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A review by the_library_of_mary
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
5.0
I had seen this recommended on booktok as a sapphic high fantasy story based off of Indian mythology and culture, so I was definitely interested in reading it. It did take me a little bit to get into it, the story jumps right into things and changes narrators for each chapter so there were a couple plot threads I wasn't quite following when I first started reading.
Once I got into it, oh boy was I hooked. The characters, especially the female characters, were written so well and believable. All of them had strengths and flaws and as the situations changed so did those charateristics. I was especially drawn to Priya and Malini, but also Bhumika. All of them had strength in such apparatent ways, but ways that are often overlooked by the traditional definition. Bhumika especially was a character I grew to love, but more importantly respect. She truly was doing her best, and committing to those decisions, for Ahiranya. Unlike Aditya who said that he was doing his best for his people, but couldn't commit to those decisions.
Priya and Malini's slowburn was beautiful to read and the way that their love was shown, while keeping their characters was beautifully done. They separate hoping and wishing they could stay together, but they both know they have their own duties and responsibilities they must do separately, ones they simply can't ignore. It was very satisfying to read about the concept of a lesbian relationship in this world, because Priya's culture has not real problem with it, while Malini's does. And even though that barrier did exist, and Malina acknowledges it, it never became this tragic and hearthbreaking thing. Which as a queer person, made me happy that this common bump in a relationship wasn't addressed because it didnt really need to be.
The universal villian of Chandra is where I'm hoping all the characters have a chance to reunite. Malini to take over the throne, Priya to find a cure for rot and return to her, Bhumika to become the leader of Ahiranya as promised. I'm excited to see where the next book goes in this story and what happens.
Once I got into it, oh boy was I hooked. The characters, especially the female characters, were written so well and believable. All of them had strengths and flaws and as the situations changed so did those charateristics. I was especially drawn to Priya and Malini, but also Bhumika. All of them had strength in such apparatent ways, but ways that are often overlooked by the traditional definition. Bhumika especially was a character I grew to love, but more importantly respect. She truly was doing her best, and committing to those decisions, for Ahiranya. Unlike Aditya who said that he was doing his best for his people, but couldn't commit to those decisions.
Priya and Malini's slowburn was beautiful to read and the way that their love was shown, while keeping their characters was beautifully done. They separate hoping and wishing they could stay together, but they both know they have their own duties and responsibilities they must do separately, ones they simply can't ignore. It was very satisfying to read about the concept of a lesbian relationship in this world, because Priya's culture has not real problem with it, while Malini's does. And even though that barrier did exist, and Malina acknowledges it, it never became this tragic and hearthbreaking thing. Which as a queer person, made me happy that this common bump in a relationship wasn't addressed because it didnt really need to be.
The universal villian of Chandra is where I'm hoping all the characters have a chance to reunite. Malini to take over the throne, Priya to find a cure for rot and return to her, Bhumika to become the leader of Ahiranya as promised. I'm excited to see where the next book goes in this story and what happens.