AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “MYTHIC RETELLING AT ITS BEST.” (R. F. Kuang, author of Yellowface) A 2023IGNYTE AWARD FINALIST A BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB PICK

With a graceful, measured elegance (New York Times), this lyrical novel reimagines the life of the infamous queen from the ancient epic the Ramayana, giving voice to an extraordinary woman determined to leave her mark in a world where gods and men dictate the shape of things to come.

I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positionsmuch good it did me.

So begins Kaikeyis story. The only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, she is raised on legends 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 tales threatens the cosmic order, the path she has forged clashes with the destiny the gods have chosen for her family. Kaikeyi must decide if resistance is worth the destruction it will wreakand what legacy she intends to leave behind.

PRAISE FOR KAIKEYI

“Patel resets the balance of power, creating an unforgettable heroine who understands that it isnt necessarily kings or gods who change history.”Washington Post

“Easily earns its place on shelves alongside Madeline Millers Circe.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Utterly captivating from start to finish.”Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witchs 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 Juniper & Thorn

“Compulsively readable and infinitely compassionate.”Roshani Chokshi, author of The Last Tale of the Flower Bride

“A thought-provoking, nuanced new look at one of humanitys most foundational stories.”Shannon Chakraborty, author of The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi

496 pages | Hardcover

“Patels mesmerizing debut shines a brilliant light on the vilified queen from [the Indian epic] theRamayana….This easily earns its place on shelves alongside Madeline MillersCirce.”Publishers Weekly(starred review)

I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positionsmuch good it did me.

So begins Kaikeyis story. The only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, she is raised on tales 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 wreakand what legacy she intends to leave behind.

A stunning debut from a powerful new voice,Kaikeyireimagines the life of the infamous queen from the Indian epic theRamayana,weaving a tale of fate, family, courage, and heartbreakand an extraordinary woman determined to leave her mark in a world where gods and men dictate the shape of things to come.

Praise forKaikeyi:

Mythic retelling at its best.R. F. Kuang, author ofThe Poppy War

Utterly captivating from start to finish.Genevieve Gornichec, author ofThe Witchs Heart

Brave, compassionate and powerful.Tasha Suri, author ofThe Jasmine Throne

A lyrical and evocative retelling, full of power and grace.Ava Reid, author ofThe Wolf and the Woodsman

Compulsively readable and infinitely compassionate.Roshani Chokshi, author ofThe Gilded Wolves

A thought-provoking, nuanced new look at one of humanitys most foundational stories. S. A. Chakraborty, author ofThe City of Brass

Fans of Madeline Miller’sCircewill fall hard for this story.Booklist(starred review)