Reviews

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel

cragamiel's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sahoek's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

monicapal15's review against another edition

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5.0

I absolutely loved this! I grew up listening and reading the Ramayana and would think about it every year during Diwali. And though in the story I grew up with, Kaikeyi is considered the villain for exiling Ram, I loved reading this feminist retelling of Kaikeyi’s life.  It reminds me that (and although I know this is a mythic retelling) history has always been viewed, told, and shared from a patriarchal lens. The villain in someone’s story is not always a multi-headed rakshasa, but patriarchy itself. 

claireviolet's review against another edition

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3.0

i love vaishnavi patel's writing. it is gorgeous and poetic, and i really enjoyed the first third of this book. i think kaikeyi is left so unchecked by the narrative and i left with the impression that we were supposed to experience her as an unquestionably good character who at her worst was at least well-meaning, and that left me so bored as the story went on.

clairebear200's review

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adventurous inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ajf1774's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional informative reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

thisisdanni's review against another edition

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  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

ashtonj's review against another edition

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emotional reflective tense 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

3.5

ahopper7's review against another edition

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The narration was fantastic, and although I really like some of the elements for this retelling, overall I found myself bored and not caring how the story continued so decided it just wasn’t for me.

vrxnk's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0