Reviews

•Do not let your mind wander. It is too small to be let out all by itself.
Understand?•

We have heard a lot about Krishna’s role in Mahabharata, his childhood days, and the time he killed Kans. How he ruled Mathura? Why did they shift to Dwarka from Mathura? We have not read much about his equation with Satyabhama- A warrior and his Third Wife.

To save Mathura Krishna and Satyabhama put their plans in motion. Soon they discover that neither gold nor alliances last forever. To become a good wife Mati, Pirate-Princess of Kalinga must mend her ways. There’s Shakuni who craves for Revenge, and there’s Karna who wants to bury the past but situations remind him again and again, There’s Shishupal too. Son of Darkness is prophesied to rise and break the World, even as forgotten Gods prepare to play their hand. Sounds interesting? It’s a gem book if you love reading about Krishna and Mahabharata.

Also Read: Sherlock & Devdas by Manav Vigg – Book Review

Gourav Mohanty creates a vibrant, fascinating world of stories for the readers. The way the book starts and the way it takes turns is mind-blowing. For someone who loves reading Indian History, I love reading about Shakuni, Karna and of course, Krishna and this book is indeed one of its own with secrets and adventure.

I loved the way the author shared about Krishna and Satyabhama. The role Satyabhama played in shaping Krishna’s kingdom. With a sharp, descriptive narrative and multiple plots, Gourav Mohanty gives us a different perspective about Krishna’s life. We all know how Krishna handles his battles, the Charm of Krishna, what we don’t know is the battle discussions, the discussions on state affairs and the politics during that period.

It’s a well-detailed book. Gourav leaves no stone unturned. There are fun witty conversations, political drama, battles, betrayal and of course revenge to take. The shifting plots at times confuse the readers as it breaks the flow of reading. The rich, gripping writing style of the author and the way events were taking place keeps the readers invested in. How the plot slowly shifts From situations at Dwarka to Hastinapur and Draupadi’s Swayamwar. It’s a long book and needs patience. I would have loved it more if there were fewer shifts in the plots. The author discusses about many characters which once again are well sketched but again prolong the story. At times the details were good but till some point. I loved the way he sketched Shakuni’s and Karna’s characters. The way he described Krishna and Stayabhama’s equation is commendable. What I loved most is when fearless Satyabhama speaks how she felt, the times she felt low. It felt so good to listen to her side of the story. And of course the Politics! It’s mind-blowing. It’s indeed an intriguing read with many twists and plots of course.

Summary

Bled dry by violent confrontations with the Magadhan Empire, the Mathuran Republic simmers on the brink of oblivion. The Republic’s Leaders, Krishna and Satyabhama, have put their plans in motion within and beyond its blood-soaked borders, to protect it from annihilation. But they will soon discover that neither gold nor alliances last forever.

They are, however, not the only players in this game.

Mati, Pirate-Princess of Kalinga, must mend her ways if she is to be a good wife. But old habits die hard, especially when one habitually uses murder to settle scores. Karna, the gifted son of a lowborn charioteer, hopes to bury his brutal past, but finds that life is not generous in offering second chances. The crippled hero-turned-torturer Shakuni struggles in the maze of daggers, that is politics, leaving little time for him to plot the revenge he craves.

Alongside a cast of sinister queens, naive kings, pious assassins and predatory priests, these dubious heroes will converge where the Son of Darkness is prophesied to rise and break the World, even as forgotten Gods prepare to play their hand.

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