The Last Avatar (Age of Kalki #1)

The Last Avatar – Age of Kalki is a mytho-science-fiction that is the first part of a trilogy. It tells the story of Kalki who is supposed to come on this earth and end the evil times or the Kalyug. That it will need human help is obvious and already there is a mysterious hero called Kalki that seems to be doing a good job.The book opens with a bang—with bombs, rockets and gunfire as a group tries to get their hands on some ancient texts. This also introduces the image on the book cover. He is the real or mythical Kalki in the image of Lord Hanuman, the monkey god and warrior-soldier. Whether he is real, a myth, or a fantasy or really have the gods descended remains to be known. The book then moves to China as we learn of a heinous plot that hope to enslave the entire world with help from the unknown, unseen super villain, The Invisible Hand. The focus is on a simultaneous attack on various countries including India that cripples and causes anarchy.The characters in The Last Avatar – Age of Kalki are detailed yet mysterious. Even though we are given full details about Neel or Kakli the boy who is seen as a saviour. Arya, the super sleuth who is always on Neel’s mind. Nushen, the goddess who is a bio-engineered human yet there is so much more we wish to know. Gen Jian, the tyrannical leader of China who follows Genghis Khan and aspires to be like him add a realistic yet futuristic feel to the book. I can actually find incidents in real life inspiring the book and that made it an interesting and fast read. General Ramsey, Tiger, Professor Vati, and Prime Minister Acharya, make it a well balanced cast. Even the minor characters make their presence felt.The Last Avatar – Age of Kalki seamlessly merges the ancient Mythology with futuristic science fiction. The Astras a company that made the drones and gadgets to secure the borders. The Chinese secret labs that make superhumans and the school where Neel and Tiger and Arya study and the various labs make it a futuristic yet believable backdrop for the book. Even though the book is heavily into science and mixes it up with myths and ancient history. It celebrates India with its rich heritage and age-old wisdom and traditions.The book is a page-turner yet it ends on a cliffhanger. The real Kalki is revealed as are the mythical creature we saw in the opening chapter yet it leaves many more unanswered questions. The final pages have the various ‘Scriptures of the Gods, which were an interesting read and I am sure a prelude to the future adventures in the next book of this series.Still, The Last Avatar – Age of Kalki leaves the reader wanting more. It is like the tip of the iceberg, I want to know about the enemy, I want to know what happens in China and to the eternal Nushen—that part was a bit of a letdown since this book finished without telling anything about her. There are many questions and the next book is eagerly anticipated.

Very well written and told by writer. Amalgamation of Science and Mythology at its best.Eagerly waiting for second part !!

As they say, ‘History repeats itself’! and when it does, it reforms and regain its magnitude to an extend unimaginable today. Such a narrative that unfolds the book into an opulent sci-fi drama.Yes!! My recent read, a book titled ‘The last Avatar-Age of Kalki’-Part 1 by Vishwas Mudagal is shattering the roof with this mythological yet sci-fi chronicle.A well-researched plot which peeps deep into our mythological treasure of ancient scriptures, knowledge possessed by civilisations. But the story hemmed around the fear of apocalyptic third world war simultaneously throws us far into the looming sci-fi world, connecting the two eras beautifully.The story of Kalki (a man believed to be the last avatar of Gods to save the world) takes us way back in time. The author dawdles the narrative by applying the knowledge unearthed from the lost and found scriptures, using them to create a worldly futuristic weapon bursting with scientific and technological advancements. Such is the progression that the magnificent robotic war weapons created are no less than the powers possessed by God himself!The reader is hooked to the plot only to understand and visualize the phenomenal sci-fi drama sensing the ripples in their own nervous system.What excited me as a reader was the fact that, we have all grown up to believe that the world has always been progressive and by each decade and century the technological and robotic advancements get better and enhanced. Well, Vishwas hammered this belief that the world has already seen significant progressions back into the history of mankind, way more than our minds can even deliberate today!! Our Vedas and scriptures are bursting with robust literature and knowledge. Hence, whatever we build or formulate in the present, is only derived from the logics/basics or theories from this unheeded data.The plot doesn’t have loose ends, Vishwas holds the grip firmly on the story. The ease with language makes it a smooth read and easy to comprehend the convolutions of details and terminologies.As a reader, mystic and age-old content on mythology as never intrigued me. But this one is surely my pick as I eagerly await the subsequent Parts of this Trilogy.An ardent fan!!

The Last Avatar was one hell of a book, and I enjoyed every bit of it. The narration is simple, sophisticated, elaborate and everything else that a reader craves for. It is engaging to the extent of giving you sleepless nights. The detailed description is what raises the adrenaline.It was almost like watching a movie, with every reaction, every movement, being mentioned in the book and yet not being overdone.The most important factor while writing fantasy fiction is to provide each character with a back story that does not raise questions, rather gives the answers.The Last Avatar excelled at it, providing not only a detailed but also reasonable explanations that did not seem like being pitched out of the blue. The story behind the Rudras, the Scripture of Gods and the power they manifested, were fictionally acceptable. The theory behind the Vanaroids, the futuristic drones, the martial arts, etc, were scientifically satisfying as well.

Kalki is a topic which is overused by many prominent writers in India. Still, it is a good subject to let your imagination build on. Mainly because of the mythological and modern background of the character. That’s why this topic never goes off the style.First things first. I was really intrigued by the cover of the book at first sight. The depiction of Kalki with the touch of Lord Hanuman wielding a mysterious but seemingly powerful weapon. The curiosity built by the cover alone deserves an honorable mention.Coming to the story, this one has everything for every kind of readers. I was absolutely fascinated by the plot and sub-plots in the story. The subplots are the main highlight. Because the author has woven many stories in a single string and connected them well to build an absolutely massive plot. This plot holds together every character in the story. This is also a well-built foundation for his upcoming books in this series.The world is on the edge of an apocalyptic war. An attack by the terrorist group Invisible Hand in the Indian parliament has eliminated the Prime Minister, Union ministry and cabinet. The national emergency is declared and the subsequent chaos paved the way for destruction and terror. From this total terror, an unconventional hero has risen who is know as The Kalki. The protagonist Kalki, who has a double life as Neel who leads the Astra Group which manufactures most modern technological types of equipment. He is backed by a secret society known as Rudras.What is the intention of this terrorist group led by Master Zar and what is his hidden motive to attack Indian parliament in one go? Who is Kalki and what is his intention behind saving the world? Who is the secret society known as Rudras and are they have some hidden agenda?There are many more questions are arising from each page of the story. Every page creates suspense. There are too many different characters and the imaginary world which the author bought to the reader is absolutely magical. This suspense along with twists and addressing the geopolitical situation of India and China, the author never leaves any stones unturned.The protagonist has no flaws. He has superhuman strength and abilities makes him the reincarnation of God. But I felt the character of the villain is slightly underdeveloped. The strength of the villain has a huge part in making a hero.Altogether, it is a very good story and worth your time. Every mythological-historical fiction reader ought to try this book.