Bookworm


~ Book Blast ~

About the Book:

  KRISHNA:QUEEN BEE OF NO.8 WEST IYEN STREET  by Radhika Giridharan and Vidya Nagaraj. Speaks out the mesmerizing beauty of a long cherished, charming and blissful family atmosphere of a joint family system. It's the first time I have been reading a novel having two authors, which is quite interesting to know both are sisters and I feel 'great' for their collaboration for writing this novel together.
Written in a simple style of language the novel progresses through krishnaa, a 12 year old girl, whose marriage to a much married (30 year old) Raghavendra and her life with his first wife Padma made a twist in krishnaa's life. The novel was set forth at the Temple town of Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The novel depicts the evolution of krishnaa of Gundappa Chowltry to the queen, QUEEN BEE OF NO.8 WEST IYEN STREET. It also potrays the age old customs and traditions in a highly conservative family and soothingly explains what motherhood is and what parting is meant to be.
The novel also put forth social concerns too as in the modern era we often choose to lead nuclear family than joint families. Thus the authors Vidya and Radhika beautifully portray life in its myriad forms by accentuating the fact that, " life is a kaleidoscope " . Hence the novel, KRISHNA:QUEEN BEE OF NO.8 WEST IYEN STREET persist as a family novel with all its glory.



....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

About the Book:

The Third Yuga is slowly drawing to a close. Nam – the greatest Empire on Janani – is going to face some fierce winds of change. Seers foresee omens of death and destruction in the return of the Banished One – A God who will claim the ashes of this world as revenge. While out in the streets, rumours abound - of older forgotten powers stirring.


Caught in this maelstrom of a power struggle between Gods are three ordinary lives: General Fateh, the most celebrated soldier in Nam who starts to question his faith, Ishan – a gifted orphan who struggles to comprehend his destiny and Abhaya – a young monk in search of truths about this world. Their choices and actions will shape the destiny of this scarred world that becomes the playground for vindictive Gods.


In a world where Rakshasas arise out of left-over traces of Maaya and twilight forms the portal to countless worlds around us for Daityas and Yakshis to dance through, a God is only as powerful as those who believe.And when Gods rise, faith of men will be tested…And broken.


Buy Links:

eBook: Newshunt * Google Play






The Big Idea (Story of the inspiration behind Faith of the Nine)





Visualize a big planet. Like Jupiter. And the rings of

Saturn thrown together, revolving slowly. Slow enough for our mind to

comprehend that it is actually
revolving. And the voice that booms out in the background claiming, “I
AM….TIME!”

That is obviously an anthromorphic personification of time –

butthat is the scene I had in mind when

I thought of the name of my series, Wheels of Janani. A ginormous wheel of time
rolling along unstoppably towards the end of a world.

Indian mythology has this concept of the Trimurti – or a

triumvirate of power. Focused on Three Gods who are entrusted with the cosmic

functions of “creation”, “sustenance” and “destruction”. Brahma, Vishnu and
Siva. And Vaishnavism claims that
thisyuga or epoch known as the Kali
Yuga will end with the appearance of Kalki, the tenth avatar of Lord Vishnu –
the world ending in an apocalypse leading away to the next yuga.

The world Janani is rolling on towards the end of its third

yuga – and the Wheels of Janani or

time portends an impending apocalypse that would destroy this world. A child of
the Ancient Nine (an avatar – that is the descent of the divine to the material
realm) is prophesied to be born into such a world on the brink of its
destruction. While the over-arching theme is borrowed from the same concept as
the end of Kali Yuga, I put a spin to this situation.

What if the prophecy is unclear? The avatar’s appearance in

the world can either plunge the world into ashes and blood and destruction or

save the catastrophe. And what is the cost of ‘saving’ the world?

At the heart of the conflict of my series is religion. And

digging a bit deeper, it’s emotional failings. Emotions for which we have no

control over getting the better of reason and causing irrational behaviour
leading to disastrous consequences.

So I set out to write about a thriving flourishing empire

set in this world – built on a sequence of lies and deceit ruled by a set of

high priests directly in communion with their God. A set of tyrannical paranoid
rulers who would exterminate anyone not willing to believe their faith. Or
practiceMaaya (Magic!) born of the older tenets of faith.

Into this setting I slowly wanted to build the picture of a

set of survivors who doggedly stick to older beliefs waiting for the arrival of

the “prophesied” child who can save them. And the world. A set of unbelievers
who start to question their faith and loyalty – and slowly discover a hidden
set of reality.
Cue the bugles of war.

As we hurtle towards the end of this world, will the child

of the Nine save Janani or speed up the prophecies of doom?


About the Author:

Sachin discovered Tolkien in his teens, alternative rock as a new adult and digital marketing in pretty much his late twenties. These still form a large wedge in his circle of life. Travel, radio and theatre have also figured in that ever-expanding and diminishing circle.


On perhaps a more prosaic note, he is an engineer from BITS Pilani and holds an MBA from Indian School of Business. Attribute the love for numbers and pie-charts to this. He is currently based in Bangalore and happily married to Harini. He spends an inordinately large amount of time chasing after his two dogs (who love the free life a bit too much) when he is not busy dreaming up fantasy worlds full of monsters. And beautiful Yakshis, of course.


He can usually be found ranting on twitter under the handle @xenosach, devouring books and talking about them on his blog. You can always stalk him online at his official website


















**********************************************************************************

About the Book:

Twisted myths. Discretion advised. 



Fight fate, or succumb to destiny?



In the dark Age of Kali, the Soul Warrior alone stands guard over the Human Realm, protecting its denizens from evil-willed asuras or demons. When a trick of fate appoints him guru to a motley crew of godlings, he agrees to train them as demon hunters against his better judgment. Suddenly, Lord Karna is not only battling the usual asuras with sinister agendas, but also rebellious students and a fault-ridden past.



Spanning the cosmic realms of mythic India, here is a tale of a band of supernatural warriors who come together over a singular purpose: the salvation of Karna’s secret child.









Book Links:

Kobo * iBooks * Amazon US * Amazon UK * Amazon Canada



Read an Excerpt:



CHAPTER ZERO
DWANDA-YUDDHA: THE DUEL

The Himalayan Mountains.


Five thousand years ago.



Absolute darkness shrouded the Human Realm, and had for three days and three nights. Some believed the occurrence was prophetic, like the prolonged amavasya or new moon night that had heralded the Great Kuru War two thousand years ago. The war had given birth to the dark Age of Kali, the age of asura. In contrast, hope was ripe that this event would trigger the Age of Light. But the Bard wasn’t here to succumb to superstition. 

The first day without the sun’s light had spread confusion and chaos across the realm. The second day had brought desperation in the breasts of humans and fear in the belly of Celestials. The third day—today—was a feast for the asuras. Death lay everywhere. 

The human world burned without its sun. How soon before the Heavens went up in flames?

The Bard’s troubled eyes reread the last line. Then he deliberately scratched it off, lifting his long, pointed talon from the parchment made of dry palm leaf. With a sigh, he rested his aching hand on his trembling thigh. He would spare a moment to ease his body, and his mind from the strain of observation and due recordkeeping. If he didn’t, he’d forget his duty as Witness of the Cosmos, and begin to question fate. 

Despite the fire that crackled close to his right knee, and the feathered form of his upper body, he was cold. An icy wind had settled around the Pinnacle of Pinnacles, where he sat cross-legged on a seat made of rock and snow. He’d chosen this perch because it gave him an impartial view of the events happening in the world. He was the Bard, entrusted with keeping the Canons of the Age of Kali, just as the Soul Warrior was entrusted with keeping the Human Realm safe from asuras. Would they both fail in their duty today?

The Bard shook off the heavy despair the darkness had brought into the world. He mustn’t judge. He shouldn’t question. He would sharpen the talon on his forefinger, dip it into the vessel of ink kept warm by the fire, and write this tale. That was all he could do. Be the witness to history.

So he raised his feathered hand and began to write again while his eyes, sparked with power, knowledge and magic, saw clearly events unfolding from great distances. A thousand kilometers to his right, Indra, the God of War and Thunder, fought the Dragon. Indra did not fare well. But that didn’t concern the Bard as much as the clash between the Soul Warrior and the Stone Demon. Over and over, his eagle eyes were drawn to the duel taking place in the heart of the world, not only because it was a magnificent battle to behold, for it was, but because its outcome would decide mankind’s destiny.

The Soul Warrior was more than a great warrior. Karna was a great soul. Fair, honorable, brave and resilient, he was the perfect protector of the Human Realm. Of course, there were other reasons he’d been chosen to fill the office of Soul Warrior—there always were when Gods and demons were involved. But Karna’s existence was a testament to righteous action and if anyone could bring back the day, it would be him. 

But how did one vanquish stone, the Bard wondered?

Avarice and cruelty, two nefarious desires, had made Vrtra and Vala attack the Human Realm. Three days ago the Dragon had swallowed the Seven Rivers in the north, and the Stone Demon had imprisoned the Sun God, his daughter, and all the cattle of the region in his cave.

The Bard paused his writing as a thin vein of lightning winked across the skies, but without the accompanying roar. Indra’s strength waned. His thunderbolt hadn’t left Vrtra screaming in pain this time. The Bard spared a moment’s attention on the duel, just enough to note that the Maruts, the Celestial Storm-gods, waited in the clouds to rescue their god-king in case of a calamity. Indra would survive even in defeat. Of that, the Bard was sure.

But Karna had no one at his back. His might and god-powers had depleted without the sun’s healing warmth and light. His divine astras, weapons, had not slowed the Stone Demon down, at all. Only the conviction that he could not fail his godsire, his sister, and the innocents under his protection drove him now. His birth family had once abandoned him to his fate, but he would not abandon them to theirs—such was the greatness of Karna.

The Bard crossed out the last observation. No questions. No judgment. No praise, either. The canons would be free of all emotion. He wasn’t here to embellish history or glorify the history-makers, as some bards were wont to do. 

It wasn’t embellishment to write that the foothills of Cedi were drenched in the Soul Warrior’s blood. Or observe the gushing wounds on his body, despite his armor, that would make the hardiest of warriors bellow in agony, but not him. It wasn’t embellishment to write that the Heavens were empty for the Celestials had come to Earth to watch the battle, firelight cupped in their palms to light the warrior’s way. 

The Naga, the Serpent People, also looked on, hissing from the mouth of the portal that led to their underground realm beneath the hills. The Serpent King will not choose a side. Vrtra and Vala were half Naga, after all. All across the Human Realm, demons roamed free, taking advantage of the darkness and preying on human flesh and human souls. It was a terrible moment in history. The asuras had the upper hand in the eponymous age of Demon Kali.

Vala did not have arms and half a leg, but still he came at Karna. He had an ace up his sleeve. There were plenty of creatures about, an entire mountain close at hand. He began to chant the spell of soul transference. It was the darkest of all magic, the possession of another’s soul. Soon, he would be whole again and stronger than before.

Battered and bleeding, the Soul Warrior veered away from the Stone Demon. He leapt over boulders and charred vegetation. The onlookers called him a coward. Had he forfeit the duel? Has he forsaken mankind? 

Karna dove for Manav-astra, the spear of mankind, he’d thrown aside yesterday after his bow, Vijaya, had shattered under repeated use. In one smooth motion, he rolled, picked up the astra, coming up in the spear-thrower’s stretch. His tattered lower garment billowed about him as a gust of wind shot through the air. His muscled torso glistened with blood and sweat, tightened as he pulled the arm holding the spear back. 

He meant to throw Manav-astra at Vala. A futile attempt, to be sure? As long as Vala was made of stone, broken or not, his body was impregnable. Karna should have waited for Vala to transfer his soul to an onlooker. Then Karna should have vanquished the possessed creature. 

Taunting laughter reverberated through the foothills of Cedi. Vala had reached the same conclusion. The Celestials looked at each other in angry silence, unable to interfere. A dwanda-yuddha duel was fought between two opponents of equal size and strength alone. The humans hadn’t stopped screaming in three days, the din simply background noise now. 

The Bard scribbled the observations onto the parchment in no particular order. He wished he was a painter, for surely this was a picture worth a thousand words.

The demon hobbled toward the warrior, who stood still as stone with his arm drawn taught behind him. Then finally, with a roaring chant the Soul Warrior shifted his weight from his back leg to his front and let fly Manav-astra at the Stone Demon with all his remaining might. 

Karna didn’t wait to see the ramifications of his action. And there were plenty to come. He ran into the mountain cave to free Vala’s hostages. Within moments the rock face rent in half, and bright streams of light speared through the terrible darkness. A new day had dawned on the Human Realm after three days of perpetual night.

The sun’s power was too bright, too full of hope. Yet, the Bard looked on pensively, wondering if the Soul Warrior knew this wasn’t a victory. It was merely a reprieve.



About the Author:



Falguni Kothari is a New York-based South Asian author and an amateur Latin and Ballroom dance silver medalist with a semi-professional background in Indian Classical dance. She’s published in India in contemporary romance with global e-book availability; Bootie and the Beast (Harlequin Mills and Boon) and It’s Your Move, Wordfreak! (Rupa & Co.), and launches a mythic fantasy series with Soul Warrior (The Age of Kali, #1)



I’m embarrassed to admit how many social media accounts I own :



Website * BlogTwitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Pinterest
















********************************************************************************



Book Review

The Curse Of Brahma: Volume 1
Jagmohan Bhanver
Rupa Publications
   Pgs: 375
   295/-



Jagmonhan Bhanver’s The Curse of Brahma follows the trail of recent productions from India that factiously delves into the featured mythologies and legends and recasting them in an entirely different mould, minting characters that are more closely modeled upon the modern man. The book focuses on the instances leading to the birth of Lord Krishna and unravels on a more logical term, the entire birth story. Since eons past we have been intrigued by the logic of why Kansa in the first place allowed the marriage of Devki and Vasudev and have posed a very sarcastically logical question as to why Kansa allowed them to be in the same prison chamber. Elders have always fumbled upon such innocent questions by young ones and escaped finding an excuse that this is how the myth is. Bhanver have, in a way, found a way to logically put across solutions for such puzzles and have sewed together the different shattered pieces to form a plot that satisfies the intellect and ties a considerable number of loose ends together. The Curse of the Brahma cannot be said to be a re-presentation of the myth or the myth through a different perspective ending up with a different conclusion. But it is also notable that we get a more vivid glimpse on the possible life of Devki and Vasudev about whom our usual Krishna stories plays a palpable indifference to. All that we know about the couple is usually from the moment of their marriage and every narration begins from their marriage ceremony and the sudden turn of fate. The book gives us a very powerful Vasudev, modest and gentle, but highly talented and skilled as a Philosopher-warrior and the beautiful Devki and her dedicated love towards her brother and her lover. It is for the first time ever that i read about their life before the marriage and how Kansa became the sole protector of Devki, how Vasudev defended the land and for the first time i felt a deep devotion and consideration to the couple. For these many years, the only sympathy they earned was of being locked up in a dungeon and the horror of the parents beholding the ruthless murder of all their newly born. The Curse of Brahma opened up a new area to ponder upon and gave me a fresh outlook towards the warrior that Vasudev could have been and the brave woman Devki could have been. Apart from the image of a helpless and sorry couple locked up in the darkness, the pair definitely wins attention and affection through this book; and Kansa, the usually despised character in the mythology, claims a greater love from the reader owing to the manipulations that transformed him into the demon he later became. We wont hate the figure as such, but always from the beginning harbour a reverence and affection to the person that he is. The circumstances of his birth and his manipulation by Jarasandha and the Dark Lord are the only influences that acts upon the beast that he later became.  I have to agree that the book have made me think twice about the asuras that puranas forced us to hate right from the beginning before seeing into what could have actually happened and why the Princes of the land turned into such brutal devils.
 The book is simply adapting a familiar plot to reinvent possibilities and to fill in fine details into the framework and letting loose the mind to feed on the material to come up with creative images and incidents that perfectly fits in like a jigsaw puzzle and still brings about the same, desired, end. It is only right to expect a more filtered and dignified language in the book that deals with a topic that is similar to that of an epic, but the writer had invariably resorted to the modern colloquial tongue which lays the readers at their supine self where just a surface level reading for pleasure is intended. Hence I would not claim a certain depth to the work dealing with the mythology of the land, as it ought to have had, dealing with such reverend a topic. The book is definitely worth a reading if you intend to imagine the mythology with a fine sense of detail and with possibly comprehensible and casual demeanour for the characters. The language also compliments this cause of making it a pleasurable easy read with its simple phraseologies and common terminologies, not resorting to verbal gymnastics or spicing up lines with excess sprinkling of Sanskrit terms that is common to such adaptations. Exchanges in the book portray before us characters similar to people we meet everyday around us, with the usual worries and frustrations and the common jealousies and envies that blankets us all through our life. Lust, love, fear, anger all plagues the characters as such as they plague us and these feelings are articulated or exclaimed with all the common phrases we use around this century. This helps us to see these venerated characters of mythologies like a next door neighbor shouting out in frustration or blushing in love.  The book has appealed to me better than many of its kind for its linking up of unrelated threads to finally attempt to provide an explanation for certain behavior of the mythological characters and trying to expound the logic behind certain incidents. I may not call this literary masterpiece but i’ll definitely call this a carefully crafted work that is entertaining. 




                               The Curse Of Brahma- Trailer

------------------------------------------------------------



Book Blurb:


Story of a girl Meera, who is unwittingly drawn into a conflict from where she finds it difficult to emerge unscathed. It's her journey from being a simple, medical graduate belonging to a middle class family to the uncharted territories of corruption and caste based politics. Her path is crossed by the two men, both compelling yet completely contrasting characters, who are forever going to change her life. If it is Aman who can challenge her ideals and defy her resolves, and makes her the person she finally becomes, it is Abhay's sublime love which enables her to go through the vicissitudes of life. It's also the story of her loss as well as triumph against her own demons to find her true self.


Pre-order from Amazon




About the Author:

Dr.Madhu Vajpayee- the writer was born somewhere in those hospital corridors where she has spent the last two decades of her life. Witnessing life at such close quarters pushed her to capture its enigma in her words and slowly it became her passion. After writing several scientific papers and chapters in books, this book is her first step in literary world.  
Having done her graduation, MBBS from King Georges Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow she went ahead to pursue her post-graduation, MD from AIIMS, New Delhi. She was a consultant at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi having been associated with management of patients living with HIV/AIDS. She is now settled in Melbourne, Australia with her family, where she is devoting most of her time to writing, the passion that she couldn’t pursue earlier because of the demands of medical profession and commitment it requires.
When not creating stories, Madhu enjoys reading and travelling.


Contact the Author:











*********************************************************************************



An exclusive excerpt from The First Life of Vikram RoyThe Ruby Iyer Series—by Laxmi Hariharan


Clad uniformly in jeans, hoodies and baseball hats, the boys look pretty slick. Tenzin wears a brand new Lacquer jersey, another gift among the many he receives from home on a weekly basis. Me—I like my faded old leather bomber jacket. My concession to fitting in with the boys is my very own pair of Wu-Tang jeans. There's just something badass about them. It's a brand I am going to stick to, especially in the more trying times of my life ahead.Not that you'd know it that day, as the five of us swagger up the strip in the town centre. It's August, just a few months into the start of the school year. The sun is just beginning its descent, and the shop lights twinkle on, one by one. We perch at the gang's customary spot. It's a bench at the edge of the mall. If you look down you can see the rest of the town spread out one way. Look the other direction and the entire mall spreads out before you. More importantly, you can see every single girl who walks by. It also gives them a clear view to check us out.
"So remember, stay cool. Don't give these girls the time of the day," Tenzin lectures as I take in the scene. "Especially this girl, Miriam—Mirri—boy, I so want to get into her pants. But, you know, got to act all casual around them. Let them come to you, know what I mean?""The Italians call this passeggiata," I say to Tenzin, as I stand next to him at the bench.The others sprawl in various poses, meant to convey casual disregard of their surroundings. All of them have a lit cigarette that they puff at. Tenzin offers me one, which I refuse. "What the fuck is passe … passage … dude?""It's an Italian tradition," I say. "A gentle stroll in the evening through the town centre—for which you are meant to dress up, of course—and then you walk through the piazza, to see and be seen.""Yeah, whatever, man." Tenzin puffs away on his cigarette, coughing a little. "You going to Italy or something?""Nope, Oxford probably. It's just … this reminds me of a passeggiata, Indian-style.""Dude," he taps me on my forehead, "all that studying is frying your brains. You need to get out more often. Check out the girls … know what I mean?""Hmm! You need both brains and muscles … dude." I grin, but I know what he means. The flame I've been carrying for Ash has died a natural death, but it's left me with a bitter aftertaste. No, I don't think I am headed anywhere near girls anywhere soon. I might look at them, but that's about it for now.
"Hey, Tinny!" A girl in mini skirt, boots over her knees, leather jacket zipped up to enhance the thrust of her breasts, approaches us."Tinny?" Did she really call him that? I chuckle. Once.Before wiping all expression off my face."Hey, Mirri," Tenzin nods. He's playing it super cool, but his body is wound tight; he is almost vibrating in anticipation, hoping to speak with her."Who's your friend here?" She nods at me.I raise an eyebrow at her and almost choke at the surprise on Tenzin's face. Apparently she's interested in me. The rest of the boys are watching us, too distracted to smoke now."Ah, my friend, Vik. Vik, meet Mirri."
I nod, unsure what to do next. Then I put out my hand, and when she places her smaller palm in mine, I kiss it. "Enchanted," I say.The boys around me chuckle. But Miriam takes no heed. Taking a step forward, she looks up and her eyes round with interest. Curling a strand of hair around her forefinger, she asks, "So, you want to go see a movie?"Charm. It definitely gets you everywhere.Want to find out what happens next? Click here

 
About The First Life of Vikram Roy (Ruby Iyer Series)


His family is being held to ransom by a deadly mastermind. Vikram never should have left his family, but when Vikram's father brings his half-brother Vishal home, life will never be the same. Vikram thinks things will be better now that he's gone. He's met the love of his life, his future looks bright and then everything is shattered. Now, his family's life is hanging in the balance, and only Vikram can do what needs to be done to save them. From the bestselling dystopian fiction author with over 200 reviews and ratings of her dystopia books across Goodreads, Amazon and other retailers.

If you’re looking for books like Hunger Games, then this dystopia romance series, The Ruby Iyer Series is it.



About the origins of Ruby Iyer:

Growing up in Bombay, my daily commute to university was inevitably nightmarish. It's just how public transport is here. The man behind you on the bus will brush up against you. You know you are going to be felt up on a crowded train platform. All you can do is accept it and get on. Or so you think. I did too, until, a young photojournalist was raped in the centre of Bombay in broad daylight. It made me furious. Nothing had changed in this city in all these years. Then, I had a vision of this young girl who would not back down; who would follow her instincts, stand up for herself regardless of consequences. Thus Ruby Iyer was born. Make no mistake, Ruby’s her own person. She leads. I follow. You can download the RUBY IYER DIARIES, the prequel novelette in the series free HERE

About The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer

2015 Readers' Favorite (Bronze) YA Action
 YA Finalist 2015 IAN Book of the Year Award
Finalist 9th Annual Indie Excellence Awards

When her best friend is kidnapped, Ruby will stop at nothing to rescue him.

Criminals run the streets of Bombay. Jam-packed with the worst degenerates. The city is a shell of the pride and joy it used to be. Ruby knows something must be done, but it isn’t until her best friend is kidnapped by the despotic Dr Braganza that she knows that she and she alone must save city, save her best friend, save the world from total destruction. Armed only with Vikram, a cop-turned-rogue they are about to embark on a road they may never return from. If you’re looking for fast-paced books like Hunger Games or dystopia fiction like Angelfall, the Ruby Iyer series is perfect for you.

GIVEAWAY
The First Life of Vikram Roy, The THIRD book in the RUBY IYER Series, launches this month. To celebrate the launch of the FIRST LIFE OF VIKRAM ROY I am giving away a $30 gift card. Enter HERE. Winner will be drawn, Oct 1, 2015, and announced in my next newsletter.

DOING MY BIT
All SEPTEMBER earnings from the RUBY IYER SERIES will be donated to SAVE THE CHILDREN: SUPPORT CHILD REFUGEES OF SYRIA. All the RUBY IYER books with their brand new covers, are on SALE all this month at 99p/c &Rs 69/49. Click HERE to buy them. 

YOU can also donate to SAVE THE CHILDREN directly HERE 

Rafflecopter HTML
a Rafflecopter giveaway

~ Book Blast ~

About the Book:

The Third Yuga is slowly drawing to a close. Nam – the greatest Empire on Janani – is going to face some fierce winds of change. Seers foresee omens of death and destruction in the return of the Banished One – A God who will claim the ashes of this world as revenge. While out in the streets, rumours abound - of older forgotten powers stirring.


Caught in this maelstrom of a power struggle between Gods are three ordinary lives: General Fateh, the most celebrated soldier in Nam who starts to question his faith, Ishan – a gifted orphan who struggles to comprehend his destiny and Abhaya – a young monk in search of truths about this world. Their choices and actions will shape the destiny of this scarred world that becomes the playground for vindictive Gods.


In a world where Rakshasas arise out of left-over traces of Maaya and twilight forms the portal to countless worlds around us for Daityas and Yakshis to dance through, a God is only as powerful as those who believe.And when Gods rise, faith of men will be tested…And broken.


Buy Links:

eBook: Newshunt * Google Play






The Big Idea (Story of the inspiration behind Faith of the Nine)




Visualize a big planet. Like Jupiter. And the rings of
Saturn thrown together, revolving slowly. Slow enough for our mind to
comprehend that it is actually
revolving. And the voice that booms out in the background claiming, “I
AM….TIME!”
That is obviously an anthromorphic personification of time –
butthat is the scene I had in mind when
I thought of the name of my series, Wheels of Janani. A ginormous wheel of time
rolling along unstoppably towards the end of a world.
Indian mythology has this concept of the Trimurti – or a
triumvirate of power. Focused on Three Gods who are entrusted with the cosmic
functions of “creation”, “sustenance” and “destruction”. Brahma, Vishnu and
Siva. And Vaishnavism claims that
thisyuga or epoch known as the Kali
Yuga will end with the appearance of Kalki, the tenth avatar of Lord Vishnu –
the world ending in an apocalypse leading away to the next yuga.
The world Janani is rolling on towards the end of its third
yuga – and the Wheels of Janani or
time portends an impending apocalypse that would destroy this world. A child of
the Ancient Nine (an avatar – that is the descent of the divine to the material
realm) is prophesied to be born into such a world on the brink of its
destruction. While the over-arching theme is borrowed from the same concept as
the end of Kali Yuga, I put a spin to this situation.
What if the prophecy is unclear? The avatar’s appearance in
the world can either plunge the world into ashes and blood and destruction or
save the catastrophe. And what is the cost of ‘saving’ the world?
At the heart of the conflict of my series is religion. And
digging a bit deeper, it’s emotional failings. Emotions for which we have no
control over getting the better of reason and causing irrational behaviour
leading to disastrous consequences.
So I set out to write about a thriving flourishing empire
set in this world – built on a sequence of lies and deceit ruled by a set of
high priests directly in communion with their God. A set of tyrannical paranoid
rulers who would exterminate anyone not willing to believe their faith. Or
practiceMaaya (Magic!) born of the older tenets of faith.
Into this setting I slowly wanted to build the picture of a
set of survivors who doggedly stick to older beliefs waiting for the arrival of
the “prophesied” child who can save them. And the world. A set of unbelievers
who start to question their faith and loyalty – and slowly discover a hidden
set of reality.
Cue the bugles of war.
As we hurtle towards the end of this world, will the child
of the Nine save Janani or speed up the prophecies of doom?


About the Author:

Sachin discovered Tolkien in his teens, alternative rock as a new adult and digital marketing in pretty much his late twenties. These still form a large wedge in his circle of life. Travel, radio and theatre have also figured in that ever-expanding and diminishing circle.


On perhaps a more prosaic note, he is an engineer from BITS Pilani and holds an MBA from Indian School of Business. Attribute the love for numbers and pie-charts to this. He is currently based in Bangalore and happily married to Harini. He spends an inordinately large amount of time chasing after his two dogs (who love the free life a bit too much) when he is not busy dreaming up fantasy worlds full of monsters. And beautiful Yakshis, of course.


He can usually be found ranting on twitter under the handle @xenosach, devouring books and talking about them on his blog. You can always stalk him online at his official website
















 





No comments:

Post a Comment