The Glorious Saphic Trifecta, The Oleander Sword was wonderful.

I don't know how else to express my love for this book apart from just screaming

oh
my
god

tasha suri
how dare you
I love you but how dare you

If you've read the Jasmine Throne then you'll need to read this sequel. It carries in the same world and writing style which is very comforting because it helps to continue reading along the storyline.
The character development is interesting as it continues to follow Maldini and Priya along their journey. I definitely enjoyed this one and continue to love this authors work

I really love this world, the characters and the plot! Its not lacking in any aspect!

In this book we’re following Malini as she tries to claim the throne from her tyrannical brother and become the first Empress, there’s politics, plotting and war and I loved watching a woman try and manoeuvre as a leader in a patriarchal world.
Of course her love story with Priya continues in this book along with Priya learning that her magic comes with a price.

We’re also following Bhumika as she faces a powerful, seemingly undefeatable enemy.

For this being a 2nd book in a series it wasn’t useless filler, it moved the story along perfectly, well paced and interesting with betrayal and deaths. Strong women facing impossible odds and playing the political long game.

I loved this book so much and I can’t believe I have to wait until 2024 for the next book!

I must say ‘the rot’ creeps me out beyond belief, flowers sprouting from every inch of your skin makes me itch and feel so uncomfortable…I love it!

honestly i want so much more from these books, this was a stunning read, The Oleander Sword was beautifully written and immersive, the world that Tasha Suri created and shares with us is something else entirely From the magic system to the engaging characters that are within themselves so complex. This book has brought so much development since the first book and i loved the fact that romance was not the main focus or plot of this story but it is still there in the back ground. I really did enjoy reading The Oleander Sword and can not wait to read the third book..

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to have this e-arc

What a fantastic sequel this was, with much development since the first. I'm glad that the romance was still only an element of the book rather than a main focus, though I did still enjoy it. I will definitely pick up the third book.