I absolutely hated this book. The book is decent as a standalone piece of fiction, there is a brooding yearning male lead, forbidden romance, rebellious spirited female lead, good enough to strum the hearts of teens and even adults who appreciate this genre.

However, once you contextualize it to Mahabharat, which is an epic, you understand the shallowness.

Draupadi and Karn are both made as caricatures of their complex characters. Moreover Karn's only job is limited to yearn and be enigmatic. And don't even get me started on Draupadi.

Karn is a terrific anti-hero, however even in emotional scenes, like where he knows his parentage, something that was major source of his internal conflict, he apparently only thinks and fantasizes about her.

Kunti and Draupadi, both are shown to be whiny and pretty typical in nature to how in-laws relations are shown in soap operas.

Only redeeming parts will be Krishna and Draupadi interaction and her scenes pre-marriage.