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jaaay_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
I have never heard of the Ramayana, the myth this story originally comes from, or of Kaikeyi herself. I really enjoyed this story. I appreciated how much Patel seemed to add to this story in her voice. I liked the addition of magic, the happy times of Kaikeyi raising her family , and the flaws and growth of the characters.
The ending did bring down my rating. I couldn't get over the things Kaikeyi didn't didn't do in terms of acting with Rama. I wish the author had said earlier she couldn't manipulate their bonds with Rama (but she could with Lakshmana somehow?) or we had seen a conversation between Rama and Lakshmana. It just made the ending frustrating for me. I'm glad it ended on a happier note though.
So, if you are looking for a mythic retelling of a Hindu myth, this one is good. The ending wasn't as strong for me, though it did recover a bit by the finale.
The ending did bring down my rating. I couldn't get over the things Kaikeyi didn't
So, if you are looking for a mythic retelling of a Hindu myth, this one is good. The ending wasn't as strong for me, though it did recover a bit by the finale.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, War, and Blood
lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What a fascinating book! Would recommend to fans of The Witch’s Heart, Ariadne, or other books that recenter classics around the women often forgotten or vilified in those original works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Sexism, Death of parent, Death, and Misogyny
Minor: Abandonment
tahsintries's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: War
Minor: Domestic abuse
zareenj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Misogyny
Minor: 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
del_moon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Moderate: Domestic abuse, War, and Rape
3arth2kaye's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Misogyny
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Cursing
writingcaia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Kaikeyi is a badly portrayed woman that tried her best to save and keep her family amidst an incredibly difficult life journey that takes her from her father’s home and country - where Kaikeyi found the unfairness of being a woman, where she was abandoned by her mother, but also where she found her power and forced her twin to teach all the arts of war - to her husband’s, the young ruler of the biggest kingdom, home and land, to be his third wife.
Scared but brave, Kaikeyi with her magic power and her cunning will soon be loved by all and have the power to change women’s lives in her new kingdom, which will have repercussion throughout. But not all will be happy about this.
And, the Gods were always against her, never replying to her prayers and sometimes even going so far as to do the opposite of what she prayed for.
Prophecies will unfold no matter Kaikeyi’s wishes and good intentions. Evil is lurking and the Gods are playing.
I loved loved loved this story.
I never knew of the Indian epic Ramayana, but it’s definitely intriguing to me now, although after this amazing tale of a minor character in it, the hated stepmother, I don’t think I can love it as much.
Absolutely brilliant take, the way the four parts of the book start, with what I assume are the “actual” tales written of Kaikeyi, and how as you read you understand how it played out, how the best of intentions and of her love get twisted by “history” is amazing.
Also, love that she’s portrayed by the author as asexual, as greysexual myself I love to see this representation.
There’s so much more I could say, the awesome writing, the incredible side characters, the scope of the story and the empowerment of women, and spoilers, but I’ll let you go ahead and read it.
Go now.
Scared but brave, Kaikeyi with her magic power and her cunning will soon be loved by all and have the power to change women’s lives in her new kingdom, which will have repercussion throughout. But not all will be happy about this.
And, the Gods were always against her, never replying to her prayers and sometimes even going so far as to do the opposite of what she prayed for.
Prophecies will unfold no matter Kaikeyi’s wishes and good intentions. Evil is lurking and the Gods are playing.
I loved loved loved this story.
I never knew of the Indian epic Ramayana, but it’s definitely intriguing to me now, although after this amazing tale of a minor character in it, the hated stepmother, I don’t think I can love it as much.
Absolutely brilliant take, the way the four parts of the book start, with what I assume are the “actual” tales written of Kaikeyi, and how as you read you understand how it played out, how the best of intentions and of her love get twisted by “history” is amazing.
Also, love that she’s portrayed by the author as asexual, as greysexual myself I love to see this representation.
There’s so much more I could say, the awesome writing, the incredible side characters, the scope of the story and the empowerment of women, and spoilers, but I’ll let you go ahead and read it.
Go now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Violence, and War
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Suicidal thoughts
kw05's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Infertility, and War
Minor: Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Misogyny, and Sexism
cardanrry's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Death, and Misogyny
Moderate: War, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Grief and Domestic abuse