The guardians of karma by Mohan Vizhakat

"The guardians of karma" by Mohan Vizhakat. This book is published by Shrishti publishers & distributers in 2013 and has 315 pages.

More than 10,000 years ago, global warming is causing increase in sea levels and landmasses & islands are going under water. There is a tension between Dev and Daitya empires. War is inevitable. Bhishma Monk (Warrior Monk) Hara and his guru Parashu, followers of the Bhishma order (An ancient order instituted by Ganga putra Bhishmacharya) are on a secret mission to the Daitya capital Atlantapuri and Tripura palaces.

What is the secret mission? Will the Bheeshma monks succeed? Will there be romance? What happens to Tripura and Atalantapuri? Who are Dev and Daitya?

Author calls this book, a mythological science fiction. And that it is. The concept that the ancient civilizations were more technologically advanced than today is not new. Author has used this concept and topped it with extraterrestrial presence, legend of Tripura, advanced weaponry like laser and atomic weapons, genetic engineering, spirituality, new extremist religion, karmic path and basic human emotions to weave a very interesting story. I would give full marks to author for thinking of and writing a mythological science fiction. All the magic and superpowers of Gods are shown as scientific advancement.

The legend of an advanced civilization prospering on an island that eventually went under water, destroying the civilization, appears in various countries. Atlantis in Greek mythology, Dwaraka in Indian mythology, Canoli in South American mythology all are based on same legend. Mohan has applied this legend to the mythological tale of Tripura in this book.

Characterization is good. Impact of global warming and increasing sea levels on human life is relevant even in today's time. The story drags on a few occasions but keeps you interested. Sometimes author could not resist the temptation of giving a sermon.

The book lunges into action from the first page without preamble. Character of the monk Hara is based on God Shankar and that of Uma on Parvati. Indra, Brahaspati, Vashishta, Prahlad, Mahishasur, Narakasur etc also make appearance.

The book cover is futuristic but it appears more like a comic cover. Could have been better. It's a book with small font. It must have reduced the number of pages by about 50.

It's a longish book based on a legend woven with mythology to create a science fiction.

Recommend reading.

Deep Storm by Lincoln Child

"Deep Storm" by  Lincoln Child. This book is published by Random House USA in 2008 and has 419 pages. It's a science fiction.

Dr Peter Crane is engaged on a short, special and secret assignment by US government. He is taken to an oil platform called Storm King, in Atlantic. He finds out that the platform is not managed by oil company but by US Navy (Headed by Admiral Spartan) and scientists (Headed by Dr. Asher). After signing secrecy agreements, he is taken to a facility located below the platform embedded in the ocean bed. The facility is called Deep Storm and is 12 storey deep. He is given an indication that they have found Atlantis. Deep storm is drilling into Earth's crust to reach Mohorovicic discontinuity and retrieve something that is transmitting signals. While drilling they encounter small discs that float in air, at the center of the room they are in, and emit light. They are called centinels.

Inhabitants of Deep Storm are facing medical problems ranging from vomiting to lack of concentration to insomnia to psychological issues. Dr. Crane is tasked to find out the root cause. His experience as diagnostician of mysterious deceases under stressful circumstances is considered his unique qualification. There is an attempted sabotage that would destroy Deep Storm under ocean water pressure.

Dr. Asher is close to decoding the message transmitted by centinels. He succeeds but his chamber catches fire and he dies, his laptop burned.

Is this a sabotage too? What is the message? Can Dr Crane find it? Does he get help? Will this drilling help humanity? What is the buried secret?

The book fantasizes about other world civilizations that are far more advanced than humans. Lincoln Child has lured the readers into the realm of sci-fi easily. Unless you know, you do not recognize the story as sci-fi in the beginning. It may also be because the writing style at the start of the book is Clive Cusslerish.

With the way this story was poised at half way mark, there were numerous possibilities to take the story to a different level of imagination, but the author appears to have taken less imaginative route. Thus the climax does not live upto the heightened expectations of readers. The book falters towards the end. It is a Sci-fi and happens under water, so there is a lot of medical and technical jargon. Authors research in that matter is evident.

An OK book. You can give it a miss.

Temple of the Gods by Andy McDermott

"Temple of the Gods" by Andy McDermott. This is 8th book of Nina Wild series.

The story starts in Zimbabwe where Eddy spirits away a prisoner in search of his enemy Staiks to prove his innocence.

He then reaches Japan where, the sky scraper he is in, is attacked and destroyed. He manages to save Nina but escapes with the three mysterious purple statutes that can channel earth energy.

Individuals and organizations are trying to obtain the statutes, the sky stone (no one knows where it is) and Nina, essential ingredients of channeling earth energy.

Where is the sky stone? Can Nina find it? Does Eddy save her again? Can Eddy patch up with his father? What happens to sky stone? Who gets control of earth energy?

Andy McDermott's books follow a set pattern. Dr Nina Wild (President of International Heritage Association) and Eddy Chase (ex SIS), who are also husband and wife, go in search of something ancient or some legend. There's always a mysterious organization that tries to stop them for one reason or another. There is lot of fighting, blood bath and numerous deaths. Fights are always action packed. Eddy always gets help from his beautiful female friends who are spread all over the world. Eventually they succeed in their mission.

This book is so full of action that you think you are watching final fighting of a movie for the entire duration. Andy has tried to close a number of open ends from his previous books and has brought an important thread to conclusion. This book is in line with and in the same style as other books of this series, fast paced, action packed and full of witty sarcasm.

A decent book. Read it only if you have read previous books of this series, if you have not read previous books you can not correlate and will not like it.