The Jasmine Throne

Tasha Suri is a British fantasy author whose novels draw inspiration from Indian history and folklore. Born in London to Punjabi parents, she frequently visited India during her childhood, and these experiences influence her writing. Her 2018 debut, Empire of Sand, was the first book in the Books of Ambha series. This novel and its sequel, Realm of Ash (2019), are set in a fantasy world inspired by the Mughal Empire and explore themes of cultural identity and resistance. The story follows Mehr, whose father is an imperial governor and whose mother is a nomadic woman from a marginalized group called the Amrithi. Mehr possesses forbidden magic in her blood, and when the empire discovers this, she is coerced into using her abilities to serve the empire’s interests. Critics praised the novel’s prose, world building, and emotional depth. TIME included it in their “100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time” list in 2020, and Suri won the Sydney J. Bounds Best Newcomer Award at the 2019 British Fantasy Awards.

In 2021, Suri began publishing the Burning Kingdoms trilogy, beginning with The Jasmine Throne. She followed this with The Oleander Sword (2022) and The Lotus Empire (2024). This trilogy has a complex plot, an expansive cast of characters, and an immersive world.