Well.. first of all, a big thanks again to Blogadda for providing me this opportunity to review the latest book from the arsenal of Ashwin Sanghi, The Krishna Key.
Background:
Ashwin Sanghi, as it is being referred to for some time now, is the Dan Brown of Indian adventure, and this book puts a stamp on it. :) After two bestselling titles, Rozabal Line (2007) and Chanakya's Chant (2010), The Krishna Key (2012) is his 3rd book, all of them under adventure genre.
Characters:
Prof. and Historian Ravi Mohan Saini is the protagonist of this novel. Juvenile Priya is his associate. History is in their genes. Then comes Inspector Radhika, a toughened-up cop after family loss and her subordinate Rathore. Other characters who play important roles at times are Taarak Vakil, the villian, and a CBI director with grey shades.
Various mini characters (historians and scientists, mainly) have their share too in providing the historical, mystical and mysterious flavor to the story. The reader will like them in regard to the shape their involvement with the protagonists gives to the story.
Not all characters are well-established but such ain't missed as the story has its own pace to follow.
Story:
In author's own words: "Five thousand years ago, there came to earth a magical being called Krishna, who brought about innumerable miracles for the good of mankind. Humanity despaired of its fate if the Blue God were to die but was reassured that he would return in a fresh avatar when needed in the eventual Dark Age - the Kaliyug. In modern times, a poor little rich boy grows up believing that he is that final avatar. Only, he is a serial killer."
This pretext is sufficient enough to guess what is the theme of this novel. Yes, it's a Krishna based story but of modern times. Every chapter begins with a small first-person narrative of Krishna, and then the story in our times continues. It is all about discovery of what precious thing did He leave here on earth when he left/shredded his mortal form some time after the Mahabharata war.
There are so many mythological and historical facts embedded and weaved into the story which most of us had no idea earlier (I did, a li'l bit) of their being into existence. Like the Mahabharata war date has been factually calculated based on simulations; then there are the submerged ruins of Dwarka, among various other important sites including Mt. Kailash, Somnath temple, Mathura, Vrindavan, Kalibangan, Taj Mahal, etc.
The chase and the hunt game pursues as Prof. Saini tries to bring together all the pieces of the historical/mythological puzzle (besides running for his life) and put them together as The Krishna Key to open door for the best kept secrets of Lord Krishna for thousands of years, and not let it fall into the wrong hands of self-serving puny humans.
The chase and the hunt game pursues as Prof. Saini tries to bring together all the pieces of the historical/mythological puzzle (besides running for his life) and put them together as The Krishna Key to open door for the best kept secrets of Lord Krishna for thousands of years, and not let it fall into the wrong hands of self-serving puny humans.
Writing is plain and lucid and chilling. And the end of the story is a welcome conclusion, as much as the journey to the end is thrilling and exciting. :)
Likes:
The amount of research Ashwin has gone into just to make the book authentic and chilling.
Fast paced full-Indian adventure
Twists and turns keep the guessing game at reader's fingertips
Plethora of Indian mythological+factual information for mytho-n-history buffs out there
When history is presented in the form of actual stories and not just plain facts, it adds taste to our reading experience; that's what we get here in this novel most of the times.
When history is presented in the form of actual stories and not just plain facts, it adds taste to our reading experience; that's what we get here in this novel most of the times.
Expectations/Dislikes:
The character of the starting villain (one who assumes believing himself to be the final avatar of Vishnu) who starts out as a dreaded antagonist seems to get lost midway taking orders from his spiritual boss, and gets into the role of a mere side-villain towards the end. Could have been avoided or given a better shape.
Well, nonetheless, the novel is author's treat to us, and I, as a matter of fact, truly loved it, savored it, and devoured it.
Overall, 4.75 out of 5 stars :)
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