Radha: Wrath Of The Maeju

by Rishi Amatya

All Radha wanted was a quiet Saturday in Patan Durbar Square with her brother and uncle. But an earthquake brings her dreams crashing to the ground - along with Patan's temples and palaces - and unleashes forces that threaten everyone she loves.
As the armies of darkness await at the border between the worlds, Radha must find the strength and resolve to do everything it takes to restore the balance.
An adventure unlike any before, Radha is the story of a young girl who must overcome her own doubts before she can know what it means to be a god.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy

260 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[My_Strange_Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Young Adult story set in my neighborhood. It incorporates so much of the Nepali/Newari culture and is a beautiful fantasy. It’s definitely meant for young readers, and read very simply, but it was fun to read an OWN voice story about my little corner of Nepal.

[Lune · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rishi Amatya's Radha: Wrath of the Maeju offers a unique journey into the heart of Patan, blending Newari folklore with an intriguing fantasy narrative. As someone who once vowed never to set foot in Patan again due to personal reasons, this book unexpectedly reignited my curiosity about the place. I now find myself wanting to explore its streets, temples, and landmarks as described in the story.
The novel's setting is deeply rooted in Newari culture and mythology, which adds an authentic charm to the narrative. However, as a reader with no prior knowledge of Hindu and Buddhist deities or saints, 1 often found myself confused about their roles and motives. This lack of background context made it harder to fully connect with some parts of the story. It would have been helpful if the author had included a glossary or brief explanations to guide readers unfamiliar with these rich traditions.
Despite this, the book's strengths lie in its vivid descriptions and imaginative storytelling. Amatya brings Patan to life, weaving magic and folklore into its history and culture. It's refreshing to see a fantasy novel based on Nepali folk tales, a genre that feels both fresh and full of potential.
Overall, Radha: Wrath of the Maeju is a promising debut that highlights the richness of Newari mythology.
While it could benefit from more accessible context for wider audiences, it's still an enjoyable read. I look forward to more Nepali fantasy stories that dive deeper into the folklore and traditions of the country.

[AN · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Radha" is undoubtedly an adventure unlike any before - it had me on the edge of my seat throughout the reading. I've been to Patan hundreds of times but this journey was exceptional in many ways. It completely immersed me into the art, history, festivals, and spiritual practices of Patan, unraveling the realm beyond the known - into the world of legends and myths. As someone who is interested but not well-versed in Newari history and culture, this book was just what I needed to catch the spark. Rishi Amatya's writing is very easy and visual. The use of vernacular language (romanized) in between has added soul to the characters. The book may have certain shortcomings but in its entirety, it is thoroughly enjoyable and fulfilling. I unreservedly recommend this book to anyone interested in mythological fiction.

To conclude, here's an excerpt from the author's note that made the strongest impression on me:

"And lastly, this is for a young Rishi. He would have squealed with delight if he had encountered a story steeped in our own culture. Writing this has been a dream come true."

[RIDZ 🪷 · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a very quick read and was actually quite interesting. however, point of view was rather confusing at times and felt like the author was speaking himself rather than through a character. this is his first novel, so obviously it is not something i minded much. loved the characterization of radha, even though at times it felt quite unbelievable. dhiraj also reminds me of my own little brother. a fun read nonetheless!

[Ena · Rating 2 out of 5]

The jumps between the characters were just too sudden, which also made the plot line very frazzled.
After some exposition in the beginning, it was really hard to connect to the characters throughout the rest of the book.

[Suyash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being an avid fan of mythological fiction seeing a work from Nepali writer in that category, I couldn't resist getting this book the second I heard about it. This first book of its kind that I know of from a Nepali author, Radha has now expanded the boundary of Nepali literature into a new frontier.

For someone who grew up reading folklorists like Kesar Lall and Karunakar Baidhya, and who now frequents the streets of Patan, this book was absolutely enchanting. Having the scenes I have seen play out in the pages with a veil of mysticism and supernatural from the childhood folklore brought much joy to me.

While I enjoyed the book immensely I couldn't help the feeling that the character needed more fleshing out. The motivations for the characters were a little unclear and while the events were happening one after the another, I felt the "why" nagging at me. Also, the exposition dump brought me out of the story a little. But all these nitpicks can be easily forgiven because I am not the target audience for this book. The young adult readers are sure to be enthralled by a tale of mystical intrigue.

All in all, it was a very pleasant read that will surely help introduce Nepali and Newa mythology to a wider audience. I hope this book can do to the newer generation what Baidhya and Lall's stories did for me. I look forward to reading more of similar books from Rishi in the future.