A Feast for the Senses: My Review of the Spice Gate

The Spice Gate by Prashanth Srivatsa is a unique, compelling fantasy that came out in July 2024. Here's my review:

It was refreshing to read fantasy set in India. The protagonist, Amir, comes from the lowest caste, a voice that usually remains unheard.

The opening pulls you straight into the world:

"Amir stood within the ring of erected stones encircling the Spice Gate in the midst of the saffron fields. The spicemark burned on his throat, sensing his proximity to the arch."

Seeing what Amir goes through as a Carrier, I feel for him. He grows up being told he has no future beyond carrying spices and living in his simple village, yet he dreams of something more, a safe place to live with his mother and brother. As he questions his reality, he begins to make discoveries...

The worldbuilding is lush, unique and immersive. Each kingdom is richly imagined, and connected to a different spice. You can really feel how spices are central to the world of this story. There are so many mouth-watering descriptions of food, it becomes a prism through which the characters perceive their world. For example:

When Amir realises Hasmin is jealous of his spice mark: "The turmeric is always yellower on the other plate."

"...her gaze swooped over everyone present in a cold, possessive manner, as though the court were a large, spicy golgappa that had to be gobbled at once."

"Don't make a khichidi of this, with absurd notions of [hidden for spoilers]"

And there times when spices stir memories:

"--waiters with flour-dusted chins scuttling about with the urgency of those who had managed to smuggle a rosemary delight. Amir was swept into the past. sweets transformed this evening into by-lanes to Amir's childhood--to jalebis and balushahis, and Amma's specialties, the pak with ghee; to crusted cheeks and spoiled innocence..."

This is a great book to read while trying new Indian delicacies! I enjoyed drinking masala chai while reading, and trying out recipes with various spices afterwards.

There is a lot of action and plenty of tension. The mysteries around the mouth, Amir's father and the hidden kingdom keep you reading to find out more. There are times when the pacing slows down and there are time when the writing sings.

Adding a new creature right at the end of the book didn't work for me, but Amir's journey does, and I really enjoyed this unique and compelling story.

"There's always someone with verve and fire, and ideas too large for reality to hold them. Sometimes, you've got to shrink those dreams, fit them into what the world can carry."

Amir refuses to shrink those dreams. And so his adventure begins...

Have you read this book, or would you like to? Share your thoughts in the comments.