The Spice Gate

by Prashanth Srivatsa

Delve into this debut fantasy and journey through the Spice Gates as Amir, a young man born with the ability to travel between the eight kingdoms, unravels the power that keeps the world in balance, perfect for readers of Ken Liu’s Dandelion Dynasty, S.A. Chakraborty’s Daevabad Trilogy, and Andrea Stewart’s The Drowning Empire.

The weight of spice is more than you know.

Relics of a mysterious god, the Spice Gates connect the eight far-flung kingdoms, each separated by a distinct spice and only accessible by those born with a special mark. This is not a caste of distinction, though, but one of subjugation: Spice Carriers suffer the lashes of their masters, the weight of the spices they bear on their backs, and the jolting pain of the Gates themselves.

Amir is one such Spice Carrier, and he dreams of escaping his fate of being a mule for the rich who gorge themselves on spices like the addicted gluttons they are. More important than relieving his own pain, though, is saving his family, especially his brother, born like him with the unfortunate spice mark that designates him for a life of servitude.

But while Amir makes his plans for freedom, something stirs in the inhospitable spaces between the kingdoms. Fate has designs of its own for Amir, and he soon finds himself drawn into a conspiracy that could disrupt the delicate dynamics of the kingdoms forever.

The more Amir discovers truth and myth blurring, the more he realizes that his own schemes are insignificant compared to the machinations going on around him. Forced to chase after shadows with unlikely companions, searching for answers that he never even thought to question, Amir’s simple dream of slipping away transforms into a grand, Spice Gate–hopping adventure. Gods, assassins, throne-keepers, and slaves all have a vested interest in the spice trade, and Amir will have to decide—for the first time in his life—what kind of world he wants to live in…if the world survives at all.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Adult, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Science Fiction, Audiobook

464 pages, Hardcover

First published July 16, 2024

About the author

A writer of fantasy and science fiction stories. Works of short fiction in Asimov's, Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction (F&SF), Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Reckoning, and Cast of Wonders among others.

Debut Fantasy Novel: The Spice Gate, HarperVoyager, July 2024.

Represented by Naomi Davis of BookEnds Literary Agency.

Reviews

[Rosh · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: As much as I love spices, ‘The Spice Gate’ wasn’t my cup of masala chai. Complicated (but interesting) worldbuilding, repetitive writing, unappealing protagonist, confusing plot. Very disappointed.

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Plot Preview: (Don’t know how much you’ll understand from my preview. For a better idea, read the GR blurb.)

Amir is a poor spice carrier who dreams of escaping his dreary burden and saving his family. Unfortunately, the only possible way to do this involves some unobtainable spices, heinous rich people, and tricky inter-kingdom conspiracies. The more Amir strives towards his goal, the murkier the proceedings become, until he is too entangled in the schemes and needs to take some tough decisions.
The story comes to us in Amir’s third-person perspective.

I'm not an avid reader of epic fantasy but the Indian connection of this novel tempted me much. However, as anyone who cooks with spices knows, getting the spice balance right in every dish is crucial. Too much or too little of any can sully the whole taste. This book has too much spice, thereby killing the flavour.

Bookish Yays:
😋 The sheer scale of this epic fantasy: as mindblowing as strands of genuine saffron.

😋 The regular mentions of unusual Indian dishes such as idli and patoli: as welcome as a glass of ginger nimbu paani on a summer day.

😋 Some of the secondary characters: working as well to enhance the story as a dash of cardamom does to a dessert.


Bookish Mixed Bags:
😬 The plethora of Indian words from various Indian languages: an interesting choice but won’t work for every reader, just like peppercorns don’t click with every gastronome. Western readers will definitely miss out on the subtleties as there is no glossary.

😬 The fictitious quote at the start of every chapter (taken either from fictitious books or assigned to fictitious persons of the Spice kingdoms): Intriguing at first but to be skipped and kept aside later, just like curry leaves in a gravy.

😬 The worldbuilding: as refreshing and tasty as coriander leaves but also as sticky as an overcooked khichdi. Tough to determine what’s what and where’s where, but somehow does its job.


Bookish Nays:
🥵 Amir: as bland as unsalted rice. Boring to gulp, tough to advocate!

🥵 The plot development: as confusing as sorting out kalonji, sabja and black sesame when they aren’t in their respective packets.

🥵 The romance between Amir and Harini: as unbelievable as finding a green chilli in ice cream. What a strange combo!

🥵 The frequent references to piss and excreta and spit, sometimes even as a part of the magical system: as annoying as discovering three bay leaves in a single serving of pulav.

🥵 The initial few chapters, with the overload of characters, places, and sinister schemes: as confusing as standing in the spice aisle of an Indian food store and wondering where to begin.

🥵 The dragged pace combined with the length: as tedious and longwinded as powdering dry red chillies with just a mortar and pestle.

🥵 Logical loopholes: as frequently found in the plot as turmeric is found in Indian dishes.

🥵 Finding caste and class issues even in an Indian fantasy: as unappetising as biting into unground cinnamon.

🥵 The writing: as repetitive as saying ‘chai tea’ or ‘naan bread.’

🥵 The overuse of the word ‘Gates!’ as an exclamation: as eyeroll-inducing as store-bought ginger-garlic paste.

🥵 The infodump ending – as unappetising as a giant black cardamom in biryani. (And almost as irksome!)

🥵 Dramatis Personae at the end instead of at the beginning: as useless as discovering kulfi at a buffet when you have already stuffed meetha paan into your mouth.


All in all, I had been looking forward to this delicacy. This Indian reader was thrilled to find an Indian author writing a debut work in a fantastical India-inspired setting and infused with Indian spices. I wish with all my heart it had worked better for me. After all, this Indian cannot imagine life without spices. Unfortunately, this turned out to be way more over-spiced than I like.

Perhaps if you are a more avid reader of epic fantasy, you might be able to make better sense of this story. So please read the GR blurb to get a better idea of the plot, and other reviews to get a more balanced opinion of the novel. If you do pick it up, I hope your palate loves it and that it ends up more chatpata (flavourfully spiced) than feeka (insipid) for you.

2 stars.


My thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for providing the DRC of “The Spice Gate” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.


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[Svea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Spice Gate has a lot going for it: A really unique world and lore, solid commentary on class and intriguing characters. I was initially very intrigued, but I admit I had some trouble with this book.

It's a world built on spices: There are eight kingdoms, each one specialized on the production and trade of one particular spice. Travel, and as such trade, between these kingdoms is only possible through the mysterious spice gates, which allow almost instantaneous but also very painful jumps through space, basically. They're magic portals provided by a godlike creature called the Mouth. Apart from these gates, there's no way to get from one kingdom to the next because of the hellish outerlands surrounding them, which noone can survive.
Our protagonist, Amir, is one of the people who can actually travel the spice gates, because not everyone can. This ability makes him a carrier, one who travels constantly in order to allow the trade of spices - even if it hurts every single time. He's also in love with the princess of one of the kingdoms, and his desire to visit her is what kicks of the plot of this book: His princess clearly has some secrets, and then there's a dying man sending him on a quest into a mysterious ninth kingdom, which is said to be nothing but a myth.

The unique setting is what's really interesting about Prashanth Srivatsa's debut novel. The lore is just fascinating. Sadly, the world building is rather rough. There is a lot of info dumping especially in the beginning chapters of the book, and a lot of it told in a not very engaging way (for example: One character telling the other character something both of them already know, you know that one). There is so much information thrown at the reader that I was just confused at some point. It took me a while to really understand what was going on.
The writing is generally solid, but the dialogues especially felt very wooden, stilted and lifeless. Srivatsa uses some exclamations and expletives that feel not only very repetetive but almost disruptive (and sometimes don't make sense, i.e. the use of "Gates!", which are just objects and not ones this society worships either).
The characters are interesting on paper, but I never really felt emotionally attached to any of them, not even Amir. I thought him inconsistently written at times, and the characters in general don't feel fleshed out. Their relationships aren't written in an engaging way either. The romance between Amir and his princess felt fake to me until the end because I felt nothing between them and Harini barely has a personality. There is a lot of tell as we are told he loves her, but there's no actual show. I probably would have preferred there to just not be a romance. I also felt like there was so much potential to explore interesting character dynamics - Ilangovan, for example, has been talked about so much it's close to hero worship on Amir's part, and then when we finally meet the big pirate king, he's just.... kind of a dude who's there.

So yes, this novel has a really great premise, an amazing world and great commentary. But I sadly didn't care about the characters nor particularly engaged with the plot, so I found myself skim reading at some point because I did want to find out the conclusion.
2,5 stars, rounding up because of the unique setting.

Many thanks to HarperCollins and Netgalley for the arc!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amir is born to a life of slavery. He is gatecaste and branded with the spicemark, so his only purpose in life is to carry spices through the gates that connect the eight kingdoms. Passing through a gate is like being torn apart, and he will do anything to prevent his younger brother from suffering the same fate. In pursuit of this goal, he’s soon caught between the machinations of the abovefolk and the outlaws. Myth bleeds into reality, and he stumbles upon a monumental discovery that will irrevocably upset the balance of power.

Inspired by Indian myths, this is an engrossing and adventurous debut. The complexities of the Spice Trade contribute to the vast and rich world-building, and the idea of spices as a source of power and magic is uniquely fascinating. Amir won’t be bound by a life of dead dreams and subjugation, and his struggle has significant emotional impact. This is a sweeping, smart, and heartfelt tale that is perfect for those who enjoy action-packed epic fantasy about family, survival, and the steadfast strength of the oppressed.

(This review was originally written for Library Journal magazine.)

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I know what half of the nouns were? Nope. Am I still struggling to comprehend why the entire known world was addicted to spices like cumin? Still baffled. Did it seem like sentences were accidentally and randomly removed throughout the book that might have better explained what was going on? Actually, yeah. Is the god character one of the most weirdly unfathomable creations in the history of literature? It’s a mouth, so kind of, yeah. Given the above, I am still shocked that this book hasn’t received higher reviews (still a newish book, so that could be why). It was interesting to see the narrator describe the protagonist throughout the book in terms that the protagonist would have probably used to describe himself. It was only through his actions and the words and descriptions of other characters that the reader understands what makes him special. It was a totally new way (for me) to experience my favorite genre. Was the author trying to condemn organized religion as a tool of oppression? Eye roll if so, but also didn’t really care. Totally worth reading.

[rachel x]

holy shit, this cover is exquisite

[Eliza Jameson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

2.5, rounded up

The Spice Gate has a really punchy premise that combines high fantasy worldbuilding with political critique. Amir is a “Carrier”; someone born with a mark identifying him as an individual who is capable of travelling through the Spice Gates, portals to other realms. Each realm cultivates a unique spice native to them, and trades it for a high price. Yet, the Carriers in The Spice Gate who make this lucrative trade possible are fated for a life of slavery and poverty. Amir is enraged by the injustice of his world and longs to escape it, with his mom and brother in tow. Basing a universe on the spice trade is very clever, and got me really excited about this book.

Unfortunately, for me this novel did not meet the big expectations it set for itself. The opening of this book is in a rush to get started, making it not as engaging as it could be. It contains a lot of info-dumping without a lot of explanation; it feels like it’s trying to get the worldbuilding out of the way so it can tell its story. For example, take this sentence from roughly page two: “Of course, Amir was not certain if Ilangovan was even in Vanasi — no one could ever really know where he’d be when he was not in the Black Coves; the renegade Carrier was as much a spirit as a pirate. But there was one thing Amir was certain was in Vanasi: the Jewelmaker’s Poison” (citation below). This is so much lore about the world to absorb so early in the novel. It does all get explained later, but as you’re beginning a book you need something (often characters) to ground you in the world.

This brings me to the other issue I had with this novel: I didn’t really care about the characters. I did find that as I kept reading I started to like Amir a bit more, but I still feel like he’s not super engaging. His initial argument with Hasmin felt really stilted. His dialogue in general felt stilted. The use of “ho” as an expletive (in the linguistic/grammatical sense) would have felt more natural had Amir’s style of speech been more fantasy-esque. As it is, Amir talks like a modern person, which made the interjections of “ho” feel really awkward. It took me out of the world instead of further immersing me.

This book did have some very good moments of tension. Amir being chased by Fylan and then not making it back to the Gate in time to return to Raluha with the Carriers was so well written. I really enjoyed that part. I think several more rounds of editing and/or beta reading could have made this a pretty good book.

Prashanth Srivatsa. The Spice Gate (Kindle Locations 99-101). Kindle Edition.

[Deepthi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I loved the most about the book is its premise that spices are not just flavorful ingredients.

The story revolves around Amir, a Spice Carrier born with the spice mark, and his journey through the eight kingdoms, connected by magical Spice Gates. The book explores themes of freedom, justice, and the power of hope giving it a deeper meaning beyond the surface-level fantasy adventure. Amir and the other characters like Kalay, Karim Bhai, and Madhyra are well-developed and relatable, adding depth and emotion to the story. My favorite parts are the fight scene on the ship and the ending battle.

The author’s writing is engaging making the story a thrilling ride with a detailed and vibrant setting, filled with diverse cultures, exotic spices, and magical creatures. The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers engaged from beginning to end. But one thing I didn’t get is the relationship between Harini & Amir, it felt too cliche.

If you enjoy epic fantasy with a touch of magic and a good storytelling, The Spice Gate is worth reading.

[Iona · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 33%/155 pages

I loved the premise of this story. It sounded fascinating but the execution falls depressingly flat.

There is SO MUCH info dumping. Just so much. It appears everywhere. In between lines of dialogue between different characters so you lose the thread of the conservation, during action moments so you lose the thread of what’s happening in the scene, all over the place.

Along with all the info dumping is also a tremendous amount of telling and not showing.

The dialogue is painful and most of the characters sound exactly the same.

The main character, Amir, is bland and dull, he feels more like a cypher for an idea rather than an actual character.

The romance is cringy and boring.

There is a really interesting story buried somewhere in all this but I just don’t have the patience to see if it turns up or not.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

CW: classism, slavery, addiction, miscarriage, violence, blood, excrement, grief, death of a parent

I received a copy of this book for free via Goodreads giveaway. This has in no way impacted my final rating.

I found the setting of The Spice Gate to be extremely inventive, probably my favorite part. Inspired by the history of the spice trade and the Caste system, Srivatsa paints a very wide world in this stand-alone. Unfortunately, the world is much bigger than the actual plot, and I found there was a certain discordance between the purported focus of the story (the adventure) and the day-to-day existence of characters in this universe.
This story would benefit from a second book to relieve some of the pressure from the much larger world, as it currently overshadows the actual story of the novel.

[Emma Ann]

DNF @ about 25%. Worldbuilding a mile wide and an inch deep. Some interesting mysteries, but I’m not feeling particular invested right now.

[♡ Diyasha ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✦ “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐞” by Prashanth Srivatsa has another fantasy fiction world with a sense of Indianness. With a unique world and of course with unique characters. 🥀

• I love how the book portrays the map and how he managed the character of 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐫 thoroughly. How the beginning of the plot describes “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐞” is extensively great! From the very first after receiving the book I am in love with the book cover and at the end of the book how it deeply connects me with the book itself! 🍂

• The character of Amir is main here. He's described through a 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞. And I think it allows us to see more clearly than our ability to describe a situation through the character's own eyes. Amir has a unique quality. What? He can travel among 𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐬, he is a 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫, he is tough and bold. He's important because he keeps balances between the kingdoms and the world. 🍁

• Yeah! This weight of spices is like the weight of the world! Only they can carry those special spices who have special marks! But Amir wants freedom! Amir strangles with his fate and kingdom’s fortune. But not only about fantasy, this book has romance too! 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐫 - 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐢. 🌤️

• There is a proper 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 with the sense of “dishes”. As an Indian, I'm overwhelmed. How the author gradually connects every reader with the fantasy world is highly appreciative. Chapters with sinister schemes, through movement, repetitive points somehow makes the book slower than usual. 🌟

• A fantasy fiction world with dreams, God's plans, assassination and the power of destiny. This book is a long and slightly complicated one - but yes, this one is 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. You took a journey and you mend to go to a fictional path with highly distinctive narrative and unique delicate details. And here you go! 🦋

[Rahul Vishnoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Storm in a Spicebox-

Prashanth Srivatsa’s debut novel The Spice Gate is a fantasy that tells the story of spice trade built upon the backs of the spice carriers. These spice carriers—condescendingly referred to as gatecastes—are deemed untouchables. The author has rooted his speculative fiction in caste and food based discriminations, a reality that still haunts millions of people globally. Another theme that runs through the story is desire for freedom. Fiercely political in its characters and themes, The Spice Gate underlines the tyranny inflicted upon the generations of gatecastes who do (or are forced to do) sundry menial jobs.
Amir (pronounced as Ah-mir) is a spice carrier: he carries heavy loads of spice across kingdoms through a mysterious structure called a spice gate. Before I delve into the details, let me clarify how pivotal pain, insult and trauma are to the story. This carrying business produces a three-pronged pain: the exhaustion that comes from lifting heavy sacks. Though tiring, it’s nothing compared to the excruciating pain that a carrier feels when they pass through a spice gate. To add insult to the injury, the sentries who man the gates beat the carriers on slightest of provocations, and sometimes, just to let off steam. This pain, physical and mental, reverberates through the story, throbbing in the back of Amir as well as this reader’s mind. When Kabir, Amir’s younger brother, asks him to describe the pain of the gates, he says: ‘Imagine yourself being pulled and pressed at the same time, from all sides, until you can no longer feel any sensation but pain-a harsh, searing pain. Your ribs, folding. Your flesh, compressed, like a ball of tamarind to be boiled. And before the realization of that impossibility sinks in, you're on the other side, in a new land, denying that it had ever happened. Only the pain remains with you, lingering in the screaming shadows of the mind's trauma, never to be forgotten.’ (p.7-8)
The mental trauma Amir bears for being an untouchable and denied the same spices he carries on his head, suffering the lashings of the tongue and whips alike, is not in any way smaller than the white-hot pain of this passage. When a character tells him that he ‘bears a gift’ many would ‘kill to possess’, he loses his temper: ‘You can have it! Take it from me, if such an act is possible. I didn’t ask to be able to travel through the Spice Gates…’ (p.352)
The story, as it begins, drops you smack in the centre of the action. The carriers, loaded with their quota of spices are lined up in front of the spice gate in Raluha. Amir is a gatecaste, but he resists with a strong rebellious streak. He plans to get a vial of Poison, an elusive substance that will enable his pregnant mother Noori and brother Kabir to pass painlessly through the gate. He has no intention to keep living a life that marks his existence as a gatecaste: an untouchable. He dreams to escape like Illangovan, a spice carrier who now lives an outlaw life in the distant Black Coves. But his plan goes awry when he fails to acquire the Poison and comes across a dying man who trusts Amir with a medallion containing a fabled spice olum, which can convert into any other spice. The stranger, Fylan, requests Amir to go to Illindhi. Amir is dumbfounded because he has never heard of it. There are only eight kingdoms and that would make Illindhi a ninth, which is unbelievable. This medallion is then snatched by an ever-bitter Hasmin, chief of sentries in Raluha. A threat is dished out to Amir: if he doesn’t behave, his younger brother will be thrust into the spice trade before his time.
The story then, true to its theme of ‘how far would you go to find home?’ takes Amir on a whirlwind journey from his home in Raluha to the pyramid where all the sentries live. After pulling off a minor heist, he ends up in the mysterious ninth kingdom Illindhi. Here he discovers that his problems have just begun. Amir’s journey goes on and on as Srivatsa keeps pulling the triggers of all those Chekhov guns he had promised. From Whorl—a scary, gargantuan whirlpool where damned are sent to die—to Outerlands where the Immortal sons reside, the author takes readers to all the names that are being thrown around in the initial pages.
In The Spice Gate, there are eight kingdoms in all, cultivating one spice each. The abovefolk are obsessed with spice in their foods. Life without spice is considered worse than death. The trade of spice between these kingdoms enables various people of authority to treat the carriers any way they deem fit. Beat them but not so much that they are rendered useless. It is forbidden to maim or kill a carrier because ‘…although abovefolk did not like to admit it, spice was an obsession, and he, Amir, was the deliverer of their desires.’ The maximum punishment that can be given to them is incarceration, but never death.
Amir’s father, a carrier too, escaped this drudgery, leaving his family behind in Raluha. Amir too wants to leave but not without his family. Amir’s relationship with his mother Noori is shown only in a few lines but it left a lasting effect on this reader: ‘After Appa had left them and disappeared, all Amir had wanted was for her to suffer less. He’d stayed silent while she overcame the loss in her own way. He would leave his home, dragging Kabir with him to Karim bhai’s house anytime Amma wanted to indulge in the fleshier pleasures.’ (p. 71) This leaving the house so that the mother could have a few moments of intimacy shows maturity beyond years. Although this can be debated as a side effect of the abandonment by the father. Additionally, Amir’s mother is pregnant but we don’t hear anything about the biological father. I am presuming this is a world where not every child is supposed to have a full set of parents.
Srivatsa’s story brims with strong emotion. How does one cope when one’s very existence is meant for everyday drudgery that invites unprovoked beatings, snide comments and untouchability? Every spice carrier has a mark at their throat, which enables them to pass through the spice gate. The same mark identifies them, thrusts them to the lowest rung in the society. ‘They are paying for the sins of their past lives’ is the reason given to an entire community that lives at the margins. Their entire identity is clubbed on the basis of what they do or where they live—the bowlers of Raluha (as they live in a structure that looks like a giant bowl), the sanders of Jhanak, the rooters of Vanasi, the easters of Halmora, the snakers of Kalanadi, the horners of Talashshukh, the oarasi of Mesht, and the reeders of Amarohi-. They all form the gatecaste of the eight kingdoms. The untouchability of gatecaste can’t be clearer than what these lines describe- ‘After a moment, he summoned one of the lower-caste chowkidars and ordered him to frisk Amir thoroughly. Hasmin, of course, would no sooner assume full responsibility for the failed Bashara than touch a hair on Amir's body with his own bare hands.’
Greed supersedes this discrimination. The abovefolk and the privileged people of the eight kingdoms don’t mind eating the spice carried by the very hands of these carriers. In Raluha, heeng is also the only sacrilegious spice that ‘the abovefolk condescended to desire from the bowl.’ When Amir sneaks into the pyramid to nick the olum medallion, he bribes Hasmin with food sprinkled with heeng, calling it his grandmother’s recipe. Amir felt that- ‘(in) places like this, the word "grandmother" held a magical allure. There was something authentic and enigmatic about anything wrung out of a grandmother's coarse, wrinkled hands. Made them appear nostalgic and valuable, as though an old woman's tears dribbled onto it to improve its texture.��
Talking about food, the book is brimming with it. It demands to be accompanied by a light snack because when you are reading about ‘Uthappams spiced with milagai podi, banana dalia, sundried fish-what the sanders called karuvadu by the docks--shrined with turmeric and lemon, pumpkin pastries and walnut salads dressed in maple and cinnamon’, you inevitably get up and crack the refrigerator door.
The language, that Srivatsa has so minutely woven around food, is rich and rewarding to read. Even the god here is called ‘Mouth’. I loved the liberal sprinkling of Hindi, Tamil and Urdu words (chaku, talvar, pulla, shamshir) ─ the languages spoken primarily in South Asia. What is slightly off-putting though is when food creeps into almost every line, every phrase of the book. ‘She smelled like night’s milk and amma’s daal’ didn’t work for me. I was also left for wanting a better exploration of the romantic relationship between Amir, a carrier and Harini, a princess of Halmora. It seemd to be side-stepped in favour of the fantasy elements. Considering the length of the book, maybe a wise decision.
There is a gut-wrenching scene in the book that reminded me what untouchability really is. Early in the book, Amir sees a girl cleaning the toilets of the sentries, picking shit with her bare hands. Since manual gutter cleaning is still a practice in India, where multiple men die every year due to asphyxiation by noxious gases when they get down a manhole, this marriage of speculative fiction with the naked reality is admirable.
BR Ambedkar, who wrote the constitution of India, has mentioned in his biography The Annihilation of Caste, that ‘The outcaste is a bye-product of the caste system. There will be outcastes as long as there are castes. Nothing can emancipate the outcaste except the destruction of the caste system.’ Towards the end of the story, Srivatsa, an Indian author, makes his character determined to saw off the very shackle that has bound the generations of spice carriers. Amir decides to go for the ultimate goal, to uproot the problem of untouchability for once and all.
I enjoyed the book immensely. Although long, the author has not compromised on the pace. This is a standalone book but I wish the readers would get to read few spin-off stories in the future. Many secondary characters in the universe of The Spice Gate are too interesting to disappear behind the veil of the gates.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5  stars

This story is about Amir, a spice carrier in this world with 8 kingdoms, and each kingdom specializes in one kind of spice. Everyone is "obsessed with or addicted to" (not really sure, both are being mentioned) all the spices. Only big bummer, the only way to get the spices from other kingdoms is by going through the Spice Gates. Bigger Bummer, only a select few people (mostly men, why women are not with them is not speciffied, only that is is really rare for a woman to be a spice carrier) are able to pass through the Spice Gates without too much consequences. Normal people will have to swallow a poison to be able to pass through the gates.
Unfortunately for Amir, he is a carrier and he lives in a world where the only people capable of keeping the economy on its feet are the lowest of the low. They are simply being abused and their life is aweful. So Amir wants to get away from this life and wants to take his family with him.

The first 20% was a lot of confusion, so much worldbuilding and changes of scenery that I could never follow where the hell Amir was. Then there was the revelation of the 9th kingdom and things started to settle down and pick up a bit. The story started to move along a path that I could follow. But after the mid part everything went into big confusion again.
Amir is also not very sure in what he wants to do. He is constantly changing his mind as to what he will do. Sometimes multiple times within the same chapter. He also is a very passive character. When there is action he will not step in to do anything, even when it includes someone he cares for. These constant changes in his choices drove me nuts. Make up your freaking mind and stick with what you choose!

While the story progresses, we learn more about this entity, called The Mouth. I had to do a double take to make sure it was really The Mouth. Okay, kinda makes sense with the spices and stuff, but the Mouth?! Weirded me out quite a bit.
Also as we progress and learn more about it, we learn that the special spice called Olum can be manipulated to produce any of the other spices. So it is basically a stemcel situation that can turn into any of the spices. Also, olum is made by The Mouth and it turns out te be made from its waste, because The Mouth lives inside a mountain in this 9th kingdom. They collect the waste and, process it and then there is Olum. I'm sorry, what? You mean to say that this sacred spice is made from feces from this entity?

"Of course the Mouth is here. It lies beneath the mountain. It lies beneath all of us" 
"It is the only part of the Mouth that flows out of the mountain and into the moats, The farmers in Illindhi gather the waste from these trenches, then preserve and process it into what we call olum. [...] It is our deepest secret, one Madhyra has taken to the outside world. But the Mouth - or at least this gate - appears to awaken when these fecal remains come into contact with the veil." 


Seriously, the more I think about this, the more disgusted I become.

It seems this book contains a lot of " bodily fluids", Amir has a thing with "saliva" .
In the book he has "Swallowed a mouthful of saliva", "gulped all of his saliva" and swallowed a whole lot more of his saliva.

Also we learn that the carriers, the men who bear the Mouths sign on their body, are the Mouth's Children. They are the "chosen ones"  to travel through its feces, so they can be purified.
Hold on a second. They travel through poop to get purified? Has no one told them poop is not pure and it is disgusting?
Then my brain went haywire and suddenly I could not see the Gates as normal gates. They instantly became extentions of the Mouth's rectum. Sorry not sorry.

Then, lastly. The romance? What?
Amir somehow happens to befriend a princess from another kingdom? How in the world did he manage to do that? Please tell me your secret!
The romance between Amir and Harini felt fake the entire time. We are constantly reminded that Amir loves her but we never see him show his love for her, or her love for him. It felt forced, fake and did not add anything positive to this story. It would have made the story way more interesting if Amir and Kalay ended up having a romance. We see a lot more of them being together and this story would have benefitted from a small love triangle between these three people.

So, that was my plotwise rant.

The reading and the language use felt all over the place. There was little to no interpretation whatsoever for the reader to form coherent thoughts because everything was already laid out for us. I could not form my own opinion on anything because everything was already being told. Saying that, there was a lot of tell and hardly any show. The story was too written out and it could have benefitted from scratching a lot and leaving bits and pieces out.

I did like the way the spices where intergrated into this story.

Overall I am not a happy camper and I feel like I wasted my time with this book.

I might add onto this review as I am still processing what the hell I read.

[Amm Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Spice Gate opened and welcomed me to a fascinating world of adventures, quests, magic, rich aromas, and love. For a debut novel, the world-building is particularly well done. Typically, I find extensive world-building to be a distraction from the main plot. While books like Dune, LOTR, and ASOIAF are not up my alley, this novel handled it skillfully in the first few chapters, setting the stage before diving into character development and the plot.
The story follows the protagonist, Amir as he tries to escape his poverty ridden town to in search of a better life for his family. The detailed descriptions of the kingdoms and characters made them easy to visualize, and I feel the story could be adapted into a movie. The names of the characters were especially satisfying, blending Indian influences with a touch of Mughal and fantasy elements, making them roll off the tongue easily (eg: Illindhi, Fylan, Talahshukh, Madhyra etc).
While the pacing felt slow initially, it picked up after a few chapters and became very engaging. The characters were so well-developed that I found myself thinking about them even when I wasn't reading, especially Amir and his emotions throughout the story.
As a tea lover, a book that devotes almost a chapter about the flavor and aroma of ginger tea, has my heart.
Overall, The Spice Gate by Prashanth Srivatsa impressed me with its vivid world-building and engaging characters. 10/10 recommend! (Extra points for the amazing cover)

[Birte]

dnf @ 71%

I just couldn't care about anything. the premise seemed so cool but I had no motivation to finish this or even continue in general

[Abinaya Annadurai · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Spice Gate by Prashanth Srivatsa is a captivating fantasy journey. It is a debut standalone fantasy novel perfect for the readers of S.A. Chakraborty’s Daevabad Trilogy, Andrea Stewart’s The Drowning Empire.

The story revolves around Amir, a young man. He has the ability to travel between the eight kingdoms. I adored the vivid description of the world, where the Spice Gates connect the eight far-flung kingdoms, each separated by a distinct spice and only accessible by those born with a special mark.

Amir is a spice carrier. A spice carrier's life is made sufferable by their rich masters. Amir dreams of escaping from it. When Amir plans to escape, he gets trapped in a dangerous plot which threatens the balance of the world.

The story is engaging with beautiful world-building. The author's flawless description makes everything vivid. The story is gripping, which makes us turn the page. A totally new magic on the basis of the spice trade is intriguing and exciting. A rich fantasy world with a fast-paced plot makes it a fabulous treat for fantasy lovers. Adventure, magic, politics, everything has my heart.

Overall, I loved this book and would strongly recommend it to all.

[KMart Vet · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

The story centers on Amir, a young man marked as a Spice Carrier, who has the rare ability to traverse the Spice Gates—a network connecting the eight kingdoms through distinct, magical spices. This unique premise sets the stage for a world filled with complexity and depth.

The world-building is the standout feature of this novel. The intricacies of the spice-based magic system and the vivid descriptions of each kingdom create an incredibly immersive reading experience. The use of spices as a magical conduit is both novel and fascinating, adding yet another layer of sensory richness to the story and echoing elements of our own history. The depiction of a non-Eurocentric fantasy world, touching on themes of racism, colonialism, and caste system, adds significant depth and relevance to the story.

As a standalone novel, The Spice Gate manages to wrap up its story neatly, which is commendable given the expansive world it introduces. However, the density of the world-building sometimes overshadows character development. For me, while Amir and his companions are complex and well-crafted, there was a distance that prevented deep emotional investment in their journeys. The romance subplot, while present, also suffers from this lack of connection, feeling somewhat underdeveloped in the grand scheme of the narrative. Perhaps because the world-building and themes are such titans that nothing else can measure up?

I will say that there is frequent mention of excrement and feces in this story, which was jarring each and every time and detracted from my overall experience. This recurring element, likely intended to underscore the harsh realities of Amir's world and the history of the region, might unsettle some readers. Perhaps that was the intent.

The Spice Gate is a commendable debut with intricate world-building and a unique magic system. Despite some challenges with character connection and an occasional overemphasis on certain gritty details, it offers a fresh and thought-provoking addition to the fantasy genre. Fans of intricate, non-Eurocentric fantasies that tackle weighty themes will find much to appreciate in this standalone adventure. While I appreciate that it's a standalone, I really think it would have been better served as a series or duology to spread out its weighty nature.

Thanks so much to Storygram Tours and William Morrow Books for the physical copy and the opportunity to read and review. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Jainand Gurjar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started my reading journey with a fantasy series (the one which can't be named, IYKYK), but after reading that, I haven't read the genre much and touched it very rarely. So it takes a lot for me to pick up a fantasy book, and the book needs to be intriguing enough to keep me hooked till the end. And this one delivered it completely and ticked off all the marks that I would like to have in a book.

The Spice Gate by Prashanth Srivatsa is a debut fantasy novel that takes us to the world of eight far-flung kingdoms, each separated from each other by a distant spice but connected through the Spice Gates, which are accessible only to the ones who are born with a special mark. But the thing is that the thing that may make someone special becomes the reason for their subjugation and makes them suffer not only by the rich masters but through the Gate itself by the unbearable pain whenever they pass through it. One such spice carrier is Amir, a boy with the dream of escaping with his family from this carrier duty and pain. But what will happen when the dream of freedom comes with fierce consequences, the ones that can shake the foundation of their world? What will happen when not only the throne keepers but even Gods get involved in it? Read the book to find out.

The world-building is top-notch and fluid and even though the story is fantasy, it has deep connections with Indian roots in the form of spices, caste division and historical events, and thus it makes it more interesting and engaging. The writing is engaging and addictive, and though the pace is not uniform, the story is compelling nevertheless.

The character of Amir is layered and one can witness the growth in his characterization as the story unfolds. His relationship with Karim Bhai and Harini shows the disparities in the hierarchical order, and at the same time, reflects the courage needed to tear the shackles of traditions and oppression.

It is not difficult to find the parallels between the subjugated class in the fantasy world and the real world, where one can find the deep-rooted historical baggage of marginalization, untouchability, oppression and dominion.

I am deeply stunned by this tome of a book, and I have a lot to talk about and discuss this book even after what I have written above (and I wish I had enough courage to come in front of a camera and blabber about how fascinating the book is) but till I do it again, I hope you pick up this book and immerse yourself in the wonder of this book. This is one of my favourite reads of this year, and if you are even considering reading a fantasy, think about it.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader's copy of this book.
Welcome to a world of spice. Spice is everything-money, magic, medicine, drugs, religion and regular old seasoning. I have never read a book that described scents and taste so elaborately. If only the relationships were described that well.
Amir has been born with the spice mark on his throat so he must be a Carrier--someone who transports the spices to the eight kingdoms through a magic portal. The work is hard and the transport painful, but Cariers are the only ones who can do it naturally without Poison which is not made in any of the kingdoms. Despite everyone's dependence on spice, Carriers are the lowest in society presumably because of a bad past life.
Amir wants to save his family from their harsh life but it seems more an obligation than devotion. All we know about his mother is that she is pregnant with an illegitimate child and cooks well. His younger paints. His father deserted the family years ago.
Amir is in love with a princess who is beautiful, kind and cares for her people just like all good princesses.
There is a large cast of bad guys whose motivation is to keep things the way they are.
The second thing that bothered me was the book seemed very critical of the caste system and the religion that instills it (presumably Hinduism since the author is Indian). Maybe it's because I'm western but the religion in this book did not quite make sense. The god is some cross between the asteroid monster and Jabba the Hut creature that poops out spice. It supposedly created spice and the gates so that people would have order so that civilizations could be created. In return the god seems to be a prisoner of the mysterious ninth kingdom. It really didn't make sense to me but I tried to just go with the flow because I did like Amir and wanted to see how he would end up.

[Karthik Lakshminarayanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Economy is the biggest factor that drives society. As they say, "It is the money, stupid!" Money is the thing that makes the world run. And last century, the biggest money sink has been oil. Frank Herbert has taken this whole idea of Middle East countries driving world oil economies and transformed it into a concept for the futuristic science fiction world in his Dune series. What Herbert has done with today's oil economy, Prashant has done with the sixteenth century spice economy. Back in those days every European country was desperate to find a route to India to purchase Indian spices. So Prashant has weaved a fantasy world around spice trade. What if there is a magical system of star gates that allow you to transport spice enabling the spice trade? While Herbert has taken the underlying socio-economic aspects of the oil economy and applied it on a completely new exterior of Sandworms, Mélange and Prescience, Prashant has done the opposite - he keeps spice as spice and reimagines a completely new socio-economic system. Not a world where one region has all the spices and the other region desperately trying to find a route. But a world with each country having a different spices and the trade system acting more as a spice exchange of sorts.

The story operates around a sociological aspect of this trade. The networks requires an underclass with a special gift to operate. The gift ends up becoming a curse for them, as it makes them the mule class carrying the load, moving spice from land to land. The protagonist is a member of this underclass who dares to rebel against the exploitative systems of religion, economy and social hierarchy the spice network magic has spawned. The story has been richly 'spiced' with sprinkling of Tamil and Hindi words to give the story that Indian feel.

I highly recommend this book for anyone on the look out for fantasy based on the Europeans' dream India of the pre-Columbus, Pre-Vasco da Gama times. A refreshing break from the works that either retell or weave stories around Indian mythology. Do check this intricate tapestry woven by an author whose mastery of words has gotten him published in numerous international literary magazines.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE SPICE GATE is an innovative debut where spice rules and some people can cross between kingdoms through portals.

So much happens in this book! It's a desperate quest after fugitives and being challenged in your assumptions and dreams. We cross from kingdom to kingdom, through dense wilderness and across tempestuous seas. The pacing does not let up, pulling you along after Amir as he tries to decide what he can - and should - do to protect his loved ones, and maybe the wider world too.

This is a book that looks at caste systems. Amir is from his world's lowest caste, despite them being the people the world is built upon, able to ferry goods between worlds. He spends a lot of the book arguing and showing those from higher castes what the realities are like, drilling into the theology used to justify the situation. It was a thought-provoking way of approaching the subject.

I did have to step back and think hard about why the spices were so desirable. These days, in our highly interconnected world, spices are mundane, bought in jars from supermarkets. However, the desire for spice was a driving force behind initial European imperial colonisation. Though I spent a while expecting the spice to do something other than make food tastier (particularly given addictions to them), I eventually settled on the lack of magic highlighting the power the spice trade has historically had. Also, it made me very hungry!

The way this linked with the gates was also fascinating, and I liked learning more about that magic, which comes out pretty early on so you aren't waiting to understand. Instead, it lets the book focus on lies and challenging the status quo.

[Ashesh Mitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine a network of gates that allows you to travel to a seperate kingdom, depending on what spice you scatter into them. Imagine a man called a Carrier, living in a slum who is able to cross these gates and trade in spices for the rich to get richer on while for his trouble he is subjected to lashings of the whip and immeasurable pain each time he undergoes the journey. Imagine him daring to fall in love with a princess.

This is the premise of The Spice Gate

At first a little slow, the book picks up pace pretty fast and then becomes practically unputdownable. There are corrupt politicians, pirates on the run from authority, a band of elite warriors serving the whims of the God of this universe and all of it ties together beautifully in this simply told yet far reaching adventure story.

Immensely readable and satisfying, The Spice Gate will remind you of your childhood spent reading adventure stories of Alexandre Dumas, R.L. Stevenson and even Tintin or Batman comics.

Do pick this tome up and enjoy to the fullest. Congratulations Mr. Srivatsa and thank you for one of the best experiences of my life!

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready to be swept away by a mesmerizing tale of adventure, intrigue, and self-discovery! In a world where spice is power and freedom comes at a steep cost, Amir's journey will captivate and inspire you. With a richly woven narrative, this book masterfully explores the complexities of power dynamics, addiction, and the human spirit. I was particularly struck by the way the author wove themes of social justice and resistance into the story, making it a thought-provoking and timely read. You'll be drawn to the vivid characters, heart-pumping action, and mythical world-building that will leave you breathless. This story has it all: gods, assassins, throne-keepers, and slaves, all vying for control in a world where the spice trade holds the keys to power. Amir's transformation from a downtrodden Spice Carrier to a hero who must choose what kind of world he wants to live in will leave you cheering. I loved how the book kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next. Do yourself a favor and dive into this epic tale – your imagination will thank you!

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Voyager for the advance copy ♥️

[Amr Saleh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tell me a fantasy story is based on something other than medieval Europe and you’ll have my attention. Tell me it’s based on Indian culture and oh boy I’m going to obsess over it.

Ok, I’ll obsess over the story in a moment but first, let me gush about the writing for a second. Srivatsa’s prose in the Spice Gates is phenomenal! So much in fact that I’m honestly shocked that this is his debut novel because if he’s already on that level at his worst I can’t wait to see him with a decade of experience under his belt. He is one of these authors whom I like to call painters in the sense of him being able to paint incredibly vivid images with his words. I could feel, sense, and most importantly, smell and taste the world as I was reading. Truly I can’t describe how good the writing is.

As for the story itself, this is very much a fantasy story. What I mean by that is if you’re the type of reader who wants his fantasy worlds to have so many details to dig into then you’ll really enjoy the Spice Gate. This is not the type of book that you can read while a part of your mind is thinking about the errands you have to run. This, as any great fantasy novel should, demands your attention. The world is incredibly well detailed and the time and care Srivatsa put into planning and building this world will become very clear very fast.

Another reason why the Spice Gate demands attention while reading it is the themes. This story deals with heavy themes such as class and religion and I think Srivatsa did an incredible job exploring these topics while also driving the plot forward, focusing on his character work, and introducing us to the world. I think choosing spice as the narrative key was a very smart choice from the author. I won’t get much into this because 1) spoilers and 2) it’s more my personal interpretation, but as someone who loves to read about history I know how something as trivial as spice can change the entire world order. If you don’t believe me, I encourage you to look into the European colonial era and you’ll see the real-world equivalent of spice addiction.

As for our protagonist, Amir, what I can say here while keeping this review spoiler-free is that I LOVED the internal struggles he had to process throughout the story. But I think the part I appreciated the most was that Srivatsa was able to balance working on Amir’s character arc and making it a focal point while also keeping the sense of the grandeur of the world present. Throughout the story and despite Amir being the focus and my investment in his story, I couldn’t help but feel that he is just one person in a colossal world that could crush him at any moment and not even notice his destruction. That’s such a delicate balancing act and I really hope readers notice how incredibly difficult it is to pull it off and how talented the author has to be to keep that balance maintained throughout the story.

The Spice Gate is an incredible debut by Prashanth Srivatsa. It’s a colorful, epic, heartfelt, and intelligently written story that will open your eyes to the endless possibilities of fantasy once more authors can introduce their unique cultural backgrounds into the genre. At the end of my review, I can’t help but echo my initial thoughts: if that is how Srivatsa’s debut looks like I sure can’t wait to see what he does next.

[Jessica Surgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really blew me away! The magic system is so unique and rich, and the pacing was excellent. It felt like a high fantasy trilogy all wrapped up into one book, and I mean that in the best way! It was fast paced without being rushed, and had very well developed world building and characters. I would love to read more by this author as the writing was eloquent and evocative. I’d love to read more about these characters as well, but I do feel very satisfied with the ending. Definitely recommend!

[Riley Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️’s rounded up!

To start: Srivatsa’s writing is absolutely phenomenonal throughout. The imagery was so vivid at every turn - I could really visualize each part of the story. Srivatsa’s technique is especially prevalent when describing the sights and smells of the world. The bazaars, the spices, the environment - it all was so intriguing from the get go. I also enjoyed the opportunity to dive into a fantasy story that was based on a culture other than medieval England! The inclusion of classic Indian dishes, phrases, and clothing made the story that much more immersive and it really was a breath of fresh air to read something new!

Now, onto the story itself. As with many fantasy stories, this one is on the denser side. The world building is super in-depth and thought out, but there were a few times when I had no clue what was going on, so it was definitely a “trust the process” kind of book. Many times, it’s paid off! Sometimes, however, it didn’t and I was left more confused than anything. I felt this way specifically about the last chapter of the book (not the epilogue); I think the conflict was resolved too quickly here, which is ironic considering I thought some parts were too drawn out. I also didn’t really understand how Amir killed the Mouth (the world’s God), and that’s a confusion I’m still left with - at the tail end of 400 pages, I think this affected my opinion of the overall story a little. I also think the story suffered from too many “here’s the new conflict or obstacle that our protagonist must overcome” scenarios. This, for me, contributed to the drawn-out feeling I had while reading some parts of the story.

Back to the world building! The world building was heavily dependent on themes of religion and class, and I think Srivatsa explored these well. It was really interesting to read about myth and religion and how that can negatively inform class division and create servant classes that are justified by those beliefs. I think these themes were treated carefully and they seemed realistic to me. I also enjoyed the exploration of (spice) addiction and how that can affect how a world operates - if anything, I’d have liked to see this more!

The characters: aside from the sometimes bogged down story, the characters are where the book fell a little flat for me. I didn’t really care about any of them. Amir, the main character, wasn’t likable or unlikable per se, but his constant internal struggle got a little old after a while. I also feel like this is a plot driven story where Amir is mostly pushed around by events and circumstances, rather than him making big decisions or “leading” the story himself. This made him “meh” to me as a reader. I also didn’t care about his relationship with Harini because the reader sees none of this in real-time. Amir tells us they’ve had great times together, but that’s all we get, so this part of the “love story” was a little lackluster.

The end: in addition to the confusion of how Amir killed the Mouth (which he himself doesn’t understand - this seems like an authorial way to escape having to explain things…), I feel a little empty about the end. I agree that destroying the spice gates made sense for the story, but I think more exploration of the world after such a monumental shift is needed. It is hinted that this shift if difficult to handle, but it definitely needed more! Maybe this will be explored in a sequel? Or maybe the readers have the freedom to imagine how it all works out in the end? 🤷🏼‍♀️

Definitely some high points in this story, and I’m glad to have read it! I’d love for a map or an extensive index to be added to the book for ease of reading. I love fantasy and I probably would have come across The Spice Gate on my own eventually, but I’m grateful for the advanced reader copy and GoodReads giveaways!

[Canned Bread · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a lot of beef and a lot of praise to the editor and/or Srivatsa himself in charge of this book.

One of y'all mother fuckers, idk who, should have been just a LITTLE bit more cut throat in paring down this book.
There was too much telling rather than showing us and allowing the reader to have a brain to piece things themselves. Not a lot of leeway was given to the reader to make their own conclusions and thoughts to the point it felt like this was a better audiobook than reading book if that makes sense.

Srivatsa CAN create a world and plot, that much is apparent, but the editor or author needs to be honest that not everything can be added a book. And that's a good thing! You want to respect the reader can make a conclusion or a thought.

Plot: Plot is ok and a bit basic with the standard plot twist thrown in. But it's a pretty straight forward story.

Prose: Most deductions come here. Too much thinking and coming to conclusion with character's thoughts that Amir himself could have deducted but the narrator doesn't have to do that. Let Amir pick up things, not the narrator. Also, the prose itself has too similar sentence structures with itself that it becomes monotonous to read through a chapter.

Pace: Steady, pretty slow in the beginning, sorta brrrrs to the finish line. There's no hurry to the pacing, even though the plot implies it but for some reason we're still kept at the same pace.

Characters: Minor deductions here. I'm not going to be too harsh on the characters because at least the MC is kinda done with everyone's shit and calls everyone out. It's actually quite nice to see MC done with passive MCs and calls people out in their BS. Perks of being a lower caste in this book. Everyone else is a bit one noted but props where it's due.

Vibe: We're in India, but it's not desert, there's jungles, marshes, cliffs, etc. He actually plays around with it a little and allows some creativity to go in towards the settings. If the map is not a hint towards this, idk what will.

Worldbuilding: Here is why I'm not dropping this to further than 4 (3.5 stars technically). Srivatsa CAN create a world, a good magic system involving spices, and make it interesting. He can create a vibe that you're in a spice miasma dream, however the prose style bogs down this dream that we lose some of it's charm. I want to think it's because Debut Syndrome and I won't lie, I had fun navigating this world he built. I just wish the prose could have been fixed to allow this book to really take off.

Now, if this doesn't turn you off, here's something to keep in mind.
If you're one of the neurodivergents that love to be told what character's thoughts, motivations, and feelings are, you WILL love this book as it does a good job of doing so.

It didn't hit off with me (I'm also a neurodivergent) because I prefer some subtle context to my books and not have everything explained in a controlled environment.

So go with this book with an open mind, you might need to look up some Indian translations (Idk why Srivatsa didn't do a translation for "pajama" but fully translated "chappalu" instead of just calling them sandals), but if you're not thrown off by the prose, it's a real cup of chai

3.5/5

[Pritesh Patil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sensory Feast of Fantasy (5/5 stars)
Prashanth Srivatsa's debut novel, The Spice Gate, is a whirlwind adventure that tantalizes the senses and ignites the imagination. Step into a world where eight vibrant kingdoms, each defined by a distinct spice and culture, are linked by mystical portals. These Spice Gates, however, are not freely accessible. The burden falls upon the marked ones, the gatecaste, who carry the weight of both spices and societal oppression on their backs.

Amir, our protagonist, is a Spice Carrier yearning for a life beyond servitude. His journey takes a dramatic turn with the emergence of a mysterious new spice, throwing the delicate balance of power into chaos. Srivatsa masterfully weaves a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. The world-building is sumptuous, with each kingdom bursting with sensory details that bring the story to life. You can practically smell the heady cardamom of Zairza or feel the fiery kick of chilies from Dharia.

But The Spice Gate is more than just a culinary adventure. It's a story that delves into the complexities of social justice and the fight for freedom. Amir's determination to carve his own path is both inspiring and relatable. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, each with their own motivations and agendas that add depth and intrigue to the plot.

Srivatsa's prose is captivating, drawing you deeper into this world with every turn of the page. The action sequences are heart-pounding, while the quieter moments resonate with emotional truth. The Spice Gate is a debut that announces the arrival of a major new talent in fantasy fiction. This is a novel that will stay with you long after the last page is turned.

Highly recommended if you like:

• Unique and richly-developed fantasy worlds
• Stories that explore themes of social justice and rebellion
• Strong protagonists with relatable struggles
• Action-packed adventures with a touch of mystery


Full disclosure: I was an alpha reader on Prashanth's Spice Gate. And it was one of the most rip-roaring fantasies I've had the pleasure of reading. Seeing it transform from it's initial variations to the draft we have in front of us as readers has been a journey that was in many ways as exciting as Amir's.

Fans of food, colors and the deep riches of the different world cultures will love the story of Amir's travels and his long journey home.

[Jaya Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how the author spun a lot of political commentary in the fantasy world. The world building was solid and Amir and Karim were quite believable. All the references to Indian food and spices made me drool. I do think that the book was a bit too long and convoluted in places. I also found Amir and Harini's relationship to be non-convincing, mostly because we only heard of most of it in the past tense.

Overall, it was a really fun and engrossing read. The kingdoms and characters were fairly complex, the mystery intriguing and the adventure thrilling.

[Nydhruv Kashyap · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's a fantasy fiction if it doesn't open up your mind to new ideas? Without getting into any major spoilers I'd like to mention that just the premise of basis everything on spice trade is exciting - probably something that did happen in some distant past. A completely new magic system, intricately written characters, exploring distinctly different kingdoms and all this at an extraordinary pace makes the spicegate a very interesting and refreshing read!