The Simoqin Prophecies: Gameworld Trilogy 1

GameWorld Trilogy #1

by Samit Basu

The Prophecies foretell the reawakening of the terrible rakshas, Danh-Gem, and the arrival of a hero to face him. But heroes do not appear magically out of nowhere; they have to be found and trained. And sometimes the makers of prophecies don't know everything they need to know ...

As the day of Danh-Gem's rising draws closer and the chosen hero is sent on a quest, another young man learns of terrible things he must do in secret and the difficult choices he must make in order to save the world from the rakshas.

Drawn from a variety of sources ranging from Greek and Indian epics to spy novels, fairy tales to superhero comics, the Simoqin Prophecies is a tale marked by meticulous plotting and artful storytelling - a page-turner sure to grip you from start to finish.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Indian Literature, Science Fiction, Mythology, India, Humor

512 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 15, 2004

About the author

Samit Basu is an Indian novelist best known for his fantasy and science fiction work

Samit's most recent novel, The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport, was published by Tordotcom in the US and Canada in Oct 2023.

His previous novel, the anti-dystopian near-future The City Inside (Tordotcom, '22) was on the Washington Post and Book Riot best SFF of 2022 lists and earlier shortlisted for the 2020 JCB Prize (India) as Chosen Spirits.

Samit's first novel, The Simoqin Prophecies, published by Penguin India in 2003, when Samit was 23, was the first book in the bestselling Gameworld Trilogy and marked the beginning of Indian English fantasy writing. The other books in the trilogy are The Manticore’s Secret and The Unwaba Revelations.

Samit’s US/UK debut, the superhero novel Turbulence was published in the UK in 2012 and in the US in 2013 to rave reviews. It won Wired‘s Goldenbot Award as one of the books of 2012 and was superheronovels.com’s Book of the Year for 2013.

Samit has also written children's books, published short stories for adults and younger readers in Indian and international anthologies, and has been a columnist and essayist in several leading Indian and international publications.

Samit also works as a screenwriter and director. His debut film, House Arrest, was released as part of Netflix’s International Originals in 2019, and was one of Netflix’s top 5 most viewed Indian films that year. He wrote the film and co-directed it with Shashanka Ghosh.

Samit’s work in comics ranges from historical romance to zombie comedy, and includes diverse collaborators, from Girl With All The Gifts/X-Men writer MR Carey to Terry Gilliam and Duran Duran.

Samit was born in Calcutta, educated in Calcutta and London, and currently works between Delhi and Kolkata. He runs a newsletter, Duck of Dystopia (samit.substack.com) and can be found on social media at @samitbasu, and at samitbasu.com

Reviews

[K.J. Charles]

This was absolutely glorious fun. It's a weird but entirely assured blend: a high fantasy quest/Dark Lord epic based in Indian rather than Euro/Scand myth and landscape, which is also absolutely rammed with gags (the cheaper the better), terrible puns, and affectionate mockery of fantasy tropes. This is the sort of thing that's very easy to do badly. What lifts this book way above is that the characters are terrifically engaging, the plot is genuinely compelling and twisty, the silliness of the quest structure isn't just a joke but actually has a purpose, and it's got a cheery brutality in killing off characters that keeps you glued. Basically I haven't seen this so well pulled off since Terry Pratchett, the master. Glommed it in a weekend, absolutely adored it. Now to get the other two.

[Uday Kanth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine this -

A desert that's called Al-Ugobi.
A seagull whose name is Irik Seagull.
A group of spell-casters calling themselves Hex-Men!

Now none of the above are integral to this story but why I mentioned them here first is probably because this inventive play on words is my major take-away from this book. Samit Basu is just superb at these things. There are more interesting references throughout the book and I'm terribly tempted to list them all out for you but that would take out most of the fun!!

So am I saying that the actual book in itself is not very remarkable? No, in fact its quite the opposite. Samit Basu achieves something here that not many have done before or even after. For a long time, I wanted to see a fantasy story from India that's NOT based on Indian Mythology. Sure, Ramayana and Mahabhratha are too great that we wouldn't ever need anything else as inspiration but I did feel that fantasy as a genre was never exploited the way it was done outside. And Samit, here, attempts a book of semi-epic proportions that's actually quite engaging and entertaining at the same time! He freakin' creates a fantastical parallel world to ours.

The story itself is very straight-forward and simple. There's a hero. Well, two heroes actually. And it's up to you to choose whom you like more. And then there's the heroine. Now, I like this girl. She's not the usual damsel in distress and gives the boys a run for their money. And then there's a host of other interesting characters with Samit bringing a lot of different species to the table - asurs,vanars,vamans, humans! Then there's the dead-but-going-to-resurface dark lord Danh-Gem who reminds you of Voldemort. Everyone is on a quest to slay him but things turn out a bit differently, as you will see.

There's some issues with this book, of course. First and foremost, the half-baked characters. Some characters are not even put in the oven. It's true that you don't particularly get attached to any of the lead characters by the end of the book and that's a shame when you consider how much you were in love with the Harry-Hermione-Ron trio by the end of the first book. That's sorely missing here. If I'm gonna continue reading this book, it's only because I'm interesting in how the story turns out.

And I knew what the plot twist was miles before it happened. But of course, it's not Samit's fault here. Blame all the plot twists you've ever read in your life.

To put in a nutshell, would I recommend this book? Definitely, why not? You owe it to Indian Literature to encourage stuff like this.

P.S Where are the maps!! I have no idea where Avranti is relative to Kol or Durg or Xi'en. Just too many places I can't picture in my head.

[Kalin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very solid 4-star, really-liked-it novel. And if the rest of the series goes where I think it's going (viz: where no-one has gone before), they will own all the stars. And make excellent Stewards.

Starriest moments:

https://choveshkata.net/forum/viewtop...

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into this book because it starts out slow, and I'm not used to Hindu critter names. It wasn't too long that I was completely absorbed into the book.

I have to admit, I really liked Basu's writing style. It was fun, hilarious, quirky, and epic. As I read through all of the mini adventures the characters went on, I was amazed and drawn in. While much of the time the quests weren't detailed, it was much easier to read that way. Seriously, I'm not a huge fan of books when you have to sit through every single one of the hero's adventures to understand how he got X item. Basu went through the more fun ones, while skimming over the more lame ones.

This does not mean, however, that character development falls short. You know quite well who the characters are, what they are thinking, what they are like, and half the time in your own head you are begging them to do/not do something.

My favourite thing about this book is the ending. I read a lot , which is probably an understatement, but the ending caught me completely off guard. I like when things are a little different, and Basu really caught my attention with this one.

I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the trilogy.

[Jwala · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like fantasy fiction unlike the vast majority of people who think that it's a disreputable form of literature and consider it only for kids.
I liked the book. It brims over with allusions-Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Greek mythology, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, comic books, Arabian Nights etc etc.
The storyline, of course, is fantasy staple diet. There is a Quest, and a Quest needs a Hero, who must go forth with a band of loyal warriors and have many adventures, and Save the World. But Simoqin Prophecies offers a slight twist: at the end the reader is unsure who the Hero is: the human Prince Asvin, or the half-ravian Kirin.
Most of the fantasy epics(like LOR, HP etc) are eternal wars between Good and Evil. Basu gently pokes fun at the traditional fantasy epic. And where writers like Tolkien can frequently become dull by virtue of their almost obsessive attention to detail, Basu has managed to evade the issue by throwing in enough wry one-liners and puns. But I felt the attempts at humour can be a little wearing at times and there are lots of spoofy characters(spoofy characters can never be real characters), but still its a great read.
One may enjoy it, but I think one really need to have read some fantasy before, or at least have familiarity with Indian culture before one can fully enjoy it. Finally i say its a nice spoof.

[Soumya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think of a story, Timas. It can be anything you like. Don't think too much, now.
Protagonists can be regular too. Guy and female best friend? Perfect, Timas. Let's put in a competing alpha male, yes?
And keep it in an Indian mythological setting - how novel! While you're at it, Timas, throw in a lot of references to appear clever.
Now start writing, Timas (your name isn't Timas, is it?). Keep the beginning intriguing. How? A rambling confused Creator who disappears for the rest of the time? Sounds good to me.
Jump to the end now, Timas. What about the middle, you say? Oh, put some words to fill up space, I trust you with that. Finish with something you can continue later. Trilogies sell these days, you know, Timas.
Voila! Look, Timas! You now have a light, entertaining, mindless read with a Bollywood-esque storyline and a hundred and forty two characters no one will remember. Oh my!

[Anushka Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find this and other fantasy reviews at Feminist Quill

Samit Basu’s trilogy effortlessly blends mythologies, cultures, satire and comedy into an enjoyable read. If I could quote every single sentence here, I would, because not a line passes without some sort of pun, humorous aside, or frankly just a funny description.

Triog’s ancestors were, like most ogres, from Ventelot. They were a very highly respected family of ogres, who had eaten many of the famous knights of the Almost-Perfectly-Circular Table, in the forgotten days when Ventelot was the mightiest kingdom in the whole world.

The world of GameWorld Trilogy is varied as far as species go. Humans exist alongside rakshases and asurs, vanars and pashans, ogres and centaurs, khudrans and vamans, dragons, serpents and manticores. And, of course, the ravians. Equally diverse is the number of cultures and cities, with almost all of them playing a significant role in the development of the plot over the course of three books. And yet, no part of the book gets bogged down in long winded world-building descriptions, thanks in great part to Basu’s deft comic touch.

That being said, on my third re-read, I’m still trying to put my finger on what bothers me about this book. I mean, it’s great, and I have greatly enjoyed each time I re-read it, but perhaps it errs on the side of too much. Too many cultures. Too many jokes. Too many side quests and sub plots and arcs within arcs. It gets a little difficult to remember them all, like when you’re reading The Silmarillion, except it’s actually fun to read.

“Well, I had indeed agreed to lend Raka’s sword to Kol. But I’m afraid I cannot now.”
“And why not, may we ask?”
“Because,” said Rukmini, “Raka’s sword is lost.”
The standard replies to such dramatic revelations are ‘What!’, ‘How?’, or ‘Then die, infidel!’ but Gaam said, ‘Oh, there you are.’

Caste, Religion and Gender

“Low caste? The ravians had castes like they have in Avranti? But that’s horrible!”

The parallels drawn to real world cultures are often a little too on the nose. For example, the fictional country of Avranti, which is where Asvin hails from, is basically Ayodhya as described in the Ramayana, lifted almost in its entirety. The Avrantic warriors are world renowned archers, who give names to their bows and go on gallant Ashwamedh quests. They live next to forests where Rakshases and Vanars make their homes, and tend towards misogyny in their practice of chivalry. Asvin, for instance, refuses to battle Maya during his training because she’s a woman. Maya on the other hand hails from Durg, Avranti’s neighbouring country which is known for its fierce and headstrong warrior women. Kind of what it would have looked like if the Amazonians had turned themselves into a Goddess Durga cult.

Avranti is also the only culture, aside from the Ravians, which is said to practice caste differentiation in its society, and the rest of GameWorld is dismissive towards the Avrantics for this and many other reasons. They are seen as quaint and set in their ways, touchy about their customs, and not entirely in sync with the rest of the modern world, where the modern world is exemplified by the great city of Kol. This reference to their caste system is also our first clue to the fact that much lauded and revered Ravians? Maybe not all that great.

Another parallel that’s drawn is between Avranti and Artaxerxia.

Gaam looked at him sadly. “In your words, I see the work of Ventelot, and of Imokoi,” he said. I cannot understand the hatred the Avrantics and the Artaxerxians bear for each other. I have been to both countries. You have so much in common, your languages, your food, even your race… When other countries were wandering tribes, Avranti and Artaxerxia were discovering advanced mathematics together.”

For reference, on the Gameworld, Artaxerxia is roughly equivalent to Arabian/ Islamic cultures, Avranti to subcontinental Hindu-centric cultures, Ventelot (a reference to Camelot) is probably Britain, and Imokoi is, of course, Mordor.

The Romance

You could say that Asvin and Kirin were born to be rivals, in the way that all rivalry has now been redefined by YA love triangles. That is to say, they’re both handsome, accomplished, young men with little to no drawbacks. As an even bigger bonus, and in direct contrast to the young men in most YA love triangles, neither has any abusive traits whatsoever. To top it all off, like Harry and Neville, either could be the Chosen One of the Simoqin Prophecies.

Again, as with most love triangles, it is clear who the author favours. He goes out of his way to show us how harmlessly self-absorbed and kinda dumb Asvin is. How he has everything set up for him, and doesn’t even have to work for the title of Chosen One. Kirin on the other hand, is destined for a bit of a journey. He must figure out his mysterious antecedents, and the legacy left for him by his father, Narak Demon-hunter. But to posit Kirin as the underdog is a bold move, considering how much royal blood runs through his veins.

The evolution of Kiran and Asvin’s respective journeys is non-linear, refusing to play to conventional tropes beyond making fun of them. And Maya would have been caught between them if it weren’t for her unfortunate penchant for wandering off into tangential adventures that are invariably more eventful and exciting than whatever the gods of Romance had planned for her.

The Philosophy

The Chroniclers wrote the tales of the hero’s quests, which were often entirely fabricated, and gave them to the great pots, who in turn wrote the epics the world is so font of.

When I first read the GameWorld Trilogy, I had only read two books by Terry Pratchett. And while both made favourable impressions on me, the experience of reading two Terry Pratchett books is a far cry from that which comes with reading all 40-odd books in the Discworld series at least three times each. And with that experience comes the pleasant realization of how much Gameworld takes after Discworld. In things like cultures and species, certainly. When it comes to puns and satire, most definitely. But what sets Terry Pratchett apart for me is his ability to be philosophical without being a drag. To take the reader down rabbit holes of plausible yet fantastical conjecture. To make critical thinking fun.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that this is what The Simoqin Prophecies does – after all, it is rather difficult to find something to rival that insane Trousers of Time explanation. But it’s still nice to see that which is obvious to your average History major repackaged as a disillusioning lesson to a naive and bright-eyed wannabe hero.

“But some of the legends are false. So many dragons have died, out of old age, indigestion or sheer boredom, and knights have come to empty caves, stuck swords in the corpses, and posed for the portraits. And what of the heroes who are slain? No one sings about them. At most, there is the line in the epic that talks about the hundreds the monster has slain. That one of those hundreds might have removed a leg, a wing or even a head before dying is never mentioned.”

Literary Boyfriend? Literary Boyfriend!

Years before Eithan Arelius made his way onto the scene, there was one that made his mark, never to be fully effaced. Yes, I’m talking about Kirin. Kirin, whose mind is “keen and twisted, like a corkscrew.” Kirin, who never tells Maya that he likes her, because he has to go find out what legacy his father’s talking diary has left for him. Who silently makes way for Asvin and swallows his hurt, because hello, introvert. Kirin, who accomplishes six impossible things before breakfast, only to get bored with them just as quickly and wander away to find the next impossible thing to accomplish. Kirin who errs on the side of stoic and whose slightest overtures gladden the heart because they’re coming from him.

The question of whether or not to read The Simoqin Prophecies is a no-brainer for the avid fantasy fiction fan – especially if you’ve already managed to sit through Lord of the Rings, or A Song of Ice and Fire. But even if fantasy isn’t your go-to genre, this book will still work for you on at least one of numerous levels, be it comedy, long-winded and well fleshed-out adventure, or puns.

Reviews for the other books in this series:
2. The Manticore's Secret
3. The Unwaba Revelations

[Nikitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book. I am so excited to have found a Science Fantasy Fiction book by an Indian author that is right up my alley. It has so many extremely funny references to pop culture and mythology. The moment I saw that there was a desert called Al-Ugobi I knew this book was perfect. Neil Gaiman meets Douglas Adams meets Lewis Carroll. What a masterpiece Aaaaaaahhhh. Can't wait to finish the trilogy and pick up other books by the author.

[Ddruid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard some vague stuff about Samit Basu’s Gameworld Trilogy a long time ago. Unfortunately, it got pushed to the deep recesses of my mind until one day, as Fate would have it, I chanced upon a copy of The Simoqin Prophecies. Then I thought, ‘Ah, what the heck...’ Secretly I was hoping that the book would restore my hope for the future of modern Indian fantasy fiction.

Guess what. It did.

I am a fan of Basu’s style of writing. His voice is refreshing, quirky, hilarious and at times will leave you snorting and groaning with laughter. I thought I should make a special mention for the humor in this novel. Because don’t expect it to be your traditional epic fantasy. In fact, throughout the book it pokes perpetual light-hearted fun at your old fantasy tropes. In these pages you will find scattered dozens of parodies and spoofs, some subtle, others not so much, of well-known movies, books, comics and so on. The novel's unique humor suffused in each and every paragraph you read. One review said that the book ‘straddles (without ever really crossing) the line between being an entertaining fantasy novel and a tender satire’. I really couldn’t have put it better.

The novel itself starts out in a fairly traditional fantasy way. There is the threat of a Dark Lord returning, the notorious rakshasa Danh-Gem, and this leads to a Quest. And where there is a Quest, there is a Hero (preferably one prophesized in advance). As the day of the Danh-Gem’s resurrection approaches the Hero is chosen and his training begins. But heroes aren’t born, they are made. And there are some things which even prophecies can't foretell. As the Hero prepares for his journey, another young man learns of his destiny and the difficult choices he must make to save the world from the rakshasa.

Set in vast, thriving and beautifully built world, The Simoqin Prophecies is full of exotic creatures, races and a cast of characters just as vibrant and varied as the land they live in. From the beginning we have no doubt about our two primary protagonists: Asvin, the Hero, the Person To Whom Many Things Happen (or something like that) and Kirin, the ravian.

Rescued in the beginning of the story from an attempt on his life, Asvin is an Avrantic prince and so you can’t really blame him if he’s stubborn, naïve and slightly prejudiced. He is described as having a mind that is 'keen and straight like a sword’. Couple this with his good nature, inherent gallantry and his endless supply of courage and Asvin makes an endearing, if at times exasperating, character. He grew up in a rigid royal environment and with barely any knowledge of the world beyond his borders. His attempted assassination was the first event that jarred him from his supposedly secure life into reality and the real world. Now, with hesitant strides, he is finding his way as he trains and prepares to be a Hero and soon realizes it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. He won’t find monsters stalking every corner just waiting for him to slay them. Damsels will probably give him a run for his money. And the world is far more different than Asvin could've expected. He will have to learn much before he can become its Hero.

Though it is unclear which of our two central characters is the main protagonist of the novel, I would say that Kirin takes up most of the center stage as his story, his emotions, his decisions drive much of the plot. He is the last of his own kind in this world and he doesn’t know why. Kirin is a ravian, a member of an ancient, powerful and mysterious race that disappeared off the face of earth long ago. Kirin doesn’t know or remember why he was left behind. But as the last of his race, he takes it upon himself to defeat and destroy the ravians’ greatest enemy, Danh-Gem. (Note:- You can replace the word ‘ravian’ with ‘elf’ if you want but I’d prefer to stick with the former. It sounds much cooler.) Incidentally, Kirin’s mind is described as being ‘keen and twisted like a corkscrew’. He and Asvin make quite a contrast. And though from the beginning their intent is one and the same, down the road their paths branch off and take completely different turns. By the end of the novel, you will realize just how far apart their journeys have led them.

But these two are just the icing on the cake when it comes to the characters. Another major one is Maya, a feisty young girl who is also a skilled Spellbinder and Asvin’s possible romantic interest. (Sorry, Asvin, it ain’t gonna be that easy to woo her.) Coincidentally, we’re first introduced to her as Kirin’s best friend and from the start we are given hints that Kirin's feelings towards Maya may be more than that of a friend. Aside from that we also have homicidal rabbits, scantily clad centauresses, bloodthirsty monkeys, carnivorous jinnis (seriously), Kirin's friend and unofficial bodyguard Spikes (Warning: That guy is ugly. And dangerous), an old vaman and experienced mentor named Gaam (never call a vaman a dwarf; there are easier ways to commit suicide), a kind, good-natured khudran named Amloki (everyone likes Amloki) and a shadowy vigilante who goes by the name of the Silver Dagger (every world needs a vigilante, whether the vigilante likes it or not). I really felt the urge to mention the Dagger because his true identity is probably the biggest twist in the whole freakin’ book!

Another thing which I liked about the book was the ending. It surprised me. It really did. Especially since Samit Basu was playing around with an old cliché. But I give it double thumbs up as it really hooked me on to what would happen next. Everybody loves it when an author does something different with his story.

All in all, this book is worth more than just a try. It is a must read and I can guarantee you have never read anything of its like before. This is India's first fantasy novel written in English and it doesn't disappoint. The beginning might be a bit slow before things start to pace up. The narrative's style and humor may not be for everyone (though I can't imagine why). If you’re not familiar with Indian mythology and culture you'll probably miss out on a few jokes and you’ll have difficulty in pronouncing some of the names at first. But you'll get used to it. And I don't think any of this would come in the way of enjoying the story.

So thank you Mr. Basu for restoring my faith in Indian English fantasy. I am definitely on the lookout for the rest of your works and I will recommend them to everyone I meet.

[Anangsha Alammyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chimera called Nimboopani?
A desert called Al-Ugobi?
A group of spell-casters called Hex-Squad?

The references will make you laugh out loud. If you’re familiar with Indian history and mythology, the Easter eggs will have you squealing with excitement.

The Simoqin Prophecies has all the elements of an epic high fantasy story. There’s a rich world-building, mighty warriors and ancient villains, young heroes who are destined to do great things, and a brilliant narrative laced with humor that will make sure there’s not a single dull moment while reading this book.

This is hands-down one of the wittiest books I’ve read in recent times. Go ahead and treat yourself to it.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, an Indian author who writes science fiction/fantasy. And what a novel. With references from various books, ranging from Indian epics like the Ramayan and the Mahabharata to fantasy books like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Eragon to Greek mythology-this book has it all.

The writing is fluid, easy to read and laced with humor. The plot has many central characters, many threads and ever so many leads, and each one is better than the last. Generally speaking, it follows the traditional first-book-in-a-YA-fantasy-series novel thread: enter hero, hero is found by the good forces, hero is meticulously trained, hero goes on a quest foretold by the prophecy, hero gathers equipment/magical weapons/useless shiny items, the dark lord/evil king/guy with bad humor rises, the battle begins; except for one twist: there is no good and evil, and there are not one, but many heroes. The author, instead giving you one awesome mind-blowing perfect hero, gives two. And the freedom to choose which one you want to back.


Personally speaking, I dislike one of the heroes; he's an arrogant, anti-feminist girl chaser who wants to be a hero not for the sake of saving the world, but for the sake of being a hero. The other one however, is mysterious, charming, true to the heroine and the underdog. More importantly, the second hero doesn't want to be a hero. He wants to be left in peace.

The book is filled descriptions of the characters, but unlike other YA authors, Samit Basu skips the long and dreary descriptions of the quests and the battles. I liked this very much. When a major battle is being fought, I don't want to know every sword movement of the hero, I want the gist of it along with the result. The quests weren't that well thought out, dangerous or intriguing either. In some cases you crave a better thought out task, but the endless humor, delightful characters and perfect plot make up for it.

[Gangambika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had given up on contemporary Indian authors, but Samit Basu gives me hope. Surprisingly well written, the book is a parody of your everyday fantasy. With a Dark Lord who's not so dark, a Robin Hood doubling as Lord Rama and princes falling in love with Rakshases, while damsels give knights a run for their money, this book hilariously kills all the stereotypes that your typical Hero story propounds while weaving a very interesting tale of an oncoming war between the forces of Good and Evil (or Good and Good, or Evil and Evil, or just two sides who believe in different things). I am especially fond of the Knights of the Almost-Perfectly-Circular Table of Ventelot and the wonderful ending.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Simoqin Prophecies is the first in a fantastical mythologically-inspired trilogy which follows several different groups of characters during the lead-up to the date that an ancient prophecy suggests that both an old nemesis and a new hero will emerge and a world-changing war will begin. The heroes are unlikely, the quests are never what is expected, and who knows whether any of it happened this way because, as some characters learn, stories are written by chroniclers with their own sets of interests.

What worked for me: there are some truly hilarious moments scattered throughout this book, and there were also a few twists I did not entirely see coming. Basu weaves in references to well known stories and mythologies without ever feeling “referential” or anything but original.

What didn’t quite work so well: there are a few too many character names mentioned very early on, and combined with the slower pace at the beginning of the novel this makes it hard to really get invested in the plot or know what’s going on. Having finished the novel I still think a few characters could’ve easily been omitted without compromising the story.

Overall – this wasn’t a favourite necessarily, but it’s so unlike anything else I’ve read that I just may be curious enough to pick up the sequel.

Content warnings: violence, war, injury detail, xenophobia

[Ranjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I nearly gave up at 46%. I just wasn’t getting into the book but sunk cost fallacy kept me going. That and the fact that a friend had enthusiastically recommended this book. When I was on the verge of marking the book as ‘abandoned’ on Goodreads, I read a review that said that the second half was fast-paced. Sunk cost fallacy had me again as did FOMO.

To my relief and pleasant surprise, the second half WAS fast-paced and enjoyable. I particularly liked the world Samit Basu has created by borrowing elements of various mythologies. The story is set in India and ample amounts of Hindu mythology is included in clever ways which I particularly enjoyed. I do wonder if anyone new to Indian folklore would fully get the references, though.

I’m impressed that the author wrote this book in his early twenties. I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to finish reading the book but I am glad that I didn’t give up midway.

[Debayan Koley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to call it a multicultural, rather a cross-cultural fantasy adventure story. It really fascinates me how someone could take several legendary tales across various cultures and merge them into a single story with such perfection, without loosing it's uniqueness. We can definitely sense the presence of lord of the rings, with slight mixture of wizarding world of harry potter, along with Indian epic Ramayana and Mahabharata. The story includes the essence of arabian nights, tales of the Knights from the round table, and last but not the least, Alice in Wonderland. It mocks the typical events we often find in mythical stories like 'The hero always gets the girl'. The subtle spoofs and satires make this story more enjoyable. But above all as a Bengali, I find it more engaging when many of the characters are named in a funny bengali way like nimbupani (as in lemon water) the chimera, Prince Chorpulis, Prince Kumirdanga, Amloki etc. It's really the kind of fantasy story you rarely get your hands on. I can't wait to read the next two parts.

[Lel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me, no where near as funny as it sounds and just a jumble of characters.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too bad once you get used to the names of creatures and places.
3.5*

[Akshay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Simoqin Prophecies (GameWorld Trilogy, #1) by Samit Basu

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

The Simoqin Prophecies, the first book in Samit Basu's GameWorld Trilogy, is a refreshing and wildly imaginative entry into the fantasy genre, blending humor, myth, and adventure in a way that both subverts and celebrates traditional fantasy tropes. Basu, with his sharp wit and vast knowledge of global mythologies, crafts a tale that is as much a homage to the genre as it is a critique, making it stand out in the crowded field of fantasy literature.

Plot Overview:

Set in a world where mythologies from various cultures collide, The Simoqin Prophecies tells the story of a prophecy that predicts the return of the powerful demon lord, Rakshas. The novel follows multiple characters, including Kirin, a young student at the Vaman Academy, Maya, a mysterious and powerful warrior, and Asvin, a prince with a destiny, as they navigate a world filled with gods, monsters, and political intrigue. The plot is filled with twists, humor, and references that will delight both seasoned fantasy readers and those new to the genre.

Character Development:

Basu’s characters are vibrant and multifaceted, each with their own quirks and complexities. Kirin is the reluctant hero, burdened with expectations and responsibilities he’s not sure he wants. Maya’s enigmatic nature and her journey of self-discovery add depth to the narrative. Asvin’s arc, which begins with the classic trope of a prince seeking glory, is subverted in surprising and entertaining ways. The supporting characters, including the comically villainous Danh-Gem and the resourceful Vanra, add layers of richness to the story.

Comparative Analysis:

When comparing The Simoqin Prophecies to its contemporaries, it’s clear that Basu’s work stands out for its unique blend of cultural references and satire. While Western fantasy series like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter or Terry Pratchett’s Discworld often draw from European mythology and folklore, Basu incorporates elements from Indian epics, Greek myths, and even popular culture, creating a truly global fantasy experience. The humor and satirical edge are reminiscent of Pratchett, but Basu’s narrative voice is distinctly his own, infusing the story with an Indian sensibility that sets it apart from the predominantly Western canon.

In terms of epic scope and world-building, Basu’s work can be compared to that of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire or Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series. However, where Martin and Sanderson often delve into the darker, more serious aspects of their worlds, Basu opts for a lighter, more humorous tone, making his work accessible and enjoyable to a broader audience.

Critical Examination:

One critique of The Simoqin Prophecies is that the sheer number of cultural references and in-jokes might overwhelm readers who are not familiar with the source material. While this intertextuality is part of the novel’s charm, it can also be a barrier to those not well-versed in the mythologies and pop culture it draws upon. Additionally, the book’s playful tone and constant subversion of expectations might not appeal to readers who prefer a more straightforward, serious fantasy narrative.

Conclusion:

Overall, The Simoqin Prophecies is a standout debut that offers a fresh perspective on the fantasy genre. Samit Basu’s ability to blend humor, myth, and adventure into a cohesive and entertaining narrative is commendable. While it may not cater to everyone’s tastes, particularly those who prefer traditional epic fantasies, it is a must-read for those who appreciate a more irreverent and culturally diverse approach to the genre. Whether you’re a fan of Pratchett’s wit, Rowling’s magical world, or Sanderson’s intricate plots, The Simoqin Prophecies is likely to delight and surprise in equal measure.

[Aranya Adak · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but it fell short on many counts. There were still a few things that might make me pick up this series again later.

My biggest issue with the book is that it tries to be too many things all at once. Samit Basu is a bit overambitious and there are way too many elements jam-packed into 500 pages. I mean, Indian, Greek, and Egyptian mythology all figure in this tale. Phew!

It is an epic fantasy with way too many kingdoms and characters (often inconsequential - why were Djongli, the storks, and so many others in the book at all?). Surprisingly, out of this motley crew, I only ever cared for Maya, but she is reduced to a side character who has nothing to do while the lifeless Asvin and Kirin partake in all the action throughout the book. And for all its huge scope, disappointingly, the world-building is half-baked. Too many names are hurtled at the reader without much backstory or context to justify their existence. A magic system exists too that has hardly any well-defined rules. (Oh look, Maya can light fireballs. Now, she can make people invisible!)

The humor in this book was hit-and-miss for me. It often felt extremely forced and overall I would have preferred a a fewer number of jokes. 'Peyaj from Potolpur' made me chuckle at first, but I was left groaning when ridiculous Bengali names kept popping up every now and then. The plot is extremely predictable. I saw the big twist at the end coming when I was less than halfway through the book. Also, there were too many plot elements lifted directly from Ramayana, to the point it stopped being amusing and became annoying. There are also a ridiculous number of dei ex machina liberally sprinkled throughout the book (only 'heroes' can pass through the mirrors? I mean come on! Then, there's Chen in Xi'en who appears out of nowhere, etc.)

However, the writing isn't bad, and sometimes it's pretty good! I liked some of the objects described in this book, like the Chariot of Vul, the Gauntlet of Tatsu and the Shadowknife. Also, dragons appear at the end. This might just make me return one day! Overall, a decent read, and I hope to see more sff come out of India.

[Tathagata Kandar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goosebumps...

I have been a fantasy fiction junkie for the better part of a decade now but this style of writing is totally new to me and extremely refreshing. Some die-hard fantasy-lovers have argued that the books are comedy and so does not get a place in the Great and Exalted Hall of Epic Fantasies - however, I would say that the author has managed to walk this tight-rope marvelously well. The comedy does not hinder the story, instead it enriches it.

The plot of the book is about the rise of the hero (and the Dark Lord) of the Simoqin prophecies who is supposed to vanquish a dude named Danh-Gem, a bad-ass rakshas who would do a Jesus and come back from the dead (zombie Jesus for the win)

Most of the story is narrated sometimes by one of the characters. The storytelling experience is smooth and extremely witty (with a bunny named Steel-Bunz you can't go wrong). The juxtaposition of ancient and new technology does not appear forced

Character development, unlike other contemporary Indian authors, has been done extremely well in this book. Even the inconsequential characters like Peyaj from Potolpur (:D Bongs would get this very expensive recipe for laughter) have a character description to give a very clear picture. The scenes are laid out perfectly as well - there is no great flowery Tolkien-y description but Samit(author) gets the job done

One lacunae is probably the missing map and glossary. I figured out where most of the regions are but could not for the life of me figure out the extent of Vrihataranya. Also I presume some of the pronunciation would be difficult for non-Indians

Last but not the least, Samit has left some tantalizing and witty puns to enjoy if you are an Indian (deserts named Al-Ugobi and centaurs named Red Pearl - Lalmoti) and a few more if you are a Bong (The 3 princes of Potolpur are Chorpulis, Lukochuri and Kumirdanga)

BTW, Samit just in case you are reading this, this is the first time in my life praising a Boscoite. Hoping to be similarly delighted by the rest of the series.

[Nakul · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up because I wanted to read Indian writing, and this was one of the top recommendations in my Twitter feed by someone. So, on a whim, I bought this. I didn't have very high expectations, but I had decided to go in with an open mind.

Boy was I wrong. The Simoqin Prophecies feels like a clunky book, with cliches and long drawn sentences that seem amateur. The excessive use of superlatives put me off. Every new character is either the greatest this or the most that or the highest ever or the biggest ever. That put me off. The writing felt like a low budget Tolkien, and his impact on the author is clear. The characters felt weak, the choices forced or illogical, and some characters were plain stereotypes. I didn't appreciate the ending so much.

Not to say the book didn't have its qualities. I admired the author's world-building efforts and the successful and easy immersion of Indian names, characters and places. The author seems like a fun person to hang out with, but I was not a fan of this book.

[Girish Deveshwar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The GameWorld trilogy was recommended to me as a very funny, epic, brilliant sci-fi fantasy series. The first book of the series ticks all the boxes as listed above.
It stays interesting and good, though never reaching to the 'great' standards. Having read two books, and being halfway through the third one, I can also safely say that this first book is the funny one, while keeping good balance with intrigue and plot. The first 20% of the book is a chore though.
The characters are surprisingly well defined and consistent through out the series. It has anywhere from 4 to 7 protagonists at some or the other point in the story. Red herrings are also sprinkled through out, but that adds to the humour.
Overall, I would say it's a better than expected effort, though remains striving for greatness and falling short.

[Johny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the most difficult fantasy books to get into. With no name or cult references, no maps and absolutely weird ass character names (and places). Also, the writer fails to provide a detailed description of each creature which again makes it hard to imagine and differentiate from other creatures.
Once you get past the first 50 pages (which will require some motivation) you will start enjoying this book up to the last ten. The writer tried to come up with some out of the world ending but only managed to drag out the book and end it in an extremely disappointing and feeble manner.

Well, now that I've read the first book i guess i'll go to read book two of this trilogy and if that too turns out to be anything like this one, I might give up my quest right there.

[Manikanta Avinash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never thought an Indian writer could write such a detailed fantasy book. A very good book with so many creatures and a decent story that you will never get bored. The first few chapters were a difficult to pass with so many characters getting introduced but after 60-100 pages, the book is un-putdownable.

Also the ending was a very good surprise. I am not sure how the lead characters are going to become in the second book. ****spoiler this line***** It looked like Heroes are going to become villians in the next book but need to read it to know! I already ordered the second part on flipkart.

I also enjoyed the gentle poking at traditional fantasy tales.

[Pranjali · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the wittiest books I have read recently! It was just too full of small little details that would bring a smile to my face! If you're looking for a serious/intellectual book, then stay away. But if you're looking to have fun and can appreciate a little weird and sometimes childish imagination, I'll say this is the book for you. I have to agree, I had to brave through the first chapter... it just completely took me by surprise, but in the end it was a fabulous read!

[Harshita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pleasantly fun! I enjoyed all the literary allusions and especially the subversion of scenes from the Ramayana. Clearly the author had a lot of fun with the hero-villain-damsel tropes and so did I. And the world building was meaty enough to make me care and pick up the second and third books as well.

[Devesh Yamparala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: (read) 4.5

One of the most entertaining books I've read.

I found it very interesting and particularly cleverly written. But, in order to get to the interesting parts, you need *a lot* of patience while reading the first 60-70 pages.

This is just the first book of the trilogy and the ending just sets it up perfectly. I loved the ending of this book.

[Bombadillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give it 4, because it was really the first of its kind. Though Samit comfortably stole ideas from Pratchett, and a huge chunk of it is mostly parody, I think he still did a good job or at least he dared to.

[Sujata Ravi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very very interesting fantasy fiction from an Indian author , at last . Samit Basu does a great job combining and reinventing many mythological characters from India's rich mythology and makes a thrilling , and easy to relate with tale . Look forward to reading the next two !

[Sharanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

in 1 word- awesome