Fans of Patel's writing style will be pleased; it carries, feeling a bit more polished. The concept and structure of the story (ten incarnations, ten moments, ten avatars---alternative history founded in the real history) was really cool and really well-done.

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC.

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Note---When the cover is small (thumbnail sized), the beautiful art looks like a donut and the title isn't legible. I'm not sure where the book is in terms of production, but something to consider. The cover of Kaikeyi was so beautiful and recognizable.

Alternative history at it's finest. Makes you think and feel icky

Kalki Divekar grows up a daughter of Kingston—a city the British built on the ashes of Bombay. The older generation, including her father, have been lost to the brutal hunt for rebels. Young men are drafted to fight wars they will never return from. And the people of her city are more interested in fighting each other than facing their true oppressors.

When tragedy strikes close to home, Kalki and her group of friends begin to play a dangerous game, obtaining jobs working for the British while secretly planning to destroy the empire from the inside out. They found Kingston's new independence movement, knowing one wrong move means certain death. Facing threats from all quarters, Kalki must decide whether it’s more important to be a hero or to survive.

Told as ten moments from Kalki’s life that mirror the Dashavatara, the ten avatars of Vishnu, Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is a sweeping, deeply felt speculative novel of empowerment, friendship, self-determination, and the true meaning of freedom.

Ten incarnations of rebellion is a historical reimagining of Indian Independence period, with the idea that its 1960s and the British have not yet left the Indian shores.
The concept is good, and the idea that with an unsuspecting all female crew the heroine leads the liberation movement in Bombay is definitely a good one, but somehow I didn't like this one as much as it wanted to, there was something missing.
The topic too broad to be covered in one standalone book in my opinion.

I really enjoyed Patel's "Kaikeyi" so I was thrilled (and thankful!) for the opportunity to read her next book early! "The Ten Incarnations of Rebellion" follows Kalki Divekar as she develops into a revolutionary and frees Kingston (an alternative-history version of Mumbai) from British colonial rule in the 1960s. Like "Kaikeyi," the novel centers on complex and powerful women and their relationships - Kalki is full of contradictions and complexity, as are her best friends Fauzia and Yashu. I found the story of female revolutionaries refreshing. At first, I wasn't sure why Patel needed to create an alternative history to frame this story, but I think it perhaps gave her more room to play with themes of sexuality and what a women-led movement could have looked like. Overall, I enjoyed this story very much. I think it would make a great book club book - there are a lot of themes to explore and things to talk about. As revolutionaries, the women must make incredibly harrowing choices and mistakes along the way, so there is a LOT to discuss.

The only part that really didn't land with me was towards the end of the book when a couple of ghosts reappear to Kalki as her conscience during key moments. It was the only element of 'magic realism' in the book and it felt forced/out of place to me (and I usually LOVE magic realism!). I just felt like Kalki could have just owned her personal growth in those moments without the use of ghosts. She'd been through so much by then that it would have made more sense to me if she stayed her hand and displayed more patience just because, you know... she'd grown as a person over the seven years the book spans. No ghosts needed.

Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is a compelling, page-turning alternate history that follows a female-led revolutionary movement from its earliest days through the overthrow of British rule in India. The plot is fast-moving and engaging, and I really appreciated the moral nuance the book gets into with each character, fully embracing the complicated mess that is trying to build a better world on imperfect foundations. I would have preferred that the story spent more time in scene rather than in summary, and we receive a lot of information in flashback, which left me feeling a little detached from the present action, which is why I chose four stars. Still, I read this book in less than 48 hours, so I would definitely recommend.

incredibly moving. a powerful little book – TONS to say about it, which makes it immensely valuable.

beautiful, compelling and very fleshed out characters, they carried the story when the prose and very straightforward storytelling failed it at times. i loved the narrative conduction though, and while i would have liked it to go in different directions here and there, it all made sense and is never unrealistic or cowardly. it's in fact a very brave book, and it's strength truly lies in the depth of its thoughtfulness behind the simple prose.

i can see this being studied or becoming a classic, it even has those odd flaws that classics always have: they just make you want to talk about the book more.

vaishnavi patel you have my sword forever! highly rec this, thank you netgalley and publisher for the honor 👏

Thank you Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for the ARC. I have loved Vaishnavi Patels other books so I was so excited to read this one.

This takes place pre-independence India from the British empire. A young Kalki begins to start a liberation movement from the British, taking after her father who had been captured by the British for past rebellion. This book involves women, friends, from different castes and religions joining together to create this movement. The path to freedom unfortunately came with consequences and huge bumps in the path. Patel did a wonderful job showing the good, bad and ugly about the movement.

I did get a bit confused in some parts, it was hard to tell which was going back to the past and what was present but that might be a me problem.

Set in a fictional India that never secured independence from Imperial Britain, this story follows Kalki, a young woman who rises to lead a rebel group. Driven by the memory of her father, she fights to bring to life a vision of freedom she has never known—freedom whose cost she cannot yet fully grasp.

At its heart, this is a story about revolution. And while that’s a theme that feels ever-present in today’s fiction, this book stands out for the way it tackles the nuances of rebellion and resistance. And also grapples with a familiar yet poignant question: can revolution succeed without violence?

The exploration of revolution in this book is sharp and unflinching. Effective revolutions demand sacrifice—an idea that weighs heavily throughout the story. Kalki and her comrades aren’t fighting for personal glory or gain; they’re fighting for something far bigger than themselves. But that fight comes with costs, and the book doesn’t shy away from examining those sacrifices—what they mean, what they take, and how they transform those who make them. Freedom is beautiful and necessary, but the book doesn’t let you forget: attaining it often demands a brutal price.

That said, while I loved the book’s ambition and its exploration of these weighty themes, I found myself wanting a bit more depth in some areas. The characters, while compelling, could have used more time and space to breathe, and I think the story could have benefited from a deeper dive into the world-building. It’s such an intriguing setting—a fictional India trapped under Imperial rule—but I wish we’d been given more insight into its intricacies.

Overall, though, this is a powerful and timely read. It’s a story that will make you think about the cost of revolution, the price of freedom, and what it means to fight for a better world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advance copy. I enjoyed this very personal novel. The idea of reimagining history and setting the novel in an India that never separated from British rule was surprising. The characters were sympathetic and believable. I am impressed by the author’s passion and unique voice.

Stunning storytelling, tender depictions of love and friendship, and a thrilling tale of rebellion and freedom-fighting -- Ten Incarnations of Rebellion has it all and more. I truly cannot gush enough about how wonderful this book is. I adored almost every character in this story, and each was as individually complex as the next. A driving force of this story was the question of how much freedom is worth, and what you're willing to give up to finally achieve it. It's thought-provoking and powerful, and I was driven to both laughter and to tears more than once. There isn't really anything I could criticize; it's simply an amazing story.

I feel so, so blessed to have received an ARC of Ten Incarnations of Rebellion and experience early what I believe will be an instant success. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group!

I was honored to receive Ten Incarnations of Rebellion as a digital advance.

It was outside the realm of my usual books, and I'm so glad I was able to read it.

It gives us an alternative to history, and it also was a fascinating look into a unique subject.

This book is special, and I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

#RandomHousePublishing #VaishnaviPatel #TenIncarnationsofRebellion #NetGalley

An excellent alternative history exploring if Indian had not been able to break free of British colonial rule, and the renewed struggle in the 1960s by a group of young women to help undertake revolution in Kingston/ Bombay (now Mumbai). Well written and full of emotion, it explores women from different religions and castes that band together to create a network inside their isolated city and drive the British out. The main character Kalki, has to struggle with the efficacy of more violent methods and the demands from other rebel groups outside the city, as well as as her role working for the British government in order to make a living and gain information. The book seemed well researched and thoughtful, and was poignantly written.

This was just as amazing as all of Patel’s works have been so far! I have loved all of Patel’s works and was so excited to be approved for this!! I am sorry immensely excited to get a physical copy of this book and for this to be in everyone’s hands!

holy goddamn fuck.

Thank you, Kathleen Quinlan, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.
The approval came in January 8th, and I was halfway in, trembling as Vaishnavi Patel wove us deeper and further into the alternate history of what India might have been, if the British had not retreated on the topic of independence when they had. I was cursing that I had work, that I could not read further and learn more when the email came from with an icon from Kathleen Quinlan to start reading.

I've been a lover of Vaishnavi Patel's work ever since I was approved for an e-arc of Kaikeyi. With each devastating new book, we as readers are brought into the questions that are tackled within, and Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is one that refuses to hold back. Are you truly making a difference or making yourself feel better? How much is enough? What world can you live in? How much is too much? What injustices must you be aware of, to ensure that they do not continue in the new world?
Is it worth it, to build and make the new world in fear and anger? Can it be done with love, too? What can you risk, and what will you lose to make the world a better place for those you love? How much blood can you carry on your hands-- and how much of it can you make?

Kalki Divekar moves through the world as a force. It's easy to love her, to follow her, to see how she draws in first her friends, then compatriots, and fellow rebels, how she inspires them, how she learns. I know there is much in the deeper sections and meanings and questions I miss, but it never feels as if I am missing the larger questions, the larger fights.

I cannot wait to make use of the Recommended Reading list provided at the back, to continue my learning.

This was fascinating and impossible to put down. I love the premise of an alternate history showing what could have happened had the Indians used their same tactics under a more intense British rule. I was captivated until the end. I didn’t like how the end was framed around a white man. I don’t want to say more but in creating this full circle moment, the plot began to falter and give me pause. Otherwise, incredible book that deserves all the praise!!

Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is a poignant exploration of what it means to fight for freedom, the costs of revolution, and the personal sacrifices required for true change. The writing is lush and evocative, with moments of intense emotional resonance. The world-building is rich, and the characters are nuanced, making their choices and struggles deeply felt. The pace is steady, building to a thrilling crescendo as Kalki’s rebellion gains momentum, and her choices grow more dangerous with each passing moment. It is more than just an alternate history; it’s a bold and unflinching look at the complexities of resistance, identity, and the fight for freedom. It’s a novel that will leave readers thinking long after the final page. If you’re looking for a story that combines historical fiction with speculative elements, full of personal and political stakes, this book is an absolute must-read.

Vaishnavi Patel does it again! What an astounding piece of work! This more than holds up to her debut novel “Kaikeyi,” which I loved for its emotional complexity and rich detail. Ten Incarnations packs an even stronger punch: I can tell that Ms. Patel poured her heart into this novel, and that it comes from a place of deep personal meaning.

Set in a fictional India that never secured its independence from Imperial Britain, this story follows Kalki, a young woman who becomes the leader of a rebel group. In the memory of her father, she tries to bring to life a freedom she has neither seen nor knows the cost of.

Overarchingly, the story is about revolution, which feels like a dominant theme in fiction right now. I was strongly reminded of R.F. Kuang’s novel “Babel,” which similarly reimagines an exploitative Imperial Britain, but with fantastical flavor. Both books grapple with a difficult question: can a revolution succeed without violence?

One immediately wants to respond in the affirmative, because haven’t we seen examples of it in history? I myself came from a country known for ending a tyrannical dictatorship through a “nonviolent” popular demonstration (see 1986 Philippine People’s Power Revolution). But I know from quiet stories passed down within my family that it was far from peaceful. My mother’s college friends “disappeared” one day and never came home. Sometimes, bodies would be found in odd places, practically unidentifiable. Underneath the hundreds of thousands of protesting feet marching on the capital that week, there was plenty of spilled blood from the early dissenters who lit the beacons and got gunned down for doing so. They were the ones who paved the way and made a “nonviolent” revolution possible.

The one thing that isn’t in question here is that effective revolutions demand sacrifice. Those who fight for the cause typically won’t benefit from their own success. Revolutions are for the people, yes, but they are also born from audacious ideas - for example, freedom - and such ideas always exact a heavy human cost. Is it better, then, to have no “liabilities” when engaging in such dangerous activities? Yet another question that gets explored at length as Kalki watches her friends build lives around her while she devotes herself entirely to her work. One of the most satisfying parts of this novel is watching her grow into the realization that she cannot sever all those connections if she wants to survive: her “liabilities” are her friends, her found family, her best allies, and indeed her reason to continue the fight.

A quote from David Mitchell’s “Cloud Atlas” comes to mind:

“Our lives are not our own. From womb to tomb, we are bound to others, past and present. And by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.”

Perhaps we are asking the wrong question, then. Perhaps it is not if but when. When is violence appropriate? How much? That’s a cold-blooded calculation that can easily go off the rails, and something that makes me uncomfortable as an ethicist. It’s easy to speak about doing harm to someone, but quite another thing to actually do the harm. In Ms. Patel’s words, “Was that balance, justice? Or was it just chasing pain with pain in an endless night?”

It’s these big, difficult, salient questions that ultimately make me love this book enough to give it full stars. Revolution makes sense as a dominant theme in fiction in light of what we’re collectively dealing with in different parts of the world. So as I recommend this to you all, I won’t pretend that the material is easy, but it’s very thought-provoking and should serve as a sober, well-considered call to action. There are many injustices in this world of ours - “we’re all suffering a million griefs” - but change demands patience, perseverance, and belief. We, who are ever impatient and distrusting of each other and our institutions, should do well to remember.

I’m sure I’ll have more thoughts as I let this story percolate in my head. Soon enough, the immigrant’s guilt will rear its ugly head, as it always does when I read stories that make me think of my own halfway-abandoned roots. But to feel that is the whole point of books like this, which is transgressive on all accounts: it challenges our notions of normalcy, gender norms, religious lines, class and caste, conceptions of race, indeed even our understanding of our collective history. The point of a revolution is to overthrow the norms: even the ones that serve us.

Thank you, Ms. Patel, for this gorgeous gem. I appreciate the deep research and scholarship that went into this novel (adding some of those cited works to my tbr right now). And thank you for not shying away from the truly difficult conversations we need to have, and for showing us that indeed, books are political. I’ll be rereading this one for years to come.

(Promotional reel also posted on IG, full review on IG to follow.)

History sometimes feels like a turn of events through a kaleidoscope, if the tool was turned just slightly to an alternate direction, things would look so different In Ten Incarnations of Rebellion, the kaleidoscope turns back from when the British marched out through the Gateway of India and presents a country in a totally disparate light, a country under imperial rule, with the spirit of revolution and rebellion. The book is divided through ten primary avatars of Vishnu, the Hindu god. Each chapter unveils a lesson of that avatar as it chronicles the story of the protagonist, Kalki, a revolutionary in this alternate India's capital, Kingston (in the city currently known as Mumbai). The decade of Kalki's life that we follow, set in the 1960's, is an era that has its own associations with resistance and protests in our timeline, but also distanced enough from the era of Mahatma Gandhi and his contemporaries to function as a shared history on which to pivot. The story works on two levels. First, as an alternate history, if the British had not exited India in the 1940's. And, secondly, as a deeply moving story of a young woman as she experiences friendships, love, and loss. It is a touching story of deep, raw, honest emotion. This is the type of historical fiction I most enjoy, a story that I could connect with and recommend to anyone.
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

This was an interesting read. I have read and watched other things about the fight for Indian Independence. This book does a good job of incorporating the historical period with a fictional narrative.

This book was devastating, hopeful, tender, and so beautifully written. I was unable to put it down after 40% and ate the last 60 in one bite, crying throughout with tears both mournful and filled with inspiration. This book is brilliant, and I'm both stunned and thrilled that Vaishnavi managed to unseat Kaikeyi as my favorite.