9 Must Read Mythological Books
When we talk about India and its culture, mythology holds a very strong position. We’ve grown up watching many renditions of our mythological books. We have also been listening to our elders recite quotes from them trying to impart knowledge and moral behavior.
Mythological books emerged as a very interesting and intriguing genre in the field of writing. We see new authors coming up with refreshing new ideas of how these age-old mythical stories could be written in today’s dynamic setting. With the many gods and goddesses, kings and queens, princes and princesses, instilled in our childhood memories it has become ever so exciting to pick up the next best book that caters to our never-ending imagination and feeds our hunger of more such tales of old times.
So, today WarPaint Journal brings to you the 9 must-read mythological fiction novels, written by Indian authors that are loved by all and few that break barriers of imagination and creativity.
The Palace of Illusion, By Chitra Banerjee Devakumari
The retelling of Mahabharta from Panchali/Draupadi’s perspective. The Palace of Illusions is pretty unique in its approach. It sums up the epic in 360 pages with a perspective that many mythology enthusiasts would love to read that is from the woman around whom everything was happening. When we read Mahabharata we wonder what Draupadi would be feeling in those circumstances of her forced marriage to five. Or when she was put on stake in a chess game that went south. This book deals with her side of the story. A great read for Mythological books on series.
Buy it Here: The Palace of Illusion
‘Shiva Trilogy’ by Amish Tripathi
The most talked-about Shiva mythological fiction is the Shiva Trilogy by Amish Tripathi. He is known for his storytelling and lucid writing. The way he brings fiction into Shiva’s story and weaves such an engaging narrative is commendable. Every mythology fan must read this trilogy. Are you a Shiva fan?
What’s in these three books?
In The Immortals of Meluha, the Tibetan immigrant, Shiva is the only hope of the Chandravanshi’s against the evil.
The Secret of Nagas shows Shiva as God, the destroyer of evil! Now set to find the door of the Nagas with vengeance in his mind but nothing is what it seems to be.
The third in the series, The Oath of the Vayuputras, is the final showdown between the destroyer of evil and his enemy who is feared by all.
Buy it Here: Shiva Trilogy
Also, Read Must-Know Facts About Lord Shiva
‘ The Liberation of Sita’ By Volga
If you love Sita or strong women, you HAVE to read this book. Volga’s Liberation of Sita is a very distinct take on Sita’s character. The book is available in various languages. In this book, Sita goes around meeting other female mythical characters like Surpnakha, Renuka, Urmila, and others. Through conversations with these women and listening to their stories, Sita finds her own way which resonates with the story of Ramayana too.
Ajaya, Epic of the Kaurva Clan By Anand Neelakanth
This series has Roll of the Dice and Rise of Kali as the first two books.
The retelling of Mahabharata from Duryodhan’s perspective, this duology presents an elaborate plot, a different set of eyes registering the events of the epic. The writing too just flows. One should read this for its unique narrative.
Asur: Tale of the Vanquished by Anand Neelakanth
We have read Ramayana from Ram’s perspective, Sita’s perspective. Asura tells the tale from the side that lost the battle. Asura’s, the declining clan, saw Ravana as a young leader and their only hope for development and prosperity. One such person, Bhadra narrates the story from his and Ravana’s perspective. That’s what makes this book different from the others written around a similar plot.
Dharmayoddha Kalki: Avatar of Vishnu By Kevin Missal
The author tells the story of Kalki, the 10th Avatar of Vishnu, as a hero, the one we all are waiting for since Krishna told the prophecy. The characters, the plot, the writing! Everything fits perfectly. It’s a feel-good book with thrill. and the wow moments are brilliant.
The second book in the series is to release soon so get your hands on this one before the next is out!
‘The Rise of Hastinapur Series’ By Sharath Komarajju
The series starts with The Winds of Hastinapur depicting the tale of Ganga and her struggle with each of her seven kids dead. While the eight one left who will determine the future of Hastinapur, and Satyavati, who lures Shantanu into marrying her with the dream of making all her sons future kings.
The second in the series, The Rise of Hastinapur puts forth the story of Amba being setback by men who conspire against her. Kunti puts everything at stake to free her brother Vasudev and Gandhari with her dilemma to marry the bling prince of Hastinapur in order to save her motherland. This is Mahabharata like never before, believe us!!
The third installment, The Queens of Hastinapur, as the name suggests revolves around the different female characters.
- Gandhari’s attempts to secure her position to be the future queen.
- Pritha trying to make a place in her husband.
- Pandu’s, heart when he has taken a second wife.
On the other hand, Kamsa making all efforts to take control over Mathura. A strong retelling of the mythological books Mahabharata with a touch of fantasy and fiction.
The Krishna Key By Ashwin Sanghi
With this book, Ashwin Sanghi weaves historical fiction with mythology at its foundation. A young rich boy grows up believing he is the tenth avatar of Vishnu and ends up being a serial killer. He is out executing people with his thought-out schemes in the name of God that looks like a conspiracy to expose an ancient secret. A historian now sets out to find Krishna’s prized possession in the submerged remains of Dwarka, to a Vrindavan temple destroyed by Aurangzeb. A sublime blend of history and mythology are woven together by fiction.
Karan’s Wife: The Outcast’s Queen’ By Kavita Kane
Different from other books on this aspect of Mahabharata, Karna’s wife is a story told from Uruvi’s perspective, Karna’s wife. Karna was always considered an outcast, more like the unsung hero of the epic.
This particular story brings forth Karna in the image. Uruvi, a Kshatriya princess who falls in love with Karna and chooses him over Arjun, comes to terms with the social implication of her marriage with Karna and finds herself helpless over his blind allegiance to Duryodhana. She is a spectator of the epic battle and the twists and turns Karna’s fate takes along with.
A new refreshing perspective to Karna’s side of the story in this mythological books.
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