A review by confusible
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

I loved this book! It’s been years since I read the Ramayana but I remembered enough for reading another side of the story of hit home. Patel wrote Kaikeyi as such a strong, well-developed character that I felt like I knew her. I enjoyed following her life from an early age and seeing her development. I loved how she fought against the traditional female role by working within the existing system instead of trying to overhaul it. Patel crafted the story very well and it kept me engaged the whole time. I loved the themes of friendship running throughout the story, with Kaikeyi’s siblings, servants like Manthara and Asha, her husband Dasharath, Ravana, and especially the other radnyi. Reading about her as a mother and step mother as well, in a family with multiple wives raising the children together was very interesting too. The use of magic in this story was so, so good and unlike what I’ve read in other stories. It was a fascinating way to think about relationships. What if you could see if real time how your words and actions affected your bond with another person? This story is certainly done but I’d love to read Patel’s version of another Hindu heroine that we know very little about.