“ ‘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.’”

Kaikeyi is a princess in a world ruled by men. The expectations for her are limited to being a dutiful daughter, and then a dutiful wife producing sons. She feel powerless and when she pleads to the gods, they are silent, she is forsaken. Her mother is distant but gives her the gift of reading and shares with her the palace trove of ancient scrolls. There, Kaikeyi finds her own magic and with it, power and independence.

I love mythology and folklore from all cultures. India is no exception, I love the stories of the gods. This though, is the story of a woman finding her power despite the gods. I loved the way her magic was woven into the story and how she used her power to help other women. I also really appreciated the asexual representation, it’s wonderful to read such diverse characters. This story is big and complex and I found the plot getting muddled at times and the ending felt a bit rushed and unsatisfying. Despite this I recommend this book to fans of mythology with bit of magic, reminiscent of Circe.

Congratulations to Vaishnavi Patel for a great debut!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Redhook Books for an advanced copy in exchange for and honest review.

I love books about women claiming their power and books that incorporate cultures and myths. Kaykeyi was both and I adored every moment I spent absorbed in this world.

5/5/ 10/10 Don't read this review. This is time you've wasted where you could be reading this book instead. Thank you Net Galley for providing me with an ARC.

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel is a mythological retelling of the story of Kayikeyi, stepmother of Ram and the reason for his banishment. In the epic she's portrayed as a villain who was misguided by her maid Manthara to send Ram to exile and make Bharat the king.

In this take by the author we see a different story of Kayikeyi where the author puts a reason to her actions and how the patriarchal society is quick to blame a woman and name her villain.

I really liked the writing style of the author. I usually avoid lengthy books but this once I couldn't stop reading. I liked the fact that the author showed a different side of Ram's divinity and even that of Gods.

For me this book was unputtdownable and as a huge lover of Indian Mythology reading this book gave me an immense pleasure. Looking forward to more works by this author.

Thank you @hbginternational and netgalley for the e-arc

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel takes on Indian myth in the same vein as some of the recently published retellings of Greek Myths. The story is far-reaching telling the tale of the eponymous Kaikeyi, a princess that changed her destiny to become one of the most influential women in the world. While she started off as the 4th wife of a king, she quickly used her wits and strengths to become a trusted advisor, mother of gods and ambassador for her kingdom. While cosmic forces threaten her kingdom and the world, she must decide how to use her strengths to move forward into a brighter tomorrow. Thank you to Redhook books for providing me with an e-arc.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars, but I'll round up for the star system.

I read so much of the hype surrounding this book that I was super excited to be approved by Redhook Books. I thought the writing was excellent, but the story itself was just ok for me. It’s also important to acknowledge that I am not of the Hindu religion, so we should accept the position of those who are and understand/appreciate their stance.

There were some parts that I thought dragged, but the writing made up for that. There were times I thought the story would speed and there would be some… excitement, but I didn’t get that. Some of the characters aren’t as complex as I thought they would be, which kind of made it difficult to get attached to them, which I often do.

My favorite part of the book was the ending (not because it was over, but because it was well written.) I also enjoyed the representation; I like that this was inclusive. Patel is a gifted author, and I thought this retelling was enjoyable.

In the vein of Circe, Madea, and Ariadne, Kaikeyi is a feminist retelling of a myth – in this case, The Ramayana. Readers follow Kaikeyi from her rebellious childhood, through her carving out her identity and power as a young adult, through her the highs and lows -- and losses -- of motherhood. But it seems as though no matter Kaikeyi’s good intentions, her actions are always misinterpreted or blow back on her.

What carries this book is Kaikeyi’s voice. Patel does an exceptional job bringing readers inside this character and helping you understand her decisions (even when they aren’t necessarily the best ones). However, the other characters never feel as fully developed. It’s clear how much Kaikeyi cares for her family, but it often felt like we were only scratching the surface of who her loved ones really were. And ultimately, this lessened the impact of the story’s big moments. Overall, it's an incredibly engrossing read, but it felt like there was a lot left unexplored.

I am always intrigued by stories of characters who are misunderstood or not given their perspective where their role has a major impact in a familiar tale. Kaikeyi offers that perspective, which connected me to the story more than other mythological books out there. I enjoyed reading the book. The author did an amazing job giving Kaikeyi a voice and establishing her point of view. There is a magic system in place that helps explain the character connections in a way that provides further explanation of Kaikeyi's motives. There was more insight into the women of Ramayana. Where it fell short for me was when the story began to villainize characters, mostly Rama in his egotistical view of his godhood and misogyny. I don't mind changes to famous stories but this seemed to be a major shift from the epic in order to make Kaikeyi's actions more sympathetic. I am not sure if she needed to be written sympathetically in that way. Women can be unlikable and justified in their actions without viillainizing another imo. Still, Kaikeyi's voice was strong throughout the book. The author gave a perspective that is unique and satisfying, making one eager to read what happens next in Ramayana.

The only princess of the kingdom of Kekaya, Kaikeyi matches skills instead with her brothers, as well as treasuring the gift of learning and texts from her mother, so is deeply frustrated when her seeming worth is reduced only to her value as a marriage alliance. Yet even here, Kaikeyi finds her own magic and powers and ways to strengthen other women, and becomes a powerful queen and diplomat.
The narrative is leisurely and builds steadily, is full of well-drawn characters and situations and a great sense of place and time. At times it is a little too leisurely; it seemed to drag a bit in parts. My main criticism is the constant note of doom mentioned throughout the story, about something terrible coming. You wait and you wait and more and more wonderful things happen. Hmm. When it finally comes it is actually a let down. Over advertised. The story would have been better for me if the notes of doom had been left out entirely.
My copy was an eARC from NetGalley.

If you liked Circe, you would definitely like this one. I liked the story overall but the characterization wasn’t there at all. A lot of them were flat and felt like a cardboard cutout with a name. That being said, the book itself is way too long. The audiobook is 17 hours - it didn’t need to be that long because I felt like a lot of it was filler. I’m not too familiar with the mythology and retelling so I can’t speak on that.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!

Kaikeyi is an awesome example of taking historical tales and reimagining them in empowering and exciting ways. This story is well understood to exist in a sphere that doesn't always see women in a positive or empowered light and Patel does an amazing job of taking this oral storytelling to a unique and timely perspective.

This is the story of Kaikeyi, a woman who becomes a great leader but is only remembered for exiling her son Rama.

This is a reimagining of the Ramayana, an Indian Epic that tells the story of the hero Rama. Kaikeyi is only briefly mentioned in the epic but Patel has taken that seed and nurtured it into a beautiful story of loss, anger, pride, sacrifice, devotion and selflessness.

The best thing about this book is the complexity of its characters. There are so many instances where we think we understand a character only to be given more information that challenges everything we know about them. The magic that Kaikeyi wields which allows her to see the connections and relationships between people helps to strengthen this element of the book because her threads are always changing and evolving along with her relationships.

I don't know the source material but something about Kaikeyi and the way that she was keen to make sure that women in her kingdom were treated fairly felt incredibly rebellious for the times she was living in and I loved that.

The atmosphere was also a highlight for me with each palace and city feeling like a very real place and I especially appreciated how the differences between cultures was reflected in the way they decorated their palaces. This book is so well crafted, I felt completely immersed in the world the entire time I was reading.

The only negative thing I have to say about this book is that the ending felt incomplete. The way Kaikeyi just sort of tells us what happens instead of getting to live any of it really bothered me. It also bothered me that we didn’t really see the fallout from the decision to exile Rama. I liked learning why a woman would make such a choice but I was bereft at not understanding how it impacted her life beyond the decision. Did she have regrets? It’s hard to say based on the ending we got.

Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I think most fantasy readers can find something to love in this story and for those who love a complicated woman with power this will really hit the mark.

4.5 rounded down to 4. With a different treatment at the end this would have easily been a 5 star book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing a free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

KAIKEYI -
5⭐
In this imagined retelling, Ms Patel has brought a story about Kaikeyi in a new light from what we Indians have always known.
Kaikeyi bis literally the epitome of woman empowerment..she is someone who in a male dominated society learns to fight ,train with her brothers, goes on a battle and in turn winning the war with her husband gets a place in the council where she can fight for womans rights, doting mother to not only her son but even her stepsons...we see many shades of Kaikeyi right from her birth till she grows old and it's only because of Ms Patel's masterful storytelling, amazing word building and a thorough charcter development.
I am not here to debate what is true or false...if a particular character is maligned..it's an imagined retelling so it should be enjoyed as one without it being dissected for its accuracy and inaccuracies .
Having said that it is one of my favourites for this year as I dnt read much of mythology or historical fiction so that's something.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Vaishnavi Patel’s debut, Kaikeyi, is a fierce and feminist reframing of the story of one of the most despised queens of Indian mythology, best known for pitting herself against the gods in the epic poem the Ramayana. Essentially little more than a villainous stepmother in the original tale, the Kaikeyi in the poem jealously banishes Rama from the kingdom in the name of putting her own son on the throne.

But Patel’s novel embraces a more nuanced depiction of her character in a retelling that refashions Kaikeyi into a brave and compassionate leader who isn’t simply out for her own ends. Rather, she determinedly pushes back against the edicts of a patriarchal society that views women as little more than extensions of the men in their lives, in the hopes of carving out a better world for all.

I have no words and only screaming. I can't believe this amazing journey I've been taken through. I still haven't decided if I want to eat this book because of how much I loved it or because of how much it hurt me. Great read

“This whole time I thought I could convince you,” Rama said softly. “This whole time, I thought you were on my side. But it turns out you were deceiving me. Deceiving everyone. Everyone else was right about you, and I was a fool.”

KAIKEYI
Thank you, NetGalley, Redhook Books, and Vaishnavi Patel for the opportunity to read this book. It was released on April 26th, 2022.

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel is the story inspired by the ancient epic, The Ramayana. Instead of reading about Rama. This book focuses on Kaikeyi, the second wife of Dasharatha. Kaikeyi was raised in a palace but as a woman, she knew what her fate would be—to marry and bring forth sons. She becomes the second wife to Dasharatha and delivers a son named Bharata. Upon marrying him, he had sworn that any child she would have would be named heir to the throne. However, the first wife Kaushayla has a son named Rama. He is the leader that his father wants. Thus begins the story we know, but is Kaikeyi that easily manipulated, or is there another side?

I was really looking forward to reading this book. I loved studying Ramayana in college. It has had a huge impact on the world and particularly on Asian and Hindu cultures. I am a sucker for retellings, especially stories that twist the ones we are all familiar with, however, this one is a little more delicate. I applaud the author for tackling such an intricate story. Although, this story is the center of millions of people’s beliefs. I want to acknowledge Own Voices reviewers who mention why they did or did not like this book. It is their opinion that matters the most, as I am not of the Hindu religion.

While I like the idea to recreate some details into more feminist details, it really wasn’t. Ravana who is supposed to represent evil is kind of humanized? It didn’t work for me. The book was also very slow. Considering the topic, I assumed it would be a little more fast-paced. I did love the characters’ connections, specifically the relationships between Kaikeyi and her brother and also between her and the other wives. The Binding Plane aspect didn’t necessarily make an impact on me but I did not dislike it either. My favorite aspect was the depiction of Kaikeyi as a warrior Queen and her success in battle.

Overall, I am pretty neutral when it comes to this book, but it definitely makes me want to revisit the Ramayana. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Vaishnavi Patel's debut is a captivating retelling of the Indian epic Ramayana, with immersive details and an irresistible feminist main character fighting for a voice and for power in a man's world.

I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions—much good it did me.
In Vaishnavi Patel's debut novel, Kaikeyi, the author reimagines the life of a fabled queen from the Indian epic Ramayana.

The retelling swirls with family drama, intrigue, bravery--all centered around a young woman determined to make her mark in a world run by men.

Kaikeyi is one of eight children and the only daughter of a king whose lands are ruled by the gods' powerful and ruthless punishment. But in this feminist story, she fights for autonomy, for a voice, for strength, for knowledge--and she is determined to secure these for other women as well.

The people of Bharat have often blamed my father for my sins, as if a woman cannot own her actions.
In an era when noblewomen are expected to submit to arranged marriages, endless needlework, and polite silences and averted eyes, Kaikeyi is an uncontainable force. She is smart, eager, passionate, and determined--and an irresistible main protagonist.

Kaikeyi turns to ancient texts for guidance, discovers magical abilities, and begins to understand that the gods' favor--endlessly important to each person's productivity, health, and blessings--will never be with her. She must forge her own path and find her own inner strength.

I often wondered, as our horses flew across the fields, as their hooves kicked up dust from sun-warmed earth and their breath dissipated into the cooling air, if they remembered where they came from. If they longed for more, for the vast expanse of the skies. Perhaps we were kin, they and I, yearning for something unnameable, a place where we could stretch our wings and belong.

Kaikeyi endlessly reinvents herself--as a warrior, a queen, an advisor, and a voice for powerless women--asserting her might and her wisdom even as an evil curse and unimaginable challenges threaten to undo everything she has built and all she has become.

Patel's immersive detail of Indian fabrics, landscapes, and sights and sounds kept me enthralled. I found some of the final portion of the book's unraveling of who could be trusted, what would come to pass, and what the real story was to read somewhat slowly compared to the energetic pacing of the rest of the book. But the epilogue was gorgeous and a fitting bookend to the story.

I received a prepublication digital edition of this book (published April 26) courtesy of Redhook and NetGalley.

Pub date: 4/26/22 (out now!)
Genre: mythological retelling
In one sentence: Kaikeyi is known as the vengeful queen who banished Rama - but as with all myths, there's a lot more to her story.

I'm not very familiar with Indian mythology, so I went into this one not knowing much about Kaikeyi or Rama. That didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story - Patel didn't assume prior knowledge, and I didn't feel like I was missing anything.

This book sucked me in from the beginning and transported me to India - I loved meeting Kaikeyi and seeing her grow up. From her relationship with her brother to her arranged marriage, the reader can see how this strong woman was subjugated in society despite her ample intelligence and skills. As she gained influence over the course of the story, I enjoyed seeing her interactions with her fellow wives and their sons.

I devoured this book in two days because the plot was so compelling, and I almost didn't want it to end. If you like feminist retellings of myth - and there have been a lot of Greek myth retellings lately - you need to pick this one up! 4.5 stars rounded to 5.

Thank you to Redhook Books for providing a NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Captivating story. This one really sucked me in and I did not want to put it down. I can't wait to read more from this author.

You know when you see someone else reading a book and they’re clearly having a great time and you’re desperate to join in? That’s me watching @simoneandherbooks read Kaikeyi. And I’m so glad I basically abandoned the rest of my TBR for this one, because it was fantastic. It takes its roots from a very old myth that I had never heard, but I love the idea of exploring the ancient story and saying well actually what if this woman wasn’t the bad guy and everyone got it wrong? So it’s not so much a retelling as it is a reworking, and it’s exactly what an epic tale should be: mesmerizing and compelling. Kaikeyi is one of my favorite characters I’ve ever encountered, and I loved getting to spend time with her along the course of her life. But honestly every sing is character was vibrant and interesting, and the fantasy aspects were just enough. This book has been compared to Circe a lot, which is fair, but I honestly liked it a good bit more.