ASURA: Tale of the Vanquished By Anand Neelakantan (Paperback)

The story of the Ramayana has been told countless times. The enthralling story of Rama, the incarnation of God, who slew Ravana, the King of Wrath, is known to every Indian. And in the pages of history, as always, it is the version told by the victors, that lives on. But what if Ravana and his people had a different story to tell?

Asura is the epic narrative of the vanquished Asura people, a story cherished by the oppressed outcastes of India for over 3000 years. Until now, no Asura has dared to tell this tale. But perhaps the time has come for the defeated to speak:

“For thousands of years, I have been vilified, and my death is celebrated year after year in every corner of India. Why? Was it because I challenged the gods for the sake of my daughter? Was it because I sought to free a race from the yoke of caste-based Deva rule? You have heard the victor's tale, the Ramayana. Now hear the Ravanayana, for I am Ravana, the Asura, and my story is the tale of the vanquished.”

The ancient Asura empire lay shattered into many warring petty kingdoms under the heel of the Devas. In desperation, the Asuras look to a young saviour: Ravana. Believing that a better world awaits them under Ravana's leadership, common men like Bhadra decide to follow the young leader into war. With iron will and fiery ambition, Ravana leads his people from victory to victory, carving out a vast empire from the Devas. But even in triumph, the poor Asuras find that little has changed for them. But perhaps there is hope yet—but can Ravana change the course of history forever?

Who is this for?

Asura is a great choice for fans of mythological bestsellers like The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, The Forest of Enchantments, and the Ramayana in English. It is also a must-read for anyone interested in Indian mythology, mythological fiction books, spiritual books, and historical fiction books. For those who enjoy religious books and mythological books like The Ram Chandra Series by Amish Tripathi, including Scion of Ikshvaku, Sita: Warrior of Mithila, Raavan: Enemy of Aryavarta, and War of Lanka, this novel provides a compelling addition to your collection.

Fans of The Lord of the Rings book set and The Way of Kings will also appreciate the epic storytelling and complex characters found in Asura. Whether you are interested in fiction books, bestsellers English or exploring the Ramayana book from a new perspective, Asura is an essential addition to your library.