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A review by herbookish_obsession
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
4.0
Trigger warnings: blood, gore, violence, murder, poisoning, torture, public execution, homophobia, forced drug use, body horror, suicidal thoughts, self-mutilation, abusive family member
It all starts with a fire and an exile. Malini is a traitor, a furious princess sentenced to atone for her misdeeds at the Hirana, a destroyed temple. She is kept under lock and key, becoming weaker under the cautious eye of her carer, and she is on the verge of dying. Priya is a maid who is responsible for walking the perilous trek to the Hirana every night to look after the captive princess. The job is risky, and Priya runs the risk of disclosing her most closely guarded secret when she is attacked one evening, and she exposes a power long-buried to the last person she expects to reveal it to the princess herself. Malina and Priya are bonded together on a voyage that would have them witnessing Priya’s true character.
It took me a few moments to really immerse myself in The Jasmine Throne’s world, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. Tasha Suri has woven everything I love about fantasy into one book, complete with detailed historical backdrops and character-driven plots. When you add in the fact that this features ethically ambiguous lesbians set in an Indian-inspired fantasy setting, you can see why I went berserk.
Suri masterfully blended approximately 10 various points of view throughout the plot, which is no simple accomplishment to execute. While the majority of the book focuses on Priya and Malini’s trip, the other points of view provided a much-needed intermission, providing a necessary perspective on major events. But it was the plot’s complexity and the depth of each of the characters that really wowed me. This is a slow-burning drama with simmering tensions that don’t explode until the very final second, allowing the motivations of both characters to be dissected.
The relationship, like the plot, was a slow burn, evolving from reluctant allies to something far more powerful. The nicest aspect of the narrative was seeing these two ladies unite in their quest for power and vengeance. Along with all of that, the romantic growth was what sold me on this. Tasha Suri makes her mark on the fantasy genre once again, with evocative language, an amazing magic system, and engaging characters. The Jasmine Throne is a wonderfully woven story that should be savored slowly and carefully eaten. A triumphant start to what will undoubtedly be an incredible series.
It all starts with a fire and an exile. Malini is a traitor, a furious princess sentenced to atone for her misdeeds at the Hirana, a destroyed temple. She is kept under lock and key, becoming weaker under the cautious eye of her carer, and she is on the verge of dying. Priya is a maid who is responsible for walking the perilous trek to the Hirana every night to look after the captive princess. The job is risky, and Priya runs the risk of disclosing her most closely guarded secret when she is attacked one evening, and she exposes a power long-buried to the last person she expects to reveal it to the princess herself. Malina and Priya are bonded together on a voyage that would have them witnessing Priya’s true character.
It took me a few moments to really immerse myself in The Jasmine Throne’s world, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. Tasha Suri has woven everything I love about fantasy into one book, complete with detailed historical backdrops and character-driven plots. When you add in the fact that this features ethically ambiguous lesbians set in an Indian-inspired fantasy setting, you can see why I went berserk.
Suri masterfully blended approximately 10 various points of view throughout the plot, which is no simple accomplishment to execute. While the majority of the book focuses on Priya and Malini’s trip, the other points of view provided a much-needed intermission, providing a necessary perspective on major events. But it was the plot’s complexity and the depth of each of the characters that really wowed me. This is a slow-burning drama with simmering tensions that don’t explode until the very final second, allowing the motivations of both characters to be dissected.
The relationship, like the plot, was a slow burn, evolving from reluctant allies to something far more powerful. The nicest aspect of the narrative was seeing these two ladies unite in their quest for power and vengeance. Along with all of that, the romantic growth was what sold me on this. Tasha Suri makes her mark on the fantasy genre once again, with evocative language, an amazing magic system, and engaging characters. The Jasmine Throne is a wonderfully woven story that should be savored slowly and carefully eaten. A triumphant start to what will undoubtedly be an incredible series.