Here is the summary of the book:
Nothing left to fight for is nothing left to lose...
Emperor Dharma Yudhisthir of the Kauravas and Empress Panchali Draupadi rule over the unified realm of Aryavarta, an empire built for them by Govinda Shauri with the blessings of the Firstborn and by the might of those whom everyone believes long gone - the Firewrights.
Now the Firewrights rise from the ashes of the past, divided as before in purpose and allegiance - those who wish to use the knowledge of their ancestors for the greater good of the new empire and those determined to avenge the annihilation of their kin. Sinister plans are afoot, and no one, it seems, can stand in the way of the chaos about to be unleashed - not the Firstborn, not the kings of Aryavarta, and not Govinda Shauri.
As a plot to destroy Govinda's beloved city Dwarka takes an unexpected turn, and Dharma Yudhisthir gambles away his empire, the tormented empress is forced into a terrifying exile and Aryavarta teeters once again on the brink of destruction.
Condemned by his own failures, Govinda is left a broken man. The only way he can save Aryavarta and the woman in whose trusted hands he had left it is by playing a dangerous game: He must betray a terrible secret that the Vyasa has protected all his life. A secret that may well destroy the Firstborn, and the Firewrights with them.
Krishna Udayasankar vowed us with her demystified re-imagination of Veda Vyasa's epic Mahabharata in the form of the first book of her Aryavarta Chronicles, Govinda. Maintaining the same vigor as the first book, the plot spurns on to the epic fight of the ages. A flurry of political motifs, conspiracies, ancient cults, hidden agenda and haunting part in action, this proved to be a quick and an interesting read.
GOVINDA, ended with the formation of the Aryavarta Empire and KAURAVA focused it all on building conspiracies among the Kaurava lot and Dharma Yudhisthir's loss of his kingdom to his cousin in the game of Chess and their imminent exile. Couple it with plannings of the Firewrights and Firstborns toying and scheming to put things right and rogue Firewright, Devala Asita wreaking his own vengeance against Govinda Shauri and the late wallowing in angst and self-pity at the failure of his plans and wishes.
An epic sequel, I liked everything about Kaurava. Highlighting Govinda's struggles beautifully throughout...... It may have taken me a bit long to get into the first one but Kaurava was an almost quick study. I loved Udayasankar's through research and all the thoughts put into it. And how she dramatized the epic text and made it her own and exciting enough to be excited for the finale with the 'Kurukshetra' battle.
"An epic sequel and things are already heating up to a cresendo"
Who's the secret keeper finally? Is it Aswattama?I've read only the first part
ReplyDelete