Son of Bhrigu by Christopher C. Doyle

"Son of Bhrigu" by Christopher C. Doyle - India's answer to Percy Jackson and Harry Potter.

This book is published by Westland in 2018 and has 360 pages. This is Book 1 of 'The Pataala prophecy' series.

Arjun and Maya are best friends. Arjun lives with his uncle and mom, Maya with her dad. One day their world, as they know it, come to an end. They reach Panna national park and from there to Gurukul. Son of Bhrigu wants to take over the Bhu-lok using the creatures of nether world. Scion of Yayati has to lead a team of seven to fight Son of Bhrigu, as per a 5000 year old prophecy.

Who are the seven? What is Gurukul? Who is Son of Bhrigu? Is the prophecy a fact or fiction? Who is scion of Yayati? Is Maya a Sadh?

Story starts with two murders and two escapes. A powerful being is looking for someone and that someone needs to be protected. The story is very interesting. It has a natural flow. It hardly slows down or allows time to ponder for the readers. Author had used Indian mythology and it's characters wisely to carry the story. Entire story happens in 13 days.

Patala, Powerful Mantras, Ancient netherworld creatures, Atma travel, Mythical creatures, Gandharvas etc add to the allure of the mysticism. Theory that Devas and Saptarshis are neither effective nor accessible in Kali tug is interesting. 

Characters of Arjun, Maya, their Gurukul friends, Virendra, Mahamatis, Satyavachan Gandharva king etc. are rich, varied and properly developed. As the story goes on more characters should be introduced. 

However,  one can't but draw similarities of this story with Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. Gurukul is like Hogwarts or Greek camp.There is a prophecy of seven. The doors of hell are going to be opened.There is a quest. Despite all of this the story appears original.

If the author works on avoiding similarities to Percy Jackson and Harry Potter and makes his work sound more original (I believe there are enough ideas in our mythology), it will be a very successful, satisfying and unique series.

This Book, if made into a movie, will be a super hit, provided special effects are of high quality. 

Why did I read this book?  Title, author.  

What I didn't like? Similarities with Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.

What did I like? Story, delivery, ideas and characters.

 A must read. I will wait for Book 2.