Vaishnavi Patel is a law student focusing on constitutional law and civil rights. She likes to write at the intersection of Indian myth, feminism, and anti-colonialism.
Vaishnavi grew up in and around Chicago and, in her spare time, enjoys activities that are almost stereotypically Midwestern: knitting, ice-skating, drinking hot chocolate, and making hotdish. Kaikeyi is her debut novel.
Fishbone Cinderella (2026) Elizabeth Lim "A gorgeous, haunting story of magic, memory and loss. Fishbone Cinderella is an aching exploration of the lengths we go to protect the ones we love, and the bonds between mothers and daughters in all their forms. Lim's story has all the hallmarks of a new fable: elegant, atmospheric, and resonant across time and space."
The River She Became (2026) Emily Varga "The River She Became is a thrilling exploration of what it takes to fight for freedom, replete with a swoon-worthy love story and a protagonist who refuses to give up. If you ever dreamed of finding hidden artifacts, or found magic in history, this one's for you!"
North Is the Night (2024) (Tuonela Duet, book 1) Emily Rath "Rich, vivid, and brimming with emotion, North Is the Night pays touching homage to Finnish culture and mythology while forging a unique path all its own. . . . [W]eep and cheer for Siiri and Aina as they find their strength and claim their power."
A Song to Drown Rivers (2024) Ann Liang "Liang has managed that rare feat of retelling that honors a great epic while finding new depths and intimacies within it. This book stole my breath away with its yearning and sorrow. Each word is chosen with exquisite care, each emotion crafted with true feeling, such that your own heart beats in time with the characters'."
Divine Mortals (2024) (Divine Mortals, book 1) Amanda M Helander "Effortlessly combining fantasy and romance, Divine Mortals is a dazzling debut. Mona is a protagonist for the ages, combining incredible power and hilarious wit with crushing doubt and realistic trauma. Helander explores the depths of grief and the subtleties of the human mind while delivering swoony romance and a spirited plot with deft confidence."
Lady Macbeth (2024) Ava Reid "Hail, Queen! Scotland's cold will seep into your bones as you watch the scheming, vulnerable Lady Roscille fight for her autonomy in a world that would define her in relation to men alone."
Masquerade (2024) O O Sangoyomi "Mixing political intrigue and slow corruption with a captivating heroine and gorgeously rendered setting, Sangoyomi delivers an incisive examination of gender, temptation, and the lengths people will go to hold power-a magnificent debut!"
The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye (2024) Briony Cameron "Thrilling, heart-pounding adventure meets thoughtful feminist history in The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye. Cameron has crafted a rare and special tale that looks upon the world with realism while leaving the reader with an enduring sense of hope. An absolutely stunning debut."
Hope Ablaze (2024) Sarah Mughal Rana "FIERCE, BRILLIANT, AND UNAPOLOGETIC, Hope Ablaze is a bright-burning star of a novel. Seamlessly and assuredly weaving together prose and poetry, Rana tackles Islamophobia, racism, and generational trauma with authentic nuance and terrific heart. AN INCREDIBLE, UNMISSABLE DEBUT."
The Kingdom of Sweets (2023) Erika Johansen "The Kingdom of Sweets drags you headfirst into its world of horror and whimsy, where the lines between reality, dream, and nightmare are far thinner and more porous than you think. Dark, twisty, and delicious, Johansen will keep you guessing until the curtain falls."
The Weaver and the Witch Queen (2023) Genevieve Gornichec "Intimate and sweeping, richly detailed and propulsive, tragic and uplifting, The Weaver and the Witch Queen proves Genevieve Gornichec really can do it all. Oddny and Gunnhild's story is epic, timeless, and most of all honest in its portrayal of the indomitable strength of women, the joys and pains of sisterhood, and the limitless power of love in all its many forms."
Shanghai Immortal (2023) (Lady Jing, book 1) A Y Chao "A thrilling adventure packed to the hilt with attitude, Shanghai Immortal will have you laughing, cheering, and screaming along with the inimitable Lady Jing. From the glittering settings and vivid characters to the thoughtful exploration of family and sacrifice, this is a story you won't soon forget."
Mindwalker (2022) Kate Dylan "Mindwalker is a brilliant rollercoaster of a ride for those who love sci-fi, those who are new to it, and everyone in between. Packed with incredible action and thought-provoking commentary, this book will leave you breathless."
The Empress (2022) Gigi Griffis "A gem of a novel with a compelling feminist bent ... a treat both for the head and the heart."
