A Book Review: Jyestha Devi—The Goddess of Misfortune by Aboli Mane

Yes, friends. Another book review of another “good book.”

Overview on Amazon:

“Tell me, Lakshmi, why is it always a woman who is to blame for the chaos that occurs in the universe?”

When Jyestha the goddess of misfortune emerges from the churning of the ocean neither the Devas headed by Indra nor the demons headed by Virochana want her.

Stung by the rejection and by her unwanted marriage to Rishi Dussaha, Jyestha undergoes various tribulations in the three worlds governed by the Trimurti. Silently, she vows vengeance for her mistreatment. Nursing envy towards her sister Lakshmi while craving her fortune, Jyestha’s rise to power is a tale filled with self-discovery, feminine grit, family drama, and romance.

This mythological fiction is a feminine narrative shedding light on a young goddess’s ambition and desire.

Find my review of this beautiful book on Goodreads and Amazon.

The best book decision I’ve made this week–You’ll love it too. 

Jyestha Devi—The Goddess of Misfortune by Aboli Mane. I’m new to Hindu Mythology and at a complete loss for how to pronounce the given names of the many characters in this book. But upon reading the stellar reviews on Amazon I decided to put my negatives aside, obtain the book, and immerse myself in the story. And I’m so happy I did!

I’ve read countless novels for the beautiful expressive language that invited me into stories before and used that as the catalyst to enter this story. Again, I tell you, dear reader, the time I spent reading this novel has enhanced my world. I’m spellbound by Author Aboli Mane’s storytelling prowess. I was never lost.   

Mane’s storytelling is exquisite that, even if at first I felt the premise was beyond my comprehension, opening myself to receive the blessings this novel writer was about to give me to enhance my world has been the best book decision I’ve made this week. The author expunged my initial prejudice.

I’ve bumped into this prolific writer a few times on the WordPress platform and find myself mesmerized after reading her poetry. Now, I can tell you honestly that this author is not to be taken lightly. Her debut novel, Jyestha Devi —The Goddess of Misfortune is everything one can expect from a well-timed, mythological story that mirrors the faulty ways society behaves even today.

In the dedication, Author Aboli Mane writes,

“To the daughters; to those were
wronged
To the ambitious women;
to women who yearned for love but
settled for compromise; to every woman
who essayed a role or has been called
‘misfortune’, this book is for you.”
***

What a wonderful dedication, a great tribute to women everywhere–with that at the onset, this author won my heart. This story is for every woman, myself included, and the men who support them. What a great read. Exquisite writing. Every detail about The Goddess of Misfortune story is new to me but I’m overjoyed to have been introduced in this way.

Through beautiful prose, Mane introduces readers to Jyestha, (also known as Alakshmi, the goddess of misfortune) a divine but flawed figure cast aside in Hindu Mythology. The goddess comes to us with emotional complexities seeped in betrayal, and the novel explores themes of pain and redemption as we follow Jyestha’s journey becoming stronger every time, fully determined to reclaim what belongs to her.  

I’m so pleased with this new story and will reread it whenever I need a picker-upper. I’m so happy this book exists. Thanks for writing it, Ms. Mane. A resounding 5-star rating. I hope to read more books by this author. 


ABOLI: A Writer In The Room
dancing with my muse

I hope this review has enticed you to seek out this great book. Phenomenal writing.
Happy October everyone. Claim your miracles…

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. rajkkhoja

    Very nice knowledge in Book review about Hindu Mythology! Nice you sharing your’s Book review.

    1. Selma Martin

      Bless you, Raj. Yes, this is another good book.

  2. beth

    A wonderful review and it sounds like a great book for women and the men who love them

    1. Selma Martin

      Yes, Aboli has done so well. May the success continue. 🤗

  3. Shweta Suresh

    Sounds like an interesting book. That dedication caught my attention. I’ll definitely check this out.

    1. Selma Martin

      That dedication is well placed. It’s a great book. The writing flows oh so smoothly. I hope you give it a read, Shweta. And thanks—on behalf of Aboli Mane. 🙇🏽‍♀️

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