The Oleander Sword

The Burning Kingdoms #2

by Tasha Suri

"Alluring, action-packed, and gut-wrenching," (Publishers Weekly, starred review), The Oleander Sword continues Tasha Suri's acclaimed Burning Kingdoms trilogy,in which a powerful priestess and a vengeful princess will change the fate of an empire. **

The prophecy of the nameless god—the words that declared Malini the rightful empress of Parijatdvipa—has proven a blessing and curse. She is determined to claim the throne that fate offered her. But even with the strength of the rage in her heart and the army of loyal men by her side, deposing her brother is going to be a brutal and bloody fight.

The power of the deathless waters flows through Priya’s blood. Thrice born priestess, Elder of Ahiranya, Priya’s dream is to see her country rid of the rot that plagues both Parijatdvipa's poisonous rule, and the blooming sickness that is slowly spreading through all living things. But she doesn’t yet understand the truth of the magic she carries.

Their chosen paths once pulled them apart. But Malini and Priya's souls remain as entwined as their destinies. And they soon realize that coming together is the only way to save their kingdom from those who would rather see it burn—even if it will cost them.

Praise for the Burning Kingdoms

"Will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of epic fantasy for years to come."—Booklist (starred review)

"Lush and stunning…this sapphic fantasy will rip your heart out." —BuzzFeed News

"Raises the bar for what epic fantasy should be." —Chloe Gong, author of These Violent Delights

"This cutthroat and sapphic novel will grip you until the very end." —Vulture (Best of the Year)

"It left me breathless." —Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter

"I loved it." —Alix E. Harrow, Hugo award-winning author of The Once and Future Witches

"Suri's incandescent feminist masterpiece hits like a steel fist inside a velvet glove." —Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun

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

513 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 16, 2022

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

[Ellie]

Malini please let me be your footstool

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tasha Suri you will pay for your crimes with that ending

Read my full review here

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[LIsa Noell "Rocking the chutzpah!" · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to Orbit books, Tasha Suri and Netgalley.
Love, love, love this story!
Has it only been a year since the last book? Really? Seems like I've been waiting forever! Here it is!
Was it good? Yeah, it was. Am I now counting the long days until the next book? Yep!
Things have changed in this book. War is on. Malini against her brother. Emperor/Empress.
Priya? Well, far as I'm concerned Priya is the heart and soul of this story. I adore her.
Whereas the first book was lush, this one wasnt. This book "let the shit hit the fan."
I had to re-read the first book before going into this one. What I discovered is that while the first book was very character driven, this second book focused on character development and EVERYTHING that could possibly go wrong! Crikey!😜 Lisa likey!
Was it as engaging as the first book? No.
But really, what the hell do you expect? Second books develop a saga. War, bluster. Blah. First books develop character. Third books? Jeezum crow! I'm ready!

[Isabel]

I'm sorry but if Priya wanted to crush my windpipe with her bare hands, I would simply let her.

you and I aren't the same.

[Lex Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.50 Stars. This did suffer some from second book syndrome, but I freaking loved it anyway! The Jasmine Throne was my favorite adult epic fantasy book last year so I could not wait to read this and while this book wasn’t quite as good -as it did slow down some in comparison- I really enjoyed it and I’m in love with this series. I personally had a really rough last week which included a bad pet scare and I spent a lot of time at emergency doggie vets (Lady, is still with us but we are waiting on tests to know more) so there were many times I just needed a great story that would transport my mind to another world and that was exactly what this book did. It was the perfect book at the right time for me and I could not be more thankful. It was also so beautifully written that even if I didn’t always love the story choices, I just didn’t mind.

I do want to mention that this is sapphic, adult, fantasy. I know some people have the label YA on this but it is Adult. There is a good amount of violence and death and one sex scene that is not explicit. This book feels darker in tone than I remember the first book being, but I have read YA books that have felt darker and more violent than this book so I think it would be appropriate for kids who read older YA books, but again I’m no expert in judging kid appropriate things. I also want to mention that this series is epic fantasy, with big sweeping casts and large books. I would also put this second book under military fantasy as the military campaign for the throne is the main part of this book. Because of this change I would now recommend this series more to fans of the first book, and fans of epic and or military fantasy. As much as I love and widely recommend the first book, I don’t know if I think the series as a whole, would be as enjoyable for someone who is newer to the fantasy genre or who is not much of a fantasy fan.

The romance was a small part of the book but like in the first book, I enjoyed it anyway. The small parts that were there were dramatic and fun to read. A fake example: “I love you so much” “No! I love you and can’t you see how tortured I am?” “You think you’re tortured? No, I’m the one so tortured by my love for you.” Yep gimmie more of that! I’ll read that angsty drama all day long, thank you.

You may have guessed by me calling this military fantasy that this book really focused on Malini’s story the most. While Priya’s story progressed, it just didn’t move at the same speed, but book 3 looks almost to be the opposite and I can’t wait to see what happens to Priya next. I’m assuming it will be the final book but I don’t know for sure. Everything is such a mess I can’t help but wonder how anyone can have a happy ending or even a sorta peaceful ending. All I know is I can’t wait to read the next book and find out. Suri is writing a wonderful epic fantasy series here and I feel very lucky to have found it.

A copy was given to me for an honest review.

[luce (cry bebè's back from hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

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

well, my expectations were destroyed so i guess i got what i wanted 🤡

The second book syndrome was strong in this one.

If you’ve read my review for The Jasmine Throne you know how much I loved that book (i think i described it as one of the best fantasy novels out there)...sadly I cannot say the same for The Oleander Sword. If you are hyped (like i was) for this release, I must beseech you to check out more positive reviews as my one will have no positives (besides praise for that cover). It seems I have a notoriously bad relationship with sequels & follows up. I often lose interest in a series and don’t even bother reading them, or I put them to the side after reading a few chapters (either because i remember too little from the previous books or because i just can’t get into them), or will myself to push through them and in addition to finding them disappointing they also end up changing my perception of the previous instalment(s)...which is what happened here. I was enthused by the writing and characters that I started questioning my appreciation for The Jasmine Throne. I knew that this being a sh*tty reading year for me (most of my most anticipated releases were disappointments) there was the potential of my not liking this…so I made sure to be prepared: i re-read The Jasmine Throne a couple of weeks before reading The Oleander Sword (once again i was really into it, even if i did lower my rating from a 5 to 4 stars) just so I had the characters, the world-building, the various plot-lines all fresh in my mind…and I am sorry to report that it did not make a difference.
Where to start...in The Oleander Sword I found the characters, Malini especially, annoying and one-dimensional. The narrative doesn’t allow for ambiguity, or if it does it has to make a big deal about it. Rather than having the characters be things like clever, artful, and conniving, we are told time and again that they are those things or that what they are saying or doing falls under those things. Interactions that should have been tense and charged with a sense of unease or potential danger, simply lack that oomph, as more often than not the characters’ motivations and intentions are explained to us in a very exposition-heavy kind of way. Malini is presented to us as the classic morally gray heroine who just has to do bad stuff to stop the Big Bad (aka her brother). Yet, she had this girlbossing energy that was really off-putting here. Time and again we are reminded of what’s at stake, why she has to prove herself to her newfound allies, why she has to go all ‘Elsa’ (conceal don’t feel)...and yet I found her far from an intimidating or potentially ambivalent character. It frustrated me that a lot of the time when she is being assertive she speaks ‘sharply’ and ‘tightly’...as if a woman in power cannot modulate her voice and she has to be made to appear ‘strident’. She was not a fascinating character, nor was I really rooting for her which is exactly the opposite of how I felt about her in The Jasmine Throne. In The Jasmine Throne, we see her at her worst and having to find a way to escape her confinement. Here she is meant to be a leader, the rightful empress, the girlboss par excellence…but when it comes to it, she has a weak personality that very much hinges on her position. Her allies were bland, and I often forgot who they were, so I did not feel intrigued by all the in-fighting. While Malini gets to become this (annoying) girlboss, Priya regresses in many ways. The story seemed to sideline her, and for much of the narrative, her pining after and subservience towards Malini were rather out-of-character.
I could go on listing things I didn’t like about The Oleander Sword: the plot is meandering, a lot of stuff is related to us (as opposed to having that scene be included in the narrative), and the characters are far more one-note and uninteresting than they were in The Oleander Sword, and consequently, the romance between Malini and Priya, that had me feeling all of the feels in The Jasmine Throne, was very much a dud in my books. The writing too felt flowery and trying hard to go for that "girls are like daggers" type of style that is ubiquitous in the young adult fantasy genre.
As much as it pains me, I fell out of love with the story, the world-building, and the characters that I had grown to care for in the first book. Suffice to say that I will no longer continue reading this series…however, this does not mean you should follow my lead. Chances are most fans of The Jasmine Throne will actually love The Oleander Sword, it just happens that I am a contrarian so this sequel and I did not hit it off.



before reading:

that cover is 😍

I am ready to be destroyed again.

[Samantha Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just utterly brilliant.

[Anna Bartłomiejczyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Czytałam to sto lat, ale im living for this zakończenie

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Oleander Sword brings the reader back into the rich Indian-inspired world of the Burning Kingdoms.

It begins where the first book ended, with Malini embarking on war against her brother while finding her footing as Empress. Meanwhile, Priya, now an Elder and thrice-born from the deathless waters, leads alongside Bhumika as they try to manage the rot plaguing Ahiranya’s land and people.

Although they are leaders of regions with contentious relations, Malini and Priya’s lives will cross again in their efforts to save their kingdoms.

This complex fantasy has multiple POVs that really help to give a full scope of the empire’s activities. Although Malini, Priya, and Bhumika tell the bulk of the story. Malini’s character development was exceptional. There is no easy path for her. She’s definitely my favourite.

I read the first book in this trilogy recently and must say I enjoyed this second instalment a lot more. The first book set the scene, but this one expanded the world-building. Not only does the reader get to see more of the empire, but there’s also more information revealed about the yaksa and the rot.

There is some action, but it mostly focuses on the characters and the difficult choices they must make to save their people.

I cannot wait for the third and final instalment. I highly recommend this series.

Thank you to Orbit for providing me with physical and digital copies to review.

https://booksandwheels.com

[Maria Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

DICEN QUE SEGUNDAS PARTES NUNCA FUERON BUENAS Y, déjame que discrepe totalmente!❤️

Es más, ay, santa Cachucha, ¿por qué te gusta hacerme sufrir así🥴?

O, ¿sería mejor decir: gozarla así😍?

Y es que, seamos sinceras, esta segunda parte es mucho más vertiginosa que la primera! Hay romance, peligro, traición, unos plost twist que te dejan🤯, muertes, sangre, dioses malvados, una emperadora con ansias de venganza y una sacerdotisa dispuesta a perder su corazón. Todo esto y un emperador muy pero que muy malo...🤭

ES MÁS DE LOS MASES, en este libro veremos cómo todo desaparece!
Cómo nuestras teorías se van al desagüe es un abrir y cerrar de ojos😲
Vamos, que podemos dedicarle un: adiós, muy buenas, a todo aquello que pensamos que podría pasar después de leer el primer libro y darle un: Hola, ¿qué tal? Encantada de conocerte, a todo lo que te espera cuando lo leas🤩

Es más, PREPÁRATE, PORQUE ESTA HISTORIA TE SORPRENDERÁ DE UNA MANERA QUE NI TE IMAGINAS❗

[JustJJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review and others @Bookerification

Rating: 3 stars

Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This gorgeous green cover is absolutely stunning and fits well with the design for the previous book in this series. The illusion of Malini is a great touch that reflects her significant role in the story.

Writing: 🌟🌟🌟
The fascinating world is gradually re-introduced and then developed further in this sequel. However, while the writing style remains captivating and easy to follow, it also takes on a flowery flair filled with excessive details. Despite this, there are still many unanswered questions regarding various elements of the magic system, including the powers granted by the deathless waters. This book also sees an increase in the points of view (POVs) compared to the previous book. This dragged down the story's pacing and made it less engaging, as some POVs add little to the story.

"Everything has a price… Everything demands sacrifice."

Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟
The story begins shortly after the previous book with a strong focus on the political landscape and characters. The pace is slow and does not really pick up since the storyline is filled with underwhelming conflicts and schemes. There is also little action for most of the story, even though there is an ongoing war! Thankfully, things pick up towards the end of the book as we finally get some intense action, along with numerous twists and painful sacrifices. This set things up nicely for the next book, but I wish the whole story had been as gripping as the final chapters.

Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟
Priya, Malini, and Bhumika are all struggling under the weight of their newfound responsibilities and the unsolicited opinions of others. Still, each character shows great self-confidence and awareness, displaying their growth since the previous book. Bhumika remains my favourite as she experiences the tension of being both a leader and a mother. In contrast, I was far less invested in Malini and Priya in this sequel. Malini is simply busy fighting for scraps of respect and power in a man's world, which was frustrating to observe. On the other hand, Priya fades into the background as she plays a supporting role for Bhumika and then Malini in their power struggles.

Secondary characters: 🌟🌟.5
The large cast of secondary characters was not only hard to keep track of, but most characters only made small contributions to the story. The overt attempts at making these characters appear complex and well-rounded only drag out the story. I would have prefered having the focus on fewer characters to keep the story as tight as possible.

Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
The cuteness that is Priya's and Malini's relationship is filled with way too much angst and pining for me in this book. I did, however, enjoy the two delicate connections, one involving Rao and the other Bhumika, a lot more.

“Let me show you how to break me”

In short, I had high hopes and expectations for this sequel, but I was disappointed. While I enjoyed the political aspects of the previous book, I was underwhelmed and bored by the various power struggles in this book. The rest of the storyline dragged as numerous POVs and tangents were explored. Even the romance aspect failed to keep me interested as it seemed too forced and angsty. Those looking for a similar read would like The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson.

[gauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

this does in fact, suffer from the second book syndrome but i can't believe next book is going to be the last

[hiba · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5

first what i liked: the magic system is really fascinating to read about. i enjoyed bhumika's chapters and the subplot about resurrected deadly gods was intriguing. priya's character is also fairly cool (that is, whenever she's away from malini). the use of religion as a major motivating factor was pretty interesting. also, it's just really nice to see an epic fantasy with vast worldbuilding and so many moving parts dedicated to desi sapphics.

now on to my (many) criticisms:

- malini is such a poorly written protagonist. her chapters were painfully repetitive. her political savviness is really just the men around her being stupid. we're told over and over by the narrative how she's a brilliant scheming genius but in reality, all her wins are through plot conveniences and other characters helping her out of their own volition.
- priya and malini's romance was quite disappointing to me (though i can see why people would love it). it's so unbalanced; it's just priya being malini's loyal lapdog, constantly giving and sacrificing for malini while malini's focused on her own goals. this paired with the fact that priya is from the country colonized by malini's empire was really off-putting for me.
- also, it's extremely frustrating to see the themes of colonization and imperialism that the series started off with get pretty much abandoned in this book. with the trajectory the plot takes, you can tell the author never truly cared about exploring those themes.
- someone please tell me what rao and aditya's storyline added to this book. because all i'm seeing right now are a waste of pages.
- speaking of wasting pages, it's actually impressive how tasha suri took the jasmine throne's weakest aspect - too many POVs - and added even more utterly useless POVs. what exactly did we get from malini's maid's POV??? and the girl barely gets mentioned again.
- the pacing was horrendously, needlessly slow. i understand first books in an epic fantasy series being slow-paced since you need to establish the world, magic, characters, etc. but what excuse does a sequel have?? it made this book a struggle to read.
- the villain was annoying as hell, sure, but not all that threatening.
- as for the climax....well if you're invested in malini x priya, you'll be emotionally impacted. i did like it though and i'm interested to see where things go from here.

overall, i think suri should've just focused on the eerie, magical aspect of the oleander sword instead of the political one. hopefully, the yaksa plotline taking prominence in the final book will save this series for me.

[Mai H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read this, I felt middling about it. This time, I read it immediately after THE JASMINE THRONE, in preparation for THE LOTUS EMPIRE, and was enthralled.

I tend to prefer F/F to M/M, and South Asian fantasy to East Asian fantasy. A different question for a different day, but I wonder what Indian ethnicities the nations are based on.

We left off with Rao giving his name, which effectively crowns Malini. In this patriarchal society, and with her elder brother Aditya still alive, there is tension between her and her sworn highborn lords.

Priya and Bhumika are now Elders of Ahiranya. Something interesting is happening in the dark waters of the deep. Something sinister.

As this book has been out for quite some time, I won't bore you with details, but Priya eventually joins Malini on her quest to secure the throne. The other nations are deeply scared of the Ahiranyi Witch, and Priya has to work hard, if not to gain their trust, then at least to gain their respect.

I love how much of this book is steeped in the elements. Obviously, fire is a big one, and follows the last book in playing a large role here. No spoilers, but comeuppance comes where it's due.

I hope the last book doesn't disappoint. If it's anything like the first two, I have absolutely nothing to worry about.

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit

[fatma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I try to be fancy with my reviews but I'm just gonna cut straight to the chase with this one: The Oleander Sword was absolutely incredible--not just a stellar novel in its own right, but also a sequel that improves upon its (already excellent) predecessor in almost every way.

I don't even know how to review this because I honestly don't have a single bad thing to say about it. Everything about The Oleander Sword worked for me. It's such an ambitious novel; it takes big leaps--with its characters, its plot, its worldbuilding--and it sticks the landing with every single one of them. The world feels so much more expansive in this installment, which is exactly what you want out of a sequel. Because Suri has already adeptly laid out a solid foundation for her world and characters in the first book, the sequel allows us to delve more into that world, and to get a broader view at how its pieces fit together. What's more, The Oleander Sword takes seriously the ramifications of the events of its predecessor; where The Jasmine Throne planted some important seeds for us, The Oleander Sword allows us to see them grow. Maybe this doesn't seem all that praiseworthy--aren't all second books of a series expected to follow up on the events of the first?--but it is. The Oleander Sword is impressive not just because its excellent as its own self-contained story, but because it delivers on what its predecessor sets up. Suri's writing promises, and then follows through.

Onto the characters, who are the beating heart of this book, and whom I ADORED. Of course, I have to start with Priya and Malini, whose dynamic just blew me away. The Oleander Sword is a much more romantic book than The Jasmine Throne, and it is so much the better for it. I say this not just because I love reading romance, but also because the romance adds a real sense of stakes and gravity to the story. Priya and Malini's romance is tender and heartfelt, extremely personal to both them, but at the same time it's inextricable from the political power dynamics that they find themselves instrumental to. Their relationship cannot exist outside their political circumstances precisely because it is very much part of shaping those circumstances. And let me tell you, it is just SO damn compelling to read about!!!!!! The intimacy! The honesty! The angst! More than anything, I found it all to be incredibly moving. Suri has such a deft hand when it comes to writing about these characters' feelings and vulnerabilities; they never feel anything more, or less, than human.

I've talked a lot about Priya and Malini, but I also want to spotlight some of the other character dynamics that we get here. One of my favourite dynamics--one that was a real pleasant surprise for me--was the relationship between Rao and Aditya. We got to see a bit of these two in the first book, but the way their dynamic evolves in this one was so interesting. Aditya is very much still his elusive self, a little aloof and a lot inwardly focused; what changes here is the way Rao relates to him, and the way that the events of the plot alter their dynamics. And I loved getting to hear more from Rao, too. I felt much closer to him this time around, and could really sympathize with how adrift he felt amongst all the political machinations he's caught up in. I also want to mention Bhumika, who is an absolute standout, as per usual; we've always known her to be ever competent and resourceful, but this book sees her challenged to her core. I don't want to give too much away, but her POV was easily one of the most poignant ones of the book.

Finally, I want to mention the writing, because Suri's prose is just luminous. I don't know how she does it, but there is something about Tasha Suri's work that is always so extremely readable. Her prose is easy to read but never plain or boring. It has a real sense of grace and economy to it; it says what it needs to say, and says it well.

The Oleander Sword was a lot of things--emotional, engaging, well-paced and -plotted--but what stood out to me most after finishing it was how epic it felt. The story of this series has become so much more expansive with this second installment, and I cannot tell you how unbelievably excited I am for the final book. Like, if the second book has already done this much, then I can't even begin to imagine what the third one will do.

Thanks so much to Orbit for providing me with an e-ARC of this via NetGalley!

[Narmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Idk why people who haven't read the book yet- since it hasn't bloody come out, are rating it 1 star. So please take this as a disrespectful fuck you. Xoxo

(Edit)

^ this was a response to the raters who were leaving the book 1 star ratings before the novel released any ARCS nor was anywhere near it's release date, (I gave a 5 star rating back when I left this comment). I've since read and updated my rating, but I guess the 'fuck you' stands.

[A Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Malini is still determined to claim the throne as the empress of Parijatdvipa but knows that she has a long journey ahead of her. Not only must she engage with her brother’s forces, but she also must try to keep the men following her in line. Priya is an Elder of Ahiranya and wants to rid the land of the rot that is spreading and plaguing it. She’s torn between her duties and wanting to be near Malini. But when unexpected conflict rises that threatens the world as they know it, they realize they must work together to save everything they care about.

I was so excited to read this work after how much I loved the previous one, but I was a little disappointed. It heavily explored the politics, strategies and battle planning of Malini, Priya, and Bhumika, which made for a slow read overall. Several interesting things still happened in this book, but unfortunately, there were chapters of exposition, inner thoughts, and planning that were not as interesting or engaging as I hoped they would be. The best part of this work was learning more about the yaksa, their role in the world, and all of the lore incorporated surrounding them.

The characters stayed well written, and I enjoyed getting to learn more about some of the secondary characters. Though the cast of characters remained large and even grew some, which at times made it difficult to keep track of exactly who was who. Thankfully, despite the lag in the plot, the characters’ voices and personalities were not lost or lessened.

This book suffers from Middle Book Syndrome in my opinion; It was a good read but didn’t live up to my expectations after the previous book. I still recommend it to those who are reading this series, as the next book promises to be intense. My thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for allowing me to read and review this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[C.L. Clark]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

[s ☭ · Rating 4 out of 5]

lesbianism has ruined my life

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

4.5 stars rounded up

Objectively speaking, I don't think this is quite as strong as The Jasmine Throne and admittedly has a bit of "middle book syndrome" (i.e. mixed pacing and a good deal of setting up pieces for book 3). But I still really loved it.

I would understand if not everyone shares my sentiments, but I am so into our morally grey lesbians with a lot of politics and magic coming between them. Plus all of the political maneuvering, and the very cool and creepy world-building elements that get expanded in this book! (sidenote for those who have read it- I wondered in Jasmine Throne if this could possibly be considered sci-fantasy and after Oleander Sword I stand by that suggestion) Overall, I had a great time with this (yes, including Tasha breaking my heart) and look forward to eventually getting to see where it all goes in book 3!

TLDR: Read this series for morally grey lesbians tearing down an empire, plus creepy magic(?).

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last 100 pages of this book have caused me extreme emotional distress. Tasha Suri. I'm in so much pain.

Reread Dec 2024: Hurts just as much the second time around!

[maggie (taylor’s version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

tasha suri never disappoints

[Brittany Taft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Orbit Books and Edelweiss for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Oleander Sword follows the path The Jasmine Throne laid out for Malini, a prophesied empress at war with her brother, and Priya, thrice-born priestess and Elder of Ahiranya. The Jasmine Throne saw them parted as Malini started her quest for vengeance against the emperor, gathering allies and starting a war to determine Parijatdvipa’s fate, and Priya, Elder of Ahiranya, trying to find her footing with its new independence and using her newfound powers to keep the rot plaguing her country away.

But Priya promised Malini that if she ever needed her, she’d come.

When it becomes apparent that the only way to save both countries from the people who would rather see them burn is to work together, by using Malini’s cunning and influence and Priya’s raw power, Priya comes when called, even if it means leaving Bhumika, High Elder of Ahiranya, alone.

In Ahiranya, Bhumika is left to deal with not only the rot plague, and the turbulent and fragile rulership of a freshly freed country, but with an old threat reemerging, from the Age of Flowers, who threaten to consume everything the three women fight desperately to protect.

My first thoughts finishing this novel were: wow. Epic. Pain. [insert a bunch of expletives] but also: “Second book syndrome nowhere to be found!!”

I worried that since it’s been a long time since I read The Jasmine Throne, this book might be hard to pick up, but this proved fast-paced, easy to read, altogether addictive, and hard to put down. Every time I picked it back up, I’d read and keep telling myself “just one more chapter” and then I’d read another, and another. Like a woman possessed, I could not help but keep reading, to find out what happened next.

And easily, easily, better than the first book! Which is not to say that the first book was nothing less than very good, it’s just that this book was viciously, breathtakingly stunning and I can’t think of a single bad thing to say about it.

All three women had magnificent, compelling story arcs, centering around who they love, and what they must do. Priya, torn between her love for Malini, and her duty as an Elder. Malini, torn between her quest for vengeance and to liberate her empire and her feelings for Priya. Bhumika, torn between her love for her infant daughter and leading Ahiranya, dealing with the threat there. Absolutely nothing was held back as they each had to make agonizing choices that changed their fates forever. Malini deciding exactly how far she’ll go and who she may become in order to become empress, Priya deciding how far she can push her newfound powers to their limits and what will happen if she does, Bhumika deciding how to deal with forces worse than an oppressive empire. The cost and the effect of each impossible, weighty choice.

I felt their pain, their uncertainty, both their helplessness and their agency. Everything made sense. Everything hurt.

I loved the setting, how the magic and scenery were complimentary opposites. From the Empire’s holy fire, fervent prayer, and hot sun, to Ahiranya’s cool waters, verdant greenery, and pulsating life. Both the rot and the powers given by the deathless waters are so vividly described, they somehow manage to be otherworldly and ethereal, yet concrete and palpable.

And the magnetic, slow but inescapable, pull that Priya and Malini feel towards one another while Malini must embody an untouchable, godsent empress and they must focus on a war they have to win??? *chef’s kiss*

As always, no spoilers, but that ending…. PAIN.

The Oleander Sword was an impressively addicting sequel, filled with epic highs and anguished lows, scorching flames and creeping decay. A book that pushes the limits, asking the questions: What would you do for power, for love, for freedom? What would you sacrifice for it? What would you let yourself become? and demands answers. It is a shining example of what female-led and female-written high fantasy can be. I eagerly await Book 3 and will supplicate before Empress Tasha Suri, if need be.

[Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This was a solid sequel in this Indian inspired epic fantasy series. The second volume resolved many of my small quibbles with the first book. I appreciated that this book had less emphasis on romance while focusing more on narrative progression and character development.

I look forward to continuing on when the third (and likely final) book comes out. If you are interested in this series, you will want to start back at the beginning with The Jasmine Throne.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[urwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

And I remember a tale of garlands. And ill stars. And two people who found their way to one another.
Tell me, do you remember it too?

Easiest 5 stars I've given to an epic fantasy that's the second book in a trilogy. Tasha Suri raises the bar of what a middle book should be and I am all for it. The plot was fast-paced, there was soo much happening, and not a single moment where I was bored or put off by the pacing. The romance was top-notch (all three couples were amazingly devastating). Fans of The Song of Achilles, this one is for you! The prose was beautiful and the scenes between Malini and Priya had me on my knees sobbing. The yearning and oaths of fealty were just SO TOUCHING I can't! I am completely blown away by this book, the 3rd book would have to be an absolute showstopping, fantastic banger to be able to top this, my expectations are exceedingly high. I don't understand the reviewers that were trashing The Oleander Sword for lack of romance, or lack of plot, or too much politicking - like hello??? Did we read the same book? Just because they aren't making out and hooking up in every other chapter, does not mean the romance sucks. It just means you have shit standards, sorry not sorry. Shut up and look at this gorgeous bit of writing:

"You are like ink", Malini thought helplessly. "Ink, and all I want is to make poetry of you."

"Is that what love is, Malini? Is that how awful love is? Because if it is then, I love you, the way that roots love the deep and leaves love the light. And no matter how much I try to be good, to do right - I'm all flowers in your arms, for your war, for you - "

If that isn't the most romantic thing you've read then IDK what you want. The prose is Song of Achilles level good and I am not fucking around folks.

The plot is also extremely compelling. There is the war Malini is fighting, the stuff Bhumika is struggling with in Ahiranya and Aditya, and his destiny. There is this impending feeling of doom and disaster throughout the entirety of this book. I feel like that's part of the reason why this part is so much tighter plot-wise than book 1. The plot feels like a held breath, just waiting for the other shoe to drop because the foreshadowing is so wonderfully handled that you KNOW something is about to go horribly wrong and all you can do is watch the characters hurtle towards their fate. It might also be, due to the constant theme of Fate and the role it plays in the characters' lives. Ironically we have characters like Rao and Aditya who are ready to follow their fate, and then we have Malini who is trying desperately to wrench her character's autonomy out of the author's cold dead hands. There is this dramatic/structural irony which is why I compared it to Song of Achilles, and that lends a sort of helplessly tragic motif to the novel.

The characterization is beautifully done. While The Jasmine Throne was more Priya's book and focused on her journey to become an Elder, The Oleander Sword focuses more on Malini and the price she is willing to pay for overthrowing her brother and finally attaining her much sought after power. As well as Bhumika and her struggle with trying to balance the rebels, the rising threat of the yaksa, and the consequences of motherhood. Bhumika really popped off in this book. She was easily my favorite character in book 1 and I was so glad to have more of her in book 2. I was also glad to see my Bhumika-Jeevan ship develop, I love them both so much. The tenderness was off the charts. I am really excited to see where Suri takes Bhumika and Padma's characters in the final installment.

We also got a lot more of Rao and can I just say, it's just Rao pinning after another guy after Prem. Suri please give my boy a break. First, he lost prem, now Aditya. Rao has been through A LOT.

A blockbuster of a sequel. Suri ramps up the stakes in the follow-up to her sapphic desi series opener. This is what second books are supposed to be. Honestly one of my favorite releases of the year. It will be difficult to top this one. The yearning is strong and the payoff is even more strong. Definitely rivals Song of Achilles in terms of romance and writing, and excels in terms of plot and characterization. Can't wait to see what else Suri has in store for us.




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Update 29/10/21
FELLOW SAPPHICS WE HAVE A COVER AND I AM DYING OVER HOW GORGEOUS IT IS 😭😭😭😍😍


Update 23/08/21
#SimpForBhumika

[Clara's Book Lab · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unexpected obsession for me as the first book felt a little bit like homework. But I’m glad to say that all that work learning about all the characters, the expansive worldbuilding and unique magic systems definitely paid off!

Now that I understand how the world and the writing work, it was so much easier to immerse myself in the story and every single part was amazing - the political intrigue, the war strategy, the plant magic, the historical impacts and of course, the romance!!! The strong and complex bond between Malini and Priya shone through all of the glory and gore of overthrowing a dictator emperor. I was obsessed with the crumbs of interactions and tension between them. Their romance was high-angst, high-stakes and high-stress but the little heartfelt moments make all the pain worth it!

And the ENDING! Oh my! It wrenched my already tender heart straight out of my chest, stomped on it a couple of times for good measure and shoved it back in there, and I said thank you, can I have the next book, please?🧎🏻‍♀️‍➡️

Taking this out of context, but ‘I can love for the both of us’ is the most heartbreaking sentence ever written in any book but especially on this one 😭😭😭💔💔💔

Tasha Suri, your writing is immaculate, your brain is a treasure and you’re incredible, but if you don’t give the happy ending that they deserve, I may have to write you a really mean letter! I’m fully invested now! 😤🔥🌿

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THAT ENDING and I didn’t realise that Book 3 is not out yet. Brb lying face down on the floor crying 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠

RTC after I recover 😭

[JulesGP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Read Update 2/17/25: I could honestly read this book over and over and still find it joyous and devastating each time. I’m glad I took the time to re-listen to the first two books before starting The Lotus Empire.

The Jasmine Throne is now one of my favorite fantasy books so I was ready to devour The Oleander Sword. But a funny thing happened while I was reading. I found myself slowing down, re-reading, and playing back audio chapters I had just finished. The author writes gorgeous passages that just bear repeating. Three women, Empress Malini, Elder Bhumika, and Elder Priya, each on their own journey, are searching to do the right thing, what calls to their hearts and minds, to act on behalf of their people. No matter what each one does, however, war and deceit win out.

My favorite aspect of the book is that we get three powerful women as main characters. I was invested in all of them, each voice distinct and engaging. In both books, the women carry the burden of ultimate sacrifice which made me angry and sad in its blatant unfairness but it fuels the three mc’s to push forward and to do the unthinkable. When Malini, Bhumika, and Priya are forced to make impossible choices, it’s heartbreaking to watch them walk these new, darker paths. The tension would be unbearable if it weren’t for the love and friendships portrayed throughout the book. When Malini and Priya have their moments of intimacy it’s not just steam worthy, it’s the characters taking back their humanity. Book 2 does end in a solid way but it is definitely open ended. As much as I loved the Jasmine Throne, I think The Oleander Sword is even better. Lastly, the narrator, Shiromi Arserio, continues to be perfect. Absolutely looking forward to Book 3 in 2024.

[MZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. How I love this series. I’m a big fan of epic fantasy stories and this series really stands out for me. It is so imaginative and it’s weird to say but I feel like I can really see the colors and surroundings when I read this. It’s inspired by Indian culture of which I don’t know very much so that might be one of the reasons why this feels so different to me. Anyway, I need more.

This book started a bit slow but that wasn’t a very big issue as there is a huge cast and it took me some time to remember the details from book one and to familiarize myself again with all the names. That said, I wasn’t immediately hooked to the story as I was with book 1, but once I got to the second half of the story I couldn’t put it down.

This book focuses on Malini warring against her brother for the throne, so you can expect plenty of war strategies and big battles and, like in book 1, faith and religion also play a big part in the decisions and outcomes of the war. Ahiranya is also not forgotten, there the groundwork has been laid for book 3 which will likely focus more on Priya. The romance between Priya and Malini is light but complex at the same time and I liked it. This book is a bit dark and I wonder if a happy outcome, or partially happy outcome is even possible, but I have to know so I can’t wait to see what will happen. Recommended!

And last but not least, I promised a photo of my beautiful special editions, so here it is.

[queenie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What is a star, he thought, in Aditya’s slurred, smiling voice, but distant fire, reaching for you across worlds?”

Rating: 5/5
★★★★★

read the full review on my blog!

All of my anticipated reads are proving to be absolutely amazing and I love that so much for me! The Oleander Sword, sequel to The Jasmine Throne, is a much-anticipated novel for many readers this year because boy, what a cliffhanger was that! I was so happy to have been approved for an e-ARC via Netgalley and safe to say, it’s a delight to have read it.

The Oleander Sword picks up albeit a few months after The Jasmine Throne, and like the previous book, there are a lot of characters whose points of view we explore, and obviously, there’s a huge buildup for an even better ending. We see Priya and Bhumika running Ahiranya as the now temple elders and the newly named empress of Parijatadvipa, Malini, trying to hold together the little power she has. But there’s Chandra, her tyrant brother, who’s seeking to make her burn willingly for the good of the nation and an ancient power seems to be returning to the land of Ahiranya to take back what belongs to it.

Priya and Malini only get better and better in the sequel! And we get to see more of Bhumika, Rao, and other women aiding Parijatadvipa like Lata and Raziya. We also meet new characters and they were all equally compelling to read about. The yearning that Malini and Priya had for each other was so well-done and I loved it so much! The love Priya had for her family back at Ahiranya was much more fleshed out than it was in the last book. We get to see her bonds with Rukh, Sima, Krithika, Padma and of course, her sister Bhumika.

Another thing that I adored in The Oleander Sword is the world-building. This time, it felt easier grasping the concepts as we’ve already been introduced to the world via The Jasmine Throne, and it also felt very real. You can imagine the clashes between the Ahiranyis and the Parijatadvipans—their age-old history of colonialism and lost culture. There’s also the matter of religion; some worshipping the Yaksa, some the divine Mothers of Flame, and some the Nameless God. I can proudly say that this is one of the strongest aspect of this series, along with its tied histories and bloody secrets.

All in all, The Oleander Sword, I think, is a fitting sequel to The Jasmine Throne. Unlike its predecessor, this one’s easier to sink into since you would already be familiar to an extent with the makings of the world, myth, and characters. The ancient element shone in this, and that was so great! The only thing that fell out of place to me was that in some parts, it sometimes felt like the plot was going nowhere but thankfully it doesn’t, because the climax is not disappointing at all.

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pre review:

24.05.22 — guess what i'll be reading next month? thank you netgalley and orbit books for the e-arc!

06.08.22 — MA'AM WHAT IS THAT ENDING???

[Megu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ostatnie sto stron jest fenomenalne. Ale dojście do nich to droga przez mękę.