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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
challenging
mysterious
reflective
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
I'm removing my dislike of romantasy books to review this because it feels unfair to otherwise.
What I liked:
- Vivid writing and a story steeped in rich culture and history
- The author's note at the end made a HUGE difference to how I viewed the book in the end
- I loved seeing the FMC use her sexuality as her power and a weapon (with no shaming and only encouragement) juxtaposed to her own growth and understanding of love, and how this really impacted her character arc
What I didn't like:
- The pacing was a little off at times so there were moments that felt a little "insta-love" but I'm also not familiar with the source material so maybe it's supposed to be like that?
- The amount of times camphor, petrichor and luminosity were used 😅
What I liked:
- Vivid writing and a story steeped in rich culture and history
- The author's note at the end made a HUGE difference to how I viewed the book in the end
- I loved seeing the FMC use her sexuality as her power and a weapon (with no shaming and only encouragement) juxtaposed to her own growth and understanding of love, and how this really impacted her character arc
What I didn't like:
- The pacing was a little off at times so there were moments that felt a little "insta-love" but I'm also not familiar with the source material so maybe it's supposed to be like that?
- The amount of times camphor, petrichor and luminosity were used 😅
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
"You are whoever you wish to be, Meneka."
I was not familiar with the original legend before reading this book, so I'm not sure if it's present there or not.. but I was immensely impressed by Meneka's character growth. from someone who was dependent on others for validation, yet struggling with her devotion to the same people, she just became her own person, embracing her identity. she was both someone I could relate to, but also an unlikeable narrator at times. and I really liked this duality of her. after her bestie almost died, my girl's main priority was to present herself as supper for the broody sage in the next room. and you know what? hell yeah.
what I struggled with a bit was the worldbuilding and getting used to the historical context in the beginning, so this made me "work for it" a bit harder, especially in the beginning. nonetheless, I will be reading the next book as well.
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperVoyager and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
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
This book was alright, a bit dense at times but I’ve been enjoying reading about Hindu mythology and when this one came up on my holds shelf, I had to check it out. The authors note at the end really gave purpose to the story (I don’t know much about all of the Hindu mythological characters) and h think having that up front would’ve helped more than having it at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Slavery, Grief
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
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
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really liked this and I think I should teach myself a lesson on not reading other people's reviews before posting my own. While I'm not shocked this turned out more divisive than not with people, I was surprised at people not picking up on many of themes and elements that I greatly enjoyed (but I guess that makes sense on why they didn't enjoy it).
Meneka could be reduced down to a love story but I actually really enjoyed it as a character driven story of someone getting away from a basically cult like religious upbringing. Meneka as a central hero felt like a success where many other author's fail, in expressing someone raised with certain beliefs having trouble functioning outside of their beliefs while still being likeable and sympathetic.
While I liked the central romance well enough who I really enjoyed was Meneka and her finding out who she is outside of the strict society she was put into. I liked the world itself of myths and legends. The world building was well done (I can't speak for what is established myth vs not as I do not know a lot about this mythology world).
I did think for 90 percent of this that it was a standalone and am a little disappointed its a series (I just miss standalones). But I thought the pacing was good and kept the tension well and I will be checking out the rest of the series to see where the world and Meneka goes.
Overall, I really enjoyed this in a way that most Romantasy is a miss for me. The romance never overtook the plot and Meneka wasn't forced to be an idiot for the romance to work. She could be but it was in a believable way.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review!
Meneka could be reduced down to a love story but I actually really enjoyed it as a character driven story of someone getting away from a basically cult like religious upbringing. Meneka as a central hero felt like a success where many other author's fail, in expressing someone raised with certain beliefs having trouble functioning outside of their beliefs while still being likeable and sympathetic.
While I liked the central romance well enough who I really enjoyed was Meneka and her finding out who she is outside of the strict society she was put into. I liked the world itself of myths and legends. The world building was well done (I can't speak for what is established myth vs not as I do not know a lot about this mythology world).
I did think for 90 percent of this that it was a standalone and am a little disappointed its a series (I just miss standalones). But I thought the pacing was good and kept the tension well and I will be checking out the rest of the series to see where the world and Meneka goes.
Overall, I really enjoyed this in a way that most Romantasy is a miss for me. The romance never overtook the plot and Meneka wasn't forced to be an idiot for the romance to work. She could be but it was in a believable way.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review!
adventurous
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War
Moderate: Death