It's good to see Indian publishers sending out emails about new releases in Indian fiction. This afternoon I received one from Partridge India, a Penguin Random House company, New Delhi, which drew my attention to THE BLAKES: The Greek Mission, the first part of a trilogy.
The 164-page ebook is written by Venkitesh Vijay, a 14-year old boy from South India and a student of Kendriya Vidyalaya Ernakulam, Kerala. This is his debut novel which "traverses through a new imagination of Greek mythological characters, their real life, and the modern period."
The story is about Alex and John, two archaeologist brothers from London who are summoned by the gods for an important mission—to save one of the gods from the enemies in God’s world. The brothers were identified, tested and entrusted with the mission by the Greek God Zeus due to a power struggle in gods' world. The brothers, however, have to pass many challenges before they are given the task.
Sounds good. Of course, I have not read the ebook which promises action and excitement for the reader. The spate of fantasy and mythological fiction has generated interest in this genre among young readers in India.
The story is about Alex and John, two archaeologist brothers from London who are summoned by the gods for an important mission—to save one of the gods from the enemies in God’s world. The brothers were identified, tested and entrusted with the mission by the Greek God Zeus due to a power struggle in gods' world. The brothers, however, have to pass many challenges before they are given the task.
Sounds good. Of course, I have not read the ebook which promises action and excitement for the reader. The spate of fantasy and mythological fiction has generated interest in this genre among young readers in India.
If interested, you can buy the ebook at Amazon for $1.80 (Rs.118.30).
Hmm..... rather you than me, if I'm totally honest, but I hope you enjoy it and it does well.
ReplyDeleteCol, I'm not sure I'm going to read it right away. Perhaps, at a later date.
DeleteI sometimes wonder, when very young folks have books come out, if it is not some kind of publicity stunt. I'm too suspicious for my own good at times.
ReplyDeleteCharles, I think independent publishing that enterprises like Amazon facilitate is inspiring people of all ages in India including youth to try their hand at creative writing. I have seen quite a few books written by youngsters, even children.
DeleteThis does sound interesting, Prashant, and I look forward to your assessment of it, when you do read it.
ReplyDeleteTracy, it certainly does. A work of fiction centered around Greek mythology is an unusual subject matter for a young Indian teenager.
DeleteA 14-year old writer! Fantastic. May his career be successful and long.
ReplyDeleteDavid, thanks for the encouraging words. I hope Venkitesh Vijay reads them.
DeleteGetting published at that age is an achievement all by itself!
ReplyDeleteSergio, I admire the 14-year old's discipline in actually sitting down and writing a book.
DeleteFantasy is one of the few genres that holds little appeal to me at all. Sounds interesting, but not for me.
ReplyDeleteKelly, I don't read as much fantasy as I'd have liked to but then again it'd have to be written really well. Not all fantasy fiction appeals to me.
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