Queen of Mahishmathi by Anand Neelakantan

"Queen of Mahishmathi" by Anand Neelakantan - Trilogy concludes with crescendo. 

This book was published by Westland in 2020 and has 560 pages. This is concluding Book 3 of 'Bahubali: Before the beginning' series. 

Last book ended with Shivgami being arrested by Mahadeva. This book takes off from there and hits the deck running. Bijjala and Shivgami March towards Gauri parvat. Mahadeva is tasked with another responsibility. Both missions go horribly wrong. Shivgami ends up marrying Bijjala and there is a big change at Mahishmati. Achi Nagamma has achieved an impossible feat. Shivgami starts relying on Katappa. Shivappa is declared king of Vaithalikas. Pattaraya has caused upset in Kadrimandalam. Mahishmati is attacked by two enemies simultaneously. Shivgami's intellect, courage and endurance is put to test.

Why do missions of Bijjala and Mahadeva go wrong? Why does Shivgami marry Bijjala when she loves Mahadeva? What happens at Gauri parvat? What has Achi Nagamma achieved? Who attacks Mahishmati? What will Shivgami do?

Unlike first two books this book is fast paced. Something is happening all the time. The story happens over multiple years. Author demonstrates his grip over the story. The real Anand Neelakanthan in visible in this book. The story is gripping. It's a page turner. 

Author makes use of war machines like mahashila yantra, missile launcher, garud pakshis, ships etc with dexterity. The war comes to life through pages. 

Bijjaldeva's character is shown as virtuous initially, then he appears shrewd and later he appears out right asinine. These changes are not in sync with his traits in previous two books and do not appear convincing. Did the author do it only to justify Shivgami marrying him?

Since this is the prequel to Bahubali, all the characters that aren't in Bahubali die or vanish in this book. The characters that appear in Bahubali are given background and history in this series. e.g. How did Bijjaldeva lost his hand? Why Katappa can't be conquered and why is he loyal to Mahishmati? Why did the brothers fight in Bahubali? Etc. Author also ends the book with a sequence that establishes reign of Shivgami in Bahubali.

Why did I read this book? Book 1 & 2 were interesting. 

What I didn't like? Achi Nagamma's last act, trick to stop lava, changes in Bijjaldeva's character. 

What did I like? Everything else. 

Recommend reading.