this book was just... meh? to be fair, I really liked the premise, and I think most of the execution was done pretty well. what I had issues with mainly were the pacing and the resolution.

pacing: some chapters/scenes were unnecessarily long (they didn't really drive either the plot or the MMC's character growth), while some things were dealt with in a sentence. I feel an improvement in editing would've made this at least a 4-star read for me.

the end: the whole book was about oppression and how the lower castes deserved more but then after the big "resolution", improvements weren't really discussed. I expected more there tbh.

This is an ambitious, fascinating debut by Prashanth Srivatsa with delightfully complex world-building that incorporates Indian myths and spices in a magic system that fascinates.

Amir is trapped in his role as a spice carrier which is painful in a multitude of ways - the weight of the heavy spice bags that have to be carried as well the physical pain that the carrier experiences as their body is pulled apart and compressed simultaneously. All he wants to escape this endless cycle with his family before his brother is trapped too. When he tries to help someone who is gravely injured, he is entrusted with a task that impacts the fate of the worlds.

The richness of the novel is enhanced by the peppering (mind the pun) with Hindi and Urdu words (amongst other South Asian languages, and Indian food descriptions that tempt your tastebuds. I do feel however, that it would benefit from a glossary for non-Indian readers as this would definitely pull a reader out of the story if they are not familiar with the terms.

Srivatsa superbly draws parallels with real life issues such as the caste system and the story is better for it.

I look forward to other stories written by Prashanth Srivatsa.

Pick this up if you are a fan of intricate stories with complex world building.

DNF at 26%.

I read the first 20% of this in August, put it down, and came back to it in December. When I picked it back up and read the first page of the next chapter, I was both relieved and excited - I was much more into this than I had been when I set it aside nearly four months ago. Those were temporary emotions, and by the second page of that same chapter, I was right back in the same boat as I'd been in August - it was a STRUGGLE.

I'm not entirely sure why. This book seemed very classic fantasy in its plot, but with a very unique world - gates that lead between worlds, where people can collect the highly valued spice. Definitely an interesting concept, and the fact that Amir, our main character, is so driven by his desire for his younger brother to have the opportunity to go down a different path, well, that seems ripe for emotional connection.

But alas, it wasn't for me. The writing was fine, the characters were fine, it was all fine, I just wish the story and all of its parts would have come alive with the concept, but a quarter of the way in was enough to see that this wasn't going to resonate with me.

Thank you to the publisher, HarperVoyager, and to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advance reader copy.

This was an intriguing debut but I think it was a b too long. We receive a lot of information and I don’t feel like I was able to connect well with the characters.

There were some great parts of the book which kept me reading and others which caused me to put the book down and read something else.

Overall a good debut but could have done with some more edits.

Lo que me atrajo en un principio de The Spice Gate fue el toque exótico que prometía una fantasía india con clara inspiración en el comercio de las especias. Y el principio era atractivo, con ocho reinos que solo pueden comunicarse a través de unos portales a los que solo pueden acceder los marcados para ello. El equilibrio entre los reinos está fundamentado en el intercambio de las valiosísimas especias, en las que cada reino se ha especializado. El hecho de que los portadores de la marca que pueden transportar las mercancías pertenezcan a las clases sociales más bajas (prácticamente esclavos) también nos hace intuir que habrá lucha de clases y búsqueda de la libertad, sea cual sea el precio. Pero, por desgracia, la historia al final resulta ser muy insípida, algo imperdonable para una novela que toma las especias por bandera.


Para empezar, el protagonista Amir es más soso que un potaje de habas. Su sueño es huir junto a su familia del reino en el que está, pero deberá conseguir una especia específica que le podrá transportar lejos del poder de su dueño. Para su desgracia, pronto se verá envuelto en una serie de intrigas que, sinceramente, le vienen muy grandes. Descubrir que lo que daba por sentado se tambalea bajo sus pies es bastante típico en los libros fantásticos, pero la mitología que ha creado Prashanth Srivatsa es innecesariamente complicada o al menos no está explicada con la suficiente claridad. No ayuda que su prosa sea bastante repetitiva y el uso de términos indios sin un glosario específico ralentiza un tanto la lectura, aunque no es nada que no se pueda solucionar con una conexión a internet. Tampoco resulta atractivo la cantidad de información sobre la construcción de mundo que Prashanth Srivatsa nos hace llegar a base de infodumps.

Algunos personajes secundarios sí que son más interesantes, pero no consiguen compensar la falta de carisma de Amir, que aburre a las ovejas. La relación sentimental que debería añadir picante al relato es, cuando menos, poco creíble.

El libro acaba haciéndose largo y no aporta mucho al lector, así que no lo puedo recomendar.

3.5 Stars!

The Spice Gate by Prashanth Srivatsa is an enthralling debut fantasy that transports readers into a world shaped by magic, trade, and the power of spice. Following Amir, a young spice carrier oppressed by powerful masters, the story builds a lush, immersive world connected by eight kingdoms, each accessible only by those with a unique birthmark.

Amir’s journey to escape a life of servitude leads him into a perilous scheme that threatens the delicate balance of this spice-based realm. Srivatsa’s vivid descriptions breathe life into the kingdoms, each infused with its unique flavor, while the narrative unfolds through a mix of magic, political intrigue, and high-stakes adventure. The spice-based magic system is both original and well-crafted, setting a unique stage for Amir’s quest.

A must-read for fans of fantasy, The Spice Gate is a skillfully paced, rich exploration of adventure and survival. Highly recommended for readers of S.A. Chakraborty and Andrea Stewart!

Interesting storyline and fascinating concept, but unfortunately I really struggled with this one. I struggled to connect to the characters emotially, and I whilst I found the world intriguing, if felt like I was being told it, not immersed in it. Soft DNF for now, but with the hope of finishing/restarting one day with a fresh mind

This week as a really interesting read. Set in a world inspired by India, The Spice Gate is a fantasy social commentary on the caste system, those who have would not have if they did not use subjugation to maintain what they have. Only the spice carriers can pass through the gates which lead to other parts of the world, they are treated terribly even though the entire spice trade rests on their shoulders. The gates only work because of a god called the mouth but without them it is still possible to get to the other parts of the world. The writing is a love letter to Indian food, the description of the spices and delicious foods made me quite hungry.

Whilst I enjoyed the premise of this book there were a few things that have prevented me from giving it five stars. Action is described very well and the scenery but when it comes to the characters and their emotions I felt nothing until the last 3 chapters. The main character Amir went through a lot but because his mother and brother felt like abstracts rather than fully fleshed out characters I found it difficult to connect to them. There was a moment with Kalay towards the end that did move me, but these moments were rare.

I received this book as a NetGalley arc but also purchased as part of my locked library subscription.
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2.5

Unfortunately, not for me. A very unique world and a fascinating concept, but the execution didn't work for me. I didn't feel emotionally attached to the characters, and I found the worldbuilding to be quite info-dumpy and not engaging. I think the author wrote nicely, and I'm looking forward to seeing what's come - this sadly just wasn't the book for me.

THE SPICE GATE is an innovative debut where spice rules and some people can cross between kingdoms through portals.

So much happens in this book! It's a desperate quest after fugitives and being challenged in your assumptions and dreams. We cross from kingdom to kingdom, through dense wilderness and across tempestuous seas. The pacing does not let up, pulling you along after Amir as he tries to decide what he can - and should - do to protect his loved ones, and maybe the wider world too.

This is a book that looks at caste systems. Amir is from his world's lowest caste, despite them being the people the world is built upon, able to ferry goods between worlds. He spends a lot of the book arguing and showing those from higher castes what the realities are like, drilling into the theology used to justify the situation. It was a thought-provoking way of approaching the subject.

I did have to step back and think hard about why the spices were so desirable. These days, in our highly interconnected world, spices are mundane, bought in jars from supermarkets. However, the desire for spice was a driving force behind initial European imperial colonisation. Though I spent a while expecting the spice to do something other than make food tastier (particularly given addictions to them), I eventually settled on the lack of magic highlighting the power the spice trade has historically had. Also, it made me very hungry!

The way this linked with the gates was also fascinating, and I liked learning more about that magic, which comes out pretty early on so you aren't waiting to understand. Instead, it lets the book focus on lies and challenging the status quo.

I was drawn to this by the name alone as I love cooking and spices and this sounded like something I would want to read. A young man, Amir, travels between kingdoms all with a distinct spice but only those with the special mark can travel there. This is a story of fantasy, kingdoms, spice (of course) and injustice.

It is well worth the read, is interesting and cleverly written. But I must say the pace and the story is a bit slow going and was at times overly informative making it a bit harder to read and understand. The characters are good and with a bit of editing this could be a great book. All in all a good read and I think the author will get better with each new book written. 3 1/2 stars from me.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
I was excited to read this epic fantasy and while there were so many parts of the book I enjoyed; I didn’t love the book as much as I thought would.
The book’s writing is ‘peppered’ with a liberal description of spices and food- each spice and food is loving described and the author’s love of food comes through. The unfairness of social hierarchies and discrimination is explored in detail and although this does appear to be based on the caste system but could equally apply to people who are well off who look down on those who carry out essential, labour-intensive work. The plot moves ,quickly, for the most part from one world to the next with plenty of intrigue, double crossing, betrayal and drama. The book reminded of the tv programmes Stargate.
But I struggled a little with underlying romance between Amir, a lowly spice carrier and Harini, ana ambitious princess and future ruler. The story starts with the relationship between them established, so we never learn how they met or why a princess would fall in love with Amir. Not only relationship would have been forbidden but I couldn’t really feel the passion between them. The female warrior who joins Amir in his journey has more of a realistic connection with him than Harini. Sometimes the drama between Harini and Amir slows the action down.
While this wasn’t the book, I thought it would be anyone who enjoys epic fantasy in a new and fresh setting will love

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

While I thought the concept for this book was clever and I appreciated the post-colonial, anti-capitalist message, I really didn't get on with the prose of this book. I wouldn't want to put anyone else off trying it but I found it quite slow and clunky in places and struggled to connect with the characters. I particularly found Amir a bit annoying. However, that could just be personal preference.

Very complex and interesting plot, but it was a bit too long! I liked the worldbuilding and the characters. Overall a good book.
Thank you, Netgallerz, for offering me a digital copy!

This books sounded so comfortable and cozy I dropped everything when I was able to read it. I truly enjoyed the spice-focus and how it connected the worlds. I did have problems with remembering who was who because of the difficult names, so I was very happy the character-info was provided in the book. I think this story is important to read for a lot of fantasy readers, mainly because it’s a new take on world jumping and spices. This book was provided to me as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, but I also listened to the audiobook at the same time (my own choice, not an ARC). Now THAT was a wonderful experience and I HIGHLY recommend it.

This book is for you if you love unique worlds, mysteries, the struggle of lower classes against suppressors, portal travels and spices.
Eight kingdoms are defined by and highly dependent on spices, which are brought by Carriers through Spice Gates at great cost to themselves. This alone is a world so imaginative it left me breathless. But then there's secrets discovered and mysteries unfolding.
At the heart of it all is Amir, a Carrier with a veiled past. His story is important and interesting, however the way his character is described and developed left me underwhelmed. This is not at all due to the writing style, because this is very engaging. It's just that he is too passive for my taste, and following the story through his eyes makes it duller than it deserves.

As I really like character-driven stories, this book wasn't for me despite the unique worldbuilding. 3,5/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @harpercollins @harpervoyager_uk for the eARC!

#SpiceGate #Netgalley #Bookstagram

The book has a slow burn mystery and hidden secrets. There are eight kingdoms and each one has specialisation in at least one spice. All the spices go through the spice gate and reach to the kingdoms. While something mysterious is happening which is shaking the foundation. The mystery is deep and there are secrets. Amir is the main character and he has a poignant past. The more he gets close to the mystery, the more likely he is getting himself in danger. The book is character driven and setting is beautiful and dangerous. The plot is slow burn and mysterious. As this is a debut novel, I thought the book truly has potential. I just felt that I didn’t completely connect with the main character though.

Thanks to the Publisher and Author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3-3.5 stars for this one.

The Spice Gate is an ambitious epic fantasy debut with an incredible world building. The setting is mesmerizing. The eight kingdoms' economies and societies depend on the Spice trade that happens through the Spice Gates and the Carriers. Carriers are people born with a mark and are seen as inferior. They're treated inhumanely. They travel through the Spice Gates and carry spices between kingdoms. They suffer a great deal of pain to travel through the Gates apart from the torture they endure by the abovefolk--the ones who live above the Carriers. The premise sounds super intriguing and unlike anything else. However, there was a lot of info dumping. Pages and pages of descriptions that were well written but it was too much.

The main character was Amir whose family has struggled very much. His father left them, a d his mother was left with raising two boys. Like the other Carriers and their families, they endured a lot, but sadly, that's all I can say about Amir. He loves a noble lady and his family, and he really tries to help both. But he didn't have anything distinctive about him. I couldn't tell you if he's a introvert or extrovert for example. I found him very passive. Towards the end, he makes some decisions that aren't forced on him, but I couldn't really feel invested in him because I didn't get to know him much. In fact, I didn't look forward to any character.

The plot was slow in the first half. Amir was unsure and indecisive and unaware of much. Things sped up somewhat in the second half, but the info dump continued so it was a bit hard to get excited over the few things that happened.

However, not all books need to be character-driven and not all books need to follow the same storytelling principles. The worldbuilding was beautiful (though, I do wonder why the Spice Gates were full of feces from some point??!!! That part didn't get.) If you enjoy non-Western settings, South Asian settings, epic fantasy, and would like to try a non-character-driven book, I recommend this one.

This is also the August pick for a box, and I renewed my sub. I hope the edges are beautiful.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Spice Gate is a new high fantasy that pulls you into a vibrant world of rare spices, ancient myths, and strange mysteries. I greatly expected to love this as the premise is intriguing and there is plenty of relevant commentary on class divisions, economic trade, and social customs. However, the narrative suffered from info-dumping, lackluster character work, and target-audience overlap.

The world building, though ambitious, is rough in the beginning and locations seem derivative of pre-existing South-Asian fantasy epics. That said, some aspects were highly imaginative, such as the concept of portal travel that has a high cost: physical pain that worsens over time. Or the Hanging Market-- literally, a market built over open space-- that is sprawling with rare goods the other kingdoms covet. And, of course, spices, the flavors of life, of food, of culture. Everything from cardamom to turmeric are the worth more than their weight in gold; and as long as each kingdom has a spice to trade, and carriers to deliver them between spice gates, the world enjoys ongoing peace and stability.

Still, this was not enough to fully engage me. I prefer character-driven stories and Amir, the story's MC, didn't stand out. In fact, no one character did. They all felt stuck in development, and fell flat on the page. Also, dialogue sounded stilted rather than natural. This made character exchanges difficult to read through and emotional moments unbelievable. Worse, though, it took me out of the story many times. But, back to my disappointment in the MC. He was honestly not one to root for, even though I did sympathize with his family's plight.

Amir, knowing he can never rise above his station, wants to flee the Eight Kingdoms with his family to a sanctuary in the Black Cove, rumored to be safeguarded by the notorious pirate Ilangoven. But to do this, he needs to acquire a poison that will allow them to pass through the Spice Gate without being harmed. But, of course, this is easier said than done. Despite the fact that he is an expert thief, Amir ends up in one scrap after another due to piss-poor decision-making and an extra impulsive personality. He doesn't often listen to sound advice and is quick to judge. Not to mention, he manages to evade danger far too easily. So, tense moments never amounted to anything.

So, while I wanted to enjoy this book and love Amir, I just couldn't connect well with either the narrative or its main cast. And while the prose did flow smoothly, I wasn't ever sure if I was reading a story intended for adults versus young adults. It just wasn't elevated enough to convince me to take it seriously.

Nevertheless, I think this debut has potential to promote its author to fantasy readers new and old. It's light fun if nothing else, and I was grateful that the book distract my brain for a bit. And that some of what I read did click for me. I just wish the whole book had.

Final rating: 2.5-3.0 stars

This book is really beautifully written and I loved the detail in the world building, although some of the delivery was a bit tricky to follow. Unfortunately the characters and the plot itself let the book down somewhat, making it difficult to stay engaged because I just didn't care about either enough to keep picking the book back up. Pushing through to the end was not easy!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review