Dark Things is a story of love, loss and betrayal in a world where yakshis feed on secrets, gandharvas are banished from the sky and apsaras are believed to be a myth.
In Brief
Ardra is a yakshi from the realm of Atala. She seduces men and steals their secrets. Later she hands them over to her leader, Hera, who thrives on the secrets that the yakshis bring her from Prithvi (Earth). Hera is the evil one, creator of yakshis, her dark things. She dreams of being more powerful by becoming the Blood Queen.
Meanwhile monsters seem to be chasing Dwai, a human, who is in possession of a stone that protects him. Then there is the monster slayer Dara who is a banished heavenly being. Ardra tries to find out why Dwai was unhurt when she tried to harm him, what 500-years-old secrets are buried in Dara’s heart and in the process questions her existence.
Helpful Intro
If you are new to Hindu mythology, this book has a lot of references to the fantastical elements in them. There are Yakshis (who seduce humans and drink their blood. In the book they thrive on the secrets of men), Gandharvas (the handsome heavenly beings who love to seduce virgins and later disappear leaving not even a memory in the maiden’s mind) and Apsaras (the dancing maidens of heaven with bewitching beauty). There are Western fantastical elements such as mermaids and werewolves as well.
Writing
The writing is fast paced and moves quickly between different scenes. The read is a highly entertaining one full of new developments, which I greatly enjoyed.
World Building
There are three main realms in the book, Prithvi (Earth), Atala (Hera’s realm where yakshis and shadow creatures dwell) and Aakasha (sky where Gandharvas and Apsaras dwell). The main character is Ardra, the yakshi and the villain is a female character as well – Hera. The men in the novel have significant roles but they never overshadow the female characters which is refreshing because it is not your usual damsel-in-distress cliché. The setting sometimes takes on a modern world spin – so you have evil beings on aeroplanes, yakshis shoplifting etc as well.
Hiccups (minor spoilers)
I could not understand why Dwai would give the stone that protects him to every monster (let me rephrase that as ‘non- human’) he meets. If you have monsters chasing you, a yakshi in close vicinity and no clue what is happening except that you possess one stone that protects you , would you be so trusting of every being you get introduced to and hand it over? I don’t think so. And this willful exchange of his forms the crux of the climax. So that was a big downer for me.
minor spoiler ahead
Another downer was the story behind Dara’s banishment. We hear all about the banishment and after a few pages later, the apsara Menaka says she has lifted his banishment and he is free to visit Aakasha again. One sentence, that’s all. It made me think if things were that simple then why read through more than half of the book thinking about the banishment?
These flaws weakened what would have otherwise been a stronger plot. I think my rating would have been higher if these hiccups was dealt with.
Final Verdict
Overall, Dark Things is a good book. It is nice to see a good fantasy read in Indian fiction charts that is not a mythical retelling. Sukanya Venkatraghavan has done a commendable job in creating such an entertaining read and I hope to see more of her work in the future.
Title : Dark Things
Author : Sukanya Venkatraghavan
Publisher : Hachette India
Published : 2016
Language : English
Rating : 3.5/5
Disclaimer : Much thanks to Hachette India for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
I haven’t yet read this book, but I plan on doing it in February, I think. But I’m glad I read your review and to have gotten a brief intro to Hindu mythology. As I read, I will definitely look up term I’m not familiar with and learn whatever I can. I don’t want to write an ignorant review! 🙂
I look forward to read it. I don’t read much Indian fantasy, especially ones that aren’t retellings!
I hope you will enjoy the read Naz. It is refreshing that the story is not a retelling. There are so many retellings in the Indian fantasy area. I will be on the lookout for what you think of the book.
It’s interesting that the concept of banishment is asked to be both earth-shatteringly important but also dismissed in a moment. It makes me wonder if the publisher required some substantial changes or whether the author was strugging with linking plot points. However, it sounds like there were lots of other strong points in the novel, and I enjoyed reading your thoughts on it.
Yes, there were many strong points as well – the story was completely original and not a retelling. I heard there might be a sequel. So looking forward to more in that direction. 🙂
Sounds quite unique. I recently read Aqson Level 1, and after a slowish start, it turned out to be pretty interesting. It’s the first of a series, of course. Is Dark Things also a series?
Dark Things is a stand alone. But I think the author has plans to continue it as a series. I have not seen anything officially announced yet.
I’d love to read and review this book for my blog!
I hope you will find the reading experience enjoyable.
There’s such a lack of Indian and Indian mythology reads on the market it seems. Even in young adult Resh, Indian characters are almost impossibly to come by. It makes me super excited to pick up a copy of this one despite a few issues with the storyline. We have such a large Indian community in Melbourne and I love the rich and wonderful cultural aspects. It sounds wonderfully written. Thanks for the brilliant review Resh and so glad you enjoyed this one for the most part <3
Thanks for sharing this very well-balanced review. Shall add it to my TBR.
I hope you will like it too. 🙂
And on my TBR it goes. It sounds like a book I might like.
Years ago when I was in middle or high school, I read a YA fantasy book inspired by Indian mythology but I can’t remember the title or what it was about. I’ve been searching for it ever to see if I’d still like it.
Ohh. That is sad. I hope you will find the book. This is a new release, I hope you will like the book when you pick it up
Oooh this sound really good and how cool that it’s not a retelling. I might need to read up on Hindu mythology first, but that’s fun research! 🙂 Also have to say that cover art is gorgeous, always a sucker for a pretty cover 🙂
This would be a fun read Bina. Let me know if you pick it up
Oh, that sounds like a very intriguing read, and I have to admit I haven’t read enough books dealing with Indian mythology, but I want to explore this more. I’m glad to hear you overall enjoyed that one, thank you for sharing! 🙂
I was so happy that this was not a retelling but an original story. Let me know if you pick it up. 🙂
I love the sound of this! Adding to my TBR pile.
Hope you will enjoy the read