The Jasmine Throne
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2021 |
| Founder | Tasha Suri |
| Products | Fantasy literature |
The Jasmine Throne is a fantasy work authored by British writer Tasha Suri and released by Orbit UK in 2021. Drawing inspiration from ancient Indian culture, it serves as the opening installment of the Burning Kingdoms trilogy. In 2022, the novel earned the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel.
Plot summary
The Parijatdvipan Empire governs multiple subordinate regions, including Ahiranya, where efforts to suppress indigenous language, faith, and traditions have led to widespread dissatisfaction. Adding to this unrest is a mysterious affliction known as the rot, which causes vegetation to grow from infected bodies.
Within the Ahiranyi temple of Hirana lie the deathless waters, a source of magical abilities connected to nature spirits called yaksha. Children of the temple who endure its trials gain these powers. During Parijati conquest, numerous temple elders and children were slaughtered following betrayals by some elders.
Prince Aditya renounces the Parijati faith to become a priest devoted to the nameless god of Alor. Meanwhile, his brother Chandra ascends as emperor and imposes strict religious zealotry. Their sister Malini rejects a sacrificial ceremony and is consequently exiled. A faction led by Prince Rao of Alor aims to rescue Malini and install Aditya as ruler.
Malini is confined within Hirana. Priya, a surviving temple child serving as a maid in General Vikram’s household—the Parijati Regent overseeing Ahiranya—intervenes to protect Malini from assassination attempts.
Ashok, Priya’s brother, commands insurgents determined to violently expel the occupiers. They consume their final dose of deathless waters to gain strength but risk fatal consequences without continued access from Hirana. Bhumika, Vikram’s wife and also a surviving temple child, reveals her identity by killing Vikram and taking control.
Priya consents to assist Malini’s escape on the condition that Ahiranya attains independence. Before their departure, Priya seals off access to the deathless waters to prevent Ashok’s forces from replenishing their power. As Malini and Priya journey toward Srugna, they develop a romantic relationship. Upon meeting Rao and Aditya, Priya bargains for sparing Ashok’s rebels if they accept Bhumika’s leadership. Malini remains with Aditya while others return to Ahiranya.
Back at Hirana, following Ashok’s death during an attempted ritual, Priya and Bhumika become thrice-born elders, restoring traditional Ahiranyi religious practices.
Emperor Chandra mounts an assault against Aditya with his army. Hesitant to sacrifice troops, Aditya cedes command to Malini, who destroys the temple dedicated to the nameless god and kills many soldiers and priests. She then claims authority and is declared Empress.
Reception and awards
The publication Locus commended the novel for its complex morally ambiguous characters and its "intense, vivid atmosphere." Tor.com characterized it as "lush, evocative, richly characterised, emotionally dense," emphasizing its thematic focus on power dynamics and their repercussions. Library Journal praised the central relationship between Malini and Priya, noting its strong following on Twitter and BookTok, where it was included in the so-called "Sapphic Saffron Trifecta" alongside The Unbroken by C.L. Clark and She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan.