Just finished reading this and with this the Ajaya series comes to an end... the story leaves you amazed with its point of view from the side which is considered evil...
It questions the well established beliefs of right and wrong...
All this might sound a bit more like non-fiction but it is not, it is an amazing fiction and an amazing conclusion to an amazing series...
The war scenes are described in a way that will make your heart race faster..
Karna-suryodhana-Aswathama-eklavya friendship was the best part of the book
Also the book leaves me a bit uneasy at the way few characters are portrayed but then this is a story and you are supposed to feel that way at the portrayal....
I enjoyed reading this...
Hope you enjoy it too....

Rise of Kali: Duryodhana's Mahabharata
Audible Audiobook
– Unabridged
©2015 Anand Neelakantan (P)2018 Audible, Inc.
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Product details
Listening Length | 16 hours and 10 minutes |
---|---|
Author | Anand Neelakantan |
Narrator | Siddhanta Pinto |
Audible.in Release Date | 28 November 2018 |
Publisher | Audible Studios |
Program Type | Audiobook |
Version | Unabridged |
Language | English |
ASIN | B07KWFWKGL |
Best Sellers Rank |
#715 in Audible Audiobooks & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Audiobooks & Originals)
#8 in Fiction Sagas #9 in Fairy Tale Fantasy #265 in Myths, Legends & Sagas |
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4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
539 global ratings
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Reviewed in India on 23 December 2018
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5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in India on 24 June 2017
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Great read due to excellent narrative by the author, this perspective of Mahabharata keeps reader thinking about history and one wonders how many interpretations can be drawn from the great epic. Hats off to author for a gripping story with Suyodhana as hero, please read with an open mind to enjoy the revelation that what if this version was true! all our prejudice about life would vanish at that moment
10 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in India on 22 September 2017
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Anand Needakantan has done with Duryodhan what he did with Ravan in Asura. Both presented as exceptionally gifted and blessed individuals complete with their virtues and vices. He has presented, likewise, the Pandavas as fallible humans with their own set of weaknesses and strengths. A very balanced narrative with a unique interpretation, vivid imagination and clarity of thought and expression.
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in India on 14 October 2019
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Book Review
Book:The Rise Of Kali
Author:Anand Neelakanthan
Genre:Mythological Fiction
🗡️PLOT:Story begins at the same point where “Roll Of The Dice” had ended.Draupadi is called in the court when Yudhishthira gamble and lose her in the GAME OF DICE.Then the flow of incidents initate which we all have read/heard in the Mahabharata.
🗡️COVER:Sort Of Attractive.One can hear the screech of an eagle in mind while looking at the cover.
🗡️CLIMAX: Almost everyone has heard/read mahabharata is some way.We already know what's “going” to come at the end but that's not the writer's fault.There's already numerous retellings of the epic but here the role has been reversed and that's the major speciality of book.
🗡️LANGUAGE:The language of KALI is a little bit better than the previous installment.Not so heavy words are used.Reader will get immediately attached to book.
🗡️NARRATIVE:I found the narrative a little choppy.Some scenes unfolds at a very slow pace.But author's imagination should be praised as he has vanished all the magical elements from the epic and presented every Character as human.
🗡️AMUSEMENT:KALI is an entertaining read.It give rises to a lot of questions (that's the major achievement of any book).“The Rise Of Kali” is basically the story of turning of “Suyodhana” into “Duryodhana”.It's worth many reads (REALLY).
🗡️Characters:They r not so “LUMINOUS” as compared to the 1st book.Krishna's Character is strongest in this book and i liked every appearance of him.The debate between him and Balarama is more than amazing.Suyodhana's and karna's are strong too.But instead of above mentioned characters every other seemed just complementary.
🗡️FINAL VERDICT:I must say that KALI is not so terrific as compared to the 1st one but it doesn't mean that it shouldn't be picked.It's a must read for any Mythology lover because reading epics from villain's perspective is a totally different experience.Go!! Read it.I undoubtedly Recommend it.
👉🏻The confrontation of EKALAVYA and ARJUNA is my favorite portion of the book
Book:The Rise Of Kali
Author:Anand Neelakanthan
Genre:Mythological Fiction
🗡️PLOT:Story begins at the same point where “Roll Of The Dice” had ended.Draupadi is called in the court when Yudhishthira gamble and lose her in the GAME OF DICE.Then the flow of incidents initate which we all have read/heard in the Mahabharata.
🗡️COVER:Sort Of Attractive.One can hear the screech of an eagle in mind while looking at the cover.
🗡️CLIMAX: Almost everyone has heard/read mahabharata is some way.We already know what's “going” to come at the end but that's not the writer's fault.There's already numerous retellings of the epic but here the role has been reversed and that's the major speciality of book.
🗡️LANGUAGE:The language of KALI is a little bit better than the previous installment.Not so heavy words are used.Reader will get immediately attached to book.
🗡️NARRATIVE:I found the narrative a little choppy.Some scenes unfolds at a very slow pace.But author's imagination should be praised as he has vanished all the magical elements from the epic and presented every Character as human.
🗡️AMUSEMENT:KALI is an entertaining read.It give rises to a lot of questions (that's the major achievement of any book).“The Rise Of Kali” is basically the story of turning of “Suyodhana” into “Duryodhana”.It's worth many reads (REALLY).
🗡️Characters:They r not so “LUMINOUS” as compared to the 1st book.Krishna's Character is strongest in this book and i liked every appearance of him.The debate between him and Balarama is more than amazing.Suyodhana's and karna's are strong too.But instead of above mentioned characters every other seemed just complementary.
🗡️FINAL VERDICT:I must say that KALI is not so terrific as compared to the 1st one but it doesn't mean that it shouldn't be picked.It's a must read for any Mythology lover because reading epics from villain's perspective is a totally different experience.Go!! Read it.I undoubtedly Recommend it.
👉🏻The confrontation of EKALAVYA and ARJUNA is my favorite portion of the book
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in India on 21 February 2019
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Both the books in this series are game-changers. Though the first one shows Suyodhan as a good human being almost reaching the epitome of goodness. In this part, our Suyodhan is more human, faltering at places. The Draupadi cheerharan, the meeting to Subhadra, the pride of making his son a warrior. This makes him more relatable to the reader.
Anand puts up a nice story to show that worse things can happen to people who are not that bad and the fables and lores can make or break a person.
One thing that I can say after reading both the books, that the clear demarcation between the right and wrong characters of Mahabharat is now blurred.
It's now no more about the right or wrong. It's more about the winner and the vanquished.
I suggest everyone should read this once in their lifetime to get an opportunity to see the greatest epic from another lens.
I think Anand has done an epic job. I can only imagine how he placed his perceptions to the original Mahabharat to bring out such a beautiful version of it.
You'll love and hate Anand at the same time for wiping out your inbuilt boundaries about right and wrong. You'll be a different person altogether.
Anand puts up a nice story to show that worse things can happen to people who are not that bad and the fables and lores can make or break a person.
One thing that I can say after reading both the books, that the clear demarcation between the right and wrong characters of Mahabharat is now blurred.
It's now no more about the right or wrong. It's more about the winner and the vanquished.
I suggest everyone should read this once in their lifetime to get an opportunity to see the greatest epic from another lens.
I think Anand has done an epic job. I can only imagine how he placed his perceptions to the original Mahabharat to bring out such a beautiful version of it.
You'll love and hate Anand at the same time for wiping out your inbuilt boundaries about right and wrong. You'll be a different person altogether.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in India on 5 September 2016
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Amazing book. This book offers a different perspective on the Mahabharata. I had been looking forward to this books release since the first book
Roll of the Dice: Duryodhana's Mahabharata (Ajaya Book 1)
I would definitely recommend reading this book as it broadens your world view and offers a never before thought of perspective from the antagonists side of the war.
Some parts of the book touch upon the philosophy of Hinduism (Which is surprisingly very well researched!), while other parts go for an almost atheistic view of the Mahabharata. The main theme revolves around the caste system and how it was misinterpreted throughout the ages.
While some parts might seem like a never ending rant about caste-this and caste-that, the book offers a wonderful insight into the the mind of Dur(Su)yodhana. The characters are very memorable and there are quite a few action filled battle scenes as well.
Overall, this is a BRILLIANT, WELL-WRITTEN, WELL-RESEARCHED book.
I would definitely recommend this book to people of all age groups as this would keep you and your mind occupied for quiet sometime even after you are done reading the book.
Some parts of the book touch upon the philosophy of Hinduism (Which is surprisingly very well researched!), while other parts go for an almost atheistic view of the Mahabharata. The main theme revolves around the caste system and how it was misinterpreted throughout the ages.
While some parts might seem like a never ending rant about caste-this and caste-that, the book offers a wonderful insight into the the mind of Dur(Su)yodhana. The characters are very memorable and there are quite a few action filled battle scenes as well.
Overall, this is a BRILLIANT, WELL-WRITTEN, WELL-RESEARCHED book.
I would definitely recommend this book to people of all age groups as this would keep you and your mind occupied for quiet sometime even after you are done reading the book.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Sibasis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent view of a myth
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 October 2018Verified Purchase
I have never written any review after reading a book. Nevertheless, I am compelled to write one after reading both the volumes. To be honest, everyone knows about Mahabharata and there is hardly anything new to be told. I was initially hesitant to read the book. However, as I started reading it... it became like an addiction. Author has beautifully crafted words to show the conflicts in characters. What is ethically correct? Pandavas are regarded as torchbearer of Dharma. Ironically, they broke all principles of Dharma to win the war. Author raised the most fundamental question: what is Dharma? Dharma practiced by Pandavas did not stand for meritocracy and established the hegemony of Brahmins/upper castes over other castes bringing the biggest evil 'Casteism' into Hinduism. The truth is neither side followed Dharma. The history/myth is as always is written by the victors. Author beautifully put it in the book. Excellent piece of work, strongly recommended !

Arora
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thought Provoking
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 October 2018Verified Purchase
Loved Ajaya Book 1 so had to read the conclusion. The author is very brave to narrate such sensitive topics and that too from the losing side. A must read.

ernst van der lingen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shabash Anand!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 March 2018Verified Purchase
Well written,great story and also educational.The same goes for book 1.

Karthik
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 February 2017Verified Purchase
Much better than his previous book Asura. throughly enjoyed the questions thrown up by the author.. dharma and adharma.. nothing is definite

P Abbey Burathoki
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 June 2017Verified Purchase
excellent book
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