A review by lupetuple
The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri

adventurous dark emotional sad 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? Yes

4.5

Ms. Suri doesn't pull any punches... honestly the most enthralling and appropriately brutal fantasy series I've had the pleasure of reading in recent years (though I can't say I actively seek them out). In the previous book, the theme hanging over the plot was the idea of destiny, which seamlessly led into devotion, faith, and, inevitably, sacrifice, in this installment. While I think the delivery became a bit too hammy toward the end with the writing choices, specifically in the punctuation, the plot elements came together so effectively that it hurt--because I became so attached to the characters, particularly Bhumika.

Many of the predictions I made after reading the first book became true, but I didn't necessarily feel triumphant because oh boy... what utter devastation and horror... I did not expect the extent of the horror, though I felt like it was employed and thus exaggerated too much at times, in terms of the yaksa's physical features.

Incredible that everything has fallen apart! I have no idea what to expect in the final book, and I can't say I'm ready at all, but... I'm ready.