Varaha's Vengeance- The Battle of Vatapi Book 2 | Book Review
Review of Arun Krishnan's historical fiction - Varaha's Vengeance: Battle of Vatapi-Book 2
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SEVENTH-CENTURY INDIA. A GRIM STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL UNFOLDS. WILL THE
PALLAVAS BRAVE THE CHALUKYA FURY, OR BE SWEPT AWAY BY THE RELENTLESS TIDE OF
HISTORY?
After months of setting their plan in motion, three gallant Pallava
captains march forward, driven by King Narasimhavaraman's vow to avenge their
clan's honour. In response, the indomitable Chalukya King Pulikeshi launches a
fierce counterattack, aided by his brother, Kubja Vishnuvardhana.
Backed by their powerful allies, the Chalukyas spare no effort in their
attempts to decimate the Pallava army, ambushing the enemy on both land and
sea. The very survival of the Pallavas hangs in the balance. Can they withstand
the unbridled force unleashed by the resurgent Chalukyas or will they succumb
to the overwhelming might of their adversaries? Can they rally their defenses before all is lost?
The second volume of the adrenaline-fueled saga that began with Nandi's
Charge, unfolds in riveting detail in Varaha's Vengeance, taking readers
on a thrilling journey through one of the most exciting periods of Indian
history.
Book #27 of 2024
Rating 5 stars
I eagerly anticipated diving into this book as soon as I finished the
first part of this series and I'm more than pleased that it lived up to my
expectations. Continuing the epic saga introduced in part one, the author leads
us further into the enthralling journey filled with wars, espionage, and a
pervasive sense of melancholy.
The depth of research undertaken by the author is evident throughout the
narrative, with vividly depicted scenes and well-developed characters springing
to life on the page. Whether portraying the chaos of battle, the intricate
machinations of court politics, or the subtle nuances of budding romance, the
author's storytelling prowess shines through in every detail. The authenticity
of the dialogue and interactions between characters further enhances the
immersive experience, making it feel as though we are living among them.
The depiction of war scenes and their aftermath, as well as the
strategic preparations leading up to them, is particularly captivating,
demonstrating the author's extensive knowledge and meticulous research on the
subject matter. The intricacies of conspiracies, setbacks, and battles propel
the narrative forward and kept me on the edge of my seat.
Despite the abundance of characters, the narrative remains easily
navigable, aided by a helpful list of characters and a welcome addition of maps.
The inclusion of
footnotes providing meanings and explanations of terms used throughout the book
proved to be immensely helpful.
The brisk pacing ensures there's never a dull moment, with each chapter
leaving readers eager for more. The gripping cliffhanger has now left me impatient
for the next instalment!
A 5/5 star read.
History buffs and fiction enthusiasts alike will find much to enjoy in this well-researched, fast-paced thriller. For fans of Kalki’s work, this is a must-read that shouldn't be missed.
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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Read the review of Book 1 - Nandi's Charge here...
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