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The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara
Deep within the peaceful land of Kerala lies a small village called Chottanikkara that is infested with horrifying demons—towering brahmarakshasas, former priests who have become demons after committing abominable sins; kollivaipei, devils that have torches of fire in place of mouths; mohini pisaacha, who seduce men by taking the form of beautiful women, and suck the breath out of their victims; vethaalam who cling to the backs of those they prey on, making them hunch over in agony; jalpisaacha, who lurk in old, disused wells waiting for unsuspecting humans to dive into the water so they may possess them; pretha, who are covered in hyena-like fur, and specialize in feasting on the bodies of half-burnt corpses in cremation grounds, and many others more. All these demons crave the sweet blood of humans and their herds of cattle, goats and chickens. The only defence the terrified villagers have against these monsters is Devi, a demon hunter skilled in all the arts of war and exorcism. Every time the demons creep out of their accursed haunts, she and her faithful companion, an enormous lion called Ugra, hunt them and slay them ruthlessly. Until now. For a creature out of her worst nightmares is spreading terror throughout Chottanikkara, a monster so evil and powerful that it is immune to every weapon and magic art that Devi possesses. For the first time in her life, as she prepares for her final showdown with the demon, Devi is wracked with fear, and indecision, for this one battle she knows she might lose…
Part supernatural thriller, and part horror story, The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara announces the arrival of a ferociously gifted storyteller.
Part supernatural thriller, and part horror story, The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara announces the arrival of a ferociously gifted storyteller.
- GenresFantasy
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2017
2 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
S.V. Sujatha
2 books7 followersS. V. Sujatha was born in Madras, the land of filter coffee and elaborate meals and wonderful temples. She is a graduate of the Warwick Writing Programme where she eventually found her calling as a writer and storyteller. She currently lives in the United States of America and is a full-time writer. This is her debut novel, born out of her love for the Mother Goddess and passion for Indian mythology.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 13, 2018
I have been to the holy shrine of Chottanikara twice. Once, because I heard so much about the strange magic , tales of exorcism , extraordinarily interesting tales surrounding the place and the mysterious origin and and history of the temple. The second time was because I felt that I just had to go back again.So, I was excited to pick up this book by S.V.Sujatha.Fantastic first attempt by this writer.Loved it and completed it on one sitting.We should encourage more Indian writers to write a story like this which is closely based on native myths and beliefs. However, this will strictly work only for those who are already familiar with the legends associated with the Chottanikara temple and who also love listening to grandmother's late night tales.
I hope this author writes more stories in the future .
I hope this author writes more stories in the future .
September 11, 2017
Among the many cliches that populate the fantasy genres is the one of the monster hunter. They are the men and women who find their footing everywhere across literature and film and authors have placed them across various points in the history of the world. Post this book, I have now one more demon hunter to add to that list – Devi. Her realm is Chottanikara which at present is a town close to the city of Kochi in Kerala and is famed throughout the state for a temple dedicated to the goddess. The name Devi is also a synonym for the goddess and the author makes it obvious from the beginning that Devi’s character is synonymous with the goddess. At the start of the story, some of the mythological elements of Kerala’s legends are brought to the fore but a couple of chapters down the line the story settles into a flat and predictable narrative.
The lore that surrounds the temple of Chottanikkara talks about the power of the goddess to exorcise demons that prey on humans. The author takes this one aspect of legend and builds a backdrop for her character from it.The main antagonist is a Yakshi, a femme fatale from Malayalam legends that Devi tackles head on. The usage of ancient Kerala landscape, culture and relgious motifs are pretty well done. The heroic or warrior form of the goddess is called Durga in the Hindu mythology and the character of Devi seems to be inspired directly from this. She even rides a lion, the same way as the goddess is said to have done. The things I liked about the book more or less end here.
The story is rather bland and a few chapters down the line will give you a fair understanding of how the whole thing will end. Secondly there is little to no character development to be seen and almost everyone is one-dimensional. While I did mention the mount of the protagonist, the lion particularly has no role beyond roaring and glowering occassionally. Keeping the roaring aside, a war horse could have done the role justice ! Another character who seems to have an extended cameo that ends up going nowhere is the warrior monk Parashurama who in the story is Devi’s teacher. The cover is an entirely misleading one for there is no T-Rex in the story !
You might have read this story before under another name or under different characters.
The lore that surrounds the temple of Chottanikkara talks about the power of the goddess to exorcise demons that prey on humans. The author takes this one aspect of legend and builds a backdrop for her character from it.The main antagonist is a Yakshi, a femme fatale from Malayalam legends that Devi tackles head on. The usage of ancient Kerala landscape, culture and relgious motifs are pretty well done. The heroic or warrior form of the goddess is called Durga in the Hindu mythology and the character of Devi seems to be inspired directly from this. She even rides a lion, the same way as the goddess is said to have done. The things I liked about the book more or less end here.
The story is rather bland and a few chapters down the line will give you a fair understanding of how the whole thing will end. Secondly there is little to no character development to be seen and almost everyone is one-dimensional. While I did mention the mount of the protagonist, the lion particularly has no role beyond roaring and glowering occassionally. Keeping the roaring aside, a war horse could have done the role justice ! Another character who seems to have an extended cameo that ends up going nowhere is the warrior monk Parashurama who in the story is Devi’s teacher. The cover is an entirely misleading one for there is no T-Rex in the story !
You might have read this story before under another name or under different characters.
August 3, 2017
A girl and her lion hunt demons in the village of Chottanikkara. I was intrigues by the mention of Chottanikkara in the title. I have not read any fantasy in English set in South India, so I was very eager to read this.
What to expect?
-a badass heroine
- her companion lion
-fantasy set in Kerala
-strong women characters (ALL of them. How cool is that?)
-lots of demons
- more of a middle grade book
What I didn't like?
-different words from different languages of India were mixed up in the book in the first half.
-pacing was slow and not catchy in the first seventy pages
Read a detailed review here - http://www.thebooksatchel.com/demon-h...
Disclaimer : Much thanks to Aleph for sending me a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
What to expect?
-a badass heroine
- her companion lion
-fantasy set in Kerala
-strong women characters (ALL of them. How cool is that?)
-lots of demons
- more of a middle grade book
What I didn't like?
-different words from different languages of India were mixed up in the book in the first half.
-pacing was slow and not catchy in the first seventy pages
Read a detailed review here - http://www.thebooksatchel.com/demon-h...
Disclaimer : Much thanks to Aleph for sending me a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
August 3, 2017
A layered story (akin to a multi layered dessert dish) which has a series of sub plots that all come together with some divine intervention in this fast paced and well written book by SV Sujatha.
The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara was my first Supernatural Thriller and at the out set I can tell you that hitherto I had not been a fan of this genre of stories.
But their is an intrigue behind each of these stories as was evident in this book. Of Dreams shattered and opportunities snatched away.
Below is an except from the book that I have included to portray that:
Devi smiled sadly. “I suppose we will never be rid of them because they were once like us...men and women who had hopes and dreams. But when they died prematurely and violently, they could not go peacefully into the next cycle of their lives, but had to return to this one as abominations filled with evil. We know they can’t stay away because they lust for what we have, and they also want to exact revenge for the injustices done to them when they were still among the living. They desire not only our flesh and blood but are driven by forces beyond their comprehension, which will allow them no rest, no peace, until they are dispatched once and for all. And their nature being what they are, they will kill and maim, they cannot help themselves.”
As is evident in this 1 paragraph, the story is beautifully narrated and evocative. The book is vivid in its illustration and yet uses an extremely simple style of writing which can resonant with its readers. Each of the characters have been fleshed out wonderfully well and helps the readers connect with their trials and tribulations.
The plot of the story itself is relatively simple, however what makes this worth reading is the portrayal and nuances of each of the characters. Sujatha has marvelously captured a kaleidoscope of human traits in this thriller that showcases to whats ends people can go to achieve what they want, in both positive and negative forms. The story deals with Love, Sacrifice, Valor, Cruelty, Greed and above all sacrifice for the greater good.
The book will question your belief in the greater good, The Ultimate Sacrifice and will ask you - What would be your choice if you were faced with the same situation as Devi?
If you have read the book, comment on what would be your choice...
The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara was my first Supernatural Thriller and at the out set I can tell you that hitherto I had not been a fan of this genre of stories.
But their is an intrigue behind each of these stories as was evident in this book. Of Dreams shattered and opportunities snatched away.
Below is an except from the book that I have included to portray that:
Devi smiled sadly. “I suppose we will never be rid of them because they were once like us...men and women who had hopes and dreams. But when they died prematurely and violently, they could not go peacefully into the next cycle of their lives, but had to return to this one as abominations filled with evil. We know they can’t stay away because they lust for what we have, and they also want to exact revenge for the injustices done to them when they were still among the living. They desire not only our flesh and blood but are driven by forces beyond their comprehension, which will allow them no rest, no peace, until they are dispatched once and for all. And their nature being what they are, they will kill and maim, they cannot help themselves.”
As is evident in this 1 paragraph, the story is beautifully narrated and evocative. The book is vivid in its illustration and yet uses an extremely simple style of writing which can resonant with its readers. Each of the characters have been fleshed out wonderfully well and helps the readers connect with their trials and tribulations.
The plot of the story itself is relatively simple, however what makes this worth reading is the portrayal and nuances of each of the characters. Sujatha has marvelously captured a kaleidoscope of human traits in this thriller that showcases to whats ends people can go to achieve what they want, in both positive and negative forms. The story deals with Love, Sacrifice, Valor, Cruelty, Greed and above all sacrifice for the greater good.
The book will question your belief in the greater good, The Ultimate Sacrifice and will ask you - What would be your choice if you were faced with the same situation as Devi?
If you have read the book, comment on what would be your choice...
September 22, 2017
The book itself is a unique take on the temple legend of the Goddess who battles demons –the Chottanikkara Bhagavathy, which is a real temple in Kerala. It is a temple I have visited many times, and which has always fascinated me. The temple is famous for its exorcisms, with a huge tree in the temple premises, its trunk riddled with huge nails, which are supposed to ‘trap’ the offending demons in the tree. Honestly, if one wanted to write a book about a demon-hunting girl, what better place than Chottanikkara to set it in?
In its use of the rich mythological traditions of Kerala, the book excels. There is an authenticity about it that is refreshing. It is not the same old, tired retelling, but nor does it reinterpret the mythology for a modern world.
The language of the book is simple enough, making it a good read for teenagers. There are some Malayalam and Tamil words sprinkled through the narrative, but not so much that they will be a deterrent to those who do not know the languages.
The book could have done a better job with the pacing–it takes a while before the reader begins to get really invested in the story.
Most adult readers will be able to guess quite easily how the mysteries in the plot will be resolved, but it doesn’t take away from the thrilling reading experience. I did have an issue with how the mystery of Devi’s past was resolved–I thought it was the one cliched part of a book that was otherwise off the beaten path–but that’s just me.
For young girls everywhere, Devi, and the other girls in this book–Ela and Miricha, are an inspiration.
Read more: https://thereadingdesk.wordpress.com/...
In its use of the rich mythological traditions of Kerala, the book excels. There is an authenticity about it that is refreshing. It is not the same old, tired retelling, but nor does it reinterpret the mythology for a modern world.
The language of the book is simple enough, making it a good read for teenagers. There are some Malayalam and Tamil words sprinkled through the narrative, but not so much that they will be a deterrent to those who do not know the languages.
The book could have done a better job with the pacing–it takes a while before the reader begins to get really invested in the story.
Most adult readers will be able to guess quite easily how the mysteries in the plot will be resolved, but it doesn’t take away from the thrilling reading experience. I did have an issue with how the mystery of Devi’s past was resolved–I thought it was the one cliched part of a book that was otherwise off the beaten path–but that’s just me.
For young girls everywhere, Devi, and the other girls in this book–Ela and Miricha, are an inspiration.
Read more: https://thereadingdesk.wordpress.com/...
August 2, 2017
I've never read a supernatural thriller before, and last month I got the opportunity to read one written by a debut author. S.V. Sujatha's, The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara. Two things happened when I was finished with the book. First, S.V. Sujatha has now grabbed my attention and I'll keep an eye out for her upcoming work. Second, I really liked The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara! It kept me glued to my reading chair and the twists and turns in the story were absolutely brilliant!
The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara revolves around a small village in the peaceful land of Kerala known as Chottanikkara, which is infested with demons of different kinds- Brahmarakshasas, former priests who because of committing sins have now become demons, Mohini Pisacha who takes the form of a beautiful woman and sucks the life out of her victims etc.
The only defense the villagers have against such demons is a Demon Hunter by the name of Devi, who is trained by Parashurama himself and is skilled in the arts of war and exorcism. But a new demon has now emerged in Chottanikkara which is far more brutal and horrifying than anything that Devi has ever come across. For the first time in her life, Devi is haunted with fear of failure as she prepares to deal with this demon. But what she doesn't know is that the demon is connected to her somehow. And this is the part which makes the story super interesting!
Now when I started reading the Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara, I thought that by mistake I may have received a children's book. But as I moved on gradually, I was really surprised and happy to see the power of words that S.V Sujatha possess. She is much more creative as compared to recent debut authors that I have read and she knows how to engage a reader through her words, which is the most important thing if you are reading a thriller.
The story of The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara is also pretty great. I really liked the protagonist Devi, whose inspiration I think was taken from Goddess Durga who rides a lion and destroys demons. Devi also has a lion named Ugra who is her constant companion when it comes to hunting demons.
When it comes to storyline, I think the author has shown the immense talent of streamlining all the event and facts in a way that keeps the reader hooked till the end. As a debut author, she has definitely made her mark. The plot, as I mentioned above is something that you will absolutely love!
Apart from this, I think that The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara has every thing that a good thriller needs. It has the right characters, the right setting and the surprise element which is a must! All in all, make sure you grab your copy of Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara.
The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara
The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara revolves around a small village in the peaceful land of Kerala known as Chottanikkara, which is infested with demons of different kinds- Brahmarakshasas, former priests who because of committing sins have now become demons, Mohini Pisacha who takes the form of a beautiful woman and sucks the life out of her victims etc.
The only defense the villagers have against such demons is a Demon Hunter by the name of Devi, who is trained by Parashurama himself and is skilled in the arts of war and exorcism. But a new demon has now emerged in Chottanikkara which is far more brutal and horrifying than anything that Devi has ever come across. For the first time in her life, Devi is haunted with fear of failure as she prepares to deal with this demon. But what she doesn't know is that the demon is connected to her somehow. And this is the part which makes the story super interesting!
Now when I started reading the Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara, I thought that by mistake I may have received a children's book. But as I moved on gradually, I was really surprised and happy to see the power of words that S.V Sujatha possess. She is much more creative as compared to recent debut authors that I have read and she knows how to engage a reader through her words, which is the most important thing if you are reading a thriller.
The story of The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara is also pretty great. I really liked the protagonist Devi, whose inspiration I think was taken from Goddess Durga who rides a lion and destroys demons. Devi also has a lion named Ugra who is her constant companion when it comes to hunting demons.
When it comes to storyline, I think the author has shown the immense talent of streamlining all the event and facts in a way that keeps the reader hooked till the end. As a debut author, she has definitely made her mark. The plot, as I mentioned above is something that you will absolutely love!
Apart from this, I think that The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara has every thing that a good thriller needs. It has the right characters, the right setting and the surprise element which is a must! All in all, make sure you grab your copy of Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara.
The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara
August 8, 2017
V. Sujatha’s first book held promise. It could have been a refreshing break from the monotonous writing that has besieged Indian authors of late. It could very well have been the beginning of a series of gorgeous story telling featuring a strong, powerful and completely in command female protagonist who specialises in dispatching demons to oblivion. It could have been a fantastic foundation for a series.
Instead, what first time author S.V.Sujatha delivered, was an arduous read – based on a very predictable plot, a character that is not very well defined and force fitted cultural nuances.
The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara is about Devi and her ability to vanquish demons, who have returned from the dead to avenge one thing or the other, and be a pain to the living. The plot opens with Devi in hot pursuit of a demon Brahmaraksha, who in his last few seconds before being killed chides Devi, that she has dark days ahead, and nothing she has every trained for will prepare her for the days coming. After she’s dealt with this Brahmaraksha, Devi rides uneasy (surprise! Surprise!) back to her humble cottage in the jungle, where her father is eagerly awaiting her safe return.
However, the Brahmaraksha’s prophecy (more like an information leak) begins to manifest itself when an unknown, unheard of, and apparently undefeatable demon begins killing travellers passing through the jungles of Chottanikkara. Devi, being the resident demon hunting expert, gets hot on the heels of this demon, and is mystified when she’s unable to kill her! Thus leads, her search into the whys and hows, and a Karamchandesque investigation into the origins of this new and improved demon.
There are a lot of characters in the book, which could be fleshed out better. For instance, Devi’s lion is called Ugra .While a critical component of her battle readiness, Ugra has been accorded a mere passive jungle cat role. Mystique and marvel could have been added here. Then there is Devi’s guru – Parsuram. While Parasuram has a huge place in Indian mythology, in The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara, his character also remains in poorly fleshed.
S.V.Sujatha’s strong cultural influence is peppered throughout the book. With a lot of words from a typical Kerala household peppered throughout. For any book, this works wonderfully as it adds a lot of character to the story. However, Malyalam is not an easy language for anyone to understand. At points in the book, I wished she’d spent a little more time on setting a context around these rather than leaving it to the reader to do it himself.
Personally, I wasn’t very impressed with this book.. But hey! If you see if on my bookshelf, and want to borrow it, go ahead!
Instead, what first time author S.V.Sujatha delivered, was an arduous read – based on a very predictable plot, a character that is not very well defined and force fitted cultural nuances.
The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara is about Devi and her ability to vanquish demons, who have returned from the dead to avenge one thing or the other, and be a pain to the living. The plot opens with Devi in hot pursuit of a demon Brahmaraksha, who in his last few seconds before being killed chides Devi, that she has dark days ahead, and nothing she has every trained for will prepare her for the days coming. After she’s dealt with this Brahmaraksha, Devi rides uneasy (surprise! Surprise!) back to her humble cottage in the jungle, where her father is eagerly awaiting her safe return.
However, the Brahmaraksha’s prophecy (more like an information leak) begins to manifest itself when an unknown, unheard of, and apparently undefeatable demon begins killing travellers passing through the jungles of Chottanikkara. Devi, being the resident demon hunting expert, gets hot on the heels of this demon, and is mystified when she’s unable to kill her! Thus leads, her search into the whys and hows, and a Karamchandesque investigation into the origins of this new and improved demon.
There are a lot of characters in the book, which could be fleshed out better. For instance, Devi’s lion is called Ugra .While a critical component of her battle readiness, Ugra has been accorded a mere passive jungle cat role. Mystique and marvel could have been added here. Then there is Devi’s guru – Parsuram. While Parasuram has a huge place in Indian mythology, in The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara, his character also remains in poorly fleshed.
S.V.Sujatha’s strong cultural influence is peppered throughout the book. With a lot of words from a typical Kerala household peppered throughout. For any book, this works wonderfully as it adds a lot of character to the story. However, Malyalam is not an easy language for anyone to understand. At points in the book, I wished she’d spent a little more time on setting a context around these rather than leaving it to the reader to do it himself.
Personally, I wasn’t very impressed with this book.. But hey! If you see if on my bookshelf, and want to borrow it, go ahead!
August 9, 2017
(Yes, I chose to read this book despite that cover.*)
The whole yakshi trope is very common in mallu horror. What is a yakshi, you ask?
Well, a yakshi is a sort of mallu ghost.
No, seriously.
In mallu horror movies, a yakshi is usually shown as a beautiful woman clad in a white sari who has had an unnatural death. She comes back to take revenge on the man (it's always a man) who killed her. After she avenges herself, she figures she might as well have some more fun, and stays on to kill random other men who cross her path.
She usually lurks near roads and lures lonely travellers with her beauty. The travellers enter what they think is her house, only to realize that it's the top of a pala tree. Once they are in the yakshi's pala tree, they are hers to devour.
Seriously, it's quite a stereotype in mallu horror movies.
I was reminded of yakshis and mallu horror movies because a yakshi is the main demon in The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara.
Chottanikkara is a village that is, for some reason, terrorized by demons. The demons live in a patch of land near the village, and whenever they get bored of the food in their own land, they come to the village to drink the blood of the villagers' animals or children. Fortunately, Chottanikkara has a powerful demon hunter, Devi, who has sworn to protect the villagers from the demons.
Questions I had with this setting - why is it that only this village is infested with demons? If other villages also face the same trouble, what do they do when a demon descends upon them?
But if you can accept this basic premise, then the book is a rollicking read with a crisp plot and a writing style that's quite visual. A couple of scenes in particular were absolutely heart-in-the-mouth for me. Unfortunately, I could foresee the "twist" at the end at about the half-way point, but still.
The author uses the yakshi trope (white sari, pala maram, etc) but brings in a twist by getting us to empathize with the yakshi a bit. Since I'm so familiar with yakshis, I was surprised to see that Devi hadn't even heard of a yakshi before one actually attacked her village.
Reading the book, I was trying to remember other "horror" fiction in Indian writing recently, and couldn't think of a single one. Has this genre been unexplored so far in the recent book explosion in India?
*I do have to wonder though - what on earth were the publishers thinking? Was it a ploy to get people's attention? A "so bad it's good" kind of thing? Because you can't exactly forget the terrible cover once you've laid eyes on it.
The whole yakshi trope is very common in mallu horror. What is a yakshi, you ask?
Well, a yakshi is a sort of mallu ghost.
No, seriously.
In mallu horror movies, a yakshi is usually shown as a beautiful woman clad in a white sari who has had an unnatural death. She comes back to take revenge on the man (it's always a man) who killed her. After she avenges herself, she figures she might as well have some more fun, and stays on to kill random other men who cross her path.
She usually lurks near roads and lures lonely travellers with her beauty. The travellers enter what they think is her house, only to realize that it's the top of a pala tree. Once they are in the yakshi's pala tree, they are hers to devour.
Seriously, it's quite a stereotype in mallu horror movies.
I was reminded of yakshis and mallu horror movies because a yakshi is the main demon in The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara.
Chottanikkara is a village that is, for some reason, terrorized by demons. The demons live in a patch of land near the village, and whenever they get bored of the food in their own land, they come to the village to drink the blood of the villagers' animals or children. Fortunately, Chottanikkara has a powerful demon hunter, Devi, who has sworn to protect the villagers from the demons.
Questions I had with this setting - why is it that only this village is infested with demons? If other villages also face the same trouble, what do they do when a demon descends upon them?
But if you can accept this basic premise, then the book is a rollicking read with a crisp plot and a writing style that's quite visual. A couple of scenes in particular were absolutely heart-in-the-mouth for me. Unfortunately, I could foresee the "twist" at the end at about the half-way point, but still.
The author uses the yakshi trope (white sari, pala maram, etc) but brings in a twist by getting us to empathize with the yakshi a bit. Since I'm so familiar with yakshis, I was surprised to see that Devi hadn't even heard of a yakshi before one actually attacked her village.
Reading the book, I was trying to remember other "horror" fiction in Indian writing recently, and couldn't think of a single one. Has this genre been unexplored so far in the recent book explosion in India?
*I do have to wonder though - what on earth were the publishers thinking? Was it a ploy to get people's attention? A "so bad it's good" kind of thing? Because you can't exactly forget the terrible cover once you've laid eyes on it.
August 6, 2017
Reading debutante author, S.V. Sujatha's supernatural thriller, The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara, brought back childhood memories of being scared stiff of imaginary beautiful damsels i.e. yakshis who seduce unsuspecting men and then devour them!
As a Malayalee who grew up listening to her nanny's tales that were peppered with references to Kerala-based demons & goddesses, it was easy to catch on to various references to the monsters, but to a reader who is unfamiliar with these ancient tales, a little more background story would have been better.
The first 50 pages were a slight drag, but the pace picked up later on. The language and writing also felt slightly awkward at places. For instance, the protagonist is looking at the reflection of her face in water and as "she dipped her hands into the trough, the face in the water splintered". Splintered?
However, Sujatha's research on the traditional folklores of Kerala seems comprehensive as she deftly weaves ancient Kerala's mythology with fiction!
The Demon Hunter.. is set in a village called Chottanikkara in Kerala that is plagued with demons & spirits like brahmarakshas, jalpisaachams, prethams and yakshis! A simple Google search revealed that there is actually a town called Chottanikkara in Cochin, Kerala which is home to one of the most popular temples in the state, the Chottanikkara temple where the "Chottanikkara Devi (goddess)" is worshipped in three forms - Saraswati, Lakshmi & Durga. The "demon hunter", the main protagonist of the book, is also called Devi who is trained in the art of war and is an expert exorcist as well. The book is full of strong, female characters whose presence in the story line does not seem forced or cliched, which was a pleasant surprise!
As a Malayalee who grew up listening to her nanny's tales that were peppered with references to Kerala-based demons & goddesses, it was easy to catch on to various references to the monsters, but to a reader who is unfamiliar with these ancient tales, a little more background story would have been better.
The first 50 pages were a slight drag, but the pace picked up later on. The language and writing also felt slightly awkward at places. For instance, the protagonist is looking at the reflection of her face in water and as "she dipped her hands into the trough, the face in the water splintered". Splintered?
However, Sujatha's research on the traditional folklores of Kerala seems comprehensive as she deftly weaves ancient Kerala's mythology with fiction!
The Demon Hunter.. is set in a village called Chottanikkara in Kerala that is plagued with demons & spirits like brahmarakshas, jalpisaachams, prethams and yakshis! A simple Google search revealed that there is actually a town called Chottanikkara in Cochin, Kerala which is home to one of the most popular temples in the state, the Chottanikkara temple where the "Chottanikkara Devi (goddess)" is worshipped in three forms - Saraswati, Lakshmi & Durga. The "demon hunter", the main protagonist of the book, is also called Devi who is trained in the art of war and is an expert exorcist as well. The book is full of strong, female characters whose presence in the story line does not seem forced or cliched, which was a pleasant surprise!
August 10, 2017
Loved the book! This was a brilliant read from start till end and in signature style it marks the arrival of a highly talented author who I will be following for my future reads. The author`s narrative style helps the readers imagine the scenes with ample description and details and at the end of the book, I could see how all the dots connect to form a pattern. The language used is simple and easy to read.
The characterization of Devi and Yakshi has been etched really well. And I really liked the fact that the author didn`t take pains to explain the meaning behind every Malayalam word used which would have disrupted the flow and would have turned this book to a documentary style of writing (I don`t understand Malayalam). And also liked the way the author kept the plot straightforward and focused on the ingredients at hand: Village of Chottanikkara, Devi , Demon. This is better than writing a series of backstories for each and every character. Essentially, she has what`s needed for story to move forward and that`s a sign of a smart author where they leave something for the imagination for the readers. The plot gets predictable in the end but that`s common with most stories and I don`t think the suspense could have been held any longer.
The only disappointment is the cover art which could have been better. I love this genre of super natural read and this truly fits it to the tee. If you like the genre of mythology & super natural thriller and if you are looking for an engaging read, this is it!
The characterization of Devi and Yakshi has been etched really well. And I really liked the fact that the author didn`t take pains to explain the meaning behind every Malayalam word used which would have disrupted the flow and would have turned this book to a documentary style of writing (I don`t understand Malayalam). And also liked the way the author kept the plot straightforward and focused on the ingredients at hand: Village of Chottanikkara, Devi , Demon. This is better than writing a series of backstories for each and every character. Essentially, she has what`s needed for story to move forward and that`s a sign of a smart author where they leave something for the imagination for the readers. The plot gets predictable in the end but that`s common with most stories and I don`t think the suspense could have been held any longer.
The only disappointment is the cover art which could have been better. I love this genre of super natural read and this truly fits it to the tee. If you like the genre of mythology & super natural thriller and if you are looking for an engaging read, this is it!
August 7, 2017
The story revolves around Devi, a young female protagonist who is brave and skilled enough to slay the demons that attack the village of Chottanikkara. If you read “Kanda Sashti Kavasam”, you would have come across the different names of demons. All of them find a mention in this story. She knows the weaknesses of the various demons and ways to destroy them. A new demon enters the village, attacking common people in a gory manner. Devi doesn’t have any clue about this new demon. With the help of her teacher Parasurama, she learns about this demon, traces its past and finds a way to destroy her. Along the way, she also needs to take tough decisions based on righteousness. Whether she wins over the new demon or not forms the rest of this engaging story.
I was so engrossed in the plot that I was reading it almost close to midnight while the rest of my family was sleeping.
If you are intrigued by super-natural phenomenon, rebirth and slaying of demons, then check out this book. But I must warn you, there are a few gory details and violent attacks.
I was so engrossed in the plot that I was reading it almost close to midnight while the rest of my family was sleeping.
If you are intrigued by super-natural phenomenon, rebirth and slaying of demons, then check out this book. But I must warn you, there are a few gory details and violent attacks.
August 16, 2017
When I decided to read 'The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara', I wonder if it was the superbly-drawn cover that drew me in. Or that the story was based in Chottanikkara, from where I have a few childhood friends and fewer fleeting childhood memories. Or maybe it was just the word 'Thriller' in the byline - even if it was preceded by the word 'Supernatural'. Like I was saying, I should listen to my gut more.
The premise is simple enough - the village of Chottanikkara is besieged by demons - otherwordly beasts of every shape, size and smell, each one trying to outdo the other in methods of killing hapless village-folk. The latter's sole hope is Devi, a young woman, also from the village, and the only one with the courage and skills to hunt down and kill the demons. Doesn't hurt that she does it riding around on a full-grown lion (I'm naming my next dog Ugra). And that she has a divine force guiding and looking over her. So yeah, the demons pretty much have what's coming for them. Devi lives up to her reputation for the most part, slaying all those pisaachas, exorcising possessed kids, performing ceremonies that will keep more evil spirits at bay, and generally being a badass. That is, until a demon the likes of which she has never seen, let alone fought, comes to the village and sets into motion a series of events that make up the rest of the story. Without giving away too much, there are other sub-plots that include themes of parenthood, repentance, the guru-shishya trope, loyalty and vengeance.
Full review at https://medium.com/@pottimouth/book-r...
The premise is simple enough - the village of Chottanikkara is besieged by demons - otherwordly beasts of every shape, size and smell, each one trying to outdo the other in methods of killing hapless village-folk. The latter's sole hope is Devi, a young woman, also from the village, and the only one with the courage and skills to hunt down and kill the demons. Doesn't hurt that she does it riding around on a full-grown lion (I'm naming my next dog Ugra). And that she has a divine force guiding and looking over her. So yeah, the demons pretty much have what's coming for them. Devi lives up to her reputation for the most part, slaying all those pisaachas, exorcising possessed kids, performing ceremonies that will keep more evil spirits at bay, and generally being a badass. That is, until a demon the likes of which she has never seen, let alone fought, comes to the village and sets into motion a series of events that make up the rest of the story. Without giving away too much, there are other sub-plots that include themes of parenthood, repentance, the guru-shishya trope, loyalty and vengeance.
Full review at https://medium.com/@pottimouth/book-r...
August 9, 2017
The story of the demon hunter of Chottanikkara is a super natural thriller in a unique way. Probably if you know the place and the temple you would more than easily understand the background and appreciate the story telling. That was one of the reasons that actually got me to read this book.
This would introduce the Folklore temple traditions of Kerala to the other set of readers in a way.
The portrayal of Devi is a classic case of the super natural among the human and it is very vivid and down to earth and makes her a hero of the masses with an earthen attitude. The all powerful and the rustic portrayal and especially the food habits etc make it a part of the folklore and how the temple manifestation is a pointer in a way.
A part of Flipkart Sponsored Book Review!
For the full review go here! http://www.rsenthilkumar.com/2017/08/...
This would introduce the Folklore temple traditions of Kerala to the other set of readers in a way.
The portrayal of Devi is a classic case of the super natural among the human and it is very vivid and down to earth and makes her a hero of the masses with an earthen attitude. The all powerful and the rustic portrayal and especially the food habits etc make it a part of the folklore and how the temple manifestation is a pointer in a way.
A part of Flipkart Sponsored Book Review!
For the full review go here! http://www.rsenthilkumar.com/2017/08/...
August 10, 2017
Picked up a copy of this book last weekend from Odyssey, Chennai. The interesting book cover drew my attraction to this book and fit to my genre interest. Didn`t need a lot of convincing as I tend to gamble my book interest a bit and new reads always excite me. Pleasantly after a series of disappointing reads, finally I ended up with a good read!
The book is really engaging that I continued reading the book over my weekdays (which I normally don`t) and wrapped it up in 3 nights. The story is simple but well justified and pictured well. Good writing by Ms.Sujatha. Enjoyed the book and would recommend it. Would definitely watch out for the Devi series in the future.
The book is really engaging that I continued reading the book over my weekdays (which I normally don`t) and wrapped it up in 3 nights. The story is simple but well justified and pictured well. Good writing by Ms.Sujatha. Enjoyed the book and would recommend it. Would definitely watch out for the Devi series in the future.
August 3, 2019
This book bought back memories of my childhood when I was a huge fan of Yakshi stories. It did remind me of the malayalam serials which I had seen when I was a kid.
The setting made me nostalgic of home. The story was predictable, there was almost nothing which surprised me. It is a pretty short book which you can finish in a day. It is fast paced, the description are vivid and you will like the characters.
The cover somehow reminds me of a dragon, or is it just me?
The setting made me nostalgic of home. The story was predictable, there was almost nothing which surprised me. It is a pretty short book which you can finish in a day. It is fast paced, the description are vivid and you will like the characters.
The cover somehow reminds me of a dragon, or is it just me?
August 11, 2018
I would say the plot was predictable, story not very gripping but the last 60 to 70 pages. I think it would be a good read for kids and not the young adults. Though grandparents shall give it a read and include it in the list of their grandchildren’s bedtime stories. It was less of a novel and more like a folklore, so little kids would enjoy it.
February 6, 2022
very fast paced fun read. enjoyable but very predictable. nothing too shocking. i also would not call it a "thriller" as the cover says
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