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jainandsdiary 's review for:
The Spice Gate
by Prashanth Srivatsa
I started my reading journey with a fantasy series (the one which can't be named, IYKYK), but after reading that, I haven't read the genre much and touched it very rarely. So it takes a lot for me to pick up a fantasy book, and the book needs to be intriguing enough to keep me hooked till the end. And this one delivered it completely and ticked off all the marks that I would like to have in a book.
The Spice Gate by Prashanth Srivatsa is a debut fantasy novel that takes us to the world of eight far-flung kingdoms, each separated from each other by a distant spice but connected through the Spice Gates, which are accessible only to the ones who are born with a special mark. But the thing is that the thing that may make someone special becomes the reason for their subjugation and makes them suffer not only by the rich masters but through the Gate itself by the unbearable pain whenever they pass through it. One such spice carrier is Amir, a boy with the dream of escaping with his family from this carrier duty and pain. But what will happen when the dream of freedom comes with fierce consequences, the ones that can shake the foundation of their world? What will happen when not only the throne keepers but even Gods get involved in it? Read the book to find out.
The world-building is top-notch and fluid and even though the story is fantasy, it has deep connections with Indian roots in the form of spices, caste division and historical events, and thus it makes it more interesting and engaging. The writing is engaging and addictive, and though the pace is not uniform, the story is compelling nevertheless.
The character of Amir is layered and one can witness the growth in his characterization as the story unfolds. His relationship with Karim Bhai and Harini shows the disparities in the hierarchical order, and at the same time, reflects the courage needed to tear the shackles of traditions and oppression.
It is not difficult to find the parallels between the subjugated class in the fantasy world and the real world, where one can find the deep-rooted historical baggage of marginalization, untouchability, oppression and dominion.
I am deeply stunned by this tome of a book, and I have a lot to talk about and discuss this book even after what I have written above (and I wish I had enough courage to come in front of a camera and blabber about how fascinating the book is) but till I do it again, I hope you pick up this book and immerse yourself in the wonder of this book. This is one of my favourite reads of this year, and if you are even considering reading a fantasy, think about it.
The Spice Gate by Prashanth Srivatsa is a debut fantasy novel that takes us to the world of eight far-flung kingdoms, each separated from each other by a distant spice but connected through the Spice Gates, which are accessible only to the ones who are born with a special mark. But the thing is that the thing that may make someone special becomes the reason for their subjugation and makes them suffer not only by the rich masters but through the Gate itself by the unbearable pain whenever they pass through it. One such spice carrier is Amir, a boy with the dream of escaping with his family from this carrier duty and pain. But what will happen when the dream of freedom comes with fierce consequences, the ones that can shake the foundation of their world? What will happen when not only the throne keepers but even Gods get involved in it? Read the book to find out.
The world-building is top-notch and fluid and even though the story is fantasy, it has deep connections with Indian roots in the form of spices, caste division and historical events, and thus it makes it more interesting and engaging. The writing is engaging and addictive, and though the pace is not uniform, the story is compelling nevertheless.
The character of Amir is layered and one can witness the growth in his characterization as the story unfolds. His relationship with Karim Bhai and Harini shows the disparities in the hierarchical order, and at the same time, reflects the courage needed to tear the shackles of traditions and oppression.
It is not difficult to find the parallels between the subjugated class in the fantasy world and the real world, where one can find the deep-rooted historical baggage of marginalization, untouchability, oppression and dominion.
I am deeply stunned by this tome of a book, and I have a lot to talk about and discuss this book even after what I have written above (and I wish I had enough courage to come in front of a camera and blabber about how fascinating the book is) but till I do it again, I hope you pick up this book and immerse yourself in the wonder of this book. This is one of my favourite reads of this year, and if you are even considering reading a fantasy, think about it.