Dharmayoddha Kalki - Avatar of Vishnu by Kevin Missal

​"Dharmayoddha Kalki - Avatar of Vishnu" by Kevin Missal - Slow burn. 

This book is published by Fingerprint! Publishing  in 2018 and has 464 pages. This is Book 1 of the Kalki series. 

Story starts with Kali making a pact with tribals (Naga led by Vasuki and his sister Manasa, Yaksha led by Kuvera and Rakshasa led by Raktapa) against Manav king Vedanta. Kalki, a strapping young man in village Shambhala unifies the villagers against Durukti, Kali’s sister. Kali is the Adharma and a very powerful one. Kalki is the designated Dharma but hasn’t gained powers. It’s the job of  his friends to keep him safe until then. 

Kripacharya (the Guru), Arjun (Kalki’s younger brother), Bala (His powerful friend), Lakshmi (Kalki’s love interest), Ratri (Lakshmi’s aunt), Padma (a rebel) and Shuko (the parrot) are the characters that assist Kalki. But not everyone survives. 

It’s a story full of intrigue, politics, one up man ship, betrayal, assassinations, greed, power and politics. There is soma, the elixir and then there’s destiny. 

Here Yaksha, Naga, Rakshas are tribes that are alienated from mainstream humans known as Manavs. They are not a different species. 

Concept of Soma is also interesting. It’s a tasteless, odorless blue l

iquid contained in soma stones. It is elixir for those who can sustain it and poison to others. 

The story has too many deaths. At least 5-6 important characters die. You start thinking that this character will play important role in the series and it dies. Is anyone reminded of Game of Thrones? Wonder if author will bring new characters for remaining two books of the trilogy. 

This being a mytho-fantasy I expected it to be an high octane affair but it turned out to be a Slow burn instead. 

Why did I read this book? Blurb.

What I didn't like? Pace. 

What did I like? Concept.  

Read if you want to read the series.