The Legend of Meneka
A Novel
Kritika H. Rao
368 Pages
On-Sale Date: 21/01/2025
ISBN: 9780063349186
Trim Size: 6.400in x 9.300in x 1.150in
THE INSTANT INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • Order now and receive this gorgeous hardcover featuring exclusive endpaper art!
“A thrilling read.” — Washington Post • “A feast for the senses.” — Thea Guanzon • “Sensual and thought-provoking.” — Shannon Chakraborty • “A glittering gem of a book.”— Hannah Whitten
“I would let you teach me, rule me, ruin me. I would let you vanquish me, if that is what you wanted, Meneka. If you asked.”
Bestselling author Kritika H. Rao’s first book in the Divine Dancers duology weaves an empowering and romantic tale of identity, rebellion, and cosmic power inspired by Hindu mythology
Seduction is her weapon.
Across the mortal and immortal realms, apsaras—celestial dancers who serve the gods—are revered for their beauty, allure, and spellbinding magic. But Meneka knows that is not all they are. Trained as a weapon—a warrior—she wields illusions that ensnare mortals and advance her lord Indra’s political ambitions. She has played her part well, but the yearning for freedom is growing harder to ignore.
Love is her destiny.
When a mortal sage named Kaushika rises in power and threatens Indra’s rule, Meneka seizes her chance. In exchange for one final mission, Indra promises to set her free. But Kaushika is no ordinary mortal. Fierce, passionate, and wise, he begins to unravel everything Meneka believes. Can she overthrow the man who is, little by little, stealing her heart? As war looms, Meneka must choose: remain loyal to the realm that forged her, or surrender to the desires awakening inside her.
In this lush, lyrical fusion of romantic fantasy and Hindu mythology, you’ll discover:
- Gods, magic, and different realms
- A fierce heroine determined to claim her own destiny
- A male love interest who worships her
- “I came to destroy you, but I fell for you instead.”
- A slow-burn, spicy enemies-to-lovers romance
- Deep, intimate questions about identity, loyalty, and longing
“Sensual and thought-provoking, a romantic fantasy unlike any other.”
— Shannon Chakraborty, New York Times bestselling author of The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
“Lush, haunting, and utterly intoxicating, The Legend of Meneka reimagines an ancient tale without losing sight of what makes it timeless. Kritika H. Rao’s writing is a feast for the senses, elegantly whisking you off to a dreamlike world where every corner glitters with magic, and the sensual and the sacred collide. With its themes of divinity and humanity and passion and power, this is an unforgettable story that leaves you aching for Meneka as she is torn between two realms and tries to snatch a star-crossed love back from the jaws of doom.” — Thea Guanzon, New York Times bestselling author of The Hurricane Wars
“With sumptuous language and sultry, high stakes romance, this is a glittering gem of a book.”
— Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For The Wolf
“The Legend of Meneka is a celebration of all that makes a story truly, wildly, and ecstatically epic. Rao’s prose hums with starlight and her dazzling reimagining deftly blends ancient philosophy with the story of a woman emerging into her own power. As befits a retelling of one of the most celebrated celestial nymphs in Hindu myth, this book is nothing short of resplendent.” — Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Tale of the Flower Bride
“Sultry, powerful, and deeply felt, this is a wondrous tale of two lovers on opposing sides of a growing war between the human and the divine. Meneka is a driven and cunning protagonist who embodies all the strength of feminine intelligence and power, and I was entirely drawn into the world that Kritika H. Rao unravels out of ancient Indian myth and literature. Rao’s writing is utterly compelling, and I believe she will continue to be a powerful figure in speculative fiction.” — Hannah Kaner, #1 internationally bestselling author of Godkiller
“The Legend of Meneka is a lustrously beautiful mythic romance, both empowering and seductive.” — Tasha Suri, World Fantasy Award-winning author of The Jasmine Throne
“Effervescent, passionate, and romantic, The Legend of Meneka is a brightly-burning flame of a tale set in a world gleaming with magic and helmed by a woman on a journey to self-discovery. With prose that reads like hymn, Rao beautifully brings to life Indian mythology in a novel sure to set fire to the fantasy landscape.” — Amelie Wen Zhao, New York Times bestselling author of the Song of the Last Kingdom duology
“A powerful and spellbinding reimagining, The Legend of Meneka brings the story of the legendary apsara from Hindu legends to new and vivid life. Kritika H. Rao displays a deft and well-studied hand, composing a sweeping romantic tale re-examining the role of the temptress.” — R. R. Virdi, USA Today bestselling author of The First Binding
“The Legend of Meneka is seductive and sensual, an utter delight, with the yearning turned up to eleven and the choices difficult and heart-wrenching. Rao deftly weaves together romance, conflict, and magic, transporting readers to a world that glitters as surely as the blood in an immortal’s veins. This is a downright feast of a book, and its heat will linger on your tongue.” — Andrea Stewart, internationally bestselling author of The Drowning Empire trilogy
“Enthralling and highly imaginative. . . A richly crafted story.” — Sue Lynn Tan, bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess, on The Surviving Sky
“An utterly compelling tale woven from hauntingly sensual prose that will transport readers to a fantasy world steeped in romance and intrigue.” — Molly X. Chang, USA Today and international best-selling author of To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods
“In The Legend of Meneka, Rao weaves a heartstopping, magical adventure as tantalizing and complex as its eponymous heroine. Filled with electrifying twists, radiant passion, and seductive tension that will keep you at the edge of your seat, this book is bound to enchant.” — Ehigbor Okosun, #1 internationally bestselling author of Forged By Blood
“Interwoven with Hindu mythology, the first of Rao’s Divine Dancers duology is as captivating as the apsara’s dance within. Fans of Sue Lynn Tan, Axie Oh, and Sabaa Tahir will be anxiously awaiting the finale of this retelling.” — Booklist (starred review)
“The novel’s pace is defined by the slow-burn romance, and the characters have layered motivations and make naturalistic choices. The cliffhanger ending opens the way for chaos in the sequel. . . . A balanced blend of sensuous romance with deeply felt meditation on crises of faith.” — Library Journal
“A thrilling read.” — Washington Post
“A must-read for fans of mythological retellings and romantasy.”
— Manhattan Book Review
“The fascinating magic system draws deeply from the Hindu pantheon while the gripping plot never lets up on the treachery, betrayal, and steamy scenes between Meneka and Kaushika. Romantasy readers won’t want to put this down.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A balanced blend of sensuous romance with deeply felt meditation on crises of faith.” — Library Journal
“Rao’s spellbinding prose conjures a cinematic grandeur, and her worldbuilding brings legends to life in this gorgeous love story.” — Shelf Awareness
