Jaal by Sangeeta Bahadur

"Jaal" by Sangeeta Bahadur. This book is published by Pan MacMillan in 2012 and has 460 pages. This is Book 1 of Kaal trilogy

The story is set in undetermined past of a different world. There are four principle Gods and one of them, Aushij, has been put to a prolonged sleep, lost in dreams, as imposition to his misuse of power. He is rising. There is a prophecy. Kingdom of two Kings has been usurped by his courtiers.

Who is the chosen one? Are the destinies of Arihant, Tejaswi, Raudra and Aagneyi intertwined? What is the mysterious place where Ripudaman is incarcerated? Can Vagdatta take her revenge?

Hats off to the author for creating a new mythical world complete with history, philosophy, lifestyles, tribes, politics, prophecy, parallel dimension, time capsule and the eternal battle of good and bad. Her vivid imagination competes with J. K. Rowling. Sangeeta has created a home grown super hero. She has taken references from Hindu mythology and philosophy and used them to create her own universe set in an undetermined ancient time period.

Characterization is good. Arihant, Tejaswi, Raudra, Aagneyi, Vagdatta, Vakrini, Maharshi's, Daruk, Mareech etc. are adequately developed. Concepts of Samyati kul and their memory archive or the curse and it's mitigation after 6000 years, idea of a mind city etc are fantastical.

Story is mostly very interesting, though it slows down on a couple of occasions. Author has placed small surprises at strategic locations so as not to allow readers from distracting.

Some of the ideas draw parallel with known fantasies. e.g. Kayakalp reminds of river Styx from Percy Jackson. Arihant's link with Aushij had similarities with Harry Potter's link with Voldermot. Prophecy of birth of the superhero that appears in a number of fantasies.

By the end of Book 1, the stage is set for the epic battle between good and evil. What will happen along the way? Well we will have to read that in Book 2 that is already published and Book 3 that is still to be published.

A good book. Recommend reading.