I was very much looking forward to reading this. It was on my TBR list for a while, I liked the cover, and I'm always down for a mythological retelling. Unfortunately it seems I'm missing out on something because I genuinely do not understand how this novel is rated so highly (and this is coming from someone who generally gives high ratings). I am baffled. 

To some degree I understand because it's not as though this book is without its positives. The writing is simple and quick to read. The author was able to distill an epic story to its bare bones while keeping the plotline (though I would have to read the original to learn what I am missing out on). My problem with the novel just so happens to be its entire selling point: the female perspective. 

I absolutely adore interesting female characters. Krishnaa does not, by any stretch of the imagination, qualify. I have never read from the perspective of such a dislikable main character. For a book aimed at providing a feminine perspective on a male-dominated tale, the portrayal of the primary female character is utterly egregious.

She is so immature it's outstanding. She is both petty and hypocritical without ever growing out of either. She looks down on everyone both male and female, rich and poor, high and low class. If the author intended for her to be a sympathetic character she failed horribly. It is a crime that in a book written through a female lens, the male characters are still the stand outs.

If you had told me she was an angsty teenager the whole time I would have believed you because that is what she reads as. She falls for a man from his picture and doesn't get over him even after death. While there's a whole ass war going on in part to avenge her, she still finds time to self flagellate and wallow in self pity. With all due respect your sons and husbands are out here dying, yet you're holding a grudge while watching from the sidelines because Krishna didn't reveal his heavenly form to you? Bffr.

At first I did not judge her harshly because she was young and naive. I thought surely she can't get any worse as she grows older and wiser. Did she grow older? Seemingly yes. Did she grow wiser? Apparently not. All of the best parts of the story are stolen, and all of the worst parts are added. At the very least this book makes me want to read the original which should count for something. 

How disappointing. A beautiful title and beautiful cover wasted on an ugly protagonist.