Loved this sequel and can’t wait for the third instalment. Pacing was much better than in The Jasmine Throne. The story consistently moved forwards towards a crescendo and plot twist, building to what I assume will be the focus of book 3.

I loved the development of most of the relationships: Priya & Sima, Bhumika & Jeevan, Ahiranyi vs others, and most of all - Rao & Aditya. Queer, boyhood crush vibes. I found Malini and Priya’s relationship to be heavily out of balance, especially given the coloniser/colonised dynamic, but I think that is the point and will hopefully be rectified in book 3.