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Chimera
The year is 2014. A violent uprising has been instigated all across Tibet as Beijing moves to establish control while the Dalai Lama’s health deteriorates further and questions on the future of the Tibetan leadership are raised. As Beijing pursues the rebels and their benefactors within India, both nations are plunged into a spiraling descent to war. Now each side must navigate their widely different paths to victory as vast armies on both sides wage all-out war in their bid to become the dominant power in Asia…
- GenresFiction
446 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 2, 2021
Work of art. I have read this multiple times and I recommend this to anyone looking for a serious Sino-India war scenario which is contemporary in equipment, orbat and strategic thinking
August 13, 2019
Chimera is a top-notch military thriller featuring a fictitious war between India and China. It provides, through the rich technical details and vivid descriptions, a ringside view of the terrible spectacle that is war. The action is nonstop as the narrative shifts smoothly across the multiple fronts where the war is fought. My next-to-nothing knowledge of wars and weapons got an overload of inputs from this book. The end of the war is just like the end of any war - there isn't a clear-cut winner.
On the negative side, the descriptions of the action tend to get repetitive in spite of being expertly written. And, there are a few editorial issues where the names of some characters are mixed up. The focus is almost entirely on the process of war rather than its causes and other background information. My major disappointment is with the lack of details about the titular operation; it feels like just one of the many fronts of war and nothing more.
Despite the negatives, Chimera is an excellent read which could easily be one of the best Indian military thrillers ever written.
On the negative side, the descriptions of the action tend to get repetitive in spite of being expertly written. And, there are a few editorial issues where the names of some characters are mixed up. The focus is almost entirely on the process of war rather than its causes and other background information. My major disappointment is with the lack of details about the titular operation; it feels like just one of the many fronts of war and nothing more.
Despite the negatives, Chimera is an excellent read which could easily be one of the best Indian military thrillers ever written.
August 26, 2017
A good fast paced book, readers of the original Tom Clancy books will certainly like the pace and content. Weak points of the book are that there is almost nothing mentioned with regards to the diplomatic front. The battles are drawn out one after and another and some readers may find it a battle one too many. Character building is non-existent but at least for me that did not take anything away from the book. Good effort by the author, hope to read many more from the author as his writing matures.
February 21, 2019
Author shows his vast knowledge of weapons and armoury.Many things are supposed but overall an engaging book.Specially if one loves to read about military fiction.Too much detailing makes it lag for some time yet a booming end makes it complete . Definitely a good read.
December 14, 2020
Must read
The possibility of war between India and China is well captured in the imagination of the author. Kudos to him for for giving a detailed description of the war as well as the end of it.
The possibility of war between India and China is well captured in the imagination of the author. Kudos to him for for giving a detailed description of the war as well as the end of it.
May 26, 2021
Really good reas.
The book is a real good work if research and class apart story writing. You feel part of the series of events in the book . Thanks and keep writing many more.
The book is a real good work if research and class apart story writing. You feel part of the series of events in the book . Thanks and keep writing many more.
September 30, 2021
Elephant crushes dragon
I read this in parts on BRF where Vivek sir outlined this story. Still good to read again. Waiting for a second book .
I read this in parts on BRF where Vivek sir outlined this story. Still good to read again. Waiting for a second book .
January 15, 2014
The author has demonstrated and excellent grasp of army, weaponry and political thinking in penning this fictional war between India and China. It is not jingoistic or lopsided and frankly there isn't a victor or vanquished but provides an excellent narrative of how a future war may shape up between the Asian giants. The armaments and logistics are up-to-date and as some one from the region I can vouch that the tactics and strategy are very contemporary.
Having said that I also shudder at the consequences of what would happen if a war did indeed take place in the near future ... Vivek leaves the reader under no illusion of how mind-numbingly complex, ardous and bloody a war under the nuclear umbrella can be. Something that political leaders should be aware of in this region...
My only criticism is that the editing could have been better and there should have been some maps and photos to help the reader with the narrative. All in all an excellent effort!
Having said that I also shudder at the consequences of what would happen if a war did indeed take place in the near future ... Vivek leaves the reader under no illusion of how mind-numbingly complex, ardous and bloody a war under the nuclear umbrella can be. Something that political leaders should be aware of in this region...
My only criticism is that the editing could have been better and there should have been some maps and photos to help the reader with the narrative. All in all an excellent effort!
February 22, 2014
shows great promise !
Ahuja's book reads like a film, as if the scenarios are really happening in front of your eyes ! his grasp on modern military technology is outstanding and his treatment even handed, unbiased and brutally realistic. this is the real stuff !
if you are a fan of military wargaming in the real world this book is for you and that fact has been appreciated in military circles around the world (don't ask me how I know that). India and China are the powers of the future and a war between them might just change the course of the planet's history.
downsides are lack of maps, some printing errors and lack of character build-up for the characters. not that they lack depth but hey, if you wanted to know if the hero likes oolong or orange pekoe, stick to the mushy stuff like thrifty $hades of bray. ;)
Ahuja's book reads like a film, as if the scenarios are really happening in front of your eyes ! his grasp on modern military technology is outstanding and his treatment even handed, unbiased and brutally realistic. this is the real stuff !
if you are a fan of military wargaming in the real world this book is for you and that fact has been appreciated in military circles around the world (don't ask me how I know that). India and China are the powers of the future and a war between them might just change the course of the planet's history.
downsides are lack of maps, some printing errors and lack of character build-up for the characters. not that they lack depth but hey, if you wanted to know if the hero likes oolong or orange pekoe, stick to the mushy stuff like thrifty $hades of bray. ;)
September 8, 2015
A well written book with lots of details. Only downside is that the book is a bit tough to follow. It would have been better if the author would have explained the reason for some strategic operations that would have made readers aware of the bigger picture rather than a narrow frame of tactical initiatives.
August 11, 2013
One of the best reads in a while. Unputdownable.
I would definitely read the next book he's writing.
I would definitely read the next book he's writing.
November 21, 2013
This happened, and then this other thing happened, and then another thing happened... Poorly written, and even more poorly edited. In a word - tedious.
February 12, 2015
Good
Very realistic and a smooth reading. The author did a great job considering the geopolitical scenario and combing that with military perspective.
Very realistic and a smooth reading. The author did a great job considering the geopolitical scenario and combing that with military perspective.
August 22, 2015
Keeps you at edge most of the time. Good read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews