Fans and readers of epic fantasy are familiar with the trope of one or more protagonists embarking on a quest to save the world, the empire, the country, etc. Historical fantasy incorporates most of these tropes, and their elements, and present them within a realistic narrative. For example, is there only one way to save the world? Is the world worth saving with the problems within it still ongoing? Is there another way for a balanced peace to exist instead? In Tasha Suri’s first series, The Books of Ambha, both female protagonists sought alternative ways to save their empire. In her latest series, Burning Kingdoms, the female protagonists presented in the first book, The Jasmine Throne, participate in more proactive, yet brutal, methods to saving the empire from those who are trying to destroy it.
There are two protagonists in this novel. The first is Princess Malini. She is in danger after refusing her brother’s, Emperor Chandra, punishment of “purging her sins” through burning on a pyre. So, her brother decides to imprison her inside the Hirana—a temple ruin believed to be haunted due to the magic and the tragic event that occurred there many years ago—until she changes her mind about her execution. Isolated from her allies and drugged by her brother’s assigned trustees, Malini knows she doesn’t have much time to plot her escape and to continue plotting to usurp her zealous brother. But first, she needs to find an ally inside her prison.
The second protagonist is Priya. She is a servant for the household who has been given the responsibility of overseeing Princess Malini’s imprisonment. When Priya is not working at the Regent’s home, she assists the locals with the Rot, a mysterious disease that causes plants to grow inside people’s bodies, by using her magic. Magic which she learned at the Hirana as a child—before the tragedy—and remains stunted. Priya takes a job as one of the servants for the princess, and she finds herself reconnecting with the magic inside the Hirana. All is going well for Priya until a figure appears at the Hirana to assassinate the princess. Priya calls on her magic to protect Princess Malini, who witnesses the entire incident. Both young women agree to help each other with their desires for freedom, for control, and for each other.
They are not alone in dealing with the strife within the empire. Ashok is an individual who shares the same past as Priya and had to separate himself from her after what happened at the Hirana when they were children. Ashok seeks to reclaim the magic, which was withheld from him, Priya, and others like themselves. However, he wants to reclaim the magic, not for the Parijatdvipan Empire, but to restore the power and the glory of the Ahiranyi faith.
Next is Rao: a man on a mission. A mission to locate the whereabouts of both Princess Malini and Aditya (Chandra and Malini’s older brother and the man who abdicated the throne), so the planned coup can continue. Some men follow their religion as motivations for their goals. Rao’s faith may cause a further rift amongst the royal siblings.
Last is General Vikram (the Regent of Ahiranya) and his wife, Lady Bhumika. They rule the city-state where the Hirana is located, where Princess Malini is serving her imprisonment. It should be mentioned husband and wife are on opposing sides due to the social and the political circumstances affecting the Parijatdvipan Empire. General Vikram has continued to do whatever the Emperor(s) have asked him to do “for the Empire,” and Lady Bhumika knows firsthand as to why the rebels want to end her husband’s rule as Regent. These separate characters provide depth into the dilemmas within the narrative, which are just as complex as the characters. These characters, along with the protagonists, must work on their roles within the rising rebellions as they all must do what needs to be done.
The interesting thing about The Jasmine Throne is all of the female characters within the narrative. While the cultures presented in the story—based on the ones from India—demonstrate the dualities within each, the female characters refuse to conform to the “modern” societal standards. Due to the societal notions, their sex allows little to no say on what needs to be done. In fact, some of the male characters point out how some cultural and religious practices have caused harm to too many individuals for it to be viewed as good for the faith and good for the Empire. Sooner or later those who have been victimized start to rebel. At the moment, there are two rebellions building up: the one against Emperor Chandra and the one against the Parijatdvipan Empire who tried to eradicate an entire faith due to fear. How many rebellions can breakout before the ruling party admits there could be trouble?
Suri presents her characters in moments of vulnerability, and allows them to make decisions on what they must do if they are going to survive their current predicaments and the upcoming ordeals. In addition, the worldbuilding presented in this novel not only clues readers in to how vast the Parijatdvipan Empire is, but also how deep the conflict is amongst its denizens. There will be no curbing of each character’s actions and motivations. There rebellions are going to breakout.
One of the stories being presented in this novel is the idea of faith and religion, and what they do to individuals. There is the religion of the current emperor whose misogyny was enhanced to the point where he is determined to cleanse all “impure” women by burning them. Next, is the religion that influenced the eldest brother into abdicating the throne for a higher purpose. Last, is the faith of those from the Hirana, whose power struck fear into the previous emperor, which led to the tragic event that fuels one of the rebellions. Actions of the past lead to consequences in the present.
Fans of The Books of Ambha will be pleased to know Suri’s latest series continues with the themes of forbidden magic, strong female characters, and love—familial, heterosexual and sapphic. Readers who enjoyed The Priory of the Orange Tree, The Light of the Midnight Stars, Black Sun, The Unbroken and She Who Became the Sun will enjoy this book the most. Fans of this book can expect to read the sequel, The Oleander Sword, in the near future.
The Jasmine Throne is the powerful first book in a new series by an author who has had a strong debut with her first series. All the characters are strong, willful and ruthless in their desires and in their motivations, especially the females. Suri’s novel is brilliant addition to the historical fantasy canon and a third of the Sapphic Trifecta! Do not miss out on this book.
Jennie Ivins
JC Kang