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Ten Incarnations of Rebellion
From the New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi comes an epic and daring novel that imagines an alternate version of India that was never liberated from the British, and a young woman who will 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 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.
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.
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First published June 3, 2025
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February 16, 2025Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is the book of my heart. I started writing this book seven years ago; it has taken me that long to be able to write this story and do it justice. It is in part a tribute to my great-grandfather, an Indian freedom fighter, and in part a tribute to all freedom fighters, to whom we as a world owe a great debt.
Ten Incarnations is not real history. It is a “what if” exploring an alternative timeline where the British were slightly more successful in their colonial suppression. More than my previous novels, this is a book about questions: Do the ends always justify the means? Is fighting for freedom selfish or selfless? When is sacrifice worth it? These are my own questions, but I hope Ten Incarnations will find its way to those wondering the same things.
To depict the vast diversity of India, Ten Incarnations contains representation that I have not written before, along both religious and caste lines. I was aided, in addition to my own research, by many friends who lent me their time and two wonderful sensitivity readers. They are owed credit for anything that rings true; any errors are mine alone.
Although there are many alterations to historical events and settings, the actions of the British (and the freedom fighters!) are based in real life anti-colonial struggles around the world. If you want further information on my research, Ten Incarnations contains a “Further Reading” section with pages of source material. I will be leaving this book’s Goodreads page after posting. If you want to ask me anything, your best bet is my Instagram (@vaishnawrites) or my website form at vaishnavipatel.com. Thank you, and happy reading!
Ten Incarnations is not real history. It is a “what if” exploring an alternative timeline where the British were slightly more successful in their colonial suppression. More than my previous novels, this is a book about questions: Do the ends always justify the means? Is fighting for freedom selfish or selfless? When is sacrifice worth it? These are my own questions, but I hope Ten Incarnations will find its way to those wondering the same things.
To depict the vast diversity of India, Ten Incarnations contains representation that I have not written before, along both religious and caste lines. I was aided, in addition to my own research, by many friends who lent me their time and two wonderful sensitivity readers. They are owed credit for anything that rings true; any errors are mine alone.
Although there are many alterations to historical events and settings, the actions of the British (and the freedom fighters!) are based in real life anti-colonial struggles around the world. If you want further information on my research, Ten Incarnations contains a “Further Reading” section with pages of source material. I will be leaving this book’s Goodreads page after posting. If you want to ask me anything, your best bet is my Instagram (@vaishnawrites) or my website form at vaishnavipatel.com. Thank you, and happy reading!
April 9, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Historical Fiction + Speculative
This is such an intriguing historical fiction that takes place in an alternative or imaginative world where India is still under British colonial rule. While it may not fall under the fantasy category, its imaginative setting in the 1960s certainly qualifies.
The story follows a young female protagonist called Kalki Divekar over a decade of her life, with each chapter representing one year. During that decade, the readers see how much this character has matured with all the struggles and obstacles that she and her people face against the evil forces of colonialism.
The appealing thing about Kalki’s character is taking responsibility when tragedy comes home. Along with her friends, she plans to destroy the empire to get the freedom they have always desired.
The book is neatly structured, and the author did an impressive job with the world-building. The author conducted extensive research and transformed real events into alternate versions. The story focuses more on female characters, who drive the rebellion. This is something more unique for this story than the usual male-dominated rebellion stories.
Despite the strong pros here, there are some drawbacks. At times, the pacing felt uneven. I feel some events needed more development to enhance the story. Although the female protagonist is strong, I couldn’t connect as much as I wished with her, which might be a personal preference. However, regardless of any con, the book has an important message and discusses relevant political and humanitarian themes even in our times, which makes it still a worthwhile read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.
Genre: Historical Fiction + Speculative
This is such an intriguing historical fiction that takes place in an alternative or imaginative world where India is still under British colonial rule. While it may not fall under the fantasy category, its imaginative setting in the 1960s certainly qualifies.
The story follows a young female protagonist called Kalki Divekar over a decade of her life, with each chapter representing one year. During that decade, the readers see how much this character has matured with all the struggles and obstacles that she and her people face against the evil forces of colonialism.
The appealing thing about Kalki’s character is taking responsibility when tragedy comes home. Along with her friends, she plans to destroy the empire to get the freedom they have always desired.
The book is neatly structured, and the author did an impressive job with the world-building. The author conducted extensive research and transformed real events into alternate versions. The story focuses more on female characters, who drive the rebellion. This is something more unique for this story than the usual male-dominated rebellion stories.
Despite the strong pros here, there are some drawbacks. At times, the pacing felt uneven. I feel some events needed more development to enhance the story. Although the female protagonist is strong, I couldn’t connect as much as I wished with her, which might be a personal preference. However, regardless of any con, the book has an important message and discusses relevant political and humanitarian themes even in our times, which makes it still a worthwhile read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.
March 10, 2025
TL;DR: A truly unique work based on an alternate history world where India did not become independent from colonial British rule in 1947. Perfect for historical fiction enthusiasts, but take care if you're not familiar with India's history, there's not much context given here and history has literally been rewritten.
The year is 1962, and our protagonist, Kalki Divekar lives in a version of Mumbai that is oppressed, violent, and ruled by British propaganda—an alternate timeline that was just a higher degree of violence away. The world feels so terrifyingly plausible, that at times you forget that you're not reading true "historical" fiction. This novel focuses on Kalki and her fight for freedom in this world, interspersed with retellings of the stories of the ten incarnations of Vishnu. Vaishnavi Patel does not shy away from asking difficult moral questions about violence, sacrifice, imperialism, and classism in this one, and maintains a balance between the story of the characters, the myths, and social ideological discussions.
I've grown up learning as much as I can about Indian mythology and freedom fighters, through my education, stories told to me, and my own interests. This book is a shining example of the author's deep respect and fascination for the same. I think I find this novel to be extremely emotionally compelling because of that deep connection to these aspects. That said, I have thoughts.
The good:
I loved, loved Kalki's character. An intelligent, nuanced, headstrong female character who yearns for freedom, and builds a liberation movement is a literal breath of fresh air in a genre where protagonists are typically thrust into the forefront of rebellions rather than leading them willingly. Patel also captures India's diversity in this book (an amazingly difficult task to do), while keeping the focus only on a city, and it shows that she's tweaking the history of a whole subcontinent. There are plot points and representations that I think border on wish fulfillment—advancement for historically oppressed groups faces a lot more resistance than the way it happens here, but at least Patel makes a point to discuss every such decision explicitly (if a little less subtly). I genuinely like how the plot unfolds, a top-tier grassroots rebellion narrative that connects the politics of an entire nation.
The bad:
The main place where this book suffers is that Patel's writing does not match the standard of her idea in places. The writing is powerful in places, but painfully simplistic in places, which makes the flow inconsistent. Several times, Kalki goes through some traumatic experience and sits down with a friend or something and goes like, hey, let's recount a myth to ourselves, in a monologue, to calm ourselves....as real people do. That's a stylistic choice, but my immersion took major hits here. This book also needed to be much longer, perhaps double the length. Kalki's and the rebels' backgrounds needed more expansion, and the historical events were too fast-paced and packed with details to be completely immersive.
The ugly:
I must say I am super miffed about 1) a certain predictable plot point that a novel focusing on rebellion tends to have happening in this one and 2) a certain character's irredeemable actions which the narrative tries to redeem in a way?! Nuance was lost on me here.
Overall, this is the kind of book that fiction is made for, and I'm so glad I got to read it. Would it have been a much better read for me if it were longer and more polished? Absolutely. 3.75 stars, rounded up.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The year is 1962, and our protagonist, Kalki Divekar lives in a version of Mumbai that is oppressed, violent, and ruled by British propaganda—an alternate timeline that was just a higher degree of violence away. The world feels so terrifyingly plausible, that at times you forget that you're not reading true "historical" fiction. This novel focuses on Kalki and her fight for freedom in this world, interspersed with retellings of the stories of the ten incarnations of Vishnu. Vaishnavi Patel does not shy away from asking difficult moral questions about violence, sacrifice, imperialism, and classism in this one, and maintains a balance between the story of the characters, the myths, and social ideological discussions.
I've grown up learning as much as I can about Indian mythology and freedom fighters, through my education, stories told to me, and my own interests. This book is a shining example of the author's deep respect and fascination for the same. I think I find this novel to be extremely emotionally compelling because of that deep connection to these aspects. That said, I have thoughts.
The good:
I loved, loved Kalki's character. An intelligent, nuanced, headstrong female character who yearns for freedom, and builds a liberation movement is a literal breath of fresh air in a genre where protagonists are typically thrust into the forefront of rebellions rather than leading them willingly. Patel also captures India's diversity in this book (an amazingly difficult task to do), while keeping the focus only on a city, and it shows that she's tweaking the history of a whole subcontinent. There are plot points and representations that I think border on wish fulfillment—advancement for historically oppressed groups faces a lot more resistance than the way it happens here, but at least Patel makes a point to discuss every such decision explicitly (if a little less subtly). I genuinely like how the plot unfolds, a top-tier grassroots rebellion narrative that connects the politics of an entire nation.
The bad:
The main place where this book suffers is that Patel's writing does not match the standard of her idea in places. The writing is powerful in places, but painfully simplistic in places, which makes the flow inconsistent. Several times, Kalki goes through some traumatic experience and sits down with a friend or something and goes like, hey, let's recount a myth to ourselves, in a monologue, to calm ourselves....as real people do. That's a stylistic choice, but my immersion took major hits here. This book also needed to be much longer, perhaps double the length. Kalki's and the rebels' backgrounds needed more expansion, and the historical events were too fast-paced and packed with details to be completely immersive.
The ugly:
I must say I am super miffed about 1) a certain predictable plot point that a novel focusing on rebellion tends to have happening in this one and 2) a certain character's irredeemable actions which the narrative tries to redeem in a way?! Nuance was lost on me here.
Overall, this is the kind of book that fiction is made for, and I'm so glad I got to read it. Would it have been a much better read for me if it were longer and more polished? Absolutely. 3.75 stars, rounded up.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
December 24, 2024
i am just so numb.
tried-it
November 6, 2025I really wanted to love this one, but sadly it isn’t working for me. Kaikeyi is one of my favorite books, so when I saw another book by this author I jumped on the chance to read it. I definitely think this is more a me problem than a book problem.
This is well written and the prose is beautiful, exactly what I would expect from this author. The story is interesting and the characters seem well developed.
I think if you’re a fan of historical fiction, enjoy the idea of a reimagined history, and don’t mind a slower plot or long chapters this could work for you.
I’m DNFing at 55% - long chapters & slower pacing rarely work for me and this is one of those cases where I just can’t seem to get into the story.
No star rating as I really do feel that I am not the target audience here.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
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This is well written and the prose is beautiful, exactly what I would expect from this author. The story is interesting and the characters seem well developed.
I think if you’re a fan of historical fiction, enjoy the idea of a reimagined history, and don’t mind a slower plot or long chapters this could work for you.
I’m DNFing at 55% - long chapters & slower pacing rarely work for me and this is one of those cases where I just can’t seem to get into the story.
No star rating as I really do feel that I am not the target audience here.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
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February 25, 2025This is one of those books whose idea I think outstrips the execution.
The ideas are absolutely crucial for understanding the stresses and anguish of colonialism and its fallout, as it impacts the evolution of history. At heart, it looks at India's independence, and the terrible cost, the focus being on the twentieth century--a blip in India's long, fascinating history.
A strong aspect of the book is the way the author works in regional mythology, which renders emotional texture to the layers of the historical record. However, the characters tended toward the standard, and the writing, though passionate, often read as a first draft, with a lot more summation than is effective.
Still, it's very much worth adding to other books by Indian writers who write about Indian history and experience for those who read in English
The ideas are absolutely crucial for understanding the stresses and anguish of colonialism and its fallout, as it impacts the evolution of history. At heart, it looks at India's independence, and the terrible cost, the focus being on the twentieth century--a blip in India's long, fascinating history.
A strong aspect of the book is the way the author works in regional mythology, which renders emotional texture to the layers of the historical record. However, the characters tended toward the standard, and the writing, though passionate, often read as a first draft, with a lot more summation than is effective.
Still, it's very much worth adding to other books by Indian writers who write about Indian history and experience for those who read in English
May 3, 2025
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.
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.
June 10, 2025
4.5
2025 reads: 141/300
i received a digital review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
this is an alternative history novel that explores an india that was never liberated from the british. our main character, kalki divekar, has grown up in kingston, a city the british built on the ashes of bombay. she lost her father years ago to the rebellion, and her peers are being drafted left and right. when tragedy strikes close to home, kalki and her friends begin playing a dangerous game by working for the government while preparing to destroy the empire from the inside.
i loved kaikeyi, so i was looking forward to this book! i loved seeing kalki’s journey from a teen hurting from losing her father to the rebellion to an adult then founding a new rebellion. of course, she couldn’t do this alone, so her best friend and their (fake) husbands were there throughout this journey. overall, this was an incredible book. i’d highly recommend this to historical fiction readers.
2025 reads: 141/300
i received a digital review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
this is an alternative history novel that explores an india that was never liberated from the british. our main character, kalki divekar, has grown up in kingston, a city the british built on the ashes of bombay. she lost her father years ago to the rebellion, and her peers are being drafted left and right. when tragedy strikes close to home, kalki and her friends begin playing a dangerous game by working for the government while preparing to destroy the empire from the inside.
i loved kaikeyi, so i was looking forward to this book! i loved seeing kalki’s journey from a teen hurting from losing her father to the rebellion to an adult then founding a new rebellion. of course, she couldn’t do this alone, so her best friend and their (fake) husbands were there throughout this journey. overall, this was an incredible book. i’d highly recommend this to historical fiction readers.
September 16, 2025
"...because nonviolence is too slow for people as depraved and violently efficient as our enemy."
One of the best lines I've read in fiction, hands down.
I love that this novel showed that revolution is messy and takes time to foment. I've been reading too many anticolonial fantasy novels that really water things down, so this was such a breath of fresh air to read. (This isn't a fantasy novel, but you catch my drift.)
Also, alternate history stories might be my thing now.
July 8, 2025
I can't tell you how excited I was for this book. From the plot to R.F. Kuang’s endorsement, it seemed like something right up my alley. So imagine my disappointment when I finally got my hands on it, only to find the writing utterly soulless. A promising premise, so clumsily handled. All the characters felt flat and one-dimensional. It suffered from a horrible case of telling rather than showing (don’t tell me xyz thing happened and now you feel xyz, demonstrate it through your writing! let me feel the character’s emotions rather than being told about them).
Now onto the biggest, most unforgivable sin committed by this book:
Now onto the biggest, most unforgivable sin committed by this book:
May 29, 2025
2.75⭐️ rounded up
A historical fiction based in an alternate 1960's history where India remained under British control. It's time for the Rebellion.
Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 11 hours and 42 minutes
🎤: Mayuri Bhandari
In relation to the audiobook, I found it to be done very well. It was clear and concise, and the narrator did an excellent job creating an emotional atmosphere within the novel. I didn't have any problems with their dictation or the way they spoke and I was able to listen at the same preferred speed during the duration of the novel.
Themes:
🥀: Rising up against colonization
🥀: Resistance in the face of oppression
🥀: The true meaning and cost of freedom
Representation:
☀️: South Asian Cast
☀️: Queer main and side characters
☀️: Chapters mirror the 10 Avatars of Vishnu
Tropes:
💗: Found Family
💗: Child picking up the mantle of the parents rebellion
🥵: Spice: 🚫 light kissing only
Potential Triggers: check authors website/social media
Short Synopsis:
Kalki has grown up in Kingston, which was built out of the ashes of Bombay by the British. Living her entire life under British rule, where Indians thought of as the "lesser" people, Kalki is used to flying under the radar. Having lost not only her father, but friends and loved ones to British occupation, Kalki decides that it is time for her to pick up the rebellion from the elder generations. Starting with small acts of resistance, Kalki soon builds a group who also feels it's time to make a stand. Freedom, at last.
General Thoughts:
This book is actually a very hard one to rate. While I feel like the themes and subject matter are extremely important, and that everybody needs to have books with this type of content on their TBR, this novel fell so extremely flat for me. In this instance there's not any one large issue that created problems for me, but a subtle building of numerous issues overtime that just led up to a poor reading experience for me.
I did really enjoy our main character Kalki. She was strong and really presented a lasting emotional response. The way she struggled with her own thoughts and ideas versus what was better for the greater good came across as very realistic. Her strong sense of loyalty to her family, as well as to her cause was commendable and unwavering.
I also really enjoyed the way that this story was formatted and written. Each chapter covered a pivotal point in Kalki's life over the 10 year duration of this novel. They were also modeled after the 10 Avatars of Vishnu. I found this an extremely unique and fresh way to blend Indian culture and heritage with a novel that is set in an alternate history.
This book did really present some challenges for me. I had a very hard time with the overall pacing of this novel. I found myself constantly bored and searching for something else to do while reading this book. I was constantly pulled out of the story by lulls in any kind of action that we were receiving. I also felt like a lot of what could've been action sequences were done behind the scenes instead of detailed to the reader. For example, numerous times we were told that the fight for independence was closing in on an end. However, I didn't see any of the major disruptions made towards the British that were resulting in this inevitable "win". We were just told it was coming.
This story did pick up slightly towards the last 25% of the book. But at that point I had been so disinterested for the majority of the book that it was hard to muster up the energy to be excited about the ending. I will say that the ending, despite the lack of energy, was emotional.
That is not to say this novel cannot be enjoyed by others. Readers who are OK with a slower pace as well as less detailed action sequences in a historical fiction might find this to be right up their alley.
Disclaimer: I read this book as a free audiobook through the Penguin Random House audiobook influencer club and a eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
A historical fiction based in an alternate 1960's history where India remained under British control. It's time for the Rebellion.
Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 11 hours and 42 minutes
🎤: Mayuri Bhandari
In relation to the audiobook, I found it to be done very well. It was clear and concise, and the narrator did an excellent job creating an emotional atmosphere within the novel. I didn't have any problems with their dictation or the way they spoke and I was able to listen at the same preferred speed during the duration of the novel.
Themes:
🥀: Rising up against colonization
🥀: Resistance in the face of oppression
🥀: The true meaning and cost of freedom
Representation:
☀️: South Asian Cast
☀️: Queer main and side characters
☀️: Chapters mirror the 10 Avatars of Vishnu
Tropes:
💗: Found Family
💗: Child picking up the mantle of the parents rebellion
🥵: Spice: 🚫 light kissing only
Potential Triggers: check authors website/social media
Short Synopsis:
Kalki has grown up in Kingston, which was built out of the ashes of Bombay by the British. Living her entire life under British rule, where Indians thought of as the "lesser" people, Kalki is used to flying under the radar. Having lost not only her father, but friends and loved ones to British occupation, Kalki decides that it is time for her to pick up the rebellion from the elder generations. Starting with small acts of resistance, Kalki soon builds a group who also feels it's time to make a stand. Freedom, at last.
General Thoughts:
This book is actually a very hard one to rate. While I feel like the themes and subject matter are extremely important, and that everybody needs to have books with this type of content on their TBR, this novel fell so extremely flat for me. In this instance there's not any one large issue that created problems for me, but a subtle building of numerous issues overtime that just led up to a poor reading experience for me.
I did really enjoy our main character Kalki. She was strong and really presented a lasting emotional response. The way she struggled with her own thoughts and ideas versus what was better for the greater good came across as very realistic. Her strong sense of loyalty to her family, as well as to her cause was commendable and unwavering.
I also really enjoyed the way that this story was formatted and written. Each chapter covered a pivotal point in Kalki's life over the 10 year duration of this novel. They were also modeled after the 10 Avatars of Vishnu. I found this an extremely unique and fresh way to blend Indian culture and heritage with a novel that is set in an alternate history.
This book did really present some challenges for me. I had a very hard time with the overall pacing of this novel. I found myself constantly bored and searching for something else to do while reading this book. I was constantly pulled out of the story by lulls in any kind of action that we were receiving. I also felt like a lot of what could've been action sequences were done behind the scenes instead of detailed to the reader. For example, numerous times we were told that the fight for independence was closing in on an end. However, I didn't see any of the major disruptions made towards the British that were resulting in this inevitable "win". We were just told it was coming.
This story did pick up slightly towards the last 25% of the book. But at that point I had been so disinterested for the majority of the book that it was hard to muster up the energy to be excited about the ending. I will say that the ending, despite the lack of energy, was emotional.
That is not to say this novel cannot be enjoyed by others. Readers who are OK with a slower pace as well as less detailed action sequences in a historical fiction might find this to be right up their alley.
Disclaimer: I read this book as a free audiobook through the Penguin Random House audiobook influencer club and a eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
September 18, 2025
“But I knew that we could overcome any tribulations, because an Indian woman with a dead rebel father and a hanged rebel heart could stand in this building and know her land now belonged to her.”
Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is an alternate history story, imaging a version of Indian that was never liberated from the British. We follow Kalki, who lives in the British run city of Kingston that was built atop the ashes of Bombay. Generations of her people have been captured, drafted, and beaten into submission. With the memory of her father’s rebellious spirit and love for his country pushing her, she starts a chapter of the Indian Liberation Movement in Kingston. It quickly develops into a network of women who use their various positions working with the British to obtain sensitive information and perform radical acts to push out their oppressors.
We move through ten years of Kalki’s life and see her growth as a revolutionary figure, and the lessons she learns as she faces monumental sacrifies, revelations, and uncertainties of the future. Indian mythology is integral to this story, and as someone not familiar with these stories it was interesting to learn about. The structure of this book is inspired by the Dashavatara, the ten avatars of Vishnu. And throughout the story, Kalki and the people she cares about recount folktales pertinent to their current situations. This connection to culture and religion in times of great hardship is the backbone of the story.
We see the strengthening ties of culture, language, and religion despite their systematic erasure by an oppressive power. Acts of rebellion transform into the smallest choices, such as teaching your child the old language or uttering a long censored song. This story focuses deeply on the need for unification against a shared tyrant. Long standing prejudices against opposing castes and religions are manipulated by the British to maintain control. Infighting is a tool used by colonialism to present a perceived moral motive behind their occupation. It was interesting to see how Kalki, who had long been a revolutionary fighter and a believer in Indian liberation, still fell victim to British propaganda. The true violence and evils of the empire was still more than she could ever imagine.
There are a lot of questions presented in relation to resistance that we are left to ponder. Throughout the book, Kalki struggles with whether her sacrifices are worthy, whether her actions are born from selfishness, whether she deserves any happiness while her people suffer. She kind of wavers along this line between violent and nonviolent resistance. This book is not a condemnation of violent acts, it recognizes the influences and power that they can wield. But it does delve into Kalki’s decision to ultimately choose nonviolence in the end. It is a decision born of love and support, and a recognition of the momentum already built by their years of pressure.
Fauzia plays an influential role in this decision. The childhood friend who stands by Kalki’s side over the years. Whom Kalki slowly begins to develop feelings for. Who eventually becomes a figurehead of the movement. Queerness is very prevalent in this book. Kalki and Fauzia enter into lavender marriages with a gay couple they meet in college. Both men are eventually drafted into a war the British are having with China, leaving Kalki and Fauzia behind to wield the inconspicuous personas being married women offer them. While Kalki is hotheaded and rash, Fauzia is patient and levelheaded. She shapes Kalki’s spirited energy into a weapon against the empire. But as they build up the movement, and grow closer, Kalki finds it difficult to reconcile her growing happiness with the suffering happening around her. Leaving a burning question within her about what is selfish and what is selfless.
It took me a long while to finish this book, but I’m glad that I got to experience it. It’s truly relevant to our current day, as I’ve found many alternate histories to be. They reflect our current situations in a way that allows for contemplation, inspiration, and hope.
June 11, 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
When I first heard of the premise of 'Ten Incarnations of Rebellion', an alternate history of India narrated in 10 chapters mirroring the 10 avatars of Vishnu, I was instantly enamored with the unique concept. This is Vaishnavi Patel's most ambitious work yet, not only in terms of plot but also the narrative structure.
Although TIOR is an alternate history and the events it follows did not actually occur, it's clear that VP did a lot of research because the resulting circumstances feel authentic- something that might have happened had India not gained independence from the British. I particularly loved Patel's portrayal of propaganda and erasure, and questions like, 'who gets to have a voice of their own?', or 'who gets to tell their own story?', or 'do some lives matter more than others in a revolution?'. Identity, erasure, and propaganda are themes important now more than ever. I also loved how she dealt with the fact that freedom from the British didn't mean freedom from oppression based on religion and caste.
Kalki is a fleshed-out and complex character- often relatable, not always loveable, but certainly realistic, and fiercely protective of those she calls her own. I appreciate the diverse representation involving queer characters (both main and side) and characters from different religious backgrounds. The events of the novel take place over the course of almost ten years, because revolution begins with small embers of resistance before it becomes a raging inferno. It's not something you get over with in a matter of weeks or months.
As necessary and thought-provoking as the novel is, it is not without flaws. A story of this scale and ambition should've been longer, perhaps even twice the current length. I wish Kalki's character and her relationships had been explored in greater depth.
This is one of the books where you should read the author's note too. TIOR is not a perfect book, but it's one that has got so much heart poured into it's making and I'm glad stories like these are making their way to a wider audience!
When I first heard of the premise of 'Ten Incarnations of Rebellion', an alternate history of India narrated in 10 chapters mirroring the 10 avatars of Vishnu, I was instantly enamored with the unique concept. This is Vaishnavi Patel's most ambitious work yet, not only in terms of plot but also the narrative structure.
Although TIOR is an alternate history and the events it follows did not actually occur, it's clear that VP did a lot of research because the resulting circumstances feel authentic- something that might have happened had India not gained independence from the British. I particularly loved Patel's portrayal of propaganda and erasure, and questions like, 'who gets to have a voice of their own?', or 'who gets to tell their own story?', or 'do some lives matter more than others in a revolution?'. Identity, erasure, and propaganda are themes important now more than ever. I also loved how she dealt with the fact that freedom from the British didn't mean freedom from oppression based on religion and caste.
Kalki is a fleshed-out and complex character- often relatable, not always loveable, but certainly realistic, and fiercely protective of those she calls her own. I appreciate the diverse representation involving queer characters (both main and side) and characters from different religious backgrounds. The events of the novel take place over the course of almost ten years, because revolution begins with small embers of resistance before it becomes a raging inferno. It's not something you get over with in a matter of weeks or months.
As necessary and thought-provoking as the novel is, it is not without flaws. A story of this scale and ambition should've been longer, perhaps even twice the current length. I wish Kalki's character and her relationships had been explored in greater depth.
This is one of the books where you should read the author's note too. TIOR is not a perfect book, but it's one that has got so much heart poured into it's making and I'm glad stories like these are making their way to a wider audience!
June 7, 2025
This is a stunning read about the realities of fighting for freedom. While this is not the real history of India, in the author’s note, Patel explains that it is all inspired by real-life events. You can really see that complexity in the text: while there may be heroes and villains, most characters are complicated. Good people do terrible things. Terrible people act as allies in key moments.
It also shows the real sacrifice, struggles, and rifts in revolutionary movements. There are many arguments within the resistance about which actions are appropriate, especially when it comes to violence: is killing your oppressor acceptable? What if they’re just a low-level employee? What if it’s in self-defense? Can you bomb a building with no one in it? How much acceptable risk is there if there may be someone in that building? There are no easy answers, and Kalki herself changes her mind multiple times about where her line is.
As I read this book, I was reminded of how many SFF dystopian stories we have about young people overthrowing an oppressive government and how few of them are set in our world—as if we have no examples of powers worth opposing. This feels so needed, not just as an understanding of how horrific British colonialism was in the past and its impacts today (though this is an alternate history of India, the government’s actions are all drawn from real history), but also as an example for the kinds of conversations and choices necessary to oppose corruption in our world.
Part of the reason I was originally drawn to Ten Incarnations of Rebellion was because of its queer content, and while that’s true, don’t expect a heartwarming queer romance. Patel is unflinching about the sacrifices and casualties of rebellion, and no one emerges unscathed. I did, however, enjoy the moments of queer solidarity and friendship included. (Side note: I thought of Kalki as bi and demiromantic and/or demisexual: “I’m slow to everything except anger.”)
When you pick this one up, don’t skip the author’s note at the end of the book. Patel explains how she was inspired by India’s freedom fighters, including those in her own family, and how colonialism has left a wake of destruction that still damages today. She also says that she was interested in the complexities of fights like this and how “selfishness and selflessness that go hand in hand in revolution”—Kalki is so devoted to the cause that no relationship with anyone else can come close. As the author’s note says, “Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is a love letter to those who fought and an exhortation to keep fighting. The struggle is never over.”
Content warnings: Rape, violence, death, racism, homophobia.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
It also shows the real sacrifice, struggles, and rifts in revolutionary movements. There are many arguments within the resistance about which actions are appropriate, especially when it comes to violence: is killing your oppressor acceptable? What if they’re just a low-level employee? What if it’s in self-defense? Can you bomb a building with no one in it? How much acceptable risk is there if there may be someone in that building? There are no easy answers, and Kalki herself changes her mind multiple times about where her line is.
As I read this book, I was reminded of how many SFF dystopian stories we have about young people overthrowing an oppressive government and how few of them are set in our world—as if we have no examples of powers worth opposing. This feels so needed, not just as an understanding of how horrific British colonialism was in the past and its impacts today (though this is an alternate history of India, the government’s actions are all drawn from real history), but also as an example for the kinds of conversations and choices necessary to oppose corruption in our world.
Part of the reason I was originally drawn to Ten Incarnations of Rebellion was because of its queer content, and while that’s true, don’t expect a heartwarming queer romance. Patel is unflinching about the sacrifices and casualties of rebellion, and no one emerges unscathed. I did, however, enjoy the moments of queer solidarity and friendship included. (Side note: I thought of Kalki as bi and demiromantic and/or demisexual: “I’m slow to everything except anger.”)
When you pick this one up, don’t skip the author’s note at the end of the book. Patel explains how she was inspired by India’s freedom fighters, including those in her own family, and how colonialism has left a wake of destruction that still damages today. She also says that she was interested in the complexities of fights like this and how “selfishness and selflessness that go hand in hand in revolution”—Kalki is so devoted to the cause that no relationship with anyone else can come close. As the author’s note says, “Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is a love letter to those who fought and an exhortation to keep fighting. The struggle is never over.”
Content warnings: Rape, violence, death, racism, homophobia.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
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July 7, 2025
In an alternate history 1960s Mumbai, where India never gained independence from the British Empire, Kalki Divekar grows up in Kingston and dares to free her city.
I really loved this book. Patel does not shy away from the horrors and violence of the British Empire, but focuses on the strength and determination of the freedom fighters working on saving their city and the rest of India, while also battling internal division, caste systems and religious strife.
This was the first book she wrote, and I'm happy that she waited and worked on it. While it feels like a first novel in a lot of ways (it's a little rough and disjointed in places), the passion shines through. Kalki's courage is there, and the highs and lows.
I loved the narrative structure of the book—a highlight reel of sorts of ten years of Kalki's life, told in ten chapters that mirror the Dashavatara, the ten avatars of Vishu. Each chapter starts with a lesson and ends in a story. It's a beautiful set-up, and I liked that the story takes place over such a long period of time, because successful revolution is not instant but takes time and planning and effort.
An unexpected highlight was the bibliography—so many wonderful resources to learn more about India's history and its long history of resistance against the British Empire.
In the end, I only wanted more. Especially, more Yashu.
I really loved this book. Patel does not shy away from the horrors and violence of the British Empire, but focuses on the strength and determination of the freedom fighters working on saving their city and the rest of India, while also battling internal division, caste systems and religious strife.
This was the first book she wrote, and I'm happy that she waited and worked on it. While it feels like a first novel in a lot of ways (it's a little rough and disjointed in places), the passion shines through. Kalki's courage is there, and the highs and lows.
I loved the narrative structure of the book—a highlight reel of sorts of ten years of Kalki's life, told in ten chapters that mirror the Dashavatara, the ten avatars of Vishu. Each chapter starts with a lesson and ends in a story. It's a beautiful set-up, and I liked that the story takes place over such a long period of time, because successful revolution is not instant but takes time and planning and effort.
An unexpected highlight was the bibliography—so many wonderful resources to learn more about India's history and its long history of resistance against the British Empire.
In the end, I only wanted more. Especially, more Yashu.
May 24, 2025
Ten Incarnations of Rebellion by Vaishnavi Patel
Thank You NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for a complimentary copy of this novel! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was invited to read and review this novel, but honestly, I had a bit of a hard time getting into it, especially the first half or so. While I enjoy a good historical fiction and this novel is categorized as a historical fiction, it didn’t pull me in as other historical fiction novels pull me in. This novel is a speculative historical fiction. Overall, the writing was very good. It is set in India in the 1960’s and explores the idea of a different account of India and it’s fight for freedom from the British. Kalki’s father led a rebellion years ago, but he disappeared in order to stay safe and work behind the scenes. Now it is up to Kalki and her group of women friends to band together and fight for India’s freedom. But there are threats and those who wish to stop them. They must be careful who to trust. This speculative novel is ten chapters long, with each chapter portraying a moment in Kalki’s life. The book is meant to signify the ten avatars of Vishnu. It explores the idea of what it means to have freedom, and what one is willing to do and sacrifice to achieve true freedom. Overall, I did enjoy the novel even though I had a hard time getting into it at the beginning. The last quarter of the novel picks up and there is a lot happening. It will be AVAILABLE June 3, 2025!
Thank You NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for a complimentary copy of this novel! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was invited to read and review this novel, but honestly, I had a bit of a hard time getting into it, especially the first half or so. While I enjoy a good historical fiction and this novel is categorized as a historical fiction, it didn’t pull me in as other historical fiction novels pull me in. This novel is a speculative historical fiction. Overall, the writing was very good. It is set in India in the 1960’s and explores the idea of a different account of India and it’s fight for freedom from the British. Kalki’s father led a rebellion years ago, but he disappeared in order to stay safe and work behind the scenes. Now it is up to Kalki and her group of women friends to band together and fight for India’s freedom. But there are threats and those who wish to stop them. They must be careful who to trust. This speculative novel is ten chapters long, with each chapter portraying a moment in Kalki’s life. The book is meant to signify the ten avatars of Vishnu. It explores the idea of what it means to have freedom, and what one is willing to do and sacrifice to achieve true freedom. Overall, I did enjoy the novel even though I had a hard time getting into it at the beginning. The last quarter of the novel picks up and there is a lot happening. It will be AVAILABLE June 3, 2025!
January 12, 2025
(Huge thanks to Penguin Random House & NetGalley for an ARC!)
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.
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.
June 16, 2025
What an incredible historical fiction novel! I’ve loved all of Vaishnavi Patel’s works but Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is perhaps my favorite. I felt so moved and emotional reading about the Kalki, Fauzia, and the ILM’s efforts as they fought for and sacrificed so much for India’s independence. Mayuri Bhandari did an excellent job of bringing these characters to life and telling the stories of Vishnu’s avatars in Hinduism. There are so many people who fought for liberation from British rule throughout history who have been forgotten about over the years and I loved how this book highlighted the individual contributions people made, no matter how big or small. This book was especially moving knowing how much my grandparents, their parents, and their parents and ancestors beyond that lived and endured Britain’s colonial rule.
I highly recommend everyone read this book to gain an understanding of how British oppression (the true enemy in all aspects of colonization!) divided South Asians living in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Even if the individual characters are fictional and the context of this novel is set in an alternate historical timeline, the theories and narrative themes of India’s rebellion and independence movement are the same. So many of the themes of revolution and resistance tactics discussed in this novel are applicable to current events and the injustices that people are experiencing today. May all people living under occupation across the world live to see liberation from their oppressors in their lifetime. ❤️
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
I highly recommend everyone read this book to gain an understanding of how British oppression (the true enemy in all aspects of colonization!) divided South Asians living in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Even if the individual characters are fictional and the context of this novel is set in an alternate historical timeline, the theories and narrative themes of India’s rebellion and independence movement are the same. So many of the themes of revolution and resistance tactics discussed in this novel are applicable to current events and the injustices that people are experiencing today. May all people living under occupation across the world live to see liberation from their oppressors in their lifetime. ❤️
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
January 20, 2025
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.
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.
Want to read
October 25, 2024i will not be normal about this book when it comes out
July 17, 2025
I loved the idea of an alternate history India which didn’t get liberated in 1947, instead becoming an even more oppressed place, with most of the freedom fighters dead and the people living their lives drowning in British propaganda. It’s the kind of speculative fiction that I would have loved to read but never found before.
The writing is as always lovely, but the narrative is a bit slow paced despite the themes of rebellion against the British. However, because it covers a decade of development of our main character Kalki, the events of her life can feel like they are happening at warp speed. The dashavatara stories told at the end of each chapter also didn’t feel very relevant every time. Much of the progress of the Indian Liberation movement is told in snippets instead of us experiencing it ourselves. And while it feels like I’m talking only about the aspects of books which aren’t very good, I actually enjoyed this very much.
The intimate portrayal of the friendship between Kalki, Fauzia and Yashu; the grief laden bond that Kalki shares with her aai; the determination of Kalki to safeguard the people of her city while enacting small acts of rebellion; the conviction of Yashu that freedom doesn’t mean just liberation from the British but also the liberation of the oppressed classes from the caste system; the idea of a movement built entirely by young women because all the men have gone to war - all these elements in the book make for great compelling reading, leaving a mark on me as a reader.
Overall, this is a book I’m glad has been written. A different kind of rebellion rooted in the betterment and safety of the lives of the people, while questioning the meaning and necessity of sacrifice leaves us quite a bit to think about. The audiobook narration by Mayuri Bhandari was perfect and I absolutely loved her rendition of Vande Mataram in between. Can’t wait to see what Vaishnavi writes next coz I don’t think I’ll ever miss any book of hers.
The writing is as always lovely, but the narrative is a bit slow paced despite the themes of rebellion against the British. However, because it covers a decade of development of our main character Kalki, the events of her life can feel like they are happening at warp speed. The dashavatara stories told at the end of each chapter also didn’t feel very relevant every time. Much of the progress of the Indian Liberation movement is told in snippets instead of us experiencing it ourselves. And while it feels like I’m talking only about the aspects of books which aren’t very good, I actually enjoyed this very much.
The intimate portrayal of the friendship between Kalki, Fauzia and Yashu; the grief laden bond that Kalki shares with her aai; the determination of Kalki to safeguard the people of her city while enacting small acts of rebellion; the conviction of Yashu that freedom doesn’t mean just liberation from the British but also the liberation of the oppressed classes from the caste system; the idea of a movement built entirely by young women because all the men have gone to war - all these elements in the book make for great compelling reading, leaving a mark on me as a reader.
Overall, this is a book I’m glad has been written. A different kind of rebellion rooted in the betterment and safety of the lives of the people, while questioning the meaning and necessity of sacrifice leaves us quite a bit to think about. The audiobook narration by Mayuri Bhandari was perfect and I absolutely loved her rendition of Vande Mataram in between. Can’t wait to see what Vaishnavi writes next coz I don’t think I’ll ever miss any book of hers.
July 7, 2025
Alternate history is easily becoming one of my favorite genres. And even though this is technically fiction, ultimately it’s about the impacts of British colonization and the brave characters who fought against it
June 11, 2025
While I found this to be an interesting premise, the writing was basic. The storytelling was forced. It definitely lacked flow and context. But thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
September 9, 2025
“When I didn’t believe there was any hope at all, you made me believe in your vision. You gave me a place to put my trust, and now look at our city.”
An alternative history that explores a world where India did not win its battle for independence from Britain, this story is told through the eyes of a young woman in a version of Bombay that was renamed Kingston. She navigates growing up as the daughter of a freedom fighter who was forced to flee or risk death, trying to find her own place in the fight against colonial oppression.
While the bulk of the story revolves around her relationship to the rebellion, there are so many other aspects of the book that add layered depth to the story. The author investigates ideas on caste and religion, forbidden love, the subjugation of women and their autonomy, familial obligation, and how the overlooked can be the best weapons of chaos.
Nuanced ideas involving colonialism and rebellion were explored as well. Everything from authoritarian rule to propaganda strategies to pondering how anyone could see the subjugation and oppression of others and think it was a good thing for everyone involved. Through the main character, the book makes the reader reflect on the ethics of fighting back… how far is too far when fighting for freedom, and do the ends always justify the means when it means there will be innocent people caught in the crossfire?
I’ve loved every book Patel has written, but this is the one that I think will linger in my mind for the longest. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House for the advanced ebook!
An alternative history that explores a world where India did not win its battle for independence from Britain, this story is told through the eyes of a young woman in a version of Bombay that was renamed Kingston. She navigates growing up as the daughter of a freedom fighter who was forced to flee or risk death, trying to find her own place in the fight against colonial oppression.
While the bulk of the story revolves around her relationship to the rebellion, there are so many other aspects of the book that add layered depth to the story. The author investigates ideas on caste and religion, forbidden love, the subjugation of women and their autonomy, familial obligation, and how the overlooked can be the best weapons of chaos.
Nuanced ideas involving colonialism and rebellion were explored as well. Everything from authoritarian rule to propaganda strategies to pondering how anyone could see the subjugation and oppression of others and think it was a good thing for everyone involved. Through the main character, the book makes the reader reflect on the ethics of fighting back… how far is too far when fighting for freedom, and do the ends always justify the means when it means there will be innocent people caught in the crossfire?
I’ve loved every book Patel has written, but this is the one that I think will linger in my mind for the longest. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House for the advanced ebook!
November 29, 2024
I'm deeply unwell and incredibly grateful
March 16, 2025
If you were given the tools to plant seeds of a revolution, what would be the growth? When you look at what oppressed groups do to resist and free themselves, how do you judge them. And if you were in that situation, how different would you be? Is there even a right or wrong way to fight those that oppress you? What is violence as a tool of resistance?
The Ten Incarnations of Rebellion seeks to view these questions and much more on the side of the oppressed group. Set in an alternate world where Indian never gained Independence from the British, we follow Kalki Diveka, the daughter of a revolutionary fighter, as she learns what it means to fight for freedom under a rule built on enslavement. At the end of every chapter, we see elements of Hindu mythology that parallel Kalki’s growth and formation throughout the story.
Vaishnavi Patel paints a nuanced picture of revolution and the people within the struggle. We get to hear numerous opinions on how we should fight, the benefits and the consequences, unlike the news we see today though, we are placed directly into the cross fire with our POV character. We are not just spectators, watching politicians or social media influencers debate the lives of the oppressed, we are in the eyes of the oppressed, seeing the viciousness of colonialism bare and unflowery. There is no justifying the cruelty, or who the “bad ones” truly are, not at all. The actual conversation is about how the characters fight and the small fights that need to be done within group. Because how is it freedom if we aren’t all free?
I appreciated these conversations and the boldness in which they are discussed. They aren’t nameless hypotheticals either, we see the consequences both good and horrific and see the characters, who, do due Patel’s care and craft, feel real go through shifts, aches, beginnings and endings. We see all different aspects of struggling and revolution through many different characters and each leave you with different perspectives and considerations.
Honestly, my one complaint is that I just wished there was MORE. There’s so much talked about here and sometimes the writing — as in the literal words used — just felt too simple. Sometimes we get one or two lines for things that could easily span paragraphs without getting boring and descriptions for surroundings and emotions ended up being very flat.
I know people will compare this book to Babel, I’ve seen this happen already so yes, I’m going to say if you’re like me and were itching more for that explicit anti colonialism, revolution story, then yes, Ten Incarnations is for you but I do think Babel goes into depth much more (and you would be able to predict that just by comparing the lengths).
Despite my gripe with the writing, I really did enjoy this book and I hope to see more of its kind out. We know reading this political and art exists in political contexts but it’s extra important to have art that stands firm on its beliefs, embraces the political nature of art, reminds us of our shared struggle and gives us the ability to truly think about our real world political climate.
And if you want one final push for you to read this book: Our main character is a queer woman and the main relationship is a lesbian one. The relationship is central to the story and it’s deep. You feel the pain and joy shared between them.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review! This was my first ARC so it’s extra special <3
The Ten Incarnations of Rebellion seeks to view these questions and much more on the side of the oppressed group. Set in an alternate world where Indian never gained Independence from the British, we follow Kalki Diveka, the daughter of a revolutionary fighter, as she learns what it means to fight for freedom under a rule built on enslavement. At the end of every chapter, we see elements of Hindu mythology that parallel Kalki’s growth and formation throughout the story.
Vaishnavi Patel paints a nuanced picture of revolution and the people within the struggle. We get to hear numerous opinions on how we should fight, the benefits and the consequences, unlike the news we see today though, we are placed directly into the cross fire with our POV character. We are not just spectators, watching politicians or social media influencers debate the lives of the oppressed, we are in the eyes of the oppressed, seeing the viciousness of colonialism bare and unflowery. There is no justifying the cruelty, or who the “bad ones” truly are, not at all. The actual conversation is about how the characters fight and the small fights that need to be done within group. Because how is it freedom if we aren’t all free?
I appreciated these conversations and the boldness in which they are discussed. They aren’t nameless hypotheticals either, we see the consequences both good and horrific and see the characters, who, do due Patel’s care and craft, feel real go through shifts, aches, beginnings and endings. We see all different aspects of struggling and revolution through many different characters and each leave you with different perspectives and considerations.
Honestly, my one complaint is that I just wished there was MORE. There’s so much talked about here and sometimes the writing — as in the literal words used — just felt too simple. Sometimes we get one or two lines for things that could easily span paragraphs without getting boring and descriptions for surroundings and emotions ended up being very flat.
I know people will compare this book to Babel, I’ve seen this happen already so yes, I’m going to say if you’re like me and were itching more for that explicit anti colonialism, revolution story, then yes, Ten Incarnations is for you but I do think Babel goes into depth much more (and you would be able to predict that just by comparing the lengths).
Despite my gripe with the writing, I really did enjoy this book and I hope to see more of its kind out. We know reading this political and art exists in political contexts but it’s extra important to have art that stands firm on its beliefs, embraces the political nature of art, reminds us of our shared struggle and gives us the ability to truly think about our real world political climate.
And if you want one final push for you to read this book: Our main character is a queer woman and the main relationship is a lesbian one. The relationship is central to the story and it’s deep. You feel the pain and joy shared between them.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review! This was my first ARC so it’s extra special <3
October 18, 2025
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Both devastating and hopeful in equal measure, Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is a book I know I'll be thinking about for a long time.
First, to get it out of the way, this review is coming four months after the book's release and while I know that isn't the biggest deal in the world, I still feel bad for not getting to it sooner. I meant to, but life and my reading slump kept getting in the way. I'm happy I finally got around to it, though, because this was really good.
There's something so uniquely magical about feeling how much a story meant to the author as you're reading. Even if the book isn't my favorite, if I can feel what it meant to the author, that (usually) raises my opinion of it. Thankfully, this was a situation where the book was already really well-done and the author's heart being in the story only improved it further.
Historical fiction (even though this is technically "alternate history") is a genre I appreciate, but usually feel intimidated by - especially when I've been in a reading slump. With this book, however, there was never a moment I felt inadequate or unable to understand what was being discussed/going on. Everything was explained concisely, without making the reader feel like the author thinks they're stupid (which is really impressive!)
For only 320 pages, there are quite a few really heavy topics dealt with but they never feel included for the sake of throwing in trauma. It feels real and painful and messy and brutal, but never cheap or dramatized for the sake of earning reader reactions. These moments are bothersome because they're supposed to be bothersome, not because the book was trying to create an emotional response in you.
On a less positive side, I did feel like the writing style held me at arm's length from the main character. This book reads like you're being told a story of someone's life, which worked really well sometimes and others, made me feel like I was hearing the synopsis of the events from someone else. This also caused the pacing to feel off sometimes and the character development to not always feel earned.
Overall, this was a really good book and I feel honored to have been able to read it. I do recommend it, just as a good book, but also because this is a topic more people (myself included) need to learn about. I will definitely be picking up more of Vaishnavi Patel's works in the future.
Both devastating and hopeful in equal measure, Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is a book I know I'll be thinking about for a long time.
First, to get it out of the way, this review is coming four months after the book's release and while I know that isn't the biggest deal in the world, I still feel bad for not getting to it sooner. I meant to, but life and my reading slump kept getting in the way. I'm happy I finally got around to it, though, because this was really good.
There's something so uniquely magical about feeling how much a story meant to the author as you're reading. Even if the book isn't my favorite, if I can feel what it meant to the author, that (usually) raises my opinion of it. Thankfully, this was a situation where the book was already really well-done and the author's heart being in the story only improved it further.
Historical fiction (even though this is technically "alternate history") is a genre I appreciate, but usually feel intimidated by - especially when I've been in a reading slump. With this book, however, there was never a moment I felt inadequate or unable to understand what was being discussed/going on. Everything was explained concisely, without making the reader feel like the author thinks they're stupid (which is really impressive!)
For only 320 pages, there are quite a few really heavy topics dealt with but they never feel included for the sake of throwing in trauma. It feels real and painful and messy and brutal, but never cheap or dramatized for the sake of earning reader reactions. These moments are bothersome because they're supposed to be bothersome, not because the book was trying to create an emotional response in you.
On a less positive side, I did feel like the writing style held me at arm's length from the main character. This book reads like you're being told a story of someone's life, which worked really well sometimes and others, made me feel like I was hearing the synopsis of the events from someone else. This also caused the pacing to feel off sometimes and the character development to not always feel earned.
Overall, this was a really good book and I feel honored to have been able to read it. I do recommend it, just as a good book, but also because this is a topic more people (myself included) need to learn about. I will definitely be picking up more of Vaishnavi Patel's works in the future.
July 11, 2025
Wow. Just WOW. Review to come! 🔥
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was a fantastic reimagining of Bombay/Mumbai in the 1960s through the questions of “what if the British never left? What if the Indian independence movement never succeeded?” Patel doesn’t sugar coat anything in this novel leaving the reader with a heavy sense of injustice and rage for the characters all the while GUTTED when events play out before the character’s eyes. 🤯
The story follows Kalki through ten years of brutal British occupation and colonization of Kingston, this world’s Mumbai. From a young girl just starting her adult life to a broken but still fighting woman, Kalki is put through everything in this tale that barely hits 300 pages. I won’t say much because the story itself deserves to be read without any indication from me about the plot other than I loved it and inwardly wept for the characters. 😭
As someone who studied literature during a movement for independence, I loved how Patel showcases how powerful it can be to the oppressed and how forcibly divorcing them from it doesn’t make them anymore compliable than it does stoke the fire for rage. 🔥
Again, go into this knowing it’s an alternate reality that deals with heavy topics like racial superiority, colonialism, segregation by caste and religion, and violence. Should you know about the Indian independence movement before reading this? I would say no, but the context of the story will be all the more gut wrenching and powerful if you did a quick read into it before diving into this. Patel also provides fantastic works of literature and scholarship into this period of history if you wish to continue reading more on it after finishing the book. 🇮🇳
HUGE thank you goes out to Del Rey and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest (and late 😅) review; and to Patel for again BLOWING my mind with your fictional work. ❤️
Publication date: June 3!!
Overall: 5/5 ⭐️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was a fantastic reimagining of Bombay/Mumbai in the 1960s through the questions of “what if the British never left? What if the Indian independence movement never succeeded?” Patel doesn’t sugar coat anything in this novel leaving the reader with a heavy sense of injustice and rage for the characters all the while GUTTED when events play out before the character’s eyes. 🤯
The story follows Kalki through ten years of brutal British occupation and colonization of Kingston, this world’s Mumbai. From a young girl just starting her adult life to a broken but still fighting woman, Kalki is put through everything in this tale that barely hits 300 pages. I won’t say much because the story itself deserves to be read without any indication from me about the plot other than I loved it and inwardly wept for the characters. 😭
As someone who studied literature during a movement for independence, I loved how Patel showcases how powerful it can be to the oppressed and how forcibly divorcing them from it doesn’t make them anymore compliable than it does stoke the fire for rage. 🔥
Again, go into this knowing it’s an alternate reality that deals with heavy topics like racial superiority, colonialism, segregation by caste and religion, and violence. Should you know about the Indian independence movement before reading this? I would say no, but the context of the story will be all the more gut wrenching and powerful if you did a quick read into it before diving into this. Patel also provides fantastic works of literature and scholarship into this period of history if you wish to continue reading more on it after finishing the book. 🇮🇳
HUGE thank you goes out to Del Rey and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest (and late 😅) review; and to Patel for again BLOWING my mind with your fictional work. ❤️
Publication date: June 3!!
Overall: 5/5 ⭐️
February 15, 2025
4.5/5 stars
This was such a compelling book and I read it all in one sitting. It's been a while since I've done that, which really speaks to how much I enjoyed this book. I loved pretty much everything about it: focusing on a female-led resistance/rebellion group with an emphasis on mutual aid, interweaving of Hindu mythology that mirrors the protagonist's current struggles, and the close bonds and sisterhood between the characters. It's a powerful, impactful read, and I highly recommend it.
The reason I rated it 4.5 stars is due to the frequent time jumps within each chapter. The narrative often went back and forth between the present day and the narrator's memories; often, it was difficult to tell that the current paragraph I was reading wasn't in the present day until I read a few sentences and realized that we'd jumped back a decade. I found it to be a bit jarring and confusing at times, and wish that this would have been a bit more distinctive.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
This was such a compelling book and I read it all in one sitting. It's been a while since I've done that, which really speaks to how much I enjoyed this book. I loved pretty much everything about it: focusing on a female-led resistance/rebellion group with an emphasis on mutual aid, interweaving of Hindu mythology that mirrors the protagonist's current struggles, and the close bonds and sisterhood between the characters. It's a powerful, impactful read, and I highly recommend it.
The reason I rated it 4.5 stars is due to the frequent time jumps within each chapter. The narrative often went back and forth between the present day and the narrator's memories; often, it was difficult to tell that the current paragraph I was reading wasn't in the present day until I read a few sentences and realized that we'd jumped back a decade. I found it to be a bit jarring and confusing at times, and wish that this would have been a bit more distinctive.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
May 21, 2025
Thanks to PRHAudio for the preview. All opinions are my own.
This is such a powerful story of rebellion and resistance in an alt-history India. Its message is both timeless and timely. Change is not easy, it takes real work, sacrifice, time, patience, and heartbreak.
The characters in the story are not perfect. They can be selfish and selfless in turn. They have their own prejudices and lines they won’t cross; sometimes those lines are much further than they thought. But they’re so real, and I still wanted them to succeed so badly. And knowing the sacrifices some of them made, knowing they wouldn’t see the fruit of their efforts was so poignant.
Mixed into the struggle were Hindu tales that were always relevant to the particular point in the story. They were really used to great effect.
Definitely recommended for a moving and powerful story of independence.
This is such a powerful story of rebellion and resistance in an alt-history India. Its message is both timeless and timely. Change is not easy, it takes real work, sacrifice, time, patience, and heartbreak.
The characters in the story are not perfect. They can be selfish and selfless in turn. They have their own prejudices and lines they won’t cross; sometimes those lines are much further than they thought. But they’re so real, and I still wanted them to succeed so badly. And knowing the sacrifices some of them made, knowing they wouldn’t see the fruit of their efforts was so poignant.
Mixed into the struggle were Hindu tales that were always relevant to the particular point in the story. They were really used to great effect.
Definitely recommended for a moving and powerful story of independence.
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