A review by tea_on_books
The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

emotional mysterious fast-paced

4.0

Growing up in India, we have all come across Mahabharat and Ramayan- the two greatest Indian mythology stories. Apart from knowing few key characters in Mahabharat, I never really read the entire story. The palace of illusions is Princess Draupadi/Panchaali’s narration of events that led to the Great War called Mahabharat. It’s a well written and fast paced narration from one of the central characters of the war. 

Panchaali is independent, strong and hell bent on making her own choices despite being chained by events that have already been prophesized.

From my last Greek mythology book which is again based on a woman goddess and is from a female perspective, I could not help but make several comparisons to the same. Like Circe, Panchali too is bound by the patriarchal society she has grown up in, yet decides to make her own choices. Like Circe, Panchali is fierce and unforgiving of men that have done her wrong. And both the books have been written by women 🙌🏽

Do give it a go if Mythology is your go to genre! It’s surely turning up to be my new favourite.