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KRISHNA DEVA RAYA: The Crown of Vijayanagara
A new emperor, old enemies, a fight for an enduring empire...
The newly coronated Emperor Krishna Deva Raya leads his steadfast armies on a mission to capture impregnable fortresses and avenge his father's gruesome death. As the flags of Vijayanagara soar high under its glorious ruler, the fortuitous news of the birth of an heir to the throne bathes the city in joy and prosperity like never before.
The people of the Samrajya worship Krishna Deva Raya like a god, and with the kingdom finally at peace, Krishna turns his focus inward. But deep in the underbelly of the palace, a seditious undertaking is afoot, while at the city's borders disbanded enemy kingdoms are uniting under a vengeful Shahi sultan determined to usurp Krishna's throne.
Will Krishna, the statesman, prove to be as proficient as Krishna, the soldier? As his inner coterie of advisers stands divided at every turn, will Krishna be able to secure the future of his empire?
The second novel in the series, Krishna Deva Raya: The Crown of Vijayanagara is a riveting exposition of war strategy, games of power and the politics of the royal court – a chronicle of one man's transformation into a god-king.
The newly coronated Emperor Krishna Deva Raya leads his steadfast armies on a mission to capture impregnable fortresses and avenge his father's gruesome death. As the flags of Vijayanagara soar high under its glorious ruler, the fortuitous news of the birth of an heir to the throne bathes the city in joy and prosperity like never before.
The people of the Samrajya worship Krishna Deva Raya like a god, and with the kingdom finally at peace, Krishna turns his focus inward. But deep in the underbelly of the palace, a seditious undertaking is afoot, while at the city's borders disbanded enemy kingdoms are uniting under a vengeful Shahi sultan determined to usurp Krishna's throne.
Will Krishna, the statesman, prove to be as proficient as Krishna, the soldier? As his inner coterie of advisers stands divided at every turn, will Krishna be able to secure the future of his empire?
The second novel in the series, Krishna Deva Raya: The Crown of Vijayanagara is a riveting exposition of war strategy, games of power and the politics of the royal court – a chronicle of one man's transformation into a god-king.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
344 pages, Paperback
Published July 22, 2022
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 28, 2022
The story has political drama, internal quarrels, and external problems, with a trace of humor and brilliance of Tenali Rama. I also found the answer to my query left unanswered in the first book, but I hoped it would be better if it were brief instead of short.
Overall, it is a fast-paced, plot-driven story; reading the second is a must if you like the first part. I hope Abhijeeth Hiliyana soon publishes another book in the series because I can't wait to read it. If you're keen to know more about Krishna Deva Raya and the Vijayanagara empire, pick this series asap. I recommend it.
Read the detailed review here - Books Charming
Overall, it is a fast-paced, plot-driven story; reading the second is a must if you like the first part. I hope Abhijeeth Hiliyana soon publishes another book in the series because I can't wait to read it. If you're keen to know more about Krishna Deva Raya and the Vijayanagara empire, pick this series asap. I recommend it.
Read the detailed review here - Books Charming
November 4, 2022
Read my complete Book Review and Book Quotes on Njkinny's Blog
Krishna Deva Raya : The Crown of Vijayanagara by Abhijeeth Hiliyana is the sequel to “Krishna Deva Raya: The Boy who would be King“.
This book chronicles the later years of legendary Indian King, Krishna Deva Raya, and even features his relationship with his witty courtier Tenali Rama.
I absolutely adored reading the first book “Krishna Deva Raya: The Boy who would be King“. So, when I heard the sequel was here, I jumped to read it. And I am so glad that it is such a worthy second part too!
I devoured it in a matter of days, and was impressed by the research the author has done to bring realism to this story. So, an immersive, thrilling, and real like experience, this book had me transported back in time to an era of legendary Kings like Krishna Deva Raya.
The well -researched and almost historically accurate characters are a highlight of this book as well as this series. Krishna Deva Raya has matured from the impulsive and young soldier to a King who is deliberate, practical, and more cautious in his decisions. Here he is a King people worship like God. He is also a father, and a devoted husband. Everything seems picture perfect but underneath turmoil is brewing. With enemies both inside and outside the Palace walls, Krishna is surrounded by wolves.
This book shows how much a person, royalty or not, changes in personality as they grow older. The style of Krishna Deva’s thinking changed from the brash, hungry thinker to a more mature and practical one in this book. While sometimes I missed the old younger version of him, at places I loved his newer version too!
We also meet the wise Tenali Rama. I adored his wit and his knowledge.
"A man who claims to have gained all known knowledge in the world should have been able to figure out my simple ruse. After all, what is the point of knowledge without the viveka to discern the truth?”
This book series has the potential to be adapted to the screen as a movie or a TV series. The war scenes where so immersive that they had me biting my nails in excitement. You will be transported back in time and feel like everything is happening right in front of your eyes!
So, I would love really watch them come alive on TV!
All in all, this book is an experience that is not-to-be-missed for all historical books lovers. Definitely among my top reads of 2022, this book and this series by Abhijeeth Hiliyana had me sucked in and hooked throughout. I loved each second spent reading these books, and Njkinny recommends this book to all Indian history lovers.
January 8, 2023
The Crown of Vijayanagara is book two in the Krishna Deva Raya series. It’s a riveting historical novel set against the medieval period in South India. It can be read as a stand-alone novel. However, it’s advised to brush up the basics of its first book, ‘The Boy Who Would be King.’ In the first part, the lead character Krishna proves his warrior prowess to take over the empire as an able King of the Vijayanagara Samrajya.
Book two is more about how the new King performs and manages the chores inside and outside the court. The story also follows the development of his personal life and ambitions that he longs to fulfill with his family members. As the novel commences, you will feel that the entire Vijayanagara Samrajya is safe and happy. However, its old enemy Bahmani, though not so powerful now, still leaves no opportunity to invade if found a loophole. Other than that there are great number of ministers and Nayakas taking care of rebels and skirmishes posing challenges to the empire’s unity.
With time the leadership strategies of Krishna have changed, instead of ensuing sanguinary battles, he loved to study his enemy and then move and strike accordingly. He did the same with Yusuf Adil Shah. The enemy left much of his power of ration and army at some other place and Krishna sensing this created a semblance of attack. He simply won without losing much of his men. It was not a fierce battle but he was awarded with a victory of Raichur, which was always a bone of contention between the Samrajya and Bahmanis, savings thousands of people’s lives in one master stroke.
As the king Krishna grapples with state’s issues, he also feels low on confidence and ambitions and like a typical ruler he fears for his throne. His relationship with Appaji and Ramaraya is robust. However, people begin plotting against him, including ministers from the ruling list. His son-in-law Ramaraya holds an intriguing place in finding out the names of renegades but on the other hand it’s tough to sense his own motives. Ramaraya and the minister Timmarusu grudgingly hold bitter enmity.
The novel becomes a murder mystery towards the end. Krishna worries about the future of his son Trimula. In haste, coronation of his son goes awkward. Many oppose the move of uncertainty. And soon his son is dead by poison. It’s a murder. Krishna loses his calm and personality. Ramaraya brings information of people involved but also manages to incite him against his own old allies. It leads to confusion and the empire looks shaken and shattered. What will be the future of Vijayanagara Samrajya?
Book two is more about how the new King performs and manages the chores inside and outside the court. The story also follows the development of his personal life and ambitions that he longs to fulfill with his family members. As the novel commences, you will feel that the entire Vijayanagara Samrajya is safe and happy. However, its old enemy Bahmani, though not so powerful now, still leaves no opportunity to invade if found a loophole. Other than that there are great number of ministers and Nayakas taking care of rebels and skirmishes posing challenges to the empire’s unity.
With time the leadership strategies of Krishna have changed, instead of ensuing sanguinary battles, he loved to study his enemy and then move and strike accordingly. He did the same with Yusuf Adil Shah. The enemy left much of his power of ration and army at some other place and Krishna sensing this created a semblance of attack. He simply won without losing much of his men. It was not a fierce battle but he was awarded with a victory of Raichur, which was always a bone of contention between the Samrajya and Bahmanis, savings thousands of people’s lives in one master stroke.
As the king Krishna grapples with state’s issues, he also feels low on confidence and ambitions and like a typical ruler he fears for his throne. His relationship with Appaji and Ramaraya is robust. However, people begin plotting against him, including ministers from the ruling list. His son-in-law Ramaraya holds an intriguing place in finding out the names of renegades but on the other hand it’s tough to sense his own motives. Ramaraya and the minister Timmarusu grudgingly hold bitter enmity.
The novel becomes a murder mystery towards the end. Krishna worries about the future of his son Trimula. In haste, coronation of his son goes awkward. Many oppose the move of uncertainty. And soon his son is dead by poison. It’s a murder. Krishna loses his calm and personality. Ramaraya brings information of people involved but also manages to incite him against his own old allies. It leads to confusion and the empire looks shaken and shattered. What will be the future of Vijayanagara Samrajya?
September 1, 2022
This book definitely matches up to its amazing prequel. Although this one portrays less emotion and more battle and war strategy along with politics, this book shows how much a person, royalty or not, changes in personality as they grow older. The style of his thinking changed from the brash, hungry thinker to a more mature and practical one. Left me pondering the whole series at the end, a sad look on my face. Definitely a must read for readers who fell in love with the first book.
June 11, 2025
A good book!
July 11, 2024
Such a beautiful account on the life of Krishna Deva Raya. This one is a fast-paced book. The valiant battles fought by the Vijayanagara empire are mostly mentioned. In fact, many of the important events are included. This book is such an underrated one.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews