I enjoyed this book as a whole, but I feel like it could've been much stronger than it was. To begin, I love the fact that this book retells a myth from Indian epics, which is so rare to see and I'm so glad exists here. Interspersed within this novel, too, are scenes where we get told other stories about gods from mythology, and I just loved hearing about this--I am always drawn to stories about myths. One of the other strengths of this book is Patel's writing, which flows well and has an elegance to it. Its tone was suited to the mythological nature of this retelling. Where this novel didn't quite work for me, though, was in the story itself. My biggest issue was that this novel felt like it was going through the motions of the myth rather than telling us a story where the character's decisions organically moved the plot along. A lot of the plot beats felt like they occurred because the myth necessitated it, and not because it necessarily made sense within the context of their characters and their relationships. I understand that this is a retelling and so must, in some way, follow the course of the original story, but I would've liked to see it told in a way that made it feel more organic and believable. Overall, though, I can definitely see people enjoying this novel, and would recommend it if you think you might like it!

I really enjoyed this retelling from Kaikeyi's perspective. This story is broken up into four parts, starting with Kaikeyi's childhood. As the only daughter, Kaikeyi finds herself ignored by her father. She has a twin brother, Yudhajit and six younger brothers. While her father dotes on them, Kaikeyi spends time in the library with her mother until she is banished. Kaikeyi is left alone and unsure of herself with only her maid Manthara to guide her into the role of a woman of the court. Left to her own devices, Kaikeyi finds a scroll that teaches her how to connect to "The Binding Plane" where she can influence her connections with people via threads that tie them to her. She begins using her new found power to help strengthen her position in court, while also manipulating her twin brother Yudhajit into teaching her the arts of war, such as sword play, archery and horseback riding.

This book does a great job at making you feel for Kaikeyi's lot, and as a reader – make excuses as to why it's OK for her to manipulate people. This way of telling her story really pays off later on with the introduction of her own sons, and how all rationale gets turned on its head, making you rethink everything from a moral standpoint.

Part two begins with Kaikeyi in the kingdom of Ayodhya after her marriage to Dasharath. Kaikeyi is portrayed as asexual in this book so there is little romance to be had. Dasharath is at least described as a kind, respectful husband that cares for her. Kaikeyi cements her position in Ayodhya by following her husband into battle as his charioteer and returning victorious.
One of my few gripes with this book is that, with the lack of romance I would have at least liked to see a more in-depth exploration of a sisterhood between Kaikeyi and the other two wives. It would have been nice to see a deeper connection between the three of them developed more. Especially with their work on the women's council.
After the birth of Dasharath's four sons: Rama - Kaushalya's son, Bharata - Kaikeyi's son, and twins Lakshnaba and Shatrugna - Sumitra's sons, Kaikeyi vows to never use her powers on them.

Part three begins with the four sons on the cusp of adulthood, with revelations about Rama that has widespread repercussions. The tension was boiling hot, and the comparisons between Kaikeyi's use of power and Rama's use of powers was hard to justify. (This juxtaposition between good vs evil intentions was ::chefs kiss::)

"You did the right thing," Manthara told me.
"No matter what is said about you, Kaikeyi, remember that you did the right thing. You are not wicked."
"Then why do I feel wicked?" I whispered.
"Because those who are good question themselves. Because those who are good always wonder if there was a better way, a way that could have helped more and hurt less. That feeling is why you are good." She too pressed a kiss to my forehead.
"This will be terrible, but you are so strong. You can make it through."

By part four I was waiting for the axe to fall and was so anxious to see where the tale would lead. Aware of the original myth I knew not to wish for a happy ending, but was pleasantly surprised and satisfied with how the author tied everything together.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

I was drawn in from the second h began reading this book. I am so glad I had the opportunity to learn about Kaiykeyi. It’s so beautiful that I may actually buy a physical copy when it comes so I can read it again and enjoy the cover art!

Kaikeyi will probably go down as THE book of the year 2022 for me and one of my favourite fantasies of all time. There's a lot to unpack in this book but let's start with the writing.

The prose is EXACTLY my favourite type. Simple and easy to read yet poetic and clever in the way it’s put together. It seamlessly wove worldbuilding without being too heavy or overly descriptive. It had a strong voice that was VERY compelling to read, especially from that first line. I cannot get over how INCREDIBLE that hook was and from there on, I couldn’t put the book down. (Also the last line of the book!! Banger!! 🔥)

Kaikeyi herself will easily go down as one of my favourite protagonists to read about. I LOVED reading in her POV. I’m a sucker for villainized women and you could FEEL her struggle and emotions as she came to grips with the impossible misogynistic circumstances she’s placed in as the world works against her. She had flaws and fears and struggles that I as a brown woman could empathize with. It made me VERY emotional at times, especially when Kaikeyi herself had strong introspective moment. I also absolutely loved her scenes with her twin and family in general. I’m a sucker for complex, deep sibling/family dynamics. Plus, everyone was deeeeply fleshed out, including smaller side characters.

This story itself is a coming of age story which is something I’m not used to. So there wasn’t a lot of action and yet it was perfect the way it was because I knew something bad was coming that would end with Kaikeyi being villainized, and that anticipation and anxiety never left me as a reader, making all of the (impeccable) politics and events extremely intriguing and addicting to read on about.

Also can I just say how much I absolutely LOVED that magic system?! I was floored it was SO COOL. I'm a sucker for any type of new, cool, unexpected magic system and THIS ONE HAD IT!! It was so cool but please read this damn book to see yourself because ugh it was GREAT!

Lastly, I have to commend the bravery of the author to allegorically critique Hindu nationalism, the role of caste in religion and how religion is weaponized against women, especially by the elites (e.g. the Sages). Upper caste people will have a problem with this book. But that’s why I’m saying they need to think long and hard about what I mentioned above, in relation to their own privilege since this book is critiquing how religious power can be weaponized and lead to corruption. The author has all my respect story aside just for that.

An easy 5/5 star read for me.

Kaikeyi has set the bar for my 2022 reading list impossible high. An absolutely incredible read.

Debut author Vaishnavi Patel has gifted us a feminist re-imaging of Queen Kaikeyi from the Hindu epic Ramayana. Our modern interpretation of KaiKeyi is an intelligent politician and skilled warrior, independent in mind and spirit. As a young girl, KaiKeyi discovers she has access to an internal world of magic that allows her to influence those around her, sometimes with unintended results. Her desire for self-agency and her love of kingdom and family, ulitmately places her at the center of a power struggle waged on various fronts by both men and gods. Never sure how her decisions and actions will change the future, the reader is left to discover the role destiny and self-determination play in the outcome of her story.

Patel has crafted a novel that is universal and will appeal to fantasy and literary fiction audiences. Clear, poetic writing pulls the story along at a wonderful pace, and all the layers of the story come together seamlessly. The world created by Patel is vibrant and alive.

Thank you to Orbit Redhook and NetGallet for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

KAIKEYI is a brilliant, queer, feminist reimagining of the life of Kaikeyi, the vilified queen from the Hindu epic, Ramayana.

I was not familiar with the original story going into this but started doing research halfway through. I recommend doing even a tiny bit of research if, like myself, you’re not familiar with the Ramayana because the impact of the last line of this book??? OOF. Blew me entirely away in a crying, screaming, throwing up kind of way.

I don’t often gravitate towards this style of writing but Patel’s storytelling is so vivid and captivating, I became invested in the characters immediately, specifically Kaikeyi and her brother Yudhajit.

I cannot praise this stunning debut enough. KAIKEYI comes out April 26th. I can’t wait for you all to read it so we can gush about it together.

"Kaikeyi" by Vaishnavi Patel is an empowering and fierce reimagining of the epic "Ramayana." From the woman who was originally portrayed as a villain comes a tale that will evoke resilience, admiration, and strength among readers. Kaikeyi's perspective reveals that not every villain is truly evil and some have a complex narrative worth hearing.

Kaikeyi grew up with stories about the gods, the power and influence they hold, how they answer people’s prayers and grant them boons. She watched her father rule a kingdom and her brothers be trained in the art of war. Everyone had power, it seemed, except for her. None of the gods listened to her prayers despite her devotion to them. Even though she was a princess, her sole role was to be sold into a beneficial marriage alliance.

After her mother was exiled and banished from the kingdom without a word to her children, Kaikeyi saw it as a sign that she needed to prove to the gods, the sages, her community, and her family that women were capable, independent, self-sufficient beings. She decided she would be a fierce warrior like her brothers, an intellectual mastermind like her father, resilient like any man, but most importantly, she would be as talented and kind-hearted as any woman. Kaikeyi will have to rise up against the gods, confront the sages that enforce the hierarchy and ask her family and community to question everything that came easily to them at the risk of her own life and reputation.

Anyone who hears the Ramayana tale will easily be persuaded into thinking Kaikeyi is a jealous, monstrous, villainous woman who is hell-bent on getting her way. It is easy to judge her character when the facts are presented so callously and boldly in the epic. Patel is someone who bravely sparks a conversation about what might have led Kaikeyi to make the decisions she did and whether she is truly deserving of the title “villain.”
What ensues is a harrowing tale full of magic, heroism, love, and the kind of power that even the gods themselves feel threatened by. Readers will easily be drawn to this story for its action-filled pages and for Kaikeyi’s unshaken determination to prove herself a woman capable of anything.

Words cannot describe how incredible this story is. Magic has been written into these pages, the characters become real, and Kaikeyi’s world will devour readers until they, too, feel the strength and power behind Kaikeyi’s emotions. This is a novel that is going to be talked about for a long, long time and is one that readers should definitely get their hands on. “Kaikeyi” by Vaishnavi Patel comes out on April 26, 2022. Save the date and be on the lookout when it hits the shelves!

Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook Books for providing me with a free e-arc of this novel and giving me the opportunity to share my honest opinion in this review.

Netgalley book for review ~~ 3.75✨I got a chance to read this book early and I’m grateful for the experience. Honestly loved about 70-80% of this, just about right until the ending. 😭🥺

The characters were brilliant. 💕💕💕 loved Kaikeyi to begin with, her husband and fellow wives and the way she interacted with her people and the court. Brilliant stuff, lots of found family themes, which I enjoy. She needed that after her childhood!

Unfortunately, and I think this is because the author is working with mythology (stories I haven’t read) the ending seems to take all that loveliness and twist it. Kaikeyi becomes more reactionary than proactive. At least imo, and then things really start struggling for me. I almost didn’t want to finish the book. But I did. Still can’t shake the feeling she became almost a complete opposite of her character depicted in the beginning.

Despite all that I’m still glad I read this.

I was not aware of the story of Kaikeyi, but the description of this book was intriguing without knowing that. I did do some Googling on the story while reading to have more context. When the story starts, I thought it was going to be positioned as historic fiction, but I lovedwhen gods and demons became real. Kaikeyi is a somewhat negative figure in Indian stories, she’s a woman after all, so everything is blamed on her, but this book gives a real depiction of the oppression Indian women have historically faced, and and instead of maligning Kaikeyi’s decisions to demonize her, this book tells a different story of how she used her position and intelligence (and some magic) to improve her own life as well as other women’s.

In the Indian epic, Ramayana, Queen Kaikeyi is portrayed as a jealous queen who wants her son Bharata to ascend the throne of Kosala and uses the boons granted to her by her husband King Dasharath to send Rama , the eldest of Dasharath’s sons and first in line to the throne, into exile . She is , therefore, labeled a “villain” as is her trusted maid, Manthara who is instrumental in fueling Kaikeya’s jealousy and convincing Kaikeye to make use of her boons to further her agenda.

In reimagining Kaikeyi’s story, Vaishnavi Patel adds much depth to this powerful , brave and influential woman who, forsaken by the gods and left to carve her own destiny emerges powerful in a day and age when men rule in accordance with the will of the gods and women are bound in roles defined by age-old traditions and relegated, in most part, to the background. Told in a first person narrative format we follow Kaikeye’s journey from her early years as the only daughter of King Ashwapati and sister to seven brothers in the kingdom of Kekaya to becoming King Dasharath’s third and youngest wife , loving mother to Bharat her biological son and Rama, Lakshmana and Shatrugna, Dasharath’s children by his other queens through to the role she plays in Rama’s exile . Kaikeyi , whose mother was banished by her father who for the most part ignored his daughter , finds a way to train as a warrior with the help of her twin brother Yudhajit and master in the art of meditation after discovering magical powers in the scrolls of ancient texts. She is observant and intelligent and proves a worth ally and advisor to her husband King Dasharath even in the battlefield where she joins him as his charioteer .Kaikeyi’s bravery on the battlefield, thirst for knowledge, determination to bring about change in the way women of all ranks are viewed and treated , the way she holds her own against the archaic, orthodox beliefs of the sages , her rise to the rank of a minister in the King’s court and ultimately the ‘saciva’ to her King and husband are described with a reverence that is her due .Her agony, when forced to make difficult choices that she knows will vilify her in the eyes of everyone she hold dear, is palpable. Vaishnavi Patel's Kaikeye, the queen, is much more than daughter, sister, wife, mother or villain. She is complex and flawed but she will be seen and heard and in that she is a force to be reckoned with. Her emotions are strong as is her resolve to do whatever it takes to protect her kingdom and her children. Her asexuality is a theme that is explored with great respect and sensitivity as is her bond with her husband.

Kaikeyi’s story would be incomplete without Manthara and I applaud the author for the manner in which she portrays Manthara as a mother figure, guide and confidante. Manthara plays a significant role in showing Kaikeyi firsthand how the women in the kingdom are treated by their male counterparts thereby motivating Kaikeyi to fight for the visibility of women – in the marketplace, in their homes and in the court, an achievement that causes ripples within her own circle but whose impact is felt in lands near and far.

With its vivid imagery, absorbing narrative and masterful storytelling Vaishnavi Patel’s Kaikeyi is a brilliant debut . The very first sentence of the narrative reeled me in and I was completely immersed with Kaikeyi’s story till the very end. I felt nostalgic revisiting these characters and stories. I was constantly reminded of the stories I’ve heard and read as a child. I would recommend this to anyone one who enjoys retellings of mythological stories revolving around strong, female characters and those with an interest in the Indian epics. This novel is brilliant on its own merit though I do feel that knowing a little bit about the Ramayana would enrich the reading experience. While the Ramayana will always be known as the story of Rama, Vaishnavi Patel’s immersive and powerful debut gives Kaikeyi her own story told in her own voice. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook Books for the digital ARC of this stunningly beautiful novel in exchange for an honest review.

A soulful and beautifully woven retelling of Queen Kaikeyi. The development of her ambition and resilience is wondrously woven with an attention to her religious/mythological counterpart in bounds. I must say as a South Asian who grew up on tales of legend, I feel as though I have been transported into the time period with the taste of Kashmiri chai on my tongue and the delicacy of a tender knife in my hands.

Rich is the best word I can use to describe Vaishnavi Patel's debut novel, Kaikeyi. Rich setting, rich characters, and a rich plotline drive the story forward from beginning to end. I loved every minute of it, and was inspired to delve more into the epic that served as source material. Before reading Kaikeyi I had zero awareness of the Ramayana, and from what I understand now, this is a feminist reinterpretation of the work from the point of view of a commonly vilified character.

I love that the titular character smashes through every mold of feminine literary tropes. Like all of us, she is flawed, and the author exposes Kaikeyi's heart and mind without restraint.

I think the author also does a outstanding job of balance in this work. Myth and fantastical elements are sprinkled in just enough, and macro-level information about entire kingdoms in peacetime and wartime serve as a stunning backdrop for Kaikeyi's most internal thoughts and matters concerning her immediate family. I honestly cannot think of a single critique, and recommend this book wholeheartedly.

Note: I received a free eBook copy of Kaikeyi from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to be able to read this book! Fabulously written and engaging story. The characters and world draw you into the story immediately.

absolutely phenomenal! this book made me care for the characters deeply, which is something i rarely feel in fantasy books. i loved them so when they made decisions that i did not agree with, i felt frustrated. this book made me feel a range of emotions from happiness to sadness to anger to frustration. i dont' really have any complaints with writing style, plot, characters. i do wish that we were able to see the story until the end but i understand why it wasn't done.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback!

I want to preface this by saying that I read this book only with a surface-level knowledge of the myth, and I am not Hindu. Given my rating, you can absolutely enjoy this book without an in-depth understanding of Kaikeyi, but I’m sure my review is missing some context or nuance that a Hindu reviewer could give.

Wow. That’s basically all I can say after reading the book.

But seriously, I really really enjoyed this! I am a sucker for mythology retellings, and although I don’t know the story of Kaikeyi as well as I knew other myths before reading their retellings, I still adored what Patel did with the character. The magic was woven into the story pretty seamlessly, without any heavy-handed exposition, and it was easy to understand.

This book is an incisive cut on how misogyny has affected the perceptions of Kaikeyi’s actions. It is an attempt to understand this oft-vilified character, and this is where Patel excels. You really get a feel for who Kaikeyi is, her motivations, and why she did what she did. Kaikeyi is strong, but she’s also conflicted. She cares deeply for her people, but she’s not always quite sure what “my people” means. I found it really easy for me to become attached to her, because above being “strong,” she felt so real.

I loved how Kaikeyi developed the other characters as well. They were all dimensional and felt extremely realistic, which is why when things crumble, and Kaikeyi’s relationships with them waver, you feel so strongly.

The plot was also fascinating. Even knowing how it would eventually end, I was gripped by the twists and turns that the book took. Patel is a really talented storyteller, and it shines through especially in the last quarter of the book or so. She builds up all this tension, and in the happy moments all you want to do is freeze the book there, and never keep reading, because you know this will never end well. But you do keep reading. And she doesn’t disappoint you when you do.

And the end. Oh, the end. I knew what was coming, yet I was still devastated. Still, there is an overwhelming air of hope. You leave feeling not like your heart has been shattered, but rather that it has been squeezed so tightly that when it is finally released, there is more blood to go around the body than before (forgive me for my atrocious anatomy analogies, I’ve never taken biology).

So, yeah, go read this book. My review could never do it justice.

I can’t stress enough how incredible Kaikeyi was. It’s a feminist retelling of one of the most vilified and hated women in Hindu mythology; it explores religion, history, tradition and patriarchy.
The storytelling is complex and layered, allowing the reader to really get a feel for Kaikeyi’s flaws and depths. I’ve grown up around stories of the Ramayana, and my family has always encouraged open discussion of my opinions on its characters and plot threads. I love that Kaikeyi doesn’t shy away from analysis and alternative interpretations of the Ramayana’s primary characters, even those that might be controversial.
I loved witnessing the way Kaikeyi grew over the course of the book - over the course of her lifetime, really. I loved the way that her eventual actions were foreshadowed throughout the story. Kaikeyi is most known to history for what she eventually did to Rama, but the book does a fantastic job of depicting her entire life, rather than reducing her to those moments. Patel also does a great job of exploring the reasons behind Kaikeyi’s most villainized actions (which, quite frankly, are not as egregious as history makes them out to be!)
The magic system was easy to understand and it contributed effectively to the story. The imagery that the system provided made every betrayal and relationship hit even more strongly; I’m never going to get the image of Kaikeyi and Dasharatha’s golden bond shattering out of my head.
I do wish that the epilogue had taken us right to the end of the epic, though I understand why it didn’t, really. The end of the epic is the end of Rama’s story, and this is Kaikeyi’s story. Still, I was incredibly curious to see how Vaishnavi Patel would interpret the Agni Pariksha and Sita’s eventual banishment, since they seem to go pretty well with the overall themes of the story.
I think that a decent working knowledge of the Ramayana is pretty much necessary to fully appreciate this book; though anyone can enjoy it, I would definitely recommend that readers at least brush up on the basic storyline of the epic. It’s also important to keep in mind that this is a retelling; it’s not the original. Don’t read it if you’re going to be upset that it’s not the same as Valmiki’s Ramayana.
If it’s not clear already, I absolutely loved this book. I may have read the e-ARC, but I’m definitely going to be pre-ordering it as well and forcing my entire family to read it and discuss it with me.

this is an absolutely wonderful debut - honestly a joy to read and made me feel so much.

- kaikeyi is a fantastic protagonist with a strong narrative voice that really absorbs you into her story. the author did a great job in getting us to understand her and sympathize for her.
- the novel takes us through several years of kaikeyi's life - we get to watch her grow up from a brash, determined kid to a fiercely resolute, tough young woman and i loved it.
- the familial relationships were excellently done - i adored kaikeyi's relationships with her sons, husband, fellow wives, and especially her twin brother yudhajit.
- loved how unique the magic was - creative, simple to understand, and we get to learn more about it alongside kaikeyi.
- impressive storytelling for a debut with a beautifully vivid writing style.
- really appreciate the feminist twist to the original myth.

i do have a few issues with the last third of this book - i wish the events towards the end could've been stretched out more and that the author could've taken us to the end of the original epic. i also got frustrated with some of the characters' decisions and reactions, which felt irrational and unnecessarily overdramatic to me (though i can't really blame the author because it was pretty much in line with the myth). plus, i wish certain characters got to face harsher consequences for their actions and that we got more of a payoff for the conflict.

despite all that, i loved reading this book - felt so many emotions, even got choked up at certain scenes.

so if you're into the idea of a feminist, queer retelling of one of the most villainized women in hindu mythology, this is it. highly recommend!

4.25 stars
Kaikeyi is a retelling of the Ramayana, an Indian epic. I really enjoyed reading this book ( near the end the book had me crying because of the web she got herself tangled in). The book covers a good length of time so it’s comparatively fast-paced. We get to see Kaikeyi’s life in Kekaya as a child with her brothers, her adult life and life at court. Kaikeyi is a complex character with her own flaws (cough controlling cough) but she tries to make things better for her family and her kingdom.

Kaikeyi has to navigate a world where there are defined gender roles but she works to make her own freedom by using the scrolls that her mother showed her. It’s nice to see that there’s no mean girl drama in this book and instead Kaikeyi tried to make a difference. There’s tension in the book between feminism and religion that Kaikeyi keeps encountering. I feel bad for her having to be stuck in a place where you can’t convince someone to budge because they will point to the big guys upstairs and tell you to take any and all complaints up with them. Throughout the book, we get to see her navigate her relationships with others and how she grows as a person.

The magic in the book was interesting, though I still feel a bit confused about one of the magic rules and when it applies.

Overall I enjoyed reading this book. The magic was really interesting and seeing Kaikeyi stand up to the gods in her own way was badass.

**Thank you to Redhook Books and NetGalley for the chance to read an ARC of the book!**

as a feminist, queer reimagining of one of the most vilified women in hindu mythology, kaikeyi was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint. this book mentally transported me to when i was a child, listening to my dad tell me the ramayan. because i had heard the epic so many times, i thought i knew what to expect, but there were still twists and turns throughout the book that kept me hooked.

the storytelling was bright and vivid, and the magic system was unique and easy to understand. kaikeyi herself was a wonderful main character and narrator, and it was so fun witnessing her development over the course of her life. the relationships that she had with other characters were written really well and the imagery added another layer to the reader's experience. i wish that the book took us to the end of the epic, but other than that, i barely have any complaints. it's so hard for me to put my feelings about this book into words because i really did love it so much, but this is a fantastic debut and makes me so excited to see more from vaishnavi!

4.5/5

CW: sexism, forced marriage, war, death, violence against women, death (loss of loved one, grief)

Includes: Retelling, strong female protagonist, strong female-female relationships, asexual protagonist

I received an E-Arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Red Hook Books!

I will admit, I had to do a tiny bit of research of the original story to put this retelling into context and see what was changed, what was expanded on, and what initial themes were challenged in this retelling. I must say, Patel really flips the original story on its head like a pancake! In the original, it would seem that many of the female characters are relegated to the background and Kaikeyi's son, Rama, is the hero of what is essentially an Indian Epic. She is given very little screen time and painted as the evil stepmother who was power hungry and hated by all. However, I am so glad to see that this not only gives Kaikeyi her own story, but gives voice to other female characters as well.

A strong theme throughout the book (aside from the obvious feminism and challenging of male dominance in a heavily patriarchal society) was the bonds between the female characters and how they acted as emotional supports for each other. Characters that history might have pitted against each other supported each other and acted as pillars of hope in times of need. I loved seeing this explored as so often, in books that boast "strong, independent female protagonists," the characters are made so painfully "independent" that they hate on every other girl, deeming them a rival. It would have been easy to do this with a character as powerful as Kaikeyi, but it was honestly a source of warmth to see these relationships in a novel where I knew things wouldn't end the greatest for our protagonist.

Another aspect I really loved about this book was Kaikeyi's added asexuality. It wasn't a huge theme, but it allowed for her to focus on her more platonic and friendly love of Dasharath. Women are so often deemed as temptations for men because of "their sexual nature" when really it's the sexual objectification of women that is to blame. This divorcing of sexuality from her character really helped to bring that forth and show she was no temptress. She may have been given powers, yes, but they came with a limit that depended solely on the authenticity of the relationships she fostered.

The only thing that kept me from giving this the full 5 stars was the unclear conclusion from the author. It's not that the story didn't wrap up nicely, but more that Patel seems to go back and forth between blaming men and the gods for the unfortunate plight that becomes Kaikeyi's legacy. I don't really think there needs to be anyone specific to blame necessarily as the blame game is very much a lose-lose sort of game, however I wish that there had instead been more focus on something else instead. For instance, it could have focused more on finding hope even in the most bleak of cases, something that is briefly shown in the epilogue. I think if there had been a more solid conclusion then this would have been an extremely solid retelling indeed.

I will say, it doesn't do a ton to really distinguish itself from other previous retellings, but I don't think the book can be faulted for that. It remains it's own story, entertaining and providing a doorway to mythology that is often ignored, the only down side is it just happened to be published a little later. For this, it should not be faulted.

Overall, Patel offers an entirely fresh look at a character sidelined and vilified by history. I would recommend this for lovers of Circe and other mythological retellings.