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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
A gruesome triple homicide takes place in suburban Mumbai and ACP Aditi Kashyap is called in to investigate it. As she starts digging deeper into the case, she realises there’s been a whole new secret set of species called Saimahs (werelions) living side by side with humans since the beginning of time itself. How she joins hands with a Saimah Enforcer to solve this crime forms the rest of the story.
Beast is a compelling urban fantasy/thriller novel that will have you at the edge of your seat, wondering both about what comes next and what happened in the past. Krishna Udayasankar has a strong writing voice and is no novice at writing unique characters. While the plot in itself is intriguing, these strong characters and the excellent writing drive the story forward at a brisk pace.
While the blurb makes it seem like Aditi is the main character, it’s Prithvi who takes up more page space. Prithvi’s own past life is strongly tied to the story and it is his past and its consequences that dominate the rest of the story.
Speaking of Prithvi’s past, I initially assumed he was into men too. I thought this was just me, but a close friend who read the book also confirmed that she assumed the same. Despite not being canon, Beast has given us the big gay Indian ship we deserve and we just can’t stop talking about it!
Beast is a fast-paced, intriguing thriller that strikes a beautiful balance between life as we know it and some aspects of Indian mythology. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves urban fantasy, books set in Mumbai, and Indian mythology.
Beast is a compelling urban fantasy/thriller novel that will have you at the edge of your seat, wondering both about what comes next and what happened in the past. Krishna Udayasankar has a strong writing voice and is no novice at writing unique characters. While the plot in itself is intriguing, these strong characters and the excellent writing drive the story forward at a brisk pace.
While the blurb makes it seem like Aditi is the main character, it’s Prithvi who takes up more page space. Prithvi’s own past life is strongly tied to the story and it is his past and its consequences that dominate the rest of the story.
Speaking of Prithvi’s past, I initially assumed he was into men too. I thought this was just me, but a close friend who read the book also confirmed that she assumed the same. Despite not being canon, Beast has given us the big gay Indian ship we deserve and we just can’t stop talking about it!
Beast is a fast-paced, intriguing thriller that strikes a beautiful balance between life as we know it and some aspects of Indian mythology. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves urban fantasy, books set in Mumbai, and Indian mythology.
This book was so good. It started off a little cheesy and it was kind of slow at moments. Also i thought the end was a little too melodramatic but overall i still loved it. The imagination was something. And the book was well written so an extra star for that.
Beast.
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Thank you for sending the review copy @krishnaudayasankar and @penguinindia.
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Any book with a hint of crime mystery immediately becomes my favourite. But this is probably the first time I've ever had the chance to read something that includes crime as well as fantasy fiction. Also this was my first book by the author so I wasn't sure what to expect. Set in Mumbai suburbs, this book explores Indian mythology. Beast is a book that is sure to entice readers till the very last page.
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When a brutal murder case presents itself in the suburbs of Mumbai, Assistant commissioner of police, Aditi Kashyap takes over the task of nabbing the culprits. Very soon she is dragged into the scary world of Saimhas, werelions who have coexisted with humans for centuries. There is in-depth detail about how the werelions came into existence and how they managed to be hidden for so long. Then Prithvi comes into the picture, an Enforcer who has been hired to kill the murderer. One thing that I enjoyed about the author's writing is her precision in nailing the characters. It's detailed and also has bouts of emotion whenever the book demands.
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There were many things that I liked about this book. The inclusion of Indian mythology about Narasimha whom Indians worship diligently impressed me as a reader. She has focused on relationships be it professional or personal. Aditi's persona has a strong feminist picture which I absolutely loved. That being said, I however felt that the book dragged quite a bit. The book jumps from present to Prithvi's past which felt quite lengthy. I had to push myself to finish the book inspite of it being well narrated. A much smaller and crisper version would have excited me more. But I'm very eager to read more books by the author now that I know how beautifully she weaves stories.
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Rating - 3.5/5.
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Thank you for sending the review copy @krishnaudayasankar and @penguinindia.
~
Any book with a hint of crime mystery immediately becomes my favourite. But this is probably the first time I've ever had the chance to read something that includes crime as well as fantasy fiction. Also this was my first book by the author so I wasn't sure what to expect. Set in Mumbai suburbs, this book explores Indian mythology. Beast is a book that is sure to entice readers till the very last page.
~
When a brutal murder case presents itself in the suburbs of Mumbai, Assistant commissioner of police, Aditi Kashyap takes over the task of nabbing the culprits. Very soon she is dragged into the scary world of Saimhas, werelions who have coexisted with humans for centuries. There is in-depth detail about how the werelions came into existence and how they managed to be hidden for so long. Then Prithvi comes into the picture, an Enforcer who has been hired to kill the murderer. One thing that I enjoyed about the author's writing is her precision in nailing the characters. It's detailed and also has bouts of emotion whenever the book demands.
~
There were many things that I liked about this book. The inclusion of Indian mythology about Narasimha whom Indians worship diligently impressed me as a reader. She has focused on relationships be it professional or personal. Aditi's persona has a strong feminist picture which I absolutely loved. That being said, I however felt that the book dragged quite a bit. The book jumps from present to Prithvi's past which felt quite lengthy. I had to push myself to finish the book inspite of it being well narrated. A much smaller and crisper version would have excited me more. But I'm very eager to read more books by the author now that I know how beautifully she weaves stories.
~
Rating - 3.5/5.
Review: This books talks about the mythological creatures werelions , guardian and army of god Vishnu who killed evil from the earth in his last avatar, from that time they are waiting for God Vishnu returns for Saving the earth again and till then, they have this secret to keep from humans.
Now story talks about a guy who is enforcer (the one who keep check on those creature who turn wild and kill innocent and want to rule for being superior in strength ) got in a situation when his past come to get on him for his deeds but then story unfolds and truth started revealing ones he became the villian of the story and then redemption came and change his life for every,
But for that he had to pay a big prize, he loose Friends, family , and love of his life because he has secret to keep but things turn different and complicated, and show's his disturbing past and now we want to give and save a life that is more important and he can fight a world for that.
He succeeded what he started , and thought its time to settle down because situation changes after climax and he have to father a child who is the daughter of his best friend and his beloved (one side love)
Now story talks about a guy who is enforcer (the one who keep check on those creature who turn wild and kill innocent and want to rule for being superior in strength ) got in a situation when his past come to get on him for his deeds but then story unfolds and truth started revealing ones he became the villian of the story and then redemption came and change his life for every,
But for that he had to pay a big prize, he loose Friends, family , and love of his life because he has secret to keep but things turn different and complicated, and show's his disturbing past and now we want to give and save a life that is more important and he can fight a world for that.
He succeeded what he started , and thought its time to settle down because situation changes after climax and he have to father a child who is the daughter of his best friend and his beloved (one side love)
A story honest to the world it builds and offers, the tale of beast is at its core, a battle which is more or less every person might have in their lives atleast once, the punishment of choice imposed on oneself for multitude of reasons, to bring it to a fantasy setting with mythological roots and to tell a story woven with human emotions and feelings, sometimes being the edge, sometimes being liability. Beast is a ride which guarantees you a great experience once you commit to the author's vision and world.
Review: This books talks about the mythological creatures werelions , guardian and army of god Vishnu who killed evil from the earth in his last avatar, from that time they are waiting for God Vishnu returns for Saving the earth again and till then, they have this secret to keep from humans.
Now story talks about a guy who is enforcer (the one who keep check on those creature who turn wild and kill innocent and want to rule for being superior in strength ) got in a situation when his past come to get on him for his deeds but then story unfolds and truth started revealing ones he became the villian of the story and then redemption came and change his life for every,
But for that he had to pay a big prize, he loose Friends, family , and love of his life because he has secret to keep but things turn different and complicated, and show's his disturbing past and now we want to give and save a life that is more important and he can fight a world for that.
He succeeded what he started , and thought its time to settle down because situation changes after climax and he have to father a child who is the daughter of his best friend and his beloved (one side love)
Now story talks about a guy who is enforcer (the one who keep check on those creature who turn wild and kill innocent and want to rule for being superior in strength ) got in a situation when his past come to get on him for his deeds but then story unfolds and truth started revealing ones he became the villian of the story and then redemption came and change his life for every,
But for that he had to pay a big prize, he loose Friends, family , and love of his life because he has secret to keep but things turn different and complicated, and show's his disturbing past and now we want to give and save a life that is more important and he can fight a world for that.
He succeeded what he started , and thought its time to settle down because situation changes after climax and he have to father a child who is the daughter of his best friend and his beloved (one side love)
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Murder
Minor: Gore, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment
Enough has been written about mankind’s penchant for one-upping all other living species. Or, as Darwin put it, survival of the fittest. But what if this were not the case? What if we find roaming among us some of our cousins who have found a way to be both human and animal? It is this possibility that Krishna Udayasankar explores in her latest urban fantasy thriller, Beast, set in present-day Mumbai.
When three drug-dealers are found savagely murdered in the middle of one of the densest metros in the world, ace policewoman ACP Aditi Kashyap is called in to find the killer. Evidence suggests that the killer might not be entirely human. ACP Kashyap, along with Enforcer Prithvi Narasimha, arrives at a warehouse where she witnesses the murderer in action — turns out, her colleagues’ “utterly ridiculous ideas” may not be all that ridiculous.
Full review here: https://www.thehindu.com/books/beast-by-krishna-udayasankar-the-brute-within/article26886644.ece
When three drug-dealers are found savagely murdered in the middle of one of the densest metros in the world, ace policewoman ACP Aditi Kashyap is called in to find the killer. Evidence suggests that the killer might not be entirely human. ACP Kashyap, along with Enforcer Prithvi Narasimha, arrives at a warehouse where she witnesses the murderer in action — turns out, her colleagues’ “utterly ridiculous ideas” may not be all that ridiculous.
Full review here: https://www.thehindu.com/books/beast-by-krishna-udayasankar-the-brute-within/article26886644.ece
Beast is a delightful genre mix, which I think will appeal most to fans of the Underworld movie series as it has a similar dynamic. The author delivers a fast paced chase story interspersed with flashbacks that delve into main character Prithvi's past and introduces us to Saimha society, Werelions connected to the mythical Narasimha.
It's the kind of story you just wish they adopted into a Bollywood Blockbuster movie.
It's the kind of story you just wish they adopted into a Bollywood Blockbuster movie.