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Atharva - The Origin (A New Age Graphic Novel) featuring MS Dhoni Hardcover

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”Atharva The Origin” is a new age graphic novel project by Virzu Studios featuring MS Dhoni as the superhero character. The novel is based on a very young earth, in a time long forgotten, a warrior makes a difficult and lone journey. ‘Atharva’ chronicles that journey, taking the hero and you on an awe-inspiring adventure encountering magnificent lands and strange beasts – a true treat for the soul and the senses. In an effort to offer an immersive experience to the readers, we have worked with a team of artists diligently for several years to create the Mystical world of Atharva. Teleporting the readers to a different universe, this graphic novel features over 150 lifelike illustrations which present the gripping and racy narrative.

300 pages, Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2022

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
Profile Image for Swati Tanu.
Author 1 book620 followers
December 27, 2025
This book is a combination of a graphic novel and augmented reality, with a quality storyline and top-notch narration. The Atharva AR software is introduced using a QR code, which allows readers to experience Augmented Reality. The surprise doesn't end here. The protagonist/superhero is MS Dhoni. 

Nora Campbell, who had lost her mother in a horrific accident, is quieted by a joyful child at the story's beginning. She would spend her time reading superhero comic books. She had to relocate from Scotland to Kolkata, India, due to her father's business. She discovers a unique stone near her father's massive construction site. When a drop of Nora's tears falls on the stone, it transforms into a face named Olira. At Nora's request, Olira begins telling the narrative of Atharva, a Saturata Ugran warrior on his way to retrieve Amara from the distant land of Adhiri following the attack of the man-beasts on his homeland.

The author has used a proper quotient of mystery that will keep the readers intrigued throughout. The best thing about good fantasy books is they take you along with the main character on their adventurous journey and never fail to thrill you. This is one such book.

You might like to wander through a few artistic journals — they’re full of sparks and surprises.
Profile Image for Shreya Mehta.
272 reviews18 followers
June 6, 2022
This book is a whole different experience in compared to other books as it includes fascinating colorful graphics and images at every page. I am a huge fan of M S Dhoni so how could I miss this book! I loved how the makers have illustrated all pictures in a way that helps reader to imagine the scenes easily.

The story starts in a normal world then a stone starts this fantacy story to Nora, a young girl. The story takes the reader through many awestruck instances and characters.

The conversations between Atharva and Zemora were very interesting because neither Atharva was an ordinary man nor Zemora was just any normal girl, she was a healer. I smiled and laughed at their talks.

The message given at the end of the story is very noble. Everything around us is beautiful due to the nature. Nature gives us everything but we can't give back to her. The author has explained beautifully that if we can't give back to her, we don't have any right to destroy it and i can't stress this enough!

Overall this was a totally wonderful and unique experience for me and i thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the fantacy world of Atharva. Usually i don't prefer fantacy genre but this book seems a start for me. Looking forward to explore this genre more. So it's recommended to anyone who is looking to read something different and gripping. This book can be enjoyed by any age group even for beginners. Just go grab this lovely book!
Profile Image for Reader Vivek.
233 reviews12 followers
July 6, 2022
Atharva

"Mahi", is not a single word, but the world to me. Mahi means Mahendra Singh Dhoni. I saw his career from the very first match of his international. Then his 189* knock, when he introduces himself to the world.
After that we all know, the 1st ever T20 world cup, 2011 ODI WorldCup, and many more Icc trophies and IPL trophies.

I called A big fan of Dhoni, and this is the first and most important factor to buy this book. Then from childhood, I read many comics, but not a single graphic novel. So now this novel "Atharva" is in my hand.

Review -

As we see a book cover we can assume, it is the story of a warrior. Atharva is the story of a journey, where many creatures help Atharva and he also helps them.
The Author develops many imaginary places as well as creatures that I like most. The given names are too good. The author told how money is more valuable for some greedy people than our culture and our environment.
The creative pictures in the novel are fantastic. It feels like cinematic-like 'Avatar' movies. Near about 90+ pictures also added more and more information about the story and the storyline. It is the Journey of a warrior who finds some extraordinary power, with finding that power he found himself/ he feels himself.

A very good graphic novel, I fully gone engaged and lost while reading this. Intriguing language. Very nice work. Keep giving us such a book Ramesh sir. Thank you so much for this one.
Profile Image for Ankita.
237 reviews7 followers
June 10, 2022
The illustrations are amazing and coincide well with the descriptions, enriching the reading experience. This book is enabled with AR (augmented reality) further enhancing reader's  experience.
There is a feeling while reading as if we are growing along with The protagonist, as if the  message in ending was known all along.
A line that sounds confusing or even atrocious at first could make complete sense at the end.

That being said, there are a few inconsistencies, the power levels of characters are inconsistent and can be thought as convenient which is understandable because of its genre -- Mythological fantasy
Overall, it is magnificent read that takes reader on a journey that has the capacity to change one's perspective.
Profile Image for  Afreen  Khalil Inscribed Inklings.
862 reviews38 followers
June 16, 2022
Atharva: The Origin by Ramesh Thamilmani 📚



Atharva was one of a kind, unique and exciting book to read. It was a new age graphic novel that has my favourite "Thala Dhoni" as the main character of the story. The book was of top quality, it literally took my breath away. The pages were glossy and the illustrations were mind-blowing. Each page of the story had a caption and was essentially a chapter. So it was really easy to pause wherever I wanted and then dive back in.

In the world of visual media, Atharva stands tall on its own. Being a perfect mix of both literature and visual arts, it gave me the best of both worlds. It's so hard to believe that this book has come from India, it has international standards in every aspect of the book. Firstly just the appeal of the cover and blurb were enough for me to pick up the book. Being a CSK fan, I also knew that seeing M. S. Dhoni be an epic hero page after page was a deal maker for me.

The story had a thrilling plot with a great underlying moral. The narration was in third person, viewpoint narrative. The plot was fast paced. The writing style was witty and articulate. The tone of the book was emphatic and adventurous. The language used was rich and had wide vocabulary. It can be read by both adults and children. The characters in the story were awe inspiring. I enjoyed each and every page of the book. If you like graphic novels with epic heroes, this is a must read!

Rating- ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

- Afreen Khalil
Profile Image for Sai Amirapu.
Author 4 books14 followers
July 13, 2022
It was the very first time that I read a graphical book. The excitement never died even after finishing it. Splendid narration and the superb imaginative disposition led the readers to a different world. The plot and the depiction of the superhero Atharva characterization are awesome.

Coming to the story, curtains the character Nora's mother who was a refugee in gods adobe. Nora was in memories of her lost mother. So her father wants her to take to a different place for a mind change. She migrates to India from Scotland and resides with her dad. Due to her dad's busy schedule, she felt lonely and got annoyed by his negligence. One day she plans to go to his office to meet him. And on her way, she wobbles upon a mystical stone.
What is the mystical stone she found at her dad's office?
How does it help Nora?
What does she find out?

Atharva took me to a completely different imaginative world. A nostalgic experience and a pleasant ride with an elegant picturesque plot. A warrior story that excites the moods of the reader with all his adventures to save his land. The narration, characterization, and description with graphics hook us with the plot and never leave for so long. It imprints the spectacular scenes in my mind. The quality of the book cover and pages are great and mainly that hardcover is so alluring.

Recommended to every book lover and thanks to dhoni and the author for offering us such a tremendous plot and book.
Profile Image for Ibtesam Rahman.
410 reviews16 followers
July 2, 2022
ATHARVA- THE ORIGIN BY RAMESH THAMALMANI

WHAT IS THE STORY ABOUT?
The book is an action graphic novel with the added bonus of watching the story play in an augmented reality app. I read it somewhere that we learn more from visuals than from words.
The sort of story that can be recited before bedtime, so that when I sleep, the plot can run in my mind like a reel. A really magical book to sum it all up.
A total of 14 chapters, 280 pages with graphics on each page made me curious to know if Atharva will succeed or not or not which made me turn one page after another.

PLOT
Atharva is a warrior, from the Aksha clan living in a land called Saturata, who undertakes an arduous journey to the land of Adhiri to find Amara- the creator of all beautiful creations in the world, post a devastating attack from man-beasts.

GENRE
Fantasy, Adventure, Action.

SIMILAR TO-
BAHUBALI, GAME OF THRONES, VERY MARVEL-LIKE.

TITLE
The word Atharva means- the knowledgeable one, the one who knows the Arthara Vedas, which makes total sense when related to the story. The whole story revolves around Atharva and his journey of self-discovery.

COVER
I’ll be honest, I didn't like it as much. The cover definitely doesn't justify the beauty inside. Some of the graphics inside the book are to die for.

THEME-
Self-discovery, Conserving natural resources, co-existence with nature, leadership, life and the role of fate in it,hope in the face of despair, courage when all seems lost, Duty above family, self-love, Sacrifice

LANGUAGE-
The author used rich extravagant vocabulary that is sure to add a bunch of meticulous words to your knowledge chest. At most, it made the book a little difficult for beginners but provided a learning opportunity. The author has skillfully used vocabulary to depict the exotic world in the book and everything contained in it

CHARACTERIZATION-
The characters were well sketched and had a proper background story and depth to them. From Atharva to Bakuboo, each of them had an important part to play in the story. My favorite character would be Zemora not only because fantasy females are on another level but also because she is a healer. She faced all situations with the calmness and courage that others lacked, even the protagonist. Zemora is kind and beautiful, she is not just there for the sake of being there.


THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THE STORY
1.Use of poetry in the chapter- The dance added an extra charm to the story that I was definitely not expecting.
2.The world-building of the story is simply majestic. The attention to detail is commendable. The descriptions of exotic worlds, from deep seas to dry, parched lands, sky realms made of gold to plains, or green grasses made the story a pleasure to read.
3.The graphics are to die for-Such details, such imagery. This has to be one of the best books I have read in a really long time. The illustration is spectacular. To sum it all up, it has mesmerizing graphics.
4.The book is also a sweet treat for Mahi's fans as the protagonist has the face of ms. Dhoni.
5.The story is told in the third person by an omniscient narrator. The entire story is presented from the point of view of Atharva.
6.The climax was unexpected and maintained the element of mystery until the very end. The author has maintained the unities of time, place, and action.
7.The slightest hint of romance.
8.There was heavy foreshadowing that I realized only after the story was over. Foreshadowing is a literary device that gives the readers an inkling of the impending events earlier in the story.


THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE IN THE STORY
1.The pace was too fast for my liking. I felt very few pages were devoted to a particular adventure. Each time I adjusted to some new adventure, it would end and Atharva would move on to the next step.
2.I found inconsistency in Atharva's power level. It kept fluctuating. I was never sure of when he would evolve and show new power.
3.Fate plays a huge hand in the story else how would Atharva find the exact way to conquer his problems, and overcome the situation.
4.The similarity between the faces of Tara and Zemora. I'll let it go for the sake of the fact that the story is fantasy.
6.I have some huge questions- like what happened to Nora's mother? How did the stone end up so far and in the hands of Nora magically?
7.I would have loved it if there were more descriptions of Scotland and Kolkata. As someone from Kolkata, it felt like a missed opportunity not to mention the beauty of the local visuals and the delicious cuisines available.

WHO CAN ENJOY IT?
People of all age groups from kids to adults, especially adventure and fantasy lovers.
Profile Image for Chittajit Mitra.
289 reviews29 followers
June 10, 2022
Atharva is a new age graphic novel written by Ramesh Thamilmani and illustrated by Virzu Studios. Spiced up with augmented reality, the story starts with Nora, a young girl who lost her mother to a mishap which led to her being cocooned in her own world. As her father got an assignment in Kolkata, she had to visit the city as well. One fine day as she was roaming near her father’s construction site, she comes across a small stone which catches her attention and she brings it back with her. But things take a wild turn when her tears touch that stone and a face appears on it and it starts to narrate the story of Atharva. The book then delves into the fantastical world of Saturata and the whole journey of the protagonist, the reader’s experience is enhanced because of the of the beautiful illustrations as well as AR.

Coming across such a graphic novel that’s at par with the international ones is something truly admirable. The story builds up slowly and yet follows a pace which readers would enjoy. The whole AR experience is something unique that I haven’t seen before and the way it helps the reader to visualize the story makes it even more topical. Of course, I wouldn’t miss Dhoni who is the face of our protagonist, and his ardent fans will truly love to see him in a new avatar. I love that an Indian entity came up with such an innovative idea and also near to perfect execution. I truly believe that this book will indeed change the whole graphic novel scene of India and I can’t wait for it. Loved it!
Profile Image for Muskan Gupta.
137 reviews5 followers
July 6, 2022

The book has an inspiring story which will be enjoyed by both kids as well as grownups. It feels so good to read such a feel-nice book after such a long time.
Atharva is a fighter who goes on a challenging journey which helps him know the reality of everything towards the end. It is about the discovery of a whole new world from stone and how it unravels a whole new era in vision.
The book shows us how everyone is tested and given the problems that we think we cannot suffer, just to teach us that they are there to make us stronger for the ultimate goal of our lives.
The description of ‘The Dance’ was just Wow. I loved that poem so much that was lost in it enough to read it a few more times later on. (95) And there’s this one particular line among the many that stole me – “Sometimes, we fall down and deep because there is something buried that we are meant to find.” (277)
A graphic novel is capable of stealing our hearts but this with the addition of all the 3-D wonders and breath-taking illustrations is simply something to make you speechless. The story is so nicely woven with each character playing their role perfectly with a fluent and easy flow of the plot and language.
The book made me feel like watching a movie in front of my eyes. The imagination makes you feel good and take away all of your stress. It will take you back to our childhood when we used to praise superheroes as an inseparable part of our lives but on an even better level.
I loved the book and will recommend it to everyone.
Profile Image for Bibliomane.
295 reviews2 followers
June 2, 2022
To begin, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone on the team that put in so much effort to publish this cult classic graphic novel. This book is completely unique in every way, from its cover to its design to its illustrations to the character Atharva, who is designed to look like Dhoni, who is everyone's favourite cricketer.
I was taken aback after I saw Dhoni's face on the front cover of the book, and I immediately began turning the pages to learn more about the mystery surrounding Ms. Dhoni's appearance.

The gorgeous illustrations of the adventures throughout the story made the whole thing one of my favourites.
As soon as I started reading, I was immediately transported to another dimension, which is where the novel is based. Now, everything is coming to life in front of me, and I am living through each and every moment of the story.
The narration is one of my favourites because of how beautifully it is written.
I can't even begin to say that it's only a book; rather, it's an entire world or universe in which we will exist as we read and look at illustrations.

If I had to sum up the whole review in one word, I would have to say that this is a "marvellous" novel that you should read for yourself.
If you are an aficionado of Marvel movies, superheroes, the Avengers, etc., there is one more thing you should know.
Due to the fact that it is an adventure novel, you are going to absolutely adore reading this book as well.
Profile Image for Ratan Singh Yadav.
160 reviews5 followers
June 18, 2022
❤️BOOK REVIEW 📚❤️
TITLE : ATHARVA
THE ORIGIN
AUTHOR : RAMESH THAMILMANI
Publication : Virzu Studios
Type - Graphic novel
Format : Hardcover
Pages : 290

It's hard to believe that every kid born in the 90s who loves to play or watch cricket isn't a fan of MS Dhoni. What Dhoni has done for Indian cricket is incomparable. If you are also fond of cricket like me and also like to read books likewise, then this book review is for you only. 'Atharva' is a new-age graphic novel in which the face of MS Dhoni has been taken as a superhero and that is one & the only reason I decided to read this book.

The graphics in the book help to feel the story very well. The author has depicted everything that is necessary for the story through graphics which doubles the excitement of reading the book.

Watching MS Dhoni in graphics was a wonderful reading experience for me. The graphics accompany the story as if everything is happening in front of my eyes. The writing style of the author is matched with the story and the narration is top-notch. It is a beautiful copy. The book is the right size and sturdy. Its pages are great and the quality is amazing. The font is perfect for reading. The binding, the paper quality, everything is satisfying. The author is to be commended for writing such a masterpiece. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this new-age graphic novel.

Thanks for Reading 😍
Ratan Ratings 🌟 4.9/5
Profile Image for Krishna Kumar.
245 reviews6 followers
July 5, 2022
Atharva - The origin of Ramesh Thamilmani.

Being a big fan of Dhoni it's no surprise that I have picked the book to read it. Dhoni was portrayed as the Atharva. He was a mighty warrior and an immortal leader.

This story is about the life journey of Atharva. In one battle he lost all his brothers and soldiers. He only survived that battle. Many times he likes to end his life but failed then one old man is advised to find the true purpose of his life and he asks Atharva to find Amara. Amara has all the answers to his questions. Then Atharva started a journey to find Amara and he was in the mysterious land of Adhiri.

What happened then? Did he find Amara in Adhiri? Did he find the purpose of his life? What are the difficulties faced by him to find Amara? Read it and find out.

This was my first try with a new-age graphic novel. I was just stunned by the visuals in it. All visuals were breathtakingly beautiful. Undoubtedly it was one of my favorite collections of books. Visuals that tempt us to read and read more.

One of my roommates is a non-reader of books after seeing visuals of this book he started reading a book. That much power for this graphic novel. It will attract all age groups people to read it. It attacks even the non-readers too.

I highly recommend this to read it. Grab it and dive into the world of Atharva and enjoy the visual treat of this world. Happy reading.
Profile Image for Harsh Tyagi.
935 reviews21 followers
May 27, 2022
Atharva is a fantasy graphic-novel with the main character being portrayed by superstar cricketer MS Dhoni. This graphic novel is part text, part art and is amplified by augmented reality. The illustrations come to life by scanning them through the Atharva AR app.

It's a masterpiece created after years of effort and does not disappoint. The story is about the warrior superhero Atharva (portrayal by MS Dhoni) in a time long forgotten, when the Earth was called Gavenia and as if the God was still writing the rulebook, embarking on an adventurous journey, making difficult decisions and facing the strangest and the scariest beasts in exotic locations. The book is certainly a visual treat because of the ultimately gorgeous illustrations. The story begins with a young girl Nora moving from Scotland to Kolkata. She finds and brings home a peculiar stone that comes to life and narrates her the story of Atharva.

Commendable writing, top-notch illustrations that embellish the entire book and are the USP of the book, each fine detail designed so beautifully that it almost feels like a crime to turn the page and stop looking at that picture. The breathtaking scenery and life-like pictures along with the augmented reality element make this book a must-buy!
Profile Image for Soochi Sandhiya.
337 reviews31 followers
June 22, 2022
Book Review of Atharva

QOTD: How often do you get a book for which you wait hours and hours by your window??

Honestly this is my first book of this sort, after placing the order I was waiting eagerly to get it delivered.
I kept looking at the window just in a hope of getting it at its earliest delivery.

To be honest, it was more than a book, its an epitome of craft and creativity..when it got delivered, I just savaged the delicate cover and opened it to find it my dream beautifully wrapped in a cellophane sheet.
I was mesmerized with the beauty and the child in me opened it with all the enthusiasm.

My expectations for the storyline was soaring high with the look of cover page and with turning of each Matt finished page.
This is my first read of the author and I was amazed with the creative play of words and strong grafting of characters.
I was fascinated with the coverpage and I was more carried away by the story.
Fourteen chapters, approx 280 pages, around 100 of beautiful pictures and a well grafted story line kept me hooked.

This book is one of its own kind..you would have heard of "Augumented Reality", if yes...This book is based on it..It changes an era..one in a million and worth spending time with.
Profile Image for Shivani Brams.
147 reviews7 followers
June 30, 2022
Nora Campbell, A beautiful 9 yr old girl was happy & satisfied in her life until her mother died.
After her death, everything changed.

His father got busy holding the responsibilities & they both leave Scotland and came to India for his dad's construction project.

One day on the construction site Nora saw a big blue stone dipped in the sandy soil.

🌼 What was special about that stone?

🌼 did Nora accidentallyy find it or did she was meant to find it?

🌼 what was Nora's connection with the superhero of the book Atharva?

🌼 was that stone evil or was it her friend?

To know the answers to your questions, you have to read this book.

This book was totally amazing. It has so many twists and turns which will fill you with immense curiosity & the graphics, they were excellent. While reading it, I was feeling like I'm watching a superhero movie & of course, seeing dhoni ( my fav. Cricketer) in the form of a superhero was splendid.

If you haven't read it, just don't wait & buy it. My 1st graphic novel & indeed the best.
252 reviews5 followers
August 5, 2022
The cover page and the graphic of this book exemplify the grand sequence of the novel. This book is about the narrator Atharva, a Saturata Ugran warrior who retrieved Amara from the distant land of Adhiri after the attack of the man-beasts of his homeland.

The story frame Nora Campbell, who lost her mother in an accident and her father's work transfer is consequently intriguing. The transformation of a stone into a face Olira when Nora's tears rolled down on it is really captivating.
While reading this novel the graphic illustration of this book anonymously dragged me into the imaginary visual graphic world. It really triggers my curiosity to dig into the story continuously.

The narration is unique and the characters are ideal. The language of this novel is rational.

I really love the story of this book. Honestly, mesmerizing. All the elements spoken in this book are beyond the imagination, which gives more crispness to read. Unexpected twists and character entries are marvellous. Overall I recommend this book to all.

My Ratings 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Profile Image for Poornima.
155 reviews1 follower
August 18, 2022
Title:- Atharva: The Origin⠀
Author:- Ramesh Thamilmani ⠀
Rating:- 4.9/5⠀
◾️◾️◾️⠀
🍀'Atharva: The Origin' is a new-age graphical novel. The most impressive feature of this book is, that it features our beloved M.S Dhoni as the lead character, Atharva!⠀

🍀The captivating illustrations have enhanced the charm of the book and kept me engrossed in the story. Although the story is not that unique in the fantasy genre, the way characters are developed is fascinating to read. The illustrations will mesmerise you.⠀

🍀What's the most interesting feature this graphic book gives, wanna know? Then here you go, the book is Augmented Reality; you just scan the code and Ta-da! The characters will come to life, giving you the most wonderful experience ever.⠀

🍀The tale begins in the backdrops of Scotland, where a little girl, Nora, lost her mother in an accident. Then she travels to Kolkata with her father and comes across a magical stone, which starts speaking due to her teardrop. From here, Atharva's story starts unfolding.⠀

🍀For me, the story was a perfect blend of elements such as adventures, emotions, action and lesson-learning. As this book has reminded me about the harm, we as humans are causing to Nature. The way the story is penned, it feels like you are a part of it, and the story is happing around you. No confusion despite multiple characters in the storyline. To be honest, I ordered this book just because the cover page enchanted me.⠀

🍀Overall, I'll recommend this book to everyone who likes reading the fantasy genre and is an avid fan of M.S.Dhoni and would like to see him as a warrior.⠀
Profile Image for Prakatita Das.
326 reviews6 followers
August 2, 2022
I was extremely excited and nervous when I bought Atharva. I've read my share of Mangas, Mahwas and Webtoons so, my fear and excitement were legit. When one reads a graphic novel, the main focus is on the graphics, in which Atharva excelled and gives way too much satisfaction to my heart. The book being a fantasy, my preferred genre, gave us a hero who is unforgettable.

I'm in love with the characters and the way they progressed from page one to the last.
The story was never monotonous. It was too good to be true. The studio gave equal importance to the graphics and the story.
I'd love to read more about Atharva and more would not be enough.
My fav. Character was Atharva.
I loved the scene where he made his appearance.
It was sooo cool.

In a fantasy, world building is the most difficult part for one writing, but as I am the one reading the book, I LOVE that part of any book. And I loved that part of Atharva. "Young Earth and Warrior tribes, Wars, and Heroes"? Oh, give me all of it.
I devoured the book
Profile Image for Sumith  Chowdhury.
831 reviews23 followers
June 30, 2022
This is the story of a superhero narrated by a mysterious stone called Olira to a young girl Nora. The girl is trapped in a cycle of despair, pain & loss for a long time ever since she had lost her mother; as loneliness often makes a person monster. The story is foretold in a world shrouded by mystery, which transcends beyond both space & time. It goes beyond history, timelines & even all folklores. The earth as we know now was known to be as Gevenia back then. It was a world that even dreams couldn't manifest, even magic would fail to conjure such a world, where mysterious mystical beasts roamed in the sky & casted huge shadows which were so gigantic that it felt as if broad daylight turned to night. It felt as if even God was in the process of editing his craftsmanship into complete manifestation.

In the beginning, the main protagonist Nora deals with overcoming turbulent personal trauma that was thrown upon her by destiny which is beyond her own control. The context is very realistic in nature & completely relatable as there are sadly many people out there who are dealing with such burden totally similar to her's and that's the sole reason why I personally find it very inspiring for such people who can look into it while at the same time - read this to keep themselves moving ahead in the tumultuous path of life.

That's why this book is easily one of the most heartfelt & beautiful novel in comparison to that of it's predecessors or peers. This has a lot to do with the beginnings of the series's main character and her dark and depressing nature. The world building composition here quite is unique with a cool visual graphical contrast in every page. And therefore inspiring in many ways.

The way it has been written is really heart touching. The feeling is so serene, subtle & surreal that it's going to linger within me for an entire lifetime. Words fail to describe it in a sense that even after one finishes reading it, it leaves a smile on their face. The impersonation of various characters & their love for each other crosses all boundaries known to mankind, especially the family bond etched over here has been extrapolated in an effective manner.  

I never realised when I started reading the book & when it eventually got over. Characterisation is so beautiful that each character explore & set themselves on their own path to find their own place in the world. The beauty of the book lies in the fact that is naked, bare & true. The kind of stories which are generally lost in the vestiges of time.

Cover is beautiful. It has been exceptionally designed. It's been such a long time since I've come across such a refined work of art. It strikes a great resemblance to some of the best children storybooks we come across during our visits to bookstores. The best part being the gorgeous illustrations which accompany every story - adds a feather to the cap which is further accompanied by the attractive design of the hardcover. Title is short & apt. Theme is justified.

The amount of research/hardwork can be seen & becomes quite evident once you read the book. It's amazing, the execution has been done in a very matured way. The information imparted has been delivered in an effective manner. Writing style has been balanced in such a way, that all age groups will be able to understand & derive benefit from it. Though the target audience are hitherto kids or teenagers.

The only drawbacks I felt were the lack of some good quotes. Even the poetic effervescence is missing. Along which the writing style could have been more lyrical, prose & poetic which is necessary for such a good novel. Overall, a must read.
Profile Image for Sanchari Das.
Author 7 books14 followers
July 18, 2022

"Of all the wars a warrior fights, none is harder than the battle with his own soul."

Welcome to the world of "Atharva", a new age graphic novel created by author Ramesh Thamilmani and the illustrators at Virzu Studios.

We all have our own battles. Some fight with external intruders while some fight with their inner devils. Our hero Atharva has to fight with both: neither of which would be easy for him, but will definitely be a life-changing experience.

When the forever undefeated warrior finds himself thwarted, in the midst of utter devastation, his life force begins to shatter and everything appears meaningless. All he seeks from life now is panacea.
"Escape was not the way out, it never is."

To find answers to the web of questions troubling his heart, Atharva must embark on a dangerous journey. Our story is weaved around that epic journey into the unknown realms of the land shrouded in mystery but holding all the answers that every wandering soul seeks.

Atharva must traverse through the uncharted paths, gather allies and defeat treacherous beasts to reach the land of Adhiri and meet Amara. He would need all his power, strength, intellect, courage and warrior instincts to emerge victorious in his quest.

"Sometimes, the past was the best place to find the future."

And since every quest is a journey to the inner self, Atharva must traverse deep into the hidden crevices of his mind too. He must face his fears, fight with his ego, power through his aching heart and believe in himself to discover his true self. But it would be a arduous journey, difficult even for the invincible warrior. For, the toughest battle is always the one within.

Traveling through this mysterious journey with Atharva, the readers too would find the secret path to their inner self. And if they could break free from all the inner barriers that bind them, they too can discover the hidden warrior within themselves. The astounding experience will only leave them amazed at the end.

"Maybe this was rebirth. The rebirth he never knew he needed."

The most unique aspect of the book is that it's a graphic novel. That means, the readers get to visualize the story through the amazing graphic images as they brush through the pages of the book. The aesthetic art tugs at our imagination as we enter into the mystic world of magic, mystery, thrill, truth and self-discovery. The captivating experience is enhanced further with the introduction of augmented reality that brings the world of Atharva into the reader's real life!

Adding more spice to this visual novel is the face of Atharva, who is none other than our most favorite, M.S. Dhoni. Imagining Dhoni in this new avatar is the coolest thing the fans of this great personality could ever ask for.

So, what are you waiting for? Tighten your seatbelt and jump into the roller-coaster ride of an extraordinary tale of self-discovery made exciting with lifelike illustrations and augmented reality. Join the quest and discover the hidden realities about the world of Atharva and also the world we live in.

"Sometimes, we fall down and deep because there is something buried that we are meant to find."
Profile Image for Qureshi Taiba.
145 reviews3 followers
June 24, 2022
Captivating book with a magnificent storyline.

🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

"ATHARVA- THE ORIGIN " by Ramesh Thamilmani is a new age graphic novel featuring famous Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the warrior in the book. This book is enabled with Augmented Reality and the readers can scan the QR code given in the book to enter the world of Atharva, I personally enjoyed it. Also it has wonderful illustration, showing the minute detail of the scenarios, giving it a touch of reality, whole book is colorful and has anime pictures, which will attract any person to dive more in it. Author is successful in building a new world of imagination where readers can live and cherish it's beauty. Story is just wow, it will leave a great impact on readers mind and have the power to change ones perspective. I must say this novel is magical, once you start reading it the book will leave it's spell on you and will make you restless till the time you don't complete it, coz this is what happened with me I was quite eager to know more. This book is all about hero, demons, good v/s bad-evil, struggles, battle and triumph.

Before starting the book I felt this is a mythological or historical book, but it's somewhat mixture of it or maybe inspire from one of those stories. All the pictures were very helpful in understanding the description, coz I really got confuse while reading the first part of the book itself. In my mind different scenario was made but in book different picture was there to describe it maybe it was due to my different imagination ability. On some places I felt the story complex like counting the stars whereas on other place it was easy to understand as like witnessing the only moon.

Narration is really appreciatable and vocabulary used is also good and enjoyable. I came across minor spelling errors also but it doesn't spoil your book journey. There are lot of characters came in the book throughout the story who short lived and gave essence to the further story. This book is a world of dream, a perfect pick for the lovers of fantasy and it's story is very impressive.

I'm glad I picked this book otherwise I might me unaware of this wonderful universe.

This book can be read to the kids during bedtime they will just love it coz I read few of its pages to my little niece and nephew and they were like what happened next. I was amazed seeing them enjoying it, not only because of it's colorful illustrations but also because of it's storyline.

I'm thankful to the complete team who has worked day and night to bring this captivating book to existence. Everything about this book is unique and lit.
Profile Image for Trisha Halder.
111 reviews4 followers
June 8, 2022
Atharva - The Origin by Ramesh Thamilmani is a fantasy novel with luscious illustrations. The beautiful cover, especially featuring MS Dhoni, is the biggest attraction in this book. This book is called a new age graphic novel due to the bright, colorful illustrations and the integrated AR Technology. This just might be a revolution in the world of graphical literature.

The story starts in Scotland. After having a tragic childhood, Nora and her dad move to India for his work. But soon Nora finds herself alone and neglected by her busy dad. No amount of toys and comics can keep her sane in a new land. One Day while looking for her dad, Nora found a strange looking stone and she brought that back home. But little did she know that it is no ordinary stone. Soon it becomes her storyteller friend and starts to narrate to her the legend of Atharva! Pick the book to know about a whole different earth and its warrior, Atharva!

The title itself brings out the hero of the book and the cover will definitely make the fantasy lovers go weak in their knees. The writing style is direct and fast paced. I liked how the author tried to bring the sound effects of different actions with unique and fun words. Some words were really fun to read. The book has its own different world, so I must say the world building was quite good. It depicts a different earth, creatures, nations and its people. My favorite was baku-baku, a type of bird with medicinal value. The story shows action filled battles, great struggle of the protagonist towards his destiny and never giving up. Also the subtle hint of romance made the book very interesting.

Now what I wanted more from the book was clear descriptions! I believe at some places descriptions were very confusing. If the illustrations were not put right beside the storyline, I might have gotten the wrong idea! Some lines became too complex to visualize the situation written. Also I found a few errors here and there which should have been taken care of while making a masterpiece like this! I must say the book is 289 pages long with lots of information which readers can not skip to understand the plot better. Hence the book will need patient readers to enjoy every corner. Even if the pictures made me curious, very few chapters bored me a little.

Overall it's a great book and fantasy lovers must give it a try. It's suitable for the 11+ age group of readers as there are many new words that can help readers enrich their vocabulary. A diverse range of readers can also enjoy this book.
Profile Image for Sakshi Deora.
22 reviews
July 10, 2022
The moment I saw this book, I knew I can’t let go of the opportunity to read it!
Atharv, The Origin is a graphic novel with the story by Ramesh Thamilmani and illustrations by Virzu Studios, and the entire thing was quite unique to my taste.
And yes, the face of the protagonist is M.S.Dhoni, and this idea is brilliant (to see from the marketing point of view.) Though I couldn’t help but draw parallels between the character of Atharv and real life MSD, both being selfless, calm and great leaders.

Now coming to the story, I felt the plot was captivating enough. The language was very impressive and rich, with good sense of vocabulary. The plot and settings are quite interesting and creative. Its very much like the moral bed time story, exactly like how its shown to be in the novel. But I felt the story was fast paced, with successive battles and challenges, and without much insight about other characters. I was specifically interested to know more about Zemora’s character, but her character was short lived. In entirety, it was similar to Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, but the protagonist was not looking for gold but a godlier version of himself. I quite appreciate the introduction of the world of Adhiri, with growing your own houses on the trees, eating what has been dropped and nature balanced society.
Though what I couldn’t understand is the need for Nora’s story and making Atharv’s story as a bedtime story for a curious girl narrated by a stone. (Olira, though is quite a pretty name for a pretty stone.) And since the title is called “The Origin” (even though it can be seen as the origin of the world as we know it, and the origin of a balanced world with nature that we could create) I am hoping there would be a sequel to this story with a meaningful role of Nora, and will also reveal the mystery behind her repeatedly seeing her mom in her dreams.

I believe its important to talk about the illustrations as well, for that makes up the novel as much as the story. The setting and premise of the story is quite imaginative and impressive, a perfect fantasy, and illustrators have done a very good job portraying the same, which compliments both the writer’s description and the illustrator’s ability to adopt, which of course made such a story very easy on mind to imagine.

All in all, the graphics and the story has created a very good harmony, and it was refreshing and exciting to read such a book!
Profile Image for Abhijit Chakraborty.
Author 32 books7 followers
May 15, 2022
Book Title: Atharva : The origin
Author: Ramesh Thamilmani
Publisher: ‎Virzu Studios
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 292
Book Rating: 4.2/5

The combination of graphics and augmented reality are brought together in this novel, Atharva: The Origin. This novel not only entertained me but also my 12-year-old son. For the first time, we read a novel together. A QR code is attached to allow readers to experience Augmented Reality by introducing the Atharva AR app. This new technology made the book more interesting. We saw the appearance of a 3D model of Atharva from the cover page through the app. We saw the same appearance of another 3D model named Unbeatable on page 212. We were overjoyed with that experience. M.S Dhoni's face is morphed as the protagonist.

Now let me talk about the story, the illustrations and my experience. As this is a new age graphic novel, the creators have gracefully illustrated each image. They are so spectacular. This is a new way of telling a story where readers are not only reading it but also experiencing the journey of the protagonist with the help of lively illustrations. But compared to other graphic novels, it doesn't seem so eye-catching to me. The book has fourteen chapters.

The story begins with Nora Campbell, having lost her mother in a terrible accident, is silenced from a jolly child. Only she would spend time reading comics on superhero stories. Because of her father's work, she has to move to Kolkata, India from Scotland. She finds a smooth strange oval stone near the huge construction site where his father works. The stone comes alive in the form of a face named Olira as a drop of Nora's tears falls on it. Olira, at Nora's request, starts narrating the story of Atharva, a Ugran warrior of Saturata on his way to find Amara from the distant land of Adhiri after the invasion of the man-beasts on his home, Saturata. What he realizes at the end of his journey should be known to every human being as the source of great knowledge.

The narrative is excellent. The story is very exciting with vital morality but somehow it faded in the middle. The cover of the book is attractive but it could have been better. This novel is for all readers irrespective of age. I recommend the book to everyone because I enjoyed reading it. But it's hard to consider the book as a new-age graphic novel.
296 reviews
June 4, 2022
Atharva is the story of a warrior named Atharva who travels far and wide in search of revenge.

The genre of the book keeps on changing throughout the story. First, it seems to be historical fiction, then it becomes a romance, followed by fantasy and then it turns into something else.

The theme of the novel is not clear from the beginning. The beginning features too much violence and bloodshed. The rest of the novel is very entertaining.

The book contains a lot of vivid images. Most of them are daunting. There are many pictures of MS Dhoni in the book which I liked. The other pictures were vague and not very attractive.

The characters in the story do not have any background information. They appear suddenly, and then they disappear into thin air. Each of these characters has an important role to play in Atharva's life. They teach him something valuable or help him achieve his goal.

The story starts with a lot of questions. The author answers most of them in time, but some points remain unexplained till the end. He wanted to keep some mysteries alive to stimulate readers’ imaginations.
While reading the book, I kept wondering what the purpose of this novel is. For me, the story did not seem to be going in any specific direction for almost ninety per cent of the book. However, when I read the climax, it all started to make sense and everything just fell into place.

The theme of the novel is the mystery hidden in this book. The author wrote such a long story to explain a simple thing, that we all know about but are not aware of. Reading this book has helped me realize how ignorant I am.

The plot of the book is quite meaningful and revolutionary. I feel the book would have been just as amazing even without all the complicated graphics. The reason most readers enjoy adventure novels is that it stimulates their imagination. But the overuse of graphics here prevents the readers from using their imagination.

Atharva is a great book, for almost every kind of reader. The most important part of this novel is the message that the author has conveyed at the end of the story. I strongly recommend this book to everyone, because I feel this story deserves to be heard.
393 reviews6 followers
July 4, 2022
Atharva is not the one who started out from Saturata. He has come a long way! He has travelled dark and dangerous paths that have revealed to him to his own powers. "Mayalogam" is a very different feel that all the readers can feel the super highness and its the superior to all the versions that he has come along all the way in his journey. The "Supernova" is the best part and the super hero with gold that came out at the moment while his way reaching towards the victory is such a wonderful part. Perhaps, first time in his warrior's life, Atharva felt something genuinely to him and that's what which we all had to realize and recognize at the end.

A journey filled with greatest trials and tribulations, encountered every manner of obstacle, from man, beast and Nature, all for what is the biggest question that raises in front of Atharva is the purpose that lies in this book.

All the characters Kosha, Zemora, Taika & Tara speaks something to him and to us too. And the various places and the people that emerges in Atharva's journey as a warrior in search of Adhiri and Amara will take us to a grand new world yet back to old times through the stone of Nora who discovered it at first.

The author narrated astonishingly this extra-ordinary story and we can see all the efforts behind it from framing the face of our favorite cool captain "Mahi" to the tremendous illustrations, rich language, book cover and the smooth sheets giving 3D effects to a book and the main core concept to reach the world was well-developed and presented neatly to make us feel the whole pleasure of reading and taking the essence of it.

A special kudos to the people who worked for this excellent tale of self-discovery with beautiful realistic illustrations turns the narrative into a captivating experience which is suitable for all ages.

Points to add is my four year kids loved the story and the illustrations while I read to them is a wonderful experience to see the spark and the wonder in their eyes. At last, as a fan of MS Dhoni, it’s a treat to all of us and of course the full credit goes to the author and all others who made it as a grand success of producing it out perfectly. Grab your copy to have a wonderful journey with "Atharva".
Profile Image for Abhinav Kumar.
347 reviews
July 6, 2022
Graphic novel review
ATHARVA: THE ORIGIN
BY RAMESH THAILMANI
ILLUSTRATED BY VIRZU STUDIOS

The old school days, when we used to play with friends & toys. Watching cartoons & living in our world, do you remember those days? If yes then this book can tinkle your old sweet tunes.
Atharva is an illustrated journey of a hero, a king a warrior, and an extraordinary man with deep roots on the ground; how?
The story starts with a void, a deep void with a loss, with a pure soul, a little girl who finds an amazing thing that takes her to the ancient world of wars, the time where earth originated and creatures are fighting for power. The power of nature.
At first glance, I thought it will be a typical superhero-type novel but when I traversed its path through a totally different world, I was surprised. It is amazing & a unique kind of experience first time. Being I grew up, I am not touched by stories at all, especially superhero-type stories but this book dragged me back & took me into my world again, the world of amusement & war.
The story, part one, deals with the rise of a hero of an ancient world & civilization. Briefly introducing a war, the story takes us into the deep world of origin on the earth, life, and much more. The aspect of this story is to understand the creation and annihilation of life, the formation of connections, and natural development. There are a lot of concepts attached so can't cover all but when you dive into it, you can feel and experience the same.
Moreover, this story is connected to emotions. Atharva resides within us. His journey is not ordinary but we can feel a strange emotional attachment. The concept of this attachment is deep to understand. It starts with utmost sincerity but ends with knowledge and wisdom. The end is the beginning.
The graphics and illustration are really good. It takes hard to move forward because the text and images catch attention and wouldn't allow you to move. So for me, it is hard to move, I have had an amazing experience throughout. It is like watching a live movie, the creatures, the world, lights, war, power & humanity. All are connected and designed prudently.
Overall it is magical. Waiting for the next part.
Profile Image for Sindhu Vinod.
216 reviews8 followers
June 7, 2022
Fantasy is a genre that I've read less and graphic novel is something that keeps me glued.
What do I do if both these come together? Do I pick it up or pass it away?
What do you think I did? What was the one more reason that made me pick this up?
Well let me give you few more.
The book is massive I tell you not just in words but the sheer appearance gives you a feel that you are holding a classic. I'm a sucker for hardcover books and yes that was ticked off too.
Finally the books stars M S Dhoni.
Now tell me you would you now pass the chance of picking the book.
I didn't and I held it tight ever since I did. The story goes about from Scotland to Kolkata which is where Nora the little girl had to move in with her father due to his occupational necessities.
Nora being the silent little girl post her mother's passing away , spends time with comics.
Upon her visits to her dad's workplace she stumbles upon on an oval rock with a face named, Olira who narrates to her the story of Atharva, a warrior.
Now this is where our superhero M S Dhoni comes into picture. Olira narrates about Atharva, an Ugran warrior of the land of Saturata on his way to find Amara by crossing the dangerous Sapra river. The remaining part of the story unfolds about his challenges and obstacles he faces on his course to reach his destination.
What absolutely makes your reading experience much more interesting is the Augmented reality that is facilitated with a QR code which makes it all the more enjoyable.

A 3D model of the character is something that will not only fascinate you, the person whose reading but also others.
The book is a tool that can let your imagination explore and all the more supported by the numerous characters that come to reality when you use the app.
It can be one of your classic addition to your book collection for sure. Not only did I , but my kids also enjoyed watching the characters come alive.
The narration is simple and crisp. It is well supported by the illustrations . The graphic on the other hand brings your imagination alive . Kudos to the entire team of author, illustrator and graphic team for creating this masterpiece.
Profile Image for Neha.
328 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2022
Atharva by Ramesh Thamilmani is a new-age fantasy graphic novel featuring MS Dhoni as Atharva. He is one of my favorite sports personalities so I had to pick up the book as soon as I saw it. The concept also felt fresh and new from what we have seen before and I was quite intrigued with the graphics and augmented reality part of the book.

The story revolves around Atharva, a warrior from Gavenia, a world way before folklore, to the very start of the world we know of. Warrior by nature and leader by heart and mind, Atharva keep protecting Saturana with his men until that one battle that changed the fate of his life and push him into a journey beyond his tribe and realms to find and seek answers for the atrocities faced by his people.

The story starts in the world as we know it and then proceeds into the fantasy realm of Gavenia. As the story progresses we get to see the majestic worlds, creatures, and realms. I liked the world-building and how the story went from triumph to despair to finding his footing again and the elusive search for an answer into an unknown world.

I liked how the characters were written whether it was Atharva, Khosha, or Zemora. Although I would have loved to have a little backstory about Atharva's childhood before his journey to the warrior he is today. Khosha and Atharav's friendship was written well. I loved Zemora's character and everything about it. Whether it was her deep and calm demeanor or being friendly with Taita or trying to see the world in a more approachable way even in a dire situation. At one point I was rooting for Zemora and Atharav and hoped he will find his way back to her.

The whole world-building and different adventures throughout his journey and fights with different creatures and discovering his power and potential were written impeccably. The graphics were done brilliantly and enhanced the reading and imaginative process of world-building by a mile. The language is very rich and you can see the author has a good grip on narration and creating a world beyond imagination. I loved it and I would recommend it to everyone more so to the new budding readers looking to delve into the fantasy world.
Profile Image for Debabrata Mishra.
1,672 reviews45 followers
June 16, 2022
👉𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊:-
📚ⓉⒾⓉⓁⒺ:- Atharva
🖋️ⒶⓊⓉⒽⓄⓇ:- Ramesh Thamilmani
🗞️ⓅⓊⒷⓁⒾⓈⒽⒺⓇ:-
🔤ⓁⒶⓃⒼⓊⒶⒼⒺ:- English
📖ⒻⓄⓇⓂⒶⓉ:- Hardcover
👉𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒:-
Nora Campbell, a Scottish girl whose life scattered into pieces at a very young age when her beloved mother died in a deadliest road accident.
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For her, the world ended here, the smile in her face paled away forever & her only saviour is comic books that to be books on superheroes.
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During this peculiar situation her father is forced to migrate to Kolkata because of his work so on Nora too.
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She is trying to involving in Indian atmosphere & culture slowly just when she found a rock near which seems to be little bit mysterious & she bought it with her to home.
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She never imagined this stone is going to change her fortune as there is a jenie came out from it named as Olira when a drop of tear falls on it & ready to fulfil all her wishes.
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Nora a little kiddo innocently asked him to narrate a story & he started telling the story of Atharva the indispensable fighter of Saturata who is on his way to find Amara from the land of Adhiri.
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To know more about it grab the book & give it a try.
👉𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 :-
🙂 "Never judge a book by it's cover" it's not always true bcz the cover itself is a piece of beauty here & you can't take your eyes out of it.
🙂 Writing style of the book is good. It's a graphic novel so there is not much role of writing skills but the storyline is really gripping & quite enjoying read for everyone.
🙂 The one of the main highlight for me in this book is portraying MS Dhoni as the lead character Atharva. It's so good to watch & feel his presence in this new avatar.
🙂 The characterization of the book can be more better. May be I sound too critical but all the characters played a vital role in the storyline & just when there should be proper background of them needed.
🙂 The climax stole my heart in one go. Before the climax it seemed like searching pieces but the climax just glued up them all.
🙂 Pace is quite good & you can never feel bored while reading it.
🙂 All the illustrations are eye catching vividly coloured & the showstopper.
𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑:-🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
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