What happens when the evil forces are getting an upper hand? Will Pradyumna be able to save the Yadu clan and his grandson who is their last hope?

Title-

I really loved the tricky title. It starts making sense when the last few chapters arrive and the mystery which unfolds is of very high quality. The essence of the good and bad we do is brought out in a great manner.

Cover-

I liked the Mor-Pankh, I liked the dark background, which resembled the whole tale in a wider manner but I surely wanted something more, a little bit of Pradyumna maybe, or Maya or maybe a battleground. The cover was serene but a little plain as compare to the story.

Characters-

There were characters in abundance and my God what variety! I had a lot of minds to read and play with. The characters were new and they were not at all boring or extravagant. They were simple characters with some extra powers and very important tasks to perform.

I simply loved Pradyumna for whatever he did and in whatever phase he was. I loved him in Yamlok, I loved him when he adored Maya, and I loved him when he cried for her. I loved his love for his father, I loved his heroism, and I loved his extra powers.

From other major characters I loved Maya of course. She was a true mirror of a woman, she was powerful, supportive and aggressive and not to forget lovable and caring. The part of the book where she summoned women in the courtroom showed her excellence.

I liked Kali because he was a very strong antagonist and the last speech he gave showed how the evil persists in the world.

From the minor characters I loved Ajaya. All the Maya created by him was mysterious and superb. Also I liked Koka and Vikoka and their powers, Alakshmi and all the illusions she created, Hasmukha and his unmatched friendship and Vikarna for his heroic deeds.

Narration-

There is nothing much to say about the narrative powers of the author. I could travel with the words and feel the fire through the incidents. All the major movements in the story were given a lot of emphasis and the minute detailing with all the names and godly figures were shown with utter brilliance. I loved the fact that there were pauses before any major movement too. Loved the chapter names, they were not phrases but a collective abbreviation of what is about to come.

Review-

Who thought that there was a story even after the Pandavs defeated the Kauravs? After the rage of Bheem I thought that the fire of redemption was all done but some books bring incidents of a different dimension altogether. The Secret of God’s Son has touched a magnificent phase of Krishna’s life. It is my first book in the series.

Frankly I didn’t even know who Pradyumna and Samba were and after reading the book I didn’t remember that I hadn’t even heard of them. With powerful imagery and a great balance of evil and good the book reached the vantage point with some peerless narration, exuberant characters and a traditional yet fanciful tale of a great warrior.

In the start of this great saga I was perplexed with all the new names and incidents because I had never heard any of them. I was prepared for reading another Mahabharata but that shore was left long back by the author; she was rowing to reach another end.

The mist cleared with the incident of Vikarna’s doom. This journey of Pradyumna was embossed with pearls. And that was the very point that the book really became engrossing. I really enjoyed the scenes that were portrayed to show Yama’s palace and his workers.

Further I liked how things progressed in a genuine manner and not just for the sake of completion. The pauses which the author took in between the heavy tale to narrate some folklore were very gripping and interesting. The middle portion of the book was quite fun to read. There were really dark and mysterious corners in the chapters. I knew that with the addition of Kali, the story was about to reach some other tangent. And I was not disappointed.

There were drastic changes in the surroundings and the most crucial part was the images which Krishna sees of his old days. It transported me back to the time of Krishna mischievous life in Vrindavan. I could feel the pain of Krishna.

There is one more noteworthy fact: the author treated even Shiva and Krishna as simple characters. Their traits as Destroyer and Preserver were shown clearly. The dialogues exchanged between Balrama and Krishna were really touching and the minute details hidden behind all that happens placed an extra cherry on everything.

War is always the most important part in such stories. The sorcery involved in this particular war was something worth reading. Let it be Pradyumna hearing the conversation of the devils or Maya saving everything or Ajaya’s fiery battle with Alakshmi and not to forget the realization of Pradyumna and the final combat, everything was par excellence.

And finally the great long speech by Pradyumna, it felt I am also in the midst of all the people who are disturbed and want some solace.

Summing up- The book is something different and totally worth a try. It has everything which the books written today lack. A precise balance of elements is maintained by the author and I thoroughly enjoyed the new tales of post Mahabharata.

Eye-catchers-

• “We are bound by our destiny, living out our lives inside a circle formed by a snake holding its tail in its mouth.”

• “…kama did not mean lust but compassion for all life.”

• “…our greatest enemies are, in fact, the doubts that live within us.”

• “…they knew that without demons, mankind will not need Gods either. Nor will they follow the righteous path.”

• “…it is what you make of your life that determines whether you are a destroyer or a redeemer. Your destiny depends on whether you choose hate or love.”

Turn-on’s-

• A balanced approach.

• Great imagery.

• A nice blend of sorcery along with the magnificence of Gods.

• The love between Maya and Pradyumna and the last section when he explains the requisite points to Lord Ganesha.

Recommendation-

Whether you are a mythology lover or not, this book is a must read for literature lovers and also those who are bored of common storylines and mundane messages.