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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