"Agniputr: When Agni First Spoke" by Vadhan

A fiery castle in a well-designed cover, a mythological and full of suspense colophon, but most importantly Bloomsbury  (I still love reading Harry Potter), I set to immerse myself in the book that I wanted to read for a really long time. Indeed, the first three pages were enough to blow me away.

Book Blurb

When ace lawyer, Raghuram Surya, received an order of requisition from the Government of India for his ancestral castle, he was unaware of the Sutram beneath it or his own legacy. 

He will have to choose between the world’s end or his own.

Before long, the lawyer takes on India’s most powerful politician, Kiromal, a man utterly obsessed with power. Kiromal and his sinister Tantric advisor intend to use the evil beneath the castle to play God.

Raghuram finds an ally in Sheila, a scientist who is tasked to investigate the Sutram. Using Quantum science to interpret a Vedic verse, they have to unravel the secrets of creation to stop the destruction. Through it all, they have to be one step ahead of Kiromal just to stay alive. 

Now is the time of final reckoning. Will Kiromal harness the evil to rule the world? 

Or will the Sutram break free to eradicate the planet? 

Or, are Raghuram and Sheila merely pawns in an even deadlier game?

Overall Verdict:- An engaging multi-genre read

“Agniputr..” interweaves genres of mythology, fiction, suspense, political thriller, fantasy, sci-fi and more to give us a story that keeps us occupied throughout the book. 

We have the unspeakable apocalyptic beneath-the-earth evil “Sutram” which is biding its time.   Fear and death surround it, as every now and then someone dies and disappears. Sheila and Raghuram Surya want to destroy it and thwart the powerful politician Govind Kiromal and his Tantric advisor who want to harness it to become all-powerful. 

The book is written in a third person narrative. The pace and the storyline keep you engrossed wanting for more. There are times where the sequences so abrupt and sudden that you might be tempted to see if you have missed something. But going forward everything settles in and you are able to connect the dots. The ending felt rushed and it could have been written at the same pace as with the rest of the book. 

The characters are well written and you are able to visualize them effortlessly. Personally, I felt that the antagonists were comparatively well written than the protagonists. Govind Kiromal and the Tantriks play their part flawlessly. There are times where Sheila’s sudden mood swings hamper the flow. Also, some normal life sequences might seem too rushed, especially when it comes to the chemistry between Raghu and Sheila. An occasional chunk here and there, Raghuram Surya is able to execute his part well. None of the supportive characters are overused.

Overall the author is able to successfully deliver a story that keeps you on the edge and captures your attention throughout.

For Vadhan’s gripping diversified genre combo my overall rating would be 4/5.

Book can be found at Amazon & Flipkart

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads