Book Vue

Title:  The Mahabharata Code: Yet Another Retelling of the Mahabharata, or is it? Author: Karthik K B Rao Genre: Fiction, Mythological, Fantasy Pages: 234 Publisher: Notion Press Rating: 3.5/5 Wow! I have just finished this book and, honestly, I have mixed feelings.   The Mahabharata Code  by Karthik K B Rao is a retelling of the Indian epic Mahabharata, in a very unusual way, to say the least! Narayan Rao (NR), who works with NASA, is assigned a project, along with some others,  to travel to a mysterious planet that has sent an invite in the form of a code - Atithi Devo Bhava (meaning, Guest is like God). Since, the message is in Sanskrit, the team familiar with Indian mythologies is sent. NR, his wife Srishti and his team reach the planet, Prithvilok, and are in for a surprise. They meet the saint Vyasa who needs the team's help to restage the Mahabharata here. They agree but as the epic is carried out, NR realizes that his own son, Krishna...

Title:  Semmanthaka - The Second Quest Author: Dr. Syd K Genre: Fiction, Literature, Mythology Pages: 262 Publisher: Zorba Books Rating: 4/5 Semmanthaka: The Second Quest   by Dr. Syd K is a mythological fiction that enthrall the readers in the quest of the fabled magical gem, Semmanthaka. Although there have been mentions of the Semmanthaka in our ancient texts, this book has brought its story out for us to dwell on it once again. After a series of recreations of the Mahabharata and Ramayana and other epics, this book directs us to a new treasure that, in my opinion, has not been in the limelight much. Dr. Balaan, a freelance marine archaeologist, along with his assistant, Yogi, are summoned by Stalin Malhotra, a wealthy treasure seeker, to find the Semmanthaka gem. With an ancient text for a clue, the duo begins their journey towards finding this age old treasure but soon hit a dead end. What happens next transpires to be a magical, unbeliev...

Buy from Amazon.in Title:  Warjuna (Book 1 : Mrithsau Rising) Author: Krishnaraj Genre: Fiction, Mythology Pages: 314 Publisher: Notion Press Rating: 4/5 Warjuna is the first book in a series of a mythological tale set in an alternate universe called The Age of Atulya. The author, Krishnaraj, has borrowed some characters from the epic Mahabharata and used it in his book to create, what definitely is, a sophisticated series in the making. The earth and it's inhabitants are recovering from Pralaya but peace is far within reach. The Hayacrees, a ruthless army of unimaginable power, have been spotted marching towards Bharata. As one by one the kingdoms succumb to their atrocities, there seems no hope until a prince from the kingdom of Wagharr seems to appear out of nowhere to provide complete support to these kingdoms. Arjuna was sent by his father, the king of Wagharr, to safely provide passage to their women and children to avoid the Hayacree...

Title:  Sita - Warrior of Mithila Author: Amish Tripathi Genre: Fiction, Mythology Pages: 376 Publisher: Westland The second book in the Ramachandra series by Amish Tripathi is up for pre-order. It is expected to release somewhere towards the end of May, 2017. Although the first book was a tad bit disappointing, I do hope this one makes up for it. Pre-order your copy from Amazon.in   here . Book Blurb She is the warrior we need. The Goddess we await. She will defend Dharma. She will protect us. India, 3400 BCE. India is beset with divisions, resentment and poverty. The people hate their rulers. They despise their corrupt and selfish elite. Chaos is just one spark away. Outsiders exploit these divisions. Raavan, the demon king of Lanka, grows increasingly powerful, sinking his fangs deeper into the hapless Sapt Sindhu.  Two powerful tribes, the protectors of the divine land of India, decide that enough is enough. A saviour is needed. They begin their sea...

Buy From Amazon.in Title:  Ramayana - The Game of Life : Stolen Hope Author: Shubha Vilas Genre: History, Indian, Mythology Pages: 320 Publisher: JAICO Books ISBN- 13:  9788184958249 Ra ting: 4/5 * This is a requested review * After the second book, namely Shattered Dreams , Shubha Vilas has come out with the third installment in the Ramayana series. This book is called  Stolen Hope . I was so very kindly approached by the author for a review. It is always an honour to be sent books for reviews and having read the previous book, I was only eager to participate in the ongoing story which the author has so mesmerisingly conveyed. The story continues as Rama, Sita and Lakshmana enter the Dandakarnaya forest, seeking shelter in ashrams, meeting and learning from different sages when finally the trio meet the super sage, Agasthya. The learned sage had expected their arrival and he takes them to the location where they would spend the final days of their ex...

Title:  Scion Of Ikshvaku Author: Amish Tripathi Genre: History, Indian Mythology Pages: 376 Publisher: Westland Limited ISBN- 13:  9789385152146 Rating: 3.2/5 It is no surprise that this was a long awaited book. After taking the book world by storm, Amish presents his first book in his next series. Scion of Ikshvaku is the first book in the Ram Chandra series. I pre ordered the book from Amazon.in   and got an author signed copy with a metal bookmark.  It is Ramayana in Amish's words. That said, readers who are familiar with his work would eagerly be expecting some new information or a new outlook to an old but important epic. Yes, it does have a few instances which  is not a part of our regular Ramayana, but overall it is the same story that we know. The story begins with the rule of King Dashrath and the battle of Karachapa. From here, Amish takes us through Ram's birth, his education at t...

Rating: 3.5/5 Title:  Ramayana - The Game of Life : Shattered Dreams Author: Shubha Vilas Genre: History, Indian, Mythology Pages: 402 Publisher: JAICO ISBN- 13:  9788184955316 Reading and reviewing books are exciting enough for a bookworm like me but when you receive a book from the Blogadda  book review team, imagine the  delirium! Ramayana - The Game of Life : Shattered Dreams  is the second book in the series, the first one being Ramayana - The Game of Life : Rise of the Sun Prince . I haven't read the first one but nevertheless it doesn't impair the continuity and allows the reader to enjoy it like an individual book.  The story begins as Dasaratha, the king of Ayodhya, finds himself in midst of nightmares and is restless. He is eager to make Rama, the eldest of his sons, his successor for the throne. Soon, the festivities begin but in the meantime Dasaratha's favourite queen hatches a plot to snat...

Rating: 4/5 Title:  The Oath Of The Vayuputras Author: Amish Tripathi Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Pages: 600 Publisher: Westland ISBN-13:  9789382618348 This is the third book in the Shiva Trilogy series. The author has somehow managed to put good, if not perfect, finishing touches to his masterpiece. It is understandably a challenge to end a fantastic series such as this, with an equally fantastic conclusion. Shiva is in Panchvati with his entourage, just recovering from the surprise attack when he discovers that Brahaspati is still alive. When Brahaspati explains the ill effects of Somras, Shiva realizes the weight of his responsibilities as a leader. Shiva and his followers ultimately decide that Meluha, the primary location of the Somras, has to be destroyed. The plan is executed with the help of the Vayuputras, who finally have an introduction in the story. Meanwhile, Daksh plans a strategy to bring his daughter, Sati...

I just got an intimation that the third book in the Shiva Trilogy 'The Oath of the Vayuputras' by Amish Tripathi is releasing early March 2013 and is up for pre-order at a discounted rate on Flipkart. Go grab it people!

Rating: 4/5 Title: The Secret of the Nagas Author: Amish Tripathi Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Pages: 414 Publisher: Westland ISBN-13:  9789381626344 I ordered this book on Flipkart and couldn't wait to get my hands on it! As soon as it arrived, I had it covered (the snake on the cover scares me!!) and dug into it – pronto! The story starts off where the previous book, The Immortals of Meluha, had concluded.  Shiva succeeds in saving Sati from the hideous Naga who killed his dear friend Brahaspathi back in Meluha. The story moves forward with the introduction of several new characters. Amongst the primary ones is Sati’s sister Kali – The Queen of the Nagas. Sati gives birth to Karthik but soon discovers that her elder son, Ganesh, is still alive and that he is none other than the Naga who has been following her from Meluha. Shiva reaches Branga, where he hopes to find some clue about the Nagas. There he realizes that due to a plague in...

Rating: 4/5 Title: The Immortals of Meluha Author: Amish Tripathi Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Pages: 412 Publisher: Westland ISBN-13:  9789380658742                                                                                                                                                                                                               Hadn’t it been for the second intuitive glance at the summary behind the book, I would...