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A review by bookishcardigan
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
Such a powerful and beautiful story. Kaikeyi's journey was riveting and inspiring and heart breaking. I have so much respect for her and what she did.
1. Plot/Pacing/Structure - 5/5
There's always an interesting dynamic to mythology retellings, where the reader should already know what happens in the story. This book feels like you're on a runaway train that's barreling faster and faster towards a terrible crash and explosion, but there's no way to get off or look away. Brilliant!
2. Characters & Relationships - 5/5
Main character is so complex and believable, you really walk with her throughout this journey
One of the central points of this book is the power of relationships, and it gives magic and life to what is already such a key part of political and historical events.
3. Writing style & Language - 5/5
Gorgeous, vivid, emotive.
4. Themes - 5/5
Largely centres around womanhood and themes associated with it - power and disenfranchisement, motherhood, coming of age. All very beautifully dealt with.
5. Setting & Atmosphere - 5/5
So much gorgeous imagery! It feels like you're there with the characters
6. Originality & Creativity -5/5
It takes a creative mind to take this story from this angle, and it is successful at making you consider another perspective without soiling the original story
7. Enjoyment & Engagement -5/5
I don't have a single bad thing to say about this book. I was enraptured from the first sentence, and I would have happily read another 200 pages of this story
Objective rating: 5/5
Personal rating: 6/5
1. Plot/Pacing/Structure - 5/5
There's always an interesting dynamic to mythology retellings, where the reader should already know what happens in the story. This book feels like you're on a runaway train that's barreling faster and faster towards a terrible crash and explosion, but there's no way to get off or look away. Brilliant!
2. Characters & Relationships - 5/5
Main character is so complex and believable, you really walk with her throughout this journey
One of the central points of this book is the power of relationships, and it gives magic and life to what is already such a key part of political and historical events.
3. Writing style & Language - 5/5
Gorgeous, vivid, emotive.
4. Themes - 5/5
Largely centres around womanhood and themes associated with it - power and disenfranchisement, motherhood, coming of age. All very beautifully dealt with.
5. Setting & Atmosphere - 5/5
So much gorgeous imagery! It feels like you're there with the characters
6. Originality & Creativity -5/5
It takes a creative mind to take this story from this angle, and it is successful at making you consider another perspective without soiling the original story
7. Enjoyment & Engagement -5/5
I don't have a single bad thing to say about this book. I was enraptured from the first sentence, and I would have happily read another 200 pages of this story
Objective rating: 5/5
Personal rating: 6/5