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The Burning Kingdoms #3
The Lotus Empire
The Lotus Empire brings Tasha Suri’s acclaimed Burning Kingdoms trilogy to a heart–stopping close. As an ancient magic returns to Ahiranya and threatens its very foundations, Empress Malini and priestess Priya will stop at nothing to save their kingdoms—even if it means they must destroy each other.
Malini has claimed her rightful throne as the empress of Parijatdvipa, just as the nameless gods prophesied. Now, in order to gain the support of the priesthood who remain loyal to the fallen emperor, she must consider a terrible Claim her throne and burn in order to seal her legacy—or find another willing to take her place on the pyre.
Priya has survived the deathless waters and now their magic runs in her veins. But a mysterious yaksa with flowering eyes and a mouth of thorns lies beneath the waters. The yaksa promises protection for Ahiranya. But in exchange, she needs a sacrifice. And she's chosen Priya as the one to offer it.
Two women once entwined by fate now stand against each other. But when an ancient enemy rises to threaten their world, Priya and Malini will find themselves fighting together once more – to prevent their kingdoms, and their futures, from burning to ash.
Praise for the Burning Kingdoms Trilogy
“Will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of epic fantasy for years to come.” —Booklist, starred review
“Alluring, action-packed, and gut-wrenching.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“More than lives up to the hype with its rich and expansive world, compelling characters, cool magic system and Suri’s excellent writing.” —BookPage, starred review
Malini has claimed her rightful throne as the empress of Parijatdvipa, just as the nameless gods prophesied. Now, in order to gain the support of the priesthood who remain loyal to the fallen emperor, she must consider a terrible Claim her throne and burn in order to seal her legacy—or find another willing to take her place on the pyre.
Priya has survived the deathless waters and now their magic runs in her veins. But a mysterious yaksa with flowering eyes and a mouth of thorns lies beneath the waters. The yaksa promises protection for Ahiranya. But in exchange, she needs a sacrifice. And she's chosen Priya as the one to offer it.
Two women once entwined by fate now stand against each other. But when an ancient enemy rises to threaten their world, Priya and Malini will find themselves fighting together once more – to prevent their kingdoms, and their futures, from burning to ash.
Praise for the Burning Kingdoms Trilogy
“Will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of epic fantasy for years to come.” —Booklist, starred review
“Alluring, action-packed, and gut-wrenching.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“More than lives up to the hype with its rich and expansive world, compelling characters, cool magic system and Suri’s excellent writing.” —BookPage, starred review
494 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2024
506 people are currently reading
17442 people want to read
About the author
Tasha Suri
11 books4,439 followersTasha 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,223 reviews
November 7, 2024
i’m literally so emotional. talk to me about this in 5-7 business days.
tasha suri is an absolute legend and this finale was everything i hoped for
Read my full review
thank you to orbit books for providing the arc
Bookstagram
tasha suri is an absolute legend and this finale was everything i hoped for
Read my full review
thank you to orbit books for providing the arc
Bookstagram
November 9, 2025
3.5 stars
I was a huge fan of this trilogy as it was coming out and so I was pretty excited for the last book to come out, especially since I lovved the 2nd book. The Lotus Empire was very fast paced, there is so much happening throughout the book. Not a single moment where the book drags or it feels too slow. There is a sufficient amount of suspense and sufficient plot twists (nothing too exciting though). And despite it all, in the last 100 pages of the book, I felt myself getting frustrated with the book.
Firstly, the characters did not seem as engaging to me. I didn't particularly care about most of them, and when something bad happened, I did not really feel for them. Secondly, there were many parts of the plot which just felt too convenient. I would have to go into spoiler territory to give examples, but a lot of the plot resolution felt way too easy, given how scary the yaksa were set up to be at the end of the previous book, and how big a threat they are told to be throughout the book. But everything just seems to work out in the last few chapters, and to me it didn't feel particularly satisfying.
Secondly, I was very pissed off with how short Bhumika's chapters were and how little agency she had throughout the book. She was my favorite character from the first book and the only one I really cared about. But it didn't feel like she was able to really shine or do much the entirety of the book. I also hate when authors retcon stuff since it diminishes the original plot twist or sacrifice if it was so damn easy to reverse it anyway. Some amount of a sad ending is essential to wrapping up such a long story.
I also found myself not really caring about the romance in this book. They are pretty toxic, and it feels like they are still presented as the epitome of true love. At least in books like She Who Became the Sun and Gideon the Ninth, there is no pretense of healthy relationships. Every relationship is fucked in some way or another.
The very short chapters style is not something I am a fab of in epic fantasy. The plot and action seems to be the main thing keeping this book together and making it easy to read. The writing is not very subtle in what it is trying to convey either which is also something I am not a fan of. It seems like most literature is having to adapt to the age of social media and tick tock and short form media. Which is a shame since I admire complexity and density to a piece of art. Not everything has to be a 30 second reel or a 4 page chapter but I guess that is what sells best these days.
I still enjoyed reading this book, and while the ending did not feel as satisfying as I had hoped, I still really liked this series and don't regret reading it. I am pretty sure fans of the previous books will still manage to enjoy it.
I was a huge fan of this trilogy as it was coming out and so I was pretty excited for the last book to come out, especially since I lovved the 2nd book. The Lotus Empire was very fast paced, there is so much happening throughout the book. Not a single moment where the book drags or it feels too slow. There is a sufficient amount of suspense and sufficient plot twists (nothing too exciting though). And despite it all, in the last 100 pages of the book, I felt myself getting frustrated with the book.
Firstly, the characters did not seem as engaging to me. I didn't particularly care about most of them, and when something bad happened, I did not really feel for them. Secondly, there were many parts of the plot which just felt too convenient. I would have to go into spoiler territory to give examples, but a lot of the plot resolution felt way too easy, given how scary the yaksa were set up to be at the end of the previous book, and how big a threat they are told to be throughout the book. But everything just seems to work out in the last few chapters, and to me it didn't feel particularly satisfying.
Secondly, I was very pissed off with how short Bhumika's chapters were and how little agency she had throughout the book. She was my favorite character from the first book and the only one I really cared about. But it didn't feel like she was able to really shine or do much the entirety of the book. I also hate when authors retcon stuff since it diminishes the original plot twist or sacrifice if it was so damn easy to reverse it anyway. Some amount of a sad ending is essential to wrapping up such a long story.
I also found myself not really caring about the romance in this book. They are pretty toxic, and it feels like they are still presented as the epitome of true love. At least in books like She Who Became the Sun and Gideon the Ninth, there is no pretense of healthy relationships. Every relationship is fucked in some way or another.
The very short chapters style is not something I am a fab of in epic fantasy. The plot and action seems to be the main thing keeping this book together and making it easy to read. The writing is not very subtle in what it is trying to convey either which is also something I am not a fan of. It seems like most literature is having to adapt to the age of social media and tick tock and short form media. Which is a shame since I admire complexity and density to a piece of art. Not everything has to be a 30 second reel or a 4 page chapter but I guess that is what sells best these days.
I still enjoyed reading this book, and while the ending did not feel as satisfying as I had hoped, I still really liked this series and don't regret reading it. I am pretty sure fans of the previous books will still manage to enjoy it.
July 31, 2025
Blog | Instagram
Rating: 3 stars
'The Lotus Empire’ brings this series to a satisfying close, but the overwhelming romantic angst made it hard to stay fully engaged.
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Following previous events, the broken main characters face increasing threats and rising political tensions in this sequel. However, the yearning between Priya and Malini quickly dominates the character-driven storyline. This was my main frustration with the second half of the last book, and it made me hesitant to start this sequel. Unfortunately, the intense angst continues here, leading to an uneven pace that drained my interest in the unfolding story. Even the climax, which I had expected to be epic and gripping, felt somewhat flat, though I was satisfied with the ending for the series.
"Perhaps wisdom and war cannot go hand in hand"
Like their relationship, Priya and Malini’s arcs felt stuck in a repetitive loop. Priya once again seemed impulsive and fairly passive. Her interactions with the yaksa had the potential to drive remarkable character growth, but this was disappointingly underexplored. Malini maintains her hard and calculating nature, but I appreciated the political intrigue surrounding her and her fierce determination to defy the fate that others try to force on her. In contrast, Bhumika’s journey is filled with vulnerability as she grapples with memory loss and powerlessness, securing her position as my favourite character in this series. Her sweet, heartwarming romance also provided a refreshing break from the angsty dynamic between Priya and Malini.
"the world is vast and strange"
The cast of familiar and new secondary characters is enriched with emotional depth, bringing them to life. Rao, in particular, emerged as a standout due to his significant role and struggles with grief and faith. However, what truly held my interest were the complex political layers and bursts of action that injected much-needed tension. The writing style also remains lush and atmospheric, with vivid details. The audiobook, narrated by Shiromi Arserio, was another highlight. Her expressive delivery, character voices, and immersive vocal effects elevated the listening experience.
See my other reviews for Tasha Suri:
The Burning Kingdoms:
1. The Jasmine Throne
2. The Oleander Sword
You can also find more of my thoughts and discussion questions on my blog! - I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Rating: 3 stars
'The Lotus Empire’ brings this series to a satisfying close, but the overwhelming romantic angst made it hard to stay fully engaged.
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Following previous events, the broken main characters face increasing threats and rising political tensions in this sequel. However, the yearning between Priya and Malini quickly dominates the character-driven storyline. This was my main frustration with the second half of the last book, and it made me hesitant to start this sequel. Unfortunately, the intense angst continues here, leading to an uneven pace that drained my interest in the unfolding story. Even the climax, which I had expected to be epic and gripping, felt somewhat flat, though I was satisfied with the ending for the series.
"Perhaps wisdom and war cannot go hand in hand"
Like their relationship, Priya and Malini’s arcs felt stuck in a repetitive loop. Priya once again seemed impulsive and fairly passive. Her interactions with the yaksa had the potential to drive remarkable character growth, but this was disappointingly underexplored. Malini maintains her hard and calculating nature, but I appreciated the political intrigue surrounding her and her fierce determination to defy the fate that others try to force on her. In contrast, Bhumika’s journey is filled with vulnerability as she grapples with memory loss and powerlessness, securing her position as my favourite character in this series. Her sweet, heartwarming romance also provided a refreshing break from the angsty dynamic between Priya and Malini.
"the world is vast and strange"
The cast of familiar and new secondary characters is enriched with emotional depth, bringing them to life. Rao, in particular, emerged as a standout due to his significant role and struggles with grief and faith. However, what truly held my interest were the complex political layers and bursts of action that injected much-needed tension. The writing style also remains lush and atmospheric, with vivid details. The audiobook, narrated by Shiromi Arserio, was another highlight. Her expressive delivery, character voices, and immersive vocal effects elevated the listening experience.
See my other reviews for Tasha Suri:
The Burning Kingdoms:
1. The Jasmine Throne
2. The Oleander Sword
You can also find more of my thoughts and discussion questions on my blog! - I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Want to read
August 23, 2022Hello? After The Oleander Sword's ending??? Need this right this second.
October 30, 2024
Remember how I preferred THE OLEANDER SWORD on the second go around? I have a feeling I would love this more with more background, kind of like my PIRANESI re-read.
The first 2/3 is very slow. I want to say sophomore book slow. Chapters are long. There are many POVs. While we are familiar with most of the POVs at this point, there are some new ones. The last 1/3 picks up very quickly. The chapters are miniscule, almost short bursts. Most of the action is packed in this part of the book. I would have preferred it a little more spread out, but the story is gripping all the same.
I tried to do a modicum of research, but I need someone familiar with the Indian subcontinent to tell me which country is based on which. Some, I can tell with naming conventions, but friends, please lend a hand.
While THE JASMINE THRONE revered gods and a time long past, now that the yaksa have awoken and returned, it is easy to see the motif of monstrous gods. I remember rooting for the underdog. I thought the Parijatdvipans had it wrong. Turns out everyone has it wrong. All gods are monstrous.
And even as the yaksa and their frightening powers scare me, what scares me more is the priests of the Mothers of Flame. I know the idea of burning is based on sacrifice and choice, but it still monstrous to see it done. Does this make the nameless gods the most "normal"?
I was captivated by Priya and Malini's romance in the first book. When it broke in book two, as things often do, I was sad for days. Their positions take a bit of an opposite turn in this book. If you think you know what is going to happen at the end, you don't. And it's great. I may have cried.
Rao, that sadboi, is still my favorite character. However, there are many close seconds, so maybe that doesn't count at all. I loved exploring more of this world, especially beyond the map shown at the beginning.
If you see me reading Tasha's entire catalog, well, hi.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit
The first 2/3 is very slow. I want to say sophomore book slow. Chapters are long. There are many POVs. While we are familiar with most of the POVs at this point, there are some new ones. The last 1/3 picks up very quickly. The chapters are miniscule, almost short bursts. Most of the action is packed in this part of the book. I would have preferred it a little more spread out, but the story is gripping all the same.
I tried to do a modicum of research, but I need someone familiar with the Indian subcontinent to tell me which country is based on which. Some, I can tell with naming conventions, but friends, please lend a hand.
While THE JASMINE THRONE revered gods and a time long past, now that the yaksa have awoken and returned, it is easy to see the motif of monstrous gods. I remember rooting for the underdog. I thought the Parijatdvipans had it wrong. Turns out everyone has it wrong. All gods are monstrous.
And even as the yaksa and their frightening powers scare me, what scares me more is the priests of the Mothers of Flame. I know the idea of burning is based on sacrifice and choice, but it still monstrous to see it done. Does this make the nameless gods the most "normal"?
I was captivated by Priya and Malini's romance in the first book. When it broke in book two, as things often do, I was sad for days. Their positions take a bit of an opposite turn in this book. If you think you know what is going to happen at the end, you don't. And it's great. I may have cried.
Rao, that sadboi, is still my favorite character. However, there are many close seconds, so maybe that doesn't count at all. I loved exploring more of this world, especially beyond the map shown at the beginning.
If you see me reading Tasha's entire catalog, well, hi.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit
November 22, 2024
3.5 stars
The Lotus Empire is a beautiful and emotional ending to The Burning Kingdoms trilogy. However, with a meandering and largely uneventful plot, this final installment did not feel nearly as grand or rewarding as I expected.
Starting with the things I enjoyed: Tasha Suri’s writing is genuinely beautiful. The way she uses metaphors and descriptions in this story to explore the characters’ feelings and complicated relationships was a pleasure to read. I wouldn't say the writing goes as far as to be “purple prose” but it is rare that the writing of a book alone stands out to me as much as it did in this series.
The Lotus Empire excels at capturing the moral complexity of the world, the characters, and the history of the Burning Kingdoms. There are characters you are rooting for and that you want to see happy, but the conflict is not a simple matter of good vs. evil. Every side has good and bad elements. Even the most villainous characters have moments that earn your sympathy. And your favorite characters make choices that you likely won't like or agree with.
I also loved how the book explored sacrifice and how sacrifices are used and framed. Many of these characters must decide between what they want, what they need, and what others need from them leading to some incredibly heart-wrenching moments. The way the theme of sacrifice was intertwined with Malini’s character arc was particularly interesting. Through her character, we really get to explore the complexity of the empire and the role of religion.
My main issue with this book comes down to the pacing. And there have always been things about the pacing in this series that did not totally work for me. But it is the most glaringly off in this final installment.
The majority of this book feels basically directionless. Things were technically happening but it did not feel like anything was being accomplished or that the plot was moving forward in any real way. For the majority of the book, I did not even fully grasp what the characters were working towards outside of a vague sense of there needing to be a confrontation. This stagnant feeling is exacerbated by the fact that Priya and Malini do very little to advance the plot until the very end of the book. Rao and Bhumika contribute way more to the plot despite being relative side characters. I love them and I found their stories incredibly compelling, but I did not understand why they did more than the two main characters.
Maybe it is because I have never really been convinced by Malini’s character throughout this series, but I don't love her ending. I like pieces of the ending. The ending is emotional and there are some beautiful moments in the final scenes. But in terms of where it leaves these characters, I don’t know if I found it satisfying.
I have enjoyed The Burning Kingdoms trilogy and I think Tasha Suri’s writing is phenomenal. However, I feel like it is important to note that I do not love this series. So do not let my—slightly more negative—review dissuade you from reading this series if you have loved the previous installments.
Thank you Orbit for sending me a copy for review
Links to my TikTok | Instagram
The Lotus Empire is a beautiful and emotional ending to The Burning Kingdoms trilogy. However, with a meandering and largely uneventful plot, this final installment did not feel nearly as grand or rewarding as I expected.
Starting with the things I enjoyed: Tasha Suri’s writing is genuinely beautiful. The way she uses metaphors and descriptions in this story to explore the characters’ feelings and complicated relationships was a pleasure to read. I wouldn't say the writing goes as far as to be “purple prose” but it is rare that the writing of a book alone stands out to me as much as it did in this series.
The Lotus Empire excels at capturing the moral complexity of the world, the characters, and the history of the Burning Kingdoms. There are characters you are rooting for and that you want to see happy, but the conflict is not a simple matter of good vs. evil. Every side has good and bad elements. Even the most villainous characters have moments that earn your sympathy. And your favorite characters make choices that you likely won't like or agree with.
I also loved how the book explored sacrifice and how sacrifices are used and framed. Many of these characters must decide between what they want, what they need, and what others need from them leading to some incredibly heart-wrenching moments. The way the theme of sacrifice was intertwined with Malini’s character arc was particularly interesting. Through her character, we really get to explore the complexity of the empire and the role of religion.
My main issue with this book comes down to the pacing. And there have always been things about the pacing in this series that did not totally work for me. But it is the most glaringly off in this final installment.
The majority of this book feels basically directionless. Things were technically happening but it did not feel like anything was being accomplished or that the plot was moving forward in any real way. For the majority of the book, I did not even fully grasp what the characters were working towards outside of a vague sense of there needing to be a confrontation. This stagnant feeling is exacerbated by the fact that Priya and Malini do very little to advance the plot until the very end of the book. Rao and Bhumika contribute way more to the plot despite being relative side characters. I love them and I found their stories incredibly compelling, but I did not understand why they did more than the two main characters.
Maybe it is because I have never really been convinced by Malini’s character throughout this series, but I don't love her ending. I like pieces of the ending. The ending is emotional and there are some beautiful moments in the final scenes. But in terms of where it leaves these characters, I don’t know if I found it satisfying.
I have enjoyed The Burning Kingdoms trilogy and I think Tasha Suri’s writing is phenomenal. However, I feel like it is important to note that I do not love this series. So do not let my—slightly more negative—review dissuade you from reading this series if you have loved the previous installments.
Thank you Orbit for sending me a copy for review
Links to my TikTok | Instagram
December 23, 2024
4.5/5
I promised long ago that I would carry your grief for you. So lay it in my hands.
I am a broken shell, I am ruined, I am wrecked. This was so beautiful. I have no words (but I will still blab away in this review for ages because I am in utter awe).
Tasha Suri's skill has never been more apparent. This series is so magical and so unyieldingly painful, brutal and beautiful. It is full of such heart and hope and unwavering love. It is so wonderfully written, Tasha Suri's prose never fails to absorb you, it is astoundingly poetic. We are not merely reading words on paper, we are breathing the rot-green air of Ahiranya, we feel every lick of heat from the promise of mother's fire, we are alive and real in the world alongside the characters.
And what a cast of characters they make. I have adored them all for so long and it's been such an incredible journey to see them through to the end. We have watched them grow into people larger and more powerful than they ever dreamed of being, we have watched them warp themselves and change, and cut out their hearts. I loved how much they still had to grow, even in this last book, I loved how complicated and tangled the vines of their hearts still hung. They are such well-written, human characters, with flawed ideals and conflicting motivations, and so much tragedy about them all. Quite simply, I adore them and I am so very sad to leave them.
It's not tragic to love like we do. To be like we are.
I, absolutely no exaggeration, cried throughout the entirety of this book. There's such tragedy woven into the pages, such vibrant life that burns even brighter when parts of it crumble away. Loss echoes in our characters' hearts, betrayal chokes them. They start this book with a thick and cloying sense of devastation that never truly leaves them. I just adored every single step, every last chapter.
Bhumika's chapters were the ones I probably cried hardest at (although that might be a lie, as I very genuinely did just cry at everything) and when I said before that there is such tragedy written into these characters' stories, I sincerely meant it. The Oleander Sword ends quite shockingly for every last one of our main characters, and I knew this book would be an emotional one as it sits in the aftermath of these events, as we are forced to deal with the repercussions. But I think I underestimated just how devastating it would be to read (I'm sure Tasha Suri is somewhere out there cackling evilly—and we love her for it).
Bhumika is a hollowed out shell of the person she was, she has her purpose and she has made her sacrifices. She is followed by the most loyal of her guard who walks with her every step, who protects and defends who she is and who she once was. She has made the ultimate sacrifice and she has done so to save her homeland. For Ahiranya, she will do anything.
Rao is another character who truly sits in the grief of the events from the last book and his is a wretched and broken journey. He is no longer who he was, his faith and his heart have abandoned him. His is a journey of learning how to live again. And that is no easy feat.
Priya and Malini are locked into their eternal dance; through that unbreakable thread that links them we see the tides of war shift and fall, weaknesses exploited and grasped at with greedy hands, love made into something darker and more twisted. I cannot talk of one without the other.
Malini refuses to burn. It is not her fate. She will fight against this destiny, smoke already in her lungs. She has done so much, lost so much, to be where she is and she will not lose Parijatdvipa now.
All Priya has ever done, she has done for Ahiranya. She has sacrificed herself, hollowed herself, to become what her land needs. She is a temple child, she knows its waters, she is the green. But her land demands all of her, it demands more than she is able to give.
Another perspective I adored was Arahli Ara. It was fascinating to look through his eyes and see things both foreign and familiar, to see the burden of memory and humanity.
I will not say much more as I want this review to be accessible to those who haven't read this series yet, but I implore you to read it!
She loves you in a fathomless way my brain can't comprehend. She loves you like rivers and mountains and oceans love one another. It's impossible and ancient, and I don't know how such cruel beings can love so much.
The world of The Burning Kingdoms is brilliant, it's so unique and fascinating. I love how entwined our characters are with the very soil beneath their feet, with the way the wind stirs through the trees and the plants wilt and grow. The rot is such a compelling part of the world and I adore how vastly it affects the empire.
As with the world, I found the politics of this book incredibly nuanced and complex. I kept finding myself worried to death wondering how it would end, but I never should have worried, Tasha Suri is an immensely skilled writer and she always had it well in hand. I loved the ending, and I (obviously) sobbed all throughout.
There is nothing worthless about a broken thing—be it a tale, or a man.
I come away from this series with tears on my cheeks and a sense of loss in my heart. I hate endings, I hate having to leave something behind. I will never get to experience this world and move alongside these characters for the first time ever again. I have come to the end of my journey with them. That devastates me. And, maybe you think I'm being dramatic, but I think that's exactly what a good book should do. It should transport you, it should move you, it should change you. And I can say with iron certainty that this series did every one of those things.
Without a doubt, Tasha Suri is one of my favourite authors and The Burning Kingdoms a favourite series. All I keep thinking is, beautiful. It was truly such a beautiful story and a beautiful end. I am eternally grateful that Tasha Suri wrote this incredible series, I so wish it wasn't over, but I loved every moment of it.
If you take nothing else away from this review, take away the fact that I am begging you to read these phenomenal books! I can't wait for what comes next (The Isle in the Silver Sea is one of my most anticipated books of 2025)!
Remember. And grieve, sister. Grieve us all.
Thank you Orbit for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I promised long ago that I would carry your grief for you. So lay it in my hands.
I am a broken shell, I am ruined, I am wrecked. This was so beautiful. I have no words (but I will still blab away in this review for ages because I am in utter awe).
Tasha Suri's skill has never been more apparent. This series is so magical and so unyieldingly painful, brutal and beautiful. It is full of such heart and hope and unwavering love. It is so wonderfully written, Tasha Suri's prose never fails to absorb you, it is astoundingly poetic. We are not merely reading words on paper, we are breathing the rot-green air of Ahiranya, we feel every lick of heat from the promise of mother's fire, we are alive and real in the world alongside the characters.
And what a cast of characters they make. I have adored them all for so long and it's been such an incredible journey to see them through to the end. We have watched them grow into people larger and more powerful than they ever dreamed of being, we have watched them warp themselves and change, and cut out their hearts. I loved how much they still had to grow, even in this last book, I loved how complicated and tangled the vines of their hearts still hung. They are such well-written, human characters, with flawed ideals and conflicting motivations, and so much tragedy about them all. Quite simply, I adore them and I am so very sad to leave them.
It's not tragic to love like we do. To be like we are.
I, absolutely no exaggeration, cried throughout the entirety of this book. There's such tragedy woven into the pages, such vibrant life that burns even brighter when parts of it crumble away. Loss echoes in our characters' hearts, betrayal chokes them. They start this book with a thick and cloying sense of devastation that never truly leaves them. I just adored every single step, every last chapter.
Bhumika's chapters were the ones I probably cried hardest at (although that might be a lie, as I very genuinely did just cry at everything) and when I said before that there is such tragedy written into these characters' stories, I sincerely meant it. The Oleander Sword ends quite shockingly for every last one of our main characters, and I knew this book would be an emotional one as it sits in the aftermath of these events, as we are forced to deal with the repercussions. But I think I underestimated just how devastating it would be to read (I'm sure Tasha Suri is somewhere out there cackling evilly—and we love her for it).
Bhumika is a hollowed out shell of the person she was, she has her purpose and she has made her sacrifices. She is followed by the most loyal of her guard who walks with her every step, who protects and defends who she is and who she once was. She has made the ultimate sacrifice and she has done so to save her homeland. For Ahiranya, she will do anything.
Rao is another character who truly sits in the grief of the events from the last book and his is a wretched and broken journey. He is no longer who he was, his faith and his heart have abandoned him. His is a journey of learning how to live again. And that is no easy feat.
Priya and Malini are locked into their eternal dance; through that unbreakable thread that links them we see the tides of war shift and fall, weaknesses exploited and grasped at with greedy hands, love made into something darker and more twisted. I cannot talk of one without the other.
Malini refuses to burn. It is not her fate. She will fight against this destiny, smoke already in her lungs. She has done so much, lost so much, to be where she is and she will not lose Parijatdvipa now.
All Priya has ever done, she has done for Ahiranya. She has sacrificed herself, hollowed herself, to become what her land needs. She is a temple child, she knows its waters, she is the green. But her land demands all of her, it demands more than she is able to give.
Another perspective I adored was Arahli Ara. It was fascinating to look through his eyes and see things both foreign and familiar, to see the burden of memory and humanity.
I will not say much more as I want this review to be accessible to those who haven't read this series yet, but I implore you to read it!
She loves you in a fathomless way my brain can't comprehend. She loves you like rivers and mountains and oceans love one another. It's impossible and ancient, and I don't know how such cruel beings can love so much.
The world of The Burning Kingdoms is brilliant, it's so unique and fascinating. I love how entwined our characters are with the very soil beneath their feet, with the way the wind stirs through the trees and the plants wilt and grow. The rot is such a compelling part of the world and I adore how vastly it affects the empire.
As with the world, I found the politics of this book incredibly nuanced and complex. I kept finding myself worried to death wondering how it would end, but I never should have worried, Tasha Suri is an immensely skilled writer and she always had it well in hand. I loved the ending, and I (obviously) sobbed all throughout.
There is nothing worthless about a broken thing—be it a tale, or a man.
I come away from this series with tears on my cheeks and a sense of loss in my heart. I hate endings, I hate having to leave something behind. I will never get to experience this world and move alongside these characters for the first time ever again. I have come to the end of my journey with them. That devastates me. And, maybe you think I'm being dramatic, but I think that's exactly what a good book should do. It should transport you, it should move you, it should change you. And I can say with iron certainty that this series did every one of those things.
Without a doubt, Tasha Suri is one of my favourite authors and The Burning Kingdoms a favourite series. All I keep thinking is, beautiful. It was truly such a beautiful story and a beautiful end. I am eternally grateful that Tasha Suri wrote this incredible series, I so wish it wasn't over, but I loved every moment of it.
If you take nothing else away from this review, take away the fact that I am begging you to read these phenomenal books! I can't wait for what comes next (The Isle in the Silver Sea is one of my most anticipated books of 2025)!
Remember. And grieve, sister. Grieve us all.
Thank you Orbit for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 11, 2024
With the way The Oleander Sword ended, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of the final installment of The Burning Kingdoms trilogy.
Maybe it’s because it’s been so long since I read the first two books, but it took quite a while before I became invested in the plot with this one. It wasn’t until about the sixty percent mark that everything started coming together. The pacing was a bit inconsistent.
I might have enjoyed this more had I reread the first two books before starting this one.
I did like the way the story ended. It felt fitting for the two main characters. I’d have preferred more chapters focusing on Priya and Malini and fewer on the side characters.
As usual, Tasha Suri’s writing is beautiful.
So, this was a mixed bag for me, but I think others will love it.
Thank you to Orbit for providing a copy to review.
https://booksandwheels.com
Maybe it’s because it’s been so long since I read the first two books, but it took quite a while before I became invested in the plot with this one. It wasn’t until about the sixty percent mark that everything started coming together. The pacing was a bit inconsistent.
I might have enjoyed this more had I reread the first two books before starting this one.
I did like the way the story ended. It felt fitting for the two main characters. I’d have preferred more chapters focusing on Priya and Malini and fewer on the side characters.
As usual, Tasha Suri’s writing is beautiful.
So, this was a mixed bag for me, but I think others will love it.
Thank you to Orbit for providing a copy to review.
https://booksandwheels.com
February 2, 2025
asking my psychiatrist to up my dose of prozac after this
November 24, 2024
this conclusion... tasha suri i am in your WALLS (pleaseeee please please write a priyamalini novella just smth short after that ending please)
![Profile Image for julia ☆ [owls reads].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1636739475i%2F5520447._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
November 17, 2024
4.75
This is one of my favorite adult fantasy series of all time and I'm so happy (and devastated) with its conclusion. Tasha Suri knows how to build a world that captures your imagination right from the very first chapter!
The amount of tension in this final novel was off the charts, and I was so nervous and excited to figure out how it was all going to wrap up. The multiple perspective narration was masterfully done and every single chapter and character had a purpose here to move the plot forward. The pace held mostly steady throughout as well, but I admit I did find a few particular chapters towards the ending to be a little rushed.
So much happened to get all of the characters to this point. The character journey and development itself were my favorite parts of the entire trilogy. I loved that Suri didn't shy away from the complexities of human morality and war and wrote certain scenes to be as painful as they should have been. The sapphic romance element here was also very well written!
I will say that the series arc resolution was a teeny tiny bit underwhelming, personally. There was so much build up throughout the three novels and I honestly expected a couple of plot points to: 1) have more of an impact than they did and 2) be a little more complicated to solve. Even so, I'm very satisfied with the overall ending and can't wait to see what comes next from Suri!
Blanket rec to anyone who enjoys political fantasy with detailed world-building, female protagonists, and a little sapphic romance as a treat!
This is one of my favorite adult fantasy series of all time and I'm so happy (and devastated) with its conclusion. Tasha Suri knows how to build a world that captures your imagination right from the very first chapter!
The amount of tension in this final novel was off the charts, and I was so nervous and excited to figure out how it was all going to wrap up. The multiple perspective narration was masterfully done and every single chapter and character had a purpose here to move the plot forward. The pace held mostly steady throughout as well, but I admit I did find a few particular chapters towards the ending to be a little rushed.
So much happened to get all of the characters to this point. The character journey and development itself were my favorite parts of the entire trilogy. I loved that Suri didn't shy away from the complexities of human morality and war and wrote certain scenes to be as painful as they should have been. The sapphic romance element here was also very well written!
I will say that the series arc resolution was a teeny tiny bit underwhelming, personally. There was so much build up throughout the three novels and I honestly expected a couple of plot points to: 1) have more of an impact than they did and 2) be a little more complicated to solve. Even so, I'm very satisfied with the overall ending and can't wait to see what comes next from Suri!
Blanket rec to anyone who enjoys political fantasy with detailed world-building, female protagonists, and a little sapphic romance as a treat!
Want to read
November 22, 202120 freaking 23. 2023? It's a long way.😭
September 23, 2024
My thanks to Orbit Books, Tasha Suri and Netgalley.
I have loved this story from the get go.
It's actually been one of those stories that I didn't mind getting lost in.
Sadly, I have found that I have a very, very thin line between a fantastic fantasy book and romance.
I am not someone who likes romantacy. I love fantasy. I don't actively hate romance, but I tend to avoid it because its a bit like the Bible. Full of bullshit!
Thing is that I love these characters.
Thing also is that they became caricatures of teenage angst. Argh!
Fully grown women who in the preceding books had a new love, but not angsty. Honestly? It was like watching teenagers circle around a new love. Horrible.
In truth?
Yep, I quit this story at 90%.
Why? Why the hell not? Obviously everyone up to that point was going to live. Love will "of course" prevail.
So really, why waste any more time on this?
My final take in the trilogy as a whole?
It's a wonderful and fantastical world. So many lovable people. Just as many arseholes who I loved seeing dying! Just for the end book to turn into a love story.
Bummet, dude.
Still, this last book would only be a 3 1/2 stars. The series as a whole? 5 stars if you can deal with the angst!
Me? I can't deal with it. I such a waste.of words. 3 1/2 stars. Downgraded to 3.
I have loved this story from the get go.
It's actually been one of those stories that I didn't mind getting lost in.
Sadly, I have found that I have a very, very thin line between a fantastic fantasy book and romance.
I am not someone who likes romantacy. I love fantasy. I don't actively hate romance, but I tend to avoid it because its a bit like the Bible. Full of bullshit!
Thing is that I love these characters.
Thing also is that they became caricatures of teenage angst. Argh!
Fully grown women who in the preceding books had a new love, but not angsty. Honestly? It was like watching teenagers circle around a new love. Horrible.
In truth?
Yep, I quit this story at 90%.
Why? Why the hell not? Obviously everyone up to that point was going to live. Love will "of course" prevail.
So really, why waste any more time on this?
My final take in the trilogy as a whole?
It's a wonderful and fantastical world. So many lovable people. Just as many arseholes who I loved seeing dying! Just for the end book to turn into a love story.
Bummet, dude.
Still, this last book would only be a 3 1/2 stars. The series as a whole? 5 stars if you can deal with the angst!
Me? I can't deal with it. I such a waste.of words. 3 1/2 stars. Downgraded to 3.
December 10, 2024
4.0 Stars
This was a solid conclusion to this Indian inspired epic fantasy story. I appreciated how this entire series focused on strong female protagonists.
I would recommend this series to readers looking for a character driven story with a rich setting. However you will want to start back at the beginning with The Burning Throne.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This was a solid conclusion to this Indian inspired epic fantasy story. I appreciated how this entire series focused on strong female protagonists.
I would recommend this series to readers looking for a character driven story with a rich setting. However you will want to start back at the beginning with The Burning Throne.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
October 29, 2024
sobbed the last 100 pages, this is my favourite trilogy EVER.
September 28, 2024
waaaah i can't believe this is over. i need some bonus scenes of * and * as well. this was possibly the most bittersweet ending and overall depressing conclusion but i did love it in the end.
going into this i knew it was going to be sad bc we have bhumika memory less, malini betrayed by priya, priya having to take over all the elder duties, and rao reeling in from adityas sacrifice but damn it was literally just nonstop no happiness.
my major complaint was the pacing though. i think it was the slowest of the series and very much dragged out for quite a bit. mostly from malini and rao's storylines. priya and bhumika both had sm going on but malini and rao's genuinely felt so sluggish so it dragged the other storylines a bit as well.
like obviously struggled against the yaksa and their magic but idt it needed to be repeated over and over again. maybe more focus on malini as an empress?? bc it really just felt like you had to wait for priya to appear for smth to start occurring.
rao's povs were easily the most depressing by a landslide like he was depressed suicidal and gay 😭😭 wouldn't wish that on anyone. but at a certain point it did seem like he was just there...idk their storylines for the first half id say were on the weaker part.
now priya i loved sm in this book. she's never wanted to be a leader or ruler so when she was thrust into that position after bhumika disappeared, she really had to adjust to it and she did struggle with the changes but she quickly adapted and did things in her own way. loved the way she balanced everything esp as things with the yaksa started taking a turn for the worse. from book1 she's always been a defender and she really showed the lengths she would go to here.
bhumika ���🩷 she's always been my fav and this book proved it once again. the way that despite not knowing anything abt her life except that she knew of a way to destroy the yaksa she still managed to have that power and control that people got drawn to. it was truly sad to read abt how she knows nothing especially when we'd see in the other povs people ask abt her 😭. esp bc she's always been so devoted to ahiranya and sacrificed sm for her people even when they slandered her unbeknownst to what she'd been doing. and her continuing to do it without knowing herself ☹️🩷
can't really say much abt them but i looooved priyamalini so bad. forever one of my favourite couples, the way they kept on finding their ways back to each other despite what happened in book2 and the escalations here.
bhumika and jeevan were also adorable. he's always been so devoted to her but seeing it even more up close 🥹 loved the progress of their relationship.
one of my fav relationships in this series has been bhumika and priyas. they start off as estranged sisters who'd still trust each other no matter what and they stay being so important in each others lives. so for bhumika to have no memories of that was horrible to read. priya making sure padma was taken care of bc she knew how important she'd always be 😭 their relationship was also super cute.
i also loved reading more abt the yaksa and their relationship with their temple children and humanity.
unfortunately like most political high fantasy series the ending did wrap up quite quickly. not sure why but no author likes to do anything but quick wrap ups. that being said, i did love the ending it's what pushed this book to a 5 star despite the sluggish pacing. beautiful ending and epilogue.
now all we need are some bonus scenes 🩷🩷
going into this i knew it was going to be sad bc we have bhumika memory less, malini betrayed by priya, priya having to take over all the elder duties, and rao reeling in from adityas sacrifice but damn it was literally just nonstop no happiness.
my major complaint was the pacing though. i think it was the slowest of the series and very much dragged out for quite a bit. mostly from malini and rao's storylines. priya and bhumika both had sm going on but malini and rao's genuinely felt so sluggish so it dragged the other storylines a bit as well.
like obviously struggled against the yaksa and their magic but idt it needed to be repeated over and over again. maybe more focus on malini as an empress?? bc it really just felt like you had to wait for priya to appear for smth to start occurring.
rao's povs were easily the most depressing by a landslide like he was depressed suicidal and gay 😭😭 wouldn't wish that on anyone. but at a certain point it did seem like he was just there...idk their storylines for the first half id say were on the weaker part.
now priya i loved sm in this book. she's never wanted to be a leader or ruler so when she was thrust into that position after bhumika disappeared, she really had to adjust to it and she did struggle with the changes but she quickly adapted and did things in her own way. loved the way she balanced everything esp as things with the yaksa started taking a turn for the worse. from book1 she's always been a defender and she really showed the lengths she would go to here.
bhumika ���🩷 she's always been my fav and this book proved it once again. the way that despite not knowing anything abt her life except that she knew of a way to destroy the yaksa she still managed to have that power and control that people got drawn to. it was truly sad to read abt how she knows nothing especially when we'd see in the other povs people ask abt her 😭. esp bc she's always been so devoted to ahiranya and sacrificed sm for her people even when they slandered her unbeknownst to what she'd been doing. and her continuing to do it without knowing herself ☹️🩷
can't really say much abt them but i looooved priyamalini so bad. forever one of my favourite couples, the way they kept on finding their ways back to each other despite what happened in book2 and the escalations here.
bhumika and jeevan were also adorable. he's always been so devoted to her but seeing it even more up close 🥹 loved the progress of their relationship.
one of my fav relationships in this series has been bhumika and priyas. they start off as estranged sisters who'd still trust each other no matter what and they stay being so important in each others lives. so for bhumika to have no memories of that was horrible to read. priya making sure padma was taken care of bc she knew how important she'd always be 😭 their relationship was also super cute.
i also loved reading more abt the yaksa and their relationship with their temple children and humanity.
unfortunately like most political high fantasy series the ending did wrap up quite quickly. not sure why but no author likes to do anything but quick wrap ups. that being said, i did love the ending it's what pushed this book to a 5 star despite the sluggish pacing. beautiful ending and epilogue.
now all we need are some bonus scenes 🩷🩷
November 30, 2024
3.5/5
There’s no feeling like finally picking up the highly anticipated final installment in a well-loved series… And there’s also no other feeling like said installment not meeting your expectations. I’ve been excited for Tasha Suri’s final book in her Burning Kingdoms trilogy ever since picking up Oleander Sword at the start of this year. Unfortunately, I’m sorry to report that The Lotus Empire was a bit of a disappointment. That’s not to say it’s bad; in fact, there’s still so much of what makes the other books great in this one. But, it doesn’t manage to stick the landing in all the ways that matter.
The biggest issue with this book is undoubtedly the pacing, which is rushed and disjointed from the start. Things, and not even plot-relevant things, just happen one after the other with little room in between, even if said things should take longer than the break between chapters. Suri commits the same sin that the Game of Thrones writers did in the last two seasons by having characters teleport to different parts of the map instantly, even if the journey would normally take weeks or months. I’ve always loved this series' world-building and political machinations, but political issues and obstacles that would normally present serious difficulties or have drastic consequences get almost no development or get pushed to the side entirely because the Plot needs to move forward. All of this means that every climactic moment isn’t as impactful because Suri doesn’t take the time to develop anything properly. It almost feels like Suri abandons all of the meticulous build-up from the first two books in her final sprint to the finish line, and the narrative suffers for it.
To be honest, the writing was always on the wall that this would happen thanks to my other issue, a recurring one that crops up in the other books: the excessive size of the cast. When you have too many characters to follow, the narrative either gets weighed down by too many disparate plot threads or fails to develop any of those threads well and flies through the important details. In this case, it’s the latter; because we jump between all the different character perspectives so frequently, there’s not enough time to tie up loose ends or build up new plotlines. Consequently, all these plot elements end up neglected and underdeveloped, which is not how you want to end a series. It also means that all the different characters don’t get the endings they deserve because, of course, there isn’t enough time to develop them (I won’t get into details because Spoilers, but Malini’s ending, while emotional, doesn’t make a lot of sense for her character and feels rushed. If we had more time, this probably wouldn’t have happened). I don’t often say this, but I suspect both the pacing issue would be solved and the large cast wouldn’t be so much of a burden if this book were at least 100 pages longer. When the books in a fantasy trilogy get progressively shorter, it’s usually not a good sign, and this series is no exception.
This isn’t to say there’s nothing redeemable in this book or that I hated it–I wouldn’t have given it above a 3 if that were the case. There are lots of things I enjoyed quite a bit: the world-building, which is as excellent as always; Malini and Priya’s romance, which is as touching as it is messy (in the lesbian way, of course); the richness of the side characters, especially Rao and Bhumika, who slay as they always do. The strongest part of this final installment is the character work and how Suri portrays the interiority of all these people with different beliefs, values, and goals. Even though the poor pacing ruins how some of the final character arcs develop and the sheer size of the cast makes it difficult to delve deep into every character fairly, the way the core members of the cast have bloomed throughout the series and continue to blossom up to the end is so satisfying to read (and yes, the plant metaphor was intentional, thank you very much). It’s actually what makes the poor pacing feel so much worse because I know Suri could have done something truly amazing with these characters at the end, if only she’d given herself more time/space to do it.
Did The Lotus Empire let me down? Unfortunately, yes. But, I don’t regret picking up the first book almost two years ago now, even if it didn’t end the way I had hoped. I still feel a deep fondness for the world and characters Suri has created, and not even a disappointing finale can take that away from me. I’m looking forward to seeing what she’ll release next.
November 27, 2024
4 ⭐️
Overall I would say I’m satisfied with this conclusion to the Burning Kingdoms trilogy. It didn’t quite reach the amazing highs of books 1 and 2, but that was a hard bar to live up to. If you are looking for a lot of answers and deepening of the lore, you won’t really get that here. What you will get is a deep exploration of the ramifications of the end of book 2 and an explosive conclusion as things come to a head. If what you love about the Burning Kingdoms is watching the characters interact, then you will likely have an even better experience with this book than I did. That being said I still would highly recommend the trilogy. The characters are phenomenal, the world is so cool, and the exploration of the personal cost of making decisions in times of conflict on those in power was fascinating.
Thank you to Orbit for providing me a copy to review.
Overall I would say I’m satisfied with this conclusion to the Burning Kingdoms trilogy. It didn’t quite reach the amazing highs of books 1 and 2, but that was a hard bar to live up to. If you are looking for a lot of answers and deepening of the lore, you won’t really get that here. What you will get is a deep exploration of the ramifications of the end of book 2 and an explosive conclusion as things come to a head. If what you love about the Burning Kingdoms is watching the characters interact, then you will likely have an even better experience with this book than I did. That being said I still would highly recommend the trilogy. The characters are phenomenal, the world is so cool, and the exploration of the personal cost of making decisions in times of conflict on those in power was fascinating.
Thank you to Orbit for providing me a copy to review.
September 14, 2025
Naprawdę dobra seria fantasy! Choć ten tom był moim zdaniem ciut przeciągnięty to i tak się świetnie bawiłam i z pewnością będę polecać!
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[ współpraca reklamowa @fabrykaslow ]
“Lotosowe cesarstwo” to trzeci tom trylogii Tashy Suri inspirowanej kulturą Indii. Malini i Priya stoją tym razem po dwóch rożnych stronach konfliktu. Każdej z nich zależy na ocaleniu swoich ludzi i obie będą musiały poświęcić wiele, aby ten cel osiągnąć. Tymczasem przyjdzie im walczyć również z mocami, które mogą zniszczyć cały świat.
Trylogia “Płonących królestw” to idealna pozycja dla fanów fantastyki, szczególnie tej inspirowanej kulturami Orientu. Nie brakuje w niej licznych zwrotów akcji, które nadają tempa powieści i sprawiają, że nie sposób oderwać się od lektury. Tasha Suri kreuje naprawdę interesujący świat, w którym magia ożywa. Jest to seria pełna intryg i polityki, lecz nie zabraknie tu także czegoś dla fanów romansu.
Z fascynacją śledziłam kolejne losy Malini i Pryi i patrzyłam jak trudności, z jakimi się mierzą powoli kształtują ich charakter. Autorka nie zapomniała również o postaciach drugoplanowych, z których każda miała równie ciekawą historię. Cieszę się, że mogłam sięgnąć po tę trylogię i z pewnością będę zachęcać do niej innych.
Jeśli więc lubicie bardziej orientalną fantastykę, a nie słyszeliście jeszcze o tej serii, koniecznie dajcie jej szansę. Natomiast jeśli podobały Wam się poprzednie tomy, jestem przekonana, że i ten Was nie zawiedzie!
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[ współpraca reklamowa @fabrykaslow ]
“Lotosowe cesarstwo” to trzeci tom trylogii Tashy Suri inspirowanej kulturą Indii. Malini i Priya stoją tym razem po dwóch rożnych stronach konfliktu. Każdej z nich zależy na ocaleniu swoich ludzi i obie będą musiały poświęcić wiele, aby ten cel osiągnąć. Tymczasem przyjdzie im walczyć również z mocami, które mogą zniszczyć cały świat.
Trylogia “Płonących królestw” to idealna pozycja dla fanów fantastyki, szczególnie tej inspirowanej kulturami Orientu. Nie brakuje w niej licznych zwrotów akcji, które nadają tempa powieści i sprawiają, że nie sposób oderwać się od lektury. Tasha Suri kreuje naprawdę interesujący świat, w którym magia ożywa. Jest to seria pełna intryg i polityki, lecz nie zabraknie tu także czegoś dla fanów romansu.
Z fascynacją śledziłam kolejne losy Malini i Pryi i patrzyłam jak trudności, z jakimi się mierzą powoli kształtują ich charakter. Autorka nie zapomniała również o postaciach drugoplanowych, z których każda miała równie ciekawą historię. Cieszę się, że mogłam sięgnąć po tę trylogię i z pewnością będę zachęcać do niej innych.
Jeśli więc lubicie bardziej orientalną fantastykę, a nie słyszeliście jeszcze o tej serii, koniecznie dajcie jej szansę. Natomiast jeśli podobały Wam się poprzednie tomy, jestem przekonana, że i ten Was nie zawiedzie!
January 2, 2025
Oh my god. Just… oh my god. The Burning Kingdoms Trilogy is a trilogy I’ve been in love with since I read the first book a few years ago, so like many I’ve been waiting for The Lotus Empire for the past two years. And when I say that it does not disappoint? It does not disappoint!
A stunning conclusion to a beautiful series, Suri manages to not only tie up old and existing threads over the past two books, but introduce a few new ones. This book felt genuinely unique, not just an end to an ongoing story, but an actual continuation and expansion of the story we’d seen thus far. She manages to deliver on all the promises of The Jasmine Throne and Oleander Sword, but also make the reader wish for more without the wishing feeling like unfulfillment. This is a book I will be thinking about for ages.
I recommend this book if:
- You read the first two
- You like satisfying conclusions to a 2 year long wait to your favourite anti-colonial desi lesbians
Now, to get my one gripe out of the way. Spoilers ahead obviously for the book.
1. My single complaint
While this book is unequivocally excellent and does a fantastic job expanding on what we’ve already seen, I was dissapointed by the lack of worldbuilding around
That being said, let’s get to the important things!
2. the characters
Priya and Malini are back at it, girlbossing so close to the sun, as they scheme across the continent. And both of them are as vicious, delightful, and heartbreaking as they were in the first two books. I loved how they developed and changed throughout this book, the lengths they went to, the choices they made.
And oh boy, do they make some bad decisions. There were points where I was reading and going ‘oh no, this is not about to end well.’
Like always though, Suri manages to handle the characterization of each of her 500 POVs with a grace I wouldn’t think is possible. She manages to show the no-so-slow deterioration of Priya and Malini’s mental health, and the , all while making each characters voices incredibly distinct. Never once did I feel lost, even as we rapidly jumped between multiple POVs and places and plotlines and motivations. On an author even marginally less talented the book and it’s narration would fall apart, but like the genius that she is, Suri manages to pull it off like a grand magic trick, never showing exactly how she does it, and even making it look easy.
2. The romance
Let’s be real. We’re all kind of reading this in the hopes that Priya and Malini get a happy ending, yeah? Yeah. Now, I’m not going to spoil if they do or don’t. But I will say that the ending there is is incredibly satisfying. Suri knows what her readers are craving, and she manages to deliver not only that, but a few surprises along the way. Not only does she include tropes that I adore, she introduces tropes I normally hate and made me love them. Do you know how good you have to be carrying something off to make me squeal over a trope I hate? You’ve got to be better than flawless.
Priya and Malini epitomise the concept of long-distance longing in this book, and the pain of being enemies with your soulmate. It’s a tragedy in the utmost degree. Something hurdling towards an inevitable sorrow. Ultimately it makes for something equally terrible and beautiful. Everything hurts in its brilliance.
Also, when I tell you that there’s a season about half way through that had me screaming? Tasha Suri what the freak!
3. The pacing
The pacing, like always was fantastically done as well. The book begins at a break neck speed, breathing down your back, and doesn’t let up for a moment, yet manages to not feel rushed or crowded as it does so. By expanding more on the world, Suri manages to hit a goldilocks zone of storytelling, worldbuilding, and action, allowing herself variety beyond just endlessly wrapping up plot points. And that really does this book a favour, especially for the length of it.
TLDR: Ultimately, The Lotus Empire blazes with Suri’s unrivalled talent. There are no fantasy authors writing like Suri is right now, for all the good and ills that brings. If you had any worries about the conclusion to the Burning Kingdoms, abandon them all at the door. You need not fear.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher, orbit, for the ARC.
A stunning conclusion to a beautiful series, Suri manages to not only tie up old and existing threads over the past two books, but introduce a few new ones. This book felt genuinely unique, not just an end to an ongoing story, but an actual continuation and expansion of the story we’d seen thus far. She manages to deliver on all the promises of The Jasmine Throne and Oleander Sword, but also make the reader wish for more without the wishing feeling like unfulfillment. This is a book I will be thinking about for ages.
I recommend this book if:
- You read the first two
- You like satisfying conclusions to a 2 year long wait to your favourite anti-colonial desi lesbians
Now, to get my one gripe out of the way. Spoilers ahead obviously for the book.
1. My single complaint
While this book is unequivocally excellent and does a fantastic job expanding on what we’ve already seen, I was dissapointed by the lack of worldbuilding around
That being said, let’s get to the important things!
2. the characters
Priya and Malini are back at it, girlbossing so close to the sun, as they scheme across the continent. And both of them are as vicious, delightful, and heartbreaking as they were in the first two books. I loved how they developed and changed throughout this book, the lengths they went to, the choices they made.
And oh boy, do they make some bad decisions. There were points where I was reading and going ‘oh no, this is not about to end well.’
Like always though, Suri manages to handle the characterization of each of her 500 POVs with a grace I wouldn’t think is possible. She manages to show the no-so-slow deterioration of Priya and Malini’s mental health, and the , all while making each characters voices incredibly distinct. Never once did I feel lost, even as we rapidly jumped between multiple POVs and places and plotlines and motivations. On an author even marginally less talented the book and it’s narration would fall apart, but like the genius that she is, Suri manages to pull it off like a grand magic trick, never showing exactly how she does it, and even making it look easy.
2. The romance
Let’s be real. We’re all kind of reading this in the hopes that Priya and Malini get a happy ending, yeah? Yeah. Now, I’m not going to spoil if they do or don’t. But I will say that the ending there is is incredibly satisfying. Suri knows what her readers are craving, and she manages to deliver not only that, but a few surprises along the way. Not only does she include tropes that I adore, she introduces tropes I normally hate and made me love them. Do you know how good you have to be carrying something off to make me squeal over a trope I hate? You’ve got to be better than flawless.
Priya and Malini epitomise the concept of long-distance longing in this book, and the pain of being enemies with your soulmate. It’s a tragedy in the utmost degree. Something hurdling towards an inevitable sorrow. Ultimately it makes for something equally terrible and beautiful. Everything hurts in its brilliance.
Also, when I tell you that there’s a season about half way through that had me screaming? Tasha Suri what the freak!
3. The pacing
The pacing, like always was fantastically done as well. The book begins at a break neck speed, breathing down your back, and doesn’t let up for a moment, yet manages to not feel rushed or crowded as it does so. By expanding more on the world, Suri manages to hit a goldilocks zone of storytelling, worldbuilding, and action, allowing herself variety beyond just endlessly wrapping up plot points. And that really does this book a favour, especially for the length of it.
TLDR: Ultimately, The Lotus Empire blazes with Suri’s unrivalled talent. There are no fantasy authors writing like Suri is right now, for all the good and ills that brings. If you had any worries about the conclusion to the Burning Kingdoms, abandon them all at the door. You need not fear.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher, orbit, for the ARC.
November 12, 2025
3.75⭐️
Jest to dobra historia, ale po raz kolejny mialam poczucie ze pierwsza czesc ksiazki mocno przeciagnieta, mam wrazenie ze ta trylogia by dla mnie zadzialala lepiej jako dylogia. Niemniej, jak ktos lubi klimaty wschodnie - polecam!
Jest to dobra historia, ale po raz kolejny mialam poczucie ze pierwsza czesc ksiazki mocno przeciagnieta, mam wrazenie ze ta trylogia by dla mnie zadzialala lepiej jako dylogia. Niemniej, jak ktos lubi klimaty wschodnie - polecam!
October 9, 2024
The Lotus Empire is an epic and compelling conclusion to the Burning Kingdoms trilogy. I’m going to avoid a plot summary to keep from spoiling the previous books in the series but do know that The Oleander Sword ends on a major conflict between characters a large world-changing threat, and it is up to Burning Kingdoms to navigate extremely tense relationships and tie together an intricate web of sociopolitical aims into a satisfying conclusion. This is where The Lotus Empire excels: as the final piece of a long and complex trilogy, this book does an amazing job of reaching a satisfactory ending to the many plot arcs throughout the series.
The main core to this is the relationship between Malini and Priya: though the two spend a good portion of this book apart, the single-minded devotion each never loses its weight, even as the boundary between adoration and hatred of the enemy shifts back and forth. This was a high point of the book for me: Malini’s constant struggle to balance her love for Priya, her reputation which allows her to keep her throne, and the ramifications of the end of The Oleander Sword are tense and complex. Priya’s struggle to reckon with the reign of the Yaksa, her feelings for and about Malini, and the protection of her people are equally compelling. Overall, these relationships are the beating heart of this book, and their interrogation is amazing, as it was in previous books in the series.
As for side characters, Bhumika’s plotline is equally compelling. Her mental state throughout this book is one which feels as though it could be very hard to connect with as the reader, and yet it is navigated expertly. On the other hand, I found Rao’s plotline to be a bit more lacking. It’s not bad—I still felt his grief and struggle to move forward with his life to be a strong through-line in the book. That being said, I felt as though his plot could stagnate, where the timbre of his chapters never really changed or developed in a way that made them interesting. While I like his ending, I found his chapters more dry than those of the other characters.
The other major strength of this book and series as a whole is the prose: often, Suri describes things in metaphor in a way I found really intriguing to read. It’s the kind of writing which conveys emotions very well. It forgoes literal interpretation of the words in order to better portray the atmosphere of a scene. In my opinion, it might be the single greatest strength of the series, and something I enjoy reading immensely.
In the end, I believe this is a four out of five-star book. The reasons I am not giving it five stars is twofold: first is the issue with Rao’s storyline as discussed above, and the second as that the pacing of this book felt off, in a way that I have some trouble putting words to. It not necessarily that the book is slow: plenty happens, and each of the viewpoints is generally interesting at any given time. Yet, I still struggled to get into the book, especially at the beginning. I think it is, at least for the first good chunk of the book, a lot is happening, but it does not necessarily feel like it is driving in any particular direction. This does get better a bit past the midway point of the book, but even then, I didn’t find this book to be as easy to get lost in as the previous two entries for most of the story. This book felt long in a way the previous two did not, though I am not sure what the difference is.
Overall, I did enjoy my reading experience with this book. The series is one I definitely recommend to any reader who likes intricate and imaginative fantasy series, and especially those who are interested explorations of relationships that are just never simple or straightforward. I am very glad I read this series, and very grateful to have been given the chance to review the final book.
Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The main core to this is the relationship between Malini and Priya: though the two spend a good portion of this book apart, the single-minded devotion each never loses its weight, even as the boundary between adoration and hatred of the enemy shifts back and forth. This was a high point of the book for me: Malini’s constant struggle to balance her love for Priya, her reputation which allows her to keep her throne, and the ramifications of the end of The Oleander Sword are tense and complex. Priya’s struggle to reckon with the reign of the Yaksa, her feelings for and about Malini, and the protection of her people are equally compelling. Overall, these relationships are the beating heart of this book, and their interrogation is amazing, as it was in previous books in the series.
As for side characters, Bhumika’s plotline is equally compelling. Her mental state throughout this book is one which feels as though it could be very hard to connect with as the reader, and yet it is navigated expertly. On the other hand, I found Rao’s plotline to be a bit more lacking. It’s not bad—I still felt his grief and struggle to move forward with his life to be a strong through-line in the book. That being said, I felt as though his plot could stagnate, where the timbre of his chapters never really changed or developed in a way that made them interesting. While I like his ending, I found his chapters more dry than those of the other characters.
The other major strength of this book and series as a whole is the prose: often, Suri describes things in metaphor in a way I found really intriguing to read. It’s the kind of writing which conveys emotions very well. It forgoes literal interpretation of the words in order to better portray the atmosphere of a scene. In my opinion, it might be the single greatest strength of the series, and something I enjoy reading immensely.
In the end, I believe this is a four out of five-star book. The reasons I am not giving it five stars is twofold: first is the issue with Rao’s storyline as discussed above, and the second as that the pacing of this book felt off, in a way that I have some trouble putting words to. It not necessarily that the book is slow: plenty happens, and each of the viewpoints is generally interesting at any given time. Yet, I still struggled to get into the book, especially at the beginning. I think it is, at least for the first good chunk of the book, a lot is happening, but it does not necessarily feel like it is driving in any particular direction. This does get better a bit past the midway point of the book, but even then, I didn’t find this book to be as easy to get lost in as the previous two entries for most of the story. This book felt long in a way the previous two did not, though I am not sure what the difference is.
Overall, I did enjoy my reading experience with this book. The series is one I definitely recommend to any reader who likes intricate and imaginative fantasy series, and especially those who are interested explorations of relationships that are just never simple or straightforward. I am very glad I read this series, and very grateful to have been given the chance to review the final book.
Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2024
I loved this book, and I've loved this trilogy. This was a great ending to the story! I love Priya and I love Malini and I loved seeing their conclusion. I also enjoyed Bhumika's and Rao's stories. Grief was a big theme, and they were both so tragic. I'm happy with Bhumika's ending, and I hope Rao was able to move forward in some way.
Throughout book 2, we learn that the yaska are monstrous, and I liked that in this book we learn that *all* the gods are monstrous. That they use humans for their faith and worship, and demand horrible sacrifice from their followers.
Sacrifice is another theme of this book, mainly Priya's and Malini's. I won't go into detail due to spoilers, but their ending was emotional and almost bittersweet, but I ultimately think it fit them and their love story. I will say that they do end up together! Just in strange circumstances.
It did have some issues. Similar to book 2, book 3's pacing was off. The first two thirds were slow paced while the last was all action. And also, again, similar to book 2, the characters were travelling all over the empire but I didn't get any sense of time from it, like they were teleporting. This is partially explained for Priya at least, as she can make 'paths' with her magic, which allow her to walk places in almost no time at all, but the others don't have that ability yet it felt like they did.
Another little issue was the Heart's Shell. It played a big role in the book, yet it seemed to come out of nowhere. I think some foreshadowing should have been seeded in the first two books.
Still, this was great! Check out this trilogy if you enjoy fantasy!
Throughout book 2, we learn that the yaska are monstrous, and I liked that in this book we learn that *all* the gods are monstrous. That they use humans for their faith and worship, and demand horrible sacrifice from their followers.
Sacrifice is another theme of this book, mainly Priya's and Malini's. I won't go into detail due to spoilers, but their ending was emotional and almost bittersweet, but I ultimately think it fit them and their love story. I will say that they do end up together! Just in strange circumstances.
It did have some issues. Similar to book 2, book 3's pacing was off. The first two thirds were slow paced while the last was all action. And also, again, similar to book 2, the characters were travelling all over the empire but I didn't get any sense of time from it, like they were teleporting. This is partially explained for Priya at least, as she can make 'paths' with her magic, which allow her to walk places in almost no time at all, but the others don't have that ability yet it felt like they did.
Another little issue was the Heart's Shell. It played a big role in the book, yet it seemed to come out of nowhere. I think some foreshadowing should have been seeded in the first two books.
Still, this was great! Check out this trilogy if you enjoy fantasy!
December 1, 2024
Beautiful conclusion to a solid series. The first 50% of this book felt a little listless and I wasn’t sure where we were headed, but the back half was a wild ride and a very satisfying ending.
November 24, 2024
I'm appalled at myself, but...I just have no interest in finishing this.
Maybe I should have reread the rest of the trilogy before diving into Lotus Empire? Maybe? Except that didn't seem like the issue - I had no problem remembering who was who and what was happening. But there's no sense of urgency; a lot of POV switching that doesn't really add anything to the story, and...nothing really happening for the entire first half of the book?
I'm not kidding: I made it to page 303 of 606 on my kindle, exactly 50%, and it all feels so...vague? Meh? Nothing's happening, and it doesn't feel like anything's going to happen.
There's a high possibility that the problem is me - my reading has been seriously wonky this month, it's been a struggle to stay interested in any book. But at the moment, I don't want to continue, and I don't foresee picking Lotus Empire up a second time in the future.
Maybe I should have reread the rest of the trilogy before diving into Lotus Empire? Maybe? Except that didn't seem like the issue - I had no problem remembering who was who and what was happening. But there's no sense of urgency; a lot of POV switching that doesn't really add anything to the story, and...nothing really happening for the entire first half of the book?
I'm not kidding: I made it to page 303 of 606 on my kindle, exactly 50%, and it all feels so...vague? Meh? Nothing's happening, and it doesn't feel like anything's going to happen.
There's a high possibility that the problem is me - my reading has been seriously wonky this month, it's been a struggle to stay interested in any book. But at the moment, I don't want to continue, and I don't foresee picking Lotus Empire up a second time in the future.
May 10, 2025
I’m trying to grasp my mind around this brilliant and perfect ending for The burning kingdoms trilogy!
This last book had me hooked from the very start (as the other previous two btw) but the last few chapters had me on a chokehold I couldn’t escape. I can freely say now that this trilogy has become one of my favorites of all time.
The world building is just top tier and I think I’ve never been able to use my imagination as much as I have with these books. I felt connected to all characters’s stories and points of view in a special way.
Priya and Malini, you will always have a place in my heart.
This last book had me hooked from the very start (as the other previous two btw) but the last few chapters had me on a chokehold I couldn’t escape. I can freely say now that this trilogy has become one of my favorites of all time.
The world building is just top tier and I think I’ve never been able to use my imagination as much as I have with these books. I felt connected to all characters’s stories and points of view in a special way.
Priya and Malini, you will always have a place in my heart.
April 9, 2025
rao: i can still hear his voice
aditya: gay gay homosexual gay
aditya: gay gay homosexual gay
March 2, 2025
I honestly don’t know what more to say about this series. It’s certainly been one of the most fulfilling set of stories I’ve ever read. I would pick the Burning Kingdoms Trilogy as my desert island choice for sure.
The third book sets the tone early. No one is leaving unscathed. But there’s also hope and belief that the people will triumph over the evil of the gods and the humans who serve them. The author builds up the tension with battles and fire and floods, an apocalyptic backdrop. Malini and Priya are at the center of the turmoil, of course, but their love story is what is enduring. The ending is perfect. We also get satisfying conclusions for the rest of the characters, Bhumika, Rao, Sima, Rukh, and Padma. Big applause to the narrator, Shiromi Arserio, who gave these characters voice and passion through the entire series. If you’re a fan of Fantasy or just great storytelling, this series should be on your list.
The third book sets the tone early. No one is leaving unscathed. But there’s also hope and belief that the people will triumph over the evil of the gods and the humans who serve them. The author builds up the tension with battles and fire and floods, an apocalyptic backdrop. Malini and Priya are at the center of the turmoil, of course, but their love story is what is enduring. The ending is perfect. We also get satisfying conclusions for the rest of the characters, Bhumika, Rao, Sima, Rukh, and Padma. Big applause to the narrator, Shiromi Arserio, who gave these characters voice and passion through the entire series. If you’re a fan of Fantasy or just great storytelling, this series should be on your list.
August 18, 2025
I have many thoughts, but it was good ending
November 19, 2024
Finał Płonących Królestw to trochę jak zjedzenie trzeciego ciastka, po pierwszym zaskakująco smacznym a drugim wybitnym, gdzie trzecie wygląda równie wspaniale i jest świetne, ale czegoś mu zabrakło jednak.
I nie wiem, czy to kwestia tempa, które no czołgało się bardzo, baaaaardzo powoli i niby w pewnym momencie widać było, że sobie spacerujemy do tej kulminacji, ale no właśnie, był to spacer. Słabo wyważone i tu jest mój największy problem.
Bo podobało mi się, że drugo- i trzecioplanowi bohaterowie dostali więcej czasu antenowego i lepiej ich poznaliśmy. Podobało mi się, że nawet w finale Tasha Suri rozwijała świat i pokazała nam coś, czego wcześniej nie widzieliśmy. Podobało mi się zakończenie większości wątków na czele z Rao, Simą i wątkami religijnymi , troszkę mniej wątek jaksów, ale nie samo rozwiązanie, które było super, tylko jak do niego doszło, bo podstawy do tego jakoś tak pospiesznie były budowane i nie do końca wybrzmiały według mnie. Trochę mi czegoś zabrakło w zakończeniu historii Malini i Priji, co jest zabawne, bo uważam, że ich osobiste wątki rozwiązały się idealnie xD
Tak czy siak polecam, fenomenalna jest ta trylogia i niewykluczone, że za parę lat będę robić reread.
I nie wiem, czy to kwestia tempa, które no czołgało się bardzo, baaaaardzo powoli i niby w pewnym momencie widać było, że sobie spacerujemy do tej kulminacji, ale no właśnie, był to spacer. Słabo wyważone i tu jest mój największy problem.
Bo podobało mi się, że drugo- i trzecioplanowi bohaterowie dostali więcej czasu antenowego i lepiej ich poznaliśmy. Podobało mi się, że nawet w finale Tasha Suri rozwijała świat i pokazała nam coś, czego wcześniej nie widzieliśmy. Podobało mi się zakończenie większości wątków na czele z Rao, Simą i wątkami religijnymi , troszkę mniej wątek jaksów, ale nie samo rozwiązanie, które było super, tylko jak do niego doszło, bo podstawy do tego jakoś tak pospiesznie były budowane i nie do końca wybrzmiały według mnie. Trochę mi czegoś zabrakło w zakończeniu historii Malini i Priji, co jest zabawne, bo uważam, że ich osobiste wątki rozwiązały się idealnie xD
Tak czy siak polecam, fenomenalna jest ta trylogia i niewykluczone, że za parę lat będę robić reread.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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