ecorinnes's review against another edition
5.0
Recommended for fans of a song of ice and fire, the witcher, and fans of epic fantasy who are tired of alternate universes bases in western Europe.
What you’re getting: actual strong female characters-and I don’t mean male gaze fast and the furious they must be physically strong, though they are, I mean they are complex human beings and not just a part of a larger story.
This deals with complex socioeconomic realities of empires, state succession, political tensions, historical injustices seeding resentment, retribution, conflict escalation, people trying to do good on both sides, people trying to survive on both sides, people trying to figure out what is the right thing in the middle, found family, blood family, cultural genocide, actual genocide, magic, religion, religious extremism, dictatorships, sadists in places of power, and so much more.
It was heavy.
It was amazing.
Okay, I would like to say that I am not comparing it to A Song of Ice and Fire.
But if you like asoiaf, you will Love this masterpiece.
I love asoiaf, but I feel so much more invested and loyal to these characters. Not because they are better people or anything, but because they are given so much reason to be who they are. In asoiaf I am driven by curiosity, in this I am driven by true concern for how the country, the empire, and these powerful women will end up. Because I have a feeling it isn’t a happily ever after scenario.
I haven’t gotten this hyped over a book in years. I pushed all obligations to the side for 2 solid days of reading this chonker and I cannot tell you how badly my poor eyes hurt but I need you to know how worth it it was.
What you’re getting: actual strong female characters-and I don’t mean male gaze fast and the furious they must be physically strong, though they are, I mean they are complex human beings and not just a part of a larger story.
This deals with complex socioeconomic realities of empires, state succession, political tensions, historical injustices seeding resentment, retribution, conflict escalation, people trying to do good on both sides, people trying to survive on both sides, people trying to figure out what is the right thing in the middle, found family, blood family, cultural genocide, actual genocide, magic, religion, religious extremism, dictatorships, sadists in places of power, and so much more.
It was heavy.
It was amazing.
Okay, I would like to say that I am not comparing it to A Song of Ice and Fire.
But if you like asoiaf, you will Love this masterpiece.
I love asoiaf, but I feel so much more invested and loyal to these characters. Not because they are better people or anything, but because they are given so much reason to be who they are. In asoiaf I am driven by curiosity, in this I am driven by true concern for how the country, the empire, and these powerful women will end up. Because I have a feeling it isn’t a happily ever after scenario.
I haven’t gotten this hyped over a book in years. I pushed all obligations to the side for 2 solid days of reading this chonker and I cannot tell you how badly my poor eyes hurt but I need you to know how worth it it was.
olivia_balderstone's review against another edition
5.0
*insert me screaming forever*
omg this book was so incredible, the world building was beautifully done and ugh this book is everything i want in a sapphic fantasy book, it warmed my heart and broke it and then glued it back together, probably the best fantasy book i have read in a long time
omg this book was so incredible, the world building was beautifully done and ugh this book is everything i want in a sapphic fantasy book, it warmed my heart and broke it and then glued it back together, probably the best fantasy book i have read in a long time
wifi_bifi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alexisamburgey's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
beandream's review against another edition
4.5
I liked this book. Only a few issues with it (mainly annoying side characters) but the two leads were beautiful and powerful. Each their own dimensional character with depth and conflict. Definitely worth reading, and I will ce tainly be reading the next in he series!
ryometal's review against another edition
too many povs i didnt care abt at all… very interested in the plot tho so might try to continue one day but idk
starpalette's review against another edition
3.0
TL;DR: It was okay! I think I just didn’t connect with the characters so I didn’t enjoy the story that much.
When I heard that this novel was about morally grey enemies to lovers lesbians I was extremely excited !!!! basically everything I like!!! And maybe it’s because I was so hyped that I ended up being disappointed.
OK SO .The main selling point for me was the “enemies to lovers” but . it kinda wasn’t?? For most of this book Malini is locked in a room and Priya is her maidservant who is obviously attracted to her and helps her not die . At no point do they actually Hate each other. I thought there would be more sexually charged dagger moments. They were sexy however but I just wasn’t that invested in their relationship. It only got kinda interesting like two thirds into the book, the first 300 pages were soooo slow for me. I also think the characters weren’t that interesting until later on. Priya was okay, Malini seemed a bit hollow like her only quality was being morally grey and hating her brother until I reached the end and THEN I started liking her more. The rest of the characters that had a pov I didn’t really care about (except my queen bhumika) but then again I don’t like the ever changing povs thing fantasy novels do pleaseee stop. The world building was great and I loved the Indian inspiration but most of the action happened in like one or two places so I didn’t really get to see the whole thing either. AND probably the thing that bothered me the most were some instances which were so cliche I rolled my eyes. Like when Ashok is having an argument with priya and thinks “He didn’t turn Priya into a weapon. And this is how she thanks him?” like ok ashok ur so evil and messed up we get it
BUT ON THE POSITIVE SIDE !!! WOMEN !!!! so many powerful women in this. Please give me more fantasy with sapphic romances and powerful women !!! I love it . I also lovedddd the whole thing with the elders and the yaksas that was so cool. And the conversation about women being “monstrous” for doing the same things men do was very cool as well. I’m really sad this didn’t interest me that much but I do have to say it kept me interested enough to finish it and got me out of a reading block so WOOOOO
dinibharadwaj's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Tasha Suri didn't disappoint with this sprawling and beautifully constructed tale with Indian influences.
mazer_31's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
maria_claudia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0