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29th out of 126 books
—
55 voters
The Simoqin Prophecies (GameWorld Trilogy #1)
by
Samit Basu (Goodreads Author)
The Simoqin Prophecies marks the debut of an assured new voice. Written with consummate ease and brimming with wit and allusion, it is at once classic SFF and subtle spoof, featuring scantily clad centauresses, flying carpets, pink trolls, belly dancers and homicidal rabbits. Monty Python meets the Ramayana, Alice in Wonderland meets The Lord of the Rings and Robin Hood me...more
Paperback, 512 pages
Published
May 16th 2005
by Penguin Global
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I like fantasy fiction unlike the vast majority of people who think that it's a disreputable form of literature and consider it only for kids.
I liked the book. It brims over with allusions-Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Greek mythology, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, comic books, Arabian Nights etc etc.
The storyline, of course, is fantasy staple diet. There is a Quest, and a Quest needs a Hero, who must go forth with a band of loyal warriors and have many adventures, and Save the World. But Simoqin...more
I liked the book. It brims over with allusions-Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Greek mythology, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, comic books, Arabian Nights etc etc.
The storyline, of course, is fantasy staple diet. There is a Quest, and a Quest needs a Hero, who must go forth with a band of loyal warriors and have many adventures, and Save the World. But Simoqin...more
It took me a little while to get into this book because it starts out slow, and I'm not used to Hindu critter names. It wasn't too long that I was completely absorbed into the book.
I have to admit, I really liked Basu's writing style. It was fun, hilarious, quirky, and epic. As I read through all of the mini adventures the characters went on, I was amazed and drawn in. While much of the time the quests weren't detailed, it was much easier to read that way. Seriously, I'm not a huge fan of books...more
I have to admit, I really liked Basu's writing style. It was fun, hilarious, quirky, and epic. As I read through all of the mini adventures the characters went on, I was amazed and drawn in. While much of the time the quests weren't detailed, it was much easier to read that way. Seriously, I'm not a huge fan of books...more
Finally, an Indian author who writes science fiction/fantasy. And what a novel. With references from various books, ranging from Indian epics like the Ramayan and the Mahabharata to fantasy books like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Eragon to Greek mythology-this book has it all.
The writing is fluid, easy to read and laced with humor. The plot has many central characters, many threads and ever so many leads, and each one is better than the last. Generally speaking, it follows the traditional...more
The writing is fluid, easy to read and laced with humor. The plot has many central characters, many threads and ever so many leads, and each one is better than the last. Generally speaking, it follows the traditional...more
I had given up on contemporary Indian authors, but Samit Basu gives me hope. Surprisingly well written, the book is a parody of your everyday fantasy. With a Dark Lord who's not so dark, a Robin Hood doubling as Lord Rama and princes falling in love with Rakshases, while damsels give knights a run for their money, this book hilariously kills all the stereotypes that your typical Hero story propounds while weaving a very interesting tale of an oncoming war between the forces of Good and Evil (or...more
in 1 word- awesome
Le due profezie di Simoqin stanno per avverarsi: il tiranno Dahn-Gem, signore dei demoni, tornerà a seminare il terrore nelle terre degli uomini, e un eroe arriverà per sconfiggerlo. Ma a volte gli outsider diventano eroi… Pubblicizzato come "Il primo fantasy indiano"; ma l’umorismo che permea questo romanzo è decisamente British, quindi il lettore occidentale si troverà perfettamente a suo agio, e parteciperà divertito al gioco cui l’autore lo invita: riconoscere quanti più riferimenti possibil...more
Very pleasantly fun! I enjoyed all the literary allusions and especially the subversion of scenes from the Ramayana. Clearly the author had a lot of fun with the hero-villain-damsel tropes and so did I. And the world building was meaty enough to make me care and pick up the second and third books as well.
This is one of the most difficult fantasy books to get into. With no name or cult references, no maps and absolutely weird ass character names (and places). Also, the writer fails to provide a detailed description of each creature which again makes it hard to imagine and differentiate from other creatures.
Once you get past the first 50 pages (which will require some motivation) you will start enjoying this book up to the last ten. The writer tried to come up with some out of the world ending bu...more
Once you get past the first 50 pages (which will require some motivation) you will start enjoying this book up to the last ten. The writer tried to come up with some out of the world ending bu...more
A very underrated author.. Lucky for me i picked up this book randomly from the library. Hilarious spoofs on everyone from Aladdin to Lord of the Rings to Robin hood and a brilliant story. Must read for a good laugh and a great story !
I give it 4, because it was really the first of its kind. Though Samit comfortably stole ideas from Pratchett, and a huge chunk of it is mostly parody, I think he still did a good job or at least he dared to.
Never thought an Indian writer could write such a detailed fantasy book. A very good book with so many creatures and a decent story that you will never get bored. The first few chapters were a difficult to pass with so many characters getting introduced but after 60-100 pages, the book is un-putdownable.
Also the ending was a very good surprise. I am not sure how the lead characters are going to become in the second book. ****spoiler this line***** It looked like Heroes are going to become villi...more
Also the ending was a very good surprise. I am not sure how the lead characters are going to become in the second book. ****spoiler this line***** It looked like Heroes are going to become villi...more
A truly marvellous read. Basu has a great sense of humour and you can easily guess where the inspiration comes from.
it takes so much of all we know.. pishachis, trolls, Ram and heros and makes a good read of it all...
Clichéd but nevertheless a fine narration. Very surprised to see stuff like this from an Indian author.
Loved the first line, which was reminiscent of The Hobbit, but from there it was downhill all the way. It wasn't bad, just disappointing. Instead of being the thrilling fantasy it promised, it felt rather contrived and was definitely put-downable.
Fast paced, quirky, exciting and unusual fantasy. Highly recommended.
Excellent. Marvelous. Exceeded my expectations. Gonna buy the next two ASAP.
Superb mystic magical read from an Indian author. Kudos!
Feb 15, 2009
Claire S
marked it as to-read
Shelves:
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ever-young,
fiction,
thtr-art-film-music-etc,
global,
g_india-and,
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sci-fi-f_
Samit's website: http://samitbasu.com/
Best book of the series . Fresh, funny
Well written but not a great novel. There are some typical Bengali humour with Bengali names which would be lost on others.
Can't wait to read books 2 and 3.
Very very interesting fantasy fiction from an Indian author , at last . Samit Basu does a great job combining and reinventing many mythological characters from India's rich mythology and makes a thrilling , and easy to relate with tale . Look forward to reading the next two !
honestly i didnt think.i was too surprized to do so.i mean the dwarf as the dagger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!thats like kuing kong being an ant!!!!for those of you that dont get the hint that means so amazingly impossible!!!!!
May 21, 2013
Wim Deca
marked it as to-read
May 18, 2013
Lizkdy
marked it as to-read
May 17, 2013
Deepa Thangavelu
marked it as to-read
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Readers: The Simoquin Prophecies | 15 | 34 | Jan 23, 2012 07:47am |
Samit Basu is the author of The Simoqin Prophecies, The Manticore's Secret and The Unwaba Revelations, the three parts of The GameWorld Trilogy, a fantasy trilogy published by Penguin Books, India. He currently lives and works in Delhi, India.
Born December 14, 1979, Basu grew up in Calcutta, where he studied at Don Bosco School, and later Presidency College, Kolkata, where he obtained a degree in...more
More about Samit Basu...
Born December 14, 1979, Basu grew up in Calcutta, where he studied at Don Bosco School, and later Presidency College, Kolkata, where he obtained a degree in...more
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Apr 21, 2011 11:59am