Book Review- Scion of Ikshvaku

Published: June 22, 2015  
Author: Amish Tripathi
Genre: Fiction


SCION of IKSHVAKU ,by Amish , comes after his  hugely successful Shiva Trilogy .Shiva Trilogy was Cult Indian writing, especially The Immortals of Meluha which was path breaking and  New Genre of Mytho-Thriller.Backed by brilliant content self published book went on to become the best sellers hence anticipation for New "Ram Chandra Series" was overwhelming.

Scion of Ikshvaku tells you the  story of Rama with twists at different points .There are spoilers ahead without which review won't make sense .Hence if you are planning to read  Book please don't read this review.

We all have seen Ramayan growing up .My generation is well versed with its characters and plot of Ramayan. Plot of the Book is all same as Ramayan.Rama is eldest son of King Dashrath ,clan of Raghukul .He has three wifes Kaushalya (Simpleton), Kaikaiye (Evil),& Sumitra (smart).He has Four Sons ,Ram .Bharat, Laxman Shatrughan..Kaikaiye wants Bharat to be King by hook or crook .However there is no enmity between brothers, who are ready to die for each other.Ram marries Sita after wining her Swayamvar which irritates Raavan .Ram is bansihed from Ayodhya for 14 year thereafter, proceeds to Jungle along with wife Sita and Laxman ..Sita is Kidnapped by Ravan by the end of story ,which  will continue in next series .


If you think there is nothing new in plot then you are not alone .This was first disappointment. Success of Shiva Trilogy was its thrilling plot keeping strong characters of Shiva ,Parvati, Ganesh , Nandi  intact introducing new characters such as Brahaspati & Kali .Here Since plot is over repeated,although  Amish tries to spices it up with twist .

Characters of Roshni  ,Rakhi sister of four brothers is introduced in the book .Then it follows plot of Nirbahya Case in the story However its conclusion is not very convincing .Also Manthara is powerful trader respected all over Sapt sindhu So how Royal patronage  and powerful clan which was worshiped in those day would be attacked  is quite unconvincing .Similar  incident is repeated when he  introduces Sita. Will Any one dare to  attacks Prime Minister to  punish a thief .That is quite baffling.

Biggest disappointment is Sita' s Swayamwar . Scene from Mahabharata is pushed in Ramayana. The scene is also described  unconvincingly .All of swayamwar seemed at formality .Why was anyone else invited , Ram  wins Sita in swayamwar after hitting Fish eye .. No one else  gets the chance even .

When you are writing a thriller you have to tie loose ends .Maithila is said to poorest and not so powerful, then why Raavan was interested in Swayamwar . Who sent him invitation and  why he lands in Maithila with Thousands of body Guard ? Why Raavan needs  thousands of  Body Guards who are well eqiuped to wage war .He has death threats from someone Why does not arrogant Raavan attack Maithila or even Ayodhya  afterwards to avenge so called  defeat .There so called swayamwar for adopted daughther but Urmila ,his biological daugther is married off to laxman without any fuss. Janak the King of Maithila is mere spectator he has no say even when they go to war with Raavan .

Characters of Vibhishan and Surpanaka are half cooked . No background or motives of two are specified in the story . They suddenly comes in story ,conveniently re kindle Ravaan enmity and to  justify Sita's Kidnapping..Why will Raavan wait 14 years without any action but fluster for Surpanaka's nose .

Character of Vaishist and Vishwamitra seem to have background which is not explained in this series . However Vishwamitra in Ramayan is Great Great Grand son of Kush , Son of Ram according to some legends .He introduced here as his guru even his motives are not specified .

Plot also include discussion on what is ideal society or what kind of rule is ideal .We are introduced to Masculine and Feminine way of rules Basically differentiating between democracy and presidential(if not dictatorial) type of government .But hardly finds the solutions in modern era.

Amish tries to rekindle memories by mentioning Nagas .Somras, Vayuputras , Lord Rudra  concepts which he introduced successfully in Shiva trilogy .However in Ram chandra series he fails to introduce such insights or justify extraordinary powers or events .He sticks to his Naga Theories without depicting the backgrounds of those characters . Jatayu for instances introduced and killed in equal hurry without back story . Hanuman is just introduced as Naga too .


Overall,i was more disappointed than happy. I want to read the Original Amish in full glory of Immortals of Meluha .I read the another book long ago " What got you here, wont get you there" which perhaps explains Amish predicament. 

Huge Expectation may have lead to my disappointment . I may not be literally Expert but humble reader with his own opinion