The Spice Gate - by Prashanth Srivatsa

About the Book

"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"--

Book 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.

Review Quotes

"A magnificent feast of a world." -- Shannon Chakraborty, New York Times bestselling author of The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi

"Srivatsa explores class discrimination in his lush and ambitious debut. . . [His] worldbuilding is complex, captivating, and original. The result is a masterful fantasy epic bursting with flavor." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A sprawling, epic adventure, The Spice Gate by Prashanth Srivatsa reveals a world spilling over with danger and magic. There is so much wonder in this tale of secret kingdoms, pirates, gods, royals, faith and rebels. The Spice Gate is a feast for the senses, and a breathtaking drama of plots and uprisings, love and resilience, but its golden heart is one man's struggle to provide a better life for his family, and the solidarity of people who have hope for their future and care for each other." -- Hannah Kaner, bestselling author of GODKILLER

"The Spice Gate is a book a reader can fall into, infused with lush surroundings, memorable characters, and sensory delights. Turning the pages uncovers a treasure trove of mysteries, secrets, and a world on the brink of an extraordinary change."
-- Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter

"A sweeping, smart, and heartfelt tale that is perfect for readers who enjoy action-packed epic fantasy about family, survival, and the steadfast strength of the oppressed." -- Library Journal

"Srivatsa has created such an immersive and intricately-layered world, and an equally intricately-layered character: Amir is very much the quiet hero who grows into his own strengths over the course of his story--and what a story! I think a lot of epic fantasy fans--particularly fans of RR Virdi--will really enjoy this one." -- Sunyi Dean, author of The Book Eaters

"Prashanth Srivatsa's The Spice Gate invites readers on a spellbinding journey with Amir, a young Spice Carrier burdened yet ennobled by his unique ability to traverse the eight kingdoms through mystical gates. Srivatsa's storytelling prowess shines, balancing the bitter sting of subjugation with the sweet promise of freedom, making The Spice Gate a must-read for fantasy aficionados." -- Taran Matharu, New York Times bestselling author of Dragon Rider

"Rich, complex worldbuilding, ambitious scale and characters you'll cherish. A bold, original step forward for South Asia-inspired epic fantasy. I loved The Spice Gate!"
-- Samit Basu, author of The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport

"An exotic adventure filled with adventure, humanity, and otherworldly gods. I enjoyed the many fragrances and flavors of magic in The Spice Gate!"

-- Jeff Wheeler, Wall Street Journal bestselling author

"The Spice Gate is a grand epic fantasy with a fiery core of rage against injustice. This is a book you can taste, where flavour itself is a kind of magic, but also symbolic of power, trade, and violence. A critique of caste, religion, and hierarchy and the way they constrain our lives and imaginations, that takes us through the gamut of forms of resistance, from art to exile to rebellion, and reminds us: sometimes you have to rise up not only against the priests but their gods."
-- Vajra Chandrasekera, author of The Saint of Bright Doors

"Taking us on an unforgettable voyage through a magically crafted world, Prashanth Srivatsa's The Spice Gate is a story about power and the resistance to it, garnished with a seasoning of spice. A unique new voice in South Asian fantasy." -- Gautam Bhatia, author of The Wall and The Horizon