So after a day-long break, I have plunged once again in the Burning Kingdom trilogy. The first two I had read before, but this one is brand new. It starts off where #TashaSuri last left us, with broken people and so little hope. And then, it makes it clear the rift between Priya and Malini, Ahiranya and Parijatdvipa, is absolute. The two sides are waves crashing against each other, and it does feel like their only path forward is death.

That being said, as bleak as it is, I still hold some hope. Maybe, if none of the two can stop their movement, then a third party could bring a solution ? And clearly, Bhumika may. In a more "meta" way, while it’s clear that Priya and Malini are the main characters, Bhumika is a close third. And she has the knowledge of how to defeat the yaksas, preferably without burning everything down. So far, she hasn’t been much present, traveling to Alor and the priests of the nameless. But maybe she’ll arrive on time to save everyone. Rao and Sima are two other aces, and perhaps Lata could be as well. Rao is clearly unwell though, and may have lost his faith. Sima, as a prisoner, doesn’t have much agency. Also, it’s said that the yaksa’s victory is still not assured, despite the rot having taken root in many part of the Empire. It may be that they’re afraid of the true mother’s flame. It may be something else entirely.

I’m eager to see what tomorrow’s reading sessions will bring !

#theLotusEmpire #burningKingdoms