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samburkhouse's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Sexism, Violence, Death, and War
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
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
poisoned_icecream's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Domestic abuse
moonlitreading_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
“Before this story was Rama’s, it was mine.”
I have no knowledge of the Ramayana prior to reading Kaikeyi so this review is based on the latter. First things firts, I loved the writing!!! There wasn’t really a dull moment for me. I really enjoyed the first parts of the book with Kaikeyi’s childhood. As an eldest daughter with only brothers I found myself sympathizing with Kaikeyi. I adored her relationship with Yudhajit so much, and their bond was really great. The Binding Plane was really interesting, and I love anything magic. I like that it didn’t let Kaikeyi do everything she wants with it. I like that there were limitations with how much she could get away with using it.
The latter parts weren’t as enjoyable to me as the first ones but I didn’t hate them. Sure, the characters (men) pissed me off but beyond that the storyline was still good. I did love the whole Women’s Council thing because women deserve rights as much as men do (f the sages). Kaikeyi’s role as a mother made me sad because all she wanted was for them to be the best people they could be. I understand why her sons acted the way they did, but that doesn’t mean I should like them. Right?
Overall, Kaikeyi was a fantastic read and I had fun with it.
I have no knowledge of the Ramayana prior to reading Kaikeyi so this review is based on the latter. First things firts, I loved the writing!!! There wasn’t really a dull moment for me. I really enjoyed the first parts of the book with Kaikeyi’s childhood. As an eldest daughter with only brothers I found myself sympathizing with Kaikeyi. I adored her relationship with Yudhajit so much, and their bond was really great. The Binding Plane was really interesting, and I love anything magic. I like that it didn’t let Kaikeyi do everything she wants with it. I like that there were limitations with how much she could get away with using it.
The latter parts weren’t as enjoyable to me as the first ones but I didn’t hate them. Sure, the characters (men) pissed me off but beyond that the storyline was still good. I did love the whole Women’s Council thing because women deserve rights as much as men do (f the sages). Kaikeyi’s role as a mother made me sad because all she wanted was for them to be the best people they could be. I understand why her sons acted the way they did, but that doesn’t mean I should like them. Right?
Overall, Kaikeyi was a fantastic read and I had fun with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Death of parent, Violence, Misogyny, Grief, Death, War, and Religious bigotry
snohwhyman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
fallandfox's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
Quando o Livro começa acompanhamos Kaikeya, a única filha do reino de Kaikeya e uma jovem que cresceu escutando historias sobre os deuses e seus poderes. Ela observa o tratamento frio de seu pai contra ela e um dia ele expulsa sua mãe deixando as responsabilidades além do vazio de não poder nem se despedir ou saber a razão de tal ato. Em meio ao vazio ela descobre um poder por meio de suas leituras que a permite manipular sua ligação emocional com os outros. Com a sua busca por independência e deixar de ser somente uma moeda de troca de casamento entre nações Kaikeyi se torna uma guerreira, diplomata e a rainha mais favorecida.
Decidi pegar esse livro quando vi ele na lista de nominação do ano de 2022 fiquei muito curiosa sobre ele e consegui finalmente alugar o audiobook para a leitura dele.
Quando eu terminei ele eu só consegui para e pesar que leitura maravilhosa eu tinha feito e como eu daria de tudo para poder ler mais um pouco sobre ela e as outra esposas.
A escrita da autora é muito boa e a forma como ela descreveu o mundo e magia foi incrível, com uma escrita fácil de ler tornou tudo melhor.
A comida na historia me deixou com água na boca e eu me senti parte da mesa provando das delicias nesses momentos.
Eu quero que quando alguém ler essa resenha e se perguntar porque eu não descrevi mais sobre os personagens é porque eu quero entrem nessa historia como eu sabendo bem pouco pois fica mais magico assim. As descobertas que você faz junto com ela e as pessoas que ela vai conhecer e fazerem parte da vida dela e do reino.
Eu quero muito que ele venha para o Brasil pois ia ser uma leitura que muita gente ia amar e eu tenho certeza.
Decidi pegar esse livro quando vi ele na lista de nominação do ano de 2022 fiquei muito curiosa sobre ele e consegui finalmente alugar o audiobook para a leitura dele.
Quando eu terminei ele eu só consegui para e pesar que leitura maravilhosa eu tinha feito e como eu daria de tudo para poder ler mais um pouco sobre ela e as outra esposas.
A escrita da autora é muito boa e a forma como ela descreveu o mundo e magia foi incrível, com uma escrita fácil de ler tornou tudo melhor.
A comida na historia me deixou com água na boca e eu me senti parte da mesa provando das delicias nesses momentos.
Eu quero que quando alguém ler essa resenha e se perguntar porque eu não descrevi mais sobre os personagens é porque eu quero entrem nessa historia como eu sabendo bem pouco pois fica mais magico assim. As descobertas que você faz junto com ela e as pessoas que ela vai conhecer e fazerem parte da vida dela e do reino.
Eu quero muito que ele venha para o Brasil pois ia ser uma leitura que muita gente ia amar e eu tenho certeza.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Murder, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, War, Sexism, and Grief
mightymegan25's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, War, Abandonment, Death, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry
bookdragonk's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Infertility, Religious bigotry, War, Misogyny, and Death
thewordsdevourer's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
kaikeyi is a compelling, richly woven tale w/ the marks of great storytelling. despite having almost no knowledge of the ramayana, i enjoyed this novel and retelling, for despite some of its faults its emotional moments are highly affecting and touch me deeply.
as ive never truly acquianted myself w/ the original epic, idk how much work patel's done on crafting the characters in her novel, but theyre def layered and complex. the titular character in particular undergoes quite a transformation from a lonely young princess to a powerful radnyi, shaped by her numerous trials and triumphs. i esp like the relationships between those in the kosalan royal family, how some of them defy stereotypical expectations, and the complex web of motives that each has and impacts their relations w/ one another esp the siblings.
patel does a fantastic job of not only creating the story that occurs prior to the events of the epic, also adding new ones, but putting a fresher spin on the original as well, offering a new look and pov on certain events, relationships and decisions. ofc kaikeyi's decision to exile rama is one of them, but i also like how lakshmana's depicted here, as well as his relationships w/ kaikeyi and his most renowned brother. they all shed a new light and perspective on the epic, and is def a mark of a great retelling.
the last 20% hit me particularly hard, w/ kaikeyi having to choose to literally tear her family apart to avoid a greater disaster, which ultimately proves to be useless. her sense of utter helplessness in the face of the gods' hands and having to bear her family's hatred and wrath - theyre all told very movingly and i rly empathize w/ her plight and the recurring themes of how she tries to forge her own path anyway despite destiny, the gods' indifference, and the repressive patriarchal status quo.
although i do think the book's a lil too long - certain parts in the first 60% have middling pace and are overly detailed - and there are some major plot holes (ex: how could dasharath's promise to kaikeyi not be publicly known w/ how monumental a vow it is?), in addition to the author suddenly introducing then dropping certain plot points (kekaya's former chief lady in waiting, for instance), this is an enjoyable read and esp a must-read for those fond of good retellings.
as ive never truly acquianted myself w/ the original epic, idk how much work patel's done on crafting the characters in her novel, but theyre def layered and complex. the titular character in particular undergoes quite a transformation from a lonely young princess to a powerful radnyi, shaped by her numerous trials and triumphs. i esp like the relationships between those in the kosalan royal family, how some of them defy stereotypical expectations, and the complex web of motives that each has and impacts their relations w/ one another esp the siblings.
patel does a fantastic job of not only creating the story that occurs prior to the events of the epic, also adding new ones, but putting a fresher spin on the original as well, offering a new look and pov on certain events, relationships and decisions. ofc kaikeyi's decision to exile rama is one of them, but i also like how lakshmana's depicted here, as well as his relationships w/ kaikeyi and his most renowned brother. they all shed a new light and perspective on the epic, and is def a mark of a great retelling.
the last 20% hit me particularly hard, w/ kaikeyi having to choose to literally tear her family apart to avoid a greater disaster, which ultimately proves to be useless. her sense of utter helplessness in the face of the gods' hands and having to bear her family's hatred and wrath - theyre all told very movingly and i rly empathize w/ her plight and the recurring themes of how she tries to forge her own path anyway despite destiny, the gods' indifference, and the repressive patriarchal status quo.
although i do think the book's a lil too long - certain parts in the first 60% have middling pace and are overly detailed - and there are some major plot holes (ex: how could dasharath's promise to kaikeyi not be publicly known w/ how monumental a vow it is?), in addition to the author suddenly introducing then dropping certain plot points (kekaya's former chief lady in waiting, for instance), this is an enjoyable read and esp a must-read for those fond of good retellings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Death, Violence, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and War
lanid's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Grief, Gore, Misogyny, and Fire/Fire injury