The Republic of Mathura and the Empire of Magadh are at war. Krisha and his third wife, Satyabhama, devise a plan to save the Republic from the inevitable. Prince Duryodhan from the Union of Hastina has upturned tradition and angered many by naming Karna, a member of a marginalized group, as Highmaster of the Angan region. Nala, a Student at the Citadel of Meru, overcomes tragedy by vowing for revenge. And while the turmoil unfolds, an ancient evil will soon unleash its wrath upon the world. But it is up to Masha, a Matron in the House of Oracles, to determine when and where, if civilization stands a chance at survival. Sons of Darkness by debut author Gourav Mohanty is an Indian Fantasy novel based on cultural lore and explores how conniving and self-serving players in politics can be just as dangerous as the fiercest fighters in war.
Readers who are familiar with Hinduism know about Krishna. Sons of Darkness imagines what kind of person he would have been and how his life might have transpired. His wife, Satyabhama, is a renowned warrior and leader of the all-female fighting division called the Silver Wolves. Yet it is Krishna’s infamous rise to leadership that has earned him the title of Usurper by Jarasandh, Emperor of Magadh. But when Jarasandh’s daughter takes her own life during the ongoing siege of Mathura, he calls for a year-long armistice. Krishna recognizes the situation as an opportunity to prepare for the worst and move Mathura elsewhere, in secret. But doing so requires cooperation and discretion from many people. Even if all goes according to plan, other forces won’t make it so easy for them.
Karna, confidant and close friend of Duryodhan, is in way over his head in his position as Highmaster. As a Resht, a low-born working class, his life is reduced to a selection of occupations. But in his quest to break the system, he finds himself in a position of power, without the skills to navigate the politics of it all. And based on what readers learn about him from his and other characters’ POVs, there is a mysterious darkness lurking that he fights to keep inside. But when horrible events unfold at a competition for the Princess of Panchal, Drupaudi, he realizes his unfamiliar political territory was just the beginning.
On the other hand, the Union of Hastina itself faces civil conflict regarding who the rightful heir is. The sons of Pandu, former King, insist that the eldest and Highmaster of Varnavrat was born first. Yet their lifestyle away from civilization didn’t include a written record of such events. Even so, they challenge their cousin Duryodhan’s place in line – but not before they put the pieces in place to do so.
Other notable characters in Sons of Darkness include Master of Spies and torturer Shakuni. Despite being a cripple in chronic pain, his wit is unmatched in manipulating others and ensuring the best outcome for himself. Shishupal is the Commander of the Crimson Cloaks of the Magadh Empire and reluctantly yet loyally obeys orders from his Emperor. Eklavvya is an eccentric and blood-thirsty War-Chief of the Valkas, whose cheerful demeanor contradicts his ruthless reputation. And I can’t possibly leave out Mati, Pirate Princess with a backstory that would make anyone think twice about befriending her, let alone crossing her.
As one may have realized, Sons of Darkness contains many characters, several POVs, and centuries-old quarrels that still make ripples today. Oh, and it’s over 600 pages. Even so, Mohanty has beautifully created a sophisticated fantasy world full of murder, betrayal, scandal, socioeconomic conflict, war, and twists that rival A Song of Ice and Fire. The author spends much of the first third of the story on building the world and filling in readers with the context of the bad blood between characters. But once the story picks up, it’s easy to stay hooked. Plus, the third act of the story includes a battle scene that spans 50+ pages yet maintains its momentum until the end.
I appreciated the strong women in the story. Characters like Satyabhama and the Silver Wolves, Mati, and Nala demonstrate Mohanty’s efforts to create characters who are bold, clever, confident, and breathtaking. Personally, I found it enjoyable and refreshing. He also creates realistic characters out of those derived from Indian mythology. Shakuni and Krishna seem to always be three steps ahead of everyone else. Karna and Shishupal are admirable yet humbling, as they remind me of “golden retriever” characters who wear rose-colored glasses yet can hold their own when put to the test. And of course I couldn’t help but sympathize with Princess Draupadi, who knows she is a pawn but shows promise in the role she must play.
Gourav Mohanty joins me on the Cantina Book Club podcast to talk about his experiences as a debut author and the biggest challenges of bringing the story to life. Keep an ear out for the interview in an upcoming episode and preorder Sons of Darkness, available January 9.
