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adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Murder, War
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
adventurous
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Violence, Religious bigotry, War
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, War
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Pregnancy
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's funny how many times I picked up this book and put it down now that I've actually finished it, because wow. I've stumbled upon my favorite read of this year thus far. This book is absolutely gorgeous. I love a good mythology retelling especially when told from the female perspective since most myths (from any culture in the world really, take your pick) often use women as ploys, foils, distractions, and of course villains in the man's epic tale.
Kaikeyi of Kekaya is not that simple. This retelling is from the Indian epic: Ramayana which has been told and retold may times over, similar to the Greek retellings we see saturating the publishing world today (I'd especially say to Medusa & Circe fans that you'll love Kaikeyi). This myth gives credit to and fully shapes this strong character who, in most depictions, is described as an evil stepmother figure that callously banishes Rama and causes pain across the land. In Kaikeyi's tale, we see a rounded human being that was often disrespected, belittled for her sex, and forsaken by the gods she fervently prayed to her whole life. We follow her life as she makes one calculated decision after the other to do best by her children, her kingdom, her people, specifically the women of her kingdom. She expands women's rights in a way that is almost seamless and such an incredibly cathartic inclusion for me as a reader, I'd love to see more fantasy novels that acknowledge small changes in kindgoms as well as large ones, it makes for a more well rounded setting (and is just so much more entertaining to read).
The worldbuilding in this story is just incredible and I have to gush about it. As Kaikeyi is growing up in her home land, Patel does such an incredible job solving a problem I see in so many fantasy epic stories make. They often brush past or rush through the growing up part, choosing instead to have a time skip and not really show what a lone kid in a large castle was up to. Instead, Patel embraces the still quiet moments, and shows us just how much Kaikeyi is up to. We watch her learn how to control her abilities, how to bend people to her will and how to practice restraint, we see what her day to day life is like when she starts training with Yudhajit and after her mother leaves we see as she slowly takes up house duties as a yuvrani (young queen), how her brothers defer to her, how her father barely acknowledges her until she needs to marry etc.
Reading this book was like flipping through a very detailed character study, and that's not a criticism, it's what made me enjoy the story even more. By the time she reaches adulthood and motherhood, I know Kaikeyi well. I understand her character motivations and it makes me root for her even more. Which is of course the point of framing a narrative around a character whose perspective is never often spoken about but damn it needs to be reiterated that this book is as clever as it is entertaining.
The finite details, the threads weaved between people binding them to her and to each other, the politics of men and women, the beasts and legends and myths, it was an absolute delight to read. I loved every second of this book. The prose is excellent, the story is engaging throughout, and without knowing the original epic I could see the bones of the story that is obviously in front of me, but Kaikeyi's version breaths such different air into it in such an artful manner, I was absolutely taken by it.
Definitely bump this higher on your TBR, I don't know why more people don't sing praises for this book, it deserves it!
Kaikeyi of Kekaya is not that simple. This retelling is from the Indian epic: Ramayana which has been told and retold may times over, similar to the Greek retellings we see saturating the publishing world today (I'd especially say to Medusa & Circe fans that you'll love Kaikeyi). This myth gives credit to and fully shapes this strong character who, in most depictions, is described as an evil stepmother figure that callously banishes Rama and causes pain across the land. In Kaikeyi's tale, we see a rounded human being that was often disrespected, belittled for her sex, and forsaken by the gods she fervently prayed to her whole life. We follow her life as she makes one calculated decision after the other to do best by her children, her kingdom, her people, specifically the women of her kingdom. She expands women's rights in a way that is almost seamless and such an incredibly cathartic inclusion for me as a reader, I'd love to see more fantasy novels that acknowledge small changes in kindgoms as well as large ones, it makes for a more well rounded setting (and is just so much more entertaining to read).
The worldbuilding in this story is just incredible and I have to gush about it. As Kaikeyi is growing up in her home land, Patel does such an incredible job solving a problem I see in so many fantasy epic stories make. They often brush past or rush through the growing up part, choosing instead to have a time skip and not really show what a lone kid in a large castle was up to.
Reading this book was like flipping through a very detailed character study, and that's not a criticism, it's what made me enjoy the story even more. By the time she reaches adulthood and motherhood, I know Kaikeyi well. I understand her character motivations and it makes me root for her even more. Which is of course the point of framing a narrative around a character whose perspective is never often spoken about but damn it needs to be reiterated that this book is as clever as it is entertaining.
The finite details, the threads weaved between people binding them to her and to each other, the politics of men and women, the beasts and legends and myths, it was an absolute delight to read. I loved every second of this book. The prose is excellent, the story is engaging throughout, and without knowing the original epic I could see the bones of the story that is obviously in front of me, but Kaikeyi's version breaths such different air into it in such an artful manner, I was absolutely taken by it.
Definitely bump this higher on your TBR, I don't know why more people don't sing praises for this book, it deserves it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Violence, War, Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
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:
Complicated
Epic. Emotional. Poignant. Patel weaves an irresistible story with characters so compelling you will want to follow them everywhere. She retells a classic story with enough innovative twists to blow your mind and make you reconsider the story in a new light. Though rest assured, you don't need to know about the Ramayana to enjoy this novel. Helped along by her vivid, voice-filled, yet easy-to-read writing, Patel approaches relevant topics of what it is really like to be a woman in society and how women have been reclaiming their stories for generations. However, thankfully Patel never stoops to tropes of making women the villains of each others' stories, instead highlighting the power of their relationships and friendships. Her approach to ideas of power and how humans have handled it reaches deep and offers new insights. On top of it all, Patel perfectly entwines queer themes in a way we desperately need them, highlighting ace and aro realities and how fulfilling our lives and how epic stories can be without romance. Circe used to be my favorite retelling, but I have to say this book has blown it out of first place (with love).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Violence, Grief
Minor: Death of parent, War
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Death of parent, Abandonment, War
Minor: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Kidnapping
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
Quando o Livro começa acompanhamos Kaikeya, a única filha do reino de Kaikeya e uma jovem que cresceu escutando historias sobre os deuses e seus poderes. Ela observa o tratamento frio de seu pai contra ela e um dia ele expulsa sua mãe deixando as responsabilidades além do vazio de não poder nem se despedir ou saber a razão de tal ato. Em meio ao vazio ela descobre um poder por meio de suas leituras que a permite manipular sua ligação emocional com os outros. Com a sua busca por independência e deixar de ser somente uma moeda de troca de casamento entre nações Kaikeyi se torna uma guerreira, diplomata e a rainha mais favorecida.
Decidi pegar esse livro quando vi ele na lista de nominação do ano de 2022 fiquei muito curiosa sobre ele e consegui finalmente alugar o audiobook para a leitura dele.
Quando eu terminei ele eu só consegui para e pesar que leitura maravilhosa eu tinha feito e como eu daria de tudo para poder ler mais um pouco sobre ela e as outra esposas.
A escrita da autora é muito boa e a forma como ela descreveu o mundo e magia foi incrível, com uma escrita fácil de ler tornou tudo melhor.
A comida na historia me deixou com água na boca e eu me senti parte da mesa provando das delicias nesses momentos.
Eu quero que quando alguém ler essa resenha e se perguntar porque eu não descrevi mais sobre os personagens é porque eu quero entrem nessa historia como eu sabendo bem pouco pois fica mais magico assim. As descobertas que você faz junto com ela e as pessoas que ela vai conhecer e fazerem parte da vida dela e do reino.
Eu quero muito que ele venha para o Brasil pois ia ser uma leitura que muita gente ia amar e eu tenho certeza.
Decidi pegar esse livro quando vi ele na lista de nominação do ano de 2022 fiquei muito curiosa sobre ele e consegui finalmente alugar o audiobook para a leitura dele.
Quando eu terminei ele eu só consegui para e pesar que leitura maravilhosa eu tinha feito e como eu daria de tudo para poder ler mais um pouco sobre ela e as outra esposas.
A escrita da autora é muito boa e a forma como ela descreveu o mundo e magia foi incrível, com uma escrita fácil de ler tornou tudo melhor.
A comida na historia me deixou com água na boca e eu me senti parte da mesa provando das delicias nesses momentos.
Eu quero que quando alguém ler essa resenha e se perguntar porque eu não descrevi mais sobre os personagens é porque eu quero entrem nessa historia como eu sabendo bem pouco pois fica mais magico assim. As descobertas que você faz junto com ela e as pessoas que ela vai conhecer e fazerem parte da vida dela e do reino.
Eu quero muito que ele venha para o Brasil pois ia ser uma leitura que muita gente ia amar e eu tenho certeza.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, War
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
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: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Violence, Medical content, Grief
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Blood, Pregnancy