3.25 stars

Kaikeyi was one of my favorite books I read last year, so I was super looking forward to Goddess of the River. This book is a retelling/reimagining of the Mahabharata, choosing to center Ganga as one of its main characters who plays a smaller part in the original epic. I continue to enjoy Patel's choice to center and reimagine stories around women and motherhood, and her writing continues to be beautiful and poetic. The first third and last quarter of this book were the highlights for me, but in the middle of this book we're introduced to a new POV to read from, a whole host of new characters, and the timeline swaps back and forth every chapter. It reduced my enjoyment of the story and felt different than Kaikeyi, where I was really able to connect with Kaikeyi as the main character and feel her emotions very deeply.

Absolutely loved this one. Seeing a character truly balance her own journey as well as being a mother along with being an actual deity was a real treat. And the cover is just gorgeous.

Early on, I found Goddess of the River completely captivating. Ganga is a goddess, the personification of a river, but her perspective must drastically shift when she’s cursed to take the form of a mortal woman. The only way to break her curse is to give birth to the eight Vasus, immortal godlings in their own right. Upon marrying the king Shantanu, Ganga proceeds to have each son and immediately drown him, freeing him back to his immortal form. But Shantanu catches on to her actions, and by the time her eighth son is born, he’s there to stop her from fulfilling her quest. Their son Devavrata becomes prince, destined to be the next king… until he later makes an oath, giving up the throne in the process. Now going by the name of Bhishma, he tries to live his life as honorably as possible, but he makes grave mistakes along the way, ultimately leading to a devastating war.

The novel goes back and forth between Ganga’s first-person perspective and a third-person account of what Bhishma is doing in his old age. He’s managing his many grand-nephews, now adults themselves and drawing ever closer the war that will divide them.

What I loved most about Goddess of the River were the discussions around whether gods should meddle in mortals’ lives, the concepts of right and wrong versus oaths and honor, and the mistakes we inevitably make despite trying our best to do what is right. It gets philosophical, and I liked seeing the contrast in perspective between Ganga (a goddess) and her son Bhishma (a mortal man).

There are a ton of characters here, and it can be hard to keep track of them all and their relationships to each other. There are also several side stories as Ganga becomes privy to some characters’ innermost secrets and turmoils. It gives the novel a certain flow, perhaps reminiscent of the river Ganga represents, but it also can make the story less concrete.

I’m not the biggest fan of war scenes within books, and that does take up most of the last 25% of Goddess of the River. Here, the war largely hinges on relationships and (overdue) conversations between characters, yet the battles still play out, too. I preferred seeing the relationships between mother and son and between Ganga and other gods, and would have enjoyed the novel more fully if those had been the focus. Even so, I was happy to learn more about Hindu mythology and characters.

Goddess of the River is an immersive book about mother-son relationships, gods vs. mortals, the vitality of change, and philosophical explorations. It’s a great chance to learn more about the Mahabharata and Hindu mythology—or, if you’re already familiar with those plots and characters, to see them reimagined in a new way here. It’s not quite as emotionally connective as I’d hoped, but it certainly inspires a lot of rumination and questions worth considering.

I cannot find the right words to describe how amazing this book is. The retelling of the Hindu Goddess of the River, Ganga, is truly exquisite. This is an extraordinary tale that delves into the essence of humanity, infused with a feminist perspective. I became completely absorbed in its pages. This work is full of insight, captivation, and engagement, making it a must-read. This will be one of those books that I hand over to my daughter, it was that impactful!

I really liked this book! Vaishnavi is a great writer and I absolutely love learning about Indian culture. I am absolutely intrigued by Indian culture and love finding new books to enjoy about it. This is my second one by this author and I will continue to read them as she writes them.

This was amazing book and has me very interested in reading more from the author and more books with Indian culture and myths. I loved that the author did not shy away from darker topics. The book features many feminist points and brings to light the struggle and oppression of women through a fantasy lens. This book is great for anybody looking for fantasy that isn't your traditional European inspired fantasy book. This revived my loved of fantasy books and has me so excited to read more like this and more from the author.

Goddess of the River is a book I had high hopes for. After Kaikeyi, I was so excited for Patel's latest. Immediately, I enjoyed how Goddess of the River is about how human look for control. How we can grab onto anything to try to have an illusion. However, quickly the time flashbacks were incredibly confusing for me. Combined with short chapters, it means I couldn't really figure out who was who and what time we were in.

I love when a story derives inspiration and source from an epic poem. The Mahabharata was something I lightly studied during my Masters' Program and loved learning about the cultural implications and community which inspired such a phenomenal work. When Goddess of the River came across my radar on NetGalley, I knew I wanted to read it and dive back into the rich world.

I think there is often a forgotten element about epic poems such as this one's source, and the fantastical nature of their narrative. Epics were originally oral in nature and meant to be performed. They were intended ( in most cases) to sing of heroes and villains, of morality and responsibility. Though it is not wrong to put this into the world of fantasy, I think there is a difference when it comes to fantastical elements inspired by lore and mythology. I feel that's why I loved it so much.

We are presented the story of the River Goddess Ganga and her curse to become mortal and marry a king. Even thought it sounds like a coveted life, there are always things which find her seeking freedom for her and her son.

Such a rich story filled with myth and lore from the Hindu culture. I highly recommend this beautiful if sometimes tragic and emotional novel.
I want to thank NetGalley and Redhook Publishing for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. I love seeing the world through new eyes and through different perspectives. We've been given a beautiful gift in these pages.

Having previously really enjoyed the author’s debut novel Kaikeyi, a feminist interpretation of Ramayana, I have been eagerly awaiting the release of Goddess of the River, which is based on the Mahabharata.

I love a lot about Goddess of the River: the first-person perspective of Ganga, goddess of the river, is very well developed; she spends some time in a human form and this changes her dramatically in ways that come across in small details, and while she reflects on the way these experiences have humanized her in some ways, she very much reads as a river and a deity. Like Kaikeyi, complex relationships, including between family members, are a core theme of this text, and Patel writes them so well. I found more complexity in the secondary characters in this book, which I appreciate, and I feel like Patel tackles significant themes – in her own words, the novel “asks questions about dharma, justice, the responsibilities of the powerful, and the greater good,” as the Mahabharata does – without feeling heavy-handed or moralizing.

Content warnings: murder, violence, death, blood, injury detail, violence toward non-human animals, deaths of children, sexism, misogyny, classism, casteism, ableism, war, grief, sexual assault. The author provides a fairly detailed content warnings note at the beginning of the book.

Thank you NetGalley & Redhook Books for an ARC to review.

"Goddess of the River" by Vaishnavi Patel offers a powerful reimagining of the story of Ganga, the goddess of the river, and her doomed mortal son. Having been captivated by Patel's "Kaikeyi," I had high hopes for this novel. While it showcases Patel's signature storytelling, poetic prose, and vivid descriptions, it fell short of my expectations in some areas.

The story follows Ganga, the joyful goddess of the river, who serves as caretaker to the mischievous godlings along her banks. However, when their antics anger a powerful sage, Ganga is cursed to become mortal until she fulfills the obligations of the curse. Thrust into mortal life, she weds King Shantanu and becomes a queen, determined to regain her freedom no matter the cost. Just as she is freed from her binding, she is forced to leave her infant son, Devavrata, behind. Devavrata, unaware of his legacy, makes an oath that sets in motion events leading to a tragic war. Throughout the years, Ganga and Devavrata's paths cross repeatedly, each encounter further intertwining their fates in this deeply moving tale of duty, destiny, and the bond between mother and son.

While the novel's poetic prose and vivid descriptions are enchanting, it lacked the depth that made "Kaikeyi" so compelling. The story introduces a multitude of characters, but many are only explored on a surface level, making it difficult to keep track of them or care about their fates. This lack of depth in the supporting cast detracted from the emotional impact of the story.

Despite these shortcomings, "Goddess of the River" still possesses Patel's lyrical storytelling and offers a poignant exploration of the relationship between Ganga and her son. The novel's themes of duty and destiny are handled with grace, and the rich mythology is brought to life through Patel's evocative writing.

Overall, while "Goddess of the River" did not quite live up to the high bar set by "Kaikeyi," it remains a beautifully written tale. Fans of mythological retellings will still find much to appreciate in this novel, even if it doesn't quite reach the same heights as its predecessor.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book but the second half was just ok. It became more political and focused on an upcoming war. The Gods turning to mortals and back to Gods was interesting and I did enjoy Ganga and her growth as she experienced humanity first hand.


*Thank you NetGalley, Redhook books, and Vaishnavi Patel

I enjoyed this book a lot! I really liked Kaikeyi and so naturally I was interested in the author's next book. This one was even better than Kaikeyi. I thought the prose was improved and really showed off Patel's talent. Many times it felt poetic and flowing-- exactly like the embodiment of a river would speak. I also liked Ganga as a character (more than I did Kaikeyi)-- she had flaws and grew in her "humanity," so to speak. I also thought that Patel presented the Mahabharata in a way that was very accessible to people unfamiliar with the story. Though it was a little difficult to keep track of all the characters involved at first, eventually it became easier due to repetition. The battle scene was well written and really conveyed the desperation on both sides. Altogether, a thoroughly enjoyable book and very well done!

Happy publication day! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. This was my first time reading one of Patel’s books and I’ll anxiously wait for the next. If you love a good mythology retelling that explores a lesser-known God, this one’s for you.

⇢➤ Plot: This is a retelling from the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. Focusing on one of the smaller Gods, Ganga is the goddess of the river who falls from the heavenly realm and is forced to stay on Earth. She has a complex relationship with humans and often finds solace by caring for seven Vasus (godlings) instead.

When the godlings cause mischief and raise the wrong mortal’s ire, both the Vasus and Ganga are cursed. Ganga becomes mortal and must birth the seven Vasus before they can become immortals again. However, the last Vasus, her last son Bhisma, lives on in his mortal form— and, against Ganga’s wishes, clings to his humanity. Together, they must face what it means to be mortal and moral.

*Please note the content warnings at the beginning of this book, which includes infanticide, casteism, and ableism. The author includes ample explanation illuminating the cultural significance of the Mahabharata. As a reader who was largely unfamiliar with Hinduism outside of the Trimurti, I enjoyed reading the end note.

⇢➤ Pros: This is a feminist retelling of one of the longest pieces of Indian literature. Condensing it to 400-odd pages is impressive. Patel does a great job using Ganga’s story to illustrate a woman’s place across circumstances— from a free celestial, to an imprisoned God, to a mortal queen, and more. She is a deeply complex character who doesn’t know her own strength. She is often perceived as flighty, temperamental, and vindictive. I perceived her to be a caring spirit constantly thwarted and cursed by men. By the end, she comes into her full power and is self-assured. In this way, I felt echoes to Circe and other mythology retellings.

I flew through the first half of this book. Ganga’s story is one of constant tragedy. I’m not a mother myself but I had to put the book down at multiple points. The combination of grief and relief that is embedded in Ganga’s curse is unique. Reincarnation in the Hindu religion is deeply sacred. Her desire to revert the Vasus to immortals creates a juxtaposition that makes Ganga do the unthinkable in mortal eyes to free them and herself. It created a very interesting narrative I haven’t seen in another mythology.

Patel's writing is beautiful. The beginning and ending descriptors of how Ganga views the world and the cosmos? 5 stars in and of itself.

⇢➤ Cons: The middle part of this book slows down significantly. The book begins to jump around in time and perspective. Instead of focusing solely on Ganga, readers see Bhisma and the inner workings of human politics in Hastinapur. There is frequent allusion to “the war” and a split amongst the royal family. Audio listeners may have a hard time keeping track of person and place.

Bhisma is a frustratingly human character. He is so devoted to his vows to the royal family, his view of justice becomes unjustifiable. This becomes the focus of the later half of the book. His treatment of women in particular is hard to read at points. Is this an interesting foil to Ganga? Yes. Did I want to throw tomatoes at him? Also yes. (Amba!! You deserve the moon and the stars!)

⇢➤ Recommended for fans of: Madeline Miller

Goddess of the River is an enchanting, sweeping tale reimagining the story of the River Ganga and her mortal son. This story was a masterful retelling that had me captivated from the first page. While there is a war, this story is not a big action-packed adventure. Instead it’s a quieter, slower story that at its heart is about a mother and son, diving deep into themes about familial relationships and the bonds that tie us together.

Patel’s skillful portrayal of character and emotion gives it a mythic quality itself, drawing from the stories it retells - the way Ganga is a god, detached from humanity but also learns to feel so strongly. The use of alternating POVs and timelines also adds to the epic scope of the tale, covering a large span of time and weaving multiple threads into a rich story.

I loved this story so much, and would absolutely recommend. Goddess of the River releases today so everyone can go now read this beautiful story.

I really enjoyed Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi but this book was a bit unsatisfying. It came off as reading a history book rather than a work of fiction. However, it’s a great story and definitely worth a read!

I'm very conflicted as a person who grew up with a certain perspective of mahabharat characters, and their actions but I can appreciate and understand vaishnavi patel's retelling.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ebook arc for honest review.

When I first started reading, I thought this wouldn’t be the book for me however, I very much enjoyed this story. It did get slow in the middle of the book and it took me awhile to pick it back up.

What a book! I was gripped into this wonderous tale from start to finish. The story revolves around Ganga, the Goddess of the River. In Indian culture, a river is held on the same level as a holy deity as water is the source of every being's life and well-being. Coming from an Indian heritage, stories from Indian mythology have been a part of my daily discussions. The author has so beautifully woven tales from Ganga's origin to her role in the largest epic, 'Mahabharata', that as the last chapter came into view, I had tears in my eyes. Just like in her book Kaikeyi, sometimes an entire story looks different when you focus on one of the rarely talked characters. Not only through this tale are you educated about what unfolded in the great battle of Mahabharata but also are you able to view this story through a goddess who did not have a direct role in the battle. The instances where you see Ganga's transformation from a goddess who does not wish to interfere in any human activities to her acceptance of having human feelings and attachments left me speechless. Absolutely loved this tale and Vaishnavi, you have done it again! From an Indian mythology nerd, thank you for shedding light on these beautiful tales from our heritage on a global platform and for providing us with stories that we will cherish forever!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me a free eARC for review!

Rating: 4/5 stars

A retelling of parts of the Mahabharata, GODDESS OF THE RIVER focuses on the river goddess Ganga and her attempts to connect with humanity, specifically her son Devavrata.

I loved KAIKEYI, and was super enthusiastic for the second book from this author, who is quickly becoming one of my favorites. GODDESS OF THE RIVER is so wildly detailed and complex, with tons of characters and a lot of nuance. But it’s also compulsively readable, and I polished it off in just a couple sittings. The focus on motherhood and the parent-child relationship is super thoughtful and touching, and I really loved seeing the characters’ journeys unfold. Towards the end, I was even tearing up at several scenes, purely because I had come to empathize so deeply with so many of the characters and could imagine their pain and struggles so clearly.

I didn’t go into this with any prior understanding of the Mahabharata, and while I was still able to follow the story (and enjoy it) I do think that those who have preexisting knowledge of the original might connect even more.

Still, I highly recommend this one, and it’s safe to say this is now an auto-buy author for me!

CW: Death (including child death)/violence/war/injury; sexism; classism; ableism

3.5/5

Kaikeyi had been the book to get me out of a reading slump that had spanned years, so needless to say, I was extremely excited to get my hands on the ARC of Goddess of the River. This book centers the story of Ganga but is overarchingly meant to be a retelling of the epic Mahabharata.

What this book does well is focus on Ganga. The beginning of this book is gorgeous. It definitely takes a moment, but the perspective of a river goddess is fascinating and so beautifully written that it just draws you in. Patel does such a wonderful job crafting female characters and touching on themes of loss and motherhood and grief. She touches on what it means to sacrifice and to be known and she does so beautifully.

Mahabharata is a sprawling epic, though, so to have it be condensed into a single book and switch between timelines and introduce multiple characters within such short succession was a bit jarring, especially given the focus we'd had on Ganga. As such, that part of the book did lose me for a bit, but everything does come back together and wrap up at the end.