Scan barcode
A review by anaisniz
The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
π₯ Plot: 8/10
π» Characters: 9/10
π Setting: 10/10
βοΈ Writing style: Excellent.
βWhat greater love is there than wanting to lay the world in your beloved's hands?β
I can understand people finding the first book more engaging, but that's defiantly not the case for me.
β€οΈ Up's:
1) Amazing character development.
2) Intriguing plot
3) Expansion of the word building & India inspired
4) Beautiful writing
What captivated me more in this book than in the other, was how it felt more mature, complex and emotional.
1) For me the biggest charm of this book was the different arcs of the characters, especially Bhumika and Priya. Bhumika still is my favorite character, so no surprise here. It was really fun to see her entering motherhood and being at such hard spot in order to protect her people. But Priya, she had such a good arc here. To her complex relationship with Malini, to the struggle of being an Elder, of not having Bhumika close to her and finally, paying the consequences for her great powers. She and Sima also grew more on me.
This book also made me connect more with the side characters, especially Rao. His relationship with Adtiya was so interesting and gave me some...vibes. Their relationship made realize that I would prefer if Malini and Priya had a slow burn instead. I do like them, but I also don't really care if they don't end up lovers, as some fans want. What I admire more of their relationship is their dark complexity (and the way this book ends, made it better).
Malini keeps being what I wish her to be, so I'm very happy. I really love her "dark" side and her journey was fun to read. She acts and fits well as an Empress and the politics happening around her were so entertained.
We got introduced to Dwarali's women and I just loved them.
Bhumika and Jeevan were so cute, I need them to be happy PLS. And give Rao a break PLS
2) This is where the main event actually happens. The war of Malini taking back the throne. The side conflicts happening were also very intriguing and there were some surprises along the way. The set up for the plot of the next book was very well done, the ending had me begging for me.
I really liked the pace of the book. It's not rushed or slow, Tasha Suri just knows what she wants to tell.
3) The world building kept expanding and I can't help but love this world. It's just fantastic and done with care.
4) Tasha Suri's writing captures and fits the story so well. I said it before, and I will say it again, her writing is not flat or dry, but she also doesn't drag too much to the point of being exhaustive. It's a perfect mix of beautiful and clear words.
π Down's:
I don't have a lot to say here honestly, just some things I would like to point out.
1) Chandra could have been more explored.
2) Time is rarely mention.
1) The biggest let down when it comes to characters is, perhaps, Chandra. I think he had a lot of protentional to be something more complex. I was actually expecting him to have more layers than what it was shown about him. I also thought his relationship with Malini (and even Aditya, but mostly Malini) could have been something more grey, not just the hate between them and the desire to kill one another. It felt a bit flat and too simple. But ig, there was no more space for that in the book.
2) I wish there was more mentions about the time. If I remember correctly, time was only mention like 2 times (?) I was a bit lost, because I have no idea how long was this war. Was it like, 5 months? a year? No idea.
β¨ Final thoughts:
Loved this sequel. Made me fall in love with more characters and the world. I can't wait to see how this story ends.
π» Characters: 9/10
π Setting: 10/10
βοΈ Writing style: Excellent.
βWhat greater love is there than wanting to lay the world in your beloved's hands?β
I can understand people finding the first book more engaging, but that's defiantly not the case for me.
β€οΈ Up's:
1) Amazing character development.
2) Intriguing plot
3) Expansion of the word building & India inspired
4) Beautiful writing
What captivated me more in this book than in the other, was how it felt more mature, complex and emotional.
1) For me the biggest charm of this book was the different arcs of the characters, especially Bhumika and Priya. Bhumika still is my favorite character, so no surprise here. It was really fun to see her entering motherhood and being at such hard spot in order to protect her people. But Priya, she had such a good arc here. To her complex relationship with Malini, to the struggle of being an Elder, of not having Bhumika close to her and finally, paying the consequences for her great powers. She and Sima also grew more on me.
This book also made me connect more with the side characters, especially Rao. His relationship with Adtiya was so interesting and gave me some...vibes. Their relationship made realize that I would prefer if Malini and Priya had a slow burn instead. I do like them, but I also don't really care if they don't end up lovers, as some fans want. What I admire more of their relationship is their dark complexity (and the way this book ends, made it better).
Malini keeps being what I wish her to be, so I'm very happy. I really love her "dark" side and her journey was fun to read. She acts and fits well as an Empress and the politics happening around her were so entertained.
We got introduced to Dwarali's women and I just loved them.
2) This is where the main event actually happens. The war of Malini taking back the throne. The side conflicts happening were also very intriguing and there were some surprises along the way. The set up for the plot of the next book was very well done, the ending had me begging for me.
I really liked the pace of the book. It's not rushed or slow, Tasha Suri just knows what she wants to tell.
3) The world building kept expanding and I can't help but love this world. It's just fantastic and done with care.
4) Tasha Suri's writing captures and fits the story so well. I said it before, and I will say it again, her writing is not flat or dry, but she also doesn't drag too much to the point of being exhaustive. It's a perfect mix of beautiful and clear words.
π Down's:
I don't have a lot to say here honestly, just some things I would like to point out.
1) Chandra could have been more explored.
2) Time is rarely mention.
1) The biggest let down when it comes to characters is, perhaps, Chandra. I think he had a lot of protentional to be something more complex. I was actually expecting him to have more layers than what it was shown about him. I also thought his relationship with Malini (and even Aditya, but mostly Malini) could have been something more grey, not just the hate between them and the desire to kill one another. It felt a bit flat and too simple. But ig, there was no more space for that in the book.
2) I wish there was more mentions about the time. If I remember correctly, time was only mention like 2 times (?) I was a bit lost, because I have no idea how long was this war. Was it like, 5 months? a year? No idea.
β¨ Final thoughts:
Loved this sequel. Made me fall in love with more characters and the world. I can't wait to see how this story ends.