Rakshasas: The shadow warriors by Rajiv G. Menon

"Rakshasas: The shadow warriors" by Rajiv G. Menon - Very little Rakshasas!

This book is published by Westland in 2018 and has 442 pages. This is Book 2 of Vedic trilogy. 

Devas have ascended to the status of God and are placed in a different dimension by Manu, the law giver. A Deva was struck by Vratra's fangs while Indra killed Vratra. This one has regained consciousness after months but has acquired blue colour. He promises to help Manu. Asuras are rising. Manu's Aryas are trying to conquer and unify the lands to create one nation Bharata. But they are forbidden to cross Gaggar. Rakshasas are created by Manasa and Kali to protect the forest. They worship the earth spirit Raksha.

What are Daksha's machinations? What course will Emperor Jayanta take? What is destiny of Vidyutkesha? What is Mara's course of action? What are Narakasura's plans? What does the red Dragon want? Will Manu be able to save the young nation, Bharata?

This is Book 2 of the series. Although there are Devas in this story, they aren't central to the theme. Jayanta- son of Indra and Emperor of Bharata, Daksha- the chief of Brahmins, The blue one- mysterious Deva poisoned by dying Vratra, Mara- Nishada queen, Vidyutkesha- the one who survived Vajra and Manu- the law giver are main characters.

While attempting a complex story, author loses reader's interest several times. Things happen without any apparent objective and they happen uninterestingly. I had put the book away several times because it could not retain my interest. Story is very slow and some side stories appear unnecessary. 

There is a twist at the end of this Book. But it comes too late to revive the sagging story. 

Author has introduced a theory of extra terrestrial beings inhibiting earth and becoming Gods. Red Dragon controlling everything. This appears far fetched and comes out of the blue. Moreover, author doesn't care to elaborate why the tribe, made up of people from various tribes is called Rakshasas?

Book 1 was good and I had high expectations from this book. Book 1 was published in 2012 and I checked every year for the sequel. Finally it arrived in 2018. But it did not turn out to be half as good and I was sorely disappointed. 

This book sports Gaudy book cover. Was it done on purpose for Rakshasas?

Why did I read this book? Book 1 was good    

What I didn't like? Slow story, unnecessary side stories, extra terrestrials. 

What did I like? The blue one.

 AVOID