Queen of Water

I’ve been waiting to read Queen of Water, the fourth book in Devika Rangachari’s Queen books! I just finished reading it, and it didn’t disappoint. While I did enjoy Queen of Ice and Queen of Fire more, this one also drew me into a world of political intrigue, mistrust and loyalty, where women must fight their own quiet battles to be seen and heard. 

Queen of Water takes us back to the Chola dynasty, introducing to us Kundavai, the one who advised both Rajaraja I and his son Rajendra. We see the world through her eyes as she observes things playing out around her. Wilful and determined, her character comes alive to us. What sacrifices did she make to become the powerhouse she was? How did she balance her loyalty to her family with her newfound love?

Just like with the other three books in the series, it is remarkable how human Kundavai and the others seem in this work of historical fiction. They aren’t flat textbook characters we cannot quite visualise. Instead, they’re real, breathing human beings, whose ambitions and desires speak to us across the centuries. 

Devika Rangachari masterfully weaves together fact and fiction, reimagining details of Kundavai’s life to fit in with the information available about the Cholas. The historical note at the end of the book is fascinating too, showing us just how layered the story is and reminding us that women’s stories, when written by men, are easily sidelined. Queen of Water is the perfect addition to a series I admire!