Kaikeyi: the instant New York Times bestseller and Tiktok sensation

Vaishnavi Patel's debut novel, "Kaikeyi," is a reimagining of the life of the infamous queen from the Indian epic the Ramayana. The book is an instant New York Times bestseller and a Tiktok sensation. Kaikeyi, the only daughter of a king, is banished and her worth is reduced to what marriage alliance she can secure. She discovers a magic that is hers alone and transforms herself from an overlooked princess into a warrior, diplomat, and favored queen. However, when evils from her childhood stories threaten her world, she must decide if resistance is worth the destruction it will wreak.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 528 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

An Instant New York Times Bestseller and TikTok Sensation!




Vaishnavi Patel's stunning debut novel, "Kaikeyi," reimagines the life of the infamous queen from the Indian epic, the "Ramayana."


The only daughter of a king, Kaikeyi witnesses her mother's banishment and her own worth being reduced to the marriage alliance she can secure. Despite being raised on stories of the gods' might and benevolence, her prayers for help go unanswered. 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. With this power, Kaikeyi transforms herself from an overlooked princess into a warrior, diplomat, and favored queen, fiercely determined to shape her destiny.


However, 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. Kaikeyi must make a difficult decision: is resistance worth the destruction it will wreak, and what legacy does she intend to leave behind?


"Kaikeyi" is a must-read 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 who is determined to leave her mark in a world where gods and men dictate the shape of things to come.


Praise for "Kaikeyi":


"Mythic retelling at its best!" - R. F. Kuang, author of "The Poppy War"


"Utterly captivating from start to finish!" - Genevieve Gornichec, author of "The Witch's Heart"


"Brave, compassionate, and powerful!" - Tasha Suri, author of "The Jasmine Throne"


"A lyrical and evocative retelling, full of power and grace!" - Ava Reid, author of "The Wolf and the Woodsman"


"Compulsively readable and infinitely compassionate!" - Roshani Chokshi, author of "The Gilded Wolves"


"A thought-provoking, nuanced new look at one of history's most complex and enigmatic figures!" - Roshani Chokshi, author of "The Gilded Wolves"

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 127 x 197 x 41 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780356520193