The Spice Gate, Prashanth Srivatsa
The Spice Gate, Prashanth Srivatsa
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The Spice Gate
A Fantasy

Author: Prashanth Srivatsa

Narrator: Deepti Gupta

Unabridged: 17 hr 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Published: 07/16/2024


Synopsis

Delve into this debut fantasy and journey through the Spice Gates as Amir, a young man born with the ability to travel between the eight kingdoms, unravels the power that keeps the world in balance, perfect for readers of Ken Liu’s Dandelion Dynasty, S.A. Chakraborty’s Daevabad Trilogy, and Andrea Stewart’s The Drowning Empire.The weight of spice is more than you know.Relics of a mysterious god, the Spice Gates connect the eight far-flung kingdoms, each separated by a distinct spice and only accessible by those born with a special mark. This is not a caste of distinction, though, but one of subjugation: Spice Carriers suffer the lashes of their masters, the weight of the spices they bear on their backs, and the jolting pain of the Gates themselves.Amir is one such Spice Carrier, and he dreams of escaping his fate of being a mule for the rich who gorge themselves on spices like the addicted gluttons they are. More important than relieving his own pain, though, is saving his family, especially his brother, born like him with the unfortunate spice mark that designates him for a life of servitude.But while Amir makes his plans for freedom, something stirs in the inhospitable spaces between the kingdoms. Fate has designs of its own for Amir, and he soon finds himself drawn into a conspiracy that could disrupt the delicate dynamics of the kingdoms forever.The more Amir discovers truth and myth blurring, the more he realizes that his own schemes are insignificant compared to the machinations going on around him. Forced to chase after shadows with unlikely companions, searching for answers that he never even thought to question, Amir’s simple dream of slipping away transforms into a grand, Spice Gate–hopping adventure. Gods, assassins, throne-keepers, and slaves all have a vested interest in the spice trade, and Amir will have to decide—for the first time in his life—what kind of world he wants to live in…if the world survives at all.Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

About Prashanth Srivatsa

Prashanth Srivatsa is a writer of fantasy and science fiction. Prashanth’s stories and novelettes have appeared in magazines such as Asimov’s, Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction (F&SF), Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. He lives in Bengaluru, India. The Spice Gate is his first novel.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Rosh ~on extended semihiatus~ on August 16, 2024

In a Nutshell: As much as I love spices, ‘The Spice Gate’ wasn’t my cup of masala chai. Complicated (but interesting) worldbuilding, repetitive writing, unappealing protagonist, confusing plot. Very disappointed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Plot Preview: (Don’t know how much you’ll understand from my......more

Goodreads review by Svea on June 05, 2024

The Spice Gate has a lot going for it: A really unique world and lore, solid commentary on class and intriguing characters. I was initially very intrigued, but I admit I had some trouble with this book. It's a world built on spices: There are eight kingdoms, each one specialized on the production and......more

Goodreads review by Andrea on April 30, 2024

Amir is born to a life of slavery. He is gatecaste and branded with the spicemark, so his only purpose in life is to carry spices through the gates that connect the eight kingdoms. Passing through a gate is like being torn apart, and he will do anything to prevent his younger brother from suffering......more

Goodreads review by Eliza on April 10, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 2.5, rounded up The Spice Gate has a really punchy premise that combines high fantasy worldbuilding with political critique. Amir is a “Carrier”; someone born with a mark identifying him......more

Goodreads review by Deepthi on August 18, 2024

What I loved the most about the book is its premise that spices are not just flavorful ingredients. The story revolves around Amir, a Spice Carrier born with the spice mark, and his journey through the eight kingdoms, connected by magical Spice Gates. The book explores themes of freedom, justice, and......more