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A review by nowheregirl
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-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
4.0
As soon as I heard about "The Jasmine Throne" I knew I have to read it. I mean, come on, feminist high fantasy with morally gray lesbians? I was already sold.
I have to say, I was not disappointed and even though I had some issues with this book it have still found a way to my heart.
The worldbuilding in this book, as well as conflict, were something with great potential but I am not really fond of execution. The pacing in this book was kinda slow and I consider some of the plotlines a little dragged - there were a couple of scenes in this book where I thought "okay, but why couldn't it be done sooner?". Also, the stakes felt much lower than they were told to be and I would really like to see more of a main villain, whom I only met twice in the whole book.
However, as I am done with my complaints, I must say there were a lot of things in this book that I loved. First and most important of all. Women. Holy shit, I love women. And especially ambitious, morally gray women who make their own path in the mysogynist world. Three main heroines were absolutely amazing. Malini, the imprisoned princess seeking to overthrow her brother, the emperor, was written wonderfully and I found her journey really interesting and powerful. She also had a great dynamic with her love interest and other main character, Priya. And, ah, Priya. I loved her so much – women, who wielded such a powerful magic, who was able to both kill people and take care of sick, homeless child.
But, above all,I adored Bhumika and her characterisation. How, at first, she seemed soft and gentle, nothing but the regent's wife and mother to be. But oh, she turned out to be so much more. She was incredibly strong and persistent, women, who managed to gain her husband's men loyalty, a politician far more competent than anyone expected her to be. I loved it, how, even though everyone underestimated her, she was really the key to her nation's freedom.
Oh, and also, this book had lesbians holding a knife to the other's ribs and kissing under the waterfall. What more do you need?
I have to say, I was not disappointed and even though I had some issues with this book it have still found a way to my heart.
The worldbuilding in this book, as well as conflict, were something with great potential but I am not really fond of execution. The pacing in this book was kinda slow and I consider some of the plotlines a little dragged - there were a couple of scenes in this book where I thought "okay, but why couldn't it be done sooner?". Also, the stakes felt much lower than they were told to be and I would really like to see more of a main villain, whom I only met twice in the whole book.
However, as I am done with my complaints, I must say there were a lot of things in this book that I loved. First and most important of all. Women. Holy shit, I love women. And especially ambitious, morally gray women who make their own path in the mysogynist world. Three main heroines were absolutely amazing. Malini, the imprisoned princess seeking to overthrow her brother, the emperor, was written wonderfully and I found her journey really interesting and powerful. She also had a great dynamic with her love interest and other main character, Priya. And, ah, Priya. I loved her so much – women, who wielded such a powerful magic, who was able to both kill people and take care of sick, homeless child.
But, above all,I adored Bhumika and her characterisation. How, at first, she seemed soft and gentle, nothing but the regent's wife and mother to be. But oh, she turned out to be so much more. She was incredibly strong and persistent, women, who managed to gain her husband's men loyalty, a politician far more competent than anyone expected her to be. I loved it, how, even though everyone underestimated her, she was really the key to her nation's freedom.
Oh, and also, this book had lesbians holding a knife to the other's ribs and kissing under the waterfall. What more do you need?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Misogyny, and Sexism