Am I the biggest fan of romantasy? No, but that didn't stop me from absolutely loving this book. Based on a truly great piece of Indian mythology, this book explores love and the power it holds, as well as asking the question - who can you turn to when everyone you love has turned against you.

I was very surprised, in a good way, by the final twist, and I thought he book did an incredible job of exploring Meneka's journey, as her powers waxed, waned, and ultimately blossomed.

The budding romance with Kaushika provided a great backdrop for the rest of the story to take place, and it was so refreshing to see a romance where she isn't the only one who changes and is affected by what is happening. He changes to, and in fact he changes first.

This book ended well, in a way that would be satisfactory by itself, but also leaves a small glimmer open if there was a desire for a sequel. Generally, I'm not a fan of sequels, but Kritika wrote this book so beautifully that I would love to continue reading this story!

"I see a vision of beauty, sacred and deep. I see a woman who is strong, because she has fought terrible battles with herself. Who has won them and lost them and understand the futility of fighting but does it anyway because to not do so would be harder."

A Day of Fallen Night meets The Phoenix King in an Indian inspired fantasy novel filled with deities vs mortals.

The premise and the story was interesting but unfortunately the writing style just didn't work for me. The pace was incredibly slow and I found myself confused on what we were working towards for a majority of the book.
I can see the appeal in the book but unfortunately it just wasn't for me.

I'm always desperate for a good fantasy book diving into Hindu mythology. I want to both educate myself and immerse myself into this world.

The Legend of Meneka has this worldbuilding and mythology to perfection. And the writing style is truly mesmerizing - as I am used to with the author.
It's a story of empowerment and identity, and it bleeds through every page.

However, as with Rao's previous books I read, the weak point for me are the characters. Though they are fleshed out, I still always found myself detached from them. Despite the look into their thoughts and emotions, I just could not connect. Their character arc and the romance is good on paper, but does not transport onto the page.

As I am drawn into books by characters mostly, sadly this story overall wasn't for me.

3,5/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @harpercollins for the eARC!

#LegendOfMeneka #Netgalley #Bookstagram

The Legend of Meneka by Kritika H. Rao was so so good. This was such a lovely experience. I enjoyed every single second of it. So so good.

A stunning Romantasy adventure hugely inspired by Indian Mythology that is both enchanting and impactful in so many ways.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟.5 (3.5/5)

Kritika H. Rao’s The Legend of Meneka presents a lush and imaginative tale, blending mythology with intricate world-building and themes of destiny and resilience. The story follows Meneka, whose journey challenges her to unravel secrets of her lineage while navigating a landscape fraught with danger and divine influence.

The prose is vivid, and the mythology is immersive, but the pacing occasionally falters, with dense exposition slowing the narrative. Despite this, the rich cultural elements and compelling character arcs make it a worthwhile read for fantasy enthusiasts.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC. DNF @ 55%.

TLoM's strength lies in the interesting and lush Hindu mythological influences of deities and apsaras (celestials). That and titular protagonist Meneka is queer, having started out establishing that she's presently smitten with a fellow senior female apsara.

But aside from those, I ultimately struggled to hold on to my interest in Meneka's story. A seductress who feels remorse over the emotional manipulation that comes with her honey trapping role makes for an intriguing premise. I liked that her journey began with wanting to break free from that, which she'll be rewarded with after One Last Mission. But from very early on, Meneka—who was stated to have successfully seduced and manipulated many marks of prominent positions like royals, mind you—proved that she lacked any cunning or a calculative bone in her body. It was like reading a novice spy who had lucked her way through missions because her prior marks were so absurdly gullible, including this latest one.

And then, she goes on to rapidly develop a deep attraction for the aforementioned mark, Kaushika. Even though at that time, she still believed he had murdered her sister apsaras and had no reason to trust him. Kaushika had also been disdainful and condescending towards her, but that takes a backseat because he's hot, I guess. He reciprocates Meneka's attraction just as quickly, because she's oh so beautiful and shows she's capable of the bare minimum of compassion for other humans. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at every exchanged romantic dialogue because it feels so forced. Basically, if insta-lust makes for a swoonworthy romance for you, this is right up your alley.

I loved the premise of this story, I think it is really unique. The sense of setting was evocative and the prose was beautiful. I found it could have benefitted from slightly tighter pacing, but overall an interesting story.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
The Legend of Meneka by Kritika H. Rao is a beautifully woven tale that blends mythology and fantasy in a captivating way. The characters are rich and complex, and the plot is full of twists that kept me hooked from start to finish. The world-building is vivid, and the story explores themes of destiny, love, and self-discovery with depth and emotion. If you’re a fan of immersive fantasy with a touch of magic, this book is a must-read!

The Legend of Meneka is a lush, intriguing take on Indian mythology, blending fantasy, romance, and political intrigue. I was drawn in by the premise of an apsara—a celestial dancer with the power to seduce and manipulate—caught between duty and desire. There’s a lot to appreciate in this book, but it didn’t fully land for me.

Let’s start with the positives. The world-building is absolutely stunning. Rao crafts a vivid and immersive backdrop filled with celestial courts, divine politics, and richly detailed mythology. I could almost feel the weight of the gods’ presence and smell the incense in the air. It’s clear the author poured a lot of love and care into creating this universe, and readers who enjoy stories steeped in cultural lore will appreciate it.

Meneka’s journey is compelling in parts, especially as she wrestles with questions of identity, freedom, and her role as both a weapon and a woman seeking something more. Her internal conflict adds depth to her character, and I liked seeing her growth as she begins to challenge the system she’s been a pawn in for so long.

However, the romance—which is the core of the story—felt a bit underwhelming. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Meneka and Kaushika had moments of tension, but it lacked the slow-burn intensity I was hoping for. Their interactions were more simmering than sizzling, and I didn’t find myself fully invested in their relationship. I also felt that Kaushika, while intriguing, could have used more development to make him stand out beyond his role as the mysterious, powerful mortal.

The pacing was another challenge. The first half of the book dragged for me, with a lot of introspection and setup that slowed down the momentum. Things did pick up in the latter half, but it required patience to get there. Additionally, the lyrical, almost dreamlike writing style was beautiful but sometimes made it hard to connect with the characters on an emotional level. It felt like watching them from a distance rather than being in the thick of their experiences.

Overall, The Legend of Meneka is a unique and beautifully crafted story, but it didn’t completely win me over. It’s a solid read for fans of mythology-based fantasy who enjoy rich world-building and introspective storytelling. While it wasn’t a personal favorite, I’d still recommend it to readers looking for a romantasy that stands out from the usual tropes and offers a fresh perspective rooted in Indian lore.

I struggled to get into this book and feel it just wasn't for me. I've given it a 4 star rating as I feel like it's beautifully written and it was more a personal preference issue.

The writing is beautiful but it takes some getting used to. It's like poetry as it's so unique.

I loved the tension between the two main characters and the world building was done so beautifully. I keep saying beautiful as that's what this book is. Sadly, I just couldn't get into it. I try to avoid first person books so that might be the issue with me and this book.

3.5 stars
Rao’s writing is wonderful as can be seen in her word choices, and detailed descriptions.
As for the plot, characterisation and dialogue, I enjoyed the aspects excluding those with Meneka’s and Kaushika’s romantic involvement.
4/5 for the scenes and plot elements about Meneka, the world setting and the mythology.
3/5 for most of those with the lust between M & K and the ending.
I would be interested in other books by this author.

Rating - 4.5 stars

I think this book would be perfect for fans of Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan.

Dare I say this is one of the fewest spicy romantasy books that I actually liked. I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected. I ended up finishing this book much faster than I thought I would because I found it hard to put this book down.

Meneka and Kaushika have my whole heart. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!!! So many of my favourite quotes are from their interactions with each other. Every time I go back to those quotes, I always smile, giggle and kick my feet because the tension and their relationship is through the roof. Specifically, Kaushika’s quotes? OMG I AM DOWN BAD FOR HIM. He’s just too damn fine for his own good.

The writing style of this book was so mesmerising and sensual, I was so in awe of the author’s choice of words in every single page. The world building is steeped in Indian mythology. There is a glossary that can help you get used to the terminology. If you love flowery, lyrical writing then you’re going to love this book. If I had a physical copy of this book, I would highlight nearly all the quotes because there were endless amounts of them that I loved.

I liked that Meneka had to deal with a lot of internal struggles throughout the book. I loved the way the author explored identity. In the beginning, she was quite naive, but by the end, I was just so proud of her character growth that it made me tear up a few times.

I absolutely loved how there was no clear villain amongst the characters, and everyone was morally grey. Everyone was equally capable of both good and evil and so their complexity made them feel like real people to me.

The idea is intriguing and enticing, but the execution is a catastrophe. I couldn't connect with the characters. I had high hopes for this book, but it fell short of my expectations. :(

Rated 2.5/5 stars

I…had very mixed emotions on this one. Initially I was impressed with the writing - it’s lyrical in a way that reflects the sensuality that comes with Meneka as an ‘instrument of lust’. It was easy to fall into that atmosphere, but ultimately it proved to be a hindrance to the actual romance later. It’s a strange one where the descriptive tone and its attempt to be reminiscent of mythology almost removes it from the audience entirely - it’s hard to care for the characters or what they’re doing when they feel untouchable.

I wanted to love this but ultimately just felt very mild about it unfortunately. But if you’re looking for a romantasy that feels distinctly different- more focused on lust as a concept and tool to be used, than the grand whirlwind romances of today’s hype - then this might be one to check out.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, Harperfiction for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'd made the mistake of assuming this to be a loose romantasy retelling of the Hindu mythology of Sage Vishwamitra and Apsara Menaka but I was wrong. It was rich and heavy, lush fantasy series with so much of mythology sprinkled every were perfectly with cultural appropriation.

The simple writing style of the book hooked me to teh story. It was simple to understand and delves into the philosophy and emotions of the characters.

To me, I felt comfort while reading this book because it brought back so many memories of stories and myths told by my family when I was a child. And to every person who lives by this beautiful religion and culture, you know how much this means to us and our future.

The world-building of this book was rich and heavily influenced by Hindu mythology. Many of the names and places were familiar from the original myth.

Overall, this was an emotional read for me with a beautiful retelling of a beautiful myth from our history. I absolutely enjoyed devouring this book and slowly savoured it!

Thank you to Harper Voyager for providing an ARC through NetGalley. This was a fresh and unique reading experience for me. With little prior knowledge of Indian mythology, I went in blind, unsure of where the story would take me.

To start, I struggled with Meneka as a character, particularly in the first half of the book. She often came across as overly self-pitying, without fully owning up to the consequences of her actions. This "woe is me" attitude made it difficult to connect with her initially.

Additionally, while the story is billed as a "spicy romance," the enemies-to-lovers dynamic felt underdeveloped. The tension between Meneka and the male lead lacked the spark. Their chemistry, while present, didn’t quite deliver on the promise of intense, slow-burning passion that the genre typically excels in.

The first half of the book was slow, and I found it challenging to immerse myself in the story. It took time and perseverance to reach a point where I felt fully engaged, but it was clear that the plot was building toward something.

However, Where the author truly shines is in the world-building. The descriptions of the settings and the world around the characters were vivid and beautifully crafted, painting a lush and immersive backdrop for the story. I also appreciated how the narrative explored themes of faith. The protagonists’ spiritual journeys were thoughtfully handled, presenting challenges to their beliefs without undermining the importance of religion. Their unwavering convictions and resilience were compelling, showcasing a universal exploration of faith that could resonate with readers from any background—not just those familiar with the mythology of the Apsara.

Overall a good read, it isn't something I would rush to read again, but it is one I would recommend for those interested in reading stories from different cultures.

5⭐

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, Harperfiction for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Legend of Meneka by Kritika H. Rao is a sensual and coming of age retelling of the infamous ballad of Hindu mythology --- Menaka and Vishwamitra.

I had assumed this book was loose retelling with hints of Hindu mythology but no, it was a full blown romantic fantasy with rich and cultural appropriation.

The way the author had began the sorry had me grappling with the pages. From Meneka returning after seducing a devotee who started worship of Lord Indra, her dialogues and inner thoughts are mature, for she is smart to the twisted world that was carved to look beautiful, that she yearned for the truth and came to a beautiful self-realization of everything that was true.

Meneka is an immortal who is young in the heart and she grows from everything she experiences and expands her knowledge with everything she had to do for survival. She holds doubts like no other but yearns to find answers to them.

While most readers don't see it as a romantasy, it doesn't feel like the average romantasy books floating around. As Hindu myself, I could see how much deeper the topic of the book is than a retelling. It's not just a story, it's an epic retelling with a gifted voice. A lot of religious themes were explored and explained and I enjoyed how the author had deep dived into this myth of Menaka and Vishwamitra and gave them a true story where here, Meneka has a voice of her own. The way the author explored the theme and meanings of love and seduction is beautiful and does justice to the story.

Kaushika and Meneka's romance is not born of seduction but a slow and sensual development. While seduction is a major theme, the way the seduction is performed is not entirely a sexual notion. Their love is stronger than the bounds holding them together even while their ideals make them against each other.

While there are sex scenes in the book, it isn't to add spice or be spicy but rather explore the themes of sexuality and sensuality. To show the seduction of love in a philosophical context. There is introduction of ideals of Hinduism that play a major role in this part.

The writing style of the book is what also got me hooked to the story. While it is not super lyrical, it is easy to understand and delves deep into the emotions of the character and sense of spirituality. To me, I felt comfort while reading this book because it brought back so many memories of stories and myths told by my family when I was a child.

The world-building of this book was rich and heavily influenced by Hindu mythology. Many of the names and places were familiar from the original myth.

The book was an overall emotional read for me and I could not put it down at all. I was just so moved by everything. I fell in love with Meneka and Kaushika and can't wait to read the next installment!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the Arc. Whilst this book was well written I struggled to get into it. The mythology was interesting, refreshing, and set it apart from other Romantasies, but I found it hard connecting to the characters, particularly Meneka. It was ok and had some positives , but not for me.

Steeped in rich Hindu mythology with gods and apsaras and sages, this book sounded right up my alley but unfortunately the execution fell a bit flat. The female MC seemed a bit 2D and lacked personality. The romance between Meneka and Kaushika also felt a bit forced - like they went from actively not liking each other to basically screwing within a chapter with very little build up…

Also looootttts of inner monologue.

The mythology was really interesting and I definitely need to read more of it.