ok sure i’m just gonna go ahead and throw myself on the pyre too while we’re at it

this book was everything that i loved about the first one and more. it is very much setting up for the climax of the trilogy but it didn’t feel like filler at all. full of action and sacrifice and betrayal, i was engaged the whole time. the characters are so complex, the situation is so grey and decisions are being made that i don’t necessarily agree with but i totally understand why they’re being made. a lot of my questions were answered as the lore and world-building were expanded upon. i especially loved that we were given a deeper insight into the nature and origin of priya’s abilities. throughout the many different povs and storylines the relationships between all of our characters were developed and deepened substantially (which only made it hurt more 😫) that ending has me chomping at the bit to start the final book but i also find myself wanting to prolong the experience. bhumkia, priya, and malini —the women that you are

anyway gonna go hug my cat and read something fluffy before taking on the jasmine throne

this was recommended and gifted to me by a member of my dnd adventuring party. based on their word and the synopsis I thought that this book would be right up my alley but it ended up being… okay ig. idk, i usually don’t subscribe to the concept of ‘turn off your brain and enjoy’ reads (for me personally, no judgement if anyone else does it!) i think it’s important to engage critically with everything that you consume. but i found myself needing to not think too hard in order to somewhat enjoy the reading experience. it was like i was playing my own little game, boosting my ac and dodging little jabs of misogyny, racism, and cringy dudebro-isms.

this book almost put me into a reading slump tbh. i finished it because it was a gift from a friend and i had some hope that it would turn itself around by the end since it’s so highly regarded. nah, it’s just not for me. they also gifted me the second book but i simply don’t have the strength 😩

it’s like this book was made specifically for me —political intrigue, rich and fantastical world-building, strong but complex and flawed women, commentary on the patriarchy, colonialism, and the intersectionality of the two. of course theres also the romance between our MCs. it’s a sweet and yearning sort of slow-build, and so long as you come in knowing that it’s not a main focus of the story, you won’t be disappointed. it’s a hefty read but i ate this book right up, devouring it within a few days and then immediately digging into the second book upon finishing. i can’t wait to see what happens next!