Book Review: The Prince of Patliputra (Asoka Trilogy #1)

Book: The Prince of Patliputra ( Asoka Trilogy #1)

Author: Shreyas Bhave

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing
Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 382

Price: 350 INR

Blurb: 272 BC, Bharathvarsha, Land of the Aryas....

Samrat Bindusar, son of Chandragupta and the second Samrat Chakravartin of all the Aryas rules over the massive subcontinent from his holy seat in Patliputra. Almost five decades ago, his father had laid the foundations of this vast Samrajya guided by the famed Guru Arya Chanakya. But now, the wealth and glory of the past has subsided...
As the Samrat’s health continues to decline due to an unknown illness, problems are arising all over his realm. There is infighting and rebellion. No clear successor to him is present. Ninety nine of his sons stand in line waiting for his throne...
Bharathvarsha needs a Chandragupta once again. And it needs a Chanakya too. Can the young Prince Asoka, who is the least favorite son of the Samrat, fill in the boots of his grandfather? Can Radhagupta, a mere Councilor of the Court be what Chanakya was to all the Aryas? 
Begin a new adventure with the first book of the Asoka trilogy as you read to find the answer to one great question- 'That who shall be the next Samrat of this holy land of the Aryas?

My Rating: 4/5

My Review:

When I learnt that the book is authored by a 21 year old guy, I was quite skeptical if he could handle this historical fiction with deftness. The author managed to totally eradicate my doubts by the time I was in the middle of the book. 

"The Prince of Patliputra" is a historical fiction that deals with the life of Asoka, one of the towering figures in the history of India. In the first few pages, it was a bit difficult to comprehend the direction where the story was heading, but once you read a couple of chapters, you will surely be hooked to the book.

Garnished with conspiracies, clever strategies, subtle romance and bitter betrayals, the book is a fast paced read. What appealed to me the most in this book is the way Chandragupta's journey (grandfather of Asoka and the first Samrat Chakravartin of all the Aryas) is shown in parallel to Asoka's journey. We can see Chanakya, the legendary personality reminiscing about how Chandragupta came into power. 

Chandragupta came into power due to Chanakya's strategies. The same way we can see Radhagupta, the Prime Minister of Patliputra devising some clever strategies to put Asoka on the throne of his father. Asoka is the least favorite son of his father, Samrat Bindusar whereas Maharaja Sushem, the elder son of Samrat Bindusar is loved immensely by his father. So, it is natural that he has high chances of sitting on the throne, but Radhagupta and Chanakya think otherwise.

There is one very funny instance in the book, where Radhagupta fools Sushem's wife and uses her to intensify the animosity between Maharaja Sushem and Asoka.The subtle romance between Asoka and Devi is also narrated well. Those few instances provide a soothing relief from the conspiracies and the betrayals. 

The author has given importance to each and every character, out of which Chanakya and Asoka will win the heart of most readers. In the flashback scenes, the character of Alexander is also well sketched,

A few editing errors could have been avoided and some scenes could have been a little more crisp.

However, with good story telling skills, powerful characters and enough twists, Shreyas Bhave makes a great debut with his historical fiction. The book ends at a very interesting juncture which will compel the readers to wait for the part 2 of the trilogy, "The Scourge from Taxila".

This book will appeal a lot to people who are fascinated by history and love reading historical fiction. Though I don't belong to this category, but I still enjoyed reading the book.

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