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amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Misogyny, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Violence, War, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, and Death
sophiesmallhands's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Death, Murder, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Grief, and Infertility
Minor: Classism, Abandonment, Child death, Sexual violence, Infidelity, and Miscarriage
rnbhargava's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I loved so much about this Ramayana expansion and partial retelling. The highs and lows are dramatic and I love this book for it. I also love that the title character’s mind is where we exclusively reside in for this retelling given she’s usually depicted as a wicked stepmother type in many Ramayana variations. Seeing her extended family, early days of her marriage, her bonds with her fellow wives and the community of her adopted home Ayodhya. Seeing her build bonds and falter in others. Seeing her reconnect with others across time. I liked the recontextualizinv of Ravana too. The depiction of Rama is done for a specific reason and I kind of loved that surprising shift. I’m sure it ruffled some but I think fine, it’s merely one retelling so if you dislike it, disregard it. The family bonds really define the narrative here and it’s so good to read through. The characterizations of Kaikeyi’s fellow wives could have been expanded but then I guess it would take away from being solely Kaikeyi’s point of view.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Death, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Bullying, Classism, Grief, Racism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Medical content, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Sexism, Violence, and War
The question of free will/manipulation is central to the abilities used by the title character and an few other individuals. The title character is asexual so depending on how you see it, the few sex scenes in the plot could be understood in a few ways. There is definite misogyny throughout the book, even from males that are mostly supportive of progressing rights for women. There’s a specific point in showing it that way. Going against the patriarchy and redefining society happens in time.scrubsandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As a South Asian reader with Hindu family members, I'm not a stranger to the story of Rama and Sita and how their return to Ayodhya is marked by the celebration of Diwali. So, I jumped at the chance to read the retelling of the story from the POV of the allegedly wicked stepmother. I absolutely loved how the author told her story. I do agree that the pacing at some points felt like it dragged and many parts made me wonder why it was even written in but I suppose in the long run, it added more depth to Kaikeyi's motives for every decision she took. I already knew the ending, of course, but the story gave one hope that it would change and things would work out. I do believe there were also strong aromantic and asexual vibes with the MC which was a delight to read as a South Asian ace myself!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Classism, Misogyny, War, Death, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Pregnancy and Infertility
tinysierra's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Kaikeyi is a beautiful story. It took me a moment to really get into the book, but once I did, I felt Kaikeyi’s frustration, joy, heartache. Vaishnavi Patel did a beautiful job crafting the story through Kaikeyi’s eyes. She was such a great main character.
Kaikeyi is aroace, which was incredibly well done. The words “aromantic” and “asexual” are not used on page, but the text is clear.
Aromantic quote:
“They thought me shy when it came to such matters, for I would sit back quietly, but in fact I had nothing to add. No such feelings for Dasharath, or any person, had ever surfaced in me. I was comfortable with my husband, loved him as a dear friend, but the pull of romance meant nothing to me. I could be happy for those in love, but I could not understand.” pg 198
Asexual quote:
”For when I thought about the acts Manthara described, or when I studied the illustrations in some of the more well-hidden recesses of the library, I felt only indifference. I had heard serving girls talk in whispers and giggles about men they found charming, or how it felt to steal a covert kiss with their betrothed. I thought of Dasharath and searched for the same desire within myself, but nothing ever emerged.” pg 98
I loved the sense of sisterhood between the wives. I loved that the children were cared for equally by all of them. It was so achingly beautiful.
I personally liked that although there was pregnancy, it wasn’t talked about deeply.
Kaikeyi is aroace, which was incredibly well done. The words “aromantic” and “asexual” are not used on page, but the text is clear.
Aromantic quote:
Asexual quote:
I loved the sense of sisterhood between the wives. I loved that the children were cared for equally by all of them. It was so achingly beautiful.
I personally liked that although there was pregnancy, it wasn’t talked about deeply.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Murder, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and War
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infertility, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
amaranth_wytch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, Sexism, War, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Pregnancy and Child abuse
fareehareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's funny how many times I picked up this book and put it down now that I've actually finished it, because wow. I've stumbled upon my favorite read of this year thus far. This book is absolutely gorgeous. I love a good mythology retelling especially when told from the female perspective since most myths (from any culture in the world really, take your pick) often use women as ploys, foils, distractions, and of course villains in the man's epic tale.
Kaikeyi of Kekaya is not that simple. This retelling is from the Indian epic: Ramayana which has been told and retold may times over, similar to the Greek retellings we see saturating the publishing world today (I'd especially say to Medusa & Circe fans that you'll love Kaikeyi). This myth gives credit to and fully shapes this strong character who, in most depictions, is described as an evil stepmother figure that callously banishes Rama and causes pain across the land. In Kaikeyi's tale, we see a rounded human being that was often disrespected, belittled for her sex, and forsaken by the gods she fervently prayed to her whole life. We follow her life as she makes one calculated decision after the other to do best by her children, her kingdom, her people, specifically the women of her kingdom. She expands women's rights in a way that is almost seamless and such an incredibly cathartic inclusion for me as a reader, I'd love to see more fantasy novels that acknowledge small changes in kindgoms as well as large ones, it makes for a more well rounded setting (and is just so much more entertaining to read).
The worldbuilding in this story is just incredible and I have to gush about it. As Kaikeyi is growing up in her home land, Patel does such an incredible job solving a problem I see in so many fantasy epic stories make. They often brush past or rush through the growing up part, choosing instead to have a time skip and not really show what a lone kid in a large castle was up to. Instead, Patel embraces the still quiet moments, and shows us just how much Kaikeyi is up to. We watch her learn how to control her abilities, how to bend people to her will and how to practice restraint, we see what her day to day life is like when she starts training with Yudhajit and after her mother leaves we see as she slowly takes up house duties as a yuvrani (young queen), how her brothers defer to her, how her father barely acknowledges her until she needs to marry etc.
Reading this book was like flipping through a very detailed character study, and that's not a criticism, it's what made me enjoy the story even more. By the time she reaches adulthood and motherhood, I know Kaikeyi well. I understand her character motivations and it makes me root for her even more. Which is of course the point of framing a narrative around a character whose perspective is never often spoken about but damn it needs to be reiterated that this book is as clever as it is entertaining.
The finite details, the threads weaved between people binding them to her and to each other, the politics of men and women, the beasts and legends and myths, it was an absolute delight to read. I loved every second of this book. The prose is excellent, the story is engaging throughout, and without knowing the original epic I could see the bones of the story that is obviously in front of me, but Kaikeyi's version breaths such different air into it in such an artful manner, I was absolutely taken by it.
Definitely bump this higher on your TBR, I don't know why more people don't sing praises for this book, it deserves it!
Kaikeyi of Kekaya is not that simple. This retelling is from the Indian epic: Ramayana which has been told and retold may times over, similar to the Greek retellings we see saturating the publishing world today (I'd especially say to Medusa & Circe fans that you'll love Kaikeyi). This myth gives credit to and fully shapes this strong character who, in most depictions, is described as an evil stepmother figure that callously banishes Rama and causes pain across the land. In Kaikeyi's tale, we see a rounded human being that was often disrespected, belittled for her sex, and forsaken by the gods she fervently prayed to her whole life. We follow her life as she makes one calculated decision after the other to do best by her children, her kingdom, her people, specifically the women of her kingdom. She expands women's rights in a way that is almost seamless and such an incredibly cathartic inclusion for me as a reader, I'd love to see more fantasy novels that acknowledge small changes in kindgoms as well as large ones, it makes for a more well rounded setting (and is just so much more entertaining to read).
The worldbuilding in this story is just incredible and I have to gush about it. As Kaikeyi is growing up in her home land, Patel does such an incredible job solving a problem I see in so many fantasy epic stories make. They often brush past or rush through the growing up part, choosing instead to have a time skip and not really show what a lone kid in a large castle was up to.
Reading this book was like flipping through a very detailed character study, and that's not a criticism, it's what made me enjoy the story even more. By the time she reaches adulthood and motherhood, I know Kaikeyi well. I understand her character motivations and it makes me root for her even more. Which is of course the point of framing a narrative around a character whose perspective is never often spoken about but damn it needs to be reiterated that this book is as clever as it is entertaining.
The finite details, the threads weaved between people binding them to her and to each other, the politics of men and women, the beasts and legends and myths, it was an absolute delight to read. I loved every second of this book. The prose is excellent, the story is engaging throughout, and without knowing the original epic I could see the bones of the story that is obviously in front of me, but Kaikeyi's version breaths such different air into it in such an artful manner, I was absolutely taken by it.
Definitely bump this higher on your TBR, I don't know why more people don't sing praises for this book, it deserves it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Misogyny, Classism, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Grief
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This epic structure is very reminiscent of the Indian epics it’s based from. It’s super long and slow paced, but excellent and intriguing the whole time. I liked Kaikeyi as a character and loved seeing how she learned about her power to see and manipulate her bonds with others. That cataclysmic ending was rough but so well handled and very well foretold. Loved having some ace rep too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Grief, Gaslighting, Classism, War, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Infertility
micaelamariem's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A while ago I received Kaiyeki by Vaishnavi Patel in a book box, and I finally got around to reading it!
Vaishnavi Patel is a Chicago-based law student who enjoys writing about the intersectionality of feminism and Indian mythology. Her novel debut, Kaikeyi, explores the villain of the Ramayana myth. In the original myth, Kaikeyi is known as a jealous queen who exiles Rama so that her son may sit the throne. However, Kaikeyi is an epic that explores her coming-of-age, her faith, her purpose, and her reasons behind the exile.
I found this book to be very interesting. I know little of Hindu mythology and had never heard of the Ramayana before. Naturally, as I read, I did some googling to see what had happened in the original. What I did find were other reviews of this book saying how far from the original it swerved and how in some aspects, the portrayal of Rama can be damaging to the portrayal of the Hindu faith. So, with this in mind, I'm going to review this more like an original story instead of a retelling.
I loved the feminist themes in this book and how it showed that progression is slow. Kaikeyi at one point felt like she had made no changes for women, but throughout her life she aided smaller, subtle ones that helped shape a better society. And as a feminist and a woman, I love books with these themes.
I also thought the portrayal of Kaikeyi's asexuality was done well--only shown in a few subtle sentences and not something that defined her as much as her love for other people.
I loved seeing the work of the Binding Plane and found it very interesting, especially in my Google searches to find that such a concept does exist in the Hindu religion.
I did find some parts slow-going, though perhaps this is because it is an epic and spanned over a lifetime. I also didn't like how Ravana was introduced a few times, and then never really seen again until he went full-asura. I wish there was more of him or he was there not at all. I'm not sure it added much to the narrative anyway.
Overall, I did enjoy the book, with the caveat that I know this is fiction and does not define Hindu beliefs, as I know that was an issue brought up by many. As an original work, though, I would rate it four stars, and I'd love to explore Indian mythology further.
Vaishnavi Patel is a Chicago-based law student who enjoys writing about the intersectionality of feminism and Indian mythology. Her novel debut, Kaikeyi, explores the villain of the Ramayana myth. In the original myth, Kaikeyi is known as a jealous queen who exiles Rama so that her son may sit the throne. However, Kaikeyi is an epic that explores her coming-of-age, her faith, her purpose, and her reasons behind the exile.
I found this book to be very interesting. I know little of Hindu mythology and had never heard of the Ramayana before. Naturally, as I read, I did some googling to see what had happened in the original. What I did find were other reviews of this book saying how far from the original it swerved and how in some aspects, the portrayal of Rama can be damaging to the portrayal of the Hindu faith. So, with this in mind, I'm going to review this more like an original story instead of a retelling.
I loved the feminist themes in this book and how it showed that progression is slow. Kaikeyi at one point felt like she had made no changes for women, but throughout her life she aided smaller, subtle ones that helped shape a better society. And as a feminist and a woman, I love books with these themes.
I also thought the portrayal of Kaikeyi's asexuality was done well--only shown in a few subtle sentences and not something that defined her as much as her love for other people.
I loved seeing the work of the Binding Plane and found it very interesting, especially in my Google searches to find that such a concept does exist in the Hindu religion.
I did find some parts slow-going, though perhaps this is because it is an epic and spanned over a lifetime. I also didn't like how Ravana was introduced a few times, and then never really seen again until he went full-asura. I wish there was more of him or he was there not at all. I'm not sure it added much to the narrative anyway.
Overall, I did enjoy the book, with the caveat that I know this is fiction and does not define Hindu beliefs, as I know that was an issue brought up by many. As an original work, though, I would rate it four stars, and I'd love to explore Indian mythology further.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Abandonment, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Death, Death of parent, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infidelity, War, Physical abuse, and Violence
leahrosiee's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Gaslighting, Sexism, Grief, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Death of parent, and Infertility
Minor: War, Sexual content, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy