Reviews

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel

eliseabril's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional slow-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

4.75

bookcook's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Kaikeyi is one of the most human characters I have come across in fiction. Her love for her family and her care for the women of her community was wonderful to read about, made more compelling by her clear disinterest in romance or sex. At many points in the story I had to remember that this book comes from a different culture with its own story structures, motifs, themes, values, etc. This weight placed on honor and respect is entirely new to me and so it was good to read something like this that sheds light on a part of the world I know very little about. 

diacl's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this book so much, and it was definitely one of my reads for the year...but why can't us girlies have a happy ending? Why do we have to be the bigger person all the time by being humble and not telling our stories to the world for what they are and not being able to take all the glory for our sacrifices and accomplishments?

chilliam_mc's review against another edition

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5.0

This book was absolutely amazing. 10/10. I need to collect my thoughts before I can write a full review. But wow. I am floored.
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linhsreadinghour's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I can’t believe this book was on my shelf for over a year. I wish I read this sooner. I was halfway through it and had already recommended it to people. This was utterly amazing. I am in awe of everything - the writing, the characters arc, the magic system, the whole feminist retelling of Kaikeyi, the portrayal of women, motherhood, sisterhood, and the sprinkle of Hindu tales, set in vibrant ancient India?! I highlighted so many feminist quotes. If you like feminist Greek retelling, don’t sleep on this. INCREDIBLE. I felt incredibly bittersweet reading this but the ending made me feel so much better. The last 100 pages of this book was gripping, it’s currently 1am. I was so hooked, it was plot twist after plot twist, I felt like I couldn’t catch a break with Kaikeyi. I was so invested and connected to Kaikeyi as we followed her life. PLEASE JUST READ THIS.
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richa700's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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? No

5.0

tmdreads's review against another edition

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adventurous
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

swoodward's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

sophia_bd's review against another edition

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5.0

Gorgeous. The story and relationships developed and resolved so beautifully that I was in tears by the end. Loved the imagery of the magic throughout and the powerful messages of feminism and forgiveness that are still stirring in me with after reading.

jaylene's review against another edition

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5.0

Similar to Madeline Miller's Song of Achillies, you need zero knowledge of Hindu mythology to fall in love with Kaikeyi's story! But I will admit, once the second chapter sucked me in, I looked into Kaikeyi's story and found it fascinating how Vaishnavi Patel twisted a well-known villain into a story of a young woman who is complex, intelligent, and strong - mentally and physically! The boon or "divine blessing" Kaikeyi is granted while attempting to bring her banished mother back to her, is so unique in explaining how strong her bonds are with those around her. This power is written as though the author wanted to introduce a new character and she succeeded! Kaikeyi's journey, growth, personal relationships, and magic system are written so well, it's simply incredible. Even the parallels between her as a pre-teen to her as a wife, ugh *chef's kiss.

Thank you NetGalley and Redhook for the arc, I already preordered a physical copy!