Day 4 - Books! - The Burning Kingdoms Trilogy - Rec

[rocky41_7]

Fanwork type: Review
Genre: Fantasy
Books in the series: The Jasmine Throne, The Oleander Sword, The Lotus Empire (to be released)

The Burning Kingdoms is a fantasy trilogy by Tasha Suri which splits its perspective between three main protagonists: Priya, Malini, and Bhumika. Only two of the novels have been published presently (the third has a tentative release for November 2024), but throughout the story Suri does a fantastic job of allowing women to be the drivers of the plot. While the three protagonists have varying degrees of social/political power in their society, they all are the ones making the important decisions in terms of the storyline.

Suri also excels in making each of her characters distinct. Each of the women in the book is a well-rounded, fully developed character with her own motivations, fears, and desires. Each has a different perspective on the events of the book and prioritizes accordingly. Neither does any of them ever fall prey to being sidelined or stereotyped. While Bhumika is a mother, she is also allowed to be much more than that, and is never reduced to the status of her motherhood. While Priya and Malini engage in romance, it never subordinates their overarching goals, which fits perfectly with the sort of people they are.

I'm greatly looking forward to the release of the third book, and happy to get more people on board in the meantime! 

For a longer review of the first two books, see my earlier thoughts here.

Comments

[lightbird]

Thanks for the rec! I have not yet read this author, but these sound really interesting.

[rocky41_7]

No problem! I think the series is a lot of fun and the characters are very engaging so I was happy to take the chance to spread the word ( •̀ ω •́ )✧

[ryulynn]

I recently read these books and really enjoyed them and thought about reccing them here. Your short blurb here is definitely what I found impressive about the books so far. I hope more people read the books too!

[rmc28]

I very much enjoyed the first book, have the second on my TBR, and have preordered the third. I also enjoyed Tasha Suri's previous duology Empire of Sand / Realm of Ashes and got to see her on some panels at Eastercon 2022.

[wearing_tearing]

I love these books so much! Bhumika is everything I've ever wanted in a female character in her position.

[cmk418]

Sounds like an interesting trilogy. Thanks for recommending it!

[rocky41_7]

Me too! I think they deserve more attention <3

[rocky41_7]

I want to read some of her other books too! TBK was the first of her work that I've read. That's so cool that you got to see her! Was it interesting to hear her talk?

[rocky41_7]

I love herrr Bhumika my girl deserves a vacation TT_TT

[rocky41_7]

No problem! Happy to raise awareness ^_^

[rmc28]

I don't remember all the details now, but I remember that I enjoyed listening to her talk about writing and about her characters, and how she ended up writing what she did. She was quite often funny too, I would definitely look out for any events she's on.

[wearing_tearing]

If she doesn’t get one by the end of the trilogy, I’m going to be upset.