I have been an ardent fan of Vaishnavi Patels work, with Kaikeyi being a firm favorite. Her lyrical writing melded beautifully with the epic mythology thenes she picked. This read, was a sharp left turn for me, from an expectations perspective.

Vaishnavi combined the ignominy of subjugation and the angst of familial bonds, both found and inherited, in a time of change. Her tone captures the rawness of emotions and the undercurrent of fear, hopelessness and the need for fulfillment among youth whose ambitions have been repressed. The tale is a beautiful panorama of the Indian freedom movement, where the existing heroes were dealt with by the British. Vaishnavi weaves threads of patriotism, acceptance, forgiveness and freedom as tangible as the angst of the lead, Kalki, her growth and the confluence of societal and political impetus that drive her.
I thoroughly relished the tale and the interspersed references to the dasavatar or the ten reincarnation that Vishnu took to preserve goodness on earth. While looking at morality and death surrounding a leaders choices and the consequences actions of rebellion bring, Vaishnavi spins a bold and flawed etching that hits closer to home truths and the prevailing tensions. This book is a must read for anyone who enjoyed Poppy War and An ember in the Ashes. While magical systems may be missing, the writing and tone deals a mellifluous and lyrical ebb to this tale of the freedom struggle.
The tale follows Kalki Divekar, daughter of a ILM rebel, and fervent believer of freedom, in her quest for aiding the freedom movement despite being relegated to lowly roles due to her nationality and her gender. The research undertaken to bring out this nuanced tonality to the menu meter out to folks is beautifully executed. Assisting Kalki, akin to three musketeers, are the compassionate Fauzia and the downtrodden Yashu. Their paths to individual glory and their collective planning form the basis of this gripping tale!

Many thank yous to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC!

A lovely historical fiction set in India and showing a possible future where India didn't gain independence from Britain. I knew very little about this history going in, and I think it would be beneficial to the reader to have some knowledge. But overall, this was a good work of fiction that kept me engaged and interested. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy.

This alternative history of Indian independence is so excellent. This is a book that really sneaks up on you. The storyline feels somewhat straightforward but what keeps you interested are the characters’ difficult choices.

This book grapples with rebellion and resistance in such satisfying ways, engaging with questions that matter. Like, when is nonviolent resistance not enough? When does violent resistance go too far? How can empire be brought down without further oppression of the vulnerable? And even, when is it acceptable to forgive?

At the same time though, it’s the furthest thing from academic or impersonal. This is a human story that pulls you in and does not let you go.

Ten Incarnations of Rebellion imagines a world where India was never independent from British rule. I was not previously familiar with the history surrounding these events, and I didn’t feel like that knowledge was needed in order to understand what was happening in the story.

I thought the characters were the shining star of this novel. I loved everything about Kalki. She was intelligent, headstrong, and determined in her beliefs and fight for freedom. She was realistically flawed and realized her shortcomings. I also really enjoyed the thought of little things building up and becoming a full blown rebellion. I also loved that it leaned into the fact that is the women and the workers who are the backbone of society and have the ability to make the most change.

I think my only real complaint was how nicely the ending seemed to tie up. I’m not sure if I was expecting a grand, epic ending, but I was expecting more. I liked the reveal that came at the end, it just felt like something was missing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley for sending this my way - I can honestly say that I would never have picked this one up on my own. This is a great story of growth, grief, and perseverance. I wasn’t really interested in Indian culture, but now I find myself curious about it - surely that is the hallmark of truly great writing.

I think the author’s note is a great summarization of the thesis of this novel:

“Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is not interested in proving that the British Empire was a project of violence and terror. It accepts that as a historical fact. Instead, it is interested in examining the sacrifices and strength necessary to achieve independence, the selfishness and selflessness that go hand in hand in revolution, and the necessity of building coalitions across differences and dismantling indigenous forms of oppression.”

If this were a work of non-fiction, Patel could have made this point and done it well. As a fictional narrative, however, this book fell flat for me. She reports her story rather than narrating it in a fluid manner that would draw you into the book. The characters are well fleshed-out, and I ultimately appreciate where their stories ended, but the journey to the end was a slog. Drawing comparisons to the ten incarnations of Vishnu was a good idea in theory as well, but felt forced to me.

I was disappointed by this book — I have previously really enjoyed Vaishnavi Patel’s feminist retellings of Hindu mythology (my favorite being Kaikeyi) and was hoping a different direction in storytelling would be even better. Here’s hoping her next work fills this space for me instead.

A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A speculative historical fiction if India would have never gained independence from England. Khalki grew up the daughter of a rebel and is struggling internally with if she should follow in her father’s footsteps and attempt to rise up against the English or obey the law and continue on with her quiet life.

This book was interesting and well-written. It for sure made me want to know more about India gaining independence and also more about the stories of Vishnu, since the ten chapters are reflective of this story as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC!

An alternate history of India freeing itself from colonial rule featuring a cast of strong young women who lead the rebellion against the British in their city. Great world-building and interweaving of myths.

I'm pretty sure I felt literally every emotional, multiple times, while reading this book. This was such a moving story. I absolutely loved the female characters. They were so strong, resilient, and brave! I teared up at moments. This truly got to me. Kalki and her father are truly amazing characters. Kalki's character to development through her trials and triumph was a beautiful thing to watch unfold. So moving, so good in so many ways! easily 4.5 stars!!

I received this ARC from Random House Publishing (Ballantine) to read/review. All of the statements above my true opinions after fully reading this book.

This was such an interesting and thought provoking read. I’ve really enjoyed Vaishnavi Patel’s books and writing in general. I do think I enjoyed the second half of the book a little more because the story moved faster, but everything in the first half was so necessary to get us emotionally invested in the characters.

This book made me feel like I was on the edge of too much reality.

The story was based on what could have happened in India in the early 1960s if the British were still in charge. It took place in a community called Kingston with stiff curfews and a huge divide between the people.

A young girl, Kalki Divekar, followed her father’s footsteps and became a rebel who used all of her strength and support to fight for freedom. The story started when she was 19 trying to cope. Each chapter advanced her age a year with life lessons until she turned 29. She found inspiration from her parents and a few close friends.

The author did a vast amount of research to write the stages of this young girl’s life putting a significant amount of thought into the plot to make it seem believable. Pieces of history were incorporated with the fear of government control not only in India but other places.

However, for me it was deeply disturbing. I kept putting it down just thinking about how quickly change can happen with a government using tactics of fear and violence. Readers got more of an understanding of India’s dark history in the Author’s Notes and how the movement for independence was finally won.

My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of June 3, 2025.

4.5 ⭐️

Ten Incarnations of Rebellion presents an alternate history of the Indian Independence - what if the Indian Independence Movement did not achieve liberation in 1947? What would the British colonizers have done then? This book presents a version of India still under British rule in the 1960s.

Kalki, our MC, embodies the spirit of the colonized. She is angry, fierce, and desperate for freedom. Taking after her father, she solely has eyes for an independent India.

This novel portrays brutal colonization tactics that the British used on new people after losing India (but speculating their implementation in British India). It also portrays flaws of Indian systems that have been carried on despite the British regime: discrimination by caste and Hindu vs. Muslim rhetoric. This is a fictional story that shows us the harsh realities of imperialism, propaganda, and internal division.

There were so many times when I was angry with Kalki. Among a group of selfless people, she was the selfish one, not in the way that was entitled, but in a way that was impulsive and inconsiderate of her loved ones. I felt so bad for her family and friends. She becomes more aware of this flaw over time, but it doesn’t stop her from rushing to do what she thinks she needs to do anyway. In the last chapter, I got so mad at Kalki’s inability to set aside her emotions while acting that I could not rejoice at their victory.

I suppose that was the atmosphere Patel was trying to create: rebellion is not flawless, and liberation is not all sunshine and rainbows.

Overall, this is such a compelling story. The story was structured so well, and I could see how each chapter truly was a new incarnation of rebellion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House - Ballantine Books for this ARC!

What would India be like if British rule extended into the 1960s? This novel imagines what present day Mumbai would be like if British rule continued and its citizens created a rebellion to fight for independence.

The idea of this novel is intriguing, especially as every chapter concludes with a story connected to Hinduism. But the first half is bit of a slog and the second half contained nonstop action. I liked the book, but the execution had its flaws. 3.5 stars.

3.5/5 ⭐️
Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is a bold and imaginative collection that explores resistance and power through myth and history. Vaishnavi Patel brings strong themes and vivid prose, especially when highlighting divine and feminine rebellion. While some stories shine, others feel a bit rushed or disconnected. Overall, a creative and thought-provoking read, even if it doesn’t always fully land.

This alternate version of history is incredibly well-crafted and shows the love that the author has for those who lived through real world events that inspired the book. The depth of the characters makes you feel for them in a way that makes you want to be fighting alongside them while also mourning the losses they go through. A grand, sweeping story in the way that Vaishnavi Patel always executes immaculately, while also being on what feels like a smaller scale, but with no less heart.

3.5 stars

This book was intricately well-researched, full of fantastic complex characters and intricate sociopolitical issues. Our main three characters represent a wide collection of different identities: demisexual Hindu woman, lesbian Muslim woman, and low caste woman. By having a main cast that spans across identities that include sexuality, religion, and caste (as well as gender, though mostly in the sense that they are not men), it allowed Patel to organically bring up issues specific to certain identities that often get overlooked in times of change.

Our three main characters also provide a really nice balance of temperaments and ideologies. Kalki is the stereotypical rebel: hotheaded and action-oriented with a strong sense of justice. Fauzia is an organizer, more forward-thinking and good at bringing people together. Yashu is the one who stands her ground on bringing justice and equality for all, but also most willing to get her hands dirty.

My major gripe with the book is honestly just the long chapters. When each chapter is 30-40 pages, it gets pretty agonizing. I understand why that specific format was used, but it dramatically hindered my reading experience.

I truly believe in the importance of the topics in this book and found myself flying through it to find out what happened. One of the more important things to me was the war of ideals that Kalki displayed when she defended why her resistance movement didn't seem as productive to those on the outside. Working to take a system down from within, when you know your actions have consequences, is a hard road to take. The women worked beautifully within their power of being written off and ignored and were able to enact change without resorting to violence every time. In fact, the times they did perform violent acts almost always resulted in untimely death or setbacks. Rebellion happens in many ways and over a very long time and this book definitely shows that.
I think the moral center of the book helps cover a lot of flaws for me. Most cons I have - unemotional or draft one tone to scenes as well as a tendency to fly past important moments, a bit of unclear pacing - are often easily ignored because the subject has its own value and importance.

Thank you Ballantine Books for the e-arc of Ten Incarnations of Rebellion! I was excited to read this alternate history of 1960s India in which the British still rule. Kalki’s father was a leader of the Kingston (Bombay) chapter of the Indian Liberation Movement & had to leave when she was young. Kalki is rightfully full of anger not only at this but because of British rule & their treatment & exploitation of Indians. She is part of a group of Indians chosen to advance in education & subsequently work a government job, a career she resents for being collaborative. But she & her two closest friends, a Muslim & a Dalit (the lowest caste in India), find a way to fight the sectarianism & unofficial caste system (as the British outlawed it) & undermine British rule in ways that help Indians.

I love that the book is constructed of 10 vignettes that begin with an I statement from Kalki on how she learned something & at what age & each end in a story from the Dashavatara, the story working as the chapter title. The 10 chapters reflect the title & the Dashavatara is about the incarnations of Vishnu, a double reference. The final chapter & incarnation of Vishnu is Kalki. This circularity made the book’s construction & story feel full of intent.

One of the most impactful parts of the plot was the cultural suppression by the British. The book opens with Kalki wanting to remember her father’s favorite song. The British had banned the song, but were consummate record keepers, & Kalki took the opportunity of a special gathering in a government building to find the song. What Kalki doesn’t realize is her small act of resistance is what sets her on her ultimate path. She decides to break curfew & the ban to plaster the song across her city. An act of love for the memory of her father sets a spark in her revolutionary soul.

This book also looks at acts of violence in resistance, which I felt was really important to address, neither condoning nor decrying but setting up various instances & their results, along with the feelings of those involved, giving us very human responses.

In the end, this women-led revolution is 5 stars & one of my favorite books of this year–coming June 3rd!

I was excited about this ever since I heard about it, as Goddess of the River was one of my favorite books last year. This is a very different kind of story, but I still think people who loved Patel's previous work would enjoy this.

This book is al alternate history set in the 1960, imagining India hasn't gained independence yet and the British are using even more extreme suppression tactics, similar to what they used in other countries before those gained independence.
Kalki is an Indian woman who grew up in Kingston, what was formerly Bombay. This city is completely isolated from the rest of India, and by the time Kalki is growing up, the previous rebellious movement is mostly dead or in hiding, including Kalki's father.

The book is divided into ten chapters, with some time skips between them, each highlighting different moments in Kalki's life and her own progression towards being a rebel leader. Kalki grow up idolizing her father, a rebel in his own time, and wants to be like him and set India free. In time, she manages to start a movement alongside her close friends Fauzia and Yashu.

I like how this book also examined the religious tensions in India, and how the British actively used pre existing prejudice against the population to divide and conquer. Kalki is Hindu and there's Hindu myths tying her story together, each relating to a different aspect of Vishnu. Her best friend Fauzia is muslim, and Yashu is from a lower caste, and the story really considers these aspects of their identities and what their place will be in a free India.

I loved the characters in this book, alongside the moral complexity they brought. Each have different views on rebellion. Yashu starts out hesitant about rebelling at all, as she fears liberation will mean little for lower caste people like her. And there's many ethical dilemmas, questioning how much violence is justified by the cause, and if they would condone much violence, what will that mean for the country they liberate? I love how this book explored that, and how Kalki has to make her choices on what she stands for.

I haven't seen this mentioned elsewhere, but it's also a very queer book. The MC's identity is not super explicit but I'd read her as bi and a-spec, and Fauzia is a lesbian. There's a sprinkle of romance that ultimately doesn't really go anywhere, but that fits the overall story well.

Would recommend this to fans of Patel's previous work and people who enjoy anti colonial stories

"From the New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi comes an epic and daring novel that imagines an alternate version of 1960s India that was never liberated from the British, and a young woman's struggle to change the tides of history.

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 one another than facing their true oppressors.

When tragedy strikes close to home, Kalki begins to play a dangerous game with small acts of resistance, tempered by cautious, level-headed Yashu and fortified by Fauzia, whose dreams of the future awaken Kalki's heart. Together, they found Kingston's new independence movement, obtaining jobs working for the British while secretly planning to destroy the empire from the inside out. But one wrong move means certain death, and when facing threats from all quarters, Kalki must decide whether it's more important to be a hero or to survive.

Set over the course of a decade and 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."

And the importance for independence!