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adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
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: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Violence, Gaslighting
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a beautiful book! I have always loved retellings (even when I don't know the original story very well) and this one was gripping and immersive and impossible to put down. I loved every character (even the hateable ones – give me all the complex, three-dimensional antagonists!) but I especially loved our titular character Kaiykeyi (and I love that she is queer!! Aroace rep!! It will never stop feeling magical to see my experiences as an ace person reflected in media. I feel buoyant every single time.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infertility, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Blood, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Alcohol
adventurous
challenging
slow-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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Death of parent, War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Blood
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gore, Infertility, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Classism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really wanted to like this book. Like really. But alot of the things fell flat for me and honestly, it felt like a short story / AU that needed at least 1 more year of research to develop.
Everything was very surface level, overtly stated. I was hoping so much to have a little glimpse of not just the story (retold) but also the philosophy of the epic and the culture behind it.
Either way, I think this needed alot more worldbuilding, editing as well as character study.
Everything was very surface level, overtly stated. I was hoping so much to have a little glimpse of not just the story (retold) but also the philosophy of the epic and the culture behind it.
Either way, I think this needed alot more worldbuilding, editing as well as character study.
- Worldbuilding fell flat. I was so excited to read about the epics & gods of another culture as insanely rich as ancient india. Yet the whole setting felt super generic. ??idk, at some point I legit thought I was reading an ATLA au set in Ancient India. Most of the time, I was confused as to "when" in time this story took place. Its supposed to be in ancient times and yet there were elements in it that I doubt were a thing back then. There’s little attention to the actual rules, history, culture and language that’s going on around. We only learn about them purely as plot device, which make the world feel less "alive" or immersive.
- Dialogue was dragging at times and very predictable. And though this is something I can ignore, at times I was also confused why characters would speak american/anglocized words. Too on the nose at times, where everything was handed to the reader, therefore making the stakes very low. Characters also felt like they were all speaking from the same "voice"- at first I thought this wasCharacters also felt very one dimensional - The characters never "really" change,+ their dialogue/voice felt so often generic or interchangeable with others. Probably the one character that I would exclude from this is Kaikeyis mother, which was spared this treatment because
she left the frame for most of the book, however, as soon as we meet her again, the dialogue kills the mystery around this woman.
Which brings me to: - Redeeming a villain 101 with a dash of "Pop feminism" - Im just tired of the Joss Whedon of it all, like... the story doesn't become feminist just by making Kaikeyi "good" instead of the "evil stepmother"(a concept that came only recently btw cause alot of the ancient world didnt really think of step mothers in such a way). I honestly would've personally loved to see Kaikeyi go absolutely mental, be a ruthless, cunning, manipulative woman, whom everyone feared. Constantly we had to be reminded that Kaikeyi is actually a good person and shes doing this for a good reason"....which cheapens it. It is time to move on from making female characters morally justified, let them be evil and lets explore that. That kind of character would’ve had real depth, complexity, and made a much more interesting plot about female agency and power in such a setting.
- Pacing. - I dont have the vocabulary to explain exactly why it felt off to me, but there were so many ups and downs during the whole story where the pacing didnt really match the tension of the scene, at times that I was bored and waiting for it to pick up, then it picks up, it gets very good…and thats just it.
What I liked - The binding place - There really should;ve been more on this one. This element was so interesting and honestly I was sad Kaikeyi never fully explored it to its limit
- The plot is ambitious and interesting dont get me wrong. there are aspects of it that I really appreciate, but the execution was lacking.
- Major points for not involving unnecessary sex scenes and actually showing an ace character. Honestly this brought it up a whole star for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Abandonment, War
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
The Setup: 'Kaikeyi' is a unique and captivating reimagining of a character from the Indian epic, the Ramayana. In her debut novel, Vaishnavi Patel defies convention by transforming the traditionally vilified queen Kaikeyi into a multidimensional protagonist. The novel delves into her life and motivations with a depth and nuance that is both refreshing and thought-provoking. We witness Kaikeyi's journey from a young girl, grappling with the challenges of a patriarchal society, to a married woman with children, navigating the complexities of her role.
Kaikeyi is an ambitious and intelligent woman who seeks independence and power in this patriarchal society. Born as the only daughter of the Raja of Kekaya, Kaikeyi is overshadowed by her brothers and is deeply affected by her mother's banishment. As she grapples with this grief and frustration, she learns that she possesses an ancient magic known as the Binding Plane, which allows her to see and influence the bonds between people. This power becomes a tool for navigating the political and social structures around her - but sometimes with a cost.
Not even into adulthood, she marries Raja Dasharath, and she becomes a warrior and diplomat, striving to create a more just world, especially for women. She establishes the Women's Council with Dasharath's other wives to address the concerns of those who are often unheard. Kaikeyi takes on significant roles that defy the traditional expectations of her time. However, her journey is fraught with challenges as she contends with the divine destinies imposed on her and her family, particularly concerning her stepson, Rama.
Patel's portrayal of Kaikeyi is not just richly detailed, but also deeply empathetic, providing a fresh and powerful feminist perspective on an ancient story. The novel explores themes of power, destiny, and resistance, shining a spotlight on Kaikey's unwavering determination to carve out her own legacy despite the cosmic and societal forces that stand in her way.
What I loved: I knew nothing about this retelling, so most of the information was entirely new to me, and I loved it. Kaikeyi was a formidable character in the best way—she was layered, nuanced, and poignant. She was also strong and determined and showcased so much grit. And while she wanted to do what was best for the women in her community, she also cared deeply about her family. I adored her character.
In addition, the plot and the retelling itself were phenomenal. Again, I knew nothing about the Ramayana, so this whole world was new to me. Still, I thought it was brilliant for Patel to tell this story of just Kaikeyi and her upbringing, leaving the Ramayana mostly untouched (when Rama was older and finding his divine purpose). We get to see Kaikeyi's motivations and what happens to her children throughout the years.
The prose was also quite readable and beautiful. I don't know if I would call this atmospheric, but I loved Patel's writing, sentence structure, and storytelling. I was utterly immersed in this novel and couldn't put it down.
Lastly, I honestly loved the tiny dose of fantasy in this novel—the Binding Plane and the integration of gods/goddesses were important touches. Not only was this needed because it relates to the mythical story of the Ramayana, but it added a layer to Kaikeyi and helped paint her story. With that said, be prepared to understand little about the magical system—it just exists.
I don't really have anything bad to say about this book—but be prepared to be frustrated, especially if you identify as a woman and understand a teensy bit about a patriarchal society. This book was no doubt embedded with sexism and misogyny. However, that was the point and made the book even more powerful.
I am so thankful to have read this and look forward to seeing what other novels surface from Patel.
Kaikeyi is an ambitious and intelligent woman who seeks independence and power in this patriarchal society. Born as the only daughter of the Raja of Kekaya, Kaikeyi is overshadowed by her brothers and is deeply affected by her mother's banishment. As she grapples with this grief and frustration, she learns that she possesses an ancient magic known as the Binding Plane, which allows her to see and influence the bonds between people. This power becomes a tool for navigating the political and social structures around her - but sometimes with a cost.
Not even into adulthood, she marries Raja Dasharath, and she becomes a warrior and diplomat, striving to create a more just world, especially for women. She establishes the Women's Council with Dasharath's other wives to address the concerns of those who are often unheard. Kaikeyi takes on significant roles that defy the traditional expectations of her time. However, her journey is fraught with challenges as she contends with the divine destinies imposed on her and her family, particularly concerning her stepson, Rama.
Patel's portrayal of Kaikeyi is not just richly detailed, but also deeply empathetic, providing a fresh and powerful feminist perspective on an ancient story. The novel explores themes of power, destiny, and resistance, shining a spotlight on Kaikey's unwavering determination to carve out her own legacy despite the cosmic and societal forces that stand in her way.
What I loved: I knew nothing about this retelling, so most of the information was entirely new to me, and I loved it. Kaikeyi was a formidable character in the best way—she was layered, nuanced, and poignant. She was also strong and determined and showcased so much grit. And while she wanted to do what was best for the women in her community, she also cared deeply about her family. I adored her character.
In addition, the plot and the retelling itself were phenomenal. Again, I knew nothing about the Ramayana, so this whole world was new to me. Still, I thought it was brilliant for Patel to tell this story of just Kaikeyi and her upbringing, leaving the Ramayana mostly untouched (when Rama was older and finding his divine purpose). We get to see Kaikeyi's motivations and what happens to her children throughout the years.
The prose was also quite readable and beautiful. I don't know if I would call this atmospheric, but I loved Patel's writing, sentence structure, and storytelling. I was utterly immersed in this novel and couldn't put it down.
Lastly, I honestly loved the tiny dose of fantasy in this novel—the Binding Plane and the integration of gods/goddesses were important touches. Not only was this needed because it relates to the mythical story of the Ramayana, but it added a layer to Kaikeyi and helped paint her story. With that said, be prepared to understand little about the magical system—it just exists.
I don't really have anything bad to say about this book—but be prepared to be frustrated, especially if you identify as a woman and understand a teensy bit about a patriarchal society. This book was no doubt embedded with sexism and misogyny. However, that was the point and made the book even more powerful.
I am so thankful to have read this and look forward to seeing what other novels surface from Patel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Medical content, Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: Body horror, Toxic relationship
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
I loved so much about this Ramayana expansion and partial retelling. The highs and lows are dramatic and I love this book for it. I also love that the title character’s mind is where we exclusively reside in for this retelling given she’s usually depicted as a wicked stepmother type in many Ramayana variations. Seeing her extended family, early days of her marriage, her bonds with her fellow wives and the community of her adopted home Ayodhya. Seeing her build bonds and falter in others. Seeing her reconnect with others across time. I liked the recontextualizinv of Ravana too. The depiction of Rama is done for a specific reason and I kind of loved that surprising shift. I’m sure it ruffled some but I think fine, it’s merely one retelling so if you dislike it, disregard it. The family bonds really define the narrative here and it’s so good to read through. The characterizations of Kaikeyi’s fellow wives could have been expanded but then I guess it would take away from being solely Kaikeyi’s point of view.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, War, Classism
The question of free will/manipulation is central to the abilities used by the title character and an few other individuals. The title character is asexual so depending on how you see it, the few sex scenes in the plot could be understood in a few ways. There is definite misogyny throughout the book, even from males that are mostly supportive of progressing rights for women. There’s a specific point in showing it that way. Going against the patriarchy and redefining society happens in time.
adventurous
emotional
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An enjoyable read and an accessible introduction to Hindu mythology/the Ramayana epic - the worldbuilding is in some sense the same mental adjustment/ treated as in any fantasy novel, you don't need to know any background beforehand, though it does add extra depth/foreshadowing to know the basic plot points of the Ramayana.
Initially i was worried about reading one of these 'feminist retellings' - there have been many that arent particularly any good, written more because its a bit of a trend.But i had none of those frustrations with this, it was very readable, and felt it had something substantially extra, but also honoring the orginial myth, to offer.
The mechanics of Kaikeyi's magic in the Binding Plane is well done, it adds an additional 'visual' element to her bonds and manipulations. My favourite bits were where she's using those skills politically, juggling lots of people's needs to gain power and help people. She was also flawed enough in a realistic way that it wasnt annoyingly mary sue or being frustratingly dense just to avoid plotholes.
Always nice to see an aroace MC, and also the strong friendships she had with the other wives as well as her husband. I also liked the way the fantasy elements were introduced slowly - at the beginning you can even get the impression that maybe the 'gods' are just religious mortals over-interpreting random occurences or gaslighting people.
Initially i was worried about reading one of these 'feminist retellings' - there have been many that arent particularly any good, written more because its a bit of a trend.But i had none of those frustrations with this, it was very readable, and felt it had something substantially extra, but also honoring the orginial myth, to offer.
The mechanics of Kaikeyi's magic in the Binding Plane is well done, it adds an additional 'visual' element to her bonds and manipulations. My favourite bits were where she's using those skills politically, juggling lots of people's needs to gain power and help people. She was also flawed enough in a realistic way that it wasnt annoyingly mary sue or being frustratingly dense just to avoid plotholes.
Always nice to see an aroace MC, and also the strong friendships she had with the other wives as well as her husband. I also liked the way the fantasy elements were introduced slowly - at the beginning you can even get the impression that maybe the 'gods' are just religious mortals over-interpreting random occurences or gaslighting people.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, War
Minor: Infertility, Rape, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, War
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail