Aryavir by Anita Shirodkar

"Aryavir" by Anita Shirodkar -  A new old world!

This book was published by The Write Place in 2017 and has 346 pages. This is Book 1 of 'The guardians of the blue lotus' trilogy. 

Kamalkunda, a kingdom blessed by and home of a huge indestructible blue lotus called Indivara, is ruled by Kamalakshi clan. Aryavir is the Crown Prince and Sitanshu is his best friend. Jabali tribes from west are trying to avenge Kamalkund. Step brothers of current king Chiraksh and their neighbouring kingdom of Chandraketu's have decided to wage a war with Kamalakund as their children (2 princesses and a pair of twins) have escaped from their respective parents to go to Kamalkund for various reasons. There is a curse that will kill Aryavir at 18. Keshkutas must be awaken before the completion of their sleep cycle. 

What is the curse? Will Indivara protect Kamalkund? Why do Jabali's want revenge? Who are Keshakutas? Will the run away children reach Kamalkunda? What will the evil Mayakari do?

Author has created a new 'old world'. Kamalkund is the kingdom of Kamalakshi clan, who have blue lotus eyes. Indivara is the humongous blue lotus in existence for 999 years and Lord Padmaksha is believed to reside in it. Chiraksh, despite being born out of wedlock, is made king by queen mother thereby distancing her own three sons. All people in the Old World pray to Ishv, the formless one. 

Chandraketus rule adjoining kingdom of Kalipur. Chandrabha, the queen mother of Kamalkund, comes from this family. But her decision to make Chiraksh king had estranged the two kingdoms again. 

Jabali are wandering tribes from Drakkar, desert in the west. They have flaming red hair and pray to The blazing one. 

A number of children run towards Kamalkund. Eshan and Eshwari, seven year old twins, run from their Mayakari mother. Princess Reva runs from her tyrant maternal grandfather who is trying to marry her to an old prince. Chitrangada and Ahren run from Chitrangada's irascible father King.

The story is interesting. A lot of background had to be created and the story also had to be narrated. It was a tough task. Author tries to do both but she has to hurry through a lot of things briefly. I believe she should have increased the number of pages in this book and taken more time to establish the characters,  history,  inter relations and to let the story blossom. 

Characters are good. They have human touch and mysticism attached to it. Maheshwari masters are all enigma. Aryavir and Sitanshu are the main protagonists. The colour them of the series is blue. Indivara is blue lotus. Kamalakshis have blue eyes. There is blue energy. Aryavir has a blue bead around his neck. The palace is called Neelmahal. The throne is a sapphire throne and so on.

Author has given three family trees (Kamal akshis, Chandraketus and Jabalis) and map of old world at the beginning of the book. This was a much needed accessory to correlate all the names,  their relations and the geography. 

Nevertheless, she has created a good story. The book is interesting. It is poised at an interesting moment when it ends. Book 2 'Sitanshu' is already published. 

Why did I read this book? Blurb. 

What I didn't like? Length of book.  

What did I like? Author's imagination. 

Recommend reading.