Book Name:
Author: Kevin Missal
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Fingerprint
Rating: 5/5
Book Blurb: Explosive Sequel to National Bestseller ‘Dharmayoddha Kalki: Avatar of Vishnu’ (Book 1)
After a defeat at the hands of Lord Kali, Kalki Hari must journey towards the Mahendragiri mountains with his companions to finally become the avatar he is destined to be. But the road ahead is not without peril . . .
Not only is he trapped by the cannibalistic armies of the Pisach, he is also embroiled in the civil war of the Vanars. And in midst of all this, he meets a face from the legends.
Meanwhile, Manasa, the sister of the late Vasuki, plots to overthrow Lord Kali by bringing a massive war to his kingdom. But Naagpuri, her homeland, has been infiltrated by their sworn enemy, the Suparns. Not only does she need to protect her kingdom from the Suparns, she must also protect her close ones from the league of conspirators at her own home. Who can she really trust? And will she be able to put an end to Lord Kali’s rule?
As the plot thickens and Lord Kali sees his ambition crushed right before his eyes, he comes to know about his race and its history that threatens to destroy the very fabric of this world’s reality. Kalyug has begun.
Can Kalki become the avatar in time before it finally unfolds?
Will Manasa fight through the internal politics to bring an invasion against Lord Kali?
Can the secret that changes everything change Lord Kali as a person too?
Review: The book carries on from book one and takes the political and social intrigues culminating into a fight for Dharma and Adharma (the right and the wrong).
Kevin Missal has brought to the forefront a lesser known God and spun a great tale around him. The various characters are well developed and the book is written in a racy fashion that keeps the interest alive.
The basic plot deals with Kalki embarking on a journey to Mahendragiri but the road isn’t so easy and there are frequent battles with Pisachas. Meanwhile the Manavs and Vanars serve their roles leading to a strong tale with a lot of insight into political and social structures along with the dilemma faced by even righteous men.
Mythological fiction is never easy but Kevin has managed to tell a story with the right ingredients. The interest of a reader never falters and the various characters do not disappoint.
This is not simply a tale of the last avtar of Vishnu but a sort of re-imagining of the entire tale with the protagonist from mythology. It has been amalgamated into a more contemporary structure and a tale has been spun around it- not an east task but has been accomplished with great finesse.
Will Kalki manage to emerge victorious and fight his demons to restore balance? Read to find out more.