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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
emotional
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
The Vibes:
—apsaras
—testing that celibacy
—falling in love with the mark
Heat Index: 6.5/10
The Basics:
When the revered sage Kaushika begins threatening the power of Indra, the celestial king sends Meneka to seduce him into breaking his asceticism and losing his strength. Meneka has her own agenda, and is determined to bring Kaushika down—but as she learns from and gets to know him, her charge may break her.
The Review:
Quick disclaimer—I'm not Indian or otherwise Hindu, and I can't attest to how this book relates to the legend beyond what I've read and (lightly) researched. With that in mind, I'm assessing this as a book independent of its inspiration.
Based on the legend of the Hindu sage Vishvamitra and apsara Menaka, The Legend of Meneka is a fantasy romance (happy ending included) that spends a lot of time actually considering the big questions. What even is asceticism, and is it worth it? Is that really how we become closer to our gods (and our goals)? Does self-denial make you a better (stronger) person?
And like... What about love and carnality in all this?
But, you know. It's also fun.
The book takes place entirely from Meneka's perspective. And I liked her—she's a classic "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way" kind of tragic vamp, a being who exists to seduce and destroy (albeit more emotionally than physically). Off the bat, we know she struggles with her being, her purpose. But it's less because she really morally doesn't believe in what she's doing, and more because she's infatuated with fellow apsara.
Yes everyone, Meneka is super bi, and it's super on the page (she's actually introduced seducing a queen), and I loved how it was handled. Queerness is casually portrayed through multiple characters, and Meneka, though she doesn't get physical with her marks anymore, alludes to other experiences with women. And.... then she falls in love with Kaushika. Imagine that! Bisexuality is just a thing.
There's this really lush world described, a poetic kind of magic. A lot of this is a thinky book, and to a point I kind of debate whether it's a fantasy romance or (as the back copy admittedly states) a true romantic fantasy. Kaushika and Meneka's love story is front and center, it's the crux of the book. But it definitely felt more like Meneka's journey than his. Which doesn't mean it's NOT a romance. This may also just be me going "Why can't we have a dual POV?"
And that is the one thing I thought this book was missing. I wanted to be in Kaushika's head. For a lot of the book, he's a fairly distant figure, and even when he starts to melt for Meneka that remains somewhat true. I get why, and it doesn't really take away from the book, but it does make his relationship to Meneka feel somewhat secondary.
That said....
The Sex:
What's really hot about this novel, aside from the general sensuality of everything described, is the Temptation. Kaushika is genuinely a stone wall against Meneka's seduction (... at first), which creates several funny scenes where she's like, literally banging her head against a wall in frustration. Initially, it's frustration over being unable to execute her mission.
It becomes frustration of a different kind.
The scenes here are explicitly, but described in a way that sort of folds into the general poetic vibe of the novel. Again, really sensual versus scorching. And it's also super satisfying to see Meneka, supposedly a creature of desire, finally experienced pleasure for HERSELF about HER. Kaushika's a giver!
This is, appropriately, an absorbing and meditative fantasy novel with a strong romantic throughline. I still haven't decided whether or not it's a Romance (happy ending aside) but it's definitely worth reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
—apsaras
—testing that celibacy
—falling in love with the mark
Heat Index: 6.5/10
The Basics:
When the revered sage Kaushika begins threatening the power of Indra, the celestial king sends Meneka to seduce him into breaking his asceticism and losing his strength. Meneka has her own agenda, and is determined to bring Kaushika down—but as she learns from and gets to know him, her charge may break her.
The Review:
Quick disclaimer—I'm not Indian or otherwise Hindu, and I can't attest to how this book relates to the legend beyond what I've read and (lightly) researched. With that in mind, I'm assessing this as a book independent of its inspiration.
Based on the legend of the Hindu sage Vishvamitra and apsara Menaka, The Legend of Meneka is a fantasy romance (happy ending included) that spends a lot of time actually considering the big questions. What even is asceticism, and is it worth it? Is that really how we become closer to our gods (and our goals)? Does self-denial make you a better (stronger) person?
And like... What about love and carnality in all this?
But, you know. It's also fun.
The book takes place entirely from Meneka's perspective. And I liked her—she's a classic "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way" kind of tragic vamp, a being who exists to seduce and destroy (albeit more emotionally than physically). Off the bat, we know she struggles with her being, her purpose. But it's less because she really morally doesn't believe in what she's doing, and more because she's infatuated with fellow apsara.
Yes everyone, Meneka is super bi, and it's super on the page (she's actually introduced seducing a queen), and I loved how it was handled. Queerness is casually portrayed through multiple characters, and Meneka, though she doesn't get physical with her marks anymore, alludes to other experiences with women. And.... then she falls in love with Kaushika. Imagine that! Bisexuality is just a thing.
There's this really lush world described, a poetic kind of magic. A lot of this is a thinky book, and to a point I kind of debate whether it's a fantasy romance or (as the back copy admittedly states) a true romantic fantasy. Kaushika and Meneka's love story is front and center, it's the crux of the book. But it definitely felt more like Meneka's journey than his. Which doesn't mean it's NOT a romance. This may also just be me going "Why can't we have a dual POV?"
And that is the one thing I thought this book was missing. I wanted to be in Kaushika's head. For a lot of the book, he's a fairly distant figure, and even when he starts to melt for Meneka that remains somewhat true. I get why, and it doesn't really take away from the book, but it does make his relationship to Meneka feel somewhat secondary.
That said....
The Sex:
What's really hot about this novel, aside from the general sensuality of everything described, is the Temptation. Kaushika is genuinely a stone wall against Meneka's seduction (... at first), which creates several funny scenes where she's like, literally banging her head against a wall in frustration. Initially, it's frustration over being unable to execute her mission.
It becomes frustration of a different kind.
The scenes here are explicitly, but described in a way that sort of folds into the general poetic vibe of the novel. Again, really sensual versus scorching. And it's also super satisfying to see Meneka, supposedly a creature of desire, finally experienced pleasure for HERSELF about HER. Kaushika's a giver!
This is, appropriately, an absorbing and meditative fantasy novel with a strong romantic throughline. I still haven't decided whether or not it's a Romance (happy ending aside) but it's definitely worth reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was interesting, I loved the Hindu mythology-inspired world and the worldbuilding. The fmc is a celestial dancer and seducer warrior who works on behalf of the lord of the realm. When we meet the fmc, she questions her loyalty to the lord after her last mission. She is sent to seduce a mortal sage who is gaining a lot of power and is threatening her lord and finds herself attracted to and falling in love with him. The mmc was good, but I wish there had been more into his thoughts and pov. The mmc practices magic and is a dimpled brooder which I always like. There was a lot of yearning, seduction, and wanting and I liked the cross between mythology and fantasy. Thank you Avon for this arc!
Read for:
- Enemies to lovers
- Hindu mythology
- Seductress fmc
- Romantasy
- Warrior fmc
- Sage mmc
Read for:
- Enemies to lovers
- Hindu mythology
- Seductress fmc
- Romantasy
- Warrior fmc
- Sage mmc
Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Voyager for the ARC. This was such a beautiful read, from the characters, to the setting, to the magic, and the themes, and of course the prose. I love the journey that both Meneka and Kaushika go on throughout the book. I also love the complexity behind seduction as it is explored through the story, not just the obvious sexual variety, but the way so many characters throughout the book seduce each other in terms of belief and journey. Also the actual seduction and subterfuge and manipulation was done so well. I also love how tense and complicated Meneka's inner journey and outer conflict was. The arguments and fights between Meneka and Kaushika were so well written, I love how their relationship progressed through the book. It was also really cute and romantic at times. I love the way Hindu mythology and philosophy was intertwined with the themes of seduction and identity and devotion. The world building is rich, the mythological inspiration beautiful, familiar, but also fresh and unique, which I think is a strength present throughout all of Kritika H Rao's books. The emotional parts were also really well written, I cried so much during the last third of the book, I was just so moved by everything. This book seduced me. I cannot wait for the next book!
adventurous
mysterious
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
Meneka was destined to be an apsara, Lord Indra's deadliest weapon, from the day she was born in the immortal realms. While she takes pride in her dancing, Meneka loathes the condition she leaves her marks in after her seduction is successful and longs for freedom with every mission she completes. In an attempt to stop her missions in the mortal realm, Meneka strikes a bargain with Indra: she will seduce Kaushika, a powerful but mortal sage who has been threatening Indra's power. Soon she is granted admittance to Kaushika's hermitage and pretends to be sage-in-training, allowing her to the opportunity to seduce Kaushika, but her resolve begins to waver as she finds herself enthralled by the sage, forcing her to choose what to save: her home and her Lord or Kaushika.
This went from 0 to 100 back to 0 real quick. I was extremely bored for the first like 50-60% of the book having to just read through the receptiveness of Meneka's inner turmoil. While her arrogance bothered me sometimes, she isn't an unlikeable character; if anything, I felt sympathy for her due to her precarious position as an apsara who just wanted her freedom. However, I just wasn't convinced by the romance between her and Kaushika, and it felt extremely rushed. How can she love a man when they barely had any meaningful encounters? The story had higher stakes around the 70-80% mark when the war started, but quickly died down within a few pages and I started to lose interest again.
The Hindu mythology was really interesting and was mainly the reason for my continued reading. There were times where I was a bit confused by the timeline of things as there were events that were said to occur thousands of years ago but they happened to the mortal characters. So do the mortal sages live extremely long lives?
Overall, it was an interesting plot and easy to read. The mythology was abundant throughout and made for an intriguing world building. The magic system was unique and related to the mythology, which I really enjoyed. I also loved that it was diverse and queer. The book ended on a pretty intense cliffhanger, and I'll be picking up the next book once it's out as I'm curious how the story will end.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for supplying me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This went from 0 to 100 back to 0 real quick. I was extremely bored for the first like 50-60% of the book having to just read through the receptiveness of Meneka's inner turmoil. While her arrogance bothered me sometimes, she isn't an unlikeable character; if anything, I felt sympathy for her due to her precarious position as an apsara who just wanted her freedom. However, I just wasn't convinced by the romance between her and Kaushika, and it felt extremely rushed. How can she love a man when they barely had any meaningful encounters? The story had higher stakes around the 70-80% mark when the war started, but quickly died down within a few pages and I started to lose interest again.
The Hindu mythology was really interesting and was mainly the reason for my continued reading. There were times where I was a bit confused by the timeline of things as there were events that were said to occur thousands of years ago but they happened to the mortal characters. So do the mortal sages live extremely long lives?
Overall, it was an interesting plot and easy to read. The mythology was abundant throughout and made for an intriguing world building. The magic system was unique and related to the mythology, which I really enjoyed. I also loved that it was diverse and queer. The book ended on a pretty intense cliffhanger, and I'll be picking up the next book once it's out as I'm curious how the story will end.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for supplying me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.