The Republic of Mathura is exhausted by brutal clashes with the Magadha Empire. The leaders of the Republic—Krishna and Satyabhama—plan to defend the state both within and beyond the blood-soaked borders. But neither gold nor political alliances are eternal. Still, they aren’t the only players in this game—the forgotten gods are the ones amusing themselves. Mati, the pirate princess of Kalinga, wants to correct her old mistakes in order to become a good wife. But old habits are hard to break, especially for someone used to solving problems with murder. Karna, elevated as the son of a charioteer, hopes to bury the secret of his origins—yet he discovers that fate is stingy with second chances. Shakuni, a maimed hero, tries to find a way out of the labyrinth of poisoned daggers that is politics, and he has less and less time to satisfy his thirst for revenge. Ominous queens, deceived kings, devout killers, and greedy priests—each of them will play a part when, according to prophecy, the Son of Darkness must rise and destroy the world. The first epic Indian fantasy equally inspired by the “Mahabharata” and George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire.” Many heroes of the epic are revealed from completely new angles; political intrigues, wars, and ancient prophecies abound. “A stunning debut. Gurav Mohanti is a new voice in dark fantasy.” — Michael R. Fletcher. “This is a refreshing read, absolutely vital for fans of epic fantasy who want variety and new authors from different regions of the world.” — FanFiAddict. “Characters from the ‘Mahabharata’ in a fantasy world inspired by ‘Game of Thrones’ while preserving the atmosphere of Hindu mythology. A unique story that will appeal to both Eastern and Western readers. It leaves an impression and a mark on the global fantasy landscape.” — Fantasy Book Critic. “The author’s viewpoint and the world he creates are captivating and breathtaking. With this book, the Indian fantasy genre has finally found maturity.” — Anand Neelakantan. “Wonderful character work and vivid world-building make this large-scale epic fantasy even more thrilling.” — Kirkus Reviews. “Thanks to humor, torture, blood, lust, magic, dangerous games for power, and fierce battles, this novel sends us on an unforgettable journey through a reimagined Ancient India.” — San Francisco Book Review. “A wild, intriguing fantasy novel that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.” — Online Book Club