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brewsandbooks's review
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.75
I greatly enjoyed this book. It was not what I expected when I first started reading it. I truly felt for Kalki in everything he went through. I think the book is being marketed in a very mysterious way that overall works. I don't want to ruin how it plays out, but I will say that I thought Sindu did a spectacular job at placing us in Kalki's ashram and his life as he grows up. I felt for him in all of his relationships and for his own internal struggles. I also loved how Sintu used his outside, grownup perspective at times to let us know where he understood more fully and had grown past some of the things that happened.
I enjoyed the examination of spirituality and a person's own journey with it. When does blindly accepting harm those around you? When does someone's own views block them from having true connections? I also thought the views on India's caste system were interesting and added layers and depth to this already deep novel.
The end of the book lost me a little, however, because I almost wanted more of what Kalki went through as an adult and how he grew past his young adult self. I was curious why Sintu decided to end it when she did, and wanted a bit more of his growth past some of this journey, to give context to him as an adult. But overall, stunningly written, incredibly interesting, and well worth the read.
I enjoyed the examination of spirituality and a person's own journey with it. When does blindly accepting harm those around you? When does someone's own views block them from having true connections? I also thought the views on India's caste system were interesting and added layers and depth to this already deep novel.
The end of the book lost me a little, however, because I almost wanted more of what Kalki went through as an adult and how he grew past his young adult self. I was curious why Sintu decided to end it when she did, and wanted a bit more of his growth past some of this journey, to give context to him as an adult. But overall, stunningly written, incredibly interesting, and well worth the read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, and Drug abuse
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