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rorikae's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
'Upon a Burning Throne' by Ashok K. Banker is an engaging start to an epic fantasy series inspired by The Mahabharata.
The story begins with two newly born princes, Adri and Shvate, who must endure the Burning Throne to determine who will rule the Burnt Empire. The Burning Throne consumes all who sit on it with fire and only those worthy of ruling survive. In a shocking turn of events, both Adri and Shvate survive the Burning Throne and to further complicate matters a third successor, a surprise princess, survives as well. But the current rulers deny her right to the throne, enraging her father, a demonlord, who vows to rip the Empire apart.
'Upon a Burning Throne' is such an engaging read. The story starts out at a moment of high tension and Banker maintains this level of intrigue throughout the entirety of the story, which is a real feat considering the book's 688 page length. So much happens in this book and it is only the first book in the series. One of the reasons this book is so engaging is the shifting narrators. The book hinges on relatively short chapters that move between many characters. Nearly every character of significance gets at least one chapter and this is added to with chapters told from the point of view of animals observing events. This shifting style could leave the reader detached from the story but it does the exact opposite. It expands the world and our understanding of each character by exploring their motivations and reasoning.
There is a big part of the set-up of the story that isn't addressed in this first book and it made me frustrated until I read the synopsis for book two and realized that it will be the focus of an entire third of the story. I can't wait to read that section and learn more about this world and Banker's characters. If you are looking for an epic fantasy with engaging worldbuilding and a chorus of characters, please read 'Upon a Burning Throne.'
The story begins with two newly born princes, Adri and Shvate, who must endure the Burning Throne to determine who will rule the Burnt Empire. The Burning Throne consumes all who sit on it with fire and only those worthy of ruling survive. In a shocking turn of events, both Adri and Shvate survive the Burning Throne and to further complicate matters a third successor, a surprise princess, survives as well. But the current rulers deny her right to the throne, enraging her father, a demonlord, who vows to rip the Empire apart.
'Upon a Burning Throne' is such an engaging read. The story starts out at a moment of high tension and Banker maintains this level of intrigue throughout the entirety of the story, which is a real feat considering the book's 688 page length. So much happens in this book and it is only the first book in the series. One of the reasons this book is so engaging is the shifting narrators. The book hinges on relatively short chapters that move between many characters. Nearly every character of significance gets at least one chapter and this is added to with chapters told from the point of view of animals observing events. This shifting style could leave the reader detached from the story but it does the exact opposite. It expands the world and our understanding of each character by exploring their motivations and reasoning.
There is a big part of the set-up of the story that isn't addressed in this first book and it made me frustrated until I read the synopsis for book two and realized that it will be the focus of an entire third of the story. I can't wait to read that section and learn more about this world and Banker's characters. If you are looking for an epic fantasy with engaging worldbuilding and a chorus of characters, please read 'Upon a Burning Throne.'
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, Animal death, Blood, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Body horror
Moderate: Kidnapping and Sexual content
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