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kritim's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so good. It started off a little cheesy and it was kind of slow at moments. Also i thought the end was a little too melodramatic but overall i still loved it. The imagination was something. And the book was well written so an extra star for that.
_askthebookbug's review against another edition
4.0
Beast.
~
Thank you for sending the review copy @krishnaudayasankar and @penguinindia.
~
Any book with a hint of crime mystery immediately becomes my favourite. But this is probably the first time I've ever had the chance to read something that includes crime as well as fantasy fiction. Also this was my first book by the author so I wasn't sure what to expect. Set in Mumbai suburbs, this book explores Indian mythology. Beast is a book that is sure to entice readers till the very last page.
~
When a brutal murder case presents itself in the suburbs of Mumbai, Assistant commissioner of police, Aditi Kashyap takes over the task of nabbing the culprits. Very soon she is dragged into the scary world of Saimhas, werelions who have coexisted with humans for centuries. There is in-depth detail about how the werelions came into existence and how they managed to be hidden for so long. Then Prithvi comes into the picture, an Enforcer who has been hired to kill the murderer. One thing that I enjoyed about the author's writing is her precision in nailing the characters. It's detailed and also has bouts of emotion whenever the book demands.
~
There were many things that I liked about this book. The inclusion of Indian mythology about Narasimha whom Indians worship diligently impressed me as a reader. She has focused on relationships be it professional or personal. Aditi's persona has a strong feminist picture which I absolutely loved. That being said, I however felt that the book dragged quite a bit. The book jumps from present to Prithvi's past which felt quite lengthy. I had to push myself to finish the book inspite of it being well narrated. A much smaller and crisper version would have excited me more. But I'm very eager to read more books by the author now that I know how beautifully she weaves stories.
~
Rating - 3.5/5.
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Thank you for sending the review copy @krishnaudayasankar and @penguinindia.
~
Any book with a hint of crime mystery immediately becomes my favourite. But this is probably the first time I've ever had the chance to read something that includes crime as well as fantasy fiction. Also this was my first book by the author so I wasn't sure what to expect. Set in Mumbai suburbs, this book explores Indian mythology. Beast is a book that is sure to entice readers till the very last page.
~
When a brutal murder case presents itself in the suburbs of Mumbai, Assistant commissioner of police, Aditi Kashyap takes over the task of nabbing the culprits. Very soon she is dragged into the scary world of Saimhas, werelions who have coexisted with humans for centuries. There is in-depth detail about how the werelions came into existence and how they managed to be hidden for so long. Then Prithvi comes into the picture, an Enforcer who has been hired to kill the murderer. One thing that I enjoyed about the author's writing is her precision in nailing the characters. It's detailed and also has bouts of emotion whenever the book demands.
~
There were many things that I liked about this book. The inclusion of Indian mythology about Narasimha whom Indians worship diligently impressed me as a reader. She has focused on relationships be it professional or personal. Aditi's persona has a strong feminist picture which I absolutely loved. That being said, I however felt that the book dragged quite a bit. The book jumps from present to Prithvi's past which felt quite lengthy. I had to push myself to finish the book inspite of it being well narrated. A much smaller and crisper version would have excited me more. But I'm very eager to read more books by the author now that I know how beautifully she weaves stories.
~
Rating - 3.5/5.
singh_reads_kanwar2's review against another edition
5.0
Review: This books talks about the mythological creatures werelions , guardian and army of god Vishnu who killed evil from the earth in his last avatar, from that time they are waiting for God Vishnu returns for Saving the earth again and till then, they have this secret to keep from humans.
Now story talks about a guy who is enforcer (the one who keep check on those creature who turn wild and kill innocent and want to rule for being superior in strength ) got in a situation when his past come to get on him for his deeds but then story unfolds and truth started revealing ones he became the villian of the story and then redemption came and change his life for every,
But for that he had to pay a big prize, he loose Friends, family , and love of his life because he has secret to keep but things turn different and complicated, and show's his disturbing past and now we want to give and save a life that is more important and he can fight a world for that.
He succeeded what he started , and thought its time to settle down because situation changes after climax and he have to father a child who is the daughter of his best friend and his beloved (one side love)
Now story talks about a guy who is enforcer (the one who keep check on those creature who turn wild and kill innocent and want to rule for being superior in strength ) got in a situation when his past come to get on him for his deeds but then story unfolds and truth started revealing ones he became the villian of the story and then redemption came and change his life for every,
But for that he had to pay a big prize, he loose Friends, family , and love of his life because he has secret to keep but things turn different and complicated, and show's his disturbing past and now we want to give and save a life that is more important and he can fight a world for that.
He succeeded what he started , and thought its time to settle down because situation changes after climax and he have to father a child who is the daughter of his best friend and his beloved (one side love)
psychrun's review
3.0
A story honest to the world it builds and offers, the tale of beast is at its core, a battle which is more or less every person might have in their lives atleast once, the punishment of choice imposed on oneself for multitude of reasons, to bring it to a fantasy setting with mythological roots and to tell a story woven with human emotions and feelings, sometimes being the edge, sometimes being liability. Beast is a ride which guarantees you a great experience once you commit to the author's vision and world.
singh_reads_kanwar2's review
5.0
Review: This books talks about the mythological creatures werelions , guardian and army of god Vishnu who killed evil from the earth in his last avatar, from that time they are waiting for God Vishnu returns for Saving the earth again and till then, they have this secret to keep from humans.
Now story talks about a guy who is enforcer (the one who keep check on those creature who turn wild and kill innocent and want to rule for being superior in strength ) got in a situation when his past come to get on him for his deeds but then story unfolds and truth started revealing ones he became the villian of the story and then redemption came and change his life for every,
But for that he had to pay a big prize, he loose Friends, family , and love of his life because he has secret to keep but things turn different and complicated, and show's his disturbing past and now we want to give and save a life that is more important and he can fight a world for that.
He succeeded what he started , and thought its time to settle down because situation changes after climax and he have to father a child who is the daughter of his best friend and his beloved (one side love)
Now story talks about a guy who is enforcer (the one who keep check on those creature who turn wild and kill innocent and want to rule for being superior in strength ) got in a situation when his past come to get on him for his deeds but then story unfolds and truth started revealing ones he became the villian of the story and then redemption came and change his life for every,
But for that he had to pay a big prize, he loose Friends, family , and love of his life because he has secret to keep but things turn different and complicated, and show's his disturbing past and now we want to give and save a life that is more important and he can fight a world for that.
He succeeded what he started , and thought its time to settle down because situation changes after climax and he have to father a child who is the daughter of his best friend and his beloved (one side love)
anushkaarvind's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Cursing and Murder
Minor: Gore, Abandonment, and Forced institutionalization
navmi's review
4.0
Enough has been written about mankind’s penchant for one-upping all other living species. Or, as Darwin put it, survival of the fittest. But what if this were not the case? What if we find roaming among us some of our cousins who have found a way to be both human and animal? It is this possibility that Krishna Udayasankar explores in her latest urban fantasy thriller, Beast, set in present-day Mumbai.
When three drug-dealers are found savagely murdered in the middle of one of the densest metros in the world, ace policewoman ACP Aditi Kashyap is called in to find the killer. Evidence suggests that the killer might not be entirely human. ACP Kashyap, along with Enforcer Prithvi Narasimha, arrives at a warehouse where she witnesses the murderer in action — turns out, her colleagues’ “utterly ridiculous ideas” may not be all that ridiculous.
Full review here: https://www.thehindu.com/books/beast-by-krishna-udayasankar-the-brute-within/article26886644.ece
When three drug-dealers are found savagely murdered in the middle of one of the densest metros in the world, ace policewoman ACP Aditi Kashyap is called in to find the killer. Evidence suggests that the killer might not be entirely human. ACP Kashyap, along with Enforcer Prithvi Narasimha, arrives at a warehouse where she witnesses the murderer in action — turns out, her colleagues’ “utterly ridiculous ideas” may not be all that ridiculous.
Full review here: https://www.thehindu.com/books/beast-by-krishna-udayasankar-the-brute-within/article26886644.ece
gerd_d's review
5.0
Beast is a delightful genre mix, which I think will appeal most to fans of the Underworld movie series as it has a similar dynamic. The author delivers a fast paced chase story interspersed with flashbacks that delve into main character Prithvi's past and introduces us to Saimha society, Werelions connected to the mythical Narasimha.
It's the kind of story you just wish they adopted into a Bollywood Blockbuster movie.
It's the kind of story you just wish they adopted into a Bollywood Blockbuster movie.
indywrites's review
4.0
Beast is a book about Saimhas-neither lions nor humans who are living with us but we mere humans are not aware. A different paranormal fiction that was so well etched that it felt almost real.
The run, the thirst, the aggression and the fight of the Saimhas literally jumped off the pages.
Paranormal is not something I have found done well in Indian books unless it is a mythological or historical fiction. To say I was hesitant to read this book is being polite, I have had my fill of books that are a rehash of the stories of the yore. My doubts almost stopped me from picking this book.
I am so glad I was proved wrong and Krishna Udayasankar ensured that I am a fan of her book and writing. Beast and the Saimhas ticked all the boxes and managed to both please me and intrigue me.
The hero Prithvi is a Saimha yet he dedicates himself to finding the ones who go rogue. The one he is hunting now forces him to reconsider his values, ideas and the whole theory of what Saimhas can do.
The book is a page-turner with solid, well-etched characters that make for a delightful read. Rahul, Noor, Bhima, Dev, Gogoi, and Dr Acharya ensure that the story has a realism to it. The story moves along with the stories of all these people, ordinary yet not and the Saimhas. Aditi the cop is the only human who supports Chandana and Prithvi when even they doubt themselves.
Beast is a good book that I read over the holidays and enjoyed every bit of it.
What next? What is the big plan of the Saihmas? Are humans in trouble or are the Saimhas?
The thrill of the chase was most prominent in the book, it felt like a lion chasing its prey as the events unfolded. Beast, build up a very relatable world where Saihmas coexist with humans.
I found Gogoi’s character very interesting, would love to read more about him, maybe a short fiction on his story.
Beast is a thrilling chase with surprises and situations that flip with a blink of an eye. Once we see what the were-lions see, all situations feel different. Krishna Udayasankar has etched the awareness, the freedom and power of the lions so vividly in Beast that it felt surreal. Having visited Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and seen the lions in their natural glory it felt fantastic to read about the Lions and Saimhas!
The murders, the killer or killers are amongst them. It is difficult to find the motive for the deaths but the threat looms making everyone a suspect. The book has a lot of buildup for the were-lions but it is all so absorbing reading about the origins of the Saimhas. Till the very end, the killer is elusive ensuring an exciting read.
The freedom to be oneself, to know you are a superior being as a Saimha yet being restrained added an edge to the story. A must-read for fans of paranormal fiction, it has a few references to mythology but only to reiterate the legend of Saihmas. The book ends on a note where there is the possibility of a sequel, I hope it does.
Beast is proof that not all beasts are killers and the real beast might be hiding in plain sight.
BEAST by Krishna Udayasankar is a book with a message and a warning-evil lurks in the unlikeliest of places so does good. I recommend it for all lovers of paranormal fiction. Won’t mind meeting a Saihma under the right circumstances!
The run, the thirst, the aggression and the fight of the Saimhas literally jumped off the pages.
Paranormal is not something I have found done well in Indian books unless it is a mythological or historical fiction. To say I was hesitant to read this book is being polite, I have had my fill of books that are a rehash of the stories of the yore. My doubts almost stopped me from picking this book.
I am so glad I was proved wrong and Krishna Udayasankar ensured that I am a fan of her book and writing. Beast and the Saimhas ticked all the boxes and managed to both please me and intrigue me.
The hero Prithvi is a Saimha yet he dedicates himself to finding the ones who go rogue. The one he is hunting now forces him to reconsider his values, ideas and the whole theory of what Saimhas can do.
The book is a page-turner with solid, well-etched characters that make for a delightful read. Rahul, Noor, Bhima, Dev, Gogoi, and Dr Acharya ensure that the story has a realism to it. The story moves along with the stories of all these people, ordinary yet not and the Saimhas. Aditi the cop is the only human who supports Chandana and Prithvi when even they doubt themselves.
Beast is a good book that I read over the holidays and enjoyed every bit of it.
What next? What is the big plan of the Saihmas? Are humans in trouble or are the Saimhas?
The thrill of the chase was most prominent in the book, it felt like a lion chasing its prey as the events unfolded. Beast, build up a very relatable world where Saihmas coexist with humans.
I found Gogoi’s character very interesting, would love to read more about him, maybe a short fiction on his story.
Beast is a thrilling chase with surprises and situations that flip with a blink of an eye. Once we see what the were-lions see, all situations feel different. Krishna Udayasankar has etched the awareness, the freedom and power of the lions so vividly in Beast that it felt surreal. Having visited Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and seen the lions in their natural glory it felt fantastic to read about the Lions and Saimhas!
The murders, the killer or killers are amongst them. It is difficult to find the motive for the deaths but the threat looms making everyone a suspect. The book has a lot of buildup for the were-lions but it is all so absorbing reading about the origins of the Saimhas. Till the very end, the killer is elusive ensuring an exciting read.
The freedom to be oneself, to know you are a superior being as a Saimha yet being restrained added an edge to the story. A must-read for fans of paranormal fiction, it has a few references to mythology but only to reiterate the legend of Saihmas. The book ends on a note where there is the possibility of a sequel, I hope it does.
Beast is proof that not all beasts are killers and the real beast might be hiding in plain sight.
BEAST by Krishna Udayasankar is a book with a message and a warning-evil lurks in the unlikeliest of places so does good. I recommend it for all lovers of paranormal fiction. Won’t mind meeting a Saihma under the right circumstances!