Book Review
Hiranyakashyap by Kevin Missal
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| Hiranyakashyap by Kevin Missal |
Author: Kevin Missal
ISBN: 978-9353578190
Genre: Myths,
Legends and Sagas (Religious Fiction)
Length: 260 Pages
Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/2DeWCPr
About the author:
Kevin Missal wrote his first book at the age of 14, and at 22, the St Stephens graduate is a bestselling author and a fulltime writer, with the first two books in his Kalki series being runaway successes. Dharmayoddha Kalki: Avatar of Vishnu and its sequel Satyayoddha Kalki: Eye of Brahma have sold one lakh copies in under a year.
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| Kevin Missal |
Kevin loves fantasy fiction and has always been a fan of mythology. His books have been featured in publications like The Sunday Guardian, The New Indian Express, and Millennium Post.
Follow him on Instagram: @kevin_9695
Check out his Facebook Page: Kevin Missal
Twitter Handle: @kevin_missal
Read my review of Narasimha by Kevin Missal (Book #1 of this trilogy) here.
Read my review of Narasimha by Kevin Missal (Book #1 of this trilogy) here.
REVIEW
Summary
Hiranyakashyap by Kevin Missal is
the second book in The Narasimha Trilogy (previously called, The Mahaavatar
Trilogy) – the reimagining of the legend Narasimha, the fourth avatar of Lord
Vishnu; depicts the constant conflicts between the father-son duo where
Hiranyakashyap – now an invincible Asura king, is all set to win over anything
and everything by the means of violence, war, aggression, and destruction using
his military forces and the Brahmastra, while Prahlad with his completely
opposite ideology has decided to rid his land of scum and evil using the least
violence possible; the book addresses several issues that are very relatable in
the modern times such as abusive relationships, resistance, bully parents, types
of terrorism, etc and also states the importance of having faith in God; while developing
and enhancing the well-established characters, the author introduces new
characters also; with these legendary figures and a riveting plot, this adventurous
book sets out to create an everlasting impression on readers that of
unforgettable outlooks.
Narration
Hiranyakashyap is written in
third-person narrative, where the chapters are narrated through different POV
characters. POV characters for this book include Hiranyakashyap, Prahlad,
Narasimha, Holika, and Chenchen (Narasimha’s romantic partner). The writing
style absolutely suits the thrilling and mysterious narration with a
cliffhanger at the end of each chapter. The language is easy to comprehend, so
it can be enjoyed by children also. Kevin Missal has brilliantly illustrated the
action scenes, which is one of the best characteristics of this text.
Location and Setting
The story takes place in Satya
Yuga, a century after the Samudra Manthana (The Churning of the Ocean) in the
world of Illavarti. Illavarti (originally ruled by Devas) is the fictionalized
version of the Vedic Age, where Swarg and Pataal are two different islands.
Meanwhile, Asura from Pataal migrate to Illavarti and the truce is formed
between Devas and Asura. Devlok and Kashyapuri, two major cities of Illavarti
are ruled by Indra and Hiranyakashyap respectively. Indra worsens the tension
between Devas and Asura by breaking the truce, not once but twice. While the
first book revolves around Kashyapuri, Yakshlok, and Sonitpur, this second
installment focuses on Naglok, Kashyapuri, and wilderness on the outskirts of
Kashyapuri. Again, the magnificent places portrayed by the author make you feel
the grandeur of its architecture, be it palaces or sewers.
Theme
Hiranyakashyap is shorter than
Narasimha (the books, not characters), but has a lot going on around
simultaneously, which really contributes to the ever-progressive plotline. The
book involves several themes that make the book what it is – a thriller, relatable
saga. Kevin Missal has given a sci-fi touch to it by including various scientific
elements such as the extraction of tetrodotoxin from pufferfish, the aircraft,
hydrokinesis, and a lot more. On the other hand, there are mystical elements
also that demonstrate the magic in ancient India. The Brahmastra makes
Hiranyakashyap a superhero-like figure. Just like Narasimha, where Kevin Missal talked about consent, bully parents, and religion, he draws special attention to
abusive relationships, terrorism, and the power of art in Hiranyakashyap. There
is this outstanding conversation between Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap, which is
of course a little dramatic but highlights some of the rhetorical devices very
effectively and I shall cherish it forever.
Characters
Plot
The author has introduced many
new characters besides Hiranya, Holika, Anuhrad, Andhaka, Narasimha, Chenchen,
Narada, Prahlad, and Dhriti. The new character cast consists of Parvati – Lord
Bhairav’s wife (who plays a major role in the current book), Asamanja – new
leader of Vishnusena, Garuda – Narasimha’s long-lost companion (belongs to the
Suparn tribe), Matrikas – an all-female mercenary group, and Lord Varuna. There
are some majestic characters like a trickster and the goddess of death who may
have little roles to play but are critical for the story. Talking about the
character arcs, the well-established characters from the first book continue to
grow in the second book. Andhaka, being the most mysterious and complex
character never fails to surprise you every single time. My favorite character
– Holika has the most dynamic character arc. Relationships (romantic and
otherwise) between different characters are carried out with utmost care because
they define the very objectives of each character involved in this novel.
The plot is really progressive in
the sense, that you will discover something new and mesmerizing in every
chapter. There is not a single excerpt from the book, which would make you feel
bored. The author has provided all the details that a reader really cares for.
Revealing anything from the storyline would mean spoilers. So, if you want me
to do a separate spoiler review, then let me know in the comment section below.
"One cannot justify hitting your partner as a form of love. It's not an expression of anything but violence."
My Views
Firstly, the things I loved about
the book. I loved how advanced the world of Illavarti has been portrayed. I
loved how the book brings to your attention some of the prevailing issues. I
find it just and only appropriate of him incorporating these subjects, highly
relevant to modern times. Apart from these obvious elements, one thing that
stood apart was the revolutionary art.
Having said that, let us move
towards the things I disliked. This artistic movement is as clear as mud for
the effect it had on people. The book doesn’t give you time nor the details to
savor it or even apprehend this movement. Secondly, the book felt really short
for the type of content it holds. (Or maybe because of its fast-paced nature,
who knows!)
Happy Reading!
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