Publisher's Weekly Review
Suri's sumptuous second fantasy in the Books of Ambha series (after Realm of Sand) returns to the Mughal, India--inspired Ambhan Empire. Arwa, a widowed noblewoman, does all she can to hide the fact that she is descended from an Amrithi barbarian mother and has feared but powerful Amrithi blood in her veins. The sole survivor of a massacre, Arwa retreats to a hermitage to grieve. But when she discovers that her blood may be the key to saving the crumbling Ambhan Empire from a curse, Arwa agrees to travel to the Imperial palace. There, she must navigate politics, the intricacies of courtly manners, and the whims of the emperor's family. With help from the emperor's illegitimate son, Zahir, Arwa peels back the layers of her mother's culture and learns more about the forbidden magic of her blood. Meandering passages exploring Arwa's mental state occasionally go on too long, pulling the reader out of the rich, sensuous culture of Ambha. Suri's exquisitely detailed world and complex plotting make up for any shortcomings. Agent: Laura Crockett, Triada US Literary (Nov.)
Booklist Review
Suri's debut, Empire of Sand (2018) explored the life of the eldest of two sisters who are daughters of a union between two opposing cultures. She expands The Books of Ambha series with a poignant story of finding one's place in a world warped by prejudice, court intrigue, violence, and sorcery. In the ten years since losing her sister, Arwa has struggled to mold herself into a dutiful Ambhan, always keeping her true Amrithi heritage a secret. When her husband's garrison is slaughtered by a demon, she is the only survivor, ironically saved by her mother's tainted blood. Grief-stricken, Arwa impulsively offers herself in service to the Empire to help ward off further spirit attacks. Seeing an opportunity, the Emperor's daughter brings the young widow to the Imperial capital to act as apprentice to her bastard half-brother. Arwa will provide the Amrithi blood needed for a mystical ritual and together they will enter the dreamworld in search of a cure for the demon curse overtaking the kingdom. Those with a penchant for lyrical prose, intricate world building, beautifully imagined characters, compelling immersive folklore, and a fascinating look into a setting reminiscent of the Mughal Empire need look no further.--Lucy Lockley Copyright 2010 Booklist
Library Journal Review
A massacre at Darez Fort leaves one survivor, young Lady Arwa. Now widow of the general, she's ready to live the rest of her life in the noble widows' hermitage. The mysterious forces that destroyed her husband and his fort still exist, and her true heritage, her Amrithi blood, outs her as something to be feared. This same blood puts Arwa in the royal court of the Ambhan Empire, partnered with an illegitimate prince, Zahir. Zahir studies dark occult powers to find a way to overturn a curse the empire is under with daiva and other cursed magic. To do this, Zahir and Arwa will enter the realm of ash, where the dreams of ancestors exist and take shape. The emperor is dying, and his successors will battle not only for the throne, but for the magic of the empire, placing Zahir and Arwa in the center of it all. VERDICT Suri's companion to Empire of Sand continues to expand on the stark beauty and power of this magical realm. With striking characters and court intrigue, this story is dark, melodious, and memorable. [See Prepub Alert, 5/5/19.]--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton