Review by Booklist Review
Prince Ashoka is a disappointment to his father, Emperor Adil, particularly because his older siblings, Arush and Aarya, subscribe to their father's brutal approach to expansion of the empire and destruction of the peaceful mayakari (witches), while Ashoka refuses to even hunt a deer. Meanwhile, mayakari Shakti violates their rules, cursing Emperor Adil after he destroys her village for harboring witches. She rapidly discovers the karmic impact of her magic as she finds herself psychically entwined with the deceased emperor and his ancestors and discovers her new ability of interfering with others' dreams. Shakti makes her way into a palace assignment as the emperor's children scramble to adjust to their new roles. She works first for Ashoka, who recognizes her as a mayakari, and then for Aarya, who commandeers her when Ashoka is assigned to govern Taksila, an area cursed by a mayakari that Adil murdered. Ashoka and Shakti's goals evolve as they do, both desperately rethinking their moral stances as they face untenable situations, leaving them poised for action in what will be an eagerly anticipated sequel.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Wijesekara debuts with this riveting dark fantasy, the first in her Obsidian Throne series. Shakti is a mayakari, or witch, and her people are unfairly hunted and punished by cruel Emperor Adil Maurya of the Ran Empire. After the emperor burns a couple of mayakari, including Shakti's aunt, at the stake, Shakti seeks revenge. The mayakari aren't supposed to cause harm, but Shakti curses Emperor Adil with "living misfortune," hoping to prolong his suffering instead of offering the mercy of a swift death. Something goes wrong, however, as the emperor dies soon after and his demise is blamed on the mayakari, inciting even more rage against them. Shakti is shocked to then discover that the emperor's consciousness is trapped within her mind. To free herself from his presence, she infiltrates the palace in search of Prince Ashoka, who, in a parallel story line, struggles with his father's legacy and seeks peace. The lush magic system draws on Buddhist beliefs, and Wijesekara's tense court politics captivate. The result is an electrifying story of betrayal, ambition, and vengeance. This is a great start. (Mar.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
DEBUT Ashoka is the third child in line for the Obsidian Throne, and his nonviolence, especially against the loathed mayakari witches, makes him the least favorite. Shakti is a mayakari running from the burning of her village by the witch-hating emperor (Ashoka's father). When Shakti breaks the sacred mayakari vow of peace by cursing the emperor, she kills him, sending both her and Ashoka deep into enemy territory as a consequence. Shakti flees to the Obsidian palace, hoping for safety in plain sight, while Ashoka is banished to rule a rebellious province ravaged by spirits that can only be calmed by the persecuted mayakari. Can either of them survive their predicament, let alone change the cruel rulership of the Obsidian Throne? Wijesekara's debut examines political power and the sincerity of those who seek it. Inverting the personality types of the two protagonists, Ashoka and Shakti, against expectations, creates natural internal turmoil. Ashoka and Shakti both possess a ruthlessness that allows them to work against their personal convictions, which brings with it heavy consequences. Seeing one character make political moves that the other undoes naturally ratchets up the tension for the sequel. VERDICT A taut, character-focused first installment in an epic fantasy series that promises a refreshing look at survival and empire.--Katherine Sleyko
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