Kaikeyi is the only daughter of the King of Kekaya, who is married off as the third wife of the King of a neighbouring country. She tells her suitor, who is still childless, she agrees to be his wife if she bears him a son, this son will be the heir to his throne. When Kaikeyi falls pregnant, so do his other wives and her husband now has many sons. Kaikeyi’s son has no interest in becoming the next ruler, but one of his brothers does. This brother is the reincarnation of one of the Gods and he and Kaikeyi clash at times even though she loves him as if he was her own child.
Kaikeyi becomes one of the King’s favourite wives and is appointed as a diplomat to help the relationship between her new country and the country of her birth.
This book is the retelling of Kaikeyi’s myth in the Ramayana in which she is portrayed as a villain.
What can I say about this book apart from: it is brilliant! I listened to the audiobook and wow, what a treat! I also own the eBook, in case I want to re-read it. Even though Kaikeyi is meant to be a villain in the Ramayana, in Patel’s retelling she is a mother who is torn between the fate of her children.
Read for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge.
Prompt 11: Title starting with the letter “K”.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
