The Eastern mythology, Xishi's deep link to her heritage, and her reluctant moments of affection for

Natalie Haynes's mythological retellings put women at the center of many scenes surrounding the Trojan If you enjoy retellings of mythology and you haven't yet read Madeline Miller's Circe (which I gave five Are there other mythological retellings you've loved?

Vaishnavi Patel's debut is a captivating retelling of the Indian epic Ramayana, with immersive details and an irresistible feminist main character fighting for a voice and for power in a man's world. I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions—much good it did me. In Vaishnavi Patel's debut novel, Kaikeyi, the author reimagines the life of a fabled queen from the Indian epic Ramayana. The retelling swirls with family drama, intrigue, bravery--all centered around a young woman determined to make her mark in a world run by men. Kaikeyi is one of eight children and the only daughter of a king whose lands are ruled by the gods' powerful and ruthless punishment. But in this feminist story, she fights for autonomy, for a voice, for strength, for knowledge--and she is determined to secure these for other women as well. The people of Bharat have often blamed my father for my sins, as if a woman cannot own her actions. In an era when noblewomen are expected to submit to arranged marriages, endless needlework, and polite silences and averted eyes, Kaikeyi is an uncontainable force. She is smart, eager, passionate, and determined--and an irresistible main protagonist. Kaikeyi turns to ancient texts for guidance, discovers magical abilities, and begins to understand that the gods' favor--endlessly important to each person's productivity, health, and blessings--will never be with her. She must forge her own path and find her own inner strength. I often wondered, as our horses flew across the fields, as their hooves kicked up dust from sun-warmed earth and their breath dissipated into the cooling air, if they remembered where they came from. If they longed for more, for the vast expanse of the skies. Perhaps we were kin, they and I, yearning for something unnameable, a place where we could stretch our wings and belong. Kaikeyi endlessly reinvents herself--as a warrior, a queen, an advisor, and a voice for powerless women--asserting her might and her wisdom even as an evil curse and unimaginable challenges threaten to undo everything she has built and all she has become. Patel's immersive detail of Indian fabrics, landscapes, and sights and sounds kept me enthralled. I found some of the final portion of the book's unraveling of who could be trusted, what would come to pass, and what the real story was to read somewhat slowly compared to the energetic pacing of the rest of the book. But the epilogue was gorgeous and a fitting bookend to the story. I received a prepublication digital edition of this book (published April 26) courtesy of Redhook and NetGalley. Do you have any Bossy thoughts about this book? If you enjoy retellings, you might also like some of the books on the Greedy Reading List Six Magical Fairy Tales Grown-Ups Will Love.

considers the world and her place in it, simmers and plans, and entertains well-known figures from mythology

and I'm listening to Clytemnestra, Costanza Casati's reimagined story of a vilified figure from Greek mythology This is a feminist retelling of a notorious figure in Greek mythology who is often painted as a villain For more titles that center around mythology, please check out the Bossy posts at this link.

reading Eilish Quin's upcoming debut, a retelling of the story of the most despised witch in Greek mythology 01 Medea by Eilish Quin The witch Medea may be the most despised and reviled figure in Greek mythology

I was in for the political inrigue, mythology, magic, and battles--but I'm not sure I fully grasped the

Elaborate mythology swirls around the mysterious author of the blockbuster fantasy series The Falling

difficulties; I'm reading This Woven Kingdom, the first in Tahereh Mafi's series inspired by Persian mythology

I thrive on overexposure, on elaborate jokes, on private mythology.

Books I'm Reading Now I'm reading what may be a perfect summer read with plenty of nostalgia; a dark, mythology-filled Michaelides has woven Greek mythology, references to ancient ceremony, and superstition into this dark

This is a beautiful book published by Chronicle Books. 02 Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman Author Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by Norse mythology while imagining his novels' many fantastical worlds. Here, Gaiman takes the reader through Norse mythological characters and tales, fashioning them into a The book is 300 pages, but with its short chapters, Norse Mythology lends itself to short bursts of reading

There is nothing mythological about this: Have you ever seen a mother spring up from a table when her

Michaelides weaves Greek mythology, references to ancient ceremony, and superstition into this dark tale Michaelides weaves in Greek mythology, references to ancient ceremony, and superstition into this dark

I found it interesting that within the almost mythological family that is based upon so much lore, the

considers the world and her place in it, simmers and plans, and entertains well-known figures from mythology

nonfiction book by Bill Browder, a fascinating science fiction read, a feminist retelling of Greek mythology 01 A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes Natalie Haynes's mythological retellings put women at the center

Hunter intersperses details of a long-term fascination on Lucy's part with mythology, and she also offers

Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker In Helene Wecker's tale, which has roots in Jewish and Arab folk mythology

Hunter intersperses details of a long-term fascination on Lucy's part with mythology, and she also offers

considers the world and her place in it, simmers and plans, and entertains well-known figures from mythology

considers the world and her place in it, simmers and plans, and entertains well-known figures from mythology

Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker In Helene Wecker's tale, which has roots in Jewish and Arab folk mythology

Baja, and golden dorado in the tribal lands along the Amazon’s headwaters, this gorgeously illustrated anthology