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.
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eBook: Newshunt * Google Play
Fantasy for Adults
When you usually ask around for
recommendations for Fantasy for adults, you end with Game of Thrones at the top
of the list. Followed perhaps by scores of Shannara books. (Which by the way
are still coming out! Terry Brooks is a phenomenal author!)
recommendations for Fantasy for adults, you end with Game of Thrones at the top
of the list. Followed perhaps by scores of Shannara books. (Which by the way
are still coming out! Terry Brooks is a phenomenal author!)
Because for most of us ( especially more so
in a country like India) we are wary of being found reading a book whose cover
looks like Chandrakanta the old Doordarshan series we used to watch as kids. So
we still get by with the Harry Potter series and sometimes don’t think much
beyond.
in a country like India) we are wary of being found reading a book whose cover
looks like Chandrakanta the old Doordarshan series we used to watch as kids. So
we still get by with the Harry Potter series and sometimes don’t think much
beyond.
So I’ve been reading only fantasy (or
broadly speculative fiction that counts Fantasy as one of the main streams –
Sci-fi & Horror being the other mainstay besides countless sub-genres) for
the last fifteen years now. Ever since I picked up LOTR & Dune ( by Frank
Herbert. Masterpiece! ) in college. I’ve suffered looks of disdain by
colleagues/ fellow travellers as I was nose-deep in some fantasy western (Namely
– Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. Yes. He writes stuff outside of horror
too!) But I cared less than the backside of a rodent for such. I was living in
a different world and I was loving it.
broadly speculative fiction that counts Fantasy as one of the main streams –
Sci-fi & Horror being the other mainstay besides countless sub-genres) for
the last fifteen years now. Ever since I picked up LOTR & Dune ( by Frank
Herbert. Masterpiece! ) in college. I’ve suffered looks of disdain by
colleagues/ fellow travellers as I was nose-deep in some fantasy western (Namely
– Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. Yes. He writes stuff outside of horror
too!) But I cared less than the backside of a rodent for such. I was living in
a different world and I was loving it.
So this, is an attempt to list down some
fantastic gems I discovered during this journey of mine and to let the broader
world be aware that Fantasy has come a long way from the tales of a young farm
boy setting out to find his destiny (which involved throwing a beautiful ring
into the volcanic fires of Mordor!) I will also try and slot them into
different sub genres as I know them. Makes it easier for recommending, right?
fantastic gems I discovered during this journey of mine and to let the broader
world be aware that Fantasy has come a long way from the tales of a young farm
boy setting out to find his destiny (which involved throwing a beautiful ring
into the volcanic fires of Mordor!) I will also try and slot them into
different sub genres as I know them. Makes it easier for recommending, right?
Epic
fantasy. Magic
that will leave you spell bound. Political manoeuvrings. Tricky backstabbing. Adventure.
Kingdoms or worlds at stake. All this and more!
fantasy. Magic
that will leave you spell bound. Political manoeuvrings. Tricky backstabbing. Adventure.
Kingdoms or worlds at stake. All this and more!
Mistborn
Trilogy & the on-going Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson. The on-going series is a massive ten part magnum opus and it
reflects all things great and fun about the genre. Cannot recommend enough of
this guy. He is prolific when it comes to writing. Churning out at least 1-2
books every year. Year after year.
Trilogy & the on-going Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson. The on-going series is a massive ten part magnum opus and it
reflects all things great and fun about the genre. Cannot recommend enough of
this guy. He is prolific when it comes to writing. Churning out at least 1-2
books every year. Year after year.
Promise
of Blood ( Powder Mage trilogy # 1) by Brian McClellan. Sometimes called Flintlock fantasy This guy is setting the fire to
the keg with this explosive debut novel in this series that deserves to be read
more.
of Blood ( Powder Mage trilogy # 1) by Brian McClellan. Sometimes called Flintlock fantasy This guy is setting the fire to
the keg with this explosive debut novel in this series that deserves to be read
more.
Gentlemen
Bastards series by Scott Lynch – Chronicling the
life and adventures of a thief and petty crook, Lock Lamora and his friends,
this is also one stunning piece of work that any lover of mayhem and adventure
should definitely be getting his hands on. Lies
of Lock Lamora sets up the rollicking pace of this series and it’s on
book-3 now – with the rest of the books eagerly awaited. You should jump onto
this ship.
Bastards series by Scott Lynch – Chronicling the
life and adventures of a thief and petty crook, Lock Lamora and his friends,
this is also one stunning piece of work that any lover of mayhem and adventure
should definitely be getting his hands on. Lies
of Lock Lamora sets up the rollicking pace of this series and it’s on
book-3 now – with the rest of the books eagerly awaited. You should jump onto
this ship.
Grim
Dark Fantasy. This is modern fantasy with a lot of
writers jumping into bandwagon. Brutal, gritty, splashed with blood and gore –
and darker themes explored.
Dark Fantasy. This is modern fantasy with a lot of
writers jumping into bandwagon. Brutal, gritty, splashed with blood and gore –
and darker themes explored.
Malazan
Book of the Fallen – 10 book series that is
COMPLETE and mind blowing by Steven
Eriksen.
Book of the Fallen – 10 book series that is
COMPLETE and mind blowing by Steven
Eriksen.
Any book by Joe Abercrombie. This guy is truly the emperor of this sub-genre
with his brilliant books setting out to explore darker spaces within a man’s
mind.
with his brilliant books setting out to explore darker spaces within a man’s
mind.
Broken
Empire by Mark Lawrence. Be warned, this books may
be a bit too intense but are shining example of what a writer can do to twist
the readers into his dark worlds. It features a 11-year old sociopath who sets
out to conquer the world.
Empire by Mark Lawrence. Be warned, this books may
be a bit too intense but are shining example of what a writer can do to twist
the readers into his dark worlds. It features a 11-year old sociopath who sets
out to conquer the world.
Prince
of Nothing trilogy by R Scott Bakker. If you like
your fantasy philosophical, dark and heavy this is your one stop. His second
trilogy is incomplete and eagerly awaited.
of Nothing trilogy by R Scott Bakker. If you like
your fantasy philosophical, dark and heavy this is your one stop. His second
trilogy is incomplete and eagerly awaited.
Military
fantasy. Yes,
there is something like this. And Myke
Cole’s first trilogy starting off with Control Point is a wonderfully
accessible entry point into such worlds. Combining the best of military fiction
with fantasy worlds.
fantasy. Yes,
there is something like this. And Myke
Cole’s first trilogy starting off with Control Point is a wonderfully
accessible entry point into such worlds. Combining the best of military fiction
with fantasy worlds.
Silk
Road Fantasy. Again a recent phenomenon of readers
getting bored of medieval European settings for their fantasy tales. Notable
books are Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay,
Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin
Ahmed, The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu.
Road Fantasy. Again a recent phenomenon of readers
getting bored of medieval European settings for their fantasy tales. Notable
books are Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay,
Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin
Ahmed, The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu.
There are multiple other books that are
genre-benders mashing up the good things in one genre with another. It’s a gold
mine out there and I would urge all readers who ultimately like a good story to
keep exploring beyond the walls and gates of Hogwarts.
genre-benders mashing up the good things in one genre with another. It’s a gold
mine out there and I would urge all readers who ultimately like a good story to
keep exploring beyond the walls and gates of Hogwarts.
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
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