The Jasmine Throne

The Burning Kingdoms #1

by Tasha Suri

A ruthless princess and a powerful priestess come together to rewrite the fate of an empire in this “fiercely and unapologetically feminist tale of endurance and revolution set against a gorgeous, unique magical world” (S. A. Chakraborty, author of the The City of Brass).

Exiled by her despotic brother, princess Malini spends her days dreaming of vengeance while imprisoned in the Hirana: an ancient cliffside temple that was once the revered source of the magical deathless waters but is now little more than a decaying ruin.

The secrets of the Hirana call to Priya. But in order to keep the truth of her past safely hidden, she works as a servant in the loathed regent’s household and cleaning Malini’s chambers.

When Malini witnesses Priya’s true nature, their destinies become irrevocably tangled. One is a ruthless princess seeking to steal a throne. The other a powerful priestess desperate to save her family. Together, they will set an empire ablaze.

Genres: Fantasy, Lesbian, LGBT, Queer, Romance, Fiction, Adult

611 pages, ebook

First published June 8, 2021

About the author

Tasha Suri was born in the U.K., but toured India during childhood holidays. She is now a librarian in London, and studied English and creative writing at Warwick University.

Reviews

[chai ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your thing is “morally grey lesbians who long to set an empire ablaze and are set ablaze by their longing for each other/washing each other’s hair/holding sharp-edged knives to each other’s ribs/kissing beneath a waterfall” you should definitely pre-order this book!

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 gleaming, golden, sapphic stars.

This is my first full 5 star read of the year, and a new favourite. I have found a new epic fantasy series to fill the void left behind by The City of Brass and The Poppy War trilogies. It is an examination of how women are seen as monstrous - whether it's due to actual magical abilities, or simply the fact that they're clever. It is also full of sapphic yearning (the waterfall scene!), sprawling and lush worldbuilding on an epic scale, and rich politics. It looks at how nations are pulled into dominant empires, and the way independent cultures and traditions are left to wither and die. It shows how religion can be twisted to drive reasoning of the wrong kind, and how history can be sharpened into a tool.

In short, it is a nuanced book with many developed themes. Suri did such a wonderful job.

Malini and Priya lead the way as POV characters, but they are supported by others such as Ashok, Rao and Bhumika. (Note: I loved how The Jasmine Throne had 3 such different main female characters - Priya, the lowly handmaiden whose kindness is not a weakness, and who harbours a secret; Malini, sister of the empress with a temperament like a snake in the grass, or a knife cloaked in silk; Bhumika, level-headed and wise, mother-to-be and protector of everyone less fortunate.) All POVs were engaging, and I streamed through the book. Pacing was spot on. Everything was pretty spot on, in my opinion: characterisation, worldbuildng, development. Perhaps some will find the first half slow because it leans more into development and politics, but I love that so it was not a problem for me.

It was also beautifully written. The dialogue and prose was exceptional, and I have tabbed so many beautiful lines that I know I'll just be liberally sprinkling quotes all across my final review.

[clenches fist] honestly? this book was just fabulous. And the fact that it's dedicated to Suri's partner (I believe?) is really really sweet. Can't wait for book 2 and to see more of Malini, my morally grey queen empress.

will write/ post a more developed review closer to the release date!

edit 19/11/22: actually no I will not write a more developed review it turns out lol but I will say THIS BOOK!! remains absolutely my favourite epic sapphic fantasy book to date. sheer brilliance.

Thank you so much to Orbit Books UK for providing me with a review copy <3

*

Listen up all, this book is SAPPHIC.

- morally grey vicious lesbians? check
- traitor prince? check
- f/f enemies to lovers? check check CHECK
- evocative Indian folklore? check
- am I in love? helllaaa yes check

[x]

edit: this cover is BEAUTIFUL it gives me so much serotonin omg

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Morally grey lesbians burning down an empire” SAY LESS

It may have taken me a moment to fully immerse myself in the world of The Jasmine Throne, but once I did, it was impossible to put down. Tasha Suri has seamlessly combined everything I adore about fantasy into one novel, full of intricate history backdrops and character-driven storylines. Add to the list that this includes morally grey lesbians set in an Indian-inspired fantasy world, and you'll understand why I went absolutely feral over this. Truly, the best part of the story was watching these two women come together to strive to gain power and get their revenge. The romantic development alongside all of that really outsold this for me. With evocative language, an incredible magic system, and compelling characters, Tasha Suri once again makes her mark on the fantasy genre. The Jasmine Throne is a delicately layered story meant to be savored slowly and devoured with care. A triumphant start to what is sure to be an outright amazing series.

Read my review

[zuza_zaksiazkowane · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Lex Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! The epic fantasy book I have been searching all year for. I love fantasy and there is nothing I would rather read then some sapphic fantasy. While I have read some okay and even some good fantasy books this year, there has not been anything I thought was great… well that is until now. I had high expectations for this book and it was exactly the type of fantasy that I want to read. I hope it comes out in audio soon as I would love to go on this adventure again.

I do have to mention that it takes a little bit to get into this book. There are a lot of names and places and the book starts a little slow. This is very common for epic fantasy books and by the 15% mark I was completely hooked anyway. This is a long book, almost three times as long as say an average romance book, but I easily finished it in two nights. I was so immersed into the story that once it had its hooks in me, the pages just flew by.

Suri writes so well and she took her time to really build up the characters, and then really launched the story. The first half is very character driven, where the second half is much more about the plot. This just clicked so well for the type of reader I am and is a big reason why this was such a winner for me. This book has multiple POV’s, although there are two obvious mains, but it was a pleasant surprise about how much I enjoyed all the POV’s. I’m not normally a fan of more than two POV’s but they all worked here for me. Even if I didn’t like a character, I wanted to know what was going on with them. All the characters were really well written and they easily stuck with me. I’m not one to always remember names but in this book I got this whole large cast remembered quickly.

Of course the heart of the book is really about the two main, morally grey, sapphic ladies. I was so happy with these two mains. I hate when characters in fantasy are passive and things just happened to them. Not these ladies who are willing to do, what they think is right, no matter what it takes. I enjoyed both characters so much that I was extra happy when they started to catch feels. There is not a lot of romance in this book, and what is there is very slow burn, but it completely worked for me. At one point, I just knew that they were truly meant to be together. In life or death, we will have to see, but I loved their connection.

I have so much else I would love to talk about but I don’t want to accidentally spoil anything for new readers. This is a book I absolutely recommend. If you are a fantasy fan and a fan of strong, kickass women, get this book. This is adult fantasy at its best and I could not be happier. This is the first book in the series, but the book ends on a good stopping point. It feels like the first part is complete and doesn’t end on a crappy cliffhanger feeling. I still cannot wait to see what happens to the characters next and I hope Suri writes fast.

An ARC was given to me for a review.

[Talia Hibbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I… just… wow. I long ago accepted the fact that no book would ever make me feel precisely the way Empire of Sand or Realm of Ash did, which is fine, so WHY did The Jasmine Throne have to knock me off my chair with the exact same feels magnified by like 10,000? What is that about?????

Reading The Jasmine Throne was like hovering, ghostlike, in another world, feeling the heat of the flames and watching the drip of spilled wine and hearing my own heart pound with rage or fear or love or some unnerving combination of all three. I was utterly transported and fascinated and thrilled to core, god dammit. And to top it all off, I am literally IN LOVE with Priya and Malini. They are my precious monster wives and I just??? They??? Murdered me??? Which is not at all out of character for them but still.

The next book cannot come soon enough.

[LIsa Noell "Rocking the chutzpah!" · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to Tasha Suri, Orbit books and Netgalley. What can I say? I loved this book so much! I've recently found that I love Sapphic Fantasy. As an extremely boring, hetero white gal? I love the thought of females coming together against a very Patriarchal culture, and messing it all up! Watching Priya and Malini find each other was lovely. I loved watching them slowly build up trust! I've lately read alot of fantasy books, but this story was lush! The plant's, flowers, waters, colors.. I can't wait to read more!

[Chloe Gong · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Jasmine Throne raises the bar for what epic fantasy should be. Tasha Suri has created a beautiful, ferocious world alongside an intimate study of the characters who will burn it all down.

[Lucie V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley (thank you Orbit Books). All thoughts and opinions are my own.

✅ Gorgeous cover
✅ Indian-inspired
✅ World-building
✅ Writing
✅🆗 Characters
✅🆗 Plot
✅🆗 Multiple POVs
🆗 Pace
🆗 Romance
❗️❗️ Trigger warnings: abusive dynamics, forced drug use, immolation, violence, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm

2.5 stars

There is no meaning in the universe: no fate, no high blood, no rights of kings over land. Everything is emptiness. The world only had meaning when we give it meaning.

This story starts with a religious sacrificial burning. Three young women have been destined to burn alive in honor of the Mothers of flame, except that one of them, the Emperor’s sister refuses to willingly climb onto the pyre to burn. The Jasmine Throne tells the story of Priya, a servant girl who ends up taking care of Malini, the princess who refused to sacrifice herself on the pyre. The storyline is filled with politics, violence (nothing too explicit), rebellious groups, magic and religious beliefs. There are also other POVs from rebel leaders and ruling lords of Ahiranyi.

Malini is full of conflicting emotions and internal turmoils, which was interesting to read, but the rest of her felt ordinary and I did not connect with her that much. Priya has mysterious magical abilities, and she was definitely more intriguing than Malani. I enjoyed getting to know her and her dark past. Priya and Malini’s chapters were interesting to read, but the other characters had minimal development, and I think I would have preferred this book to have only two POVs because I have to say that I was not particularly interested in the other characters.

It’s hard to further explain the plot of The Jasmine Throne because it honestly feels more like a long prequel. The majority of the book revolves around Malini escaping her prison, Priya’s brother trying to get her to work for him because he needs her magic abilities, and growing discontent and revolutionary ideas among the population. The author is very skilled and writes beautifully, but even so, I have to say that I am overall underwhelmed by this book. There are many great ideas, but I feel that there is still something missing and it prevented me from really getting into this story. Part of it is probably because I had trouble connecting with many characters who had their own chapters, but I think it’s also because of the slow pace and the whole plot that feels more like a setup for the second book than an adventure in itself. The point of this book is to get you ready for the main conflict that is to come in the second book.

The world-building is great and steady. There is a strong Indian influence, and the author does a great job of weaving the Indian culture into her fantasy world. There is no info-dump, but I have to say that since my electronic ARC didn’t have a map yet, it was hard to get a clear picture of the geography and to understand well the politics and tensions at first, but once you’re immersed in the story it all starts to make sense eventually.

The relationship between Priya and Malini is well written and developed enough to be realistic, but still, I did not like their dynamic or romance that much. I thought the whole romance part was lacking and even felt forced sometimes... Honestly, I wish they had just been friends instead. It is a medium burn, so at least there is no insta-love or insta-lust.

I would still recommend this book if you are a fan of Indian-inspired high fantasy with great world-building, a mix of politics and religion, and a medium burn sapphic romance.


Fanart by Kim Ekdahl


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[may ➹ · Rating 4 out of 5]

— find this review and others on my blog!

I had a feeling that I would love The Jasmine Throne from the very first time I’d heard about it. Promising a morally grey lesbian romance and a focus on empire and family, I thought this would hit on some of my favorite things to see in fantasy, and though it wasn’t quite the new favorite I was hoping it would be, I was still utterly enchanted by it. If you’re looking for a fantasy burning with intensity, from its vengeful characters to its feminist themes, you should absolutely pick this up.

The Jasmine Throne follows many perspectives, but mainly those of Priya and Malini, two women who come from vastly different backgrounds but can benefit from working with each other. Malini grows weaker every day in the magical prison her brother forced her into, but when Priya’s forbidden power comes to light, they realize how they can use each other to achieve their own goals of rebellion and freedom.

Some men dream of times long dead, and times that never existed, and they’re willing to tear the present apart entirely to get it.

The Jasmine Throne delves into several themes, influenced by its India-inspired world where imperialism and misogyny thrive. I especially loved its exploration of empire as a tool for oppression and how it stands for an all-consuming force that seeks to stamp out “impurities,” of how extremists can twist religion and faith to justify oppression, and of what monstrosity truly means in a world that demonizes women who don’t conform. These are all active influences in the characters’ arcs and daily lives, a display of the intricate connections between the characters and their environment.

Priya is a maidservant whose veins sing with both magic and tragedy, one of the few survivors of a fire that stole her temple family. She seeks the power that she was denied, the power that the empire vilifies her for, and the power her brother wants to use and weaponize. Malini is the princess of Parijat, sister to the emperor who exiled and imprisoned her for refusing to die for the sake of “purification.” She is vengeful and cunning, unafraid to manipulate others for her own gains, and I loved her for it. While both characters are morally grey, Malini was more so in my opinion (which is why she’s my favorite).

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t quite invested in Priya and Malini’s relationship in the beginning, but as more time passed, I found myself absolutely obsessed with their dynamic. It is fierce and tender at once, burning with passion for not only each other but for themselves and their own values: They hold their love for each other gently and carefully, especially because of what it means for two women to love each other in a misogynistic homophobic world, but they are also cautious in the sense that their loyalty to themselves and their motives never wavers in the face of their relationship. (And yes, that waterfall scene is as good as everyone says.)

There was no void in her any longer. Whatever she was—weapon, monster, cursed or gifted—she was whole.

Along with Priya and Malini are other side characters who get their own POVs, most notably Bhumika and Ashok, Priya’s temple siblings, and Rao, a prince allied with Malini. Suri handles these with skill, using their perspectives to provide more intrigue and insight into the plot but keeping them balanced so as not to drown out Priya and Malini’s main storylines. What I loved the most about these added POVs was the glimpse into the complicated relationship Priya has with her temple siblings. They are united in their trauma of being the only survivors of a disaster that killed the rest of their family, but they are also a source of pain for each other as well, particularly Priya and Ashok. This complex dynamic made my heart ache, for where they found destruction in each other they also found healing, tinging each of their interactions with bittersweetness.

While all of these relationships, romantic and familial, were entrancing, I would argue that The Jasmine Throne is truly first and foremost a book about women and their strengths. In all of the female characters’ arcs, the idea of monstrosity as it applies to women in a patriarchal society is explored. Priya, Malini, and Bhumika all carve spaces for themselves where their power can thrive, in a world that would rather see such power crushed, and they are deemed monstrous, weak. But what makes them “monstrous,” when their desire for agency is seen as a threat? When they are hated for refusing to bow to the demands of men and instead forging their own paths? When their very existence is demonized?

She could make herself into something monstrous. She could be a creature born of poison and pyre, flame and blood.

Though the book is quite lengthy, I flew through it and was thoroughly engrossed from the first page. Suri’s writing is laced with a certain loveliness and deadliness that complements the world of the novel, and though it was slow-moving in the beginning, Suri’s masterful way of building up tension kept me engaged. However, there was something that prevented me from fully loving this book—I think as the first book of the series, there was a lot of buildup (and I didn’t get all the exciting payoff I was hoping for) that resulted in a lack of some spark that would’ve allowed me to become wholly obsessed with this.

But while I didn’t love it as much as I’d hoped to, it is undeniable that The Jasmine Throne is a gorgeously written book, its characters intense and its writing gripping. The world Suri creates is somewhat terrifying, especially in how it mirrors our own world at times, and it is thus thrilling to see the characters at the heart of it react and move through it. I suspect the rest of the series will be even more of a delight to read, and I can’t wait to see what Suri manages to weave together in the next book.

—★—

:: representation :: Indian-coded cast, lesbian MCs

:: content warnings :: murder, death, violence, homophobia (including internalized), suicidal ideation, immolation, self-mutilation, familial abuse, body horror, drug use, fire [more details]

Thank you to Orbit for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion in any way.

All quotes are taken from an advance copy and may differ in final publication.

// buddy read with kate and krisha!

[Lexi · Rating 2 out of 5]

TLDR

🆗 Multi POV
👍 Epic fantasy
🆗 Sapphic romance
👍 Class and colonial themes
👍 Indian/desi inspired
🆗 Slow-moving

⭐⭐Check out more of my opinions on Enemies to Lovers books on my blog Enemies To Lovers Source ⭐⭐

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The Jasmine Throne is hard to rate, because Tasha Suri is an insanely skilled author, and this book will probably take off. That being said, I was overall underwhelmed. Let's talk about it.

The Jasmine Throne is about Priya, a servant to a local reagent, and Malini, a princess who has been imprisoned by her brother. There is a smaller cast of characters who get POVs- from revolutionaries to lords- all with a part to play.

It's hard to really define a plot of The Jasmine Throne because it's more like a prequel. The main conflict revolves around Malini escaping her prison, and growing discontent among the local population as her brother's grip becomes tighter on an already blighted nation.

The first part of the book was REALLY good. The world-building is steady and we really get a taste for daily life in this world. In particular, I really liked the introduction of Rot, a disease that makes a person rot like a dying plant.

I struggled as more POVs were introduced, as most of them felt like dressing to the two main POVs and didn't stand on their own much. They became very tedious to get through with minimal character development. There were some moments of intrigue with these characters, but these moments were not explored in detail, and I found myself wishing it was a dual POV book- the author did not seem particularly interested in these other characters. Especially the men- making male POVs VERY tedious and boring to get through.

Priya and Malini were interesting on their own, though I did not love their dynamic or romance. The story was actually a lot more interesting previous to their meeting. I will say for folks still interested, it's a medium burn, so no insta-love here.

The Indian setting was beautiful. Tasha Suri was super unapologetic in her set up of the world and goes so far as to use common Indian phrases in the story. She draws beautifully from Indian culture to develop a fantasy universe that is still uniquely her own.

I was frustrated with how often I would look for excuses to put The Jasmine Throne down, or tune out and need to re-read a section. It's got a lot of great ideas, but there's a certain "heart" missing from the story that prevented me from really digging into it. Part of this is due to the lack of effort in the extended POVs, and the other part of it may be because the whole point of this book was to set up for the next one. If you hop into this book with the understanding that it's a book meant to set up the main conflict rather than really go anywhere, I think it would be a lot more fun.

That being said, I look forward to seeing my friends get excited about this one. It's got a lot of potentials and will land with folks looking for sapphic epic fantasy.

[Samantha Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary achievement – every sentence took my breath away with its artistry, and Malini and Priya have my heart.

[anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

rep: Indian inspired characters and setting, lesbian mcs
tw: homophobia, gore, violence, execution by burning, forced drug use, torture, death, body horror

Review also on Reads Rainbow. ARC provided by the publisher.

The Jasmine Throne is one of those books where even weeks and months after you’ve read it, you don’t stop thinking about it. But all that time also doesn’t make it easier to put into words all the reasons why the book leaves such an impression, why you’re so full of wonder over it. I can try, but alas.

Despite me recommending this book to everyone as lesbian fantasy, the best part about it is probably the worldbuilding. It’s inspired by Indian cultures, and you can clearly feel all the love the author put into creating the world, into research. It’s in the main plot arcs and it’s in the tiniest details; it’s in how one part of the empire is made to be homophobic after an invasion and in every description of the food the characters eat.

Most importantly, though, none of it is a crude info-dumping. Suri is a very talented author, knows where and when, and how to let the reader glimpse the world she created, so that the reader is fascinated and hungry for more, but never, ever bored. All the bits she puts forth create a rich world, a real world, with power dynamics that make sense, with problems but also miracles, with layers upon layers of details which add up to create something great, something monumental.

And the characters move through that world effortlessly, which is to say all of them seem an integral part of it but they also fight for their place in it. Especially the women. It’s not a black-and-white scenario where women are good and men are bad, but something is to be said about the men being power-hungry for the sake of wielding said power, and about women trying to find a path to more than the men allow them to have. It’s a very real situation, even with all the magic and the plants growing out of people’s bodies.

Yes, it’s a lesbian fantasy romance, but before that it’s a novel about women. All of them beautiful, all of them starving for what the world denies them, be it power, choices, independence. And they fight for it. Openly or in secret, physically or with words - the exact way they think will work best to achieve their goals, not how someone else advises them to do it. They know better. And they’re willing to reshape the empire to get what they want.

Then finally, there’s the romance. The intensity of it is unlike anything else. It’s central to the story in a way that at times it pushes the plot forward, without ever making it seem as if either Priya or Malini make decisions solely based on their love for the other. That love is undeniable and it shines through everything that happens, but it’s not the only propelling force of those women. It’s treated as something precious, both by Priya & Malini, and by the novel itself.

The Jasmine Throne is the kind of book that grips you from the start and doesn’t let go until the very last page. And even then, when you’re left alone with no more words, you’re still thinking about it all, about the pain, the hunger, the love. It’s the kind of book that carves out a piece of your heart it can live in forever, just like its characters strive to carve out a piece of the world for themselves.

[hiba · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

my first desi sapphic adult fantasy and it was a good enough time (with some major caveats).

first of all, this book has the prettiest writing ever and it's also really easy to read. the worldbuilding is rich and immersive, definitely one of the strongest aspects of this book. i loved the nature magic and how it served as a metaphor for reclaiming your colonized land, especially towards the end.

also, i loved that the author showed how ahiranya had an open, accepting culture before parijati imperialism brought in an extreme form of homophobia and misogyny. i appreciated the depiction of colonialism as something that not only physically takes over a land but also destroys its culture, religion and history.

i admit, priya and malini's slow-burn romance took me a bit of time to get invested into but by the end, i was rooting for them. i liked the fierce push and pull dynamic between them, how passionate yet gentle they were with each other.

as for the side characters, bhumika is a standout and basically my favorite character. she's the embodiment of the women whose stories get erased in history - the pregnant wife of a general, kept sheltered away from politics. i loved seeing her true self slowly get revealed over the course of the story.

i did have quite a few issues with this book though:

- i really don't like how the author handled the rebellion - the rebels were portrayed negatively even though they were simply resisting against their colonial oppressors. the book tried to make it seem like there are grey areas to colonial resistance and i can't disagree enough - colonized people have the right to violently resist against their oppressors.
- most of the side characters, namely the men, were boring and forgettable as hell.
- the pacing wasn't great - the book was too long for me at times and i wish there were more action and dramatic moments to balance things out, it was all a bit too slow and steady.
- i think there was some mismarketing around this book - these lesbians are not morally grey i'm afraid. priya is literally the opposite of a morally grey character. i guess you could argue malini is but none of her actions are that bad in relation to everything else that happens in the story. the author really tried to sell malini as this dark, potentially monstrous person but honestly, i didn't buy it.

despite its faults, i think this story has a lot of potential and i'm looking forward to the sequel.

rep: indian coded world + cast, indian lesbian mcs

cws: homophobia, suicidal ideation, immolation, self-mutilation, familial abuse, body horror, drug use

[Zoha · Rating 1 out of 5]

576 pages. I would be more generous with the rating if it weren't 576 pages.

(also lol, what a surprise. Most of the fans aren't South Asians well-versed in their history or tradition).

I feel bad when I read or watch anything that's been hyped all over the internet because I know some level of disappointment is inevitable. This is an attention economy and people need hype to pay their bills. But I feel worse for myself every time I think I've dodged the hype pitfall but realize I've wasted a whole day reading something that wasn't for me.

The Jasmine Throne is hyped up all over the internet by young adults as a sapphic romance between two morally complex characters. If by morally complex you mean a natural desire for power (magic and throne), I guess? I saw no real moral greyness in either Priya or Malini. I thought both of them were frankly good noble people but the story and its fans genuinely believe that a justified desire for due revenge is a big deal. But also, when you actually live in South Asia, your bar for unacceptable is automatically higher. Yeah, one character tried to be manipulative. Anyone would, in her circumstances. Plus, it didn't even work! How do you expect me to be shocked at diet manipulation that FAILED???

The story's world-building was so much more compelling than its characters that I only kept reading to understand the landscape. The most interesting character by FAR is Bhumika. I wish she had been the protagonist. Her story is clear and focused, allowing her characterization to shine. Then it's Ashok. I guess Rao is kinda decent? But his faith is so much more interesting than him. Aditya is an obvious Buddha rip-off.

The buzz around the story was about the scandalous passionate romance between the two women - except there's little to no romance because both have separate arcs of their own that keep dragging them in two different directions. The political drama is ten times more intriguing than ANY of the paltry romance. So much of their 'closeness' is fleshed out in a memsahib and maidservant dynamic - with the story obsessively focusing on that, for some well-intentioned but ultimately disastrous reason - that it's not closeness, let alone love. It's two guarded girls who are understandably wary of each other and too busy focusing on their circumstances to fan the (mostly forgotten) crush into a proper flame. The passion also didn't simmer secretly either. It just wasn't there. All we got was the characters telling us they felt deeply for each other, but nothing to show for it.

Priya is ten times more interesting when she's interacting with other temple children. The scenes with Malini are a snooze-fest. Similarly, the brief mentions of Malini's two friends revealed so much more about her than her (useless) performance around Priya. Priya and Malini are largely irrelevant as a dynamic in terms of impact on the story. I usually love stories with multiple perspectives and a big cast but this one had a very hard time making its characters memorable, maybe because it had such a massive vivid world to develop. For reference, I cry at the drop of a hat but when multiple - MULTIPLE - deaths happened, I felt nothing because they're supposed to be meaningful to Malini and Priya, and both of them have clear motives but clear motive does not a memorable personality make. Because it didn't really impact them, it didn't impact me. Also, the characters themselves weren't memorable either.

Priya and Malini are specters, more meaningful as symbols than as people. Even the story is hooked on the maidservant symbolism in Priya and the China maal Razia Sultana symbolism in Malini. So imagine my irritation when I was lured in by the promise of a sapphic romance and only got a pointlessly drawn-out 'Bella, I'm a monster!' 'No, Edward, I know you!' back-and-forth between two symbols that could have been condensed in 2 pages.

You want me to believe your two leads are compelling? Show me. I get to see Priya's power in action but all I get from Malini is everyone saying 'wow, she has lackeys everywhere!' and the only lackey I see is Priya, already renowned for being impressionable and trusting. I don't see ANY of Malini's influence or power in action because the story doesn't build her up. I don't see Chandra fear her, Aditya respect her, Rao venerate her for HER because they all have their own reasons for their relationship to her, not their recognition of her power. The story thinks it's sufficient to tell me she's influential but every time she exerts it, the person agreeing to her has a separate for acquiescing to her demand, rendering the instance ineffective.

The story has multiple missed opportunities and dropped threads, which I guess are supposed to be elaborated upon in the next book. The series aspect means this book is not good as a standalone story. There are several people Rao meets that clearly won't be useful until later but have to be shoehorned in now. With serialization, the set-up in the first book is supposed to be useful in the same book AND to the series. It's not supposed to be one or the other. With Harry Potter, the Patronus and Buckbeak in Prisoner of Azkaban are relevant to Book 3 AND later. But this book is actually 250 pages of relevant storytelling and 300 pages of build-up for the next book.

Maybe this would have been beautiful as a graphic novel. But for now, it's just 576 pages of a failed Nasuada and Murtagh/Zuko and Katara retelling.
To recap:
- The romance is WAY overblown
- The supporting characters are so much interesting than the leads (who are really not 'morally grey' at all)
- The world-building overtakes the characterization
- Serialization means you're swamped with irrelevant details that don't matter until later (by which time you've probably forgotten them)
- Priya and Malini are unformed specters

If almost all of the world is from history and religion, strong complex characterization is then supposed to be the writer's unique contribution. Because this story's weakest point is precisely the hottest part of its marketing, it's better if you read a South Asian history textbook instead.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

4/5/2022: Finished! 3.5 stars maybe? I still need to think a bit over it. I loved the book and enjoyed it a lot, and while the characters were well-written and likable, I couldn't quite connect with them on an emotional level, which was a bit disappointing.

*#3 Read for Asian Readathon 2022.

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2/5/2022: Currently reading!

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28/4/2022: So excited to read this in May!

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6/6/2021: THIS IS RELEASING IN 2 DAYS. 🥳

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8/5/2021: I NEED this book now.

[chan ☆]

my loan returned before i could get very far :/

on pause

[geekyfangirlstuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

LIVE LAUGH LOVE LE$BEANS WALCZĄCE Z PATRIARCHATEM!!!1!1!1

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good! The world that the author created is magical and unique. Tasha Suri is a great storyteller and her writing is amazing! The pacing was slow in the beginning and it took me a little while to get into the story, but once I did I felt completely immersed in the story. I loved all the characters, they are complex and have so many layers. I loved Priya and Malini, they are so strong and fierce! I really liked that the author made the characters feel so real and relatable. I also appreciated the LGBTQ+ representation.

[gauri · Rating 5 out of 5]

check out the full review along with an aesthetic on my blog!

"There are other versions of you that I don't know. But this one..." Her fingers were against Malini's lips. "This one is mine."

Tasha Suri has done it again. I am so grateful to her for that.

The Jasmine Throne, the start of a new trilogy, introduces us to a feminist tale, a revolution waiting to unfold, set in an Indian inspired world with a unique but deadly magic system, layers of politics and morally grey characters. This multi-POV story with our morally grey lesbians Malini and Priya as protagonists, is epic fantasy at its best.

Malini, our Imperial Princess, is imprisoned by her zealot brother in the Hiranya, a temple with secrets. She’s desperate to be released and is willing to do whatever she can to depose him from the throne. I really liked her character, being the strategist that she is. She’s tactful, an iron fist in a velvet glove, knows what cards to play and what politics to apply to achieve her goals which is what draws people to her cause.

Priya, the maidservant with secret powers, who has a tendency to kindness as seen from the beginning itself. Her soft heartedness is not a weakness though, her love for her family and her fading culture and the understanding of her magic is what drives her throughout the book. She’s all sharp edges, her resilience stood out to me.

And like the summary says, together they do change the fate of the empire. Both of them are complex, strong and ruthless with clear goals in sight. They are sharpened by their pain, the abuse they’ve suffered. They stand on opposite ends, ready to use one another but also learn to trust each other. It was an absolute delight to see their relationship develop, the conflicts that passed through them leading to a delicious slow burn. I was left wondering if they would betray each other or make it together to accomplish their goals.

To support our wonderful duo, we have the POVs of a supporting cast — Bhumika, a highborn lady with secret magic who only wants to see her land and people safe; Rao, the nameless prince with a prophecy to fulfill and Ashok, a rebel leader willing to pay any price to set his nation free. Despite the many characters, Tasha manages to keep us hooked to the tenuous plot without confusions. Each character had a distinct motivation and voice and I loved how their stories entangle. (All I ask is to see more of Rao, he’s so precious).

Ultimately, the narrative is driven by the three women, Priya, Malini and Bhumika. I’m always all in to see women take the lead, and in an empire like Parijat these three are the real deal. They’ve all made sacrifices, steeled themselves because they know their power. It’s satisfying, to watch these women fight back in their own monstrous ways when they’re often subdued and burned in Parijat.

The world-building is top notch, to simply put it. We get to know of the different faiths to exists across the kingdoms — the nameless gods, mothers of flame, the yaksa; the history of the nations; the power plays and how imperialism cuts off people from their roots and their cultures are left to fade away.

The magic system does not only add to the fantasy element of the book but also demonstrates the terrible effects of Parijat’s imperial rule over Ahiranya. Tasha handles the oppression and how conquering of nations eats away their own culture and reduces the people to pawns of the empire with sensitivity and sharpness. It’s thought-provoking to us readers.

It’s so beautifully written, there are so many highlights in my copy, of quotes that shook me or passages that haunt me, I wish I could include them all. The dialogue and prose is exceptional and immersive. My favourite instances have to be the ones that describe the setting or architecture of the world. Tasha writes a vivid, ingenious tale of taking what’s stolen from you through characters that are flawed but can’t help rooting for. The pacing perfectly builds up the tensions and events through the book.

Reading The Jasmine Throne felt so comforting. A queer fantasy inspired by my own culture is all I’ve ever wanted and Tasha freaking delivered. The world and setting is so familiar to me, identifying the twists and fresh takes on elements of Indian history and folklore made my reading experience all the more thrilling.

All in all, The Jasmine Throne is a phenomenal story of brutal empires, reclaiming power, love and family. If you’re looking for a cleanly woven plot with interesting characters and a wonderful Indian inspired world, I highly recommend The Jasmine Throne! I cannot wait to see what unfolds in the coming books.

original:
There isn't a single thing that I didn't like in the book: the complex plot, the sapphic yearning, the magic system, the influential side characters, the scheming, the Indian rep and the beautiful descriptions. I'm so eager to see how the series progresses.

If you're looking for a fantasy with a cleanly woven plot and interesting characters, I highly highly recommend The Jasmine Throne! Need for book 2 is intolerable.

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit Books for the ARC!

[luce (cry bebè's back from hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

❀ blog ❀ thestorygraph ❀ letterboxd ❀ tumblr ❀ ko-fi ❀

4 ½ stars

“Trust me, her face said.
That was the problem with making allies. At some point, inevitably, there came a moment when a decision had to be made: Could this one be trusted? Had their loyalty been won? Was their generosity a façade for a hidden knife?”

I more or less inhaled this 500+ page novel in two days.
Tasha Suri's The Jasmine Throne may be one of the best high fantasy novels I've ever read. Superbly written The Jasmine Throne presents its readers with an evoking Indian inspire setting, A+ world-building, a cast of compelling and morally ambiguous characters, a sapphic romance (think Fingersmith by way of Marie Rutkoski), and plenty of intriguing storylines that will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat. In other words, The Jasmine Throne is high fantasy at its best. It is exceedingly original and utterly captivating.

“But some men dream of times long dead, and times that never existed, and they're willing to tear the present apart entirely to get them.”

The Jasmine Throne transports us to Ahiranya a nation plagued by a peculiar disease known as the rot. Ahiranya was conquered by Paraijatdvipa which is ruled by the fanatical Emperor Chandra. Between the 'rot-riven' and the growing discontentment towards the harsh Paraijatdvipan rule, Ahiranya is a nation on the verge.
Priya who works in the household of the regent of Ahiranya tries to help 'rot-riven' children. Although she does her best to hide her true identity and past the arrival of Malini, Emperor Chandra's disgraced sister, complicates things, especially when Malini witnesses her powers.

After refusing to be burned at a pyre, in order to be 'purified', Malini is sent by her zealot brother to Hirana, a treacherous temple that was left abandoned after the deaths of its 'children'.

Once Malini sees Priya in action she requests her as her maidservant. The two feel pulled to each other but both are aware that their desires may not align.

The Jasmine Throne provides its readers with a fantastic cast of characters. First, Priya and Malini. These two young women have been through a lot (and when I say a lot, I mean it). They have every reason not to trust one another but they cannot deny the nature of their feelings. To call it 'love' doesn't feel quite right given the positions they are in. Malini's brother is responsible for many horrific things, many of them which have left their mark on Priya and her homeland. Also, both at one point or another end up using the other. Yet, their relationship is *chef's kiss*. There is yearning, lust, hate, understanding...
Of course, I found each of their character arcs to be just as captivating as the relationship that develops between them. They face many impossible situations and we may not always agree with their choices.
The characters around them are just engaging. From Bhumika, the regent's wife, to Rao, Prem, and even Ashok. I loved the tension between all of them, as well as the betrayals and revelations we get along the way.

The world-building is top tier stuff. From the religions (we have the nameless god, the yaksa, the mothers of flame, each one is truly intriguing) and tales that shape each empire (the nameless to the magical elements. I found Suri's storytelling to be truly immersive. There are many beautiful and haunting passages (“Family don't have a duty to be kind to you. They have a duty to make you better. Stronger.” and “The first time Malini learned how to hold a knife was also the day she learned how to weep.”), as well as insightful discussions on power, revenge, and forgiveness.

It had been a while since I'd read something that gave me the so-called 'feels' but The Jasmine Throne sure did. Suri has crafted an engrossing tale that made me feel as if I was riding a rollercoaster. And that finale...wow. I have yet to recover from it. Suffice to say, I am anxious about the sequel (please Suri, be gentle on us!).

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[literarylesbian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell so hard for this entire book. I loved the relationship and the intricacies of the world and it’s magic. This book really makes the reader question who they’re rooting for in the best way possible.

First off, the world and magic. The world building was super well done and was rather simple to understand despite its complexities. I thought it was really creative and included nods to Indian mythology and culture, which is always super cool to see in any book. I think fantasy books with references to underrepresented mythology is super cool to see, especially when so many of the retellings are dominated by the same white washed stories.

The characters and romance were equally as intriguing. I thought that the characters unique perspectives was enhanced by the changing point of views. Despite the amount of POVs, it was still easy to understand. The morally grey lesbians were just *chefs kiss*. This romance is slow burn, and I mean SLOW burn. But it has you on the edge of your seat regardless just yelling at the book “KISS ALREADY”. This buildup makes it all the more satisfying when they finally do.

Definitely recommend you preorder this book (I already have as well!) It comes out on June 8th and is own voices. I recommend supporting own voices reviewers and their opinions regarding this book as opposed to me.

[charlotte, · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am wrecked & so grateful for it

read my review on reads rainbow

CWs: homophobia, gore, violence, execution by burning, forced drug use

[not my high · Rating 5 out of 5]

No way. NO WAY. NOOOOOOO WAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AGGHGGAHGAGAGAG golesbians

[Charlotte Kersten]

"There is power that is showy and fierce. And there is power that is grown slowly, and stronger for the time spent braiding its ancient strength.”

So What’s It About?

Imprisoned by her dictator brother, Malini spends her days in isolation in the Hirana: an ancient temple that was once the source of the powerful, magical deathless waters — but is now little more than a decaying ruin.

Priya is a maidservant, one among several who make the treacherous journey to the top of the Hirana every night to clean Malini’s chambers. She is happy to be an anonymous drudge, so long as it keeps anyone from guessing the dangerous secret she hides.

But when Malini accidentally bears witness to Priya’s true nature, their destinies become irrevocably tangled. One is a vengeful princess seeking to depose her brother from his throne. The other is a priestess seeking to find her family. Together, they will change the fate of an empire.

What I Thought

If you’re looking for fantasy books about morally complex lesbians and colonialism you now have a few series to choose from - off the top of my head there’s Seth Dickinson’s Masquerade series and C.L. Clark’s The Unbroken, as well as The Jasmine Throne. I think this one is really, really good, guys.

I think this book’s shining strength is how complex the relationships between all of the characters are. Everywhere you look there’s another nuanced dynamic: Pramila hates Malini because she survived the burning when Pramila’s daughter didn’t, while part of her genuinely believes that they both should have burned, while Priya and Bhumika resent each other and struggle to get along despite -or perhaps because of -being two of the only temple children left. Ashok genuinely thinks he is justified in hurting Priya for the greater good; Bhumika almost loves the husband who sees her as nothing more than an ornament and a vessel for children.

The most interesting relationship is of course the fraught dynamic between Malini and Priya, and it is a very juicy one indeed. Malini manipulates and seduces to survive and she does this to Priya, using her out of desperation and necessity. Priya resents how much she is attracted to her and abhors her manipulation when she discovers it, struggling to trust her and know what is real. At the same time Malini is, in fact, real with Priya in a way she isn’t with anyone else, and when she fears her own capacity for cruelty Priya insists to her that she is one person who will not be hurt by her - who sees her at her worst and still cares. It’s a really fascinating dynamic and I am so looking forward to seeing how their relationship develops from here.

There are a few minor weaknesses to some of the aspects of characterization, although I clearly feel that the characterization is a strength by and large. I think Malini’s grief over her maids’ death could have been a little more at the forefront, but she’s also drugged and struggling to escape her prison for most of the book so maybe that’s not super practical. I’m also not totally convinced by the explanation given by the book for Bhumika’s marriage to Vikram - it says that her family’s political clout was used to erase her past as a temple child, but I don’t know if I buy that. I wasn’t sure about Ashok’s decision not to drink the deathless water while on the brink of death and speaking of death, Prem’s demise was not deeply emotionally resonant to me. My final nitpicks are that all of the characters speak in a very similar elegant style and I wish their voices had been a bit more distinct, and that a few of the one-off POV characters felt a little bit cumbersome.

As far as the book’s take on empire, one of my favorite things is that there are so many differences of opinion among the different rebels. Ashok wants complete freedom for Ahiranya and will achieve it through any kind of brutality, while Bhumika initially views resistance through the preservation of culture and scholarship to be the most important thing and abhors Ashok’s methods. Meanwhile Rao and his cohort simply want Chandra off the throne and Aditya on it without caring for the people or fate of Ahiranya at all, looking down upon them and seeing no fundamental problem with the empire. When Ashok leads a bloody attack, Priya only sees the retribution that will occur while Ashok believes that he has to prove his point by any means necessary.

The book also reflects on different kinds of power, concluding that oppression and hierarchy are not the only kind of power that exist - community and protection and safety are their own kind of power. There is the power of direct force pitted against the power of manipulation and the strength of playing at weakness and showing different faces to different people. Finally, there is the terrible cost of attaining power and how its attainment measures up against the good you can do with it once you have it and the things that you have to do to keep it.

The magic and world-building are intriguing, with the deathless waters and the yaksa possession, the mysterious emergence of the rot at the same time as the new generation of temple children, the mothers burning themselves to stop the Age of Flowers and whatever the heck is happening with Chandra at the end. My one quibble here is that an explanation of the deathless waters and why only Priya can find them comes about halfway through the book, and I think it could have come earlier. It works well to have the flashback to the night of the burning followed directly by Priya finding the deathless waters again, but I think that the book could have explained that the waters are hidden/constantly moving and Priya has a special connection with the temple much earlier to spare readers some wondering.

As far as pacing goes, it’s definitely true that the first half is much, much slower than the second half, which ramps up in intensity and features an onslaught of very exciting scenes one after the other (in addition to lots and lots of travel that gets skimmed over). If you can’t tell from what I’ve said already I found so much to enjoy here. This is an intelligent, thoughtful and absorbing epic fantasy and I am truly eager for the next book.

[Alexia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book, but it ultimately fell flat and became incredibly boring. The story starts slowly and never really picks up. Any action we do encounter is brief and doesn't really evoke a lot of emotions.

The world the author built is undeniably beautiful, and I appreciate that, but the dull plot and lackluster characters made it impossible for me to engage. Malini is presented as a powerful princess and master manipulator; however, since her perspective is overshadowed by Priya's, we never truly get to know her. What we see is only a façade, which frankly, made me want to push her off a cliff.

Even when we finally get a glimpse of her true character, I still couldn’t buy into the notion that she was intelligent and manipulative. The author touted Malini as a "girl boss," but I saw no evidence of that at all.

Priya is just your typical special protagonist who is reluctant to kill but ultimately does so because she believes she must. While she grapples with the fear of becoming a monster, she casually contemplates eliminating anyone who disrespects her. But don't be fooled, she will never act on them cause she is a good character.
Oh, and she asks very obvious questions with very obvious answers.

In one word: annoying. I liked her initially, but she quickly became insufferable and stupid as the story progressed.

The romance is not worth discussing cause it was forced, and there was no chemistry.

I found Ashok to be a compelling character; yes, he took his actions to extremes, but his desperation made sense.
I question if the message the author wanted to give is that rebellion should never involve violence, and if yes, then, it made me feel very weird. There comes a time when discussions about peace are futile and action is necessary for survival; otherwise, you risk annihilation.

Frankly, I found the supporting characters more engaging than Malini and Priya. I actually felt more connected with them too. If only this book focused more on the side characters, that would have been so much better. Sadly, this book did not meet my expectations.

[nikki | ཐི༏ཋྀ​​݁ ₊ ݁ . · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Love can be a weapon that cuts deeper than any blade."

overall enjoyable, esp the toxic family drama.

what worked for me was the political/spiritual clashings and intrigue. though sometimes additional POVs felt like they were a lot, i liked how they were written in a true change of perspective where you pieced together characters overcrossing. it provided a lot of context as well for what was going on.

i really like priya, malini, and bhukima as the main female characters. they're all forced to make difficult decisions and scheme their way in a man's world. the varying relationships between each one's brothers and/or lovers highlighted the feminist themes. the romance was a slow build for me as well, but i feel like in the long run will be a very memorable one.

that being said, though there was some action and political manipulations, it felt very slow and the story does primarily consist of conversations explaining/reiterating what's going on. while the rot and magic system was intriguing, it also would've been stronger if the system rules had been clear or more concrete. as of now, it's quite vague. i would agree with some reviews saying this felt more like a prologue story than the main event, as it didn't really end w a bang that i was expecting.

i am intrigued to continue though as there seems to be ominous foreshadowing or promise of troubles ahead in this delicate alliance / situationship 👀

“Malini wanted to explain that being monstrous wasn't inherent, as Priya seemed to believe it to be. It was something placed upon you: a chain or a poison, bled into you by unkind hands.”

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book with high expectations and it did not disappoint!!! Lovers of epic fantasy, do yourselves a favor and get a copy of The Jasmine Throne. It is an intricate, feminist, political fantasy with a large cast of characters, sapphic representation, and really interesting world-building inspired by the history and epics of India. Thus far, easily the best fantasy of 2021 for me.

Malini is a princess imprisoned by her brother for refusing to willingly burn on a pyre. Kept isolated in an ancient, magical temple and drugged, one of the only people she has contact with is her maidservant Priya. But Priya is more than she seems and carries a dangerous secret from her past.

This is a story of kingdoms rising and falling, rebel factions, dangerous magic, and competing religious beliefs. I don't want to say too much because you should just experience it for yourself but I loved the nuanced characters, the unique magic, and the way she plays on competing loyalties. Oh and the powerful women who refuse to stay in the corners meant for them. This book was everything I wanted it to be. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Fadwa]

I HAVE CONQUERED THIS BOOK!!! and loved ever second of it

[JustJJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review and others @Bookerification

Rating: 4 stars

I see you, Tasha Suri!

Tasha has written a really amazing high fantasy book and made it look ridiculously easy! In fact, Tasha's vivid and captivating writing is one of the things I love most about this book. Each detail is brought to life with such clarity that I could not help but be absorbed by the fascinating world and tale that unfolds. There are no mountains of information or excessive details for readers to wade through. Instead, both the world-building and magic system are gently introduced throughout the book in a manner that is not overwhelming or confusing.

"After all, power makes everyone monstrous. At least a little"

I must admit, I was initially daunted by the sheer number of characters in this book. However, it soon became clear that each character is well-thought-out with a distinctive voice and personality.

The various points of view (POVs) we get, really helped to define each character as it provides an in-depth look into their thoughts, motives and behaviours. These changing POVs did not become annoying or confusing as they merged perfectly to give a wider scope on all that happens.

More specifically, I really loved the three clever and calculating women that are the main characters: Priya, Malini and Bhumika. Each woman is shown to be a badass who has mastered the art of appearing meek in a world that otherwise would not approve of their strength. While this does mean that they can be manipulative and secretive, these women are also shown to be fiercely loyal and caring.

"What a big void there was between the knowledge within her and the person she appeared to be"

Bhumika is hands-down my favourite as she accomplishes so much while at the end of her pregnancy and after giving birth. Priya and Malini are also great leads and their slow-burn romance was great to read. It really is adorable how they initially fought against their growing attraction and I loved that this did not drive them to be cruel or mean to each other. Yet, despite their best attempts, this initial attraction gradually progressed to deeper feelings.

It is worth mentioning that this book does have a lot of politics and intrigue as it is a story about changing the fate of an empire. No one was more surprised than me that I actually found these political aspects very interesting. This is likely because these aspects are introduced in gentle waves together with the world-building. I also found that the politics and high stakes more than made up for the relatively slow pace of the character-driven storyline.

In short, 'The Jasmin Throne’ is a book that lives up to the hype that surrounds it. Tasha Suri skilfully creates a fascinating world with even more fascinating characters that burn with passion and strength. While it may not be a fast-paced adventure, the high stakes and great characters certainly kept me entertained. No doubt I will be reading more from this author and getting my hands on the next book once it's out!



_____________________________


RTC @ Bookerification

Rating: 4.5 stars

This wasn’t the fast-paced fantasy I had expected but I was still hooked to every word.

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