Book Review- Ajaya: Roll of the Dice by Anand Neelkantan

BOOK REVIEW- AJAYA-EPIC OF THE KAURAVA CLAN(BOOK I) ROLL OF THE DICE BY ANAND NEELKANTAN

About the Author- Anand Neelkantan is a writer from Kerela who basically writes fiction in relation to Indian mythological stories. Till date he has published four books and has also worked as a director for some mythological shows and movies.

This is the second book I read written by the author. The first book I read was Asura which was the story of Ramayana told from the point of view of Ravana. You can check out the review of that book on my Instagram (ravisha_pushkar).

About the Book- The book is basically a mythological fiction and is the first book of the series of two books written about the story of Mahabharata. The story is told from a different point of view and not from the point of view which all of us have grown up listening to and most probably watching. We've all heard different stories from Mahabharata since our childhood that how it was a war between the clans of Pandavas and Kauravas who were cousins. We have heard stories about all the major characters with a common story being about the Game of the Dice which was played between the Pandavas and Kauravas and how the Pandavas lost everything they had-their kingdom and also their common wife Draupadi. We've heard that how cruel was the elder most Kaurava prince Duryodhana who plotted against his cousins since his childhood. But this book depicts the same set of events with an opposite mindset. It shows Duryodhana as a positive character who was not evil and that it was only because of the events that took place that he had no other option other than taking a revenge from his cousins. The book lays down events right from the starting from when the cousins were small kids. It shows each and every incident whether small or big in detail which led to the war of Mahabharata. The book also shows Krishna as not a very positive character which he is usually considered by all Hindus. It focuses even on small characters like Kripa, Jarasandha, Ashwatdhama, Takasha ,etc. which are not referred to generally when we are told the story of Mahabharata. Being the first part of the series, it ends at the Game of the Dice which was played between the cousins. The second book of the series named Rise of Kali: Duryodhana's Mahabharata lays down the events of the main war.

Review- First of all I would like to mention that I am a person who loves reading mythology. I've always been into watching and reading everything in relation to Indian mythology. I don't have a personal point of view on what must have happened but I like the stories which are told as our mythological influences and therefore when I read different point of views regarding a famous mythological story like Mahabharata, I find it very fascinating.  

When I started the book, obviously I had great expectations because I loved the previous book I read by the author. The thing which I love the most about the books written by the author is that he always depicts the assumed evil characters as positive and lays down their point of view on why they had to turn evil and how their acts were justified. 

I frankly found the book amazing. It has been written in a wonderful manner and all the scenes and settings have been described beautifully. The thing that I found most wonderful about the book was that how poverty and casteism have been focused upon. It shows that among all the people who were involved in this great war, how the poor and the downtrodden suffered and how discrimination on the basis of caste was a major issue which influenced the acts of the Hindu rulers and how they treated the people of their kingdom. Characters like Karna, Eklavya and Jara have been focused upon in relation to these issues and their stories bring to light the plight of the people who are poor and of low caste.

The character named 'Jara' is definitely my favourite character from the book. He has been shown as a low caste beggar who witnesses all the events which led to the great war of Mahabharata from his childhood. 

Every incident has been described in such a wonderful manner which keeps the reader interested in the story since the starting. There was no point throughout the book where I got bored. It has been written in a manner which keeps the reader interested. It provides for many issues to ponder upon while reading it. It is a book which will compel you to think no matter what. 

To Read or Not to Read- According to me, this book should be read by everyone. It's very interesting. And if you are someone who is into Indian mythology(like me) then trust me, this book is a treat for you. I personally loved the book and would recommend all of you to read it and I would definitely read the second part of the series soon. You can buy the book from amazon by clicking the link here.

"Life is a gamble. You do not know how the dice will fall. But once they have, how you move the pieces is in your hands."

Rating: 4.5/5


Thank you for reading :)