Firekeepers of Jwalapuram by Vamsee Juluri

"Firekeepers of Jwalapuram" by Vamsee Juluri - Journey al the way!

This book is published by Westland in 2020 and has 328 pages. This is Book 2 of 'Kishkindha chronicles'. 

There is fire somewhere in the sea and there are big waves. People are forced to retreate. There is insistent rain that is making people and plants sick. Hanuman and Vishwamitra go in search of Sage Agastya. Vali is still missing. Riksharaja is executing a sinister plot. Vaishnavi's land is attacked by creatures without balances (tails). They eat 'Matter'. Kamadhenus are their only hope. 

What is Riksharaja planning? How will Sugreev respond? What will Hanuman do? How can Kamadhenus help?

This book is about journey. Hanuman and Vishwamitra journey in search of Sage Agastya towards Jwalapuram. Hanuman journeys in search of Kamadhenus. Vaishnavi and Vasishtha journey towards her home, then to fire temple.  Both of them and Jambavant journey to the temple of ruler of universe. Riksharaja journeys in search of something. The creatures journey towards south. Most of the story happens in journey. 

The story is slow. Very slow. It becomes boring. I felt like abandoning the book many times but I persevered. There is a hint of action. But action never happens. There isn't even resistance. Everything is left to Goddess Saraswati. Story ends with preamble for the next book. 

Hanuman is wise. Vaishnavi has a spark. Jambavant has restraint. Vasishtha is quirky.  Sugreev is utterly helpless. Riksharaja is scheming. Ruma is a survivor. Vali is Vali.

I was amazed when I read the first book 'Saraswati's intelligence' of the series. It heightened my expectations. But this book falls woefully short. Not sure if I will read third book. 

AVOID

Why did I read this book? First book was good. 

What I didn't like? Pace. 

What did I like? Umm....