Do I need to read the first book in The Burning Kingdoms series before this one?

This novel is the second installment in a trilogy and directly continues the narrative established in The Jasmine Throne, making it necessary to read the first book to understand the complex political alliances and character histories.

How does the scope of this book compare to the first in the series?

The narrative expands significantly in this volume, moving beyond the initial setting to explore deeper layers of the world's mythology and the terrifying nature of its ancient gods.

The Oleander Sword

Reader reviews of The Oleander Sword

Mae · 2026-07-26T21:00:52.000000Z

Genre: Epic Fantasy 🪷🗡️ Tropes/Themes: Inspired by Indian History and Epics; Multiple POV; Sapphic; Priestess/Queen; Feminine Power/Wrath; Deities 🌶️: 💖 (closed door, suggestive dialogue) CW: explicit violence (including war, immolation, self-immolation); gender-based violence; homophobia and internalized homophobia; self-mutilation; abusive family dynamics; child endangerment and abandonment; grief and loss; forced familial separation; body horror (plant-based, cosmic, gore); colorism; mild recreational drug use Review: A narrative masterpiece 🔥 A soul aching, gut wrenching, heartbreaking continuation of The Burning Kingdoms. I was so caught up in swoony feelings over sweet love letters that every twist smacked into me like a Mac truck 🚛 this series has quickly become my favorite fantasy series

Epic Fantasy Fantasy

Pages: 512
Published: 2022
Language: English

Synopsis

Malini has been named the rightful empress by prophecy, and she intends to take the throne from her brother, Emperor Chandra. Her claim means a war against the man who holds the empire, and she has to build the strength for it.

Priya is a priestess and an Elder of Ahiranya. The power of the deathless waters runs in her, and she wants two things for her homeland: an end to the blight that is spreading through it, and an end to the empire's corrupt rule.

The two women have gone separate ways since the events of The Jasmine Throne, though their fates remain bound together. This is the second book in the Burning Kingdoms trilogy and continues that story directly, so it is best read after the first.

It is adult epic fantasy with a sapphic romance at its centre. Court intrigue and open war drive the plot, and the blight brings a dark streak of horror. Saving the kingdom will cost both Malini and Priya dearly.

4 reviews