“Tumultuous, fast paced, a 21st
“Tumultuous,
fast paced, a 21st century retelling” The Hindu
“A rollicking
read…may the Force be with Banker” Hindustan Times
“Magnificent…tremendous…a milestone” India Today
“Delicious…amrit to a new generation!” India Today on Siege of
Mithila
“The biggest tale of all this year…a mesmerising yarn”
Economic Times
“Vivid, unforgettable images” The Telegraph
“How well Banker tells his tale!” Indian Express
“Banker has
beaten the rest” The Statesman
“A real page-turner…you’ll
enjoy this book tremendously” Today
“Banker, the artful
storyteller!” The Statesman on Siege of Mithila
“Compelling…
Lushly embellishes the classic tale of a war between absolute Good
and Evil… It’s a ripping good yarn.” Publisher’s Weekly
“Jeweled prose, lush descriptions” Library Journal
“Ashok
Banker is One of the finest modern fantasists” Woolamaloo Gazette
“Living breathing characters that sparkle with life”
Sffworld.com
“Entertaining and illuminating” SciFi.com
“A
refreshingly new story” Artemis
“Refreshingly different and
distinct from the usual Western fare” SF Site
“A refreshing
change from generic fantasyland” Starburst
“A cracking good
yarn…bask in the warm waters of one of the sources of world
mythology, made more accessible to the modern, Western reader by
Banker’s excellent narrative interpretation” The Alien Online
“As welcome as a lush oasis in a desert” Sword’s Edge
“Extravagantly, grippingly, wholly appealing” BSFA Journal
“An intelligent revival, rarely seen in fantasy literature”
Dreamwatch
“Huge in concept” John Jarrold, SFX
“Highly
recommended” SfBookcase.com
“Wonderful, almost Matrix-like,
highly entertaining” SFCrowsnest
“Fast-paced and impressive”
Kitabkhana
“Enthralling” Harriet Klausner, Book Magazine’s No.1
reviewer
“Highly recommended” Paul Goat Allen, B&N.com
“It’s epic scope makes it as globally relevant as Gilgamesh,
Cuchullain and Beowulf” Historical Novels Review
“How
absorbing!” Mostlyfiction.com
“Excellent” Bookloons.com
“An
intelligent revival, the like of which is rarely seen in fantasy
literature.” Dreamwatch
“A modern-day epic” Cinemafantastique
“Feel the arrows zing past” Curledup.com
“What a debut”
Polaris
“Snap up this volume” Romance Readers Connection
“One powerful tale” Myshelf.com
“A swashbuckling heroic
page-turner” Alien Online on Siege of Mithila
“Banker’s
masterstroke, a true sparkler” Society
“A magnificently rendered
labour of love” Outlook
“Retold in grand style” Asian Age
“A
baroque and inventive series…hugely popular in the UK” Year’s Best
Fantasy & Horror: 17th Annual Collection
*****
Even
other authors love Ashok’s Ramayana!
“A thundering good
story. Here are all the heroes and gods, demons and sorcerers you
can possibly want. Banker does a wonderful job of bringing this
great classic to modern readers.”
–Dave Duncan, author of
Paragon Lost
“Banker creates a marvelous landscape of
princes, demons, mages, and lovers. I love good fantasy, and this
one-of-a-kind epic charmed and delighted me.”
–Kate Elliott,
author of The Gathering Storm
“While The Ramayana is one
of the world�s great myth cycles, it is far less well known to
western readers than so much of the euro-centric material repeatedly
picked over by fantasy writers. This gives this series a welcome
freshness and exoticism while what we know of Indian culture and
myth balances us with a sense of connection to the story. It is
fascinating to see how Ashok Banker avoids slipping into clich� as
he presents a mythic, grandiloquent tale which is at the same time
admirably accessible. So, as in the first volume of this series, the
Siege of Mithila offers a swashbuckling heroic page-turner which is
at the same time a well-written exploration of human courage and
failings, hopes and fears for those of us fantasy fans who like such
literary values along with our unrepentant adventure. Roll on the
Demons of Chitrakut!”
–Juliet E. McKenna, author of The
Tales of Einarrin
“Banker makes the whole story
“Banker makes the
whole story come brilliantly alive. With liberal use of Sanskrit and
Hindi words and phrases, he sets the mood for an authentic and
enticing Indian fantasy-drama. This style of writing is sure to
fascinate new and younger readers worldwide who are yet unfamiliar
with this epic. At the same time, Banker offers Indians themselves a
new perspective insight into a story that has long been regarded by
them as a purely religious one. Fantastic magical effects are
intricately woven into the scenario and the action-sequences are so
vibrant that the readers can almost feel the arrows zing past,
narrowly missing them. One other striking difference is that this
book, while emphasizing dharma (duty) and brahmanic power, is not as
overtly religious in nature as the original. But there is more to
Book One of Banker’s Ramayana trilogy than a mere battle for
survival between two totally different species. It�s also a saga of
insidious political upmanship, conspiracies, jealousy, polygamy, and
an overall a struggle for power, both internal as well as external.
Even with some flaws, the book does not fail in utterly enthralling
and entertaining its readers.” Curledup.com
Mythology has long offered a
Mythology has long offered a rich vein
of ideas for fantasy authors to tap. Banker’s series takes the
Indian Ramayana and there’s no doubting the atmosphere here. Banker
goes to great lengths to build on the story, using the novel format
to flesh out the world and storyline to the depth that you’d
expect–and does a good job of presenting its alternate cutlure in
an easily digestible form. Be back in time for a rendezvous with
Rama again!” SFX on Siege of Mithila
“Banker fulfils the promise of
“Banker
fulfils the promise of the first book. The narrative is compelling
but equally important was the insight into a cultural tradition and
belief system totally alien to the secular and capitalist west of
the modern world. There is much to be learnt from the Ramayana. Wait
with bated breath for the third novel.” Historical Novels Review
on Siege of Mithila
“I have to say I
“I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this
second book. The first book was slow. There were long descriptive
passages that just felt as though you were wading through a steam
pudding, really good to eat to start off with but gets a bit heavy
towards the end, if you know what I mean. But…Siege of
Mithila…feels more balanced. Also, the pace is quicker, especially
in the second section of the book. There is a lot to like, most of
the characters are well written. I loved the two gurus, Vishwamitra
and Vashishta, who if you want a comparison they are a bit like
Gandalf in LOTR. Ravana is also wonderfully portrayed and adds a
wonderfully wicked edge and humour to the story. He provides both
fantastic lines but also a number of clever twists that just add to
the overall enjoyment of the book. There are also plenty of
fast-paced scenes which just help to lift the book especially in the
second section. This book like the first provides a very interesting
background to all the different deities. I really enjoyed this book,
despite coming to it with a bit of trepidation, but that was soon
lifted. This story has enormous breadth and scope and, after reading
the first, I was not looking forward to a long series of slow books.
I think though with this book, Ashok has improved not only his
editing but pacing and writing style. The book feels complete.
Often, sequel books feel a bit flat after the initial excitement and
charge of the first but here I feel it’s the other way round. These
books will appeal to fans of fantasy, but I also hope a wider range
of readers. Let’s hope the next will carry on in the same direction
and we’ll end up with an impressive series of books that not only
entertain but help to get an ancient story across to a wider
audience.” SF Crows Nest on Siege of Mithila
“The Ramayana could be argued
“The Ramayana could be argued
to be the basis for not only Indian culture, religion and art but
similar themes crop up in later myths and stories such as those of
Greek, Roman and Norse origin to name a few. You only have to look
at the modern retelling of the Beowulf, numerous written versions
and of course, Michael Crichton’s ‘Eaters of the Dead’/’13th
Warrior’ to see that there is no harm in retelling old stories,
legends and myths. Also it’s good way to introduce these stories to
a wider audience but what is the book really like I hear you ask.
Well overall, I would recommend this book. It’s an enjoyable easy
read and if it helps bring an old story to a wider readership then
that’s no bad thing. If you like straight forward simple, fantasy
then gives it ago.There are though some wonderful scenes – an almost
Matrix-like ‘arrow time’ scene where Rama rescues what he thinks is
an injured doe. The telling of the story of Lord Shiva is also
highly entertaining. Ashok K. Banker uses quite a few words and
phrases from Sanskrit and other ethnic Indian languages but these
add to the mood and pathos of the book.” SF Crows Nest on Prince
of Ayodhya
“The epic is now 3000
“The epic is now 3000 years
old and has inspired different versions at different times in its
long life. In Ashok K. Banker’s rendering, the novelty is that the
ancient tale gets a modernized version by someone who has
passionately studied, researched and lived with the material for the
past 20 years. Banker’s Prince Of Ayodhya is just the length of as it
should be — not abridged as some have been. Neatly divided into
seven volumes, each comprising more than 500 pages, the epic is
being published serially in UK, USA, Germany and many Commonwealth
countries as well as in several languages. What is it that has
attracted publishers around the world? For one thing, the epic has a
simple, long and intriguing storyline, which still resonates. It is
permeated with fantasy material that is appealing and irresistible
in its own way. It is perhaps this fantasy quotient which publishers
readily reckon to be a perfect fit for the mass market. Then, of
course, perhaps it’s more simple than any of that: a great story is
a great story in any language, at any time. Banker’s Ramayana is an
elegant, robust and highly textured account of Rama’s heroic but
checkered life, told with great taste, delicacy and imagination. The
author’s style has a sharp audio-visual character and that makes for
a delectable read as well. The narrative never sags or comes across
as hackneyed or trite. Non-Indian readers shouldn’t be dismayed at
the free and rampant use of Indian words in the text. Though they
might seem a bit indigestible at first, they ultimately contribute
hugely to the ambiance of Banker’s book. I look forward to reading
the next volumes of this modern Ramayana. If Prince Of Ayodhya is a
good sampling, it seems likely that Banker’s creation will become a
classic.” January Magazine
“Adam and Ulysses are people
“Adam and Ulysses are people that many of us grew up
with as are the fairies and elves from British folklore thanks to
Western writers and film-makers dabbling in Greek and Roman
mythology, Biblical stories and myths and folklore to capture the
imagination of modern readers and audiences. And in India too,
vernacular writers have turned to our very own epics, history and
mythology to recreate them as popular writing. Now, it’s the turn of
Indian writers writing in English, who have already made their
presence felt in world literature, to take our epics global to
readers of fiction. Ashok K. Banker’s Ramayana is a journey in that
direction.” Economic Times
“Banker molds both literature traditions,
“Banker molds both literature traditions, the Indian
myth and Epic Fantasy into, for the most part, a freshly imagined
opening novel. He avoids all the tiresome internal dialogue and
banter that often plague similar novels, and the novel moves along
without the often inherent speed bumps. Banker’s sense of structure
also sets the novel apart. One gets the sense Banker is framing this
novel, and indeed this saga, very tightly. As if he is following the
map the original tellers of the Ramayana have drawn up. On many
levels The Prince of Ayodhya succeeds: the novel both entertains and
enlightens, stands well on its own merits, compares favorably
against its genre contemporaries and stands well in literature, in
general. All that said and critical postulations aside, Banker has
made a commendable foray into Fantasy, telling a resonating story
with breathing, living characters who sparkle with life. If you
enjoy Epic Fantasy and are looking something with a bit of a
different twist or flavor, pick up The Prince of Ayodhya.” SFF
World
“Banker, a well-respected author in
“Banker, a
well-respected author in his own country, intends in this opening
novel to a forthcoming trilogy to recreate and retell the Ramayana
of Valmiki which, along with Mahabharata, are the two greatest works
of epic Vedic mythic literature, on par with the Homeric epics,
Plato and the Christian gospels, and predating all three. Nor is
this the limit of his aspiration, as he intends to follows this
effort with rewrites of the aforementioned Mahabharata, as well as
the tales of Krishna and Ganesha. If successful, he will advance the
knowledge and reading of these great works of Aryan and Asian
literature into the mainstream of Western popular culture; a feat
worthy of any author’s ambition indeed! In this opening novel Banker
admirably adheres to the premise of the original text,
reconstructing the story of Prince Rama and the spiritual and
martial tests of his youth. In doing so, the author captures a
mythology refreshingly different and distinct from the usual Western
fare of dragons and faerie, sure to titillate the by-now-jaded
fantasy reader. Additionally, he eschews complete translation,
adding a cultural element through language that at least one other
critic (Carolyn Cushman, Locus, October, 2003) found distracting,
but which I found in large part understandable within context, and
justifiable in terms of cultural identity; for those who are anal or
too obtuse to extrapolate meaning, a glossary is provided. Banker’s
loyalty to the spirit and cultural identity of the original text and
mythos is obvious and to be applauded.” SF Site on Prince of
Ayodhya
“A good novelization of the
“A good novelization of the ancient Indian
treaty, the Ramayana. It is a story about Prince Rama and his
eventual conflict with Ravana, the Lord of Lanka. Very good
introduction to Indian literature, before you move into the hard
core ones. Recommended.” Bernard Cornwell.com
“Like many Indians, I have
“Like many Indians,
I have listened to and read with great pleasure, several versions of
the Ramayana over the years. Ashok K. Banker’s thrilling retelling
of this classic epic did not disappoint – it had me enthralled and
left me eagerly awaiting the next volumes. With this new version,
written in the style of epic fantasy, the author also makes the
Ramayana accessible to new generations of readers – which is highly
commendable.” R. Sriram, CEO, Crossword: India’s largest
bookstore chain
“In a word, ‘Wow.’ It
“In a word, ‘Wow.’ It may well be these
stories to which our classic texts are indebted. So much of Western
popular fiction is foreshadowed in these stories. Joseph Campbell
whose synthesis of mythology, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, was so
influential on George Lucas, has written extensively on Hindu myth
and legend. By recasting these stories as popular fantasy fiction,
Banker will, I think, do more to resurrect them and present them to
an audience which will appreciate them than any other way. It’s on
the shelves of the Fantasy sections in the bookstore that these
stories are being presented as living as opposed to museum pieces.
Banker is working on something which is needed: telling these
stories straight, but as colourful, epic entertainments for a
post-Lord of the Rings generation. There’s life beyond Europe.”
The Alien Online on Prince of Ayodhya
“Banker�s 21st century retelling of
“Banker�s 21st
century retelling of The Ramayana is generously sprinkled with words
and phrases from Sanskrit and other ethnic Indian languages (don�t
worry, there�s a 13-page glossary). The references, however, don�t
impede the flow of the story and actually succeed in giving the
story the ambiance of some primeval, sacrosanct tome. Banker�s
Prince of Ayodhya manages to define an entire culture through
extended allegories and parables. The social, politic, religious and
artistic threads throughout the story not only add authenticity to
the fictitious Arya nations but also give valuable insights into
Indian culture. Prince of Ayodhya is highly recommended to anyone
who enjoys good epic fantasy with classic themes like love,
devotion, treachery and spiritual fortitude. Look out for Siege of
Mithila and Demons of Chitrakut, the second and third books of the
Ramayana saga, coming soon.” The Barnes & Noble review of
Prince of Ayodhya
“Ashok Banker, with his sequel,
“Ashok Banker,
with his sequel, once again demonstrates his ability to turn
situations around and deftly switch them into the realm of science
fantasy. As Banker takes on the epic journey of the Ramayana
rewritten for modern times, the reader finds glimpses of familiar
figures as they play their role in this epic drama. In this huge
expanse of characters, Banker has added a third dimension that makes
it a modern day epic. Deservedly hailed for its delightful
narration.” The Hindu on Siege of Mithila
“I’m deeply impressed � I
“I’m deeply impressed � I can’t recall another
fantasy writer who has tried anything as spectacular in scope or
vision…Refreshing in both style and source material…If the rest
of the trilogy is as impressive as this first book, the fantasy
community should be well pleased.” Enigma
“A timeless story translated for
“A timeless
story translated for today. In his retelling of the Ramayana, Ashok
K. Banker is following in a long tradition, since this story has
been retold in a multitude of versions for over 2,000 years
throughout the Indian subcontinent, in other Asian countries, and in
Western translations and reinterpretations. Here, this classic tale
is embedded in a wealth of authentic and exotic detail. Banker has
inserted his own original touches; familiar elements of
fantasy�powerful wizards, an evil stepmother, shapechangers, demons
and spells�are all present, but with hints that what is being shown
might also be the clash of two highly advanced ancient
civilizations, in keeping with Arthur C. Clarke’s dictum that any
sufficiently advanced technology will seem like magic. That Banker
uses the titles of well-known science fiction works in his section
titles only adds to this impression. Where Prince of Ayodhya
succeeds is in its drama and its air of authenticity, the sign of a
writer who has inhabited his fictional world as much as he has
imagined it. The cast of characters is large but never confusing;
Banker knows how to control the many threads in his complex story
and artfully increases the suspense by knowing exactly when to cut
away from a particular scene before returning to it in a later
chapter. He also has a gift for highly charged dramatic
confrontations and for depicting characters who are considerably
more complex than those in generic fantasies; the patient and
devoted Queen Kausalya, the conflicted demon Supanakha, Rama’s
devoted brother Lakshman, and the aging warrior Bejoo are only a few
of those who are brought to life in the pages of this novel. Readers
who are familiar with the Ramayana in one of its many previous
incarnations will be entertained by the new twists and turns Banker
brings to the story, while those coming to this classic story for
the first time should find an excellent gateway to the further
exploration of a rich and fascinating culture. By offering his
Ramayana to a new generation of readers who are more accustomed to
Western fantasy epics and video games, and making this great tale
accessible to such readers, Banker has performed a great service.”
Scifi.com
“Prince of Ayodhya is the
“Prince of Ayodhya is the first novel in the author’s ambitious
project of retelling the great myths of India in the idiom of prose
epic fantasy. Judging by this first offering, Banker’s
oeuvre-in-the-making is likely to become an essential cornerstone of
fantasy. The language is heavily peppered with words from Indian
languages, and the result is an almost musical lyricism. Banker is
especially gifted at describing mythic conflicts; most
spectactularly, the battle between Rama and the forces of the giant
Tataka is an awesome moment, deftly imagined and described. Beyond
the legendary heroics and the suspense of a looming war, Prince of
Ayodhya comes alive because of its rich tapestry of characters and
relationships. The cast is large, but every character, from the most
gaudily monstrous to the most vulnerably fragile, is fascinating.
There’s a deep tenderness that suffuses this novel. A particularly
moving moment is when we realize that a wounded doe that Rama saves
from poachers is in fact an enemy demon in disguise. She had
previously thought all humans callous and cruel, but Rama’s act of
compassion challenges her worldview. Most epic fantasies revisit
again and again the same areas of Celtic and British folklore; it’s
refreshing to have the genre so vigorously reimagined through a
different mythic template.” Montreal Gazette
“From J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert
“From J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Jordan, the
fantasy genre has typically drawn on western legends and Celtic,
Norse and Greco-Roman myths. But Indian author Ashok K. Banker
instead turned to his own Hindu culture to adapt The Ramayana as an
epic fantasy. The term epic is bandied about a great deal in fantasy
lit, but rarely is it as apt as it is here. Prince of Ayodhya can be
read on different levels: as a straightforward archetypal fantasy
adventure; as a crash course in one of the world’s oldest
civilizations; or as both. While the story is not long or
complicated, it is rich with details: the gruesome 10-headed Ravana;
the tang of mangos with salt; and the sensuous Kamasutra. Banker
recreates a lush and beautiful world of exotic scents, powerful
magic and honored traditions. Some of the tongue-tying Hindu and
Sanskrit terms may cause the reader to stumble, but the author
provides an extensive glossary. Some readers may object to recasting
a culture’s history as fantasy, but Banker does it with obvious
reverence to the source material.” Cincinnati Enquirer
“Inspired! Banker�s ingenuity lies in
“Inspired! Banker�s ingenuity lies in threading his epic fantasy
story through his already-known-to-many characters. For readers
clued in to the Ramayana, the fun is to get the tilted connections,
savour the added layers given to small passing details. This is
palimpsestic fiction at its most enthralling. Banker squeezes in
various strands of culture – East-West,
pop-classical,cinematic-literary – on the Ramayana-fantasy fiction
template. If we know how to have fun, we�ll be waiting eagerly at
the other end to see what the two heroes – and the anti-hero � have
in store for us in the third book, Demons of Chitrakut.”
Hindustan Times, India’s largest selling English newspaper,
on Siege of Mithila
“Banker�s ambitious undertaking is one
“Banker�s ambitious undertaking is one I salute — for the modern
Hindu, it will reaffirm his rightful pride in his culture. For the
modern reader with little or no exposure to Hindu culture, it is a
compelling glimpse into its exotic richness, in the easily
digestible form of an intriguing heroic adventure. Both books are
full of heroic fantasy adventures that today�s modern fantasy reader
can relate to, including great heroes, mighty battles, wondrous
magic, vile villains…a more in-depth look into the political
machinations of Dasaratha�s court, the relationships and competition
between Darasatha�s wives, charactization, and when the Hindu
elements are added to the mix, you have a very compelling read
indeed. Banker knows how to spin a yarn, and I find myself eagerly
awaiting the next five volumes.” The Star, Malaysia’s largest
selling English newspaper on Prince of Ayodhya and Siege of Mithila
“The fantasy event of the
“The fantasy event of the year is the debut of Ashok
Banker’s epic retelling of the classical Hindu text, The Ramayana.
Sumptuously written with captivating and vivid details, peopled with
a fascinating array of complex characters, Banker’s The Ramayana is
mythic and epic fantasy at its best.” Locus Magazine
SF Revu on Demons of
SF Revu on Demons of
Chitrakut: Book 3 of The Ramayana:
“Banker allows his
characters to rise to the challenge. Instead of having the plot
drive them, he gives them the space to grow and to tell the story
themselves. He understands that retelling a tale means that the
author has a responsibility to add in his own voice, not just
rigidly stick to the story and merely save the reader time in
seeking out the original sources. More importantly, this series does
something else. Too many writers have taken the standard inkling
mould and have denied fantasy its raison d’etre as a literature of
the imagination. Banker has begun restoring this body of literature
with the Ramayana. This is a series that needs to be read. It offers
heroism, romance and action on an epic scale. Banker has maintained
the pace for the reader and has visibly grown in confidence through
the books. At this stage, Banker seems to be holding his nerve and
one hopes that he will retain the renewed sense of wonder at
fantasy.”
Europe’s most popular SFF website,
most popular SFF website, SF Crowsnest on Demons of Chitrakut:
“This book is rich in characters. Even the side
characters are given room to develop and move in the plot(s). The
‘evil’ demon society of Lanka shows interesting shades of grey and
even light. This really expands the story, and you get to see what
control Ravana had over them and their families and races. Jatayu –
the king of the vulture like race with human faces, is beautifully
explored adding depth, and side interest without making the book
meander. The characters have greater depth, especially Rama, but
also the relationships are developed and explored more fully
throughout. It’s a longer but more thoughtful book and definitely
the best in the series so far. This book is really doing a great
story the justice it deserves. It shows some of the roots of modern
day fantasy. I would strongly urge people to read the whole of the
series to get the fullest picture. This book would and could be read
in singularity, but I think you would be missing out. I can’t wait
for the next book. This re-telling of an ancient tale is panning out
to be truly impressive. If you are the slightest bit interested in
fantasy or even to get a flavour for ancient Indian history and
society then this series of the Ramayana is a good place to start.”
SLAYER OF KAMSA: Book 1 of The Krishna Coriolis will be out next month (October). Written in a pacier style than my Ramayana Series, this short impactful book details the rise to power of the monstrous Kamsa and his brutal campaign to thwart the birth of the prophesied 8th Child. 