The secrets of the Hirana call to Priya. But in order to keep the truth of her past safely hidden, she works as a servant in the loathed regent’s household, biting her tongue and cleaning Malini’s chambers.
But when Malini witnesses Priya’s true nature, their destines become irrevocably tangled. One is a ruthless princess seeking to steal a throne. The other a powerful priestess seeking to save her family. Together, they will set an empire ablaze.
Do you get hung up on reading an author’s books in publication order, even if the books aren’t connected?
Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don’t.
I loved Tasha Suri’s debut novel, EMPIRE OF SAND, and have been meaning to read the second book in that duology, REALM OF ASH for far too long (soooooonnnnn!!!!)
So even though THE JASMINE THRONE is the start of something new for Suri (the BURNING KINGDOMS trilogy), the temptation to hold off until I could read REALM OF ASH was pretty real.
But…well. I caved. THE JASMINE THRONE sounded phenomenal & I couldn’t resist diving in. And I’m glad I did, because this was fucking outstanding, and I think Tasha Suri writes some of the most stunning prose I’ve read in fantasy.
For one reason or another, I had it in my head that THE JASMINE THRONE had two POVs. This is just my brain lazily interpreting the book’s synopsis and running away with it. So I was surprised to find several more POVs in addition to the two main characters. That being said, it’s the two main characters, Priya & Malini, that drive the story forward, and I grew to adore both of these women as their relationship evolved.
After her refusal to commit self-immolation before her fanatical brother, the Emperor of Ahiranya, Malini is imprisoned atop the Hirana. The Hirana is a mystical temple set on top of a mountain. Priya is one of the maidservants assigned to look after Malini, but we soon discover there is much more to Priya, and she has a very deep history & connection to the magic of the Hirana.
Much scheming & plotting & rebellion ensues. Along with a very, very slow burn sapphic romance. Oof.
I have struggled tremendously getting my thoughts together for this review, for a lot of reasons. Some are more personal, but also this book is fucking massive in scope, and not something I can easily unpack in a review.
THE JASMINE THRONE is an intensely political fantasy novel, and one that explores things like colonization & religious fanaticism. And this is another book that, for me, has just enough detail about the magic in this world to really capture my imagination. The magic here is strange, intrinsically connected to the environment, and very slowly explored over the course of the book.
THE JASMINE THRONE is the start of something really special, and I’m extremely here for it. Suri’s India-inspired fantasy world is is both lush & dangerous, and the cast of characters in this book is quite compelling. There’s just a quality to Tasha Suri’s prose that I can’t quite put my finger on, but oof…it’s fucking beautiful & she is an incredible storyteller.
Huge thanks to Orbit for the copy!!! THE JASMINE THRONE releases June 8th!
I did want to include the content warnings for this book, as provided by the author on her website:
• Explicit violence including immolation and self-immolation
• Gender-based violence (this does not include sexual assault)
• Homophobia and internalised homophobia
• Suicidal ideation
• Self-mutilation
• Abusive family dynamics
• Child murder
• Body horror (plant-based, cosmic)
• Forced drug use and depictions of addiction/withdrawal
Grimdark Dad 