The Last Avatar: Age of Kalki 1 by Vishwas Mudagal (Book Review: 4.75*/5) !!!

I sat in the flight for the first time just 4 years back and post that I had the experience of flying for 8 times. I saw people reading and working on their laptops but I loved watching the world from feet above through my window seat. I used to think how these people end up reading something when they can also enjoy clouds like me. Last weekend, I had gone to Delhi from Mumbai due to some assignment and because of having books at my end pending for reviews, I thought of finally reading in the flight and utilizing the 2 hours in the sky. I picked up “The Last Avatar: Age of Kalki 1” written by one of my favourite authors, Vishwas Mudagal, and I would like to thank the author for making my flying experience better than all the flights I had before.

I must say that since I read his 1^st book, I was waiting for his 2^nd book desperately and seeing a book from an altogether different theme surprised me. Vishwas is an entrepreneur in the technological space and I never knew he possessed interest in history and mythology. The book is all about the blend between his domain expertise of technology with history, mythology and even future. There are many books which have been written on the concept of the Last Avatar of Lord Vishnu, Kalki who shall come on Earth whenever needed on the planet but I must say this is the easiest book written till date which shall let you enjoy this book lightly without getting too much confused between timelines, characters, situations, fantastical world etc.

The book starts with an unwarranted nuclear test that China conducts which shocks everyone in the world. The case gets escalated right up till President of USA. Later on, book discusses how there is difference of opinions even within China where the Government is not happy with what a person has done just for his personal satisfaction. Finally, we get introduced with characters- Shen and Nushen who belongs to Homo Supernus because of which they have some extra super-powers than human beings. Nushen, throughout the storyline of the book becomes my favourite because of the way she supports Neel, who is believed to be the next avatar of Vishnu- Kalki.

The chemistry of Nushen and Neel is so wonderfully described that the whole segment when they run away from China’s capture is entertaining and chilling to read. The flashback of Neel with Arya and Tiger is also an interesting read. The secret that gets unveiled with that backstory has another big part to play in the book. The character of Jian who is basically the antagonist of this book is mentioned as someone having immense power to make the nuclear test at his will, capture anyone from anywhere, make famous Chinese actress his slave under his recluse. The segments where his difficult decisions etc. are narrated are also described in a great manner as you can feel his strength, horribleness, hatred, divisiveness, lustiness, betrayal etc.  The characterization of each and every character is done with perfectness as you can completely imagine how they look and what they are like.

I liked how author manages to discuss something as complex as concept of secret society named The Rudras so easily making it understandable to everyone. The author also manages to discuss something as terrorising as ISIS in the form of terrorist group- Invisible Hand in the book which manages to attack the Indian Parliament having the top ministers in the building at the time of bombing. Talking about the climax, this is one of the best climaxes I have read from books that still have parts to go for the story to end. This book ends with something which doesn’t let this part of book feel as incomplete but yet makes you thrilled and desperate for the further part of the tale.

Closing the review, I must talk about the cover page which has this larger-than-life sci-fi version of Lord Hanuman’s image. The cover page because of this looks spectacular and makes the reader astonished as to how Lord Hanuman is related with the last avatar of Kalki but I must tell you, this is not just an image made for cover concept but is also the base of the war in the story. Do read this book to find out about it and Vanar Sena’s importance. I give this book 4.75* out of 5 for the incredible writing, flawless narration, seamless execution of complex concepts, action-packed scenes explained with words that helps you in imagining everything in front of your eyes easily and with all of this, still assuring that the book discusses above love and relationships incessantly. Kudos!

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!!