The Burning Kingdoms: A Trilogy
A review of two books from the Burning Kingdoms trilogy by queer author Tasha Suri.
The Jasmine Throne is book 1 of the Burning Kingdoms Trilogy, a sapphic fantasy set in a world inspired by ancient India.
Three women resist against the deathly grip of an empire, each in their own way. Malini escapes imprisonment, Bhumika exerts her carefully cultivated political soft power and Priya learns to tap into her deeply rooted magic.
Suri's writing is beautiful and engaging to read and her characterisation is spot on. All the characters are so nuanced and well rounded that you can't help but love them all in their morally grey, messy glory. And for a book that doesn't have any sex in it, the sapphic sexual tension is deliciously palpable.
I read the e-book and listened to the audiobook simultaneously, but quickly gave up on the audio as Shiromi Arserio drained all the life and beauty out of Suri's words for me.
A brilliant 5 star book with the only downside of slightly slow pacing at the beginning (which other readers don't mind as Suri sets up the political backdrop of the world she's building). An absolute must-read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Oleander Sword is book 2 in the Burning Kingdoms Trilogy, a sapphic fantasy set in a world inspired by ancient India.
This book was so gripping that there were many moments where I screamed, "WHAT?!” at my little Kindle screen.
Again, the pacing is a little slow at the beginning as Suri establishes a new political environment and our three protagonists' very new, unfamiliar lives. It's all worth it to read though, as it all feels necessary for the story to move forward.
Malini is now commanding an entire army, Priya and Bhumika are now powerful elders of Ahiranya. But once Priya and Malini battle to overturn the empire, Bhumika faces a familiar yet alien foe at home. The twists and turns in this book mean that all of the characters, not just the protagonists, have to make difficult, devastating and often surprising decisions. Malini and Priya's love is flawed and rough-edged. It all just makes this book a juicy, captivating read.
Once again, a 5 star book from Suri. I cannot wait for the third book: The Lotus Empire, which will be released on 16th July 2024.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Shreya M Patel is a queer, disabled and neurodivergent actor, writer and musician. She's currently writing a queer coming-of-age play about three young South Asian girls. She plays the titular role Kyra in the short film Mo <3 Kyra soon to be aired on Film 4. Credits also include Perfect (Dave) and Then Barbara Met Alan (BBC). Her EP 'Red Blooded' is available on Spotify, Amazon Music and iTunes.