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The Return of Ravana #2
The Ghost Bride
Mumbai, October 2010: Bollywood actress Sunita Ashoka will marry the man who wins her hand in Swayamvara Live, a reality show on television. Vikram Khandavani decides to participate, hoping to draw out his nemesis Ravindra. It's a deadly gamble, one that could cost him everything and everyone he loves.
North India, 1175: King Prithviraj Chauhan is about to storm the swayamvara of the beautiful Sanyogita. But Ravindra is coming, riding at the side of a fierce invader. Only Vikram, in his life as Chand Bardai, stands between Ravindra and all the thrones of India.
In the second book of the engrossing Return of Ravana series, the action swings from the floodlit studios of Mumbai to the glittering Rajput courts, while Vikram and his friends battle an age-old adversary whose power is growing like never before...
North India, 1175: King Prithviraj Chauhan is about to storm the swayamvara of the beautiful Sanyogita. But Ravindra is coming, riding at the side of a fierce invader. Only Vikram, in his life as Chand Bardai, stands between Ravindra and all the thrones of India.
In the second book of the engrossing Return of Ravana series, the action swings from the floodlit studios of Mumbai to the glittering Rajput courts, while Vikram and his friends battle an age-old adversary whose power is growing like never before...
- GenresFantasy
274 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
5 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
David Hair
47 books535 followersDavid Hair is the author of The Bone Tiki, winner of Best First Novel (Young Adult Fiction section) at the 2010 NZ Post Children's Book Awards. The Bone Tiki and its sequel The Taniwha's Tear are fantasy novels set in New Zealand. David is a New Zealander, who has worked primarily in financial services. He has a degree in History and Classical Studies. He has lived from 2007 to 2010 in New Delhi, India, but usually resides in Wellington, New Zealand. Apart from writing, he is interested in folklore, history, and has a passion for football.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 17, 2014
A nice sequel to the first book "Pyre of queens". The present day story takes off from where it ended in the first book while the historical action takes place during the times of Prithviraj Chauhan and involves his struggle with Jaichand of Kannauj and Mohammed Ghori. But there is a marked shift from the first book as the historical action takes a back seat and the present day struggles of the characters occupy a major part of the story. Also the similarities with the Ramayana begin to become clear in this book.
One thing that is difficult to comprehend is the switch in the character of Vikram who transforms from a bespectacled, shy boy to a person who is capable of wooing the character of Sunita Ashoka, that too in just 6 months. But this thing does not hamper the story much.
A new character is introduced in the form of Majid Khan who promises to play an important role in the coming books.
A good read!
I can scarcely wait to read the sequel.
One thing that is difficult to comprehend is the switch in the character of Vikram who transforms from a bespectacled, shy boy to a person who is capable of wooing the character of Sunita Ashoka, that too in just 6 months. But this thing does not hamper the story much.
A new character is introduced in the form of Majid Khan who promises to play an important role in the coming books.
A good read!
I can scarcely wait to read the sequel.
January 1, 2017
The Return of Ravana by David Hair
Book 2 – The Adversaries
Disclaimer – this book was sent as a review copy by the publishers.
Followers of fantasy writer David Hair will already be aware of his ‘Return of Ravana’ timeslip trilogy, written for a young adult audience. This version of the second book (formerly known as ‘The Ghost Bride’) has been updated and revised for the UK re-release. This review contains spoilers for the first story in the series, The Pyre.
Our heroes are the reincarnated souls of characters who have been reliving the same story for hundreds of years. The first book told how the Magician King Ravana sought to achieve godhood in a ghastly ritual which was thwarted by our heroes in the distant past. In an intertwining story, set in the present day, a group of teenagers are thrown together by fate and realise that they are linked by forces beyond their control, and have to fight for their lives as Ravana returns to claim what he believes is his.
In the second book, the historical action moves several centuries ahead to the time of the warrior prince Prithviraj Chauhan and his loyal court poet Chand Bardai. As the action starts, Chand is aware of his past life, and of how he must prepare for the challenges ahead. The souls that we first met in ‘The Pyre’ re-appear, drawn together by fate and the machinations of Ravindra.
Meanwhile, back in the future, having barely survived his defeat at the hands of our heroes, Ravindra plots his return and his revenge. A young Bollywood actress announces that she will give her hand in marriage to the winner of a new reality TV show, Swayamvara Live, where young men will compete for her favour. Vikram, the reincarnated soul of the poet warrior, steps forward and joins the competition, recognising in the young actress the soul of the woman who has been part of his many lives through the centuries.
The stage is now set for a fast paced and enjoyable tale of love, friendship, jealousy and revenge, spanning two time periods. Vikram must draw upon his past life skills and memories, and the strengths of his friends, to battle Ravindra and save them all.
As with the first book, I found The Adversaries to be a good, gripping read which kept me engaged and interested. I would definitely recommend that readers acquaint themselves with The Pyre before reading The Adversaries, but readers who liked The Pyre would probably enjoy the sequel.
This review was first posted at www.bloginbasket.com
Book 2 – The Adversaries
Disclaimer – this book was sent as a review copy by the publishers.
Followers of fantasy writer David Hair will already be aware of his ‘Return of Ravana’ timeslip trilogy, written for a young adult audience. This version of the second book (formerly known as ‘The Ghost Bride’) has been updated and revised for the UK re-release. This review contains spoilers for the first story in the series, The Pyre.
Our heroes are the reincarnated souls of characters who have been reliving the same story for hundreds of years. The first book told how the Magician King Ravana sought to achieve godhood in a ghastly ritual which was thwarted by our heroes in the distant past. In an intertwining story, set in the present day, a group of teenagers are thrown together by fate and realise that they are linked by forces beyond their control, and have to fight for their lives as Ravana returns to claim what he believes is his.
In the second book, the historical action moves several centuries ahead to the time of the warrior prince Prithviraj Chauhan and his loyal court poet Chand Bardai. As the action starts, Chand is aware of his past life, and of how he must prepare for the challenges ahead. The souls that we first met in ‘The Pyre’ re-appear, drawn together by fate and the machinations of Ravindra.
Meanwhile, back in the future, having barely survived his defeat at the hands of our heroes, Ravindra plots his return and his revenge. A young Bollywood actress announces that she will give her hand in marriage to the winner of a new reality TV show, Swayamvara Live, where young men will compete for her favour. Vikram, the reincarnated soul of the poet warrior, steps forward and joins the competition, recognising in the young actress the soul of the woman who has been part of his many lives through the centuries.
The stage is now set for a fast paced and enjoyable tale of love, friendship, jealousy and revenge, spanning two time periods. Vikram must draw upon his past life skills and memories, and the strengths of his friends, to battle Ravindra and save them all.
As with the first book, I found The Adversaries to be a good, gripping read which kept me engaged and interested. I would definitely recommend that readers acquaint themselves with The Pyre before reading The Adversaries, but readers who liked The Pyre would probably enjoy the sequel.
This review was first posted at www.bloginbasket.com
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August 24, 2012 This book is actually quite exciting to read. But I don't know how non-Indians (or ppl who r not familiar with Ramayana) would like it. The reason why I loved it is that the whole Ramayana is portrayed differently. And the past-present aspect is awesome. This is my view. Personally I am yet to read another book like this where the events are basically from Indian myths but are given a modern twist. I read the 1st book in the series at night and I couldn't sleep at night. I had to get up finish the book and then go to sleep.
TO BE CONTINUED....
TO BE CONTINUED....
April 10, 2017
The Adversaries (The Return of Ravana Book 2) by David Hair is a novel for young adults that is loosely inspired by Indian mythology. The books goes through reincarnations of Ravana and related characters over several lives. The aim of each life being to get his 7 queens together to burn them(??) though the burning of wives does not relate to the story of Ravana.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews