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4.43 AVERAGE
4.43 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I did not like The Oleander Sword and I was very nervous heading into the finale, but Suri sticks the landing!
One of my big problems with TOS was that there were PoVs where the characters didn't accomplish a whole lot, and PoVs for characters that I didn't think needed them. This is still an issue in this book, where two characters get a handful of PoV chapters that were not needed for the narrative and involved in plotlines that didn't go anywhere... but at least the main characters are (mostly) doing useful things and are pursuing clear goals, making this book feel snappier and more impactful than TOS. I have some other quibbles with this book (particularly some actions taken by Malini and some things that are under-explained), but this was a solid book and a return to form of the first one.
I am very satisfied with the trilogy and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for epic fantasy in non-western settings, focused on morally complex female characters, and featuring queer characters where being queer is an important aspect of their person.
One of my big problems with TOS was that there were PoVs where the characters didn't accomplish a whole lot, and PoVs for characters that I didn't think needed them. This is still an issue in this book, where two characters get a handful of PoV chapters that were not needed for the narrative and involved in plotlines that didn't go anywhere... but at least the main characters are (mostly) doing useful things and are pursuing clear goals, making this book feel snappier and more impactful than TOS. I have some other quibbles with this book (particularly some actions taken by Malini and some things that are under-explained), but this was a solid book and a return to form of the first one.
I am very satisfied with the trilogy and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for epic fantasy in non-western settings, focused on morally complex female characters, and featuring queer characters where being queer is an important aspect of their person.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child death, Homophobia, Torture, Vomit
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Hmm... This felt rushed. It really could've benefitted from an extra hundred or so pages. Rao goes off on two separate side quests which last maybe a chapter each? The climax is split across multiple five-page chapters, making it difficult to ground yourself or get invested. The ideas are a great continuation and subversion of the previous two books, I just wish it didn't feel like the author had gotten bored of it.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
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
Listen okay this was excellent, this was a brilliant book - IF it's taken as an individual. When you start to think about the overarching plot line from the series as a whole, there were elements which I felt just didn't seem to be as successful in this as a trilogy-ender. once again the writing is impeccable and painstakingly wrought - Malini and Priya remain the highlight characters. The political intrigue is still there though I'd definitely say it's toned down from book 2 to allow things to move along.
However, the ending wasn't necessarily satisfying for everything that the series had been building up to. It felt slightly out of character for Malini, to be honest. Rao's POV didn't feel useful to have a majority of the time, and one of my favourite characters has managed to be turned into a whinging angst-ridden man for every single chapter of his we read, despite being incredibly plot relevant. There was a vagueness to Priya, Malini and Bhumika's POVs that felt like they were just being shuffled places to give them something to do before the inevitable confrontation.
This is a strong work that ultimately did feel a little lacklustre at the final chapters.
However, the ending wasn't necessarily satisfying for everything that the series had been building up to. It felt slightly out of character for Malini, to be honest. Rao's POV didn't feel useful to have a majority of the time, and one of my favourite characters has managed to be turned into a whinging angst-ridden man for every single chapter of his we read, despite being incredibly plot relevant. There was a vagueness to Priya, Malini and Bhumika's POVs that felt like they were just being shuffled places to give them something to do before the inevitable confrontation.
This is a strong work that ultimately did feel a little lacklustre at the final chapters.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
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
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
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