Review by Booklist Review
Priya grew up in the Hirana, a now-ruined temple, and narrowly escaped when the temple elders and most of her siblings burned to death at the order of the former Parijatdvipan emperor. Now, her country suffers from a mysterious plague that is blighting the fields and turning people into plants. Princess Malini of Parijatdvipa has been sent to die slowly in Ahiranya after refusing her zealot brother's demand that she immolate herself with her ladies in waiting. Priya wants to free the people of Ahiranya from the grasp of the empire, while Malini seeks to avenge the deaths of her friends and oust her brother from his imperial throne. Thrown together by circumstance, Priya and Malini find common ground and an inconvenient mutual attraction. The Hirana itself might provide answers if Priya can reawaken her magic and find the deathless waters at the root of her ancient faith. The Jasmine Throne features multiple points of view and strong supporting characters in a lavishly realized setting inspired by the history and epics of India. Tackling the subjects of imperialism, the roles of women, religion, morality, and family, this powerful series opener will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of epic fantasy for years to come.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Suri (the Books of Ambha series) astounds with the spellbinding epic fantasy that launches her Burning Kingdoms trilogy. When Princess Malini, the sister of Parijatdvipa's Emperor Chandra, refuses to sacrifice her life to secure her ruthless brother's throne, he imprisons her in the Hirana, a treacherous labyrinthine temple in the conquered country of Ahiranya. There, Priya, an Ahiranyi temple child with secret elemental powers, acts as her maidservant. Malini plots to secure her freedom while Priya seeks to understand her own tragic past. As the pair grow closer, both must weigh their loyalty to their respective countries and people with their partnership and growing feelings for each other. The result is a fierce, heart-wrenching exploration of the value and danger of love in a world of politics and power. Though it takes time to settle into the complex magic system and extensive cast, Suri's confident and passionate prose expertly guides the reader throughout. This is a blade-sharp, triumphant start to what promises to be an exciting series. Agent: Laura Crockett, Triada US Literary. (June)
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Review by Library Journal Review
This LGBTQ YA-crossover epic fantasy features two strong women drawn together by difficult circumstances, in a fully detailed, India-inspired setting. Malini is imprisoned in the stark Hirana temple for defying her brother the emperor; Priya becomes Malini's maidservant and then her confidant. But Priya is hiding a secret of her own: she knows the mysteries of the Hirana because she lived there as a child and is still connected to its powerful magic. Meanwhile, more and more city residents are falling ill with a mysterious "rot," and treatments are proving ineffective. Could the Hirana's magic make a difference? VERDICT Suri (Realm of Ash) has created this world with great deliberation, including details about clothing, cuisine, and architecture. Malini and Priya both have depth and nuance, and their attraction to each other is written with care and sensitivity. Changing viewpoints help move the action along, but this is the first book in a trilogy, which inevitably means that some of the plotting will set the stage for books to come. Offer this to fans of Tanaz Bhathena or S. A. Chakraborty.--Laurel Bliss, San Diego State Univ. Lib.
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