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sayhar13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Suicide, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
delvainy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, and War
scrubsandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Much like the first book, there were a number of different POVs but the quantity of different people were scaled down in comparison to the first. As a matter of fact, I think going back and rereading the first might make more sense now after reading this one and knowing who are or were the key players, either those who make it into this book or died in book one. I'm completely invested in seeing this through to the end.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death and Suicide
Minor: Confinement and Alcohol
jessiereads98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Overall, I enjoyed this. It’s a complex story with complex characters. I really enjoy the unique magic system with multiple gods coming into play and in conflict with each other. I also appreciate the feminist themes woven beautifully into the story.
I did find the pacing in the first half of the book to be a bit slow and like it took a little long to get to things. It felt at times like the story was meandering and dragging its feet on getting where it was going. The pacing did pick up for a much more satisfying final half-third of the book.
I don’t fully enjoy Priya and Malini’s relationship. The power imbalance and Malini’s constant use of Priya and expecting Priya to always do what is best for her makes me somewhat uncomfortable. While I enjoy the relationship as one that is toxic and compelling and narratively interesting, I am not sure if that is the author’s intention or if I as a reader am meant to simply root for them as star crossed lovers. I understand the idea is for there to be a lot of moral greyness and none of these characters are perfect, nor would I want them to be. However, there are times where I find Malini’s treatment of Priya going past moral greyness to this is just an imbalanced power dynamic of a woman from a lower class being expected to serve one of a higher class and I don’t find it romantic.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
kylieqrada's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Animal death, Suicide, and Torture
mlovesbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Religious bigotry, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Homophobia
wordwilderness's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Plot & Story Focus
Writing Style
Characters
Series Flow
You’ll Like This Book if You Enjoy…
- Epic fantasy
- Multi-POV books
- A large cast of characters
- Compelling and conflicted relationships
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, Abandonment, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Domestic abuse, and Self harm
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
alphabetmafiamember's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Suicide, Torture, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
kaylierian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"I hope it wasn’t too traumatic." Tasha Suri says in the acknowledgments... Well, I have never been more traumatized in my life.
This book contained the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. It made me the happiest person on earth and the saddest at the same time.
If you thought The Jasmine Throne waw great, oh you're in for a treat. Tasha Suri steps it up about 100 notches in this one. The Oleander Sword truly had me on the edge of my seat the entire book.
In book one, I had many questions about the world and why it was the way it was, but I read this, and it just clicked. There was literally a light bulb moment halfway where it all made sense. A genius wrote this book, I am telling you.
Priya and Malini. It hurts. There was a terrible sense of foreboding throughout the novel. They really are THAT morally grey power couple.
OH bhumika! rao! their point of views I love. Especially Rao, him finding himself and his path this book was great. Someone give that boy a break. Bhumika's pov was genius. Her relationship with Jeevan was a work of art.
How many times can I say that I love this book without getting annoying? I don't think I can wait long enough for book three.
Graphic: Racism, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and War
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Suicide and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Torture