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The Brahmin
The empire is ruled with an iron hand, masterminded by Emperor Ashok. But his kingdom is under siege and even his able spymaster, the enigmatically named Brahmin, is baffled by the murders that have shocked the concubines’ quarters. Who is behind the gruesome deaths and what is their purpose?
Lush with historical detail and unforgettable characters, The Brahmin is an intelligently plotted novel that seeks to recreate a near mythical period in India’s past.
252 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2018
92 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
Ravi Shankar Etteth
13 books35 followersOne of India’s most famous cartoonists and journalists, Ravi Shankar Etteth published his first book of short stories The Scream of the Dragonflies in 1996. He then went on to write five novels, The Tiger by The River, The Village of Widows, The Gold of Their Regrets, The Book of Shiva and The Brahmin. They have been translated and published in eight international languages. His books cut across all genres like literary fiction, horror, crime and spirituality and periods like feudal Kerala, Nazi Germany and the Magadha Empire. He also collaborated with artist Paresh Maity on a coffee-table book on Kerala. Etteth is now working on his sixth title, Killing Time in Delhi, which he says is a “a novel on the shenanigans of Delhi's super rich”. A Bollywood film on The Brahmin is also in the works.
Ravi Shankar worked for Indian Express in the 1980s, and later as the Creative Director of the Observer Group. He joined India Today as Art Editor and went on to become its Managing Editor and, later, Editor-at-Large. He also edited the India Today Group’s afternoon paper Today and launched the lifestyle magazine India Today Spice. He was briefly the CEO and Editor and Chief of Voice of India and Millionaire. He is now a columnist and Consulting Editor with The New Indian Express and is based in New Delhi.
Ravi Shankar worked for Indian Express in the 1980s, and later as the Creative Director of the Observer Group. He joined India Today as Art Editor and went on to become its Managing Editor and, later, Editor-at-Large. He also edited the India Today Group’s afternoon paper Today and launched the lifestyle magazine India Today Spice. He was briefly the CEO and Editor and Chief of Voice of India and Millionaire. He is now a columnist and Consulting Editor with The New Indian Express and is based in New Delhi.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 101 reviews
February 11, 2024
I had brought this book (19th June 2018 ) on Amazon after reading the book blurb which sounded both intriguing and interesting. Usually I give historical and period fiction stories a miss unless it is relatively recent; although I've been lucky to have read some significant and interesting period stories including some which were tremendously interesting. Some of the finest that I've read concerns Constantinople and the crusades and some of the fantastic, tremendous books by Colleen McCullough about ancient Rome.
I had also read the more popular books of Meluha The Immortals of Meluha by Amish Tripathi which was good but did not find them worth the hype.
This book was in my TBR for the last 6 years and while reviewing my library (now mostly digital) which I do every year in late December or early January, saw this book and decided to make my attempt.
The story is placed in one of Indian history's tumultuous era where possibly two of the worlds greatest ever kings and two of the worlds greatest religious and life gurus had just passed and another great emperor was just establishing himself in India. The former two kings are Alexander the Great and Chandragupta Maurya (founder of the Mauryan dynasty) and the Guru(s) were Gautam Buddha and Mahaveer (Jain tirthankara), Buddhism and Jainism respectively. The last was Ashoka, initially known as Chanda Ashok (Ashok the terrible) and then Dharma Ashok (Ashok the Righteous/Pious) a journey that made him Ashoka the Great.
Magadha empire was then powerful enough to deter the great Alexander to forsake his world conquest.
The story concerns a period of history where Chandragupta's grandson Ashoka had taken over the reigns of the kingdom after a bloodbath amongst his brothers in which he ended victorious and before the Kalinga war which would change the destiny of the country by turning the ruthless, aggressive and ambitious emperor Ashoka into a believer and messenger of peace.
The story concerns the statecraft and spy craft of that period between the kingdoms of Magadha (present day Bihar) and Kalinga (present day Odisha) and is a fabulous story told with great verve. At the heart of the story is a murder mystery with women in Ashoka's palace turning up dead. The other story within connects the ancient story of the Brahmin King Ravana of Lanka (Sri Lanka), the king in Ramayan, who had in his control a weapon of extreme mass destruction created by the greatest of his time but one which could potentially devastate the world.
The Brahmin also tells the story of the weapon which was in Ravana's safe keeping and how it was kept safe by successive generations of Brahmins.
The story and the telling is top notch and the planning of the actions and set-pieces in the story are fine. My only complaint was that Ravi Shankar has taken a lot of liberty with the times and has painted stories which seem more European than Indian. The impact of the Greek culture in India is not that well documented especially in the dressing and food habits. This was a little bit jarring but can be brushed away as poetic license and it takes nothing away from the story.
The characterization of Ashoka as a person prone to anger and one whose temper smoldered as an undercurrent. His decisions and dialogues point to his powerful personality. The Brahmin himself is a well versed person who is grounded and is skilled with both words and the sword.
The queen Asandhimitra is a strong character and her strong role in the story is a reflection of the way women in ancient India were revered and honored and how even the strongest kings listened to counsel and gender was no bar to knowledge and advice.
The story has two other strong female characters about whom information is a little less but one a trusted aide of the Brahmin and the other a strong killer for hire who has made a reputation for herself amongst the kingdoms of that time. Their mutual loyalty to their respective kingdoms and masters are well documented.
The corruption of the bureaucracy is an absolute truth through the age and this story documents that in sufficient amounts to propel the story. The shadow boxing in espionage between Magadha and Kalinga and their respective chessmen in the form of the Brahmin, the Queen, the Envoy from Kalinga form the story. Courtroom politics and personal rivalry for the kings ear can be seen in the Magadha's minister Radhagupta and the Brahmin. The nimble stays on its feet in the story.
Fabulous reading.
Recommended.
NB -
The word Brahmin in Indian society and culture is a varna as well as a caste within the Hindu society. In the ancient Vedic- and post-Vedic Indian subcontinent, the Brahmins were mostly the priestly class, serving as priests as well as spiritual teachers for the community and were often the most learned and well read of the community maintaining records and authoring books and treatises.
I had also read the more popular books of Meluha The Immortals of Meluha by Amish Tripathi which was good but did not find them worth the hype.
This book was in my TBR for the last 6 years and while reviewing my library (now mostly digital) which I do every year in late December or early January, saw this book and decided to make my attempt.
The story is placed in one of Indian history's tumultuous era where possibly two of the worlds greatest ever kings and two of the worlds greatest religious and life gurus had just passed and another great emperor was just establishing himself in India. The former two kings are Alexander the Great and Chandragupta Maurya (founder of the Mauryan dynasty) and the Guru(s) were Gautam Buddha and Mahaveer (Jain tirthankara), Buddhism and Jainism respectively. The last was Ashoka, initially known as Chanda Ashok (Ashok the terrible) and then Dharma Ashok (Ashok the Righteous/Pious) a journey that made him Ashoka the Great.
Magadha empire was then powerful enough to deter the great Alexander to forsake his world conquest.
The story concerns a period of history where Chandragupta's grandson Ashoka had taken over the reigns of the kingdom after a bloodbath amongst his brothers in which he ended victorious and before the Kalinga war which would change the destiny of the country by turning the ruthless, aggressive and ambitious emperor Ashoka into a believer and messenger of peace.
The story concerns the statecraft and spy craft of that period between the kingdoms of Magadha (present day Bihar) and Kalinga (present day Odisha) and is a fabulous story told with great verve. At the heart of the story is a murder mystery with women in Ashoka's palace turning up dead. The other story within connects the ancient story of the Brahmin King Ravana of Lanka (Sri Lanka), the king in Ramayan, who had in his control a weapon of extreme mass destruction created by the greatest of his time but one which could potentially devastate the world.
The Brahmin also tells the story of the weapon which was in Ravana's safe keeping and how it was kept safe by successive generations of Brahmins.
The story and the telling is top notch and the planning of the actions and set-pieces in the story are fine. My only complaint was that Ravi Shankar has taken a lot of liberty with the times and has painted stories which seem more European than Indian. The impact of the Greek culture in India is not that well documented especially in the dressing and food habits. This was a little bit jarring but can be brushed away as poetic license and it takes nothing away from the story.
The characterization of Ashoka as a person prone to anger and one whose temper smoldered as an undercurrent. His decisions and dialogues point to his powerful personality. The Brahmin himself is a well versed person who is grounded and is skilled with both words and the sword.
The queen Asandhimitra is a strong character and her strong role in the story is a reflection of the way women in ancient India were revered and honored and how even the strongest kings listened to counsel and gender was no bar to knowledge and advice.
The story has two other strong female characters about whom information is a little less but one a trusted aide of the Brahmin and the other a strong killer for hire who has made a reputation for herself amongst the kingdoms of that time. Their mutual loyalty to their respective kingdoms and masters are well documented.
The corruption of the bureaucracy is an absolute truth through the age and this story documents that in sufficient amounts to propel the story. The shadow boxing in espionage between Magadha and Kalinga and their respective chessmen in the form of the Brahmin, the Queen, the Envoy from Kalinga form the story. Courtroom politics and personal rivalry for the kings ear can be seen in the Magadha's minister Radhagupta and the Brahmin. The nimble stays on its feet in the story.
Fabulous reading.
Recommended.
NB -
The word Brahmin in Indian society and culture is a varna as well as a caste within the Hindu society. In the ancient Vedic- and post-Vedic Indian subcontinent, the Brahmins were mostly the priestly class, serving as priests as well as spiritual teachers for the community and were often the most learned and well read of the community maintaining records and authoring books and treatises.
April 27, 2018
4.5 stars
A fast paced, thrilling read. It is a mix of historical fiction and suspense thriller. The story has lots of twists, though i was able to guess few of them, some surprised me. I have only read about Ashoka in my history books, though history does suggest that the Ashoka pre Kalinga war was a warmonger and cruel, I guess I never pictured him like that. We get to see a side of Ashoka which is not much talked about. A man who would go to any lengths to conquer the whole world. I like strong independent queens, and Queen Asandhimitra was that much more. I loved how the court is described, the pictures came alive in my mind. The author has described about the impact Greek culture has on the people of Magadha, i found that fascinating
Recommended for historical fiction and suspense thriller readers
Detailed review up on blog
https://luvissostrange.wordpress.com/
A fast paced, thrilling read. It is a mix of historical fiction and suspense thriller. The story has lots of twists, though i was able to guess few of them, some surprised me. I have only read about Ashoka in my history books, though history does suggest that the Ashoka pre Kalinga war was a warmonger and cruel, I guess I never pictured him like that. We get to see a side of Ashoka which is not much talked about. A man who would go to any lengths to conquer the whole world. I like strong independent queens, and Queen Asandhimitra was that much more. I loved how the court is described, the pictures came alive in my mind. The author has described about the impact Greek culture has on the people of Magadha, i found that fascinating
Recommended for historical fiction and suspense thriller readers
Detailed review up on blog
https://luvissostrange.wordpress.com/
May 13, 2018
This is a well defined espionage novel to get us mesmerized by one and only “The Brahmin” the spymaster. This novel is set on the era of Magadha and Kalinga war. So the descriptive portions were really interesting as well as knowledgeable.
Well at the start I couldn’t get myself into the story because there were so many suspects through the eyes of spymaster and his point of view solely.So it was hard to know who the spymaster is mentioning at that particular conversation. Once the story reached the land of Ujjaini , it paved way to the most compelling conspiracies.
I kind of liked Brahmin character not for his bravery but for the knowledge he has on what he is doing, a neat work, a great Spymaster. King and his disciples believes Brahmin for his loyalty and the enemies fears for the same loyalty which Brahmin has towards the kingdom. Loyalty which I felt is the strongest knot in this story.
The way the kingdoms are infiltrated with spies of their enemies under their very own nose was briefly explained which hints us the toughest task they had during that time. The Greek involvement with the king and their loyalty towards them was indeed remarkable.
I loved queen Asandhimitra ways of hoisting the situations with her immense boldness and serenity. Actually she is the crown of king Ashoka. The mystery was absolutely well kept secret till the end. There was no revelation part at all but only the conspiracies all around. Another positive side of Ravaan was explained in this novel.The second part of the novel was really intriguing.
Overall “The Brahmin” is rich with the era detailing and loyalty which adds a respectful feather to the espionage kind of novels.
Well at the start I couldn’t get myself into the story because there were so many suspects through the eyes of spymaster and his point of view solely.So it was hard to know who the spymaster is mentioning at that particular conversation. Once the story reached the land of Ujjaini , it paved way to the most compelling conspiracies.
I kind of liked Brahmin character not for his bravery but for the knowledge he has on what he is doing, a neat work, a great Spymaster. King and his disciples believes Brahmin for his loyalty and the enemies fears for the same loyalty which Brahmin has towards the kingdom. Loyalty which I felt is the strongest knot in this story.
The way the kingdoms are infiltrated with spies of their enemies under their very own nose was briefly explained which hints us the toughest task they had during that time. The Greek involvement with the king and their loyalty towards them was indeed remarkable.
I loved queen Asandhimitra ways of hoisting the situations with her immense boldness and serenity. Actually she is the crown of king Ashoka. The mystery was absolutely well kept secret till the end. There was no revelation part at all but only the conspiracies all around. Another positive side of Ravaan was explained in this novel.The second part of the novel was really intriguing.
Overall “The Brahmin” is rich with the era detailing and loyalty which adds a respectful feather to the espionage kind of novels.
May 4, 2018
The plot involves a spymaster in Ashoka's court following the trail of a murderer. Known as The Brahmin, Ashoka's trusted spymaster gets involved in solving a few murders, following a mysterious murderer who leaves behind a token with every dead body. But a kingdom does not come to a standstill because of a few murders. And when a kingdom functions so too do its people. With an unmaskable rivalry and hatred with the prime minister, Radhagupta, the Brahmin has to be on his toes if he wants to stay ahead of the game.
Radhagupta's hatred for the Brahmin, a plot against the kingdom and the king, keeping a vicious weapon hidden, solving murders, avenging slain friends, so many things happening in this one small book. Yet it, at no point, feels cluttered or overwhelming. With all of these threads running together, The Brahmin still manages to tie everything off neatly. There are no loose ends or questions left unanswered. It was worth reading the mystery when the explanations were put forth succinctly. The Brahmin being a descendant of Chanakya's is an excellent character and has an omnipresence in the book. For a book that's filled with subterfuge and political intrigue, The Brahmin was well paced. (Though I did feel it was a bit slow in the first couple of chapters, the rest of the book was fast.)
Overall, an excellent read!
For the entire review, visit Frost At Midnite.
Radhagupta's hatred for the Brahmin, a plot against the kingdom and the king, keeping a vicious weapon hidden, solving murders, avenging slain friends, so many things happening in this one small book. Yet it, at no point, feels cluttered or overwhelming. With all of these threads running together, The Brahmin still manages to tie everything off neatly. There are no loose ends or questions left unanswered. It was worth reading the mystery when the explanations were put forth succinctly. The Brahmin being a descendant of Chanakya's is an excellent character and has an omnipresence in the book. For a book that's filled with subterfuge and political intrigue, The Brahmin was well paced. (Though I did feel it was a bit slow in the first couple of chapters, the rest of the book was fast.)
Overall, an excellent read!
For the entire review, visit Frost At Midnite.
June 25, 2018
A murder occurs in the harem of Magadhan emperor Asoka, and he issues an ultimatum to his spy master, known as the Brahmin.
What follows is an immersive tale into ancient India, with courts, kingdoms and chases. The book paints a vivid picture of these, and kudos to the author.
Book is tad long, that's the only grouse I have.Still would highly recommend this book.
What follows is an immersive tale into ancient India, with courts, kingdoms and chases. The book paints a vivid picture of these, and kudos to the author.
Book is tad long, that's the only grouse I have.Still would highly recommend this book.
May 13, 2018
A quality piece of historical fiction tells a compelling story that balances authentic and accurate information with fiction. The Brahmin by Ravi Shankar Etteth is one such book which gives you the perfect historical fiction vibes. Set in 267 BCE, the historical detail is handled reasonably well by the author, the story moves in a fast paced with the right grip.
The book starts with Ashoka questioning The Brahmin about the murder that happened in the harem. Someone is killing Ashoka's concubines, and the only one person who can solve the mystery is The Brahmin; the skilful spymaster. The story then unfolds many truths that's been hiding from the eyes of the Brahmin. He will soon learns about the Blood Flower, the assassin hired to kill king Ashoka. But who hired him? Sword of Damocles is hanging over his head. He just got a week to find the murderer. Will he ever able to solve the whodunit mystery within the short time?
With the exquisite language and vivid characters the author narrates the story with his scintillating wit. It takes some time to the readers to get into the novel deeper. It won't be difficult for the people who have already heard many stories about Ashoka or the Mauryan Kingdom. The one thing I liked the most in the book is about the stories of the Queen Asandhimitra. The author showcases how efficient the Queen is, although I knew her abilities the episodes of Asandhimitra in the book adds the weight to the story.
Apart from the character Asandhimitra there's one more character which I liked instantly. Yes, it is Hao. The Brahmin and Hao dual keeps the readers to hooked up with the book. There's also a mention about the Ramayana more precisely about the Ravana which blended with the main plot gracefully. The story about the Golden Scythe was alluring. The Brahmin was an intriguing story yet, there's was something missing. The story towards the end starts fading, the climax wasn't something that I'd expected. I was expecting more from the Brahmin, he being the seasoned spymaster the action was missing from him.
Overall, The Brahmin recreated the story of history in its own traits. The result may not be a great novel, but it's an entertaining one and should appeal to those who are interested in Indian Historical fiction. I would rate this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
I Received this book from Writersmelon in exchange for honest and unbiased review. Thanks to Writersmelon, author and the publisher.
The book starts with Ashoka questioning The Brahmin about the murder that happened in the harem. Someone is killing Ashoka's concubines, and the only one person who can solve the mystery is The Brahmin; the skilful spymaster. The story then unfolds many truths that's been hiding from the eyes of the Brahmin. He will soon learns about the Blood Flower, the assassin hired to kill king Ashoka. But who hired him? Sword of Damocles is hanging over his head. He just got a week to find the murderer. Will he ever able to solve the whodunit mystery within the short time?
With the exquisite language and vivid characters the author narrates the story with his scintillating wit. It takes some time to the readers to get into the novel deeper. It won't be difficult for the people who have already heard many stories about Ashoka or the Mauryan Kingdom. The one thing I liked the most in the book is about the stories of the Queen Asandhimitra. The author showcases how efficient the Queen is, although I knew her abilities the episodes of Asandhimitra in the book adds the weight to the story.
Apart from the character Asandhimitra there's one more character which I liked instantly. Yes, it is Hao. The Brahmin and Hao dual keeps the readers to hooked up with the book. There's also a mention about the Ramayana more precisely about the Ravana which blended with the main plot gracefully. The story about the Golden Scythe was alluring. The Brahmin was an intriguing story yet, there's was something missing. The story towards the end starts fading, the climax wasn't something that I'd expected. I was expecting more from the Brahmin, he being the seasoned spymaster the action was missing from him.
Overall, The Brahmin recreated the story of history in its own traits. The result may not be a great novel, but it's an entertaining one and should appeal to those who are interested in Indian Historical fiction. I would rate this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
I Received this book from Writersmelon in exchange for honest and unbiased review. Thanks to Writersmelon, author and the publisher.
April 30, 2018
The Brahmin is a story set during the rule of Ashoka on Magadha. Almost all depictions of Ashoka talk about him being a visionary who developed the roads and sanitation in his kingdom. It is rare to find descriptions of the King from the pre-Kalinga-Magadha war time period where is he just another shrewd yet power hungry king on a quest to rule the world.
Here we are given a glimpse into the division of power in the Magadhan court and the diplomacy that the kings practiced during that time. I was very happy to discover that Queen Asandhimitra was not a mere wall flower. She was a Queen who played an active part in the administration of the Kingdom by interacting with her subjects. She was kind and just but also had the courage to make risky decisions and was the queen that a king like Ashoka needs.
The character of The Brahmin was loosely based on Chanakya who they claim is his ancestor. The story takes place over the period of one week where The Brahmin must identify the culprit behind the murders of the girls in the harem. It was a fast paced story with twists in every page. Some of them were a bit too fast and far fetched and required a second read. But the story was very enjoyable. I was impressed with the knowledge that the ancient Indians were supposedly in possession of. They had apparently already discovered that radiation sickness kills slowly over time and causes genetic alterations. The also knew that lead protects from radiation.
The chemistry between Hao and The Brahmin was very sweet. The back-flashes to the old war where the King and The Brahmin are blessed by an enlightened soul and correlation of that scene to the end was unexpected.
I loved that characters such as the Queen and the assassins were strong ladies who could hold their own even in a time where women did not enjoy equal status in the society. While some parts of the book did feel a bit stereotypical, it was only natural seeing that the book was set in 261 BC. I enjoyed the descriptions of opulence which was done with great taste.
Full Review- https://thefoodandbooklife.wordpress....
Here we are given a glimpse into the division of power in the Magadhan court and the diplomacy that the kings practiced during that time. I was very happy to discover that Queen Asandhimitra was not a mere wall flower. She was a Queen who played an active part in the administration of the Kingdom by interacting with her subjects. She was kind and just but also had the courage to make risky decisions and was the queen that a king like Ashoka needs.
The character of The Brahmin was loosely based on Chanakya who they claim is his ancestor. The story takes place over the period of one week where The Brahmin must identify the culprit behind the murders of the girls in the harem. It was a fast paced story with twists in every page. Some of them were a bit too fast and far fetched and required a second read. But the story was very enjoyable. I was impressed with the knowledge that the ancient Indians were supposedly in possession of. They had apparently already discovered that radiation sickness kills slowly over time and causes genetic alterations. The also knew that lead protects from radiation.
The chemistry between Hao and The Brahmin was very sweet. The back-flashes to the old war where the King and The Brahmin are blessed by an enlightened soul and correlation of that scene to the end was unexpected.
I loved that characters such as the Queen and the assassins were strong ladies who could hold their own even in a time where women did not enjoy equal status in the society. While some parts of the book did feel a bit stereotypical, it was only natural seeing that the book was set in 261 BC. I enjoyed the descriptions of opulence which was done with great taste.
Full Review- https://thefoodandbooklife.wordpress....
May 17, 2018
Introduction: India has been a land of stories enchanting the rise and fall of the kingdoms. It has been read, heard and believed that the cause of failure of any kingdom has been its internal conspiracies, controversies, and spies. Such is a story of Ram Shankar Etteth ‘The Brahmin’ that is based on the era of Emperor Ashoka, a ruler known for his mastermind and courageous decision. The kingdom undergoes series of murderous and who else can solve it better than the trusted and razor-sharp spymaster of king Ashoka. Lush with historical detail and unforgettable characters, The Brahmin is a mystical and intelligently plotted novel.
The author has focussed on the untold characters and keeps the suspense going with new characters and exciting twist and turns. The spymasters of Magadha goes baffled by the murders taking place in the kingdom and leaves every table unturned in order to catch the murderer. The author has very descriptively introduced the characters in the novel which at times becomes little monotonous for the reader to link it to the flowing story.
Title: The title of the novel ‘The Brahmin’ is best suited to this new genre of mystical history. As our history stands evident for the spontaneity and intelligence of the Brahmin in era of Kings and Queen.
Language: The language of the book shows the articulative quality of the author and keeps the reader glued to the fictional characters in the story. Though it cannot be considered simple but certainly establishes the characters very uniquely and builds the momentum of the story.
Recommendation: The book is an interesting read for the people interested in historical and mystical stories. The book provides an in depth story to the historical stories of Ashok that we all have read or heard about.
The author has focussed on the untold characters and keeps the suspense going with new characters and exciting twist and turns. The spymasters of Magadha goes baffled by the murders taking place in the kingdom and leaves every table unturned in order to catch the murderer. The author has very descriptively introduced the characters in the novel which at times becomes little monotonous for the reader to link it to the flowing story.
Title: The title of the novel ‘The Brahmin’ is best suited to this new genre of mystical history. As our history stands evident for the spontaneity and intelligence of the Brahmin in era of Kings and Queen.
Language: The language of the book shows the articulative quality of the author and keeps the reader glued to the fictional characters in the story. Though it cannot be considered simple but certainly establishes the characters very uniquely and builds the momentum of the story.
Recommendation: The book is an interesting read for the people interested in historical and mystical stories. The book provides an in depth story to the historical stories of Ashok that we all have read or heard about.
May 14, 2018
3.5/5
To read the full review, click on the link below
https://storyofabooknerd.blogspot.in/...
'The Brahmin' by Ravi Shankar Etteth has a gripping plot line and is rich in historical details. The story is set in the Mauryan Era, while King Ashoka was preparing for the forthcoming war against Kalinga.
The narrative style is quite intriguing, and the vocabulary used by the author is quite notable. The story starts out slow, but, after a few chapters, it becomes gripping and I finished it in a flow. Although, at times I had to go back in the previous chapters to find out what is happening in the present. The climax is surprising, but I kind of predicted it beforehand.
The things in the book which fascinated me are the intrinsic details of the historic times, such as the description of the palaces, royal lifestyles, cuisines and etc. The descriptions are so intricate and vivid, that while reading I felt like I am a part of their world.
The best part of this book are the powerful characters that is, King Ashoka, the spymaster, Hao, and Queen Asandhimitra. The characters are very well-developed and makes the plot line more interesting. The character of the Brahmin is loosely based on Chanakya, and we get to see a different side of the King Ashoka. Queen Asandhimitra is just not a mere wallflower, but one who actively takes part in the administration of the kingdom. Hao, one of the most trusted spy of the Brahmin portrays a bold and fierce character in the book.
Overall, 'The Brahmin' was a nice read and is recommended to any reader who is interested in historical-thriller fictions.
To read the full review, click on the link below
https://storyofabooknerd.blogspot.in/...
'The Brahmin' by Ravi Shankar Etteth has a gripping plot line and is rich in historical details. The story is set in the Mauryan Era, while King Ashoka was preparing for the forthcoming war against Kalinga.
The narrative style is quite intriguing, and the vocabulary used by the author is quite notable. The story starts out slow, but, after a few chapters, it becomes gripping and I finished it in a flow. Although, at times I had to go back in the previous chapters to find out what is happening in the present. The climax is surprising, but I kind of predicted it beforehand.
The things in the book which fascinated me are the intrinsic details of the historic times, such as the description of the palaces, royal lifestyles, cuisines and etc. The descriptions are so intricate and vivid, that while reading I felt like I am a part of their world.
The best part of this book are the powerful characters that is, King Ashoka, the spymaster, Hao, and Queen Asandhimitra. The characters are very well-developed and makes the plot line more interesting. The character of the Brahmin is loosely based on Chanakya, and we get to see a different side of the King Ashoka. Queen Asandhimitra is just not a mere wallflower, but one who actively takes part in the administration of the kingdom. Hao, one of the most trusted spy of the Brahmin portrays a bold and fierce character in the book.
Overall, 'The Brahmin' was a nice read and is recommended to any reader who is interested in historical-thriller fictions.
May 28, 2018
"A Grand & Magnificent tell of loyalty,power,greed,love,trust,cheat, conspiracy and mystery.
A Jewell ancient melody which is played gorgeously by a mastermind storyteller. "
Detail Review: http://bodhisattwapalreview.blogspot....
Book: THE BRAHMIN
Author: Ravi Shankar Etteth
Publisher: Westland
Publication date: 23 Mar 2018
Language: English
Review:
Being fully mesmerized, I can't decide from where I start. I picked the book for it's interesting genre. I want to know about the pre Magadha-Kalinga war as I read hardly anything about Ashoka and his kingdom previously. I always love murder mysteries, so I start this one with mediocre expectations. But from the very first chapter the novel impressed me so much that I couldn't put it down. It start with a murder in the harem of Patliputra. And the author masterfully reveled the all mystery in am adorable style. The real hero of the saga is The Brahmin, spymaster of Ashoka.
Not only the Brahmin, Ravi Shankar showed his great skill of characterization in all the epic characters - Asandhimitra, Suma, Mur, Radhagupta, the Greek fighters and the monks - everyone is different from each other. And who can forget the Hao !
He also created magic to make the royal set alive. The details description can give you goosebumps, from the royal foods,furniture to the mysterious forest. The twist and turns are everywhere. The dialogues are so much intellectual and reflection of Etteth's brilliance. Writing style, progression was also masterful. You will not feel bored for even a second. The royal story will grip you and teleport you to 267 BC. Beside being a beautiful thriller, it's a great historical Jewell also. The historical links are terrific. The brilliant start, poetic and gripping middle and the fine finale makes 'The Brahmin' a Historical masterpiece. A must read. One of the best literary milestone made by Indian Author. Hats off.
Rating: 5/5 (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
A Book Review by Bodhisattya Pal.
A Jewell ancient melody which is played gorgeously by a mastermind storyteller. "
Detail Review: http://bodhisattwapalreview.blogspot....
Book: THE BRAHMIN
Author: Ravi Shankar Etteth
Publisher: Westland
Publication date: 23 Mar 2018
Language: English
Review:
Being fully mesmerized, I can't decide from where I start. I picked the book for it's interesting genre. I want to know about the pre Magadha-Kalinga war as I read hardly anything about Ashoka and his kingdom previously. I always love murder mysteries, so I start this one with mediocre expectations. But from the very first chapter the novel impressed me so much that I couldn't put it down. It start with a murder in the harem of Patliputra. And the author masterfully reveled the all mystery in am adorable style. The real hero of the saga is The Brahmin, spymaster of Ashoka.
Not only the Brahmin, Ravi Shankar showed his great skill of characterization in all the epic characters - Asandhimitra, Suma, Mur, Radhagupta, the Greek fighters and the monks - everyone is different from each other. And who can forget the Hao !
He also created magic to make the royal set alive. The details description can give you goosebumps, from the royal foods,furniture to the mysterious forest. The twist and turns are everywhere. The dialogues are so much intellectual and reflection of Etteth's brilliance. Writing style, progression was also masterful. You will not feel bored for even a second. The royal story will grip you and teleport you to 267 BC. Beside being a beautiful thriller, it's a great historical Jewell also. The historical links are terrific. The brilliant start, poetic and gripping middle and the fine finale makes 'The Brahmin' a Historical masterpiece. A must read. One of the best literary milestone made by Indian Author. Hats off.
Rating: 5/5 (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
A Book Review by Bodhisattya Pal.
May 17, 2018
What an impact full story just wow! Im so much drenched in it that still like im in past! Heads off bcz history any mystery with thriller were never my cup of tea. I have read tons of romance books and this time getting historical thriller was the change! A good change!!
Characters – The king Ashoka, The Queen Asandhimitra, SPY Hao, Mur, Radhagupta, the greek fighter and tge monks! Every character is different and gives you goosebumps like ahh what a portary! Even history says women were never weak, queen has played a strong roll in the story.
Plotline super. Story starts with Muder mystery in the harem of Patliputra. Story line was set in the mauryan era i.e ashoka times 267 BC scenario. Amazing and intriguing masterpiece. What was more notable in it was deep description of food, about minute palace even including furniture and dark thicket. Dialogue are surrealistic. Language and narration is so smooth that i was boating in Magadha – Kalinga times!
Must read its a rear combination of history+ thrill that too so deep!
Characters – The king Ashoka, The Queen Asandhimitra, SPY Hao, Mur, Radhagupta, the greek fighter and tge monks! Every character is different and gives you goosebumps like ahh what a portary! Even history says women were never weak, queen has played a strong roll in the story.
Plotline super. Story starts with Muder mystery in the harem of Patliputra. Story line was set in the mauryan era i.e ashoka times 267 BC scenario. Amazing and intriguing masterpiece. What was more notable in it was deep description of food, about minute palace even including furniture and dark thicket. Dialogue are surrealistic. Language and narration is so smooth that i was boating in Magadha – Kalinga times!
Must read its a rear combination of history+ thrill that too so deep!
July 25, 2018
I am actually sad to give this book a 3 star because, this had the potential to be a 5 star. Although the story was gripping and fast moving, it didn't appeal to me that much because it was not that nice to read. The flow of sentences was not so smooth and there were numerous grammatical errors.
I would say this book needs a thorough editing. I am so disappointed that a story line which had a huge potential to be an awesome historical thriller, getting wasted because of editing problems.
I would say this book needs a thorough editing. I am so disappointed that a story line which had a huge potential to be an awesome historical thriller, getting wasted because of editing problems.
July 29, 2018
It's an amazing story of rivalry, spy, monks both of peace and war and human feelings... In the end you think no one is winner.... May the good soul be the winner
Read
March 23, 2020I couldn't complete this book. Perhaps the genre /word choices or my porsaic actions prevented me from advancing in this story.
January 5, 2019
Engaging till the end.
Ravi didn't search much about Buddha and his teachings (which he should, as it would have made the book much beautiful).
Excellent portrait of "near mythical era" of Indian history.
Ravi didn't search much about Buddha and his teachings (which he should, as it would have made the book much beautiful).
Excellent portrait of "near mythical era" of Indian history.
April 26, 2018
The Brahmin is a exciting and fast paced thriller.Thanks to its unique structure and enriching subject matter you simply cannot put it down.The book is well worth your time.An excellent cast of characters,a fascinating plot and i loved the twist at the end.This is definitely goes on my list of books to read again.The cover of the book compel you to pick it up. Title is apt.Language is simple and easy.The book is outstanding captivating unique thriller. Highly recommend this to anyone enjoy historical thriller.
Detailed Review on : priyaranjanmohan.blogspot.in/2018/04/...
Detailed Review on : priyaranjanmohan.blogspot.in/2018/04/...
April 29, 2018
Well written plot. Kept me glued until the end.
August 20, 2018
Rating: 3/5
A few months back, when I was searching for reading any historical fiction based on Mauryan Empire on the net, I came across this book, The Brahmin by Ravi Shankar Etteth on Amazon & going through its synopsis I was immediately intrigued to give it a shot.
The Book is a fast-paced historical thriller set in the pre-era of Maurya-Kalinga war. When one of the concubines of Emperor Ashoka was found mysteriously murdered & a blood flower, "Kovidar" was discovered beside her body, Ashoka appoints the Brahmin, his enigmatic spymaster to solve this murder mystery within seven days. As the Brahmin began his investigation, his investigation took him from the Royal Harem to the filthy slums of Pataliputra, from the dark dungeons to the dangerous forest of Aryavarta & finally bring him to the beautiful city of Ujjain. Many new mysteries, court intrigues & political schemes came into surface & some of the prominent members of the empire became the prime suspect, such as Empress Asandhimitra & Prime Minister Radhaguta. But who was the murderer & what was the motive behind this murder? To know that you have to read the book yourself (I won't give any spoilers.) & trust me it won't be a disappointing read.
Well talking about characters, Ravi Shankar Etteth had meticulously crafted the characters in the book, such as Brahmin- spymaster of Magadha, Antochlius- the Greek Magadhian solider, Lady Hao- the Chinese assassin-cum-espionage who worked under Brahmin or the Kalingan emissary-cum-espionage Suma & finally how can we forget, the deadly enigmatic Kalingan assassin "the blood flower" whose identity will be revealed at the end of the book. The author also brings into life the lesser-known characters vividly like Prime minister Radhagupta & the Empress Asandhimitra.
Now coming to writing style & entertainment aspect, the book is written in very simple language & the story is a fast pace. Once you start reading, you won't want to put it down. The details description of royal foods, furniture, royal palace, festivities & customs of those bygone eras, gives you the feeling that you were right inside the story, watching it with your own eyes & the way suspense is built up by the author, it will completely enthralled & captivated your interest till the end. But one thing that I felt annoying in the book was the repetition of the word the Brahmin which can be avoided. I don't know why the author hasn't use pronouns.
Overall it was an entertaining read. I would give 3 stars out of 5 & would like to recommend the book to everyone who loves historical fiction & thriller.
A few months back, when I was searching for reading any historical fiction based on Mauryan Empire on the net, I came across this book, The Brahmin by Ravi Shankar Etteth on Amazon & going through its synopsis I was immediately intrigued to give it a shot.
The Book is a fast-paced historical thriller set in the pre-era of Maurya-Kalinga war. When one of the concubines of Emperor Ashoka was found mysteriously murdered & a blood flower, "Kovidar" was discovered beside her body, Ashoka appoints the Brahmin, his enigmatic spymaster to solve this murder mystery within seven days. As the Brahmin began his investigation, his investigation took him from the Royal Harem to the filthy slums of Pataliputra, from the dark dungeons to the dangerous forest of Aryavarta & finally bring him to the beautiful city of Ujjain. Many new mysteries, court intrigues & political schemes came into surface & some of the prominent members of the empire became the prime suspect, such as Empress Asandhimitra & Prime Minister Radhaguta. But who was the murderer & what was the motive behind this murder? To know that you have to read the book yourself (I won't give any spoilers.) & trust me it won't be a disappointing read.
Well talking about characters, Ravi Shankar Etteth had meticulously crafted the characters in the book, such as Brahmin- spymaster of Magadha, Antochlius- the Greek Magadhian solider, Lady Hao- the Chinese assassin-cum-espionage who worked under Brahmin or the Kalingan emissary-cum-espionage Suma & finally how can we forget, the deadly enigmatic Kalingan assassin "the blood flower" whose identity will be revealed at the end of the book. The author also brings into life the lesser-known characters vividly like Prime minister Radhagupta & the Empress Asandhimitra.
Now coming to writing style & entertainment aspect, the book is written in very simple language & the story is a fast pace. Once you start reading, you won't want to put it down. The details description of royal foods, furniture, royal palace, festivities & customs of those bygone eras, gives you the feeling that you were right inside the story, watching it with your own eyes & the way suspense is built up by the author, it will completely enthralled & captivated your interest till the end. But one thing that I felt annoying in the book was the repetition of the word the Brahmin which can be avoided. I don't know why the author hasn't use pronouns.
Overall it was an entertaining read. I would give 3 stars out of 5 & would like to recommend the book to everyone who loves historical fiction & thriller.
November 3, 2018
Loved it! A true page-turner. Thrilling from the beginning to the end, the story is plotted around a sharp-witted spymaster who serves Kind Ashoka and Magadha-Kalinga's fight for supremacy.
The book is filled with delightful twists. The plot makes it a compelling read, captivating the reader in it's mystery.
Author Ravi Etteth showcases so much variety in characterization. His writing makes each scene come alive and grips onto the reader.
The Brahmin is an interesting mix of history, espionage, royalty and bravery. This is a little gem of a book.
The book is filled with delightful twists. The plot makes it a compelling read, captivating the reader in it's mystery.
Author Ravi Etteth showcases so much variety in characterization. His writing makes each scene come alive and grips onto the reader.
The Brahmin is an interesting mix of history, espionage, royalty and bravery. This is a little gem of a book.
June 14, 2018
Well crafted characters: must read
This is a must read book for everyone out there. Such beautifully carved characters as well as the plot. Ravi Shankar has made me his fan, will try reading his other works for sure.
I picked up this book expecting it to be something related to Brahmins (being a brahmin myself) but it turned out to be a spy master's journey who has no name and is only known by the name "Brahmin".
It is a short read. Just 250+ pages which I suppose a reader could finish in a day.
Give it a try :)
This is a must read book for everyone out there. Such beautifully carved characters as well as the plot. Ravi Shankar has made me his fan, will try reading his other works for sure.
I picked up this book expecting it to be something related to Brahmins (being a brahmin myself) but it turned out to be a spy master's journey who has no name and is only known by the name "Brahmin".
It is a short read. Just 250+ pages which I suppose a reader could finish in a day.
Give it a try :)
June 12, 2018
Poor writing
The book needs to be proof read before anything else. Author is consistently inconsistent with plots, characters and prose.
The book has specific pace at which it moves almost up to last two chapters and then it moves too fast. As if Author ran out of pages and had finish the book.
The story that Brahmin tells in the end has no head or tail to it. I felt as if I was reading some other book all of sudden.
The book needs to be proof read before anything else. Author is consistently inconsistent with plots, characters and prose.
The book has specific pace at which it moves almost up to last two chapters and then it moves too fast. As if Author ran out of pages and had finish the book.
The story that Brahmin tells in the end has no head or tail to it. I felt as if I was reading some other book all of sudden.
June 21, 2019
All the reviews you have seen uptil now for this book are so fake and paid. This book doesn't even deserve 1star utter waste of time. Apparently there is a war coming which never comes. The brahmin is a spymaster who apparently will save ashoka and his kingdom. Its such a lame story. So many characters with no relevance and background keep cropping up. I don't even know what the author was trying to get at. One star is only for the english used everything else is just disgusting
July 11, 2019
I really like historical fiction but this book really disappoints. The story line is so predictable and trite that one feels that author really is devoid of ideas. I purchased the book seeing Anand Neelkantan recommends it but was disappointed. Desire to make thriller of no story at all is another laughable act by the author
March 19, 2019
Fast, gripping but the climax didn't matched the tempo of the book. The characters are well placed and described . Overall a nice read
July 24, 2018
I happened to pick this book by sheer instinct, I have a long thought for about a month before I bought the kindle version of the book, with a hunch that this will be a good book to read. It turned out to be a historical-fiction-suspense-thriller. This is the first for me having read in a backdrop like this. The attempt of the author is marvelous. The characters that have been set-up are very, very interesting and likeable.
The Brahmin is a story set in the background during the rule of Ashoka on Magadha. Almost all depictions of Ashoka talk about him being a visionary who developed the roads and sanitation in his kingdom. It is rare to find descriptions of the King from the pre-Kalinga-Magadha war time period where he is just another sharp yet power hungry king on a quest to rule the world
The Brahmin is the spy master in Ashoka’s court. The story picks up with a murder and finding the murderer becomes the do or die task for the spymaster. Tracking from there, with many suspicious murders and conspiracies, the spymaster is to crack the mystery to catch the murderer, more than that, save the queen, the king and the kingdom.
There are certain not so familiar characters, from history, like the Prime Minister, Radha Gupta, the Queen Asandhimitra. Hao - the spy, Mur, Suma – the Kalingan diplomate. The reference to the Greek is another not so known aspect in the history around that specific time frame. Of course the true name of the character, Brahmin is never known, thou he is loosely linked to Chanakya and even to the clan of Ravana. There is also certain reference of Lankan’s which turns out to be a key link to this story.
The characterization of each person was so wonderfully done, one would surely like the queen more than the king in this book. The mixture of authority, intelligence and love expressed by the queen is expressed wonderfully. The Brahmin of course steals the show, but Hao is an impressive character too. The political thought process during those times and the way spies planned and cracked the plots is really impressive, so is the narration of it.
Not to get into the story, there is a plot set by Kalinga and a traitor in Magadha to eliminate Brahmin and also conquer the Magadhan throne. An assassin, “Blood Flower” is assigned as part of the whole conspiracy, as in multiple conspiracies are running simultaneously which are on the Brahmin’s head to resolve and protect himself and his kingdom.
The author gives a nice turn towards the end of the book, where he tries to tie the reason for the change in the Ashoka in the book to the king we always learnt about. Appreciate the author for the great thought of connecting the dots perfectly, even for a fiction story. One of the things that I must say, I admired the author’s ability, in this particular book.
One other aspects that I really liked is the way everyone in the royalty and the spy world keep secrets and the certain amount of trust and distrust they share among themselves is so clearly and wonderfully presented. I am not so good with History so I was a little lost at few instances but the story was so much gripping that I could not skip or stop.
@Author, Ravi Shankar Etteth, I never read any book of yours but I would really love to read your other books and I wonder if you were also having any books with the main character as Brahmin and Hao. A great work and very wonderful narration. I would surely say that this book is a page turner and will surely be a good read. Unfortunately thrillers are not good with multiple reads but I sure would like to have a hard copy of this book instead of just a kindle version of it.
The Brahmin is a story set in the background during the rule of Ashoka on Magadha. Almost all depictions of Ashoka talk about him being a visionary who developed the roads and sanitation in his kingdom. It is rare to find descriptions of the King from the pre-Kalinga-Magadha war time period where he is just another sharp yet power hungry king on a quest to rule the world
The Brahmin is the spy master in Ashoka’s court. The story picks up with a murder and finding the murderer becomes the do or die task for the spymaster. Tracking from there, with many suspicious murders and conspiracies, the spymaster is to crack the mystery to catch the murderer, more than that, save the queen, the king and the kingdom.
There are certain not so familiar characters, from history, like the Prime Minister, Radha Gupta, the Queen Asandhimitra. Hao - the spy, Mur, Suma – the Kalingan diplomate. The reference to the Greek is another not so known aspect in the history around that specific time frame. Of course the true name of the character, Brahmin is never known, thou he is loosely linked to Chanakya and even to the clan of Ravana. There is also certain reference of Lankan’s which turns out to be a key link to this story.
The characterization of each person was so wonderfully done, one would surely like the queen more than the king in this book. The mixture of authority, intelligence and love expressed by the queen is expressed wonderfully. The Brahmin of course steals the show, but Hao is an impressive character too. The political thought process during those times and the way spies planned and cracked the plots is really impressive, so is the narration of it.
Not to get into the story, there is a plot set by Kalinga and a traitor in Magadha to eliminate Brahmin and also conquer the Magadhan throne. An assassin, “Blood Flower” is assigned as part of the whole conspiracy, as in multiple conspiracies are running simultaneously which are on the Brahmin’s head to resolve and protect himself and his kingdom.
The author gives a nice turn towards the end of the book, where he tries to tie the reason for the change in the Ashoka in the book to the king we always learnt about. Appreciate the author for the great thought of connecting the dots perfectly, even for a fiction story. One of the things that I must say, I admired the author’s ability, in this particular book.
One other aspects that I really liked is the way everyone in the royalty and the spy world keep secrets and the certain amount of trust and distrust they share among themselves is so clearly and wonderfully presented. I am not so good with History so I was a little lost at few instances but the story was so much gripping that I could not skip or stop.
@Author, Ravi Shankar Etteth, I never read any book of yours but I would really love to read your other books and I wonder if you were also having any books with the main character as Brahmin and Hao. A great work and very wonderful narration. I would surely say that this book is a page turner and will surely be a good read. Unfortunately thrillers are not good with multiple reads but I sure would like to have a hard copy of this book instead of just a kindle version of it.
May 19, 2018
I picked the book as it’s related to King Ashok and anything to do with him has my interest. With a mystery thriller how would I miss this book? And let me tell you it didn’t disappoint me.
This book is the story set in the period of Ashok Emperor of an enigmatic spymaster called Brahmin who is set to solve the mystery murders.
It takes you to the time of Pre Kalinga – Magadha war. It gives you a insight view of how the things were back then. The details and deep characterisation is what I loved most.
The history of each things and importance has been explained marvellously. How the trading developed over the year. It’s like you are watching it right in-front of you. The way every scene set is brilliant.
Writer has spoken about many hidden warriors of our history, he has said it rightly you just need to look back to know how rich is our history.
It speaks about monks and warriors. The depth of knowledge shared is just wow. Language used is perfect. There is a little romantic twist, something that’s unsaid but more than said. This book is a masterpiece.
What I loved in this book?
Theme: The people behind the scene are also v important. I loved that its hero is Brahmin and not Ashok.
Quotes:-
“Pain is an illusion that tests man’s courage”.
“Even with his back turned, the man knows what I am thinking.”
“He likes to believe the worst of everyone but expects the best.”
“King’s are never in anyone’s debt. But I am also a man. As a man, I am in your debt.”
“Every person in this world is constantly at war, with themselves the most. The day you win over yourself, you’ll become a warrior of the light.”
“You were far away, though you were riding so close.’
“Loyalty is a double- edged sword. Its enemy is not betrayal, but Love.”
“He is not like you or me. His is the way of the night.”
Story: This book is a masterpiece. I loved everything about it with perfect twist and turns.
Characters: There is no doubt that Brahmin is one of the fav. And Mur, the mystery she carried with her is wow. Hao what a great warrior so loyal, great combination brave and loyal.
What I did not like?
The climax I wanted more action from Brahmin. And there was something missing which I couldn’t point in particular.
Verdict: This book is truly a masterpiece. Like a treat to all mystery and thriller lovers. One get to learn about history in a entertaining way. Everyone may not like history, there it may fall behind.
My Rating:
Title: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Blurb: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Presentation: 5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
This book is the story set in the period of Ashok Emperor of an enigmatic spymaster called Brahmin who is set to solve the mystery murders.
It takes you to the time of Pre Kalinga – Magadha war. It gives you a insight view of how the things were back then. The details and deep characterisation is what I loved most.
The history of each things and importance has been explained marvellously. How the trading developed over the year. It’s like you are watching it right in-front of you. The way every scene set is brilliant.
Writer has spoken about many hidden warriors of our history, he has said it rightly you just need to look back to know how rich is our history.
It speaks about monks and warriors. The depth of knowledge shared is just wow. Language used is perfect. There is a little romantic twist, something that’s unsaid but more than said. This book is a masterpiece.
What I loved in this book?
Theme: The people behind the scene are also v important. I loved that its hero is Brahmin and not Ashok.
Quotes:-
“Pain is an illusion that tests man’s courage”.
“Even with his back turned, the man knows what I am thinking.”
“He likes to believe the worst of everyone but expects the best.”
“King’s are never in anyone’s debt. But I am also a man. As a man, I am in your debt.”
“Every person in this world is constantly at war, with themselves the most. The day you win over yourself, you’ll become a warrior of the light.”
“You were far away, though you were riding so close.’
“Loyalty is a double- edged sword. Its enemy is not betrayal, but Love.”
“He is not like you or me. His is the way of the night.”
Story: This book is a masterpiece. I loved everything about it with perfect twist and turns.
Characters: There is no doubt that Brahmin is one of the fav. And Mur, the mystery she carried with her is wow. Hao what a great warrior so loyal, great combination brave and loyal.
What I did not like?
The climax I wanted more action from Brahmin. And there was something missing which I couldn’t point in particular.
Verdict: This book is truly a masterpiece. Like a treat to all mystery and thriller lovers. One get to learn about history in a entertaining way. Everyone may not like history, there it may fall behind.
My Rating:
Title: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Blurb: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Presentation: 5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
May 3, 2018
Historical thrillers are so fantastic in the sense they are true at heart and successful in portraying what was real , what would have happened as the period set in ,back drop are kept intact. They would be emotional leaving you strong and your mind happy at the end.
I am glad to read them as they give lessons and feel enlightened about the ancient wisdom.
By interspersing the events that took place during the Maurya era the author Ravi Shankar Etteth tells the stunning story of The Brahmin and how his wit and wisdom safeguard the King Ashoka from his foes.
There are many stories within this period tale relating to great personalities in the Maurya Era like King Ashoka , Chanakya and Alexander. There is also the mention of the Lankan King Ravana as it is very much relevant to the main plot. The writing is really great and it fits the mood and tone of the book without pretentiousness .The pace is even and when the end nears it is fast. Both the concept and execution are good.
The story flows well with all the twists and turns being the page turner you would be hooked to it as you begin to read the social drama full of terror and suspense.
My favorite.
I like the protagonist the Brahmin
People say he can hear and see everything and it is useless to hide from him. He can be everywhere ,or wherever he wants to be , whenever.
Character : I admire Antochlius for alll his valour and shrewdness and Hao due to her dedication to her job as a spy.
I like the episode where the Brahmin saves Ashoka from the clutches of death with the help of monks in the Tamralipti monastery.
The following dialogue between the monk and the Brahmin touches my heart
“My master owns nothing , except what we give him” said the monk.
“What do you give him?”
“Our souls”
What I feel.
A map may be a fitting guide .Both the blurb and title are nice.The cover design is not so appealing. The book requires editing..
My verdict
Overall this book is wonderful.I loved the various themes dealt with subtleness .Ravi has penned a literary gem with attention to minute details and indelible characters.
I am glad to read them as they give lessons and feel enlightened about the ancient wisdom.
By interspersing the events that took place during the Maurya era the author Ravi Shankar Etteth tells the stunning story of The Brahmin and how his wit and wisdom safeguard the King Ashoka from his foes.
There are many stories within this period tale relating to great personalities in the Maurya Era like King Ashoka , Chanakya and Alexander. There is also the mention of the Lankan King Ravana as it is very much relevant to the main plot. The writing is really great and it fits the mood and tone of the book without pretentiousness .The pace is even and when the end nears it is fast. Both the concept and execution are good.
The story flows well with all the twists and turns being the page turner you would be hooked to it as you begin to read the social drama full of terror and suspense.
My favorite.
I like the protagonist the Brahmin
People say he can hear and see everything and it is useless to hide from him. He can be everywhere ,or wherever he wants to be , whenever.
Character : I admire Antochlius for alll his valour and shrewdness and Hao due to her dedication to her job as a spy.
I like the episode where the Brahmin saves Ashoka from the clutches of death with the help of monks in the Tamralipti monastery.
The following dialogue between the monk and the Brahmin touches my heart
“My master owns nothing , except what we give him” said the monk.
“What do you give him?”
“Our souls”
What I feel.
A map may be a fitting guide .Both the blurb and title are nice.The cover design is not so appealing. The book requires editing..
My verdict
Overall this book is wonderful.I loved the various themes dealt with subtleness .Ravi has penned a literary gem with attention to minute details and indelible characters.
May 20, 2018
‘Unputdownable’ is a word thrown around very frequently, yet very casually these days to describe books. Therefore it is with utmost caution and frugality that I chose to use this word, if at all. And it gives even more pleasure and pride when I get to term an Indian author’s fruit of labour thus. Ravi Shankar Etteth’s The Brahmin is precisely that – unputdownable! I stress upon this word because after a very long time I found a book that I finished in a single read, start to finish, and it was so well worth it.
It is a fast paced thriller with mysterious characters and exciting plots and subplots interwoven in a way that the lines between historic fact and literary fiction keep on getting blurred until blossoming into a seamless epic of power, intrigue, politics, deceit, loyalty and ambition.
The book is about a mystical character – The Brahmin, in the court of one of the greatest rulers known to the Indian subcontinent, Asoka. The book portrays a side of Asoka that has not been explored extensively in popular and commercial mainstream literature, the Asoka before the Kalinga war, one driven by ambition, ruthless, insecure and practical to the point of being inhuman. It is this intimidating figure of authority that our protagonist is answerable as well as loyal to. Like any faithful advisor, he has to protect his king, act for the welfare of the kingdom and basically just keep everything from tumbling to the ground. But things aren’t as straightforward as they seem. Add a headstrong queen who has her own clear visions about how to rule a kingdom, a mysterious master assassin whose calling card left with the victim is the only thing the world has seen or heard of, and a weapon of mass destruction that has its origins in mythology and common folk lore; you get a heady cocktail of mythical thrill and intrigue that will keep you glued to the book from start to end.
My Rating – 4/5
It is a fast paced thriller with mysterious characters and exciting plots and subplots interwoven in a way that the lines between historic fact and literary fiction keep on getting blurred until blossoming into a seamless epic of power, intrigue, politics, deceit, loyalty and ambition.
The book is about a mystical character – The Brahmin, in the court of one of the greatest rulers known to the Indian subcontinent, Asoka. The book portrays a side of Asoka that has not been explored extensively in popular and commercial mainstream literature, the Asoka before the Kalinga war, one driven by ambition, ruthless, insecure and practical to the point of being inhuman. It is this intimidating figure of authority that our protagonist is answerable as well as loyal to. Like any faithful advisor, he has to protect his king, act for the welfare of the kingdom and basically just keep everything from tumbling to the ground. But things aren’t as straightforward as they seem. Add a headstrong queen who has her own clear visions about how to rule a kingdom, a mysterious master assassin whose calling card left with the victim is the only thing the world has seen or heard of, and a weapon of mass destruction that has its origins in mythology and common folk lore; you get a heady cocktail of mythical thrill and intrigue that will keep you glued to the book from start to end.
My Rating – 4/5
May 11, 2018
A brilliantly done book with historical details and characters.
A thriller fiction mixed with historical facts is a tough thing to pull off and this book does it brilliantly no doubt. The seamless mix of legends and facts blurs the line between fiction and reality. Book keeps the reader engrossed, giving the reader a new perspective on the already known history. The story is built on the foundation of the historical era of Emperor Ashok pre-Kalinga war.
The characters are limited and the story plays out wonderfully across these. The protagonist of the story, the spymaster, have been beautifully portrayed with the expected perfection and the unexpected but natural human flaws. Throughout the story, the thoughts and character of Brahmin subtly teach us that even perfection can falter at times. With fewer characters, the author focuses on those really well, though a little more depth into other characters could have been more relatable. Another character that leaves an impact is the Queen Asandhimitra. A powerful character yet susceptible to human emotions.
The plot of the story is simple and revolves around mostly on thing only, finding the murderer while the murders keep happening. The plot is nothing very unique and almost halfway, the reader can almost guess the culprit. The start of the story is a little unstructured and scattered and takes time and patience of the reader to stick to it until it gains strength. It could have been more fast-paced than it actually is being a thriller. The unexpected twists placed strategically makes the story interesting.
Throughout the book, what the reader finds impeccable is the historical details and the imagery of the then prevalent architecture. Through mere words, a reader can successfully imagine being in a palace or a forest that have been described in perfect small details and doesn't bore the reader with too long elaborate paragraphs.
A thriller fiction mixed with historical facts is a tough thing to pull off and this book does it brilliantly no doubt. The seamless mix of legends and facts blurs the line between fiction and reality. Book keeps the reader engrossed, giving the reader a new perspective on the already known history. The story is built on the foundation of the historical era of Emperor Ashok pre-Kalinga war.
The characters are limited and the story plays out wonderfully across these. The protagonist of the story, the spymaster, have been beautifully portrayed with the expected perfection and the unexpected but natural human flaws. Throughout the story, the thoughts and character of Brahmin subtly teach us that even perfection can falter at times. With fewer characters, the author focuses on those really well, though a little more depth into other characters could have been more relatable. Another character that leaves an impact is the Queen Asandhimitra. A powerful character yet susceptible to human emotions.
The plot of the story is simple and revolves around mostly on thing only, finding the murderer while the murders keep happening. The plot is nothing very unique and almost halfway, the reader can almost guess the culprit. The start of the story is a little unstructured and scattered and takes time and patience of the reader to stick to it until it gains strength. It could have been more fast-paced than it actually is being a thriller. The unexpected twists placed strategically makes the story interesting.
Throughout the book, what the reader finds impeccable is the historical details and the imagery of the then prevalent architecture. Through mere words, a reader can successfully imagine being in a palace or a forest that have been described in perfect small details and doesn't bore the reader with too long elaborate paragraphs.
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