Book Review # 135 KaalKoot : S Venkatesh

Blurb:

*KaalKoot brings together a forgotten Himalayan legend, an internationalconspiracy and nail-biting suspense in a gripping thriller. * January 1944 - Holed up in a Himalayan hideout, freedom fighter Manohar Rai has to take a chilling decision – one that could mean life or death for millions of people. His only hope is a mysterious young man, who goes into hiding hours before Manohar is shot dead in cold blood.

June 2018 - A forgotten legend from the upper reaches of the Himalayas is rearing its ominous head. The world will be brought to its knees. KaalKoot will strike again.

Only three people have a clue about the horrors that are about the unfold. The only hope for survival lies buried deep in the remotest corner of Himalayas. But a terrible fate awaits those who seek it. Is it already too late? Is KaalKoot – the primordial plague – unstoppable?

My Take:

The story of churning of nectar episode by the Devas and Asuras is well known. The famous Samudra Manthan episode which generated a posion so powerful that Lord Shiva kept in his throat which gave him another name "Neelkant" as his throat turned blue due to the poison. The poison which  has the power to destruct mankind is rearing its ugly head once again. The secret that lied buried for ages is on a brink to destroy and change the face of the earth and the antidote that can stop this mayhem is treasured somewhere safe in the Himalayas.

Set against the Pre Independence and Modern Era with a liberal reference to history ,mystery and science, the book has all elements blended together beautifully to come together as a story.

Prof Bani, is interested in history of mankind and Vedic scriptures the one his Guru Manohar Rai guarded with his life which later was safely crypted by Yogyaveer with complex Verses only which can save the mankind.Prof Bani and Prof Bavdekar are trying to join the dots and find out more about the secret.

Damini of ACG (Anti Conspiracy Group) gets infromation about the Korean Terrorist Ji Hoon Kim being in Mumbai who managed to slip and chasing him leads her to Prof Bani and Sameer.

Sameer is confused about his life and choices he made in his career. He has a strained relationship with his father. His dream is to do something different. His girlfriend goes missing and his trace for her brings him together with Prof Bani and Damini.

With encrypted information and realization of the terror to be unleashed leads them to seek answers. Will they solve the mystery? Will Kalkoot destuct the mankind? Read to find the answers.

One of the best reads of this year. Hats off to the author for being able to visualize and develop a story like this. The book starts on a little slow note but as the story progresses it just blows your mind. The backdrop of each character is developed with minute detailing and finesse. The book keeps you on the edge till the end. I was in awe and left speechless. The aura of the book is so strong that you might not be able to come out of it even after the book is done with. The mystery and the narration is water tight and well maintained.

I would rate this 5/5.