Ambuj by Anita Shirodkar

​"Ambuj" by Anita Shirodkar- Soft landing !

This book is published by The writer palace in 2019 and has 352 pages. This is Book 3 of “Guardians of the blue lotus” series.

Flash back: Madhumalli is born under black star. She has to fulfill her destiny. Ambujakshan has decided to conduct Mahadhipatya Kalpa.

Present times: Aryavir has returned victorious to Kamalkund. Sitanshu is on his way to fight Queen X’ia as he is the Chosen One. Chitrangada is now the regent of Mandala. A half wit beggar enters Sitanshu’s head and gives him a secret mantra. 

Why was Madhumalli not married to Ambujakshan? Will Queen X’ia use Mahavidhvamsha Astra? Can Sitanshu save the old world? Who are the five unknowns? Who is Paramangada?

This book takes the story forward. Aryavir has limited role to play. The story repeatedly delves into the past, in the times of King Ambujakshan (Aryavir’s grandfather), and tells us the story from the past that answers some of the question that remained  unanswered in previous books like Why did Chandrabha appoint Chiraksh as king instead of her own sons? Why is Queen X’ia of Ch’in determined to annihilate old world? Who is Manas? Etc.

The story is free flowing but slower and less intriguing than previous two books. New characters are introduced. Book 2 ended with a big war with X’ia of Ch’in looming large. But this war is not the real deal in this book. It’s the coming of war, can Sitanshu fulfill his destiny and the events in past that occupy major portion of the book. The war between X’ia and Sitanshu is relatively a non event. It’s disappointing. In the review of Book 2, I had mentioned that the author may need a fourth book to close the story. Well, she doesn’t require the fourth book because the war doesn’t really ‘happen’. 

Title of the book is Ambuj. But contrary to the first two books he is not really the hero. Ambuj was born with a Devine sign of blue lotus on his shoulder but apart from the Mahadhipatya Kalpa (for which he is criticized by all), he doesn’t do much. Then there is another Ambuj who practically does nothing. 

Author ends the book on a curious note. If she wants, she can write another trilogy as a sequel trilogy. Does she plan to do so? Who knows?

Author has created a new 'old world'. Kamalkund is the kingdom of Kamalakshi clan, who have blue lotus eyes. Indivara is the humongous blue lotus in existence for 999 years and Lord Padmaksha is believed to reside in it. All people in the Old World pray to Ishv, the formless one. The geography of old world and Ch’in is loosely based on Indian subcontinent. 

Author has given three family trees (Kamalakshis, Chandraketus and Pahadvis) and map of old world at the beginning of the book. This was a much needed accessory to correlate all the names,  their relations and the geography and movements.

Author should have given a short summary of previous two books for readers like me who have read the previous books in 2018 and this book after a gap of four years. Since summary  was not there it took time for the references of previous story to click and the details to remember. 

All in all it’s a good trilogy. It took off with Aryavir, Soared high with Sitanshu. Author manages soft landing, rather than crash landing, with Ambuj. 

Why did I read this book? First 2 books were good. 

What I didn't like? War with X’ia.  

What did I like? This book is not a disappointment. 

Recommend reading.