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supposedlysecretlysapphic 's review for:
The Jasmine Throne
by Tasha Suri
DNF :(
It is with an extreme and heavy heart I have to rate this book like this. I was absolutely delighted to learn of this book's existence as not only does it take place in Ancient India (a setting I have never seen used, and as someone who is Indian this thrilled me) but it also revolves around a sapphic relationship.
However I am 50% through and I have to DNF. This is the third book I have ever DNF'ed.
The story simple disappoints on almost every level. We start with an exciting opening, and so far nothing has happened. Nothing has driven the plot forward or developed any character relatinships. There are chapters and chapters of cardboard side characters talking and talking, and all this does is convey a rebellion is going on. Nothing else.
The two lead characters are also lacklustre. Priya has an interesting backstory and we see her wants and struggles, but she has no personality, making her very forgettable. Malini on the other hand doesn't even have that. While she is an imprisoned princess and drugged up, there is still scope for her to have some agency but this is just ignored. She makes for a very boring character which is not good for a protagonist.
The pacing is also very poor. As said above nothing is driving this story forward, it's just another evil empire vs rebels with exotic set dressing and nothing else to make it unique or memorable. The author also seems to put plot before character so even when there are moments that could stand out (for example Priya meeting up with a character she thought long dead) these are all told, not shown, and glossed over. I get absolutely no sense of immersion in the character wants and drives and they are just pushed to the bottom in service to a generic, boring plot.
The writing itself is also tonally all over the place. Dialogue is either very formal or modern, with no in between. This makes all the characters sound the same with no distinctive voice. Also the author will use Hindi words in narrative but not in dialogue which was jarring for me, as characters in this setting would use Hindi words and context would be enough to figure out what they mean.
Honestly it really pains me this book was such a devastating disappointment, especially when Crier's War has this exact same plot and executed it masterfully. Very sad.
It is with an extreme and heavy heart I have to rate this book like this. I was absolutely delighted to learn of this book's existence as not only does it take place in Ancient India (a setting I have never seen used, and as someone who is Indian this thrilled me) but it also revolves around a sapphic relationship.
However I am 50% through and I have to DNF. This is the third book I have ever DNF'ed.
The story simple disappoints on almost every level. We start with an exciting opening, and so far nothing has happened. Nothing has driven the plot forward or developed any character relatinships. There are chapters and chapters of cardboard side characters talking and talking, and all this does is convey a rebellion is going on. Nothing else.
The two lead characters are also lacklustre. Priya has an interesting backstory and we see her wants and struggles, but she has no personality, making her very forgettable. Malini on the other hand doesn't even have that. While she is an imprisoned princess and drugged up, there is still scope for her to have some agency but this is just ignored. She makes for a very boring character which is not good for a protagonist.
The pacing is also very poor. As said above nothing is driving this story forward, it's just another evil empire vs rebels with exotic set dressing and nothing else to make it unique or memorable. The author also seems to put plot before character so even when there are moments that could stand out (for example Priya meeting up with a character she thought long dead) these are all told, not shown, and glossed over. I get absolutely no sense of immersion in the character wants and drives and they are just pushed to the bottom in service to a generic, boring plot.
The writing itself is also tonally all over the place. Dialogue is either very formal or modern, with no in between. This makes all the characters sound the same with no distinctive voice. Also the author will use Hindi words in narrative but not in dialogue which was jarring for me, as characters in this setting would use Hindi words and context would be enough to figure out what they mean.
Honestly it really pains me this book was such a devastating disappointment, especially when Crier's War has this exact same plot and executed it masterfully. Very sad.