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noemi1010's review against another edition
5.0
Kaliya and Raphael are going to India. Kaliya hasn't been back since she run away a 100 years go, but it's time to face her past. While there, she gets closure with the other nagas and she finally finds out who was the enemy behind the attack that killed so many of her people.
The next book in the series will come out next May, and I have no idea how I can resist until then.
The next book in the series will come out next May, and I have no idea how I can resist until then.
purplesimi's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome
Freaking amazing!!!! Happy and sad at the same time! Excited for the next book. Awesome writing Ms. Banet. This is my favorite heroine.
Freaking amazing!!!! Happy and sad at the same time! Excited for the next book. Awesome writing Ms. Banet. This is my favorite heroine.
clockworkbook's review
5.0
4.5 - A rich and powerful story of growth, acceptance, heartache, love and the weight of the past. This was not a fast read, but such a good one. The author portrayed the gravity and consequences of the past, but also the hope for the future of the Nagas. As a race they have been through so much and Kaliya's return is so well done. You absolutely feel it all. It was raw at times and heartbreaking, but Kaliya is the hope and strength for the future of her her people.
Have tissue ready near the end.
Have tissue ready near the end.
kzimm2024's review
4.0
This was my least favorite book of the series but I understand it needed to happen to further the story. Kal and Raph head to India and there were a LOT of characters to follow. It was well done but beware to anyone who puts this book down halfway and doesn't come back for a while- its easy to forget who is who.
Its a slow read, not a lot of steam and lots of unfolding of reincarnation and Indian culture/history. Interesting but long. They made peace only to be attacked, and found an ancient enemy. They fought, lots of good people died and then they escaped to Arizona. Loved the baby snake angle.
Its a slow read, not a lot of steam and lots of unfolding of reincarnation and Indian culture/history. Interesting but long. They made peace only to be attacked, and found an ancient enemy. They fought, lots of good people died and then they escaped to Arizona. Loved the baby snake angle.
katyanaish's review
4.0
Well ... I mean, I'm not going to repeat all the reasons I don't like Kaliya, because I've done that in previous reviews. Suffice to say that she's still that person, and I still don't like her. She's still making silly errors, and is iron-clad in believing only she knows the right thing and no one else really gets a say.
She finally, in this book, does grow a little as a character, repairing some things that have been broken for a century (literally - she's 119 years old), and realizing that her perceptions of people were a bit flawed.
She also becomes the master of failing upwards, because the end of this book was just shocking to me. I will never understand why, honestly - there's a lot more to a ruler than being able to fight, and her people skills are subpar, at best. In no universe does she deserve to, nor is capable of, solo-ruling a people. She got crowned because she's powerful, and certainly not because she's a good ruler.
I liked Adhar a lot, and I was sad for how his story ended. I feel like Kaliya can't do what he does, and she frankly needed him there to temper her...because the stuff he does, she utterly sucks at. With the understanding they had come to, and with him backing her so solidly, I don't understand why the story really had to go there. I liked the beautiful balance they were striking between the modern and the traditional, and I think that was what was allowing Kaliya to - FINALLY - grow.
Aamir was a dick. But I felt like there was a path for growth there, and he didn't get it. He and Saranya deserved better.
But the overall story was great. Threads were picked up and disappeared though - what about Rama, for example? - in a somewhat weird way. I hope they play out in the final book. And I hope we get an explanation for Garuda and the rakshasas. It's a cool story, but is pretty hand-wavy right now, and I need to know how this makes sense. And I really need to know why the rakshasas took a such a hard - and illogical - left turn. Garuda must be capable of gifting golden rainbows of magical orgasms and neverending power and riches, or something, to convince so many people to follow him to their inevitable doom. Mahar, Devika, and now the entire species of rakshasas? Why?
Tentative 4 stars, assuming there will be a why.
There had better be a why.
She finally, in this book, does grow a little as a character, repairing some things that have been broken for a century (literally - she's 119 years old), and realizing that her perceptions of people were a bit flawed.
She also becomes the master of failing upwards, because the end of this book was just shocking to me. I will never understand why, honestly - there's a lot more to a ruler than being able to fight, and her people skills are subpar, at best. In no universe does she deserve to, nor is capable of, solo-ruling a people. She got crowned because she's powerful, and certainly not because she's a good ruler.
I liked Adhar a lot, and I was sad for how his story ended. I feel like Kaliya can't do what he does, and she frankly needed him there to temper her...because the stuff he does, she utterly sucks at. With the understanding they had come to, and with him backing her so solidly, I don't understand why the story really had to go there. I liked the beautiful balance they were striking between the modern and the traditional, and I think that was what was allowing Kaliya to - FINALLY - grow.
Aamir was a dick. But I felt like there was a path for growth there, and he didn't get it. He and Saranya deserved better.
But the overall story was great. Threads were picked up and disappeared though - what about Rama, for example? - in a somewhat weird way. I hope they play out in the final book. And I hope we get an explanation for Garuda and the rakshasas. It's a cool story, but is pretty hand-wavy right now, and I need to know how this makes sense. And I really need to know why the rakshasas took a such a hard - and illogical - left turn. Garuda must be capable of gifting golden rainbows of magical orgasms and neverending power and riches, or something, to convince so many people to follow him to their inevitable doom. Mahar, Devika, and now the entire species of rakshasas? Why?
Tentative 4 stars, assuming there will be a why.
There had better be a why.
gypsydawn's review
5.0
Book 5 takes a step back from the high octane action of the first 4 books, opting to slow down and sneak through the incredibly thick plot, only to land in a mire only Kalyia really saw coming.
Going home to India has been a trip long in the making, one that we take a front seat to witness - while learning the reasons behind her actions, their actions, and secrets aplenty. Mates are met, betrayals exposed and a truth revealed that will, quite literally, devastate an entire people.
It’s intense, yet methodical. This is not a quick page Turner as the action flows, rather, it’s actually a story that demands attention - no matter if it’s between interpersonal drama, or the very real struggles Kaylia faces with her mate.
It’s beautiful, and pivotal - setting the stage for the closing scenes to come. The past has always haunted her, and now they’ll all know why.
Going home to India has been a trip long in the making, one that we take a front seat to witness - while learning the reasons behind her actions, their actions, and secrets aplenty. Mates are met, betrayals exposed and a truth revealed that will, quite literally, devastate an entire people.
It’s intense, yet methodical. This is not a quick page Turner as the action flows, rather, it’s actually a story that demands attention - no matter if it’s between interpersonal drama, or the very real struggles Kaylia faces with her mate.
It’s beautiful, and pivotal - setting the stage for the closing scenes to come. The past has always haunted her, and now they’ll all know why.
tessisreading2's review
2.0
The plot is fast-moving and I'm continuing with the series, but this was the book where things felt really problematic to me. The information we're given about India and Kaliya's history feels like infodumps cribbed from Wikipedia, and I am left somewhat confused about the naga - on the one hand a white backpacker had to explain to them what a vacuum cleaner was, but on the other hand they all speak perfect English? Furthermore, when Kaliya is infodumping naga history, she tells someone that "Hindu mythology got it closest to the truth" (I'm paraphrasing) - I have real issues here. Hinduism is the world's third-largest religion (thanks Wikipedia!) with literal billions of followers and for someone who is not Hindu to "reinterpret" their mythology for an urban fantasy novel is more than a little discomfiting.
serenaschwanda's review
5.0
Wowzers
Always so so good and this was no exception. Well done kn banet! Im now super sad I have to wait for the next one!
Always so so good and this was no exception. Well done kn banet! Im now super sad I have to wait for the next one!
sammipants08's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rebeccazh's review
4.0
This is a review for the first four books of the series. I went through this very bingeable series in the past few days. I have come to really trust Banet's writing by this point. First off, I really like the grounding in mythology and race and appreciate that it isn't an all white cast. Learning more about the different types of supernaturals is fascinating.
I also really like hiw fast paced things are compared to the Jacky Leon books. It's very fun to just blaze through it all. I really like Kaliya's characterization. She's a bit off an asshole and does stupid things but she's just so likeable. I loved how she makes mistakes for a reason, and not just for the sake of creating conflict to pad the plot (eg her being hot and cold with Raphael 'for his own book' and then the disaster that happened, proving that she wasn't just being a bit of an asshole but had legitimate reasons for becoming the way she is).
I found Raphael's character pretty well-done as well. In the first three books, I found him to kind of lack personality (like Gabriel from Emily in Paris) and I was honestly kind of disappointed. After he goes to the compound though, the strangely muted personality makes a lot of sense and his character really comes through. That was quite a nice bit of character writing there.
Very much enjoyed how the series is about Kaliya's growth as a person and her evolving relationships. I especially love Cassius and her relationship. It's just wonderful.
I did find some of the installments to have a bit of a weird pace, slow in the first half and breakneck in the second (esp 5).
But overall, I've really grown to love these characters and am super hyped to read the last installment in the series.
I also really like hiw fast paced things are compared to the Jacky Leon books. It's very fun to just blaze through it all. I really like Kaliya's characterization. She's a bit off an asshole and does stupid things but she's just so likeable. I loved how she makes mistakes for a reason, and not just for the sake of creating conflict to pad the plot (eg her being hot and cold with Raphael 'for his own book' and then the disaster that happened, proving that she wasn't just being a bit of an asshole but had legitimate reasons for becoming the way she is).
I found Raphael's character pretty well-done as well. In the first three books, I found him to kind of lack personality (like Gabriel from Emily in Paris) and I was honestly kind of disappointed. After he goes to the compound though, the strangely muted personality makes a lot of sense and his character really comes through. That was quite a nice bit of character writing there.
Very much enjoyed how the series is about Kaliya's growth as a person and her evolving relationships. I especially love Cassius and her relationship. It's just wonderful.
I did find some of the installments to have a bit of a weird pace, slow in the first half and breakneck in the second (esp 5).
But overall, I've really grown to love these characters and am super hyped to read the last installment in the series.