Tantrics of Old

Tantrics of Old #1

by Krishnarjun Bhattacharya

Tantrics of Old is dark fantasy, following a young Necromancer, a Tantric, Adri Sen, as he runs from an ancient Horseman, Death, in a city just as old.

Enter the two cities; New Kolkata, pristine, untouched, ruled by an iron fist by the perfect government, MYTH—a city existing in the shadow of the old one, and Old Kolkata, forgotten, broken, crumbling, where demons roam free and shadows whisper.

In a world where death is sudden and quick in its tendency to not forgive, Adri must wade through threats new and old; political conspiracy, the demons of his past, a government that remembers, and above all, whispers of impending doom, the coming apocalypse, drums of the dead.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Indian Literature, Horror

448 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2014

About the author

Krishnarjun Bhattacharya is a graduate in Film and Video Communication from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and a post graduate in TV Editing from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.

A wanderer of cities and a passionate game reviewer, hes an absolute lover of all things dark and grotesque. He dreams of writing compelling fantasy fiction for a living, madman that he is and telling stories lost to those who would remember.

He resides in a post-apocalyptic world, terrified of aliens, the walking dead and secret government WMDs, not to mention what lives under his bed.

He's currently working on the last book of the Tantric Trilogy, titled Myths of Old.

Reviews

[Arun Divakar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tantrics of Old is one of those books where the package is way more interesting than the contents. The author does excellent world building and populates it with characters drawn from both Indian and Western mythology. It is quite an experience to travel through this world where every dark alley could be harbouring something menacing and the lack of arcane knowledge could be the end of you. The story begins in a sparklingly clean Kolkata and then travels to the older version of the city where many nasty surprises lie in wait. The world has changed and New Kolkata is ruled by a quasi-governmental organization named MYTH. Outside its fortified borders lie the older version of Kolkata where MYTH wages wars against demons. The old city is populated by witches, angels, demons and countless other odds and ends from the world of fantasy literature. Into this hugely exciting background arrives our protagonist Adri Sen with an unlikely pair of siblings in tow. Adri has his own machinations and completely unknown to him the lady Maya has her own plans too. A chase story follows with many explosive twists, turns and adventure.

I went contrary to my usual style of review writing by dropping titbits about the main narrative but then again there aren’t a great many plot twists around the story. The mythology surrounding the characters is what held my attention and even skipping the story in progress, the fantasy lover in me focussed on this. Bhattacharya definitely has plans for a sequel for a lot of loose ends are left untied by the time the book ends. Much more than the fate of the central characters, my curiosity is more piqued as to how the lore of this landscape would be expanded in the coming volumes. This again is the kind of curiosity that makes me go in search of sequels !

Before I close it must be said that Adri Sen has very, very close resemblance to John Constantine. Maybe it is my imagination taking too much of a leap but Sen reminded me of John many a time in the book.

Recommended. Relish and revel in the world building, keep the story aside for a while.

[Narendranr · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book though written well was a bit of a disappointment, mainly because of the characters populating it. You have a tantric and then angels and demons and vampires where are the rakshasas, the gandharvas , pischacas, etc who could have easily populated the world. Otherwise the plot is good. Will try the other 2 books

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit it freely that I picked up this book mainly because it is set in my hometown Kolkata. Being away from home often makes you nostalgic and sentimental about your city and it was my homesickness that I wanted to appease by reading this book.

Krishnarjun Bhattacharya has set up a whole new world within the confines of the oldest city of India through the pages of this book. The city is now divided into Old and New Kolkata, where the Old Kolkata lives under the shadows while the New Kolkata gobbles up the entire spotlight. New Kolkata is primeval under the new regime while the streets of Old Kolkata remains forgotten – almost! The world building has been done in a way so that as a reader I found something new in the pages all the while feeling the familiarity of the city as well. It is world where fantasy is the reality, yet the main spirit of the city remains almost intact. It couldn’t have been easy to do so and thus I would very much like to applaud the author for it.

The book tells us a well plotted story of a fantastical world where Tantrics, Necromancers, Demons and Angels are real. The Horseman of death comes to life in these pages and it would have been oh so easy to go over the edge with it. It was clear the author had a very clear vision of the world and the plot and it was evident in his narration. As such it was a hell of a ride to take with the protagonist Adri. The detail oriented nature of the author will make it easy for people who do not know much of the real city, to envision the city that he has created. The characterization has been done well, especially with respect to Adri. I did not really warm up to the character of Maya partly because of her conflicts and partly because of her resistance to actually act.

My only problem was once again with the language. While the language used is quite refined in comparison to a lot of books out there, another round at the editors table would have served the book well. At the beginning, I felt like the author was trying too hard to paint a picture and once the pace was set, the language could actually do with more depth. Given the fact that this is the author’s debut, I hope he will grow alongside his books.

In the end though, this book was something that I enjoyed. I will certainly not remember it for the language but I will remember its plot and characters. I do hope that there is a sequel soon.

[Monalisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a surprise.
Its intriguing cover hides a story that is one of the best Indian fiction work I've read till date.
I was skeptical when I picked it up, for my Indian reading experience has been marred by wannabe writers like Chetan Bhagat, who have no skill whatsoever with the language.
But Tantrics...
Tantrics is something totally different. Rock solid credentials of the writer and an intriguing plot assured me to stick by it. And boy! was I glad I did!
The fantastic world of Old Kolkata, well-rounded characters and an enticing narrative make this book a treat for every reader who loves the fantasy genre. The language is immersive, with the narrative unfolding at just the right pace.
There are slight (very slight, mind you) slips in the language and narration that are too minor to notice, if you are enjoying the book as much as I did. I tell you, Ignore them.
I love the fact that the author chooses to bait the reader with snippets of information here and there, instead of spoonfeeding. It makes reading the book even more enjoyable, because it gives you a feeling of depth; that there is more to this world than meets the eye.
The protagonist, Adri, is not the classic "good hero". He clearly has many secrets he is unwilling to reveal. His first priority is looking after his own interests, but that does not mean he is selfish. An interesting character. Hopefully, we will find out more about his past in the later installations of the series.
All the other characters have something to their name, which makes all of them a delight to read about. The story is far from over and once you finish the book, you get the feeling that the story has only just begun.
Overall, a delightful read for all you fantasy freaks who have gushed over Lord of the Rings, and other related works. The influence of the masters of dark writing (Lovecraft and Poe) is clearly visible, which is actually a good thing.
In conclusion, read this book without hesitation. You shall not be disappointed.

[Anjali Bhatia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received my copy of the book through a Goodreads giveaway.

Tantrics of Old requires suspension of disbelief before you plunge into it. The author believes so ardently in the world he has created, that you can't help but be sucked in, too. Old Kolkata is a menacing place, peopled with Dynes, Demons, Sorcerers and more. Some episodes in the book give you the chills--the train journey to Old Kolkata, and the haunted cinema hall. It's a fast-paced work.

It's not without its share of flaws. In the initial chapters, the author tries too hard to achieve a terse writing style, which ends up looking forced. Once the book comes into its own, though, you speed through page after page. Wish the author had stuck to his natural flow right from the start. Also, some turns of phrase like "expressionless expressions" may have been deliberate, but end up looking like editorial slips.

All in all, a thoroughly entertaining read. Don't expect deep psychological insights into the characters or philosophical underpinnings to the dark arts, and you will enjoy the ride.

[Debojit Sengupta (indianfiction_review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is like reading a walkthrough of a Role-playing video game. There are so many events stacked one after the other that you'll never rest until you reach the last page. The action never stops! But they are not strictly sequential, a problem doesn't exactly end when another evolves. It's like a venn diagram sort of writing where all events overlap eventually.

Adri Sen is one hell of a character. One more role for Pedro Pascal to play. A bit younger Pascal though. A tantric is on the run being hunted by an immortal entity and he doesn't know why. His journey to uncover the truth and save his skin takes him through a mystical, ruined and magical kolkata overrun by Dynes, Vampires, Angels, Devils, Demons, Zombies and the likes.

The depiction of a fictitious Kolkata in ruins and overtaken by everything dark and magical is spellbouding. I just kept imagining how it would look like in a live action adaptation.

All things considered, you cannot miss this one. You absolutely have to read it. It's international level story writing.

Just one thing, time allotted to different problems are not exactly proportional to seriousness of the issue. Small stuff and I'm nitpicking. Sorry.

[Chudeep Shankar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The previous Indian fantasy novels I read were so rooted in Indian myths they were not popular worldwide. Tantrics of Old's best achievement is encompassing Indian elements into its fantasy story and yet standing out to be relatable to a wider international audience. A lot of western characters were imported to into this local Kolkata setting helping the author achieve it. The fictional world is well developed with proper introduction to each of the characters through Adri's adventures. Adri's character is well nuanced and worthy of being the spotlight of the novel. I felt the novel could have had few more leading roles to female characters than just being a side character. Novel strikes the perfect balance between giving powers to the lead character while also keeping his enemies stronger than him.

[Pratik Gon · Rating 5 out of 5]

After so long, I have been attached to a book this much. I felt the thrill of every page of this page-turner. From beginning to end this book will have your attention towards it. A master storytelling.

[Aruna Reddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a spectacle, and an impeccable work, but... over done.

Of course the world building is at its peak but the story structure is overdone. So overdone that after trap after trap after trap.... So on, every trap has the same ending, just with a new character popup.
But the world building... Unmatched. sometimes you feel that you are reading something impossible, I loved the bleak atmosphere, the kind of unworldly beings populated, the twists and turns. (until they got repetitive.) My favourite is the HIVE episode.

To conclude, I will definitely check his other books but will commit to them only after reading the reviews.

[Shifad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh...my...god......What the hell did I just read. Finally, a pure fantasy book from an Indian authors resplendent with all the right elements. This is my first fiction read on the four horseman and this book kept me on my toes from page number one. Angels, demons, necromancy...what more do one need. This is a great book. Glad I read it. On to the second one.

[Ritesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tantrics of Old – John Constantine meets Vikraal in a double- decker Kolkata.

After reading Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Khaneman I decided to read something which will be light on feet. As I was surfing through Amazon, I found Tantrics of Old, a book I hadn’t heard of. It’s written by Krishnarjun Bhattacharya, a name as new to me as the book itself. A vague and montage style description along with the cartoonish cover design was enough to convince me that this is the book I want to read to lighten my head. But when I started reading it, it not only paved an easy path through the world Krishnarjun created but also reminded me again why I love reading, to lose myself in the world of unknown.

Tantrics of Old starts with, as many stories start with, a flashback through a nightmare. As it cuts back to the present time, no sooner the author lays the driving point of the story naked in front of us. It is about the Soul of Adri Sen, our protagonist, wanted by one of the four horsemen, Death himself. And as with many stories told before, Adri is given some time to save himself. In the Tantrics of Old, it is 24 hours. Thus begins our journey in a world full of ghosts, dynes, necromancers, sorcerers, vampires, angels and demons and obviously, magic.

Tantrics of Old takes all the elements of what makes a great story and presents it through a world which at first seems unbelievable and unreal. But as the story advances you are drawn into it as swiftly as Krishnarjun writing (with the inclusion of some constructional errors). Krishnarjun creates a literally magical double-decker Kolkata run by a ubiquitous government named as MYTH. A war is raging in one Kolkata, a war of Demons and MYTH at the backdrop of which most of the story takes place. And in another Kolkata lives our characters who have to travel through the war to reach the conclusion of their story.

The interesting and entertaining part of the story lies in the supernatural elements it creates. We meet vampires called as ancient ones, dynes who marks you and follows your trail till their hunger is satisfied and demons who vanish as we blink. There is also Fayne, shown as equal as or even better than our protagonist with an interesting back story. Also, there are angels, one with black feathers introduced in the best-written chapter of the book. These unreal elements fit perfectly within the world Krishnarjun creates and make Tantrics of Old an entertaining and fast read. It is not philosophical, it is not psychological and it is not even logical. But it is entertaining, like the old anime-styled cartoon Samurai Jack which kept on introducing new plot elements to take the story forward and thus keeping us engaged till the end.

And amidst all these supernatural elements we are introduced to our human characters who are the driving force our story; Adri Sen, Maya, and Gray. Adri Sen is a necromancer known by many and for many reasons. A mix of John Constantine and Vikraal from Ssshhh… Koi Hai (which I hope 90’s Indian Youth will remember), Adri’s sole purpose is to save his soul with an underline notion he has which is; Adri believes his meeting with Death is not just for his soul but there is a bigger picture behind it, as it always is, except Adri keeps telling it on our face and on face of many other characters he meets on his journey. Maya and Gray’s purpose in the story is fascinating till the time it is served and later they become Robin and Catwoman to Batman. They are well fitted in the story especially in the final part of the novel which restarts the whole journey except with a twist which does feel incomplete. But then if you want to write a trilogy you have to write an incomplete end to form the beginning of chapter 2. Isn’t it?

And finally, in the epilogue of my review, I will not tell you whether to read or not read Tantrics of Old, though I enjoyed it with all its flaws and a bit of pretentiousness. But I will surely tell you that once you start reading the Tantrics of Old, you won’t put it down, whether you like it or not.

[Samayita Bhattacharya · Rating 5 out of 5]

For every Potterhead out there, who know everything and nothing about Kolkata, this book is an amazing ride into mystery, magic, nostalgia and well-written fiction. Very much recommended for the teens as well as the adults.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are many things I liked about this book. It had a gorgeously spooky cover, an attention getting premise, and quite a few sparks of true originality. Unlike the countless fantasy novels set in Tolkien-esque versions of medieval Europe, this book's setting in a gritty urban-fantasy version of Kolkata (Calcutta)felt fresh and exotic.

Many of the adversaries the characters face are beings I would normally consider pretty standard fantasy fare: witches, vampires, demons, angels, spirits, etc. But some of them--the witches and vampires in particular--are reimagined into creatures that are very different and much, much spookier than the standard versions.

The originality shown in the development of the beings and settings was one of my favorite aspects of the book. That first witch that showed up was absolutely chilling. When the source of the assassin's weapons is revealed? Unexpected and creepy! These chilling little surprises were what I loved.

As far as story structure, Tantrics of Old felt like a particularly well-plotted role playing game. One of those where a small party of characters with diverse skills set out to accomplish a series of challenges to achieve a certain goal. There were a few places where I thought the protagonist's decision making process was questionable and mainly furthered maneuvering the characters to the next challenge the author wanted to present. But there was always something happening, some urgent task they needed to fulfill, so the story didn't lag.

I liked the fact that the author chose to use a very simple writing style. But I felt that the book could have used a bit more editing. Not just to clean up the typos (of which there are a fair few, though not so many that it hinders readability), but also to tighten up the language, choose stronger verbs, eliminate repetition, and overall do a more thorough job of showing not telling.

Another disappointment for me was that the main significant female companion ended up spending a large portion of the book as an unconscious burden that the male companions had to carry around with them like a piece of luggage while attempting to save her.

But as a whole, it was a fun book to read, with many fresh sparks of originality.

[Arka Ghosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are often journeys that you embark on and have no clue what is going on. The journey has its moments, but at the same time, is a whirlwind of sorts, taking you for a ride. But at the end of the journey, you realize what an amazing journey it had been. This book takes you on such a journey.

The background is simple - magic exists.

Thankfully, the premise is an Indian city, Old Calcutta and how it has been ravaged by magic and its abuse. The journey follows a Necromancer and three others and their race against time to stop the Horseman, Death. The supporting characters could have had a little more details added to them, and a little background on why the situations are as they are would have helped.

That being said, I am glad that the author did not waste a lot of time giving tons of background information and left it for the readers to imagine/figure out what mist have happened in the past (this is a double-edged sword; this worked fine for me but many do not appreciate the lack of background information).

The journey was truly a whirlwind, fast paced and full of action. One might have the feeling that he or she is watching a really fast paced anime or animated series because of the action sequences.

Some of the good points in the book:

The main protagonist and his background.
The assassin and his attitude.
The premise.
The pace.
The action sequences.
The cliffhanger ending.


And some of the cons:

The supporting characters and the lack of character building for them.
Some of the jargon and the lingo used. Some of the words and phrases from the language are not at all understandable.
Lack of background details.

Final review:
3/5 - Worth a read.

[Sameer Gudhate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get ready to embark on an enthralling journey through the pages of "Tantrics of Old" by Krishnarjun Bhattacharya, a spellbinding tale that takes you deep into a world of dark magic, ancient arts, and a battle against forces beyond human comprehension.

In this riveting novel, we are introduced to the enigmatic Adri Sen, a banished Tantric living in the war-ravaged city of Old Kolkata. The story unfolds as Adri wakes up one fateful morning to find Death himself, the ominous Horseman, perched at the edge of his bed. As the Horseman's arrival heralds the impending Apocalypse, Adri becomes entangled in a web of intrigue, danger, and otherworldly forces that threaten to consume him.

Krishnarjun Bhattacharya's writing style is a tapestry of vivid descriptions and evocative language, transporting readers to the atmospheric and unforgiving setting of Old Kolkata. The narrative seamlessly weaves together elements of dark fantasy, urban mythology, and supernatural mystery, creating an immersive experience that keeps you turning the pages.

The characters in "Tantrics of Old" are richly portrayed, each with their own motivations, secrets, and complexities. The concept of Tantrics, necromancers, and summoners of demons adds layers of depth to the story's magical elements. The plot unfolds with a perfect balance of suspense and revelation, leading us through a maze of twists and turns as ancient secrets resurface and dangerous powers collide.

Beneath the surface, the novel delves into themes of destiny, the battle between good and evil, and the price of wielding forbidden knowledge. The emotional impact of the story is palpable, as characters grapple with their pasts, their choices, and the looming threat of the Apocalypse.

Strengths of "Tantrics of Old" lie in its unique blend of mythology and urban fantasy, intricate world-building, and the author's ability to create a sense of foreboding throughout the narrative. However, some readers might find the complex magical system a bit overwhelming.

In my opinion, "Tantrics of Old" is an exhilarating read that captivates from start to finish. The author's storytelling prowess shines through as he crafts a gripping narrative that immerses you in a world where magic and danger go hand in hand. If you're a fan of dark fantasy with a unique twist, this book is a must-read.

In conclusion, "Tantrics of Old" is a thrilling and imaginative work that transports readers to a realm of mysticism and suspense. Krishnarjun Bhattacharya's masterful storytelling and the intricate universe he creates make for an unforgettable reading experience that will leave you eager for more.

[Sagar Chamoli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I know I'm almost 7 months away from finishing this year but it seems I already have my best fiction book of the year and it's none other than Tantrics of Old. So glad that I picked up this book, I can definitely say Krishnarjun Bhattacharya is the best Indian author I have came across so far.



Mythological fantasy has always been my interest but this is something I liked in indian context, hence I'm very selective about it. Tantrics of Old is exactly the kind of book that I always wanted to read. Mr Bhattacharya have created a perfect blend of mythology fantasy with a tinge of horror and mystery around it's book.

The story begins in Kolkata, now divided in two parts i.e. New Kolkata, ruled by a quasi-governmental organization named MYTH which has fortified borders and is a perfect place to live. The second part is the older version of the city where the real fun is. The old city is populated by witches, angels, demons and countless other odds and ends from the world of fantasy literature. Into this crazy exciting background arrives Adri Sen with an pair of siblings to save his soul, but realize things are much bigger than that. All Adi have to do now is to run for his life and figure out how he can beat the power much more superior.



Its a very interesting read and Mr Bhattacharya ensures that you are always glued to the book by bringing timely twist and new fantasy characters. Inspite of that be prepared to face the unexpected climax which will make you hard to resist the next part ASAP. All I can say is if mythological fantasy your genre, this is the book you need to read. A loud shout out to Mr Bhattacharya who have now raise bar for all the Indian Author's out there. Kudos to you Sir!!!

[Arindam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a long long time I finished a trilogy. I think this says all.
What I liked in this book? The Indianization of the fantacy world. In India we do have a lot of fantacy elements in out Myth and folktales, but haven't see any attempt by any author to built a mystical world using these elementa, this book did that. If you liked Hogearts or middle earth then think about Old Kolkata, Frozen Bombay, Moonless Dilhi. The environment built is super, characterizations are super and the linkage of every thing is uncanny. There's practically no loose ends. Offcourse this book does not only uses Indian myths but a lot of worldly attributes too, but the blend is super.

[Kedar Kulkarni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and funny!

A mythical version of Kolkata, populated by Tantrics, Angels, Demons, Witches, and other magical creatures I had never heard of. A protagonist on a mission, who collects allies along the way. Characters with personalities. Dialogues laced with subtle humor. And passing metaphors about the real world.

After being disappointed by "popular" Indian fiction in the last decade, I went in without any expectations. I was positively surprised by the world-building and the entertaining story. Highly recommended.

[DarkAng3L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mix feelings about this books - I just felt it has too many characters throughout the chapters and not being able to focus as much. Some chapters I felt lenghty as well and that's like a turn off for me.
I felt some characters could be focused more instead of bringing in multiple characters to crowd the plot. I am not sure if I shall picked the other 2 books in this trilogy. Perhaps I shall, but not so soon.

[Palak Thakker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I did not expect it to have such an effect on me but I have not been able to keep the book down. It took me three days to read it and not a second made me feel like I am bored or distracted. The way it has been written, the impact it has is amazing. It is a must read!

[Nehal Baxi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read could not stop reading. Bought the rest of the series half way through. Love the world the author created. Mysterious Tantrics goes on an adventure with interesting characters. If your looking for a fantasy adventure this is it.

[Tejinder Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just superb,,I wonder that an indian can write such an amazing fantasy series,,, must read guys,, just have a try

[Shriker Parth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.

[J J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go for it...I took the second book in my hand as soon as I finished reading first...

[Neet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts of slow, but once it picks up, u can't keep the book down

[Shristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a beautiful book it has all of the various elements,the horror-gothic-thriller vampires, demons tantrics! loved it alot, a very enjoyable read, looking forward to read the next two parts.

[Raiyan Ahmad · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good book, if you like thrill go for this , hope the 2nd part doesn't disappoints

[Chelsea Mcgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

From my blog: http://thegloballycurious.blogspot.in...

Thank you to Fingerprint! Publishing for providing me with a free review copy of this book.

Adri Sen, a renegade tantric living illegally in New Kolkata, wakes to find Death sitting at the end of his bed. He is given 24 hours to get his affairs in order before Death will return for his soul.

Hoping to escape the clutches of the Horseman and discover who is behind the plot to kill him, Adri is led on a merry chase through the war-ravaged areas of magical Old Kolkata. Accompanied by Maya Ghosh, a student at New Kolkata's Jadavpur University with a secret purpose of her own; Maya's younger brother, Gray Ghosh; and a highly trained assassin who has been hired to assure Maya's safety, Adri must use all of his knowledge and abilities to survive in the harsh wasteland of the old city.

Set in a magical, post-apocalyptic alternative-universe Kolkata, peopled with demons, sorcerers, tantrics/necromancers, angels, witches, and others, this high fantasy novel will fulfill your craving for great speculative fiction in the vein of JRR Tolkein or Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere.

Sense of History

Part of what makes good fantasy is the depth of the story. Does the world feel real, does it feel like it has a history and mythology of its own?

The answer to this for Tantrics of Old is yes, definitely. Like the real city of Kolkata (where I currently live), the history of Old Kolkata is palpable, visible, definite. It peeps from every corner of the narration, seeps into the dialogue, grows where least expected.

And the best part is that we are not given the complete history, but only bits and pieces that we observe or need to know. It does not feel forced, but rather a gradual unfolding of the state of the city, which is familiar but utterly different all the same. What happened? Where did this new anti-magic government come from? What is the history of Kolkata in this alternative universe? And where on Earth is New Kolkata supposed to be located, that you can get there by Metro in six hours???

But the book is not only aimed at those familiar with the city. The history of this alternative city is so obviously different from the one that I know that it might as well be a completely different place.

Mythology

Readers jaded by the predominance of Medieval Europe-inspired fantasy will find the non-Western setting of Tantrics of Old refreshing.

The author has chosen to avoid heavily relying on Indian (Hindu or other) mythology; this is not a retelling of the Ramayana or another famous story. Instead, he has created his own fantasy world full of its own mythology, rules, and logic. At the same time, there are hints of Bengali culture and mythology spread liberally throughout, in a way that brings more depth to the world rather than limiting the story to what is already known.

Characters and races

I was impressed by the deftness of the author's characterizations, not only of the main characters but also of the various species and races of creatures that the protagonists come in contact with. Everything from mad ascetics to demons to vampires to wraiths make an appearance. Despite the huge number of characters, the author manages to describe most of them just enough to highlight their individuality without distracting from the rest of the story.

Adri Sen is a well-developed, multidimensional (anti-?)hero, who has more knowledge and power than he chooses to reveal. Despite his difficult life, he truly cares about the city of Old Kolkata, and does what he can to protect his friends and allies.

Maya Ghosh is a strong, intelligent college student who wants to understand everything that is happening. She is the perfect person to be the leader of the group, but unfortunately in this book her character is not very active. I would normally point out the problems with leaving the woman out of the action, but in this case it seems reasonable, as she has more important things to do and learn at the time. It seems that the sequel will feature her in a much more active role.

Gray Ghosh originally tags along for two reasons: he wants an opportunity to photograph the old city, and he wants to protect Maya. When they actually arrive in Old Kolkata, he finds that he is in for more than he bargained for. He matures over the course of the book, and comes to the understanding that sometimes adventure is not always the best thing.

I loved this book. It was everything I have been looking for in a fantasy novel, but have a hard time finding. If you like complex, dark fantasy, this is the book you have been searching for. I can't wait for the sequel, Horsemen of Old, due to be released at the end of 2015 or 2016.

[Veena · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second encounter with fantasy, enjoyed reading this book. Found the end to be a little abrupt I suppose. I am not sure what I was expecting as the ending. Nevertheless enjoyable read.

[Yashvardhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very engaging and interesting book to read, it kept me within its grip till the end. I must say that Mr. Krishnarjun Bhattacharya did an amazing job with the book, especially in consideration of the atmosphere and the context of the book. It showcases an beautiful mix of urban dark fantasy, mythology (Abrahamic, to be specific), mystery and thriller (along with a distinct touch of Kolkata's language, culture & charm) that I personally found very captivating, especially due to its balance between the story's flow as well as its descriptions, the result of which's that the story doesn't appear verbose nor hurried.

This is especially appreciated in relation to the story's background, i.e., its world-building (which may appear inadequate at first but more than makes up for later), which majorly takes place in Old Kolkata, i.e., the location of action where the protagonists go for their own personal reasons, but it is also more than that. The author has given context and meaning to the place, about its reality as well as what it means to the people who've been there, be it for a day or a lifetime. This's given the book a great deal of depth, more than one could have expected.

I can say the same for the characters themselves, whom the author has given as much attention as the background, as a result of which we can see them grow (emotionally & intellectually only, mind you) throughout the the story. We see their weaknesses, appreciate their strengths & understand their psyches, as a result of which they don't appear to be mere characters within a book. Rather, they assume distinct identities of their own and there is no one who fits this better than Adri himself though I personally prefer Fayne as a character. We see his journey from his self-concern to his concern for others & how he grows as a emotional & intellectual individual, example being how he copes with the challenges that he faces.

All in all, I can definitely say that this is one of those books that one definitely doesn't get tired of, even if you read it over and over again. My suggestion about whether you should read it or not? I can't say for you but I personally would say "Go for it, folks!".