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KaiKa's Songs
Several sand storms have passed since the death of all mothers and fathers of Sand Island, leaving behind the last five children on the island.
Two short young women, two tall young men, and one blind little girl.
They shared the island with Sand, a wrathful monster.
Every day and night, KaiKa and her tribe members sang to Sand. She wanted to keep her tribe alive. She constantly looked for the right song that could keep Sand calm.
But Sand was still hungry and enraged.
Two short young women, two tall young men, and one blind little girl.
They shared the island with Sand, a wrathful monster.
Every day and night, KaiKa and her tribe members sang to Sand. She wanted to keep her tribe alive. She constantly looked for the right song that could keep Sand calm.
But Sand was still hungry and enraged.
- GenresFiction
176 pages, Paperback
Published February 24, 2023
1 person is currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Modhayan
1 book7 followersM.A. Modhayan is a devoted father and husband. A middle child, yet an elder brother.
A debut writer with a deep interest in music history and theory. Mostly inspired by man-made gods, the concept of time, futurism, and humanism.
KaiKa's Songs is his debut novel.
A debut writer with a deep interest in music history and theory. Mostly inspired by man-made gods, the concept of time, futurism, and humanism.
KaiKa's Songs is his debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 8, 2023
‘Kaika’s Song’ takes readers on a captivating journey to a desolate world where the last five survivors struggle to survive amidst the wrath of a vengeful mother-like force, Sand.
The author weaves a unique and unpredictable narrative that keeps you guessing after every chapter. Through the power of singing, the islanders attempt to appease Sand, but their efforts seem futile as hunger and rage persist. Kaika emerges as a strong and influential character, leading her tribe against the sand’s fury.
However, as tragedy strikes, the blind young girl, AiYi, discovers a secret that could save her tribe but requires a difficult choice between revenge and mercy. The book expertly explores themes of survival, solidarity, and the complex dynamics within a group facing extinction. While some readers may crave more of Kaika’s presence, the eccentricity and vivid character portrayals make this an engaging and thought-provoking read.
‘Kaika’s Song’ leaves a lasting impression with its powerful feminine energy, evocative descriptions, and a narrative style that keeps you enthralled until the very end.
The author weaves a unique and unpredictable narrative that keeps you guessing after every chapter. Through the power of singing, the islanders attempt to appease Sand, but their efforts seem futile as hunger and rage persist. Kaika emerges as a strong and influential character, leading her tribe against the sand’s fury.
However, as tragedy strikes, the blind young girl, AiYi, discovers a secret that could save her tribe but requires a difficult choice between revenge and mercy. The book expertly explores themes of survival, solidarity, and the complex dynamics within a group facing extinction. While some readers may crave more of Kaika’s presence, the eccentricity and vivid character portrayals make this an engaging and thought-provoking read.
‘Kaika’s Song’ leaves a lasting impression with its powerful feminine energy, evocative descriptions, and a narrative style that keeps you enthralled until the very end.
June 23, 2023
A book that takes us to the survival of a tribe fighting against odds of nature, especially Sand! The last five people now stand and KaiKa is chosen to lead them. She has been taught by her mother, sand- reading!
The other members are her half sister SeeKa, and half brothers ,NooaKhi, LaKhi and we also have AiYi, the little half blind child.
.
The culture, the disposition with insights into humanism in the daily activities of these numbered people is brought out lyrically by the author. At each chapter which starts with the 'song of' and denotes an attribute that will come out through the chapter, will have you pause, ponder and reflect.
.
The uncouth but at the same time the deeply moving lifestyle such that the connections with the Almighty is spoken of, will make you feel about the difficulty of the book but once you see through the layers, you will get through.
.
I actually wanted more of KaiKa and fell in love with AiYi and although I appreciate what the author tried to do here, I felt like it went lost amidst too many deep feelings and abstracts.
.
The simplicity yet significance of the cover and the unique style of writing is what stood out for me the most.
.
The other members are her half sister SeeKa, and half brothers ,NooaKhi, LaKhi and we also have AiYi, the little half blind child.
.
The culture, the disposition with insights into humanism in the daily activities of these numbered people is brought out lyrically by the author. At each chapter which starts with the 'song of' and denotes an attribute that will come out through the chapter, will have you pause, ponder and reflect.
.
The uncouth but at the same time the deeply moving lifestyle such that the connections with the Almighty is spoken of, will make you feel about the difficulty of the book but once you see through the layers, you will get through.
.
I actually wanted more of KaiKa and fell in love with AiYi and although I appreciate what the author tried to do here, I felt like it went lost amidst too many deep feelings and abstracts.
.
The simplicity yet significance of the cover and the unique style of writing is what stood out for me the most.
.
May 28, 2023
“And do not forget that I was here before you came. And I will forever float. After you die. Or after you leave me.”
🏝️
I'm very picky when it comes to choosing a fantasy read, because my criteria are—short reads, little to no romance, unique plot, preferably a standalone, addressing social issues—and, I found most of the boxes ticked off when I saw M.A. Modhayan's 'KaiKa's Songs' & just had to read it! Plus, I'm happy that it exceeded my expectations! 💃
Set in a sand Island, with the last 5 of the survivors, it's upon their Chief KaiKa to keep everyone safe & continue to fight against the sand monsters. The sand demands its inhabitants to keep singing, but what will happen when internal rife ensues & in a series of drastic turn of events, Silence befalls? And what's the truth behind the Island's identity?
What's interesting about this book is— you might think you know where the story is headed, but you'll be so so wrong.
The first few pages took me by shock because I wasn't expecting the contents, and although some of the graphical descriptions were difficult to sit through, they weren't triggering for me, but it might be an issue for some so I'll put the TW—cannibalism, incest, fratricide.
The plot & character development is great, with ample focus on all the 5 islanders & their internal struggles. At some points you'll be sympathising & the next you'll be detesting them.
The world building is another thing I loved, because what started out as a matriliny, slowly witnessed a shift in the balance towards Patriarchy and it's a representative of our society, which gradually saw a similar shift in the dynamics over the time, driven by jealousy & need for dominance.
The second half of the book where it centres around truth behind the Island's identity is heartbreaking & makes you question the right & the wrongs and who decides the barter.
KaiKa's Songs might come off as a simple story of loss, but what I felt was, it hides countless themes within itself—love, betrayal, loneliness, vengeance, eternity—and it also pays an ode to nature & its beings.
It's unlike the books you generally come across & it's lyrical writing might just be perfect for you if you like exploring new worlds.
I'm obviously recommending it! And if you've loved 'Piranesi' by Susanna Clarke, then you might like this as well!!
🏝️
I'm very picky when it comes to choosing a fantasy read, because my criteria are—short reads, little to no romance, unique plot, preferably a standalone, addressing social issues—and, I found most of the boxes ticked off when I saw M.A. Modhayan's 'KaiKa's Songs' & just had to read it! Plus, I'm happy that it exceeded my expectations! 💃
Set in a sand Island, with the last 5 of the survivors, it's upon their Chief KaiKa to keep everyone safe & continue to fight against the sand monsters. The sand demands its inhabitants to keep singing, but what will happen when internal rife ensues & in a series of drastic turn of events, Silence befalls? And what's the truth behind the Island's identity?
What's interesting about this book is— you might think you know where the story is headed, but you'll be so so wrong.
The first few pages took me by shock because I wasn't expecting the contents, and although some of the graphical descriptions were difficult to sit through, they weren't triggering for me, but it might be an issue for some so I'll put the TW—cannibalism, incest, fratricide.
The plot & character development is great, with ample focus on all the 5 islanders & their internal struggles. At some points you'll be sympathising & the next you'll be detesting them.
The world building is another thing I loved, because what started out as a matriliny, slowly witnessed a shift in the balance towards Patriarchy and it's a representative of our society, which gradually saw a similar shift in the dynamics over the time, driven by jealousy & need for dominance.
The second half of the book where it centres around truth behind the Island's identity is heartbreaking & makes you question the right & the wrongs and who decides the barter.
KaiKa's Songs might come off as a simple story of loss, but what I felt was, it hides countless themes within itself—love, betrayal, loneliness, vengeance, eternity—and it also pays an ode to nature & its beings.
It's unlike the books you generally come across & it's lyrical writing might just be perfect for you if you like exploring new worlds.
I'm obviously recommending it! And if you've loved 'Piranesi' by Susanna Clarke, then you might like this as well!!
June 6, 2023
This is the story of the last of the survivors of the island. The story of the five siblings and half-siblings who depend on each other for survival, procreation, food and leadership. The sand island is fierce and hungry, reacting to the songs sung by the tribe members. Singing has been the language of the islanders since ages, passed along generations. They sing songs of hunger, thirst, fear, hope, fury and mercy. They sing to convert their times of distress into times of solidarity and vivacity.
Among the five tribal members, Kaika is the chosen one as she starts leading the gang from the front against the wrath of the sand island and the monster. But times change, and the painful death of one of them starts looming as a curse causing the island members to perish without a trace. Soon after, AiYi, the youngest member who turned blind at a young age, finds herself on the green island, which is everything opposite of the island she had known, conversing with an older man. Soon, she finds the reason for the fury of the sand island and the problems with her tribe members. She must decide between revenge and mercy to let the last of her tribe live.
Reading this book felt like being on an adventure trip because the narration and the story were unique. I couldn't guess what was coming after each chapter because the author had written it unpredictably. Though the characters were whimsical, they reflected the real-time society, with each character denoting a specific characteristic.
The powerful feminine energy from Kaika was palpable, and I loved how she led from the front. My only letdown was that I expected more of Kaika's presence in the book, which was unfortunately missing. I also loved AiYi and her innocence and how she used it to be better than the others. A lot of bizarre tribal traditions felt abominable and made my gut churn. Rest, I liked the eccentricity and the narrative style of the book.
My review: 3.5/5
Among the five tribal members, Kaika is the chosen one as she starts leading the gang from the front against the wrath of the sand island and the monster. But times change, and the painful death of one of them starts looming as a curse causing the island members to perish without a trace. Soon after, AiYi, the youngest member who turned blind at a young age, finds herself on the green island, which is everything opposite of the island she had known, conversing with an older man. Soon, she finds the reason for the fury of the sand island and the problems with her tribe members. She must decide between revenge and mercy to let the last of her tribe live.
Reading this book felt like being on an adventure trip because the narration and the story were unique. I couldn't guess what was coming after each chapter because the author had written it unpredictably. Though the characters were whimsical, they reflected the real-time society, with each character denoting a specific characteristic.
The powerful feminine energy from Kaika was palpable, and I loved how she led from the front. My only letdown was that I expected more of Kaika's presence in the book, which was unfortunately missing. I also loved AiYi and her innocence and how she used it to be better than the others. A lot of bizarre tribal traditions felt abominable and made my gut churn. Rest, I liked the eccentricity and the narrative style of the book.
My review: 3.5/5
May 17, 2023
"Kaika's Songs" is a book that revolves around the life of the last remaining members of a tribe, and their journey of self-discovery and cultural exploration.
The plot is set in the Sand Island and music plays a huge role in the book. But I still couldn't comprehend that why were they singing about everything. Probably coz of their culture? The sand island inhabitants consist of a small tribe.... They hunt mice for food, practice incest for maintaining their tribe's population and also practice cannibalism in the name of not wasting resources.
The story follows multiple timelines, but presently, only 5 inhabitants survive on the island : KaiKa is introduced as the tribe leader, her half sister SeeKa, her half brothers : NooaKhi and LaKhi, along with a weak, half bald, blind child : AiYi. AiYi's condition was a result of the grotesque actions of the "Fathers" of their tribe, which shook me quite a bit.
The writing style is very poetic and lyrical, emphasing on emotions quite a lot. The book is filled with vivid and evocative descriptions of the landscape, everyday activities, etc.
This book also explores the culture of KaiKa's world and offers profound reflections on the meaning of life and the human condition.
It is quite different from what we usually see on Bookstagram. If you like to read about different cultures, give it a try. But for me, it was a pass. I couldn't feel any sort of attachment to the characters, and faced more of a cultural shock. The theme of the book largely explores the journey of self-discovery, cultural exploration, and the complexities of identity and belonging.
The plot is set in the Sand Island and music plays a huge role in the book. But I still couldn't comprehend that why were they singing about everything. Probably coz of their culture? The sand island inhabitants consist of a small tribe.... They hunt mice for food, practice incest for maintaining their tribe's population and also practice cannibalism in the name of not wasting resources.
The story follows multiple timelines, but presently, only 5 inhabitants survive on the island : KaiKa is introduced as the tribe leader, her half sister SeeKa, her half brothers : NooaKhi and LaKhi, along with a weak, half bald, blind child : AiYi. AiYi's condition was a result of the grotesque actions of the "Fathers" of their tribe, which shook me quite a bit.
The writing style is very poetic and lyrical, emphasing on emotions quite a lot. The book is filled with vivid and evocative descriptions of the landscape, everyday activities, etc.
This book also explores the culture of KaiKa's world and offers profound reflections on the meaning of life and the human condition.
It is quite different from what we usually see on Bookstagram. If you like to read about different cultures, give it a try. But for me, it was a pass. I couldn't feel any sort of attachment to the characters, and faced more of a cultural shock. The theme of the book largely explores the journey of self-discovery, cultural exploration, and the complexities of identity and belonging.
May 30, 2023
KaiKa's Songs is a speculative mythopoeic fantasy that explores the origins of gods and their relationships with mortals through a fictional world. The novel is set during no particular time on an island, and rather it defines the time for the island through the songs the people of the island must sing to keep sandstorms at bay, the primary antagonist for the story. Sandstorms are seen as monsters that destroy the island and devour the inhabitants. The novel begins with a proem informing readers of the death of the last mother on the island, which leaves behind only five inhabitants on the island - two men (NooaKhi & LaKhi), two women (KaiKa, the chief & SeeKa), and a blind girl (AiYi).
The plot revolves around the survival of the islanders, the violence of the mad fathers, matriarchal leadership, and reproduction in a situation where everyone is a half-sibling to others. Songs are the only way to transfer knowledge about everything, from hunting to motherhood. The second part of the novel, called Green Island, acts as a catalyst; until then, the story progresses quite steadily. KaiKa's Songs is exposition-heavy and suffers from 'tell, don't show,' which takes away the fun of an immersive experience in a different world built by the author and distances readers from the characters, leading to a complete passive reading experience. Although the characters are well-defined with sharp edges, the plain storytelling makes it boring.
Read the full review on my blog - https://bit.ly/42d6u1y
The plot revolves around the survival of the islanders, the violence of the mad fathers, matriarchal leadership, and reproduction in a situation where everyone is a half-sibling to others. Songs are the only way to transfer knowledge about everything, from hunting to motherhood. The second part of the novel, called Green Island, acts as a catalyst; until then, the story progresses quite steadily. KaiKa's Songs is exposition-heavy and suffers from 'tell, don't show,' which takes away the fun of an immersive experience in a different world built by the author and distances readers from the characters, leading to a complete passive reading experience. Although the characters are well-defined with sharp edges, the plain storytelling makes it boring.
Read the full review on my blog - https://bit.ly/42d6u1y
January 11, 2024
Five souls cling to survival in the heart of a ruthless island, where Sand reigns supreme. Led by KaiKa, a young woman gifted with the arcane art of "Sand-reading," they are the last tribe members consumed by sand storms, tornados, and sand monsters.
Alongside her stand SeeKa, her half-sister with secrets etched in her gaze, and the three half-brothers: NooaKhi, LaKhi, and AiYi, the little one blessed with sight dimmed but wisdom boundless. Each chapter, a whispered "song of..." unveils a facet of their humanity, culture, and unwavering spirit in the face of nature's wrath.
The author paints a lyrical portrait of their existence, raw and genuine, where whispers of spirituality mingle with the grit of daily struggle. Their connection to the divine is both stark and profoundly moving, challenging yet rewarding for the reader who delves beyond the surface.
While KaiKa's journey is captivating, AiYi's innocence and resilience steal the heart. But amidst the tapestry of profound emotions and veiled meanings, a yearning for deeper exploration of KaiKa's arc emerges.
The novel's strengths shine through. The author's unique voice lingers long after the final page. A tale of grit, grace, and the indomitable human spirit, this book invites you to ponder, reflect, and find solace in the resilience of hope amidst the vast expanse of despair.
Orwell fans, get ready! This gripping, panhumanist story tackles environmentalism, corruption, and power dynamics with potent symbolism and profound themes. Think Animal Farm meets Lord of the Flies with its unique twist. Brace for a timeless tale that resonates across cultures.
Alongside her stand SeeKa, her half-sister with secrets etched in her gaze, and the three half-brothers: NooaKhi, LaKhi, and AiYi, the little one blessed with sight dimmed but wisdom boundless. Each chapter, a whispered "song of..." unveils a facet of their humanity, culture, and unwavering spirit in the face of nature's wrath.
The author paints a lyrical portrait of their existence, raw and genuine, where whispers of spirituality mingle with the grit of daily struggle. Their connection to the divine is both stark and profoundly moving, challenging yet rewarding for the reader who delves beyond the surface.
While KaiKa's journey is captivating, AiYi's innocence and resilience steal the heart. But amidst the tapestry of profound emotions and veiled meanings, a yearning for deeper exploration of KaiKa's arc emerges.
The novel's strengths shine through. The author's unique voice lingers long after the final page. A tale of grit, grace, and the indomitable human spirit, this book invites you to ponder, reflect, and find solace in the resilience of hope amidst the vast expanse of despair.
Orwell fans, get ready! This gripping, panhumanist story tackles environmentalism, corruption, and power dynamics with potent symbolism and profound themes. Think Animal Farm meets Lord of the Flies with its unique twist. Brace for a timeless tale that resonates across cultures.
May 2, 2023
[Review copy from Penguin Southeast Asia]
One of the weirdest books I've read...
Like an extremely long poem, this book took me on a journey of wonder, confusion and admiration.
KaiKa's Songs adopts a rather odd tone. Revolving around five islanders, one of whom is KaiKa, the book captures how these five characters survive the very nature of the Sand.
This book was an unsettling read for me, though not necessarily in a bad way. It's nothing like any of my past reads. Not only is Sand referred to like a living entity, songs are presented akin to the main form of communication between the islanders. I found this to be both astonishing AND weird.
This may be a peculiar comparison, but if you've read Junji Ito's books, some scenes in this novel emit a similar eerie vibe. The characters behave erratically, and understanding of each other's behaviours is on-point that it creases my forehead.
The conflicts are in and around the very nature they're living in - sandstorms, hunger and longevity. I'd like to think that there's more to it than meets the eye. It's an interpretive, almost experimental novel, if you will.
I'm investing a risky rating in this, owing to how unique the lingering feeling I had upon flipping the last page. I wouldn't call it worth reading per se, but I believe each reader should experience this novel at least once.
One of the weirdest books I've read...
Like an extremely long poem, this book took me on a journey of wonder, confusion and admiration.
KaiKa's Songs adopts a rather odd tone. Revolving around five islanders, one of whom is KaiKa, the book captures how these five characters survive the very nature of the Sand.
This book was an unsettling read for me, though not necessarily in a bad way. It's nothing like any of my past reads. Not only is Sand referred to like a living entity, songs are presented akin to the main form of communication between the islanders. I found this to be both astonishing AND weird.
This may be a peculiar comparison, but if you've read Junji Ito's books, some scenes in this novel emit a similar eerie vibe. The characters behave erratically, and understanding of each other's behaviours is on-point that it creases my forehead.
The conflicts are in and around the very nature they're living in - sandstorms, hunger and longevity. I'd like to think that there's more to it than meets the eye. It's an interpretive, almost experimental novel, if you will.
I'm investing a risky rating in this, owing to how unique the lingering feeling I had upon flipping the last page. I wouldn't call it worth reading per se, but I believe each reader should experience this novel at least once.
June 19, 2023
The book on my platter today is very different and unique. It's a story about 5 young islanders who walk around in the wilderness of Sand Island. This Island is a female dominated place where the males are subservient. The other part of the story is about the green Island where the living situation changes just like, "a father that beat up his children to sleep and then work them up with warm embraces and kisses, was less suspiciously transformative than the changes on the island". The author as beautifully describe the changes in these lines.
Amongst all the characters KaiKa is my favourite who can be thought of as the protagonist also. Another important character is AiYi who is blind and seeks all help from KaiKa.
The story is about the survival of men, women, gods and songs. The main themes of the book emphasis on the cultural baggage of a human being, their survival, importance of songs and relationships.
I personally enjoyed this new world which is still hungry and enraged. And highly recommend just read.
Amongst all the characters KaiKa is my favourite who can be thought of as the protagonist also. Another important character is AiYi who is blind and seeks all help from KaiKa.
The story is about the survival of men, women, gods and songs. The main themes of the book emphasis on the cultural baggage of a human being, their survival, importance of songs and relationships.
I personally enjoyed this new world which is still hungry and enraged. And highly recommend just read.
May 18, 2023
One of the weirdest, experimental books I have ever read. Still collecting my thoughts ghts on this. 3.0 stars for now.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews