Dwandv: The battle for the Gate by Dinkar Goswami

Mandar book review (17th Dec 2021)

"Dwandv: The battle for the Gate" by Dinkar Goswami - A misnomer!

This e-book is independently published in 2021 and has 314 pages. This is Book 1 of the series. 

Gerua (Indian father and American mother) and Kally (caucasian American), beautiful young ladies and best friends, decide on a whim to go to India to learn yog. A yogi warns them to beware of Aghoris. While travelling in Himalayas Kally is lost to evil. Tony (he and Gerua are falling in love) is separated from Gerua. Gerua is taken to a mysterious abode to fulfill a prophecy. She gets a shocking news and her life changes. 

Where does Gerua reach? What is the prophecy? What role is Gerua destined to play? Who took Kally? Which gate is the battle for?

I thought that Gerua and Kally being American had some significance. But there is none. Gerua's work is cut-out. She has to protect Danta, ensure that he reaches the gate and then let him go. Character of Bubba plays the villain and is assisted by Aghori's, pishachchas, asuras etc. The story is mildly interesting. Just enough to not let you abandon the book. 

The title of the book is battle for the gate, so I thought that majority of the book will be the said battle. But that's not the case. The battle is an anti climax. Majority of the book is preparation and journey to the gate. So the title is a misnomer. 

Book cover is stunning. It shows a supple lady with long loose hair wearing yellow dhoti & red kanchuki walking through fire. 

Expect a sequel sometime in future. 

Why did I read this book? Book cover. 

What did I like? Flow.

What I didn't like? Not exciting enough. 

Not a must read.