The wrath of hellfires by Shatrujit Nath

"The wrath of hellfires" by Shatrujit Nath - Vikramaditya Veeragatha concludes!

This book was published by Jaico publishing house in 2020 and has 556 pages. This is Book 4 of 'Vikramaditya veergatha'. 

Vararuchi has rebelled against Vikrama and Kalidas has left him and joined enemy. Shanku has gone in search of Danavas. Ghatakarpara is kidnapped. Amarsimha has gone in search of him. Vetala Bhatta has gone to garner support. A pair of Deva spies has infiltrated palace of Ujjaini. Asuras have attacked border world. Devas and Asuras are after Halahala and ready to attack Ujjayini. Naga and Kinnara (centaur) army, vyalas and Ahi are at Ujjayini's gate. Odds are heavily stacked against Vikrama.

Can Vikramaditya save Halahala? Is halahala worth making enemies out of Devas and Asuras at the same time? What will Vikramaditya do?

Vikramaditya is fighting an impossible battle. Enemies are too many and too powerful. His uprightness, his hellfires, his loyal councillors and his citizens are all he has. But he gets support from unexpected quarters. 

Author had a tough task of concluding the series. Vikramaditya is facing impossible situation and to conclude the story from this point while tying all the loose ends is a tough task that author accomplishes very well. He doesn't let the story slack. Ensures reader interest. Uses lot of characters with variety of traits. 

Mytho-fantasy is a genre that gives author unlimited possibilities but also certain responsibility. It's a fascinating world and nothing is impossible. I expected more drama in Vararuchi's rebellion. Ashwins and Maruts who were formidable in previous books appear to be minor irritations in this book. Strange!

Chadragupt Vikramaditya was a revered king more than 1000 years ago. He had 9 councillors called Navaratnas. They were Kalidas, Vararuchi, Ghatakarpara, Khapanaka, Shanku, Amarsimha, Varahmihir, Dhanvantari and Vetalbhatta. Following shlok identifies them.

धन्वन्तरिः क्षपणकाऽमरसिंह शङ्कुः

वेताळभट्टः घटकर्परः काळिदासः

ख्यातो वराहमिहिरो नृपते सभायाम्

रत्नानि वै वररुचिर्नव विक्रमस्य

All of them were scholars, experts, poets and laureates. Most famous of them was Kalidas. Author has used these Navratnas and accorded each of them a special power for this series. Also two of them (Shanku and Kshapanaka) are females in this story. 

Has author left a few things unanswered on purpose? What happens to Hiranyakashyapu, Holika, Indra and Shukracharya remains hanging in the air.  Final chapter could have been crisper. 

Why did I read this book? First 3 books were good. 

What did I like? Everything. 

What I didn't like? Unanswered questions, last chapter.

Read, if you have read the series, otherwise start from beginning.