Review: Tarikshir: The Awakening

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Tarikshir: The Awakening Tarikshir: The Awakening by Khayaal Patel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fantasy makes good stories. In India the fantasy genre draws a lot from mythology and Puranic tales. Khayal Patel wrote a decent story. Ramayan is the greatest story ever written. It is source of inspiration to countless poets/ writers. This story also takes inspiration from Ramayan. However, I want to make it clear at the outset that the story is original creation and only some things are borrowed from Ramayan so as to start the tale.

In the very beginning Valikesh, a simple foot soldier in Rama’s army goes to Ravana’s palace after the war. There he finds an evil stone whose power is difficult to contain. This stone is a gateway to evil Tarikshir. Then the story comes to British India where Prince Rudra Pratap Chauhan of Devangarh is confused about war or peace with the British. The shrewd Britisher Walken is on the heels of Raja Ravindra Pratap. Ravindra is totally against of succumbing to British. Rudra also tags along in the war and unfortunately an assassin kills Raja Ravindra. Now Rudra is the young king. He seeks help of Ghazi, Shan and his Guru to run the kingdom. He goes to Prithviraj, his uncle fortress where he meets beautiful and deadly Nafisa. Someone is playing tricks with him to rouse Tarikshir and wreak havoc on the mankind.

The story starts with myth, then veers into history and finally settles in fantasy. Rudra is uncertain hero who has Nobel intentions but doesn’t have requisite skills. He grows with the progress of story. There is total uncertainty who is who; friend or foe. Many surprises await the reader. Nafisa is perfect foil for immature Rudra. The story moves at a breakneck speed once Rudra becomes the king. Three is no breathing time. So much happens in a very short span of time.

However, the three time periods don’t gel well. Myth is used just as a prop and the story could be told without the story of Valikesh. Then there are supernatural elements about God but that is also underutilized. So much happens in a very short span of time and so many people change allegiance that it was confusing to say the least.

The book is entertaining. 3.5/ 5 stars.


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