I was so excited to read this book and I for sure thought I would love it, but it did fall a bit flat for me. I appreciated the ode to Hindu mythology and the creation of Patel's characters. Kaikeyi was of course the star of the book, and it was interesting to follow the journey through her life throughout various milestones such as motherhood. I liked that this book wove in topics about misogyny and patriarchy as theme throughout the storytelling. I personally felt the pacing was much too slow and the rest of the characters just seemed to be there, but did not elicit any sort of feelings in me to care about them. I might continue the series just to see if the next book is better, but I'm not so sure yet.

Vaishnavi Patel’s Kaikeyi is a luminous and deeply moving reimagining of one of the most misunderstood figures in Indian mythology. Through elegant prose and masterful storytelling, Patel breathes new life into the queen often vilified in the Ramayana, giving her the complexity, strength, and agency she was long denied.

Told from Kaikeyi’s own perspective, the novel traces her journey from a curious and spirited princess to a powerful queen and devoted mother, navigating the rigid expectations of her patriarchal world. Patel crafts a heroine who is as fierce as she is compassionate—a woman who yearns for justice and equality in a world that constantly tries to silence her.

What stands out most in Kaikeyi is the emotional depth and nuance the author brings to familiar characters and events. Patel skillfully weaves myth with imagination, making the epic feel both timeless and fresh. The magical realism element—Kaikeyi’s unique connection to the Binding Plane—adds a beautifully symbolic layer to her pursuit of influence and control in a world that denies her both.

This is not just a tale of rebellion or revisionist history; it’s a celebration of female strength, the bonds of love, and the cost of choosing one’s own path. Kaikeyi will resonate with fans of Madeline Miller and Circe, but it stands boldly on its own as a vital and unforgettable retelling.

A must-read for anyone who loves mythology, feminist retellings, or simply a beautifully told story.

I had a really hard time getting into this book and then having it keep my attention. I gave it multiple attempts and still couldn't get into it.

I also was not familiar with the original tale, but would have preferred it not veering so far from it.

DNF

I would recommend this one to people familiar with the epic Ramayana, who are looking for a Wicked-esque story of Kaikeyi, who is a villain in the original story.

For those, like me, who are not familiar with the source material, you can easily learn the world and characters and follow along with the story.

I requested this when mythology retellings were really popular and I wanted to be the kind of reader who enjoyed them. I unfortunately requested too many and then realized I don’t particularly enjoy the genre. I thought that feminist retellings meant that women would get happily ever afters, which is something that I enjoy, instead of just humanizing the female characters. Which was a misunderstanding of the genre for me.

I would recommend Kaikeyi to fans of mythology retellings that feel like historical fiction.

Absolutely loved this book. Was great to see a myth that I hadn’t heard of before. Loved the writing.

What a unique story about Hinduism, womanhood, and misogyny. The main character is relatable to any woman reader, even if you have not gone through hardship like she has. She is resilient, strong, and complex. This story is powerful and inspirational.

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel didn't disappoint. I loved everything about it. Thank to you NetGalley for the ARC!

Retelling Ramayana Epic

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel is a stunning debut that breathes new life into an ancient tale. Its strengths lie in its complex protagonist, rich thematic content, and eloquent writing style. While the novel takes creative liberties with the original epic, it offers a fresh and feminist perspective that is both engaging and thought-provoking. For readers interested in mythology, fantasy, and strong female characters, Kaikeyi is a must-read.

I felt so deeply for Kaikeyi and the empathy and resilience she possessed. She goes down as one of the most well written and complex characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The friendships and bonds within this book will stay with me for years to come and I hope that this book will take the place on shelves among other greats.

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel is a captivating tale that will resonate with readers who crave a rich blend of fantasy, historical fiction, and feminist themes, particularly those who appreciate stories about strong female protagonists, Hindu mythology, and the struggles of women seeking independence and self-discovery.

I'm so glad I ended up reading this book for myself and forming my own opinions. The author's reasoning for the changes she made in this book are explained in the beginning at the author's note and I'm so impressed with the outcome.

*SPOILERS*
I loved the reveal of how Kaikeyi was being played by the gods/ fate to carry out what they wanted to happen anyway. Like the way Rama was hinting at knowing ? How Kaikeyi basically gives Sita to Ravana? And how Rama was right about him the whole time and it just didn't seem like it could be true. It was very reminiscent of greek heroes trying everything to stop a prophecy only to end up fulfilling it. I felt all of Kaikeyi's emotions and despair alongside with her.

Kaikeyi's motivations and her relationships with others especially her twin brother were other strong parts of the book. I did have a couple minor gripes about the ending but overall I enjoyed it. I really liked how Rama was told to end up changing his views at the end and become a good person/ hero. And how the story of his mother was essential into leading into his.

“Godspeed, Radnyi.”

I laughed then, and the rough sound of it startled me. “The gods will have nothing to do with it.”

While the beginning was a bit slow for me at times, l was fully absorbed in the second half of the book. I felt so much feminine rage while reading this. The eternal plight of women is wanting to make a difference only to be told we don't matter or blamed for the follies of men.
I'm not sure I feel more enlightened after reading this, but I do feel seen. This was such an interesting take on a mythological retelling and does an excellent job of sharing the other side of "evil" women.

This isn’t my usual genre of read, but the writing in this book made this tale an amazing adventure. A well told story that makes the pages fly by.

Beautifully written, a wonderfully powerful take on Kaikeyi’s story. I had to take my time reading it and did need to put it down a few times. It’s heavy on the mythology and keeping everything straight was challenging at times.

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

What would it be to be blessed by fortune? What would it be to be abandoned by your gods? And what would it be to the master of your own life? Immediately Kaikeyi knew the answers to the first two questions, but the third, she’ll have to strong enough to see it through the highs, lows, pains, joys of her life.

Kaikeyi is a stirring epic following a gods-touched young girl from the kingdom of her birth to her life in the kingdom she marries into, interacts with with gods, raksuras, and asuras amongst the people and their beliefs of her kingdoms. Vaishnavi Patel has written a beautiful tale of believing in yourself even when everything seems to be going wrong and having strength when all feels lost.

I love mythology retellings! I am not well versed in Hindu Mythology but I thoroughly enjoyed Kaikeyi.

I love the vibes of this book but I wish it was faster paced. I wish the romance was a bit more and the friendships were stronger. I enjoyed the main character and her brother.

As a preliminary note, I will admit, I am only a little bit well-versed in Indian mythology--I know the major deities, I'm familiar with asuras and rakshasas, and I know a handful of isolated stories, but Kaikeyi was not a figure I had learned about before reading this book. Thus, I cannot comment on how this book's treatment of her tracks with the religious and cultural significance of her historical role. The author has spoken on her own Hindu faith and how it impacted her writing of this tale, but other reviewers have felt differently about the appropriateness of this approach. I encourage you all to read and listen to their voices--and to recognize that my review of this book is primarily focused on the book's merits as a story. (I will quickly say, though, it is refreshing to see a mythological retelling from a non-European tradition!)

Kaikeyi is a fascinating, multi-layered character. She is fierce and can be hard-edged, but she is also full of love--for her brothers, for her children, for her husband, for her fellow wives, and for all her people. After her mother's disappearance, and later after learning she has been forsaken by the gods, she learns to make her own path in the world through sheer stubbornness and willpower. She inserts herself into men's spaces, advocates for causes she believes in, and trains herself (in magic, social politics, and warfare alike) until she becomes indispensable and impossible to ignore. And while she does feel duties to her nation, and ultimately puts those responsibilities first, she is not heartless or bent solely on her own power; even when she knows what the right choice is, she feels guilt and sorrow at the cost of her actions. So often, "strong female characters" are not allowed to be emotional, but Kaikeyi is plenty emotional, even as she keeps those emotions in check with her keen strategic mind. This is a layered and nuanced character, and the story is driven equally by her development and by the epic saga of her kingdom and her sons. Add in fluid writing and a vibrant world full of Indian mythological figures, and you can see why I loved it so much.

I also want to point out what a bold--and beautifully executed--choice Patel makes in writing Kaikeyi as an aromantic asexual character. (Though the words "aromantic" and "asexual" are not used on page, Kaikeyi mentions multiple times how she does not seem to feel the same attraction to her husband, or anyone for that matter, that other women talk about.) Aroace characters can often be painted as cruel, heartless, or empty, so to make a character who is already vilified also identify as aroace might seem like a dicey, potentially fraught choice. Yet Kaikeyi is none of these things. She is passionate about justice and equality for women, and she loves her children, her husband, and her fellow wives fiercely--just always in a platonic way, with clear apathy toward the romantic and sexual side of things. She simply has other priorities and, even when she questions herself for these feelings, the depiction is never invalidating. Hats off to Patel for such a thoughtful, sensitive job.

So, all told: for fans of sweeping historical fantasy, complex feminist characters, or just some non-European myth retellings, I wholeheartedly recommend this book!

Note: the blog post linked below will go live on January 22nd

Love retellings and especially those that I am not 100% familiar with because I'm not biased to begin my journey in the story.