Vaishnavi Patel never misses! I finished my ARC of her third book yesterday evening, took a quick break to finish crying (it was that good!), and then immediately ran to Goodreads to give this incredible book 5 stars.

This is my third time rating her work 5 stars. She is such a talented writer and through her work, I've really found a connection back to the stories I used to constantly request my grandmother and father to repeat to me when I was younger.

📖 The Premise:

Set in an alternate timeline in which India never gained freedom from the British, this book follows Kalki and her best friends as they spearhead the Indian independence movement in Kingston, a British-controlled city built on the ruins of Bombay.

Each chapter captures a formative moment in Kalki's life as she strives to balance survival, stealth, meaningful impact, and heroism, mirroring the Dashavatara—the ten avatars of Vishnu, the Hindu god who protects and preserves the universe.

What I Loved:

✨ The complexity of Kalki: From the family dynamics she was born into, to the way that she loves her friends, to the intensity of her desire for freedom and the sacrifices that are forced upon her to strengthen her cause, her characterization is masterfully executed this book.

✨ The exploration of whether revolution against oppressors can truly be accomplished without violence. This book delves into that question in a way that reminds me of Babel by R.F. Kuang.

✨ The Dalit perspective: This is the first book I’ve ever read that explores life in India as a member of the marginalized Dalit community, who have historically faced discrimination and been forced into menial jobs.

When people say that reading helps develop empathy, this is the kind of book they are talking about.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC!

This is a deeply sobering story about an imagined version of the fight for Indian independence from Britain. It was very beautiful and touching. The world and the story overall was incredible to read. Overall, I did not like the book quite as much as Patel's other works, specifically because it was hard to connect with the characters, but I still enjoyed it. If you are a fan of books about colonialism and rebellion, similar to Babel by R.F. Kuang, this is a great book to read.

I am quickly becoming a very big fan of Vaishnavi Patel. I actually enjoyed this book so much i preordered a physical copy!

This book. There is something magical about everything Vaishnavi Patel writes—it always resonates with me. I’m blown away by how she blended so many genres in this novel and made it work seamlessly. There’s alternate history, mythology, coming-of-age, and commentary on gender identity and colonialism, all wrapped into one.

My first thought when reading this was dismay at the fact that it was only ten chapters long—it didn’t feel like enough. The premise was ambitious: each chapter would represent a significant moment in the protagonist Kalki’s life, paralleling one of the ten avatars of Vishnu. Overarching it all was an alternate history where India never gained independence from the British Empire, and Kalki’s quest to make freedom a reality in her lifetime. That’s a lot of story to tell in ten chapters, and I worried it might feel rushed.

But I should know by now—Vaishnavi Patel is masterful at unfolding a narrative.
Kalki is surrounded by a diverse and richly developed cast of characters, many of whom represent marginalized groups in present-day India. Her friends are women, Dalits, Muslims, the elderly, and the young—united by rebellion and a shared goal of freedom. I especially appreciated how the book explored British colonial tactics of "divide and conquer" and the harsh realities faced by Dalits, to the extent that some believed British rule might be preferable.

One of my favorite parts was the author’s note: *“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.”* Not enough people recognize the extent of the damage the British did to India. They invited a man unfamiliar with the land to draw arbitrary lines on a map, leading to the largest mass migration in history. Thousands died, and the subcontinent has never been the same.

This book enraged me at times because I know many of the colonial tactics described were based on real events. The characters were so engaging that I had to pace myself—I wanted to devour it in one sitting, but I also wanted to savor the world and live with these characters for a while longer.

Alternate history timelines don’t always work, but this one absolutely did. I was fully immersed in the story and highly recommend it.

This novel by Vasihnavi Patel follows a young woman named Kalki as she navigates life in a fictional India that did not gain independence from Britain.

We witness Kalki grow throughout a time where it dangerous not only to be a woman or Indian, but also to be a dreamer. Kalki longs for a just and free India and you witness her fire a spark, stoke the flames and eventually engulf everything to reach her goal.

Something that still resonates with me after reading this novel is the idea of forgiveness and what is and is not considered a forgivable deed.

As a subplot, I appreciate the author touching on what is still a tense relationship between religious groups in South Asia.

Additionally, the pattern of sentences at the start of each chapter are definitely memorable and well executed. They were simple, yet bold and expressive.

I do wish we were able to go more in depth into some of the characters and their relationships with one another, but do still value the ones we were presented with in this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing story. Had me hooked from the beginning. The empowerment. Watching our FMC trying to fight for a world she has never seen, incredible.

Thank you, Penguin Books and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book.

I almost feel that Vaishnavi Patel has written herself as the character of Kalki, our main character, who is a warrior in every respect, and I could bet she is a lot like our author.

The book imagines an India that never got its independence and was still under the yoke of British rule and Mumbai (renamed Kingston in the story) is cut off from the rest of India with the inhabitants trapped in an abusive relationship with the British overlords. Inside this terrible situation simmers rebellion.

First the rebellion starts small and grows tentacles over time. Kalki, her friends, her lover, her father, a long-time exiled rebel, and various networks clandestinely form a start to disrupt life in Kingston. Momentum builds with terrible consequences.

I don’t want to give the story away so I will not add more details. I found some of the story hard to even feel. Having been a student of India and traveled there many times, I know that society there is conservative, even under British rule. There is a lesbian theme in the book, that would be hard to imagine as the risk was so great under British rule and is still difficult today. Some of the ways that the different religions crossed seemed unreal.

I don’t want to pick apart aspects of the book, but for my reading, it detracted. I think it is an interesting book, and worth reading.

Patel is a great storyteller and this is another great story. The dichotomy between the stories of the incarnations Vishnu and the evolution of Kalki from a quiet girl living under British rule in India to a full blown rebel is both compelling and relatable as she struggles through her own transformation.
I will gladly read anything Vaishnavi Patel writes.

Review of Advance Reader’s eBook Copy

Kalki Divekar, with memories of time spent with her father when she was five years old, sets out to start a revolution, a liberating movement that will finally give India freedom from British rule.

Can Kalki inspire those around her? Does a rebellion have any chance of success?

And what might be the cost of such a move?

=========

This narrative, an alternate history, revolves around the British rule in India. Here, British rule is firmly in place in the 1960s and Kalki Divekar is determined to do her part to bring freedom to India. With each chapter focused on one year in Kalki’s life, readers follow her from an idealistic nineteen-year-old to a sadder, wiser twenty-eight-year-old.

Strong, believable characters, an intriguing premise, and some surprising revelations all work together to keep the pages turning. As Kalki becomes the leader of a group of rebels, she finds her life devoted solely to the rebellion.

With emphasis on friendship as well as on power, justice, and revolution, this is a story for readers who enjoy historical fiction and/or the “what if” thoughts that lead to speculation on just how different things might be “if only.” Above all else, the telling of this tale is a story of hope and the true meaning . . . and the cost . . . of freedom.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Ballantine Books and NetGalley
#TenIncarnationsofRebellion #NetGalley

I was given the opportunity to read and review Ten Incarnations of Rebellion by Vaishnavi Patel, and it was a captivating experience. Set in an alternate history where British colonial rule never ended, the story follows Kalki, a young woman leading a rebellion against the empire in 1960s India. The narrative blends historical fiction with rich cultural references, including Hindu mythology, making the revolution both a personal and spiritual journey for Kalki and her companions. While the themes of sacrifice and the price of freedom were powerful, some parts felt rushed, and I longed for deeper exploration of the world Patel created. Still, it’s a thought-provoking and emotional story that would make a great discussion starter. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review this ARC.

Ten Incarnations of Rebellion explores an alternate reality where history diverts in the 1910s and the British Empire kept India firmly in its clutches despite what in our history was a successful Indian Independence Movement. The novel follows a new generation of revolutionaries grappling with what it means to fight for independence. Vaishnavi Patel touches on the complexities of freedom movements, in a saga spanning a decade of the protagonist's life with each chapter chronicling a year with a theme taken from classic Hindu stories. Overall, this was a thought-provoking read that provided one angle of understanding the triumphs and pitfalls of the Independence Movement of our history. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Ever read a book that carves out your heart, filets it, and you say thank you while you're sobbing your eyes out? This is that book. Exquisite storytelling, reminds me of how I felt reading The Poppy War.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House publishing for sending me an eARC of this story in exchange for my honest review.

RATING: 2.75/5 stars

I really loved Kaikeyi and enjoyed Goddess of the River, so I had some pretty high expectations for this book but unfortunately Ten Incarnations of Rebellion didn't quite hit the mark for me. Vaishnavi Patel's writing is lush and compelling, she definitely has mastery over what draws readers into the story and how to weave together emotions to make readers have empathy for her characters and their struggles. I enjoyed Kalki, but instantly fell in love with Fauzia and Yasha; their stories added rich religious and caste diversity to the subcultures that exist within India, and I feel like their struggles added a multifaceted quality to the story that piqued my interest each time more of their story appeared. Frankly, Fauzia and Yasha are the primary reasons this book rates above a 3 star for me, because the other elements of the book were simply lacking.

The anti-violence revolution rhetoric makes sense in the midst of the 21st century, but feels completely out of place in the era of the Vietnam War,the Cuban resistance, the Burkina Faso coup, and so many other revolutionary struggles of this era. It feels like the author is trying to tell people in the 21st century not to resort to violence, and i hear the kernel of Angela Davis' modern times require an adaptation of strategies for revolution, but for a book that is a HISTORICAL fiction set in the 1960s, it simply makes no sense in the grand context of world events. And even for the 21st century, an anti-violence ideal adheres to strongly to exactly what the ruling class desires; they want a revolution to be slow, they want a revolution to take 7 years, all so that they can adapt quickly and easily to topple any dissent among the people they subjugate.

And to that point, the revolution, as an entity, is so flat; every facet and update about Kalki's rebellion is told (as opposed to shown) to readers. We are told "we're making great strides, we've expanded growth!" without any substantial scenes showing the growth or development of the revolution. And with most of these statements coming from Fauzia and Yasha, it becomes hard to see Kalki as the great main character revolutionary that she is meant to be. Patel tried far hard to make this story a character-centric tale revolving around Kalki's life but the plot is torn too heavily between political machinations and Kalki's emotional strife that even though the writing is compelling, it feels like you're gobbling it up and never feeling full.

And to top it all off, the ending/conclusion of the revolution felt completely misguided; Patel fails to dismantle the oppressive structures of the government, choosing instead to instill a replacement figurehead as a means of "freeing" the people. This lack of critical analysis on anarchist governmental structures and Leftist political thought was done so poorly that it had me constantly second guessing whether the author truly had read Franz Fanon or simply added to the bibliography for show.

Finally, so many of the "shocking" plot reveals were completely predictable, not in the way that the story followed notes of any previous story I've written, but in the way that the author's plot armor/set up for these reveals would drastically show the hand behind the curtain pulling the puppet strings. Every single reveal that happens in this story, I feel I foresaw from the 40% mark, if not early, which really removed any level of suspense or strong emotional attachment to the events of Kalki's life.

All in all, I do enjoy Vaishnavi Patel's writing style, and I do think there are small elements of this story that kept me reading until the end, but unfortunately the overall effect of the story did not land well in the slightest.

To me this was an emotional, inspiring, devastating, yet hopeful depiction of a story about oppression, liberation, freedom, friendship, love and sacrifice. This story follows the 11 year evolution of Kalki as she journeys to free her city of Kingston (Bombay) from British oppression. This is an alternate timeline of Indian liberation set in the 1960s. This moved me to tears many, many times. In sadness and hopefulness and just the beauty of finding love and friendship and family and place in worlds that seek to eliminate joy. I loved seeing strong, powerful, opinionated women lead a people to freedom. I thoroughly enjoyed how different the women's plans to seek liberation was compared to the men's in the story. This feels unfortunately timely with everything going on in the world, but it gave me hope. It will leave you thinking about the costs of freedom and whether the journey and sacrifices are worth the risk of a better world. My opinion tends to lean towards Kalki, even though I wish I was a Fauzia.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley again for the chance to read this beautiful story early.

4.5 rounded up to 5

Another beautiful story by Vaishnavi. I loved the Hindu stories weaved into the storyline. This was such a moving read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I will say, it did start out a bit not slow, but matter of fact in a way that made it initially difficult to invest in the characters. However, as the story progressed, the characters grew in depth and the fight and revolution of the ILM became more concrete! I also found it refreshing that Patel did not make the British into a "morally gray" entity as most books attempt to give some humanity to the enemy. In this case, it was extremely clear that the British could not be considered anything other than colonizers.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early.

Ten Incarnations of Rebellion follows Kalki in ten moments from her life as she becomes part of the rebellion in an alternate 1960s India that was never liberated from the British.

I really enjoyed the connections between the characters, especially with Kalki, Yashu, and Fauzia. Their friendships drove the book forward and the dynamics, even with the other characters made it a compelling read. I think the story would have been better if it had been longer or split up into more books as a few of the moments felt a bit rushed and once the ghosts appeared at the end, I found it difficult to understand

But, in the end I really enjoyed this book and think it would appeal to others who enjoy alternate history and secret rebellions.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley again for the chance to read this early.

This was such a inspiring, emotional read about freedom, justice, sacrifice, friendship and the cross to love. This is my first read by the author and I’m lost for words. I was sucked in from the first chapter.

At 19 years old Kalki knows she’s destined to fight for the freedom of her Indian people against the British, as her father once did. The story takes us through years of Kalki’s life until she’s 28 and tells the story of the brutal conditions her people lived, the prejudice they were subject to, and ruled over by the British.

This story is emotional, and thought provoking. It questions what to would endure and sacrifice to be treated as an equal and with respect. To be free. Her friendships and the ups and downs through them were a favorite of mine in the story. Tested but standing strong because they all had a common goal.


Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this early.

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.