Vaishnavi Patel absolutely does not get enough hype. Kaikeyi was incredible from start to finish and I have absolutely no notes. This is also such an important book that I think fans of RF Kuang would love! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Although beautifully written it was hard to get through. I adore the premise for for my person taste it wasn’t something j enjoyed

Thank you to Net Galley and Redhook Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Kaikeyi was an princess from Indian lore. She was a vilified queen (3rd wife) from the Ramyana who banished a son (of the first wife) into the forest for 10 years and placed her own son Bharat on the throne. The lore says that her servant woman tricked her and talked her into doing this. Yet, this story is provide another explanation for these events. I loved that this story made Kaikeyi a fighter, feminist for the time, diplomat, and most favored queen. Her road to that point was difficult as she was put into an arranged marriage at the very young age (12 I believe) and sent to a faraway land to marry the king. As she grows and matures and learns more about the kingdom, she learns to appreciate all the wives, servants and her husband and in return they respect her. Yet, the king made a promise to her family back when the marriage was arranged and her brother calls in this promise, ultimately breaking Kaikeyi's world apart by having to do the unthinkable. I loved this reimagining of a very old story!

This story follows Kaikeyi a princess from the country of the same name as she grows up and is arranged to marry a raj from a rich neighboring country and be his third wife. In marriage the wives are unable to birth an heir the raj makes a deal with the gods to have all three wives give him heirs. We follow these heirs growing up and the fight to rule. I really enjoyed this book the writing was beautiful and engaging. This is not a small book and I finished this in two days I kept wanting to know what happened next. I really enjoyed the theme of gods interfering with mortal life it reminded me of Circe with a feel of an epic tale. I really hope to read more from this author in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

4.5 stars --- wow wow wow this book was engrossing and powerful and so beautifully written. Despite knowing how the story had to end even before it began had me holding my breath and desperately hoping for another outcome. An incredible feminist retelling that should easily make any must-read list for this genre!

Overall I thought that it was very well written and will be very well accepted by the South Asian community. The story line was a little difficult to follow but very descriptive. I think it was a great attempt to take someone in history that has been portrayed as negative to a positive.

This just wasn't my book. I wanted to like it but I just didn't connect with the main character, I think Im just not that ambitious or I don't know but I couldn't suspend reality I couldn't get into the world of the book.

After my friend read and recommended this as an Arc I requested it from @netgalley. But life got in the way and I never got around to reading it. The book was released, along with the audio, and once my library audio hold came through I binged the whole book in two days.

As someone who loved myth retelling this was a win for me as it reimagines a Hindu epic. I didn’t know anything about this character or the world before reading so not being able to compare it with the original story made it less of a home run compared to Greek Myth, but still really enjoyable. I loved the concept of taking someone seen as a villain or a side character in someone else’s story and making her a feminist hero. It gave my Circe by Madeline Miller vibes! I love when a myth retelling sticks the landing and this one did, unlike everything I’ve read by Jennifer Saint (her endings are terribly depressing).

I definitely recommend this one.

Thanks so much for the review copy. I also bought a physical copy. I’m sure lots of other people will enjoy this one way more than I did.

Kaikeyi" by Vaishnavi Patel is a captivating retelling of a well-known character from the Indian epic, Ramayana. The book explores the life of Kaikeyi, one of the three queens of King Dasharatha, and the mother of Bharata, one of the key figures in the story.

The author has done a commendable job of bringing Kaikeyi's story to life. Through her vivid descriptions and skillful storytelling, Patel takes the readers on a journey through Kaikeyi's life, from her early childhood to her eventual downfall. The book is not only a story of a queen but also a tale of love, betrayal, and redemption.

What sets "Kaikeyi" apart from other retellings is the depth and complexity that the author brings to Kaikeyi's character. Patel delves into the psyche of Kaikeyi, exploring her motivations, fears, and desires, and gives readers a new perspective on a character who is often vilified in popular culture. The book humanizes Kaikeyi, making her relatable and sympathetic, and highlighting the injustices and societal norms that forced her into making some of the decisions she did.

The writing style of the book is elegant, yet accessible. The pacing of the story is perfect, with the author keeping the readers engaged throughout. The book is also well-researched, with the author drawing upon a variety of sources to bring to life the world of Ramayana.

Overall, "Kaikeyi" is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian mythology, or for anyone who enjoys a good story. Vaishnavi Patel has done an excellent job of bringing Kaikeyi's story to life, and the book is a fitting tribute to a character who has been unfairly maligned for too long. Highly recommended!

I thought this was beautifully written and the character kept me interested. It's definitely an original story. I'll be looking for more from this author in the future. Definitely recommend.

This book was such a fantastic read!! I can't believe it's a debut.

well-paced and engrossing retelling that centres on Kaikeyi, a figure commonly seen as evil in Indian mythology for banishing the legendary deity Rama from his home and seat on the throne. So, who is Kaikeyi, why does she do this, and are we right to despise her?
Patel's Kaikeyi makes for a fantastic protagonist. We follow her from a fierce and precocious child to a mature queen and advisor. Patel has a smoothly flowing, easy writing style, which helps the pages fly by. She's adept at unobtrusively explaining the emotions and intent behind her characters, especially when they are in conversation, making them realistic and vivid. Unfortunately, this is also why the novel faltered slightly for me toward the end, where I felt Kaikeyi started acting out of character, potentially to ensure that the conflict which must occur would occur.
The writing is smooth and I was completely entranced. Can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I came into this with some previous knowledge of the Ramayana, but I do love a good retelling from female perspectives, particularly villainous ones! Unfortuntately there were aspects of the world that were not fully developed (like the way magic worked). Overall, I do think that it allowed for the emergence of Hindu mythology into a larger audience.

I looooved this! This incredible epic retelling was one of my favorite reads. I was unfamiliar with the retelling, so I went into this blind. This story is beautifully written and easy to get lost in. I couldn’t put it down! I love mythology, but it would be enjoyable even if you didn’t.

This was very beautiful and unique, although the plot didn’t quite hold my interest. I really appreciated the world though.

YES. this reimagining is everything i wished for and more. the culture and love and history this book infuses into the reader is insane. looooved this.

- thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC.

Vivid imagery and great storytelling - this debut was a great read. As someone who isn't familiar with the story of Kaikeyi I still found this book very enjoyable. I got a bit of a history lesson with this retelling / reimagining of this epic tale and I think it was done well and would recommend it!

I enjoyed this one and will definitely recommend to those who also love sweeping epics. This one does not disappoint.

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022 and it did not disappoint! It is a masterfully crafted story of a woman learning how to adapt to her situation, how to deal with a world so against her every wish. I wasn’t familiar with the source material Kaikeyi is based on, but it did not hinder my enjoyment. I still really loved the book.
I absolutely loved Kaikeyi’s character. She is fierce and decisive and resourceful, while still vulnerable and she feels so alive. She’s proactive and even when everything seems to be going against her Kaikeyi is able to find her way through. I loved her character on its own, but in my opinion she especially shines when interacting and building relationships with other characters. Specifically, my most favorite aspect of the novel included the sibling bond between Kaikeyi and her brothers. I absolutely loved the banter between them, the heartfelt moments, and ached and rejoiced with the characters. Patel is incredible at creating believable family dynamics that you want to root for, and I’m excited to see how she utilizes this skill in her future releases.
The writing of Kaikeyi is smooth and lyrical and yet so easy to read. I’m genuinely surprised this is a debut novel, because the prose feels so well developed. The lush descriptions, the lively dialogue and the skillful recount of events without coming off as boring or repetitive all made the reading experience feel immersive and made it difficult to put down the book.
The only aspect of the book that I personally found a bit lacking was the plot, specifically the ending of the book. It felt somewhat rushed and a bit too convenient. Regardless, despite the uneven pace of the last few chapters overall it was an exhilarating journey to see Kaikeyi grow from a girl into a woman.
This book feels personal and well researched, and I’m amazed that this is a debut release —the mastery of the prose, the character building, the world were so well done, that I can’t wait to see what Vaishnavi Patel does next!
Thanks to Netgalley, for providing me with an Advanced Reader’s Copy of Kaikeyi.

The publisher archived the ARC on Netgalley before I could download it to my kindle, leaving me unable to read or review the book.