Nandi's Charge - The Battle of Vathapi- Book 1- Book Review

 Review of Arun Krishnan's Nandi's Charge [The Battle of Vatapi- Book 1]

• Title -  Nandi's Charge [The Battle of Vathapi- Book 1]
• Author – Arun Krishnan
• Year published – 16 November 2023
• Publisher - Harper Collins India
• Pages - 544
• Genre – Historical Fiction
• Format - Paperback
• Get the book - Amazon

An ageing Chalukya ruler. A young, vengeful Pallava king. The war between the two is imminent. Who will win?

Seventh-century India. The young Pallava king Narasimhavarman I promises his dying father that he will avenge the humiliating defeat inflicted upon their clan by the Chalukyas nearly a decade ago. Three valiant Pallava captains embark on a quest to form strategic alliances and weaken Chalukyan allies—the Pandyas, Gangas and the Lankan forces—before their fateful encounter in Vathapi. But there are obstacles aplenty in their way.

From central Lanka to Ujjain, the determined trio faces unexpected twists, dastardly plots, cunning spies and treachery and deceit at every turn. Blazing battles are fought, shocking secrets are revealed—and love blooms even amidst the chaos. Will the Pallava warriors succeed in their mission? Will Narasimhavarman fulfil his oath?

With its captivating drama and rich detailing of a glorious period of India’s history, Nandi’s Charge, the first book of an enthralling trilogy, is an irresistible page-turner.

Book #87 of 2023

I am captivated by historical fiction and period novels, with works like 'Ponniyin Selvan' and 'Sivagamiyin Sabadham' being among my favorites. In the same vein, this particular book held me spellbound from start to finish as I effortlessly turned its pages.

The author skillfully unfolds a compelling narrative centered around a son's quest to avenge his father's death and fulfill his final wishes—all set against the backdrop of the 7th century. While many events and their historical contexts are recognizable, my focus will delve more into the book's style of narration rather than its plot.

The cast comprises real and fictional characters, each carrying their weight throughout the tale. Although the character list is extensive, the author provides it at the book's outset, making the reading experience more accessible.

While our knowledge of real characters is derived from various historical texts, the fictional ones in this narrative possess a striking authenticity, reminiscent of individuals who could very well have existed in those bygone eras. Surprisingly, one might find echoes of such characters even in contemporary times.

The characterizations and backgrounds for each individual are meticulously crafted, offering rich details without causing the narration to lose momentum. The depictions of various locations are a delight to read, demonstrating the author's dedication to thorough research and groundwork, bringing scenes vividly to life.

The maps following the character list illustrate the empires and journeys undertaken by Muthu and Kannan. Three storylines and multiple points of view maintained my engrossment amid the myriad twists and turns.

What truly appealed to me was the author's commitment to period authenticity, employing language and terminology prevalent during that era. The footnotes further enhance this by providing meanings and descriptions, enriching the reader's understanding.

The exploration of cultural and political backgrounds proves to be a pleasurable experience. The escapades of spies and the intricacies of war strategy added an extra layer of fascination. The book not only delves into historical events but also sheds light on the advancements across various facets of life, a perspective often overlooked elsewhere.

The narrative is brisk and keeps readers actively engaged, with the language being both accessible and supplemented with footnotes for clarity. Across its 54 chapters, the book continuously piqued my curiosity about the unfolding events and the characters involved. Anticipation builds as I eagerly await the next installment.

Last but not least, the artistic design on the cover adds to the charm and sets the tone for the reader's journey into the past.

I must say here that the author has presented a beautiful work tailored for English readers, infused with the essence of Kalki, ensuring an engaging and mesmerizing experience for all.

For enthusiasts of history and historical fiction, this book offers an enthralling experience, earning a solid 5/5 stars from me. Do pick it up and embark on a fantastic journey through the 7^th century!

Dr Arun Krishnan has studied and lived in different cities across India, USA, Singapore and Japan, before putting down roots in Bangalore. He started off with a degree in engineering and a doctorate, and went on to work in sectors like IT, high performance computing, bioinformatics, computational biology and HR analytics. He has worked at various corporations, research institutes and also in academia as an Assistant Professor of Computational Biology. And then, just to shake things up, Arun went for an MBA and turned entrepreneur. He is a polyglot and is conversant in Tamil, English, Hindi, Bengali, Japanese and Kannada. He loves to sing and plays the guitar, keyboard and percussion instruments. He is also an amateur historian and enjoys visiting historical places. While he has over fifty articles published in journals, conferences and book chapters, this is his first work of fiction.

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