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A review by tazisbooked
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
5.0
I wanted to formulate some intellectual review on KAIKEYI but my brain is just repeatedly blaring READ KAIKEYI READ KAIKEYI READ KAI —-
Being Bangladeshi Bengali, I’ve had tertiary proximity to the Ramayana epic - in that I was familiar with it and have heard about it since I was a child but, as a Muslim, did not analyze it further than just that. Despite only having nominal knowledge about the original epic, I think Vaishnavi Patel crafted a wonderful queer (Kaikeyi is ace though there is also possible interpretation of Kaikeyi being non-binary - though the author has said that she did write Kaikeyi as cis), feminist retelling of the most vilified woman in Indian mythology and I couldn’t love it more (I just love morally grey women!)
Not only does this novel feature a strong woman warrior, but it also features SUCH strong bonds of friendship and love between women that, for all intents and purposes, would have been competitors. I'm so tired of authors pitting women against each other and I'm so glad that it wasn't the case with this book.
The magic system was simple and compelling and the growth that Kaikeyi has over the course of the book is incredible. It's definitely a slower paced book (which isn't for everyone!) but I adored the feeling of slowly being immersed in this story and by these characters.
KAIKEYI is out in EXACTLY two weeks (April 26th!) and y’all best have this pre-ordered or I may just have to take a page out of Kaikeyi’s book and throw a spear through your chest
Being Bangladeshi Bengali, I’ve had tertiary proximity to the Ramayana epic - in that I was familiar with it and have heard about it since I was a child but, as a Muslim, did not analyze it further than just that. Despite only having nominal knowledge about the original epic, I think Vaishnavi Patel crafted a wonderful queer (Kaikeyi is ace though there is also possible interpretation of Kaikeyi being non-binary - though the author has said that she did write Kaikeyi as cis), feminist retelling of the most vilified woman in Indian mythology and I couldn’t love it more (I just love morally grey women!)
Not only does this novel feature a strong woman warrior, but it also features SUCH strong bonds of friendship and love between women that, for all intents and purposes, would have been competitors. I'm so tired of authors pitting women against each other and I'm so glad that it wasn't the case with this book.
The magic system was simple and compelling and the growth that Kaikeyi has over the course of the book is incredible. It's definitely a slower paced book (which isn't for everyone!) but I adored the feeling of slowly being immersed in this story and by these characters.
KAIKEYI is out in EXACTLY two weeks (April 26th!) and y’all best have this pre-ordered or I may just have to take a page out of Kaikeyi’s book and throw a spear through your chest