Last Updated on December 20, 2022 by ThoughtsStained
Ah, I am so, so glad that The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri was just as good as I hoped it would be. I feel in love with Suri’s work after being surprisingly blown away by Empire of Sand. Though I still need to read the next book in that series, after The Jasmine Throne was announced, I knew there was nothing to be done. I had to read this book.
Luckily, it absolutely delivered.
An ARC copy was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Book Info
Publisher: Orbit Books | Release Date: June 2021 | Pages: 553
Age Range: Adult | Genre: Fantasy | Format: Paperback | Source: ARC
Author of Empire of Sand and Realm of Ash Tasha Suri’s The Jasmine Throne, beginning a new trilogy set in a world inspired by the history and epics of India, in which a captive princess and a maidservant in possession of forbidden magic become unlikely allies on a dark journey to save their empire from the princess’s traitor brother.
Imprisoned by her dictator brother, Malini spends her days in isolation in the Hirana: an ancient temple that was once the source of the powerful, magical deathless waters — but is now little more than a decaying ruin.
Priya is a maidservant, one among several who make the treacherous journey to the top of the Hirana every night to clean Malini’s chambers. She is happy to be an anonymous drudge, so long as it keeps anyone from guessing the dangerous secret she hides.
But when Malini accidentally bears witness to Priya’s true nature, their destinies become irrevocably tangled. One is a vengeful princess seeking to depose her brother from his throne. The other is a priestess seeking to find her family. Together, they will change the fate of an empire.
On the Page
Referenced
Minor
Content warnings are written up by me, unless specified. Subject to being an incomplete list, though guided by referencing this list and trying to highlight as many as I can identify.
Review
Likes
- The worldbuilding and the magic. Like, this book was so cool? The worldbuilding was incredible. Even writing this review, I can picture the world so perfectly inside my head–particularly the Hirana! I loved learning about all the different factions and their politics and the histories between them; the complications and the depth was just fantastic. Plus, the magic of the Hirana and the devastation of the rot was just…wow.
- Priya! Priya! I fucking love Priya, okay? Her strength, her kindness, the way she carries herself, the battles she has to go through (Suri doesn’t pull any punches). It was impossible not to root for her. (But, let’s not forget the other powerful women introduced! Like, Malini fascinated me as much as she broke my heart. And Lady Bhumika? If you asked me to serve you, I’d do it on my knees.)
- Page 299. So, I won’t lie: this book’s pace is slower, at the beginning. But it’s a justified slowness. There is so much to set up, so much to build upon, so we can fully feel the affects later in the story. But, once you hit page 299 (or the end of Chapter 33), you’d be have plenty of time on your hands. Let me tell you, the way my heart dropped reading the end of that chapter? You can’t stop reading after that, friends. It’s like the pace went from 0-1,000 in mere moments and you’d better buckle up. Because it doesn’t stop from here, not even in the ending.
Dislikes
- It ended and now I must wait for book two. 😔
Rating
Reading the second book in this year’s sapphic trifecta lived up to all of the hype. Tasha Suri is one of my favorite authors, hands down, period. Her writing is gorgeous, her characters are so fleshed out and real. I was so, so not disappointed by The Jasmine Throne and I cannot wait to read The Oleander Sword when it comes out (not to mentioning Suri’s Wuthering Heights retelling…).
Also, if anyone has fanart of THAT waterfall scene, I would be indebted…
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![Not me needing to repost this announcement because my first post had a typo. I promise I can actually edit! 😅
REPOST of original message below:
I've been thinking a lot about publishing and the barriers it places, particularly on traditionally underrepresented and marginalized writers. As an editor, I wanted to try and break down those barriers a bit.
So, going forward from now and forevermore, if you identity as a queer, BIPOC or disabled writer, you'll receive 10% any full manuscript edit. No need to self-disclose how you qualify. I will trust you at your word!
Another stigma (that's being broken!) that still exists is that self-published authors write at less quality than trad--pubbed writers. We all know this is bullshit! But, to help support my indie badasses, your first edit with me for a novel you plan to self publish will be 10% off.
**Please note these discounts are for full manuscript edits, including: developmental edits, copy edits and proofreading.**
Curious? DM me or email me through my website, linked below!
Link here: https://thoughtsstainedwithink.com/editorial
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Yes to all of this!!! I cannot wait for the sequel.
Dude, same!
Everyone loves this book and I can’t wait to read it but THANK YOU for mentioning the justified slow pace! I’ve been in a huge SFF slump so I know to wait before picking this one up. Glad you enjoyed the book and great review!
Oooh yes, not a book I would recommend if you’re in a current slump! But, one you’re ready, 100% dive into it, because it is WORTH IT.