Nandi’s Charge by Arun Krishnan | Battle of Vathapi #1 | Book review

 Book review:

#NandisCharge is the first book of the Battle of Vathapi series. It is captivating, gripping and full of twists and turns that keep the readers on the edge of their seats. It takes us through the riveting tale of preparations on the Pallava side for an eventual campaign against Pulikeshi and the Chalukyas. 

The story begins with the last wish from the defeated King of Kanchi, Mahendravarman on his deathbed and makes his son promise him that he will complete his unfinished business – 

💧Complete his dream project of building wonderfully sculpted temples along the shoreline of town Mamallapuram

💧 Pullalur or take revenge on the Lord of Vatapi, Pulikeshi.

Kanchi, a city of cowbells and temple bells, of anklets tinkling among the collonaded palaces and temples, of voices of traders, of beautiful gardens and lakes, and much more is seeking the need of its true soldiers and profound leadership to take revenge. So the experienced leaders of Mamala, General Ilanthiraiyar with the consent of the young king of Kanchi have made an intriguing plan to fulfil the late Maharaja’s second promise. 

As per the plan, they have chosen soldiers Elango, Kannan and Muthuvel who are going to perform a hidden mission of visiting different parts of Bharatvarsha from the Maurya empire in the north to Lanka in the south, in a game of intrigue and political manoeuvres. These soldiers from varied backgrounds are given limited information and set on a journey where they are not sure about their return.

It is intriguing to read about their personal ventures, hidden desires, fear, and skill to protect or confide from enemies. The characters that indirectly help them to sustain on their journey and the way their depiction is done is marvellous. I like reading about the Buddhist monasteries, Indian heritage, rich Kanchipuram sarees, Indumathi's profound nature, and many more.

I was completely hooked when the actual game of chase began. The three soldiers who moved according to their plan to different parts of the country are facing their own hurdles on the way and meeting new people. Their path becomes extremely difficult when the opposite rulers get to know about the plan. Now it was totally a hide-and-see game being played and I was chasing their routes and was wishing to know quickly who would win the chase? Will Narasimhavarman I  be able to keep his promise? Will the soldiers receive their due respect, honour and dream love?

The author skillfully dissects the intricacies of human behaviour and the internal conflicts that fuel negative impulses. Each chapter unfurls with new twists, ensuring that readers remain captivated throughout the narrative. The author seamlessly delves into the social norms of that era, breathing life into each character with authenticity. The unexplained mystery serves as a compelling mental puzzle, keeping readers hooked until the final page.

The strength of this book lies in its multi-characters and the vividness with which each character is portrayed. The author has evocatively depicted the hostility of enemy soldiers, the urge of a poor family person for his kid's safety, the greed of border officials, the ground scenario of people of different kingdoms and much more.

The story is narrated in a fast-paced manner with no long monologues or irritating scenarios. The timeline is captured in an enchanting manner. The author is well-researched and well-told the story, with a keen sense of the churn in India then, leaving the readers hankering for more. I appreciate the reason why he named the pursuit of this game as Nandi's Charge.

Overall, "Nandi's Charge" is a magical tapestry of history, fact, and fiction. Written with meticulous attention to detail, it is a compelling story that also doubles up as a delightful history lesson. It is a compelling read for all readers who enjoy historical fiction, fiction or history. Do grab it!

I am thankful to the @blogchatter, @harpercollinsin and the author for providing me with this book in return for an honest review. I am reviewing this book under the @blogchatter review program. 

Purchase: Battle of Vathapi: Nandi's Charge