Kaikeyi

by Vaishnavi Patel

Lisa Marie Pompilio (Cover Designer)

In the kingdom of Kekaya, Kaikeyi is raised on grand stories about the might and benevolence of the gods: how they churned vast oceans to obtain the nectar of immortality, how they offer the devoted and the wise magnificent boons, how they vanquish evil and ensure the land prospers. Yet she watches as her father unceremoniously banishes her mother, her own worth measured by how great a marriage alliance she can secure. And when she calls upon the gods for help, they never seem to hear.

Desperate for independence, she turns to the ancient texts she once read with her mother and discovers a magic that is hers alone. She uses it to transform herself from overlooked princess into warrior, diplomat, and most-favorite queen, determined to forge a better world for herself  than the one that gods and men have granted.

But when darkness threatens the cosmic order, the path the gods have chosen for Kaikeyi’s family—especially that of her beloved son, Rama—challenges all she has built. She must decide if her resistance is worth the destruction it will wreak…and what legacy she intends to leave behind.

• ISBN10: 0759557330
• ISBN13: 9780759557338
• Publish Date: 12 May 2022 (first published 26 April 2022)
• Publish Status: Cancelled
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Redhook
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 496
• Language: English

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Who else has been craving more mythological retellings? I know I have. That's why I absolutely had to snag Kaikeyi when I saw it available on BOTM. Written by Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi is a captivating fantasy tale worth diving into.

Kaikeyi was born the only daughter of a ruler of Kakaya. At a young age, she witnessed her mother's banishment, and she took this lesson to heart. Do not trust others, especially men, to arrange her well-being and fate.

In a move of desperation and loneliness, Kaikeyi delves into the texts that her mother left behind. These texts help Kaikeyi understand the magic that flows within her veins – the magic that gives her the ability to influence those around her. These abilities will eventually shape Kaikeyi's life, though perhaps not in the ways she could have ever anticipated.

“I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions—much good it did me.”

Wow. Kaikeyi was such a compelling read. It hits home on many points, especially the treatment of women and how wars can ruin lives and families. Vaishnavi Patel did an absolutely wonderful job of capturing these very human elements.

This is an impressive feat, given that the characters often felt larger than life. Kaikeyi seemed to take on the world, tackling the challenges and issues that so many had overlooked. It was beautiful and powerful to see, even if things didn't go as she hoped or planned.

I don't know enough about anything that Kaikeyi is based upon, and I wish that were different. I can tell you that Vaishnavi Patel did so much research prepping for this novel – much of the preparation is listed at the back of the book. I love it when authors do this. It provides insight into just how much work went into the novel, even before the writing process began.

Part of me was so sad when Kaikeyi. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to the characters or the story, even though it did feel like the natural conclusion to the tale. I'm looking forward to seeing whatever Vaishnavi Patel has to write next, and know that I'll be reading it.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

While I felt the role of the gods and goddesses in this novel was weak and one I didn't fully grasp, I did enjoy the politics and struggle for the throne. It was a good challenge to read this book to learn about an Indian legend and not be overwhelmed by a completely new world.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.