Way of the Rakshasa by Deepak Thomas

"Way of the Rakshasa" by Deepak Thomas - Digression from main story?

This book is published by Astra Media OPC Private Ltd in 2023 and has 378 pages. This is Book 2 of The Epic of Kautilya.

Story of Adi's birth is revealed. How his father and mother were killed by Rakshasa Prime. Kautilya comes to know how Druma and Yama saved and raised Adi. A Rakshasa approaches Adi and Kautilya and informs that his father is alive and promises to take them to Adi's father. They evade Druma, Yama, Sara and Nina and reach Lankapuram. There he finally meets his father. They reach Rakshasa lands from there.

Why did Rakshasa Prime kill Adi's father? Who killed Adi's mother? Who is Adi's father? 

This book is less about Kautilya and more about Adi, the half Rakshasa and half Demigod. In this book, Kautilya and Adi finally accept their love for each other. Adi decides to stay in Rakshasa lands but Kautilya doesn't. When Rakshasas attack Danavas in Lankapuram, Adi and his friends are on opposite sides.

This book is about Adi's identity conflict. He finds himself closer to Rakshasa, which distances him from his friends. Rakshasa Prime becomes close to him which distances him from Kautilya. On one side are people of his kind and on other side love. Kautilya and her friends are helpless. The can't fight him and they can't be with him.

This book is not as exciting as the first one. The story digresses from the story of Kautilya. The story of the throne of Bharat is sidelined. One wonders if author has overemphasized the Adi angle?

Another book is yet to be published. 

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

What did I like? Story of Adi's birth and the deception.

What I didn't like? Digression from main story.

Read if you plan to read the series, otherwise give it a miss.