Kavithri by Aman J. Bedi - Indian-inspired steampunk fantasy / Books Teacup and Reviews

Kavithri is gripping, raw, and outrageous Indian-inspired steampunk fantasy with brutal world and compassionate main character.

Kavithri

Kavithri by Aman J. Bedi

Publication Date : May 16, 2024

Publisher : Gollancz

Read Date : September 7, 2024

Genre : Fantasy

Pages : 438

Source : Many thanks to author for review copy.

Synopsis

An action-packed and empowering South Asian fantasy epic that fans of Jade City will love. An underdog story like no other – Kavithri will remind you of fantasy heroes like Arya Stark, Gideon the Ninth and Kaladin Stormblessed.

Meet Kavithri. Outcast. Underdog. Survivor.

Kavi is a Taemu. Her people, once feared berserkers and the spearhead of a continent-spanning invasion, are the dregs of Raayan society. Their spirits crushed. Their swords broken. Their history erased.

But Kavi has a dream and a plan. She will do whatever it takes to earn a place at the secretive mage academy, face the Jinn within its walls, and gain the power to rise above her station and drag her people out of the darkness.

Except power and knowledge come at a cost, and the world no longer needs a Taemu who can fight. So they will break her. Beat her down to her knees. And make her bleed.

But if blood is what they want, Kavi will give them blood. She will give them violence. She will show them a berserker’s fury.

And she will make them remember her name.

Review

Kavithri is an engaging and bold Indian-inspired steampunk fantasy that follows the journey of Kavithri, a member of the Taemu caste. Once feared, the Taemu are now seen as the dregs of the empire, outcast by society, with their spirits and hopes crushed. Yet, Kavithri dares to dream. Determined to improve her life, she believes her only chance lies in passing the mage test.

For the past five years, Kavi has tried to enter the academy to take the test, but a bully policeman has thwarted her every attempt. Against all odds, she meets a kind, wealthy man whose past compels him to help her, enabling Kavi to finally step into the academy. However, the test uncovers a truth that alters her plans, pushing her to fight for her people.

Supporting her people means defying a corrupt system, placing herself in grave danger, and risking the release of the berserker’s fury she has kept tightly controlled for so long.

The plot and writing are gripping but also brutal, raw, and ruthless, with many graphic and gory details, particularly in the second half. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart. Divided in three parts Kavithri focuses on the theme of survival, colonialism, poverty, racism, and oppression.

Many readers compared this to Poppy War. As I haven’t read Poppy War yet, I could enjoy the book without comparison. The book is set in pre-independent India and I could see India reflected in description of streets, vehicles, and slums. Names of the places are fictional. Author used some Hindi words that one can understand using google but the world has its own terminology when it came to mage and jinn and sci-fi elements.

First part of the story gives introduction to world, Kavithri’s life and condition of her people. Once brutally colonized by the Kraelish Empire, and the Rayaan revolt that eventually led to the formation of the Republic of Rayaa, ongoing power struggle between the two forces has come at a great cost to the Taemu. Now Taemu are a marginalized group, living in poverty with no rights, relentlessly crushed by both society and the government, enduring lives of misery and torment.

It was heartbreaking to witness how Kavithri and the Taemu lived, always keeping their heads down, trying to avoid attention, yet still finding no respite from the cruelty around them. The irrational hatred directed at the Taemu was horrifying. It’s no wonder that one of them finally refused to bow her head and chose to stand up for herself and her people giving them hope once again.

Kavithri is smart, observant, and empathetic character. One cannot help but root for her. Her character is mostly developed. Even though she is driven by determination and dream for better life, she is also kind, and compassionate and often unselfish even she never received kindness from people.

When offered the chance at a better life, most in her situation would have taken it. But she refused, choosing instead to fight for a better future not just for herself, but for her family—who had likely abandoned her—and for her people, whom she barely knew. I admired her strength and determination even during the time when she was badly hurt and tortured. It was amazing the way she led the battle after climax.

There were many side characters that helped and supported Kavithri in her journey but of all I liked Jarayas and Massa. The person who betrayed her was also interesting but the reason for betrayal didn’t feel convincing. I mean there were other ways to get what that person wanted.

It was hard to digest no one witnessed Kavithri’s kidnapping in climax. The torture part felt stretched more than necessary and than her rescuing was also a bit simple even though emotional. Everything happened too fast after that. End is however as expected, satisfying and touching with promise of sequel.

Overall, Kavithri is gripping, raw, and outrageous Indian-inspired steampunk fantasy with brutal world and compassionate main character.