Dance of Shadows - by Gourav Mohanty

About the Book

The second instalment of Gourav Mohanty's Indian-inspired epic, grimdark fantasy series -- the Raag of Rta. 'Like Game of Thrones in an Indian universe' Dan Jones

Book Synopsis

As the Sun sets on the age of virtue, the shadows gather for a final dance...

The Mathuran Republic and Magadhan Empire are locked in mortal struggle, but they are not the only pieces on the board. Over the Eastern horizon, storm clouds gather.

The Rakshasan Tree Cities have opened their borders for the first time in centuries, gathering kings, clerics, matriarchs and merchant lords to a Conclave of Peace... all the better to carve up the future without having to worry about either Empire or Republic.

After all, a season of peace is the time to plant anew the seeds of war.

But in this world drenched in oil, three women emerge, each the spark that might light the fire.

A Pirate Queen discovers the only gold around is in the bars of her cage.

A Temple Courtesan's heart dances for the lowborn archer she was tasked to destroy.

A Librarian Princess steals from deathless witches and legendary thieves to save the world from an ancient plague.

As smouldering conflicts reignite, intimate betrayals unwind and ancient evils awake, our cast of spoilt heroes and lovesick princes, immortal assassins and their apprentices, deaf swordswomen and exiled snakelings will find no sun to light their path.

For the Son of Darkness rises, boiling over with a wrath that all the oracles in the world cannot appease. Seeing the future is one thing, changing it is quite another...

Unless it is through a heist.

Review Quotes

"A radical reimagining of one of humanity's most foundational epics . . . with an excellent balance of humour, havoc and heart." --Mark Lawrence, author of PRINCE OF THORNS

"Brutally dark and drenched in blood. This epic breathes fire into India's ancient, war-torn legends." --Rob J. Hayes, author of NEVER DIE

"'Magnificent. Dark, mythic, vivid, haunting' on SONS OF DARKNESS" --Anna Smith Spark, author of THE COURT OF BROKEN KNIVES

"You're probably a fan of Game of Thrones. If so, and you're not familiar with Gourav Mohanty's The Raag of Rta series, you'll want to fix that ASAP" --Winter Is Coming, Best New SFF for February

About the Author

Gourav Mohanty was born, and currently lives, in Bhubaneswar, the City of Temples. A connoisseur of mythologies and momos, he's been certified as a nerd ever since he graduated as a gold medalist from law school. He keeps things interesting by daylighting as a lawyer, moonlighting as a stand-up comic and gaslighting as a storyteller.