Challenge Corner discussion

"Patel’s mesmerizing debut shines a brilliant light on the vilified queen from the Ramayana….This easily earns its place on shelves alongside Madeline Miller’s Circe." –Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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

So begins Kaikeyi’s story. The only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, she is raised on tales about the might and benevolence 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. Yet she watches as her father unceremoniously banishes her mother, listens as her own worth is reduced to how great a marriage alliance she can secure. And when she calls upon the gods for help, they never seem to hear.

Desperate for some measure of independence, she turns to the texts she once read with her mother and discovers a magic that is hers alone. With this power, Kaikeyi transforms herself from an overlooked princess into a warrior, diplomat, and most favored queen, determined to carve a better world for herself and the women around her.

But as the evil from her childhood stories threatens the cosmic order, the path she has forged clashes with the destiny the gods have chosen for her family. And Kaikeyi must decide if resistance is worth the destruction it will wreak—and what legacy she intends to leave behind.

A stunning debut from a powerful new voice, Kaikeyi is a tale of fate, family, courage, and heartbreak—of an extraordinary woman determined to leave her mark in a world where gods and men dictate the shape of things to come.

Will definitely jump into this Thursday!

i'll be slow with finishing this since it's my discord book and we read like 25% a week!

ch 7 ish (view spoiler)[ I love this world already. I loved seeing Kaikeyi learn how to use her magic and training with her brother. The training montage was definitely my favorite. I'm sad she's being forced to marry already. Curious to see what this trial will entail. (hide spoiler)]

Since the physical is still somewhere in my room, I will also be slow to catch up. I'll try to find it tonight/tomorrow morning.

Alaina wrote: "Since the physical is still somewhere in my room, I will also be slow to catch up. I'll try to find it tonight/tomorrow morning."

Totally fine! I'm planning to go up to 21 this week and then I'll be done until next week at some point lol

I like the plan!

part 1 (view spoiler)[damn I can’t believe she shattered her bond with her brother over an inevitable marriage! Like I understand why she's mad, but to completely snap her strongest bond over it!!! I am distraught (hide spoiler)]

Ch 21 (view spoiler)[ Oof that boy, Brahm, or whatever his name is, is gonna be a problem. This kid is already a little shit. I don't like that he's possessed by a god. And so glad Kaikeyi and her brother made up! Their reunion made me so happy. (hide spoiler)]

I started this yesterday! So, once I catch up on my other BR comments and reviews - I'll jump back into this!

sounds good to me!

part 3 (view spoiler)[ OH MY GOD!!! this has been such a ride. I don't even know how to feel. I really don't like Rama, but i'm unsure how much of him is the gods forcing their opinion on him or actually this boys thoughts and feelings. Something is definitely going to have to be done with him. I'm so nervous for the ending I don't know what to think or how things will wrap up! I'm so glad kaikeyi got to see her mom and get closure from that aspect of her life. I hope she can keep her mother and half siblings in her life.

Also i didnt think Sita would be her friend's daughter!! So many plot twists. I love this book so much. (hide spoiler)]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[Ugh. Men. Always thinking they know what a woman needs. Such bullshit. I'm sad that the bond between her and her brother is broken but he messed up. (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "ch 7 ish [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, the marriage doesn't seem fun but maybe she can use it to her advantage?

Andy wrote: "part 1 [spoilers removed]"

Definitely wasn't expecting that.

Part 2: (view spoiler)[Honestly, she needs to slap her kid another time. I don't like how he talks and treats people. I also don't like how he was so excited for that lesson. No need to go back in time when things are moving forward. (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "Ch 21 [spoilers removed]"

Yes, he is a little piece of shit. Hot damn.

Part 3: (view spoiler)[...but do we have to go back home? I'm also really
happy that we got to see her mom. (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "part 3 .."

Seriously, my brain is turning into pudding right now. So many things were revealed and I'm in shock.

Part 4/Finished: (view spoiler)[Well, that's definitely bittersweet. I'm so sad that her brother died. At least that sort of woke up the son from being influenced by the other guy. What an interesting book. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Andy wrote: "part 3 .."

Seriously, my brain is turning into pudding right now. So many things were revealed and I'm in shock."

my mortal brain was not meant to comprehend this greatness lmao

hahah same!

Finished (view spoiler)[ All the men are trash. I rest my case. (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING NOVEMBER 4TH, 2022

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Starting this today! :) Very excited! :)

I read it yesterday and it was amazing! Uploading my comments now!

Chaper 7
(view spoiler)[I'm so frustrated for Kaikeyi, even her twin doesn't understand and look out for her :( (hide spoiler)]

Chaper 14
(view spoiler)[What the god said was so scary...I'm super curious to see what she does that would make him say that (hide spoiler)]

Chaper 27
(view spoiler)[That story about her mom was so sad! I was thinking she'd be redeemed somehow but I wasn't expecting that story (hide spoiler)]

End
(view spoiler)[This was so interesting and well-written. It's interesting how so many people thought Kaikeyi was cruel but she was looking out for those she loved, it kinda puts things into perspective for me (hide spoiler)]

Wow you are fast!

akacya ❦ wrote: "Chaper 7
[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 7: (view spoiler)[I feel the same, though I also wonder why she hasn't tried to find her mother with the bond... Also she should have checked with her friend, but it sounds like the bond snapped and then she just forgot about her, except in regards to learning how to use her power. Not very nice, she is a bit entitled...
She is also going to regret shattering the bond with his brother, no matter what he did... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16: (view spoiler)[I really liked the idea of the
women council. Not sure being kind to Dhanteri was a great idea, though. (hide spoiler)]

akacya ❦ wrote: "Chaper 14
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Given how bad for women are the gods' laws, I'm all for Kaikeyi going against them! :P (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22: (view spoiler)[I don't like where this is going... Is Rama going to be an anti-feminist / anti-progress? :( I don't know the Ramayana... (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "akacya ❦ wrote: "Chaper 14
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

For sure!!

akacya ❦ wrote: "Chaper 27
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[At least she remade a life for herself... I still think she could have done something to contact Kaikeyi... (hide spoiler)]

akacya ❦ wrote: "End
[spoilers removed]"

Finished:
(view spoiler)[i loved it!!!!
It's a very interesting take, I agree, and I love books that take a supposed villain perspective!
I have a couple of musings though:
-I think I saw the "stiching" where the old myth was woven into the story, because the characters started to behave like other people... Maybe it could have been done a bit better in terms of characterizationc at the point where she asks for the boons (but it was still good)
-this is one of these instances where "the villain was actually good all along", and,while I enjoyed it and loved the character, I start to wonder if we can have a story where we have the villain perspective,and the villain is not as bad as we always thought, but they still have big flaws/are misguided. I think I want to read a story like that, because I have read quite a few of these complete redemptions. Not this book's fault, just thinking.

I loved that she despairs at the end and goes back to her old pattern of apathy for a while, I think this is great and consistent characterization, and I love seeing patterns in characters behaviour. And the ending was good and uplifting. I would have liked to see even more of her life to its end though, and Rama's return?

One of the questions for discussion at the end of the book is about Kaikeyi's attitude towards servants vs. women, and I agree with the implication that she is a feminist, but also classist - she has nothing against the class system. (hide spoiler)]

Part 1 : (view spoiler)[I contempolated a long time whether to read this book or not and finally decided to give it a go. Needless to say, I am GLAD that I did it. Kaikeyi has traditionally been cast as an evil character in Ramayana who banished Rama from Ayodhya to make her son the heir and Manthara was her evil sidekick. But to read about from where it all started is giving me a different perspective to things. I LOVE books that tell the stroies from villain's POVs and like all of them, this one shows Kaikeyi as a normal person. I don't think Kaikeyi had any magic in actual Ramayana though so that was a good fantasy touch (hide spoiler)]

Kira wrote: "Part 1 : [spoilers removed]"

Glad you like it, I loved it! Looking forward to your thoughts! :)

Being from India, i thought it would be good to read a book about Indian mythology! The writer has done a great job with the character building so far.

Upto Chapter 15 : (view spoiler)[I did not know this side of the story at all. I wonder if it's all included in the real Ramayana story. Kaikeyi is good from deep within her heart and the way she saved Dashrath was commendable. I do not like how everyone including the wives praise Dashrath though. All of them bonding with each other was good. I believe the incident with Riddhi was an example of Manthara influencing Kaikeyi? I had heard about the famous "Kheer" that bore Dashrath's sons, glad to read it in this book as well. For someone who isn't religious at all, I am surprisingly enjoying this book very much. Also, it's not significant but these people talking about eating meat during Yagna had me chuckling because at present, my mom won't even let me have onions on a Puja Day lol! (hide spoiler)]

Kira wrote: "Upto Chapter 15 : [spoilers removed]"

Interesting! :) The author wrote notes at end describing what she gout from the original, and where she had to make it completely up. I think (view spoiler)[the part of her saving her husband (hide spoiler)] was in the original as well.
At the end there is also a good explanation about the different Ramayana from the author - hope your edition has it too, it was really interesting to read!

Andy wrote: "Kira wrote: "Upto Chapter 15 : [spoilers removed]"

Interesting! :) The author wrote notes at end describing what she gout from the original, and where she had to make it completely up. I think [sp..."

Considering I have been brought up Hindu one might think I would know our religious texts but I am so clueless! It is interesting to read a story where I finally may find out why Kaikeyi banished Rama…He hasn’t even been born yet in the book though. I’ll definitely look up the parts you mentioned, it would help with the understanding of the book :)

I found it a really interesting book, and the notes at the end enhanced the experience for me! :)

Though I believe she took a lot of liberty, because there wasn't much in the original about Kaykeyi. I'll keep reading your comments, it is interesting to have the perspective of someone from the culture about it! I struggled with the names... :P

Upto Chapter 23 : (view spoiler)[Rama is portayed completely different in this book as compared to the original text and I don't know what to say about it. Many of these thoughts match with my thinking so I am glad to see someone else questioning everything as well. However I do think it would massively hurt some people's feelings especially devout Rama worshippers. The fact that he asked Sita for Agnipariksha itself is enough for me to not like him tbh. I am excited for the impending Swayamvara, it doesn't look like Kaikeyi has any ill will towards Rama despite Dashratha going back on his words. IDK why she is portrayed so evil throughout our teachings (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "I found it a really interesting book, and the notes at the end enhanced the experience for me! :)

Though I believe she took a lot of liberty, because there wasn't much in the original about Kaykey..."

Yeah!! Apart from she being an evil step mom and banishing Rama, I have never heard anything about her in stories from my grandma. I am loving this entirely new perspective and this might be the first mythology book I am loving wholeheartedly (although I do understand why it might come across as offensive to some!)

I thought the Ramayana was more a mythological story like the Odissey, is it instead more like Bible stories, still in use in religion?

Upto Chapter 31 : (view spoiler)[Oh Ravana was never a part of the Swayamvara in the original texts, that was a good twist. I am completely enamored by the author for being brave enough to spin the story this way. It will be very problematic for the religious people though. Rama's obnoxious personality throughout the book is a completely new perspective. The parts with Kaikeyi's mother had me feeling a bit conflicted. I honestly couldn't pick a side there, And it seems like the author chose to portray Ravana in a good light throughout the book which is quite surprising. Him being Sita's dad though was a bit much. I feel like my previous knowledge of Ramayana is preventing me from embracing all the details of the book. (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "I thought the Ramayana was more a mythological story like the Odissey, is it instead more like Bible stories, still in use in religion?"

For Hindus, it is the most religious text that is out there honestly and people read Ramayana for peace and calm mind, it is sacred for all so I am surprised that this book even exists!

Kira wrote: "Andy wrote: "I thought the Ramayana was more a mythological story like the Odissey, is it instead more like Bible stories, still in use in religion?"

For Hindus, it is the most religious text that..."

Oh, wow! Now I am also surprised by this book's existence!
I guess some people might take it as bad as some Catholics took the Dan Brown book in the 2000s... (I can say it, I was a practicing Catholic then! ;) )

I was not convinced by Ravana's characterization either by the way, he just changes completely at the end, and I don't think it was done well (one of the only negatives for me)