Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Oleandrowy miecz by Tasha Suri

28 reviews

seren's review against another edition

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challenging emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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yourbookishbff's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Loved this follow-up to The Jasmine Throne! This deepened our existing conflicts so deliciously - internally for both Malini and Priya as they navigate their individual gifts and callings and externally for their nations as they grapple with the cost of Empire and the possibility of not-so-mortal interference. I loved the slow-boiling tension, rapidly rotating POVs (one of my favorite elements of this series so far) and the light horror elements woven in (I was disappointed to get less time in the Hirana but we make up for it with the Yaksa!). The romantic longing is so well done (the epistolary moments at the start were a perfect way to bring their angst on page) and I cannot wait to see how these two navigate all that will come next. And Bhumika!!!! [internally screaming] 
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readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition

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adventurous tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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caseythereader's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense slow-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

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abarnakwn_ourcolourfulpages's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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jenmaysiereads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 
5 out of 5 stars 
 
The prophecy of the nameless god — the words that declared Malini to be the rightful empress — has proven to be a blessing and curse. 
 
She is determined to claim the throne that fate has offered her. But even with rage in her heart and an army of loyal men at her back, deposing her brother is going to be a brutal and bloody fight. 
 
Now a thrice-born priestess and Elder of Ahiranya, the deathless waters flow through Priya’s veins. She dreams of seeing her people free of the rot that plagues it; both of Parijatdvipa's oppressive rule and the blooming sickness that is spreading through all living things. But doesn’t yet understand the dark truth of the magic in her blood. 
 
Malini and Priya’s souls remain nevertheless as entwined as their destines tug them ever closer. All the while, an unconquerable force begins to stir from within the twisting dark of the Hirana’s magic and a perversion of the Mother’s blessing is borne. 
 
‘The Oleander Sword’ is an ambitious sequel; taking big leaps with its characters, plot and world building and sticking the landing with expertise. The world Suri masterfully constructs within the first instalment feels so much more expansive in this novel, coming to life on the page. 
 
Suri elevates everything she developed in the first instalment; focusing more heavily on battle strategy and political strife while delving deeper still into an exploration of the true nature of the Hirana and the unnerving Yaska. Everything about the sequel is magnificently executed. The intense tenderness and romance shared between Priya and Malini is juxtaposed with the extreme violence that must be done in order to retake a stolen empire. 
 
Suri once again weaves an intricate tapestry of perspectives that lends itself to the telling this story of power, loyalty and love. 
 
It is the characters, in particular, that are the heart and soul of this book. 
 
‘The Oleander Sword’ is a much more romantic story than ‘The Jasmine Throne’. As previously mentioned, in this second instalment Malini and Priya’s romance is given the grace to be more tender and heartfelt. It is a relationship which both characters hold very dear to them and they struggle throughout to keep their affections shielded against the world; both to protect themselves from the danger their love might pose and to safeguard that love; to treasure it all the more. 
 
However, their love cannot exist outside the political circumstances that bind them. The political tension and motivations which underpin the actions of every character ensures that this sequel remains gripping and disconcerting to its final page. Betrayal and unintended sacrifice bloom within the story, a pre-written destiny that each character struggles against — for better or for worse. 
 
Beyond our two protagonists, it is once again Bhumika who remains a standout. With Priya gone, she bares the brunt of the unnerving unraveling happening within Ahiranya. Faced with an impossible choice between sacrifice and ruin, the development of her character is one of the most compelling facets of the novel. From coveted wife of a powerful man to a protector of her people, Bhumika exemplifies the themes of feminine rage and sacrifice, of love and loyalty within her perspective chapters. It is her chapters, too, that are the most unnerving as the ancient will of the Yaska unfurls. 
 
The last one hundred pages of this book greatly makes up for any slower pacing within the series thus far. ‘The Jasmine Throne’ and the earlier chapters within ‘The Oleander Sword’ build to a gripping, devastating crescendo that is the climax of this book. A sense of dread permeates the entirety of the book. Ruthless, brutal and tender at its core, ‘The Oleander Sword’ is an astonishing sequel which blooms with betrayal, romance, and women’s sacrifice. 
 
This serious is truly one of my favourite modern high fantasy and the finale — ‘The Lotus Empire’ — cannot come quickly enough. 
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salicer's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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laurenw's review against another edition

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4.25

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sophie42's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective sad 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

3.75

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leaflit's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional 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

I liked this one better than the first one. I wasn’t sure I was going to keep going with the series after the first book but I’m glad I did and looking forward to the third.  Lots going on, faster pace and getting deeper into the lore. Ends with a lot of plot lines set up for an exciting sequel. 
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