The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

 

 

Hello Fellow Readers! 

Hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday season, and Happy New Year! The last book that I read in 2022 is one that I definitely cannot wait to talk about - The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri! If you love strong female protagonists, morally grey characters and arcs, innovative magic systems and lore, and lots of political intrigue, this novel should be next on your list! Did I mention that it includes a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers sapphic romance? 

The Jasmine Throne, published by Orbit UK is set in a fictional fantasy realm inspired by ancient India. There is a plague called the “rot” that is rampant and mysteriously connected to the Ahiryani forest deities of old called the yaksha, and all intertwined in the temple children. Our two main protagonists are forced into proximity with each other–we love a well-executed romance trope–as exiled Princess Malini is sentenced to live out her days at the terrifying and historically magical temple the Hirana, and Priya, our other protagonist, is forced to become her handmaiden. 

If I had to choose my favorite element of this vibrant story, I’d have to pick the unique magic system. Suri’s religious lore is so well developed and intertwined with magic, fanaticism, and flawed humans, that it is almost too real to read. Well, that and our beautiful morally grey sapphic protagonists of course! 

A few spoiler-free quotes that I absolutely adored from the novel: 

“After all, power makes everyone monstrous. At least a little.”

“This was what she had needed. Not forgiveness, not a balm for this strange writhing fury inside her, but the promise of someone to care for--to love--that she could not harm. Even if she had to. Even if she tried.” 

“Maybe if I’d been raised gently by people who taught me to be kind and good, I’d know how to do it. But I was taught goodness and kindness, or what passes for it, by other damaged children, so I can’t.”

Anyways, run out and grab this one from your local library or bookshop as soon as you can! And thankfully, the second installment in this soon-to-be trilogy is out now! Titled The Oleander Sword, it’s definitely gracing my TBR list. Happy Reading!