Reviews with content warning for Colonisation - Oleandrowy miecz

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.

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adventurous dark emotional 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

4.0

I think partially I just wasn’t in the right headspace to read this book as I normally would. It took me longer to get through than books usually do.

Overall, I enjoyed this. It’s a complex story with complex characters. I really enjoy the unique magic system with multiple gods coming into play and in conflict with each other. I also appreciate the feminist themes woven beautifully into the story.

I did find the pacing in the first half of the book to be a bit slow and like it took a little long to get to things. It felt at times like the story was meandering and dragging its feet on getting where it was going. The pacing did pick up for a much more satisfying final half-third of the book.

I don’t fully enjoy Priya and Malini’s relationship. The power imbalance and Malini’s constant use of Priya and expecting Priya to always do what is best for her makes me somewhat uncomfortable. While I enjoy the relationship as one that is toxic and compelling and narratively interesting, I am not sure if that is the author’s intention or if I as a reader am meant to simply root for them as star crossed lovers. I understand the idea is for there to be a lot of moral greyness and none of these characters are perfect, nor would I want them to be. However, there are times where I find Malini’s treatment of Priya going past moral greyness to this is just an imbalanced power dynamic of a woman from a lower class being expected to serve one of a higher class and I don’t find it romantic.

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