“Maybe freedom will mean being able to protect our children instead of using them.”

And another book is added to my favorite list of 2021.
Y’all I adored TJT with every ounce of my soul. Not only was it a unique, fantastic fantasy, but the world’s historical backdrop, sapphic relationship, and (obviously) morally grey leads left me obsessed with this story.
There’s 10 different POV characters throughout the entirety of the novel (some last one chapter), but the novel mostly focuses on Priya and Malini (my loves). I personally think Suri pulled off the numerous POVs nicely, and while at first I just wanted more P+M, it made sense to show these other characters to give us a fuller perspective on this world, its politics, etc.
TJT is a perfect example of a good slow burn- not only for the romance but the plot as well. It takes a little bit to fully immerse yourselves, but once you hit that point, you’re pretty much sailing through the story.

"But some men dream of times long dead, and times that never existed, and they're willing to tear the present apart entirely to get them."

There’s deep discussion on dominant empires and their effect on independent cultures as well as the power of history; there’s a tendency for it be twisted to other people’s agendas. The same goes for religion to the point where people are doing the exact opposite of what the beliefs entail. TJT is just a powerful story, and I’m going to recommend it forevermore.
Lastly, if you want a heart wrenching fantasy as your next read, then pick this one up. Suri does not shy away from death, so she let’s us know the stakes are high for any and all characters. I’ll have a further in depth review with spoilers possibly posted later.

"Weep too much, and it will wear thin, until your soul is like a bruised flower."

TW: Blood, gore, violence, murder, poisoning/ forced drug use, execution by burning, homophobia, suicidal ideation, self-mutilation, familial abuse, and child abuse

Thank you to Orbit Books for sending me a finished copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.