Book Review
Narasimha by Kevin Missal
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| Narasimha by Kevin Missal |
Author: Kevin Missal
ISBN: 978-9353570767
Genre: Mythological Fiction (Fantasy)
Length: 350 Pages
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.
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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
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
Plot
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!
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.
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