AgniBaan: Guardians of the fire chamber by S. Venkatesh

​"AgniBaan: Guardians of the fire chamber" by S. Venkatesh - Mytho-thriller!

This book is published by TreeShade books in 2021 and has 336 pages. 

535 CE: A young guardian of the fire chamber from Egypt travels East to the land of holy rivers with Minew Satey, the Fire Arrow, to protect it from dark forces and to unite with its twin Agnibaan. 

Present day: Dhruv, an out of work Shauryas (Elite unit of Indian Army) special agent has a chance encounter with Megha, a nerdy historian. US Presidential elections are around the corner. The favorite is assassinated. A dastardly attack in Arunachal Pradesh kills 180 Indian soldiers. Australian, American and Japanese submarines are destroyed during Quad military exercise. There is an EMP attack on Delhi. 

Is China behind this? Why target India? Where is Agnibaan? Who is behind all this? Who is the head of dark order?

It’s a typical mytho-thriller where an object from past, that has immense powers, becomes the center of attraction in present times. There is a dark side, who has lot of resources, looking for it and then there are good guys, few but determined, who fight against all odds and save the world.  The object here is Agnibaan. He who controls the Agnibaan, will control the world. 

Identity of the chief of dark side is supposed to be the big secret and it’s revelation is supposed to give a jolt to the readers. However, the identity is poorly concealed here. I could identify the person by the end of the chapter in which the character is introduced.

There are loose ends too. What was the need to unite Fire Arrow with Agnibaan? Isn’t it more sensible to keep them separate and halve the risk of falling into wrong hands? Were Fire Arrow and Agnibaan in the fire chamber? What’s the outcome of American Presidential elections? Why is Agnibaan called so when there’s no baan (arrow) in it?

The climax happens in the jungles of Sunderban in Bengal. Dense jungle, heavy rains, nature’s fury, crocodile, Bengal Tigers, villains, cyclone, land-devouring sea etc. create a perfect backdrop for the action filled climax. Although long, the climax is good except the very end. You get wet, feel the attacking sea while reading. This climax is written for a movie. 

Why did I read this book? Title.

What I didn't like? The very end of climax, loose ends. 

What did I like? Rest of the climax. 

Recommend reading.