Although originating from India, I grew up with Ramayana and Mahabrata epic since young age. At here we adopted the mythology into our Javanesse culture Indonesia. The whole epic stories bring alot of morality guidence and came beautifully in so many different shape of artworks from puppet shows until the stages performances. Although I am familiar with the story but some characters are unknowable and almost dont get enough mentioned, include Kaikeyi. I never known about her before I read this book and I am glad I did.

Kaikeyi was one of my high anticipated releases this year. Prospect to read from a villain POV who responsible as caused of Rama's (MC of Ramayana epic) exiled was intrigued me. And I think this book worth the hype.

First of all I like the author storytelling style. She successfully delivered the warrior queen Kaikeyi's stories from her childhood until her middle ages. It is long time since I read from strong female MC pov who true to her goal, honest with her emotions and brave enough to accept all the consequences.

The pace is slower at beginning expecially when introducing part, I think it is important to give readers more than glimpse what's make Kaikeyi growing become such a strong and hard personality. She earned her worth by her own hand and help empowering women in her kingdom. Plotline is thicker and the pace is faster after she got married. I love saw her interaction with all of her children. And we will saw how she struggled with all family issues she must solved. As a mother myself I understand the emotions she faced.

Some contents of this story maybe not true to the real version. But it is retelling and enjoyable to read. I would love to recommend this book to my fellow reader who will love the story of a strong Queen.

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit, Little Brown Book Group UK for provided me with this amazing copy. I am grateful and my thoughts are my own.

I'm the furthest thing you can imagine from being a fan of writing apathetic reviews (and I'm not sure yet if this is a case of 'it's not you, it's me', or maybe I've fallen out of love with retellings in general) but I really struggled to get into Kaikeyi - which, as a fantasy release with an asexual lead, has been on my radar for a while - for a number of reasons, and I feel like I've got to throw in the towel and DNF this ARC.

I'm alright with the first few chapters of a book falling flat, and I always to try to be lenient in giving stories that chart a longer timespan more of a chance because the childhood stages are sometimes not as intricately curated and cultivate less interest than the focus of later on in the main character's lifespan (to me, at least), but the rest of Part I fell just as flat and uninspiring as the introduction to Kaikeyi's life as the sole girl in the royal family she is born into and the ill-fated responsibility she is made to shoulder when she finds herself even more alone as her mother is banished from her court.

I can't lay the blame for my feelings (or lack thereof, more accurately) about Kaikeyi on the humdrum story or the author's facile style, but I didn't click with the lacklustre characterizations and barely-there imagery, and found it all to sum up to a frankly (ironically) colourless read, an impression that didn't seem inclined to change. And though we all know that categorizations when it comes to the intended audience are inherently flawed, it's not at all clear to me why this is filed under 'adult'; the simplistic, almost spartan language and the relatively tame content (at least for the 25% that I managed to get through) might be brushed aside, but Kaikeyi feels too close to basic YA in tone, too.

I can't speak to the leftover ¾ of the book, but while the idea I've gotten of a figment of mythology as imposing as Kaikeyi is intriguing (and by all accounts I'd love to learn more about her and the circumstantial lore), and I'm always ready to champion books that stand as important representation to others, this iteration didn't do much to spark my imagination and just...wasn't a good fit for me, as an individual reader.

Me gustaría conocer más mitos aparte de los consabidos griegos y nórdicos, así que cuando tuve la oportunidad de escuchar el audiolibro Kaikeyi de la autora Vaishnavi Patel, no la dejé escapar. Describen el libro como una aproximación a la primera parte de la historia épica Ramayana desde el punto de vista de Kaikeyi, siempre mostrada con la malvada intrigante que se oponía al ascenso al trono de Rama. Reconozco que mi desconocimiento de esta historia es total, así que he debido pasar por alto muchísimas de las referencias del libro, pero eso es algo que no me ha impedido disfrutar de un relato feminista y de sororidad.


Es importante hacer hincapié en que la figura de Kaikeyi narra en primera persona, así que veremos todos los acontecimientos a través de sus ojos y de su interpretación. No obstante, la autora carga mucho las tintas a su favor, ya que en todo momento la presenta como una joven reflexiva que busca mejorar las condiciones de las mujeres en una sociedad patriarcal como es la India del relato. Este alegato feminista es el eje central sobre el que gira el libro, intentando poner en valor la labor de la mujer en todas las esferas de la vida, incluso aquellas en las que en principio no se las dejaba participar, como la toma de decisiones del consejo o el comercio.

En cuanto a la vida de Kaikeyi asistiremos a su infancia, adolescencia y madurez, enmarcada en los privilegios que caracterizan la vida de una descendiente de reyes, pero que también se ve constreñida por las obligaciones propias del cargo y su propia condición de mujer. También creo que es importante que se trata de una persona que se autodefine como asexual (no exactamente con estas palabras, pero sí que hace referencia a la inexistencia de deseo sexual en su vida) y esta es la primera vez que me encuentro una protagonista de una historia con esta orientación.

El don de Kaikeyi para influir en las personas a su alrededor está explicado de una forma muy gráfica y sencilla, se podría decir que es un poder empático gracias al cual reafirma sus intenciones sobre otras personas. Necesita una base sobre la que trabajar, crear una red de interacciones para ampliar su capacidad de influencia y resulta poco ético, pero como ella misma descubrirá no todo es posible con esta capacidad.

La presencia de los dioses, aunque real, está muy velada y no tienen demasiada relevancia en el transcurso de la historia, salvo determinados momentos puntuales en los que sí ejercen su divinidad.

En resumen, se trata de una lectura pausada y agradable, que hace especial hincapié en la sororidad entre las mujeres y que despertará tus ganas de conocer algo más sobre el mito de Ramayana, ya que este libro sólo habla sobre el principio de la historia, en la que interviene Kaikeyi, dejándonos con la intriga sobre qué pasará con Ram, Sita y los demás personajes.

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel

Thank you Netgallery UK for the e-book for an unbiased review.

This was a book I'd been seeing a lot about, so does it live up to its hype? Yes I think it does.

I think reading the authors note was why I'm inclined to set this at 5/5 and not lower.

There are a lot of reimagined of myths, legends and stories out there. Some touch on religion or in practices that went on (I'm specifically thinking of Stela Brinzeanu with Set in Stone as it was a recent read) and will always court some kind of controversy as a result.

Kaikeyi isn't someone I knew of before reading the book, but the premise sparked by a conversation on whether she was a true villain in the story of Ramayana was enough to get my interest.

The way this book brings to light patriarchy and misogyny, yet balanced with influence of women, sisterhood, was brilliant.

Seeing Kaikeyi train as a warrior by her twin brother was both inspiring and powerful. Then later as she had to make agonising choices, it felt palpable.

The prose was gorgeous and held my attention throughout. Having major characters listed at the start was extremely useful, so following was far easier, as if I wasn't sure I had a quick reference point to look at.

If like me you enjoy reimagined stories of myths or legends, then this book is for you. It is an incredible debut novel and I hope to see more from Vaishnavi Patel.

5/5 stars 🌟