The Sage's Secret by Abhinav | The Kalki Chronicles | Book Review

    

The Sage's Secret by Abhinav (The Kalki Chronicles)

Book Review by Dhiraj Sindhi

The Sage's Secret by Abhinav

Author: Abhinav

ISBN: 978-0143442363

Genre: Children's Action and Adventure

Length: 256 Pages

Publication Date: 31 August 2018

Publisher: Penguin Random House India

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/3gY43Ln

About the author:

Abhinav is a Mumbai-based software developer working for a financial services firm. His debut book The Sage’s Secret is the first instalment in the Kalki Chronicles. He has since published a second book in the series, Kali’s Retribution.

Instagram: @am_abhinav

Goodreads: @am_abhinav

Disclaimer: This review is only intended for initiating discussions. The opinions and views presented in this article are my own and do not reflect anything about the book's author. 

REVIEW

The Sage's Secret by Abhinav is the first instalment in the series The Kalki Chronicles, an Action and Adventure book series for children based on Hindu Mythology. Set in the year 2025 and onwards, the book has several fantastical elements and a set of characters. The premises is far removed from the reality of the novel itself. The Kalki avatar is not 'all-knowing' like Krishna and so Lord Krishna had already arranged for Kalki's training in Kaliyuga before he died. The twenty-year-old protagonist, Anirudha receives communication and instructions from the lord via dreams, God's favourite mode of communication as is evident in Indian folklores. Sage Dweepa is going to teach Anirudha everything that he'll need to defeat his enemies and fulfil his duties as the tenth avatar.

The antagonist for this first book is Kalanayaka who is given the position in the army of Kalabakshakas, led by the lord of time—Kalarakshasa. It is said that the formation of this group can be traced back to Dvapara Yuga, although the author has not provided any explanation of the origins as to how they came to be or why. The Sage's Secret includes the journey of Anirudha from being an ordinary boy to a well-equipped combatant. 

What I liked about the book is the use of sorcery and the fantastical power of controlling energy, though the idea is poorly executed. The writing style is engaging and the narration provides more information than what can be considered adequate. I also appreciate the secret after which the book is titled after. The character development of Kalanayaka and Anirudh is what made me stick to the book till the end. In the last few chapters, the story progresses exponentially which sets a quite dramatic stage for the next book, 'Kali's Retribution'.

I do not understand though that while the story spans over such a vast expanse of time, places and possibilities, the story's focus narrows down to just a few characters and an isolated battlefield. As it is categorised as children's fiction, I think it should have provided something more useful instead of repetitive expositions, making it slower and boring to follow. 

Happy Reading!

=========================

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Don't forget to subscribe for more content. Thank you so much for reading!

Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace. ☮

Book Review: The Genius of Indraprastha by Harshwardhan

  

Book Review

The Genius of Indraprastha by Harshwardhan (Gondwana Chronicles Book #1)

The Genius of Indraprastha by Harshwardhan

Author: Harshwardhan Padole

ISBN: 978-9389004427

Genre: Historical Science Fiction 

Length: 373 Pages

Publisher: Om SaiTech Books Publishers & Distributors (25^th December 2020)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌠

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/2MbIT0x

About the author:

Harshwardhan Padole, born in 1986, is a graduate from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur. He later studied Business Management from prestigious MDI, Gurgaon. After testing his skills in Indian IT Industry for a brief time, he is currently working in the Indian Defence Aerospace Industry for last one decade.

He is a passionate reader of fiction works and biographies and considers J. K. Rowling, Sidney Sheldon, Jeffrey Archer and Amish Tripathi as his writing mentors. The Genius of Indraprastha is his debut book inspired from his understanding of India’s cultural history and Indian epics.

Harshwardhan Padole

Author Website: https://harshwardhanpadole.com/

Facebook: @HarshwardhanAuthor

Instagram: @padoleharshwardhan

REVIEW

Review Summary

The Genius of Indraprastha by Harshwardhan is the first book in the Gondwana Chronicles, a historical science fiction novel set in Gondwana, a fictitious and exceptional world built by the author, a simplified version of ancient and medieval India, integrating the prominent aspects of two periods – the Vedic age, and the period that followed after the earliest Arab naval expeditions and their conquests in the Indian subcontinent; constituting the elements like science, Vedic practices, invasion, and warfare the book draws attention to the potentiality of the knowledge that if it can save you from the enemy, the enemy can use the same knowledge to annihilate you; revolving around the central conflict between Khidmatgars (invaders) and the native tribes of Gondwana, the narration introduces you to two formidable characters, each serving their own purpose in the best way possible; this fast-paced thriller story of innovations, conscientiousness, and conquests will find you absorbed throughout the journeys of both protagonist as well as the antagonist.

Review

Let me start with the world building and setting aspects of the book. The world or the land of Gondwana is fascinating in its own way. The author has tried to convey the demographics and geographical traits of the land effortlessly via this fictional land, where the native tribes – Aryans (who of course came from the north), Vaishyas, Garudas, Waanars, and Asuras – are united against the invaders, Khidmatgars. Apart from this broader picture, the setting makes justice to the Vedic age of ancient India through science and inventions. The one particular detail that stands out is the well-organised political geography of Gondwana and there is also a map of contemporary India with reference to the world of Gondwana, which is the best thing you could ask for in such historical fiction novels.

Moving to the background of these tribes and emerging characters from them. The author has depicted the background, history, and significance of these tribes very conveniently. The sequences are interwoven in the non-linear narration in such a way that it gradually introduces to you the principal kingdoms of Gondwana including Khidmatgar territories, how they function, and their frontliners in the divisions of education, military, and politics. Bakht Khan is the Commander of the Khidmatgar army and Prince Martand of Indraprastha is that genius the title is indicating. After successfully conquering a few of the Gondwana kingdoms belonging to all tribes except for Aryans, the Commander is set to defeat the Aryan kingdom, Indraprastha. On the other hand, Prince Martand is fully aware of what is to come and he knows that an appropriate retaliation is a must to save his tribe. The portrayal of these characters along with Rishi Sambhuvahana and his disciples makes the book even more interesting.

There are two main themes that occur in the novel – invasion leading to battles and a war which provides the central conflict for the novel, science and invention. The author has profoundly dealt with the conflict and warfare aspects. The ideation of Saptasindhu Mandal, inclusion of ancient texts like Manusmriti plays a great role in the storyline. The book also gives space to the powers our ancestors possessed in the eras of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, in the form of scientific inventions. Other than that, the author comically takes on feminism in the patriarchal period. The plot has a thrilling effect to it. It ensures that the reader doesn’t lose interest. The writing style and language is basic, which makes it an easy read.

While I revered the plot, world building, and the characters, I detested a few things about the book. The book surely makes you feel the presence of important female characters, but I think there’s not enough women representation. Secondly, the phrase which is repeated often in the book – ‘knowledge is invaluable’ – is only associated with the knowledge of weapons, making its very idea vague and uncertain, after all, it is not the only kind of knowledge the story involves. Besides, the protagonist has a very short role to play in the storyline compared to the antagonist. Apart from these flaws, I found The Genius of Indraprastha an interesting and unique tale where the legends of ancient India are accredited with providing invaluable scriptures, not literally, but symbolically.

Happy Reading!

========================

Disclaimer: This article is intended for review purposes only. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful.

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Don't forget to subscribe. Don't forget to subscribe for more content. Thank you so much for reading!

Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace. ☮

Book Review: Hiranyakashyap by Kevin Missal | The Narasimha Trilogy Book 2

Book Review

Hiranyakashyap by Kevin Missal

Hiranyakashyap by Kevin Missal

Author: Kevin Missal

ISBN: 978-9353578190

Genre: Myths, Legends and Sagas (Religious Fiction)

Length:  260 Pages

Publisher: HarperCollins India (15^th July 2020)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

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.

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.

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

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.

Plot

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!

========================

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Don't forget to subscribe. Don't forget to subscribe for more content. Thank you so much for reading!

Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace. ☮

Book Review: Ashok and the Nine Unknown by Anshul Dupare | Dhiraj Sindhi

Book Review

Ashok and the Nine Unknown by Anshul Dupare

Ashok and the Nine Unknown by Anshul Dupare

Author: Anshul Dupare

ISBN: 978-9353047641

Genre: Historical Fiction (Fantasy)

Length:  224 Pages

Publisher: RupaPublications India (20 November 2018)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/30PLT4Y

About the author:

Anshul Dupare likes to explore novel ideas and unexplored avenues through his writing. Originally from Nagpur, he was brought up in Madhya Pradesh and has spent most of his life in different parts of India.

An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa and Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), creative writing has been his hobby for a long time and he also writes poetry. He is an avid traveller, a voracious reader and is fond of chess and basketball.

He currently resides in Dallas, USA.

Anshul Dupare

Follow him on Instagram: @anshuldupare

Check out his Goodreads Page: Anshul Dupare

Twitter Handle: @anshul_dupare

REVIEW

Narration

Ashok and the Nine Unknown is the first of a two-part series which is based on Ashoka the Great, an Indian emperor of Maurya dynasty, who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from 268 to 232 BC. The story is narrated in third-person point of view. The writing style is mostly descriptive and thus, poetic in nature. It captivated me from the very first chapter and with each chapter, having something to reveal, kept me to the edge. The narration follows two main characters, Ashok and Amartya. So, the story switches between two of them. 

Location and Setting

The story begins with the post-war scene of Kalinga War, which he conquered and defeated Kalinga (Modern Odisha). Then, he finds himself responsible for devastating countless lives and for the first time meets Amartya, a Kalingan warrior. Then, to achieve peace of mind, Ashok travels all over India (Bharat), visits famous dhamas, converts from Hindu to Buddhism. It all takes place between 261 BC and 239 BC and moves further to the end of the first book (231 BC). Major events of this book take place in Kalinga, Patliputra (Empire’s Capital, Present Day- Patna), and Mayong (Also known as the land of Black Magic in Assam). The story reflected Indian archeology, Indian culture and its heritage, be it arts of medicine or great rivers. 

Theme

Ashok and the Nine Unknown is a work of Historical Fiction. The author has researched well, Ashok’s kingship and all the facts and myths related to it. The author Anshul Dupare carried out them well to put the tales altogether and created this masterpiece. There are battles, magic, black magic, mysteries, more cultures other than Indian, brutality, love and only one king to be considered responsible for all that happens. There is one more important aspect to the story, Nine Unknowns. Ashok secretively forms this group to preserve the knowledge and to prevent further destruction. The story doesn’t ever slow down for a bit, because there is happening a lot, page after page.

Plot

First, characters. Amartya plays a very important role in the story and Vatsal is his brother and only family member alive. As a proud and freedom-loving Kalingan, Amartya stands against Ashok, who, now feel remorse for what he has done and seems to be changed. Amartya, in search of a purpose for his life, travels to Mayong. Ashok, with the help of Radhagupta (Chief Minister) gathers Nine Unknowns. Characters are well crafted and their arcs are really interesting. As the story progresses, mysteries are discovered. As they all are moving towards uncovering the secrets, they are unaware of the danger of shadows looming over Ashok and the Nine Unknowns. Following the conflicts, many deaths prevail. Eventually, the characters who survive, find their motivation. As I said before, author Anshul Dupare has brought many cultures together other than Indian. All the characters meet to conclude the first book. The ending brings greater mysteries along with it. Characters get new purposes for their lives. And I am already looking forward to the second and the final of ASHOK duology.

'Until the power of love overcomes the love of power, there can be no peace.'

My Views

There is mention of Kunala, one of Ashok's son but never mentioned any of his queens. Haha... That's not my concern. JK. 😂

First of all, I never expected it to be this magical. Bringing together these Timaeus and Critias, Egyptian Mythology, Chinese Mythological creatures, the great Indian Empire and powerful enough characters to lead this fictional exemplar that I’ve ever read regarding History of India and Indian Mythology. The book depicts that one’s arrogance and ego can destroy humanity. And there would be much more I couldn’t extract, the greater meaning, maybe one of you can do that. With those brutal fights, there is love too. Vatsal and Karnika (One of the Nine Unknowns) fill that desired portion of love/romance in the book. I would recommend this book to every fiction, fantasy, history lover. Now, I am already anticipating the other half after this unforeseen experience.

Thank you Bookgeniepr for this review copy!! Happy Reading!

========================

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Don't forget to subscribe. Don't forget to subscribe for more content. Thank you so much for reading!

Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace. ☮

Book Review: Narasimha by Kevin Missal (The Mahaavatar Trilogy Book 1)

Book Review

Narasimha by Kevin Missal

Narasimha by Kevin Missal

Author: Kevin Missal

ISBN: 978-9353570767

Genre: Mythological Fiction (Fantasy)

Length:  350 Pages

Publisher: HarperCollins India (10th June, 2019)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/2X0IZMw

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.

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

REVIEW

Narration

Narasimha is first of ‘The Mahaavatar Trilogy’, the reimagining of mythological tale about Lord Narasimha, fourth Avatar of Lord Vishnu. Narasimha is written in third-person narrative, where chapters are narrated through different POV characters. The thoughts of particular characters are presented in each chapter. The story starts with prologue, where POV character is Kayadhu, Hiranyakashyap’s wife. Hiranyakashyap is ruler of the Asura Empire. The writing style is simple yet gripping.

Location and Setting

As we all know that Narasimha is the fourth Vishnu Avatar from time of Satya Yuga according to Hindu mythology. The story takes place in the world of Illavarti, a fictionalized fantastical version of Vedic Age. The conception of this world is just amazing and more realistic. Asuras are foreigners from island of Pataal and Devas are foreigners from island of Swarg. Apart from Manavs, there are Danavs, Nagas, Shivas, Ganas and Simhas. And Nara belongs to the Tribe of the Simhas, thus Narasimha. The story reflects the rich architecture through fortresses and palaces. There are mountains and rivers; Mandara hills are talked about often as almost half of the story revolves around Sonitpur (where Andhaka rules─ Hiranya’s nephew) and the mini kingdom of Shiva, which are situated at the feet of these hills. City of Kashyapuri is ruled by Hiranya and the story depicts the type of corrupt government he leads.

Theme

Narasimha falls under the category Myths, Legends and Sagas. There are different beings with opposite beliefs. Devas stand for Dharm and Asuras stand for Adharm. So the wars are being fought for one reason or another. And Indra has made it worse by breaking the truce, not once but twice. Kevin Missal has done great job by putting in perspectives of both Devas and Asuras without being biased that reader will find it difficult to sympathize with either of them. We all have heard this tale at some point of our life as a part of Holika Dahan tradition. An epic of the legends like Prahlad, Hiranyakashyap, Holika and Narasimha. Prahlad who being son of Asura king, starts worshiping Lord Vishnu, however that was most essential for eradicating Adharm and that provides the central point for this novel.

Characters

Narasimha is full of characters and I think, is the sole essence of the book apart from the story itself. Kevin Missal has provided with such distinct voices through the POV characters that I loved all of them. Kevin presented such definite vision through the third-person POV of such discrete characters that made me question whether the character is wrong at all even if he/she is rebellious and depraved. Kevin Missal has created such strong and phenomenal characters. Narasimha the soldier. Anuhrad and Prahlad. Anuhrad goes to help his cousin Andhaka (main antagonist for this novel) by the orders of his father. Prahlad remains in the city for being interim king of Kashyapuri while his father Hiranya, goes to fight with Vigyasa against Lord Agni. Hiranya’s sister Holika is searching for the mastermind behind the Vishnusena, a threat to the Asura Empire. 

SPOILER ALERT!

Plot

Well, the storyline for this first installment is all about Hiranyakashyap getting that ultimate boon/weapon from Lord Brahma and Prahlad converting from non-believer to believer and betraying his own subjects. The book ends with the epilogue stating that it won’t be that easy for Narasimha to protect Dharm.

“In the name of religion, one must preach and spread peace, not violence.”

My Views

The story was very unpredictable and bit slow at first until Holika made her first appearance. Then it started to build speed and remained steady but was still unpredictable. The story then accelerated when Hiranya discovers about Brahmashastra but it still remained unpredictable despite the fact that we all know this tale since childhood. The character arcs are very dynamic, be it Holika or Prahlad. Each supporting character contributes to the storyline. The conception of weapons and the stones that fuels them, like any other modern fiction but is meaningful for the future of story. Romance is the inevitable part of the storyline and gives the very reason for the succeeding plot. The end is satisfying and I am already waiting for the sequel.

Final words. This book is an epic in the true sense for author has mind-blowingly written providing multi perspective view of ancient epic, makes it more realistic and more stimulating.

========================

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Don't forget to subscribe. Don't forget to subscribe for more content. Thank you so much for reading!

Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace. ☮