Let the game begin by Sandeep Sharma

"Let the game begin" by Sandeep Sharma. This book was published by Inspire India publishers in 2016 and has 174 pages.

Kingdoms of Chaturang and Sarprakt are bitter enemies. Sarprakt attacks Chaturang and kills son of king Viratha. A huge conspiracy was hatched. Time leap to modern day. A number of murders take place. A chess piece and a hand written note in some strange language is found with each body. Historian Dinesh Gandhi is called to help by RAW. He deciphers the note as 'Let the game begin'.

What was the conspiracy?  What has Chaturang got to do with chess?  Who is murdering? What it's the significance of chess pieces?

Vyaapi, the immortal, is witness to all that happened 4000 years ago. He invents a game that will allow king of Chaturang to recreate the battle situation that killed his son. That game is Chess. King Viratha is out to avenge death of his son by killing the ones who betrayed. It's a story of revenge, but an innovative one. The  betrayal happened 4000 years ago. The perpetrators are being punished in present day when all of them are reincarnated. They have one thing in common with the perpetrators. What's that?

The concept is interesting. However there are some weaknesses in the story. The  reason of treason of royal adviser is unconvincing. To take help of enemy who one wants to destroy is fundamentally flawed. The reason why so many trusted people turn traitor is weak.

A number if questions come to the mind of reader but remain unanswered. How can the famous Child disappear? Why Surya is drafted in team when Priya is such a good chess player?  What happens to the child?  Can chess move be banned? Who is Viratha? Killer or the curse or Surya?

Proof reading of book is sub standard. There are many grammatical, continuity and reference related mistakes. It plays spoil sport. It was completely avoidable with a little more attention and seriousness. I could not help marking the corrections, as if I was proof reading. So many mistakes in second addition are unpardonable.

At the end of the book reader comes to know that this was only part one and there will be a sequel. The book cover does not say that it's part one. Is it deliberate? I would have had second thought before purchasing, if I had known that this is Part 1.

In short, the book has a good story,  average execution,  poor proof reading,  interesting plot and some loose ends. However overall the sum of the parts comes out to be positive.

Why did I read this book?  Blurb.

What I didn't like?  Shortcomings.

What did I like?  Concept.

Read it, if you plan to read the sequel.