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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
The Legend of Meneka is a perfect blend of Hinduism culture and fantasy that makes the narrative accessible for readers unaware of the cultural, traditional, and religious beliefs of Hindu.
Meneka is an Aspara, a daughter of the Lord Indra, sent on missions to draw 'marks' in with her lustful dance, rendering them full of emotion, longing, and a loss of purpose. But when a new Sage, Kaushika, threatens Indra and the celestial plane of Amaravati, Meneka offers herself to draw Kaushika into her trap with the reward of freedom.
The intrigue of the magic within this carefully woven fantasy retelling was phenomenal; transcending the realms of magical realism with traditional beliefs. Mudra's and the crafting of runes to display imagery, the sheer divinity of the God's and Goddesses, and the difference in mortal and immortal magics was a great world-building intrigue. Not to mention the static setting of either Amaravati or the Hermitage, both of which representing safe havens for either immortal or mortal.
Meneka as a character was incredibly strong and Kaushika was the perfect companion to aid in her mission. Their lust and wonderment of one another lent to the re-telling. Meneka at first disbelieving, becoming the embodiment of love, and Kaushika's passion for protection and a fierce love for humanity was breathtaking.
Meneka is an Aspara, a daughter of the Lord Indra, sent on missions to draw 'marks' in with her lustful dance, rendering them full of emotion, longing, and a loss of purpose. But when a new Sage, Kaushika, threatens Indra and the celestial plane of Amaravati, Meneka offers herself to draw Kaushika into her trap with the reward of freedom.
The intrigue of the magic within this carefully woven fantasy retelling was phenomenal; transcending the realms of magical realism with traditional beliefs. Mudra's and the crafting of runes to display imagery, the sheer divinity of the God's and Goddesses, and the difference in mortal and immortal magics was a great world-building intrigue. Not to mention the static setting of either Amaravati or the Hermitage, both of which representing safe havens for either immortal or mortal.
Meneka as a character was incredibly strong and Kaushika was the perfect companion to aid in her mission. Their lust and wonderment of one another lent to the re-telling. Meneka at first disbelieving, becoming the embodiment of love, and Kaushika's passion for protection and a fierce love for humanity was breathtaking.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I received a gifted ARC copy of this book from Harper Collins Canada. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
DNF at 118 pages.
Honestly this one is just not for me. The writing style is very wordy and yet I didn’t feel like anything was really happening within all those words. It felt more like Meneka was watching herself attempt to do things and telling us about them than actually doing things and the author showing us what was going on. There was lots of talk of magic, and yet there wasn’t really any actual magic being used.
I loved the idea of the story. I’ve read a few Indian mythology books and really enjoyed them, and I was excited to dive into this one. Unfortunately I ended up disliking Meneka, and I was annoyed by her constant references to being immortal and an apsara every time she acted in a similar way to other characters or was asked to do magic.
Ultimately I’ve chosen to DNF this one because I don’t think that it will get better for me. I also haven’t touched the book or thought about it in 3 days, so clearly I’m not interested in finding out what happens.
DNF at 118 pages.
Honestly this one is just not for me. The writing style is very wordy and yet I didn’t feel like anything was really happening within all those words. It felt more like Meneka was watching herself attempt to do things and telling us about them than actually doing things and the author showing us what was going on. There was lots of talk of magic, and yet there wasn’t really any actual magic being used.
I loved the idea of the story. I’ve read a few Indian mythology books and really enjoyed them, and I was excited to dive into this one. Unfortunately I ended up disliking Meneka, and I was annoyed by her constant references to being immortal and an apsara every time she acted in a similar way to other characters or was asked to do magic.
Ultimately I’ve chosen to DNF this one because I don’t think that it will get better for me. I also haven’t touched the book or thought about it in 3 days, so clearly I’m not interested in finding out what happens.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
This is very much a book out of my wheel house in many ways, but made for a great read. I know very little of Hindu mythology, I haven’t read any new Fantasy or Romance books, and yet here I was enjoying this read all the way through.
The main core idea of this book is the glue that keeps it all together, because at the core of it all, the book is asking us to reconsider what we know as love and be bold to love the world around us unconditionally, flaws and all.
The main core idea of this book is the glue that keeps it all together, because at the core of it all, the book is asking us to reconsider what we know as love and be bold to love the world around us unconditionally, flaws and all.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
It was good but some of the lore was a bit boring, and the side characters weren't very well developed. The romance was fun, and I loved the magic system.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Death, Violence