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crofteereader 's review for:
The Jasmine Throne
by Tasha Suri
4.5 stars, rounded up.
I haven't read Suri's previous books. But this one... It was so intricate, so focused, like a strangler vine growing up around a massive tree, moving slow enough that you don't realize it's killing you until you're already lost. From gorgeous and detailed descriptions of clothing and magic and people and buildings, to the minutiae of political machinations between people with varying degrees of farsightedness, to two women who are cursed with brothers who hurt and demean them and the different ways they claim their own power.
Priya is everyone's favorite fantasy heroine. Possessing of hidden knowledge and unique talents, from a past dark enough that she hides it even from herself. But she is also a bleeding heart: wanting genuinely to help people and lashing out only when there is no other option. She's also not afraid to admit that she's no leader, no strategist.
And then there's Malini. Oh Malini, you beautiful monster. I'm always partial to the monstrous MC, the one who does what's necessary, even if it's not necessarily right or good. But to walk that line and be held back, to hold yourself back... When all you want is to burn the world down... It makes such a beautiful contrast for Priya - and the two of them together just work so well.
I loved that we really get to see the whole picture, as we bounce between Priya, Malini, Bhumika, Ashok, Rao, and an assortment of other one-time POVS to give us all the consequences of a coup being staged on three sides with very different goals. As soon as the stakes really click, you won't want to put the book down.
The only downside is now I have to wait for book two...
{Thank you Orbit Books for the advanced copy; all thoughts are my own}
I haven't read Suri's previous books. But this one... It was so intricate, so focused, like a strangler vine growing up around a massive tree, moving slow enough that you don't realize it's killing you until you're already lost. From gorgeous and detailed descriptions of clothing and magic and people and buildings, to the minutiae of political machinations between people with varying degrees of farsightedness, to two women who are cursed with brothers who hurt and demean them and the different ways they claim their own power.
Priya is everyone's favorite fantasy heroine. Possessing of hidden knowledge and unique talents, from a past dark enough that she hides it even from herself. But she is also a bleeding heart: wanting genuinely to help people and lashing out only when there is no other option. She's also not afraid to admit that she's no leader, no strategist.
And then there's Malini. Oh Malini, you beautiful monster. I'm always partial to the monstrous MC, the one who does what's necessary, even if it's not necessarily right or good. But to walk that line and be held back, to hold yourself back... When all you want is to burn the world down... It makes such a beautiful contrast for Priya - and the two of them together just work so well.
I loved that we really get to see the whole picture, as we bounce between Priya, Malini, Bhumika, Ashok, Rao, and an assortment of other one-time POVS to give us all the consequences of a coup being staged on three sides with very different goals. As soon as the stakes really click, you won't want to put the book down.
The only downside is now I have to wait for book two...
{Thank you Orbit Books for the advanced copy; all thoughts are my own}