Fantasy novel involving magic - quite good.

This novel revolves around two main characters, Shakti and Ashoka, both trying to save the mayakari witches in their own way from the Emperor. The chapters tend to alternate between each character and the book ends on a cliffhanger, prompting the next part of the story. Some reviews that i have read criticise the language and I can understand why to some extent: I, for instance, don't feel that the Yiddish word" spiel" fits the narrative. however it's a well-told tale, quite enjoyable and engaging. Lovers of fantasy fiction will probably appreciate it. I'm in two minds about it but will probably see where the author is going with the plot. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this book! While it didn’t blow me away, the plot flowed well and was fast paced enough to keep me fully engaged.
I liked prince Ashoka, even if his pacifism did get a tiny bit grating after a while; and Shakti, the witch/Mayakari, who was a delightful chaotic character to read about.

I would recommend this if you love classical fantasy; and I look forward to the sequel!

An exciting story of family and power, and the things people do to get it.

We follow two viewpoints in alternating chapters, Shakti the witch and Ashoka the Prince. I really enjoyed the alternating viewpoints, it kept the story flowing easily and let us see goings on around the empire.

I loved Shakti’s character, she was a great morally grey character willing to do whatever it took to claim her revenge. Ashoka was a little less well fleshed out but I enjoyed his conundrum of pacifism vs stopping evil, I found that very interesting!

All in all a very readable, enjoyable debut. I’m excited to see what the rest of the series brings!

The Prince Without Sorrow is set in one of the most beautiful fictional places! The Ran Empire, despite being savage, has rich history and amazing giant leopards, making this somewhere I would love to visit. It is inspired by the Mauryan Empire of Ancient India.
The hunting down of the witches and burnings are brutal. I could really get behind the retribution storyline. The magic is also interesting, with the powers and mental abilities.
I absolutely loved the pacifist prince and his challenges. Both of the main characters have their own distinct paths and values.
An amazing debut that covers an empire, with interesting power dynamics and intense sibling rivalry.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

LOVED THIS
the story navigates around two characters that might seem different but the way they see death is really similar.
He was thought from a really young age how he should use strength to make sure people would follow him but he has always been the prince with a soft sport for the people in the lower class and people not treat how they deserve.
He prefer knowledge and intelligent to make people follow him.

Shakti is the "enemies" of the empire according to the prince's father. She is what his father has been fighting all his life: a witch.
And his goal has been to kill all her spieces.
Once hi army murder her aunt Shaktii send a curse to the emperor and she goes against the Mayakari code of peace.

that is when Ashoka and Shaktii meet. He has always been trying to save the Mayakari and his father has always been trying to kill them all.
the prince believe that there is a way to cooperate with them.

it was such a well written book and to see how death was seen by eveycharacters. And how each one of them could manipulate somoeone idea just with their words and in some case actions.

Title: The Prince Without Sorrow
Author: Maithree Wijesekara
Pages: 384
Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded down to 3 for goodreads)
Spice level: 🫑 plain but tasty


"A prince born into violence, seeking peace.
A witch shackled by pacifism, seeking revenge."

This book is based on a two person perspective of Shakti a witch and Ashoka a Prince. Both with an end goal to stop the burning of the mayakari.

I'm left unsure about how I feel about this book. There were some moments where I was gripped. The descriptions were incredibly detailed, that made me feel uncomfortable due to the images that were created. But most of the time it didn't always hold my attention. I found myself putting it down to doomscroll instead.

However, I enjoyed the way there was not much predictability to the storyline. The characters did their own thing and it was interesting to see how they dealt with the challenges that came their way. (Not always for the best)

For those who are not interested in romance, there are internal thoughts of secret crushes but otherwise no romance at all. The storyline is focused on sibling rivalry and power.

This is a debut and the first part of a trilogy. I'll be interested to read more about what happens between Ashoka and Shakti and the people that surround them.


You'll love this book if you like
- Books with little to no romance
- LGBTQIA representation
- leopards and flying snakes
- political fantasy
- throne wars
- sibling rivalry

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for honest review.

I picked up The Prince Without Sorrow particularly because of the comp to The Jasmine Throne, one of my favourite books of all times, and was disappointed when I didn't enjoy it. I rated it 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 for the interesting ideas (not developed enough, though).

In an Empire in which Mayakaris (witches) are persecuted by royal decree, young Shakti finds herself alone when her village in ransacked and her aunt burnt at the stake. Filled with rage, she decides to give up the Mayakari's pacifist ways to curse the current emperor... and faces unexpected consequences that take her to the capital and into the royal palace, looking for Prince Ashoka. As the Emperor's youngest (and notably least favourite) child, Prince Ashoka is so different from the rest of his family - pacifist, when his siblings and father thrive in conquest and murders. His ideals include protecting innocent Mayakaris from being killed, which make him a possible ally for Shakti's plans. (Except... so far I felt like the two MCs were quite useless to each other?!)

I liked the setting and the interesting set up of the Mayakari powers and the Collective, as well as the presence of winged serpents and leopards. I also enjoyed reading two main characters clearly described as queer (MC is interested in another man and FMC self-describes at least as aromantic) even in a book with no romance! And the fact that the two MCs are not each other's love interest was quite unusual, too - I like that.

This said... I was rather underwhelmed by the book as a whole. I didn't actively dislike lots of it, but I didn't like it either. I felt too many situations were rushed, things way too easy (see: dreams, Ghost Queen...) and characters changed their whole personalities all too suddenly. I can't explain this last comment without giving spoilers, but it really grated on me how it happened. With all that happened in the last third of the book, I struggle to see how there can be another two books in the series, when one character could practically already end everything now.

Overall, I don't think I'd recommend this book to people who enjoy similar reads as me (and I doubt I'll read the sequel), but I'm sure other readers will enjoy it.

The exploration of pacifism in the face of extreme violence, coupled with the complex yet realistic characters, made for a powerful read.

We follow two characters: Shakti, a strong-willed mayukari faced with persecution, she will do anything to survive; and Ashoka, a prince who abstains from the violence of his family and determined to establish peace. Both are complex - Shakti, full of fury for the unbidden persecution of her kind despite their teachings of pacifism, and Ashoka, a prince who is constantly questioning whether violence can ever be justified despite his hatred for his father and his family’s generational violence.

It was truly unique in its exploration and you watch as both our main characters and others justify their actions to others and themselves.
They all grow as characters throughout - although whether this is for better or worse is yet to be determined👀 This isn’t even out until March and I’m already on the edge of my seat for book two😂😂

1.5 stars

I had been on a major fantasy book high recently, with some fabulous stories and so I had high hopes for this one, but it didn't live up to them unfortunately.

I had some big issues with this. It had such promise and I was excited but it feels...unfinished. I know I read an advanced digital copy of it and so edits may still be forthcoming, but with just over a month until publication day, there wouldn't have been enough time to make the edits it requires. The wording, the flow, the picture Maithree was trying to paint, it just didn't work.

There's no real plan in my mind. Yes of course there's a plot, but it doesn't feel finalised, a bit all over the place. I'm fine if a character is like that, but it feels like Maithree was too, just stumbling around hoping for something to happen and then it becomes awkward to read. It's confusing. Things happen that have no bearing on what happened before or after, and then they're forgotten about.

The characters were a let down too. They are conflicted within themselves, they chop and change, they're not consistent. They say or think something but instantly do something opposite with absolutely no reason at all.

The prologue was intriguing. I really enjoyed that, but it felt like it was coming from a completely different book. It set up something historical and fantastic, but it felt lost, with no real bearings on the rest of the book.

It just felt really hard to read. It was a real struggle and I just don't appreciate books that feel like hard work to get through. I did finish it, because some books - especially if it's the opening book of a new series - take a little while to get going, but sadly this did not get any better.

The Prince Without Sorrow by Maithree Wijesekara presents a richly imagined fantasy world inspired by ancient South Asia, complete with magic, political intrigue, and a unique take on nature spirits. While the novel offers an interesting concept and a compelling setting, I found that certain aspects of the storytelling prevented me from fully engaging with the characters and their journey.

One of the strongest elements of the book is its world-building. The inclusion of nature spirits adds a mystical and atmospheric touch that sets it apart from other fantasy novels. The way these spirits interact with the human world is fascinating and refreshing.

However, despite the immersive world, I struggled to connect emotionally with the characters. While their motivations and conflicts were clear, something was missing in their development that made it difficult for me to feel invested in their struggles. The characters did not evoke the level of emotional resonance I had hoped for. Their interactions and personal growth could have been explored in a way that made them more compelling.

Another challenge I faced was the pacing, especially at the beginning. The story took a long time to gain momentum, making it difficult to stay engaged in the early chapters. While some slow starts can be justified if they build toward something powerful, in this case, I felt that the initial sluggishness made it hard to become fully invested in the narrative. Once the plot picked up, it became more engaging, but the initial struggle to connect with the story left a lasting impression.

Overall, The Prince Without Sorrow has a fascinating premise and a beautifully constructed world, but the execution of its characters and pacing kept me from fully enjoying the experience. Fans of fantasy with intricate settings and political drama may still find much to appreciate, but those looking for deep emotional connections with characters might find it lacking.


Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. I loved everything about this book. The characters, the worldbuilding and the plot were all really well done. The characters are unique and complex, and I really liked how they developed over the course of the story and adapted to the events around them. I also really enjoyed the interesting magic system in particular the collective. The ending made me very excited to get my hands on the next book!

This book was intense. I liked the fantasy element of the witches and their magic but I wanted more!

Things I loved:
❤️ The witches, their unity. Albeit heartbreaking scenes
❤️ The twists and reveals - power was a key theme.
❤️ The dual pov and getting to know both characters and their values

I found the pace slower than I'd like and overall I felt quite stressed at how much of the story wasn't resolved? I know it's ongoing but I felt like it was blow after blow of emotional pain. I really wanted a small justice at the end of book 1.

4.5 rounded up to 5

This book was fantastic! The world building in this was just amazing, the world building felt very thought out and kept me interested. I read the first half with the ebook and the rest physically and I loved it.

The plot for me also felt very well thought out and was clear and concise. I also enjoyed the development throughout the book.

I’m definitely going to read the next book! I may even do a cheeky reread beforehand.

Going into this I didnt really know what it was about. But I found everything was explained perfectly throughout the story.
I never got lost or confused.
I was intrigued throughout to where this set of characters would go. I'm left wanting book two now.
I would have liked maybe more about the witches history but overall we got enough information to understand them.

I thoroughly enjoyed the contrast of main characters in this book. Prince Ashoka is the youngest son of a cruel Emperor who wants nothing but to undo the horrid legacy of death his father created while Shakti is a mayakari, guided by a code of peace to support the Great and Minor spirits and ensure samsara is continued smoothly with good karma, but driven by revenge to commit violence and disobey her people's principles of peace. The development of both of these characters was intriguing, convoluted and full of the question of whether change can happen peacefully when faced with a violent regime, or if principles must be sacrificed to commit violence and war to achieve a more peaceful regime. Will Prince Ashoka be a better ruler? How is Shakti going to cope with being a known mayakari under the rule of Emperor Adil's daughter? My only comment was that the book moved a little slowly for my taste, but I am really looking forward to the sequel!

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. It had great promise but personally I think it was lacking a few things to round it out.

The plot starts off very strong, with an intriguing hook but the story didn't really 'get-going'. My biggest issue is that between 25% and 90% the pacing and tension tails off to a trickle and I felt like not much happens in that time. I didn't really connect with any of the characters, and found myself questioning a lot of their thoughts and actions as they weren’t really explained, didn’t make much sense or seemed out of character.

However, the world building is incredibly vibrant, very well thought out and well executed. Overall the writing is very descriptive so that certainly helped to transport me into the story. The themes in this book also touch upon a lot of real world topics (politics, prejudice) and puts forth a number of philosophical questions that could be applied to everyday life.

Before I launch into my review, I would like to say a warm thank you to Maithree Wijesekara, Harper Collins UK, Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for the Advanced Digital Reader Copy of this title. For anyone with their eye on this title, here is my personal review of the book to help you decide whether you are interested or not. All opinions offered are my own.

Winged serpents, huge leopards, fiery blue witches, curses, and revenge. Well, hello! What more does one need to entice them into a fantasy series? Two people who oppose the emperor for different reasons but are themselves engaged in a power struggle sets an exciting premise. Coupled with the short descriptions that give a peek at the world and its inhabitants, I, for one, was really keen to see where this adventure started and finished. As the first in a planned series, I was looking for a book that worked relatively well as a standalone, but left a couple of open-ended theories that the reader could either fill in for themselves should they choose not to read any more of the Obsidian Throne series or await a future installment to watch a far greater tale unravel.

The Prince without Sorrow takes us on a journey of legacy and the quest for change. Prince Ashoka is the third child of Emperor Adil Maurya, born after Prince Arush and Princess Aarya. The elder children are more like their father and desire to reign in ways similar to him. Prince Ashoka is the black sheep of the family and appears to want to work with the enemy to build a different kingdom to what his father had imagined. Thwarted in his plans every step of the way, will the Prince without Sorrow find a way to exert his power? And at what cost?

This is such a tough one to review because I have such mixed feelings depending on the context I look at the book in. On the one hand, if I take the book as it is in its own right, I found it quite slow to get started and pick up pace and struggled to stick with the first half of the book. However, it did improve in the second half, although probably not as much as I would have liked judging by the number of times I set the book aside, and the number of other books I read and completed whilst progressing through this one. On the other hand, this book is the first in an emerging series and this book serves as background information. That said, this filler information might have been presented in a far better way.

There are some interesting species that live amongst the humans including winged serpents, leopards, nature spirits, Great Spirits, and the mayakari. I wanted to see more flying, more roaring, more changes in nature with the land and climate fighting back, and definitely more magic. I wanted to see more combat, even if those battles were only mild skirmishes. I wanted to get a feel for each of the species even if it wasn’t them acting at maximum ability so that I had a clearer idea as to what to expect from them in future installments.

There might have been some more variation with the names. I appreciate that Emperor Adil would have three children each with an ‘A’ name but aside from that, there was a fair share of ‘S’ and ‘K’ names. I found this confusing to start with because the names are not ones that readers will generally come across, so it is a case of trying to distinguish and remember each of the characters in terms of what they are called and what they all represent. This did improve slowly as the author began to flesh out the characters and insert some distinct personality traits amongst them all. It’s a pity the same could not be said for the world building.

When I think of the fantasy novels that stay with me, the authors are very adept at describing the world around them in great technicolor detail. This novel did not do that for me. I don’t get a sense of the color of the landscape, or the shape and size of the nature spirits. I don’t see how far the land stretches or get a sense of the difference between the way the different people look.

As a standalone, the book ends abruptly, and knowing what I know now, I might not rush to pick this book up. However, I do see the potential for story development. The reader of this book needs to be prepared for a slow-burn and have an imagination far beyond the realms of this first book. It is best suited to someone who does not have an extensive history of reading fantasy novels or a reader with an open mind. The less fantasy experience one has, the lower the expectations. Whilst I would not necessarily call this book to mind if asked for a recommendation, I would not discourage someone who was interested in giving it try. Based on this thought process, I rate the book 3 out of 5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy!

Unfortunately I have to DNF this one as the writing style isn't quite for me and is a little clunky in parts, but I'm sure this book will find its audience.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for approving me to read this early. I’m rating it 3.75 - 4.0 stars,

The cover is what instantly drew me in, it’s stunning and I cannot wait to grab a physical copy once it’s available.

This book was interesting and I love a sibling rivalry story especially when it’s laced with political strife and magic. The story follows two POVs which I liked as it made the story feel more well rounded as the characters follow different paths.

I will say for the record Aarya terrifies me, she’s unhinged but I’m quite excited to see what she does next. There is a lot going on this first book as the characters deal with loss, an enemy they don’t understand and also the enemies within their own midst. There’s betrayal and secrets throughout that create some good tension and chaos.

I look forward to seeing what happens next!

A captivating and enchanting story, filled with magic and spirits. I thoroughly enjoyed Shakti’s character and her journey of balancing her teachings of pacifism and peace with her desire for vengeance. The internal struggle between what her family would have wanted and what she wants for herself is portrayed so well.

On the other hand, I found it challenging to connect with Ashoka’s point of view. While I appreciated his character, I felt that he lacked depth and complexity at times.