This explosive, heartwrenching, merciless joyride is the more gut-pricking twin to the political intrigue of G.R.R Martin's blockbuster, genre-defining work.
In Sons of Darkness, fell forces align while humans squabble, bicker and plot. Who will triumph? Who stands in the light, and who is the villain? The author answers readers' burning questions in this fast-paced book where grey characters abound and supernatural events confound.
In an ancient land split by political intrigues, power grabs and sinister plotting, major and minor principalities spar for dominance. The tantalising promise of a blockbuster civil split is only rivalled by another looming disaster growing unseen in the shadows.
Across the realm's various centres of influence, decisions must be made. Land and lives lie in the balance, and the resulting effects of every act will be felt wide and beyond.
Let the Sons of Darkness rise, and the prophecy be fulfilled!
Through multiple POVs, the author chronicles developments across ancient kingdoms whose primary stakeholders are caught up in all manner of warfare- including the metaphysical and psychological.
The convergence at the swayamvar is the story's climax, and everything that happens afterwards is intriguing, pointing to an author who knows his onions and has hacked how to keep readers entertained.
Satyabhama and Krishna, while seemingly the main characters, are just two of an ensemble cast with intertwined destinies.
Across several POVs, the author narrates the epic proceedings as they involve proud kings, princesses and several other pawns in a game with unity and survival the stakes.
From Shakuni, a torturer; Karna, a wannabe hero who's actually got powers; Nala, a divisive young student in training to the legendary figures of Acharyan Parshuram and the powerful Saptarishis looming in the background, each POV is as brilliant as the classic epic work it derives inspiration from.
Sons of Darkness is written as a fast-paced political intrigue crewed by morally grey characters, who themselves are at the centre of the sprawling epic.
There are no boring bits, and if you haven't a clue about Indian history, you're still bound to be captured by the author's languidly intense style and penchant for event-altering twists.
Written in a multiple-person perspective narrative, Sons of Darkness shifts seamlessly from character to character, gradually and tantalizingly bringing the overall picture into focus.
I won't claim to be well-versed in Indian mythology at this point, but I'm not a stranger to the culture either. If I'd read Sons of Darkness as an introduction to the subject, it would've been an immersive adventure, leaving me more interested after reaching its conclusion.
Through Gourav Mohanty's storytelling, the tapestries of Indian mythology are woven to depict arcane lore that's not just quite the magic you have in your head.
With its immersive world and memorable characters, The Sons of Darkness is a great fantasy pick for fans of Abercrombie and G.R.R Martin.
It's a great choice if you're looking for a one hundred per cent engrossing read different from western traditional epic fantasy.
