Scan barcode
destynee's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
Life truly did not want me to finish this book, and I finally did! This book is honestly what I expected Circe to be. We are introduced to Kaikeyi and have time to get to know her, but unlike with Circe she truly is an advocate for women. She may have stumbled at some parts but she was very much human and even worked to look for solutions to those problems. As usual, characters made me laugh, smile, and even made me angry. I look for that in books and it was just as prominent here. Vaishnavi Patel did a great job at not only explaining and showing who Kaikeyi was but at giving her justice as well. Her story truly is heard in this novel and it is one that I will keep with me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Sexism
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Medical content
readwithria's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Kaikeyi takes the Hindu epic Ramayana and gives us its prologue through the eyes of our titular character. This book is wonderful, and full of characters whose bonds can literally be seen waxing and waning.
I loved so much about this book! The pacing is excellent, especially given how many years this book spans. There are so many wonderful relationships in this book, and seeing how they change over the decades was so interesting. Kaikeyi is such an ambitious woman, and her strength was apparent throughout her journey. I loved the magic, and how it was and wasn’t used. It really was a fantastic book.
Why wasn’t it a five star read? I don’t know. It just didn’t give me the ~vibes~ I guess, but that’s nothing to do with the book and everything to do with me. I loved this book, and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys retellings, fantasy, or historical fiction.
This was a marvelous story of power and connection and fate. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 4.5 stars.
I loved so much about this book! The pacing is excellent, especially given how many years this book spans. There are so many wonderful relationships in this book, and seeing how they change over the decades was so interesting. Kaikeyi is such an ambitious woman, and her strength was apparent throughout her journey. I loved the magic, and how it was and wasn’t used. It really was a fantastic book.
Why wasn’t it a five star read? I don’t know. It just didn’t give me the ~vibes~ I guess, but that’s nothing to do with the book and everything to do with me. I loved this book, and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys retellings, fantasy, or historical fiction.
This was a marvelous story of power and connection and fate. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 4.5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence and Death
Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent
kenshi's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, and Death
verysillygoose's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Abandonment, Violence, and War
Minor: Domestic abuse
charming_killerqueen's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Sexual content
apworden's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The creeping misogyny was well written and tough for me to stomach at times (this is intentional on the author’s part). Well written feminist retelling that focuses not on the shallow “girl power” feminism sometimes seen in books like this, but more of the uplifting of the least privileged among us type if feminism.
I did not grow up with the Ramayana, but am grateful for this introduction to a globally beloved story. I plan too look out for other tellings now that I have a grasp on some of the charater names and overarching plot points.
I did not grow up with the Ramayana, but am grateful for this introduction to a globally beloved story. I plan too look out for other tellings now that I have a grasp on some of the charater names and overarching plot points.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Violence, and War
ok7a's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Death, Violence, and War
Minor: Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Mental illness
ncoletti's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Death
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
kaikeyi is a compelling, richly woven tale w/ the marks of great storytelling. despite having almost no knowledge of the ramayana, i enjoyed this novel and retelling, for despite some of its faults its emotional moments are highly affecting and touch me deeply.
as ive never truly acquianted myself w/ the original epic, idk how much work patel's done on crafting the characters in her novel, but theyre def layered and complex. the titular character in particular undergoes quite a transformation from a lonely young princess to a powerful radnyi, shaped by her numerous trials and triumphs. i esp like the relationships between those in the kosalan royal family, how some of them defy stereotypical expectations, and the complex web of motives that each has and impacts their relations w/ one another esp the siblings.
patel does a fantastic job of not only creating the story that occurs prior to the events of the epic, also adding new ones, but putting a fresher spin on the original as well, offering a new look and pov on certain events, relationships and decisions. ofc kaikeyi's decision to exile rama is one of them, but i also like how lakshmana's depicted here, as well as his relationships w/ kaikeyi and his most renowned brother. they all shed a new light and perspective on the epic, and is def a mark of a great retelling.
the last 20% hit me particularly hard, w/ kaikeyi having to choose to literally tear her family apart to avoid a greater disaster, which ultimately proves to be useless. her sense of utter helplessness in the face of the gods' hands and having to bear her family's hatred and wrath - theyre all told very movingly and i rly empathize w/ her plight and the recurring themes of how she tries to forge her own path anyway despite destiny, the gods' indifference, and the repressive patriarchal status quo.
although i do think the book's a lil too long - certain parts in the first 60% have middling pace and are overly detailed - and there are some major plot holes (ex: how could dasharath's promise to kaikeyi not be publicly known w/ how monumental a vow it is?), in addition to the author suddenly introducing then dropping certain plot points (kekaya's former chief lady in waiting, for instance), this is an enjoyable read and esp a must-read for those fond of good retellings.
as ive never truly acquianted myself w/ the original epic, idk how much work patel's done on crafting the characters in her novel, but theyre def layered and complex. the titular character in particular undergoes quite a transformation from a lonely young princess to a powerful radnyi, shaped by her numerous trials and triumphs. i esp like the relationships between those in the kosalan royal family, how some of them defy stereotypical expectations, and the complex web of motives that each has and impacts their relations w/ one another esp the siblings.
patel does a fantastic job of not only creating the story that occurs prior to the events of the epic, also adding new ones, but putting a fresher spin on the original as well, offering a new look and pov on certain events, relationships and decisions. ofc kaikeyi's decision to exile rama is one of them, but i also like how lakshmana's depicted here, as well as his relationships w/ kaikeyi and his most renowned brother. they all shed a new light and perspective on the epic, and is def a mark of a great retelling.
the last 20% hit me particularly hard, w/ kaikeyi having to choose to literally tear her family apart to avoid a greater disaster, which ultimately proves to be useless. her sense of utter helplessness in the face of the gods' hands and having to bear her family's hatred and wrath - theyre all told very movingly and i rly empathize w/ her plight and the recurring themes of how she tries to forge her own path anyway despite destiny, the gods' indifference, and the repressive patriarchal status quo.
although i do think the book's a lil too long - certain parts in the first 60% have middling pace and are overly detailed - and there are some major plot holes (ex: how could dasharath's promise to kaikeyi not be publicly known w/ how monumental a vow it is?), in addition to the author suddenly introducing then dropping certain plot points (kekaya's former chief lady in waiting, for instance), this is an enjoyable read and esp a must-read for those fond of good retellings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Death, Violence, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and War
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
This epic structure is very reminiscent of the Indian epics it’s based from. It’s super long and slow paced, but excellent and intriguing the whole time. I liked Kaikeyi as a character and loved seeing how she learned about her power to see and manipulate her bonds with others. That cataclysmic ending was rough but so well handled and very well foretold. Loved having some ace rep too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Grief, Gaslighting, Classism, War, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Infertility