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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I liked the magic system! The base of the book being Hindu mythology made for an interesting diversion from the European mythology we often see.
Therein ends the things I liked. Meneka was whiny and repetitive to the point where I wasn’t really interested in whether she was happy at the end. I also think this would have worked better as a single book - I certainly won’t be back for the second book in the duology.
Therein ends the things I liked. Meneka was whiny and repetitive to the point where I wasn’t really interested in whether she was happy at the end. I also think this would have worked better as a single book - I certainly won’t be back for the second book in the duology.
challenging
mysterious
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
Am I the biggest fan of romantasy? No, but that didn't stop me from absolutely loving this book. Based on a truly great piece of Indian mythology, this book explores love and the power it holds, as well as asking the question - who can you turn to when everyone you love has turned against you.
I was very surprised, in a good way, by the final twist, and I thought he book did an incredible job of exploring Meneka's journey, as her powers waxed, waned, and ultimately blossomed.
The budding romance with Kaushika provided a great backdrop for the rest of the story to take place, and it was so refreshing to see a romance where she isn't the only one who changes and is affected by what is happening. He changes to, and in fact he changes first.
This book ended well, in a way that would be satisfactory by itself, but also leaves a small glimmer open if there was a desire for a sequel. Generally, I'm not a fan of sequels, but Kritika wrote this book so beautifully that I would love to continue reading this story!
I was very surprised, in a good way, by the final twist, and I thought he book did an incredible job of exploring Meneka's journey, as her powers waxed, waned, and ultimately blossomed.
The budding romance with Kaushika provided a great backdrop for the rest of the story to take place, and it was so refreshing to see a romance where she isn't the only one who changes and is affected by what is happening. He changes to, and in fact he changes first.
This book ended well, in a way that would be satisfactory by itself, but also leaves a small glimmer open if there was a desire for a sequel. Generally, I'm not a fan of sequels, but Kritika wrote this book so beautifully that I would love to continue reading this story!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
A Day of Fallen Night meets The Phoenix King in an Indian inspired fantasy novel filled with deities vs mortals.
The premise and the story was interesting but unfortunately the writing style just didn't work for me. The pace was incredibly slow and I found myself confused on what we were working towards for a majority of the book.
I can see the appeal in the book but unfortunately it just wasn't for me.
Thank you to Harper Voyager for an advance reader copy of this book.
The premise and the story was interesting but unfortunately the writing style just didn't work for me. The pace was incredibly slow and I found myself confused on what we were working towards for a majority of the book.
I can see the appeal in the book but unfortunately it just wasn't for me.
Thank you to Harper Voyager for an advance reader copy of this book.
adventurous
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:
Complicated
🌶️yes
⭐️4.5
This book was a stunning fresh air.
Our FMC is an immortal doing the work for her god on the mortal realm as a seductress when she returns home ready to ask for her freedom she is given a mission to free herself only… she might lose herself in the process.
- spy x mark
- Mentor x mentee (kinda)
- Gods
- Realms
- Hindu inspired
- Queer FMC
- Sex positive / queer norm world
- a beautiful grip on the power of love
This book also offers a very interesting thought experiment on the difference between faith and religion that held me gripped though the story and its magic system.
I really appreciated how both our main characters refuse to change and give up things that cause tension in the relationship BUT also acknowledge that it causes problems for them.
Also. The MMC is a man with AMBITION and the means to obtain it. There was one part where something is revealed and my eyes went so WIDE. like ok powerful I see you. (I have a spoiler joke but I’ll keep it to myself)
I’m excited and NERVOUS for the next book.
Cons- this was very close to a five star. I just wished there was a *tad* more to the climax and the resolution it felt just a smidge rushed like a hairs breath but i understand this is part one of two.
This book was gifted to me but all thoughts and feelings are my own.
reflective
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:
Complicated
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for the eARC
2,75/5
I wanted to love this book. All the spice warning and romantasy side frightened me a bit, but since it the story feature a heavy hindu inspired world (its a retelling of a hindu myth after all), I was excited to give it a try. Well, the hindu mythology is the one thing that help me push through the story.
Don't get me wrong, there are good things in there, just not enough for me to compensate the things that didn't work for me.
First, the first person present tense. Look I know it can work, but it rarely does for me. Adding that in this case, we have a lot of inner thought and monolgue, present tense really didn't cut it, least of all in first person.
Then, we have our heroine, Meneka. An apsara, having trouble with her nature and the mission given to her by Indra and her love for another apsara. My issue with her is that beside her apsara nature, she hasn't a lot going on. Which might make sense, if you consider that she has to come to peace with herself, discover who she is. But with all the long monologues, her reactions often enough on the melodramatic side, more a YA heroine (the ones I don't enjoy that is) than an adult one, how could just not care for her.
As for the LI, he isn't much better. He is beautiful. Arrogant. Supposedly a sage, but he is so locked in his ideas that I have trouble seeing him as one.
In fact, most of the characters lacked a sense of depth and variety for me, even in the deities.
Despite all the issues, I still finished the book, albeit jumping a bit forward when endless inner monologues happened. The story is easy to read, quick despite the pacing issues and the sense of not much stakes going on.
I think I might read the second book, just to see how it will go.
2,75/5
I wanted to love this book. All the spice warning and romantasy side frightened me a bit, but since it the story feature a heavy hindu inspired world (its a retelling of a hindu myth after all), I was excited to give it a try. Well, the hindu mythology is the one thing that help me push through the story.
Don't get me wrong, there are good things in there, just not enough for me to compensate the things that didn't work for me.
First, the first person present tense. Look I know it can work, but it rarely does for me. Adding that in this case, we have a lot of inner thought and monolgue, present tense really didn't cut it, least of all in first person.
Then, we have our heroine, Meneka. An apsara, having trouble with her nature and the mission given to her by Indra and her love for another apsara. My issue with her is that beside her apsara nature, she hasn't a lot going on. Which might make sense, if you consider that she has to come to peace with herself, discover who she is. But with all the long monologues, her reactions often enough on the melodramatic side, more a YA heroine (the ones I don't enjoy that is) than an adult one, how could just not care for her.
As for the LI, he isn't much better. He is beautiful. Arrogant. Supposedly a sage, but he is so locked in his ideas that I have trouble seeing him as one.
In fact, most of the characters lacked a sense of depth and variety for me, even in the deities.
Despite all the issues, I still finished the book, albeit jumping a bit forward when endless inner monologues happened. The story is easy to read, quick despite the pacing issues and the sense of not much stakes going on.
I think I might read the second book, just to see how it will go.
challenging
emotional
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:
Complicated
I had a little trouble at the beginning of this book simply because Meneka was so blindly devout. I hope people don't go into this novel and let that character flaw turn them away from reading on. She goes through such an amazing transformation of self-discovery throughout the story, and it was brilliant to read and made me so happy that I pushed through those initial reactions.
Something that the author does extremely well is dangle the carrot of romance in front of the reader. I was giggling and kicking my feet for every minor flirtation between Meneka and Kaushika. The slow burn is absolutely sumptuous, and was only heightened by the ways the two characters constantly challenge each other and their beliefs.
The cast of supporting characters is varied and wonderful, and the relationships they build add so much heart to the story.
While this felt more focused on Meneka learning about herself, it's clear the story has only just begun.
The end left me craving so much more. Waiting for the next book is going to be extremely difficult.
Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for the ARC.
Something that the author does extremely well is dangle the carrot of romance in front of the reader. I was giggling and kicking my feet for every minor flirtation between Meneka and Kaushika. The slow burn is absolutely sumptuous, and was only heightened by the ways the two characters constantly challenge each other and their beliefs.
The cast of supporting characters is varied and wonderful, and the relationships they build add so much heart to the story.
While this felt more focused on Meneka learning about herself, it's clear the story has only just begun.
The end left me craving so much more. Waiting for the next book is going to be extremely difficult.
Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for the ARC.
Steeped in rich Hindu mythology with gods and apsaras and sages, this book sounded right up my alley but unfortunately the execution fell a bit flat. The female MC seemed a bit 2D and lacked personality. The romance between Meneka and Kaushika also felt a bit forced - like they went from actively not liking each other to basically screwing within a chapter with very little build up…
Also looootttts of inner monologue.
The mythology was really interesting and I definitely need to read more of it.
Also looootttts of inner monologue.
The mythology was really interesting and I definitely need to read more of it.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager US and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.
I read Legend of Meneka despite it being labeled a romance fantasy because I love Kiritika Rao's other series and Indian mythology. With the amount of spice in many modern series romance can mean so many different things. Sometimes it just means there are a few sex scenes.
Come for the romance stay for the magic. Legend of Meneka is a magical tale of mythology and self discovery that explores various Hindu gods through the tale of one Apsara on an impossible mission.
If you have watched enough spy TV series you've seen this before. An undercover mission to seduce a mark. What typically comes next is familiar but things aren't so simple.
What is the source of magic for a celestial being? What about a spiritual mortal? All these questions are explored in detail in this poetic and engrossing tale. I was engaged from beginning to end and seduced by the explosive ending. You won't want to miss this. Though I am excited for the eventual sequel this stands on its own.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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