Book Title: Ashwatthama’s Redemption: The Rise of Dandak
Author: Gunjan Porwal
Format: Paper Back

Book Title:
The title of the book is ‘Ashwatthama’s Redemption: The Rise of Dandak’

Book Cover:
The cover of the book is a digital painting of the story’s torchbearer Ashwattama. His forehead is covered by his hair but the face reflects the anger. A giant and masculine body covered with a huge armour. A bow in one hand and another hand with the tightly closed wrist, which clearly depicts that he is ready for the war or already in it.

Plot:

Ashwatthama, the great warrior with a gem on his forehead. He is also called as an incarnation of Lord Shiva and also said as immortal with no hunger, thirst, and weariness. He fought against the Pandavas in Kurukshetra. He is the son of Guru Drona. During the Kurukshetra, Bhima ends the life of an elephant named Ashwatthama and make Drona believe that his son died in the war. Dhrishtadyumna, the brother of Draupadi who is on Pandavas side beheads the sage Drona. In the fury and anger, Ashwattama does a treacherous act which will perturb and exasperate Lord Krishna and curse him. He takes out the gem from his forehead and curses him to wander in the world without dying till the world ends. It is still believed that he is roaming till date with a wound on his head and with a huge warrior-like persona.

Coming to the plot, Ashwattama who is now living a hollow life, ramble in the Kairali forest like a wanderer with despair. One day, one of his friends Vikram from the Surparaka kingdom approaches him with an important task about Dandak, an asura. The asura who is hiding in the Patal Lok(underworld) is expected to come bad to take away the peace on the earth. Somehow he will get convinced by the king Vikram and starts his new journey to kill the demon.

What are the circumstances he will face during this period? Will he be able to find his strengths back leaving his dreadful past behind? Who will he meet in his journey? Will he be able to kill the Dandak, the asura? Well, you need to read this fascinating story ‘Ashwatthama’s Redemption: The Rise of Dandak’.

What I like:

As most of the readers know the story of Mahabharata, Ashwattama is also a remarkable character in it and almost competitive with other characters. Recently, I have come across many books on Hindu mythological characters. The authors have focused on the characters which we think are not important. But making Ashwattama as the protagonist, Gunjan Porwal has made a great and an unusual effort. We can see the two sides of the character here and it is portrayed excellently.

What I didn’t like:
The one who loves to read the mythological stories will never find a flaw in them. In particular, there are no negatives points in it. If you completely enjoy the fantasy, just read it which will take you to the other world.


Characters:
The way Ashwattama molded his life is portrayed nicely and how he gained his strengths and other stuff will convince you. The author has done a great job with the other characters as well. All the characters will embark an impression in your mind.

Narration:
The narration of all the story is very well done and it will grasp the minds of the readers

Language & Grammar:
A clear language with neat and uncomplicated grammar is used in the book

My Final Verdict:
The reader will end up having a great experience of reading a fantastic book.

Book Title: 4/5
Book Cover: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Narration: 4/5
Language & Grammar: 4/5
Final Rating: 4/5 ( )

First of all thanks to the author for sending me the free copy for a honest review. This book is about 2 kings Vikram and Rana with aswatthama and Urmila being protagonists and dandak, Vidyut and raktjiva being the antagonists. This story also has the information of the greatest war Mahabharata, which is very good for the readers to get the information. This story makes villain of Mahabharata a hero that is Ashwatthama. This story is about dandak coming back from dead as same as voldemort in Harry Potter. Vikram Ashwatthama and Rana try to finish dandak before he rises. For finishing dandak they need Rama's bow kodanda. So finding the kodanda is the first half of the book and then how they confront Vidyut and raktjiva is the other 2nd part. The only disappoint is this book too joins the long list of waiting for the second book. And don't know when it will be released. Author has used very simple language and never felt difficult to read the book. Overall very good book but waiting for the second book and making the wait long for completing the story is the only fallback of this book. Overall very good Goodread... 😊 ( )