Ten Incarnations of Rebellion has a lot of heart and is very well done for showing the cost of rebellion and resistance. Vaishnavi Patel writes beautifully and her characters are very well built. I found the alternative history here very believable as well. For me it got slow at times, but overall I would recommend this book if you are in the mood for a historical alt history that focuses on the people involved.

Note: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book narrates an alternate history of events that would have happened had India not gained independence in 1947. India's prominent leaders and proponents of the freedom struggle have all been killed off and India is under a strict authoritarian administration under the ruling British. I loved the premise and concept of the novel. In some ways it reminded me of the recent Booker winner by Paul Lynch Prophet Song. I like the way the author has demonstrated just how harsh, exploitative, self-serving and violent the colonial rule was. It is hard to imagine that Governments which are supposedly pillars of democracy propagated such undemocratic, fascist policies in their empires. My one big grouse was that I found the writing too simplistic in places and it read like a teenage adventure novel. Some of the plot was also pretty cliched. Nevertheless, I liked the way the author has tried to link the various chapters to the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The first line of each chapter also highlights how the main protagonist evolves and matures in her thoughts and actions as she leads the rebellion against the British rule. I loved the author's note at the end of the novel and the recommended reading. I would recommend this novel to anybody who has an interest in India, its history and culture. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This book focuses on a female lead rebellion/resistance group which I enjoyed reading about immensely. I found the story to be powerful and impactful. It takes place in a fictional India but the themes throughout are present in every day life. Broken into 10 chapters and 10 stories we are able to follow our main character as she experiences pain, heartbreaks, grief, inspiration and hard learned lessons. I think this book offers light and hope during a current political time period where everything feels dark and draining. My only criticism is that there were alot of flashbacks and it could be a little confusing and jarring at time.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.
I really enjoyed Kaikeyi even though I did not know a lot about Hindu myths and stories, so this caught my interest and I finally got to it the other day. AND then I could NOT put it down. I had just had some long reflections and discussions with people after finishing off a Star Wars related tv series called Andor that showed events before Rogue One and I found myself reflecting on rebellions, what they cost, how we justify our actions during them, what we hope to achieve, what keeps us hoping after all, and this book was PERFECT for continuing to think about these things. The ten episodes combined with more Hindu stories, the up close examinations of how do you know if you have done enough? Too much? When things go wrong how do you deal with that? What are you REALLY willing to give up? Just such a good book. It's speculative in that it is an alternative history, in which India did not gain independence after WWII. I really recommend this one to anyone with an interest in history, war, revolution.

This one just wasn’t for me, and that’s okay. I can absolutely see how powerful and important this story might be for someone who is more familiar with India’s history under British rule. There’s a lot to appreciate in how the author brings history and mythology together, but I struggled to connect.
I felt like I was dropped into the middle of something without enough context or time to really get invested in the characters or what was happening. It’s a strong story and I admire Kalki’s ambition, but maybe I just wasn’t in the right headspace to appreciate it the way it deserves. I don't think it's a bad book at all, just not the right one for me right now.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the arc.

This book has definitely earned a spot in my Top Books of 2025. Giving this a 5 out of 5 stars! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

In an alternate universe/timeline where India does not gain independence until the 1960s, Patel imagines an India that was kept under colonial rule and how the British abuse the indigenous peoples. I think this concept is genius in that it not only ties in VERY well with the current political climate in the US, but due to other historical events that are happening at the same time, it gives Patel the room to really breath some new life into the Indian Revolution Movement by having women take a larger role in the movement, showing a non-violent approach to freedom while also still maintaining the dual roles of violence in revolution.

The main character Kalki is a morally grey character, and I love how you see her internal monologue about whether the benefits of revolution are worth the costs. Freedom isn't black and white, and so to see a character who struggles with decisions and her role in them is really refreshing. Her friends in the story act as great foils to her, and each challenges Kalki's beliefs and checks her privilege throughout the story.

Each chapter is also tied to an Indian myth/fable, which just further enriches the story being told.

Another absolute grand slam by Vaishnavi Patel!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I really enjoyed this story. Touted as a story of historical fiction, it is really an amalgamation of “alternative fiction”, magical realism, fantasy and mythology. It is its own genre, if being honest here. Just the dedication alone, “To The Freedom Fighters”, piqued my interest, and each chapter starts very strong. The only thing that keeps me rating this higher is the writing. It was such a riveting concept and heartfelt story, but its writing was clunky at times. BUT she really had an idea—a story—here that could have been perfect if her editor had done a better job. I completely fault her editor, and I hope they fix it before final publication, because it deserves to be read and discussed. It’s still worth the read even if no changes are made.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this gem in exchange for an honest review. It is available for all on June 3rd, 2025

Vaishnavi Patel imagines an India that didn’t gain independence in 1947. Instead, in the world of Ten Incarnations of Rebellion, India remained a colony into the 1960s after Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar, and others were killed. Dissidents and revolutionaries are transported, jailed, or executed. The population are subject to extreme censorship, rationing, power cuts, and more. It’s not safe to talk to people you don’t know about a free India. In spite of all this, Kalki Divekar dreams of independence.

Each chapter of Ten Incarnations of Rebellion advances the story one year. Each year, Kalki grows more rebellious. Her father has been gone from Mumbai (called Kingston here) for years. He fled when the authorities came after him. Her mother is very cautious; she doesn’t want anything to happen to Kalki. But in spite of the very real dangers, Kalki starts to take small risks. Her first act, taken at the age of 19 in this alternate 1962, is to find a censored song, make copies of it, and then anonymously post those copies all over the city. The act terrifies Kalki’s mother, raises her friends’ eyebrows, and thrills Kalki.

Kalki’s growth over the novel is incredibly moving. In spite of her father’s rebellious activities, Kalki lives a relatively privileged life. She has a great education. She finds a good job (even if her supervisor is slimy). She could live an ordinary, safe life if she didn’t have such a (justified) fire for freedom. The British need to go; India should have the independence that was stolen from them. But at 19 years old, Kalki has a lot to learn about what freedom costs. The stakes rise over the years and as Kalki gets deeper and deeper into fighting for Indian independence. It’s one thing to post songs or even pass along information. It’s another thing entirely if your plans might require people to give up their lives, be imprisoned, or get exiled to another continent.

Each chapter also features a story from Hindu lore. These stories feature characters like Krishna, Manu, Vishnu, Rama, and others outsmarting seemingly invincible villains, fighting impossible odds, and paying terrible prices for mistakes. I enjoyed these a lot. Not only did I get to dive into another culture’s stories (and I can never get enough of new stories), I also appreciated them as commentary on Kalki’s actions as she becomes a revolutionary. There’s plenty of action in this novel—including an incredible prison break—but many of the chapters center on choices Kalki has to make. Is it ever acceptable to commit an act of violence against the British if it also leads to the loss of innocent lives? Can a just revolution leave the Dalits behind? What kind of future India are they fighting for? What sacrifices are necessary to achieve freedom?

This book is stunning, honest, and beautifully written.

Kalki Divekar is the daughter of a freedom fighter who has fled in order to protect her and her mother. Years later, Kalki forms a new chapter of the Indian Liberation Movement within the city of Kingston and enlists the help of women who have access to wide reach of information. Her goal is to minimize the casualties of her people and, because of this, fights in a different way.

Vaishnavi Patel did an amazing job of blending history into this speculative piece. It's raw and can be hard to read at certain times, but it doesn't take away from the writing.

There are significant time jumps when a chapter begins, and the 10 chapters this book has are LONG, however I found time flying by as the chapter progressed.

I recommend this book to anyone that's into historical fiction/speculative historical fiction.

Ten Incarnations of Rebellion brings us through a journey with the main character Kalki. India is struggling against British rule and Kalki is determined to follow in her father's footsteps and fight for freedom. She learns a lot of lessons along the way about family, friendship, leadership and taking risks. There is so much tension and she has to make high impact, split second decisions that mean life or death.

While I love the creativity of this reimagined history, I didn't get absorbed into it the way I wanted. I think Vaishnavi Pate is an amazing creative writer, I just couldn't get into this one.

Thank you @NetGalley and @Random House Publishing-Ballantine for the ARC of this book.

Full of feminine rage, anti-colonialism, queer identity, religion, and politics, Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is the book we all need right now.

What if Ghandi and the other Indian rebels failed? What would 1960s India look like still under the British Raj? For Kalki Divekar it is having a father in the rebellion and a mother who just wants to live a quiet life. Indian faiths and customs are no longer allowed in order to for the "savage" population to learn how to live properly. Growing up in Kingston (built on Bombay), born under a wide array of circumstances Kalki and her friends see the devastation wrought by the British. They decide to restart the Kingston chapter of the Indian Liberation Movement, but they do it their way, the way of women. While those on the outside believe it isn't enough, these rebels will show everyone what they can do.

Each chapter is told over the course of a year, with some specific events described but it never felt rushed. With each year Kalki embodies one of the ten avatars of Vishu. It is clear that above all else Vaishnavi Patel is a storyteller of the highest caliber. The themes of Ten Incarnations of Rebellion are heavy. There were times that I had to put the book down because I wasn't sure I was emotionally ready. That would only last a minute or two because I was so heavily invested in the characters and the story. I don't think any review that I could write would do Ten Incarnations justice. Much like The Kiterunner or The Handmaid's Tale, I truly believe Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is headed for classrooms and literary circles.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley for the e-ARC.

Will update with more links as they are published.

With politics in the United States being what they are, I have thought a lot about what might happen if ordinary citizens like me found ourselves in a situation requiring insurrection against an oppressive authority. Because of this, and because of the extraordinary storytelling and creative construction of Ten Incarnations of Insurrection, I was able to put some flesh on the bones of that deep fear. The story is told in ten chapters, each chapter reflecting one of the ten avatars of Vishnu. Vaishnavi Patel imagines what might have happened if the British were still holding India in the 1960s. In Mumbai (here named Kingston City), it is the women who must rise up as so many men are fighting elsewhere or dead. Patel takes us through the gradual intensification of our protagonist Kalki’s involvement in the insurrection. As Vishnu’s avatars become more complex, so do Kalki’s experiences.

One of the most brilliant aspects of the book is the way that Patel shares Kalki’s mixed feelings about her rebellion. At times she is ready to advocate strong action, even violence, but at times she also struggles with the knowledge that people were dying but it seemed like little progress had been made. All of her actions are deeply embedded in Indian culture, which was interesting and informative.

I loved reading this book and learned quite a bit - not only about Indian culture but about the ways different people face turmoil. Perhaps it is because the story is told through the eyes of women, this book ends up being much more about relationships and individual struggle than a series of action scenes.

Many thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I've highly enjoyed every other book I've read by the author, so I was very much looking forward to picking up the Ten Incarnations of Rebellion. This book takes a different tone and setting-- moving away from ancient India to an alternate 1960s India where the British are still violently occupying South Asia. This book follows Kalki as she grows from a late teen to a young adult and becomes further involved with the Indian Liberation Movement in her city, and it was a powerful read. The sacrifices and impossible choices that resistance entails, as well as never knowing who to trust and sometimes being forced to trust unlikely people all strike true chords in our own reality. While the chapters are long, I found myself having a difficult time putting the book down. A huge thank you to the publisher for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

i genuinely have nothing but high praise for vaishnavi patel. kaikeyi and goddess of the river are two of the most memorable books i have ever picked up, and ten incarnations of rebellion just about proves that i will read (and love!) anything that patel writes. her storytelling is exquisite and her prose simply breathtaking; and while ten incarnations of rebellion is quite different from her preceding two works, it still stands out in its own unique, unforgettable way.

this story was pretty slow paced, though this is quite fitting considering the context. kalki, fauzia, and yashu are some of the strongest characters i have ever read, and it was so empowering watching them slowly stoke the fire of revolution. i admire how the book displays the quiet strength of nonviolent resistance and illustrates that rebellion isn’t simply black and white because every decision made is a hard decision. and although i’m not well versed in hindu mythology, learning that patel pieced together this story based on the dashavatara just leaves me with so much awe and respect for her craftsmanship.

this was such an impactful read and i learned so much! even though this was entirely fictional, it was so eye-opening and made me reflect a lot on what it means to fight back against oppression and truly achieve freedom, especially given current events worldwide. for fans of against the loveless world and babel, consider this book the next required read to add to your tbr!

4.5 stars! thank you to netgalley and random house publishing group for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this! I loved the premise right away.

It was not always easy or fun to read but it felt so real despite being fiction. There was so much heart and hope, and I loved how Vaishnavi Patel wove the Dashavatara into the story.

I think fans of Babel would really like this!

Ten Incarnations of Rebellion follows Kalki, a young woman who is living in an India that was never liberated from the British. As a young girl, her father was forced to run away in the dead of night to escape British officers rounding up rebels. She now lives with her mother as she finishes school and considers how she can best continue the fight for India's freedom. She gathers a small group of her closest friends, and the women work together to fight back against the empire and build a country that will work for all Indians.

The book is full of incredibly impactful relationships. Kalki's relationship with her father drives her desire to be a rebel, and her connections to others help her determine how she fights for freedom, but no relationship is as central to the story as that of Kalki and her best friend, Fauzia. The two met as young girls when Kalki saved Fauzia from a dangerous situation. The two love each other fiercely and are each other's closest confidantes. Their dynamic is beautiful, life-changing, and is the heart of the story.

The book has ten chapters, each focusing on a different critical moment in Kalki's life. Each moment connects with one of the ten avatars of the god Vishnu. These epics add cultural depth and uniqueness to the story.

This structure also lends an almost compulsive readability to the book. Each chapter feels like an individual interconnected short story, in a way. Before reading this, I was nervous about jumping into a heavy, historical novel. I've mostly been reading lighter, more fun books for escapism lately, and I was worried that this would be a difficult or slow read for me. Instead, the setup (and great characters and story) made this story difficult to walk away from!

Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is a powerful novel about rebellion, the price of freedom, and the brutalities of colonization. It's full of complicated characters and beautiful relationships, and it has a meaningful message. I highly recommend it!

4.5 rounded up!

TEN INCARNATIONS OF REBELLION is such a cool concept that is excited almost flawlessly. The premise: what would happen if India did not become an independent nation in 1947? Patel does an incredible job blending historical with the speculative, the characters, and even the plot. The only downside, which is an intentional choice by the author and one that I respect, is that the world in which they created is not as fleshed out and I firmly believe the story could be longer to its benefit.

This story, to me, felt like a blend of Against the Loveless World and Babel. Focusing on the acts of rebellion to overthrow the British, its critical and efficient prose narrows in on this aspect alone. It entirely relies on the FMC, Kalki, and friends desire to free their people from oppression to enable freedom and self expression. It’s a narratively masterful work. It focuses not on large scale acts, but those of smaller choices, on how everyday individuals can stand up against oppression that ultimately gives people hope and the courage to want more for themselves and their people.

However, in creating an alternative history, I do feel that the world could be expanded more. The author, though a preface, states if interested in the actual Indian Independence Movement to read the books and articles she read to research this book. To me, the reads as an intentional choice by the author to focus her narrative on the rebellion and how it affects her characters, not on the newly created world she makes. I respect that choice and see why she chose to do this. But to combine colonization, religious tensions, and class conflicts into one book, and it not be longer, I think, limits this books reach to tackle it all effectively. The author does a good job, but to expand upon this world and these aspect I think could only enhance the novel itself.

Overall, this was a great book that has the same tones of Babel and Against the Loveless World. It’s not a light read by any means, but it one that makes you think.

Thank you to Ballentine and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

3.75 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Ballentine Books for the e-ARC!

This book was unexpected in this best way. When they reached out to me to do a review I wasn’t sure if it would be my typical read. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the book.
Ten Incarnations is an alternate reality historical fiction book in which India is still under British rule. The story follows Kalki as she, her friends and family, and community rebel against the British in order to gain independence. Although, this rebellion comes with loss, sacrifice, threats to safety, secrecy, and immense bravery.
Each chapter of the book depicts the story of 1 of 10 rebellions plotted.
I found this book to be very eye opening, but also unusually relevant to our current world as we face an increase in fascism worldwide.
I can tell this story meant a lot to the author, and would say it had a big impact on me as well.

Thank you Netgalley & Ballantine Books for an eARC ♥️

There’s a particular kind of ache that comes from reading a book that feels like it was written for the deepest, most unspoken parts of you. *Ten Incarnations of Rebellion* did that to me. It’s not just an alternate history or a reimagining of myth—it’s a mirror held up to our own world, reflecting back the weight of oppression, the fire of resistance, and the quiet, terrifying choices that define who we are in the face of both.
The novel’s India—still trapped under British rule, its people fractured and brutalized—is so vividly rendered that it doesn’t feel speculative at all. It feels like a warning. Kingston, a city built on the bones of Bombay, is a place where hope has been methodically crushed, where the older generation is broken and the young are fed into wars they didn’t choose. And yet, against this bleakness, Kalki Divekar and her friends dare to imagine something different. Their rebellion isn’t glamorous. It’s messy, desperate, and achingly human. They aren’t untouchable heroes; they’re scared, angry, and sometimes selfish, and that’s what makes their fight so powerful.
What haunts me most is how the book frames resistance not as a single, triumphant act, but as a series of small, brutal decisions. Kalki’s journey mirrors the Dashavatara, but this isn’t a neat, divine allegory. Instead, the mythic structure underscores how rebellion is cyclical—how each generation must find its own way to fight, to fail, and to rise again. There’s a moment where Kalki realizes that survival itself can be a form of defiance, and it shattered me. Because isn’t that the truth so many of us live with? That sometimes, just enduring is its own kind of revolution?
The prose is sharp enough to draw blood, especially in its quieter moments. A glance between friends that carries the weight of betrayal. A letter that will never be read. A name whispered like a prayer before it’s swallowed by silence. These are the fragments that make the story feel so alive, so urgent. By the end, I wasn’t just moved—I was unsettled, in the best way. This book doesn’t let you look away. It asks, over and over: *What would you sacrifice? How much would you endure? And what does freedom truly cost?*

I don’t know if I have the answers. But I do know that *Ten Incarnations of Rebellion* will stay with me for a long, long time. Maybe forever.💔

This is a beautiful novel that brings light to a piece of history that many may not have been exposed to through previous novels. Kalki grew up thinking that her father was gone, lost fighting for freedom from the British rule. When the fighting starts to take her friends and community away, she knows that she can’t sit idle. So, she works with the other women in the community to create a new branch of the resistance. Here she is able to enact change but she also learns that she is cable of things she never knew possible both good and bad. This is a very interesting book and I am excited for people to possibly learn something new about history they have never previously known about.
Thank you to Random House Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.