I will say this: If you’re a fantasy fan and haven’t started The Burning Kingdoms trilogy, you are missing out.

The Oleander Sword picks up right where The Jasmine Throne left off, so much so that I’d recommend a re-read if it’s been a while. It does not hold your hand but instead plunges you right back into the story… And holy shit, what a story. Because this novel builds so seamlessly upon its predecessor, it’s hard for me to review it without spoilers.

What I will say is that The Oleander Sword not only avoids second book syndrome, it pole vaults right over it, sticking its landing with gloriously dark aplomb. Malini and Priya navigate their own difficult paths as well as the entwined nature of their own destinies. The book rendered me literally breathless at several points, and with the ending, it’s going to be a long (but well-earned) wait until the conclusion of this series.

I can’t recommend this intense, queer, feminist, intricate fantasy, its entirely South Asian cast, and Indian-inspired world enough. It’s vicious and complex and captivating, all in a gorgeously written package. 

Thank you to Orbit and Edelweiss for an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.