Book Review #73: Scion of Ikshvaku - Ramachandra Series Book 1

Title: Scion of Ikshvaku

Author: Amish Tripathi

Published Year: 2015

Publishers – Westland Publishers

Genre – Mythological Fiction

Pages – 350+ (Paperbound)

Source – Personal Copy

There are many version of Ramayana being told over the many centuries past and present, yet, whenever any new version of the tale is being foretold; it gives us altogether a new meaning and a new way of looking at our epic. This book by the well acclaimed author Amish Tripathi (The Shiva Trilogy famed) does scores some good points. This is a new, refreshing and brilliantly imagined novel. This is the first novel in this series and may be a couple more to follow. The humane version of the characters is a new thought. May be the author might have inspired from the other existing novels where these attempts have been made.

This is a fast paced book. The characters description is made well and each character were given its due space and credits. The protagonist Ram and the story behind his birth and background are imagined quite brilliantly. Whoever thinks that, the beloved Son of Dasharatha is actually hated by Dasharatha himself? (Spoilers alert). Well, to be able to digest these kind of new thinking requires a mind where we are not ought to juxtapose this novel with the actual epic where Ram and Dasharath has shared an unique camaraderie. The other stories regarding Rama’s brothers such as Lakshmana, Bharat, and Shatrughan are quite the same, except for the fact that, all their upbringing and childhood days are new thoughts and experimenting.

The plot setup in this novel is not the existing epic story. It is quite opposite to what we are so far believed as truly happened. The role of Guru Vashista in educating our protagonist and his brothers are quite an interesting section to read. It is believed that, the princes of any kingdom are not to reveal their true identity at their Gurukul. Hence, Ram and his brothers were learning in incognito and with different names than their actual given names.

As the book progresses further, we get to see the mastery of Amish in blending the current society problems with that of the Vedic period. Who can possibly imagine that, the gory incident of Delhi gang rape will find a place in this book? It is just brilliant and I was impressed at the sheer magnitude of Author’s brilliant work here.

Depicting Rishi Vishwamitra as a descendent of Naga clan and thereby connecting the story to his Shiva Trilogy is just awesome. The killing of the Rakshasas such as Subhahu, Tadaka and the way Ramchandra deals it in his own way is something unexpected. Kudos to the author!!

Sita Swayamvar is another section in the novel where the story takes it major twist and turns. The story behind the bow Pinaka (The Shiva-Dhanussu) is an interesting section to read. The Bees tower kind of city being imagined at the capital of Mithila city is truly an interesting point. Sita being the chief of Police in the Mithila Kingdom is another new aspect in the story. The humiliation faced by Ravana in the Swayamvar and the way it was dealt is pictured brilliantly. The Daivi-Astras from the Shiva Trilogy finds a place in this novel where Ram had to use it on the troops of Ravana though it is prohibited to use. Thereby, Ram imposes himself a punishment which I am not revealing it in this review as it contains spoilers!! (This is the stage where the next whole section of the story takes it turn).

There are few things which could be well avoided. For example, the story is being set in 3400 BCE and the metric system the author uses to measure distances in Kilometers!! Also, he often uses the country name as India where many characters discusses. I believe India is relatively a new term and he could’ve used either Bharat or Hindustan. Other than this, the novel is exceptionally good.

The rest of the novel can be read with ease and there are quite a bit of incidents where it is the pure imagination of the author’s work. One must read the book to understand it completely. I liked the book as it gives us a new, refreshing and, riveting story. I am sure, Amish lives up to the expectations that he had created in this first book from the series. I can't wait to read the sequel of this.

My Rating:

4.5/5