In a previous life, I had run from it, and that choice was the death of me. That mistake went down in history, becoming a story that haunted my people for centuries.
I won’t run this time. I’ve regrouped, collected my allies, and sheltered my people. Now, I go hunting. I can’t rest until my people are safe. I can’t stop until the ones we lost are avenged.
Standing beside me, always, is Raphael, Warlord of the Cambions. I need his support now more than ever because the weight on my shoulders is heavier than I have ever been forced to carry.
I am Kaliya Sahni, the Demon Serpent and Queen of the Nagas. It is time for this story to end, one way or another.
I'm sad that this is the last book in this series. It's been a fun one with lots of different things. I really liked the Hindu aspects, which were heavy this time around. It seemed like Kaliya and Raphael were on the run for most of the book. Once Kaliya decided on her course of action it felt like she went from one big dust up to another, learning some key things along the way. Things weren't easy for her, the choices she had to make were hard, the same with Raphael. I think both of them made the right ones for them and for the people around them. I really liked the homecoming, liked how they gathered all their people around them, let them know what happened and new start to their peaceful lives.
Well, I liked it. Though to follow up from my review of the previous book, there wasn't a why, and things remained hand-wavy.
Kaliya's character was weird in this book, in that she suddenly felt like a different person. I know what the author was going for - the weight of responsibility, as ruler, forced her to evolve. I just didn't buy it. She was always ruler, and didn't care about the responsibility...left everything to Adhar. I don't buy that this would dramatically shift her from selfish narcissist Kaliya (her character for every book prior to this one) into wise sage Kaliya.
That said, I liked the story, the mythic poetic feel to it. It sometimes felt overly... mmm, not sure of the right word... loaded, maybe? Like, every step on her journey was loaded with ultra destiny. But it still worked for me.
This is a fascinating series and even though I've given it 5 stars, it is not without a LOT of nuance. The 5 stars reflects how satisfied I feel with how everything was wrapped up, but I would totally understand reviewers who would have taken away stars for what I'm about to discuss.
This story first and foremost is one set in the fascination of Hindu mythology. Rather than a character-driven story or a romance-driven story, this is really centered around these ancient myths and beliefs. There is always some skepticism when a (usually white) author writes about a culture that they don't experience first hand. I appreciate that this is not the usual Greek/Europe-based mythology and it was fascinating how the author tried to represent an Indian-American main character as well as her Indian heritage and background.
While I cannot speak to most of it, because I am also outside the culture, it is sadly obvious the author has not been to India nor studied enough. She treats both modern and ancient India as if it were one country with one language and culture. India is a union of many different countries, cultures, and languages. I have lived there and, sadly, the author did not capture Delhi at all. India serves as a backdrop to many of the events, but it is a bland, poorly described setting. While there are mentions of various locations or things one might find in India, it didn't feel like I was present in the country. I love when authors use settings I'm familiar with so I can "travel" while reading. This was not one of those books. However, the descriptions of alternate worlds were beautifully done and felt very real. It was disappointing the author couldn't describe India in the same way to make it feel real to her audience.
The romance was also sucky. Kaliya fights having a mate for multiple books and when it happens, it's not even her choice. They both say they love each other, but it always feels like they are saying it, but the author doesn't SHOW it. As an observer, I see them not sharing their deepest feelings and thoughts, I see them holding back information and not being vulnerable with each other. I see them being adversarial rather than supportive. We are TOLD they are great together but we are shown they pretty much have great sex and terrible conversations.
Kaliya as a character is also pretty disappointing. Once again, we are told she has matured, but not shown it. While I appreciate the choice she makes at the end, I didn't feel like this was her journey of being a better person. It was more about her journey of being proven right about everything. In the beginning, we see a paranoid self-protective person who fights everyone. At the end, we see everyone around her realize she was right and she continues to fight. Her spirit is combative and prickly. She's arrogant and forceful and she finally gets her right to be those AND be respected.
Sure, we're told she's better than in the beginning and there are small hints she can loosen up and not continue to take swings at everyone around her, but she will never be a favorite character nor will her relationship with Raphael ever make me truly excited.
The shining light to this is her relationship with Roshni. That is the one character I truly believe will teach Kaliya how to love and how to be vulnerable. I HATED when they left her behind. But I understood Kaliya's need to make the world safer for her little snake.
Roshni is the cutest part of this series and I want nothing but the very best for that precious life.
Every book I've read by KN Banet has been good. However this book, and this series, have especially spoken to me. As an Indian, as a Hindu, i read this and I finally knew just how much representation does matter.
I read UF almost exclusively, and, while Hindu mythology does show up once in a while, never has a book made me feel so seen.
The mythology is done beautifully. The scene in Vrindavan felt as if it could be true. It truly felt like reading a folktale (one of many from my childhood) at that moment -
The way Kaliya is written, how she has grown, her decisions in this book - that is excellent writing. It leads to a genuinely excellent final book in a series.
Raphael and the Cambions have their space too. So do Cassius and Sorscha - whose every moment feels bittersweet with the ending from the latest Jacky Leon book.
But its the little things I will always remember. The scene in Vrindavan. Rahul's feelings on colonists. The bravery and honor of Maurvi. Sohan's version of destiny.
These details made this a genuinely lovely story. These people with their feelings and their pain and the past that they share with the country that is younger than many of them and yet so ancient, it's beautiful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I am at a loss to understand how a series that was so incredibly creative and interesting ended with the final two books being so boring and in my humble opinion dismal reads. What happened? Overly wordy explanations and too many mythical and historical references and little to no action! I was over 70% into “Destiny” before there was any meaning action.
I was so disappointed in this read that I can’t even adequately convey my sorrow. It took me 19 days to read something that would normally have taken me a day. Why? Because I was bored. Several times I almost walked away from this read never to return. I just hope this author doesn’t do the same thing to the Jacky Leon series!
Wow, I'm mostly lost for words. I'm a total emotional wreck after reading that ending. I never cry at books, but this definitely had me welling up.
I think this series has become my favourite of the Tribunal Archives. It took me a while to warm to Kaliya, but her grown and journey have been wonderful.
The over-arching message of this book was wonderful and I absolutely adored how it all turned out.
2 stars Incredibly slow going. Kaliya was so very tired & so was I. I was ready for the wrap up mid way through the story. An adequate ending to the series.
Ending a series is almost an impossible task. There are some many plot and emotional threads to wrap up that it can feel at times like you’re reading a patchwork book.
However, Banet has once again delivered a perfect combination of emotion, action, journey, surprises and hope. I could not be happier with Destiny.
Kaliya is such an amazing complex character and they way she has evolved and mature through these novels is quite incredible. I appreciate the growth and her final decisions that como directly from that growth.
I really don’t want to spoil anything at all, so I’ll just say that there are plenty of surprises (good os bad) on the way to a hopeful future :)
I can’t wait to get a glimpse of these beloved characters throughout the Tribunal Arquives Series. Thank you K F Banet for such a lovely ending to one of my favorite series EVER!
I SOBBED reading parts of this and honestly while the emotions were heavy, but the ending was worth it. There was such a feeling of peace at the end. I don't know how better this book could have wrapped this series, but the Kaliya we started with in Bounty is not the same Kaliya we got in Destiny and it shows. There was so much growth and it wrapped up so well. Now I have to go have the worst book hangover I've ever had.
I enjoyed this last book in the series and how the storyline was resolved. I just wish we could have seen how everyone settled in after the final events.
I don't know if I should be sad or happy that we've reached the end of Kaliya and Raphael.
I live this series so much that when I started it, only 3 books were out and I devoured it in a couple of days. I then had to wait patiently while the rest of the books got released.
But it's finally time for Kaliya to get her happy ending. She doesn't want to wait for Garuda to strike first, so she and Raphael head to India to track him down in the mystical island that once upon a time was the home of all the Naga. In their journey, they encounter nee allies and enemies and even gods. But the most surprising thing was what Kaliya decided to do when she actually faces Garuda. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect outcome!
I really hope to be able to read more about Kaliya, Raphael and the cambions, if not in their own book maybe in a crossover in the Jackie Leok series.
A thrilling end to what has been an excellent series. Kaliya is one of those heroines you love. At the beginning of her journey she is isolated plenty of associates (one of whom she has been intimate. with) But nobody she will let get close to her. Orphaned at a young age Then abused by people who kidnapped her as a teenager she was rescued and taught how o protect herself, since Then she has fought from the shadows trying to protect her people. Fast forward a hundred years and she's just returned from an execution which didn't take place (see Oath Bound Jacky Leon book 1) she takes a bounty that has enormous ramifications on her life. You see, Kaliya isn't just a bounty hunter, she's an assassin, a tribunal (the supernatural governing body) executioner and the last Nagini (female Naga) alive ----- which by default makes her their Queen----- . The bounty that changes everything leads to her finding her mate but Kaliya refuses to claim him. Her reasons are valid, hers is a dying race, someone or something has been killing off the Nagas for generations, here were never very many to begin with just a thousand, who are repeatedly reincarnated ---but with no memory of their past lives---- but now there are just over a dozen left --- not counting wives---- so unless Kaliya can find who is responsible for her species possible extinction she will not mate or risk having children. Raphael her mate is also a supernatural being, he is the Warlord of the Cambions another species which has very small numbers and his people need him too much for Kaliya to involve him in her life. That's how the story begins in the last five books we have seen Kaliya and Raphael face enemies from all sides, in he beginning it was Raphael who was he hunted one then Kaliyas enemies started attacking all the time wearing her down and causing her to make sacrifices and difficult choices, such as when she sent Raphael away fearing for his safety if he stayed with her. But the damage had already been done the wrong people noticed her attachment to him and they came intending to kill them both. They survived that attack but the cat was out the bag regarding their mating, needless to say Raphael was angry that she had withheld this information from him so he came to understand. With enemies closing in Kaliya makes the decision to return to her home country of India ---- which she left in poor circumstances 100 years ago----------- and reconnect with her people to try and get to the bottom of who is out to destroy them. The visit starts off strained but is going well when he worst happens and a devastated Kaliya and what's left of her people have to flee to America where they will be able to protect themselves better. The only good thing (if you could call it that) is that the Nagas now know who it is that is behind all their suffering. So, in this final book Kaliya just has to find the strength and fortitude to go back to India and hunt down her enemy she chooses to this so she can face them on her terms rather than wait for them to come after her and her people. Raphael will be at her side for this final journey and battle, he odds are against her but Kaliya is determined to fight till the bitter end. The only regret i have is that I waited so long to read these books. Riveting.
4.7 ate! What an amazing end to the series. Banet really did such an amazing job with this series' arc and the character arcs. Loved the way this book played out!
I honestly could never imagined that this series could have culminated to this moment. Kaliya has been one of my absolute favorite characters; she’s a warrior, a leader, and a role model. She was written so beautifully, that it is so bittersweet to have her story ended. This was the first book that I truly researched the Hindu history associated with the Naga and Garuda, and I learned a lot. It was what made this such a stellar read. I also understood Kristen’s references and what Ramanakah really was. I learned about two mothers in an eternal battle, that Kaliya was destined to end. How masterful that Kristen chose this story to tell and to give Kaliya this destiny with Garuda. Kristen’s books are always a chance to learn, and this story culminated in a desire to learn about the names, legends, and stories written into Kaliya’s story. As an American who prides herself on the desire to learn, had I not read this series, I never of my own volition would have studied the Hindu stories. It was just a masterful storyline, and I loved it!
Maybe it’s just that I’ve been emotional this month, but I felt swelled with emotion with this read. There was so much wonderful closure and peace with every character in Kaliya’s life, that my life felt a little less heavy too. Such a stellar side effect!
Anyway, if you’ve read all of the prior books, know that this is the best yet. And if you haven’t and are seeing this review, start at the beginning now. Such a stellar read, and I’m excited to see Kaliya and Rafael make appearances in the future!
There’s a point in the story when Kaliya says “I was tired of being emotional”. What a coincidence — I, too, was tired of her being emotional. I was also tired of how frequently she used the word ‘tired’ which is (I checked) used 44 times by Kaliya alone.
That’s 44 times she complains about being tired, 44 times she’s not kicking ass and taking names, 44 times she’s not wise-cracking with Sorcha and 44 times her navel-gazing, pseudo philosophical inner monologue dominated what could have been a fantastically thrilling end to an absolute firecracker of a series. But no, sadly this series does not end with a bang, but a fizzle.
And holy deus ex machina batman, was that whole climax a mess (if the little speed bump we mounted could be called a climax). Very sloppy for the heroine to suddenly discover a power she never had until that moment right in the nick of time which is used to save the day. Convenient? Jarring? Definitely.
This is book 6 in the Kaliya Sahni series. I hate to see her series end 😢 but this was a really great finale to Kaliya’s story. I would recommend the whole series⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
Kaliya Sahni is a former executioner and bounty hunter for the Tribunal. She goes by Queen of the Nagas and The Demon Serpent these days. She’s deadly and as the last nagini, has had a lot of pressure on her from her species. Kaliya’s mate is Raphael and he’s the Warlord of the Cambions. Raphael is unstoppable and will protect Kaliya at any cost.
When she was young, magic was performed on Kaliya that allowed her to retain the memories from her past life. Now, as the Nagaraja, she must lead her people and knows the remaining will never be safe until she deals with their biggest threat, Garuda. To do that, Kaliya and Raphael will travel back to India to face him.
Now the past and present will collide. Will Kaliya finally be able to deal with Garuda and save her species?
I’ve been hooked on this series since the first chapter of the first book. And I have loved every word of every book. Over the years, I’ve read stories set in the Norse, Greek, Roman, and even Celtic pantheons. So I’ve really enjoyed dipping a toe into the Hindu realm of gods. I have cried buckets and laughed and held my breath in anticipation of the result of every battle. Kaliya is a true heroine and I couldn’t be happier with how this series closed out. But I will miss them. I hope we get more on the cambions, but will understand if we don’t. I would have liked to see Sammy get her own story, as well as Roshni’s journey into adulthood. Maybe sometime in the future? But for now, I’ll just cry a little more and say goodbye.
As this was the final installment in the Kaliya Sahni series, the reading of this book was a little bittersweet. Although the Jacky Leon series by this author ranks by far as my favorite, I had become invested in Kaliya and her battle to save her people. Much of this book took place in India, where Kaliya was determined to find and kill her people’s enemy, Garuda, and the author wove in quite a bit of Kaliya’s culture and mythical beings, which was interesting. I was a bit shocked how the search for Rama turned out, but glad Raphael found more of his people.
Although the series was leading up to this final showdown for some time, I felt like this book didn’t quite have the exciting action and energy that most of the other books in this series have. Overall though, I was pleased to see Kaliya and Raphael and their people have a happy ending after everything they have all gone through.
Still healing from the devastating blows inflicted by Garuda and his minions Kaliya decides on behalf of all the Nagas, she can’t wait for him to strike again. She has to take the fight to him, it means travelling back to India, confronting her past and moving through Garuda even though it will perpetuate the circle of violence that drove her to this point originally.
Raphael gets a chance to flex those powerful alpha muscles this time, while popular side characters wave from the rafters and Kaliya stands with her fists on her hips looking victorious as she challenges the thorn in her side one final time. While talky, this series finale also has action and wraps those pesky hanging threads nicely. Rating: 4.25stars
Sound ending to an entertaining series. This one felt simpler with an even pace and I found myself savoring it. We all knew this was the last book and I think it reached a satisfying conclusion.
Kaliya and Raphael make the journey back to India after the massacre of her people, knowing they have to take out Guarda and end this cycle of killing. It’s a creative solution that we see that the end, kudos to Banet.
It was interesting to see the interaction with Rama and her family, to see how that played out. And more Cambions :)
The world that this series takes place in is fascinating and this series in particular leans heavily on legends and beliefs (Hinduism) and there is so much fodder for the supernatural!
This book filled me with so much anxiety and fear as Kaliya takes up the mantle her former reincarnation should have done. But the ending was not what I was expecting in the slightest. This is the final book in the Kaliya series and I am unashamed to say that I will be re-reading the entire series over and over again throughout my years because the journey is so amazing. K.N. Banet spends so much time education and respecting a culture I have not thoroughly researching with such an amazing story.
If you have thought about reading the Kaliya Sahni series, I urge you to do so, it is will be unforgettable!
This was a pretty good end to this story arc. I got a little tired of a couple of tropes that kept reoccurring in this book though: Kaliya is SO tired the whole time--it seriously gets talked about a lot. And literally everyone knows something serious but Kaliya more than once in this thing--with the same information she has, or less even. There are elements of hope for other characters during and after this, which is nice, but the... Cabin in the woods, in the middle of this thing, is incredibly dark. Still enjoy these books overall, but not sure where these Tribunal Archives books will go next.
I really enjoyed this series, I liked the characters and the world and while this ends well I felt this last book was the weakest.
I feel the first five fit well into "urban fantasy" and the story was more down to earth and gritty while the last book I feel took too much of a turn into "higher fantasy" and delved more into the lore aspect and lost the special oomph down to earth grittiness of the first five books. It lost some of it's appeal and went too much into a woo woo, existential, koombuya and they lived happily ever after mode.
I wish the site here allowed half stars as I feel this was a 2.5 star instead of 3 like the first five.
What can I say, well other than Banet is a gifted and talented weaver of worlds. Kaliya's final book was a perfect balance of everything you love and hate when a series ends, and while I know she won't be the main focus anymore, I look forward to seeing snippets of her future in future books. I would also love a Roshni centered novella just a way to see this world through her young eyes and unique experience.
I have enjoyed every book in this series, from the very beginning to the final chapter the blending of mythology, urban fantasy, violence, adventure and love has just been 👌👌👌
The final book offers a wonderful resolution for Kaliya and Raphael, all the while delving through some wonderful Hindi mythology and some very satisfying character development.
I am sad their tale has come to an end, but I am so happy the way it ended that I can’t be mad.
Very moved by how this series wrapped up. It could’ve gone in a different way, with climax involving fighting (something like Kaliya is more then capable of) that would’ve still be satisfying , but it didn’t. It went for more, and tackled the themes of redemption, peace in a way that didn’t feel trite but hard one. Honestly the epilogue made me tear up. Bravo to the author. We need that message of fighting for peace even if it’s the hardest path, especially now a days
I really enjoyed this series! I’m sad that it’s over but am really pleased with how it ended. It felt like so much thought and planning went into this. Some authors fail when they have long series, but I never feel that way with this author.
I love the world that she has created. She does such a great job making interesting characters. I seriously want so many books, because I need all these side characters to have their own story. I can’t wait to dive into the next book of hers, and get back into this world.