TBR Pile Review/Audiobook Review: The Oleander Sword, by Tasha Suri

Blurb

“Alluring, action-packed, and gut-wrenching,” (Publishers Weekly, starred review), The Oleander Sword continues Tasha Suri’s acclaimed Burning Kingdoms trilogy, in which a powerful priestess and a vengeful princess will change the fate of an empire.

The prophecy of the nameless god—the words that declared Malini the rightful empress of Parijatdvipa—has proven a blessing and curse. She is determined to claim the throne that fate offered her. But even with rage in her heart and the army of loyal men by her side, deposing her brother is going to be a brutal and bloody fight.

The power of the deathless waters flows through Priya’s blood. Now a thrice born priestess and an Elder of Ahiranya, she dreams of seeing her country rid of the rot that plagues it: both Parijatdvipa’s poisonous rule, and the blooming sickness that is spreading through all living things. But she doesn’t yet understand the truth of the magic she carries.

Their chosen paths once pulled them apart. But Malini and Priya’s souls remain as entwined as their destinies. And saving their kingdom from those who would rather see it burn will come at a terrible price.

My Review

I have the audiobook and a paperback copy, so I’m going to review both.

Malini and Priya are on their own journeys. Priya is rebuilding Ahiranya with Bhumika, stopping the rot and defending themselves from Chandra’s forces. Malini and her army are fighting their way across Parijatdvipa towards her brother’s capital. Things are moving beneath the surface that neither of them know about, and it’ll rip them apart even as they attain their goal.

There are other subplots going on. One is Bhumika’s mission to hold Ahiranya together after the return of the Yaksa, who threaten to destroy the mortal world and hold her daughter hostage. The other is Aditya and Rao’s mission, given to them by the nameless god. These subplots really add to the main story, building the tension and giving us different perspectives. They introduce new conflicts into the plot, as Aditya is a potential rival for the throne, although he doesn’t want it. Other people, including Malini’s general, would rather have a new Emperor than a new Empress. Both Bhumika and Aditya have to make a choice, a sacrifice.

I’m trying not to spoiler, but I am broken by the ending. It was so powerful and dramatic. I want to cry from the emotional overload.

I love Malini and Priya. Their relationship is so strong and tender. The tugs of duty and magic pull them apart and then back together. The contrast between Priya’s waters and greenery, and Malini’s fire and dust motifs really show their different characters and drives. The symbolism is subtle but reinforces events.

The tension and drama as they cross the country builds until they reach the walls of the capital city, where it explodes and the hidden forces erupt to demand a price from both women. The hidden forces are going to be a major feature of the third book, I’m certain.

The descriptions of the landscape and the action are immersive, and I could almost feel the heat of the false fire, and the greedy dampness of the forest, the silk and stone. The thrum of the chariot wheels, the pounding of the river as it rises up to defeat Chandra’s forces. The setting, based on Mughal India, is a refreshing change. Fantasy doesn’t have to be set in a medieval European inspired world.

I loved this book. As a sequel it is a good book and as the second of a trilogy it keeps the story going from the first book and feeds into the third book. I’m really excited for the third book because of hints of what is to come. A war between different magics and gods through humans and their kingdoms. Just my sort of thing.

The audiobook was narrated by Shiromi Arserio. She has a lovely voice and I don’t think I’d have been able to pronounce any of the names if it wasn’t for the audiobook. Arserio does a fabulous job of narrated the multiple third person POV chapters. The characters have distinct voices and personalities.

Highly recommended, for fans of fantasy.