The Legend of Meneka was spicy, swoony, and a story about questioning what we think we know. I really enjoyed The Surviving Sky, so I knew I had to read this latest release! I adore the world here and Meneka is such an interesting character! Keep reading this book review of The Legend of Meneka for my full thoughts.
Summary
Across the mortal and immortal realms, celestial dancers known as apsaras are revered for their beauty, allure, and enchanting magic. But Meneka knows that is not all they are. Trained as a weapon—a warrior—Meneka despises leaving each of her marks in thrall to her potent illusions. With every seduction Lord Indra, king of heaven, demands of her for his political gain, she craves her freedom more and more.
When a mortal sage’s growing powers threaten Indra’s supremacy in his own realm, Meneka seizes a rare opportunity. She strikes a deal—if she can seduce this dangerous man, Indra will allow her to forgo future missions. But upon meeting the sage, Kaushika, Meneka finds herself captivated by his energy, ignited by his empathy and passion, even though he threatens everything she’s ever known. Can she overthrow the man who is—little by little—stealing her heart, or is Kaushika seducing her instead? As war looms in the skies, Meneka must choose between her duty to protect her home, and the sage who is showing her what true love can mean.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
In The Legend of Meneka, the first element I enjoyed was the world building. There’s not only a world of gods and goddesses, but also of sages and dance magic. It felt immersive and magical from the very beginning. But what stole the show was the relationship between Meneka and Kaushika. She won’t back down and the banter, the barely concealed chemistry and tension are chefs kiss. While it’s important to find someone who complements us, we also need someone who challenges us. Who isn’t afraid of question us, to tell us when we need to take a moment, who believes we can be something more.
(Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links. For more information you can look at the Policy page. If you’re uncomfortable with that, know you can look up the book on any of the sites below to avoid the link)
But what I enjoyed almost as much was the way The Legend of Meneka examines faith. We can believe in someone, revere them as a hero, but what happens when they’re not who we think? What happens when the faith, the tenants we hold true, prove that there might be another way? It’s a book that reminds us of the intimacy of belief – that love is another force within our world. Meneka and Kaushika challenge each other and encourage each other to question. To know that we’re all living as main characters in our stories, bending the narratives, and only we can know what we think.
Find The Legend of Meneka on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.