"The Guardians of Karma" by Mohan Vizhakat - A Review

INTRIGUING SCIENCE FICTION BASED ON ANCIENT SHIVA PURANA

Prehistoric times beyond the mists of vedic India - the forgotten era of ‘first wave’ civilisations.

Around 10500 BCE, with sea levels much lower than they are today, and mainland continents still largely covered with ice, the primary centres of Indian civilisation were dominated by two highly advanced nation states – Dev Lok and Daityan Empire. Spiritually-inclined Devas lived in harmony with nature, whereas Daityas believed in brute force technologies for rapid prosperity and material gratification. Steady inundation of the tropical islands created a crisis, particularly for Daityas. To fuel their hunger for material resources, the aggressive Daityas proceeded to invade other nations.

Warrior monk Haŕa becomes the sole hope of Dev Lok to prevent defeat and abject subjugation. However, before he can help them, Haŕa must undertake the ultimate journey of spirituality to pass beyond the barrier of death itself and engage with the astral personae of Lord Rudra - one of three extra-terrestrial progenitors of humanity.

This action-packed mythological science fiction takes the readers through the exotic cities of Amaravati, Atalantpuri (Atlantis?), and traces the arduous journey to Mount Kailash through Sarparanya. The story unfolds the philosophy of Karma within the backdrop of love, passion, greed, war, tragedy and spirituality that characterised these ancient times.

Will Haŕa be able to check the Daityan aggression in time to correct the course of Karma? Will he be able to wield the viman ‘Pinaka’ against the central seat of Daityan power – the indestructible citadels of Tripura? Is he the one who will glorify the name of Lord Shiva as Tripurantaka – the mighty destroyer of Tripura?

Was the destruction of 'Atlantis' of Greek mythology and the 'Tripura' of Indian mythology, reconstructions of the same event that happened before the worldwide deluge or pralay towards the end of ice-age? Are the epics and mythological legacies of India just reconstructions during vedic age, based on fragmented records of real events that happened during prehistoric times?

To know all the answers, you better read the book. 

Now, Review Time –

"The Guardians of Karma" is a complex book with the blend of mythology and science fiction. The story is set in ancient time. Author has used good imagination power. I liked this part about author. Where one side everyone is coming up with chic-lit, on the other side new young authors are coming up with some serious mythological books. I’m happy with this change. This will set new trend in Indian fiction market! 

The story is very fluent and gripping. It trips forward without any amazement and twists that you cannot pick well before. Some characters are flat and not well developed. But some characters are sketched very well and they make book and plot more interesting. While certain descriptions, sub plots and brief introductions to history were mesmerizing and I took a particular liking in the spirituality. . Thrilling action scenes will turn your world upside down. Mythological books require a lot of research and the author has done complete justice in this department. The book is almost error-free. Narration skills of author are awesome. 

I was hooked onto the happenings from cover to cover and couldn’t read faster to reach the climax and the author ends it on a very nicely. This was a very crucial move by the author as readers on reading the last words will want to jump into the next book immediately. The writing is definitely smooth and the prose very accessible for any reader to be immediately drawn in to the story and world presented.

Mohan Vizhakat is a talented man and he proves himself to be an effective storyteller as well. This book is highly recommended for those wanting to read something different in the field of mythology and sci-fi. I would like to rate this book 3.5/5. It stands recommended by Read In Park. Mythological book lovers should give it a read.