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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was hooked by the huge scope and the cool concept/setting of this book, but unfortunately it really started to drag towards the end. The story was very interesting, if slightly simplistic at times. Lower rating than I'd like, due to the fact that the audiobook narrator was annoying for me, sorry.
Imagine taking one of the most demonized queens in Indian epic history and saying,
“Actually, what if she was a strategist, a mother, a literal goddess-in-the-making and also done dirty by patriarchy, religion, and some bad PR?”
BOOM. That’s this book.
It’s giving:
✨ divine feminism
✨ emotional trauma
✨ ancient aunties saying “beta, why are you outside the kitchen?”
✨ and Kaikeyi responding with “because I’m running the damn kingdom, Radha.”
⸻
❤️ Scene I Was Living For:
The moment Kaikeyi starts using the Binding Plane to actually influence her fate and the bonds of others?? BABY that was some next-level chakra-slaying, political-sorcery, heartstring-manipulating realness.
Sis basically hacked the human emotional system like a mythical social engineer with mommy issues.
I was like “YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS drag that misogyny by its roots and set it on fire with spiritual power, queen!!”
“Actually, what if she was a strategist, a mother, a literal goddess-in-the-making and also done dirty by patriarchy, religion, and some bad PR?”
BOOM. That’s this book.
It’s giving:
✨ divine feminism
✨ emotional trauma
✨ ancient aunties saying “beta, why are you outside the kitchen?”
✨ and Kaikeyi responding with “because I’m running the damn kingdom, Radha.”
⸻
❤️ Scene I Was Living For:
The moment Kaikeyi starts using the Binding Plane to actually influence her fate and the bonds of others?? BABY that was some next-level chakra-slaying, political-sorcery, heartstring-manipulating realness.
Sis basically hacked the human emotional system like a mythical social engineer with mommy issues.
I was like “YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS drag that misogyny by its roots and set it on fire with spiritual power, queen!!”
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fine read
My biggest gripe with the book was the pacing. The first 2/3 felt quite uneven and I had to really push myself at points. The last 1/3 flowed much smoother.
Some of the characters were really well rounded, while others were flatter. And some of the plot points didn't fully carry through, while others felt unnecessary.
The rich world and history really carried the book, but the author's grasp on the story never felt strong.
My biggest gripe with the book was the pacing. The first 2/3 felt quite uneven and I had to really push myself at points. The last 1/3 flowed much smoother.
Some of the characters were really well rounded, while others were flatter. And some of the plot points didn't fully carry through, while others felt unnecessary.
The rich world and history really carried the book, but the author's grasp on the story never felt strong.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn’t love the narrator. Her tone and vibe (sort of modern, petulant teen/woman) didn’t give the necessary gravitas to match the content in my opinion. This was hard for me to get past to soak up the other aspects of the book. The tale of female persecution and perseverance was inspiring though.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes