The only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, she is raised on legends of the gods: how they churned the vast ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality, how they vanquish evil and ensure the land of Bharat prospers, and how they offer powerful boons to the devout and the wise. I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions-much good it did me. “With a graceful, measured elegance” (New York Times), this lyrical novel reimagines the life of the infamous queen from the ancient epic the Ramayana, giving voice to an extraordinary woman determined to leave her mark in a world where gods and men dictate the shape of things to come. ' A thought-provoking, nuanced new look at one of humanity's most foundational stories' S. 'Compulsively readable and infinitely compassionate' Roshani Chokshi, author of The Gilded Wolves 'A lyrical and evocative retelling, full of power and grace' Ava Reid, author of The Wolf and the Woodsman

'Brave, compassionate and powerful' Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne 'Utterly captivating from start to finish' Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch's Heart Kaikeyi must decide if resistance is worth the destruction it will wreak - and what legacy she intends to leave behind.Ī must for readers of historical and mythological retellings such as Madeline Miller's Circe and Jennifer Saint's Ariadne, this powerful debut weaves a tale of an extraordinary woman determined to leave her mark in a world where gods and men dictate the shape of things to come. But when evils from her childhood stories threaten her world, the path she has forged clashes with the destiny the gods have chosen for her family.

With this power, Kaikeyi transforms herself from an overlooked princess into a warrior, diplomat and favoured queen, determined to carve a better world for herself and the women around her. She turns to her mother's library and discovers a magic that is hers alone.

Although she was raised on stories of the might and benevolence of the gods, her prayers for help go unanswered. The only daughter of a king, Kaikeyi watches as her mother is banished and her own worth is reduced to what marriage alliance she can secure. An instant New York Times bestseller and Tiktok sensation, Vaishnavi Patel's stunning debut Kaikeyi reimagines the life of the infamous queen from Indian epic the Ramayana.

Kaikeyi book review