Scions of Ikshvaku by Amish
If you follow my reviews, whether here or on Goodreads, you’ll know I’m not averse to reading books from other parts of the world. I can say with all honesty that somehow I have failed to read a book from India – until now (well, 2021). Being old and doddery (according to my family), I have no idea where I got the recommendation for this, but it was well worth it.
Set in India circa 3400 BCE, a devastating war allowed the king of Lanka to impose his trade empire upon Sapt Sindhu, bleeding them dry. With the king dead, the heir apparent, Ram, is tortured and exiled. Ram, however, will do anything for his country and, despite numerous attempts on his life, aims to seek help to end Lanka’s rule. The story revolves around Ram and his band of followers as they aim to overthrow Lanka, and it was great. What I liked most about it was that even though it sounds like a million other fantasy novels, it’s told in a somewhat different fashion and has an Indian vibe to it, to the point of it feeling like historical fiction. Ram is an interesting character. He loves his country but feels bound by the letter of the law, making legal judgements that are technically correct but not always the right choice. To help along, his future wife Sita, who is the fire to his ice, constantly questions his decisions to help him make the right one. No weeping willow, she is a skilled archer and holds her own when required. Ram’s brothers play a lesser role and could do with some more depth, but they have their moments. Ram’s guide, a member of a mysterious cult, has his own agenda and we constantly wonder whether he has Sapt Sindhu’s best interests at heart. We only occasionally see Lanka, but he is as dastardly as foretold, but I would like to see more of him in future books and learn his motivations. The setting drips authenticity and there are constant hints of more to be revealed on the horizon. So far, this book is solely rooted in the two main characters – who are worth reading about – which didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book much, but as the series goes forward (it is a completed trilogy) I would like to learn more about the other characters and see other parts of the country.
On a side note, Amish has written other books which some seem to think are better (according to Goodreads), but I am more than happy to recommend this one.
