Free Shadows Of The Sun Dynasty: An Illustrated Series Based On The Ramayana (Sita's Fire Trilogy) Ebooks Online
This deluxe illustrated novel adaptation of the Ramayana—the classic Hindu epic—pairs divinely inspired art with intimate portrayals of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Ravana, and many more. Welcome to the royal city of Ayodhya, a realm ruled by the Sun dynasty, where peace reigns among the citizens while discord simmers behind the palace walls. A prophecy predicts that a son of the Sun dynasty will slay the immortal Ravana and defeat his demon army—but how will a mere human succeed where all the gods have failed? Meanwhile, Ayodhya’s emperor is torn between his own needs and the needs of the empire. His rebellious third wife, raised as a warrior, is haunted by her past. A defiant servant, stigmatized by her deformity, is willing to destroy the empire to achieve her own aims. A prince, unaware of his own divine origin, falls in love with a princess so extraordinary even the all-seeing sages cannot fathom her destiny. Shape-shifting blood-drinkers from the celestial realm fill the forests around the city, and the time of prophecy is drawing near—but will the blessings of the gods be enough to fend off the darkness growing in the heart of Ayodhya? A truly original reimagining of the classic Indian epic, the Ramayana, as told primarily through the eyes of the women behind the throne, Shadows of the Sun Dynasty reveals an entirely new perspective on an ancient story. Set in a world of kings and queens, celestial battles, invisible foes, and family rivalries, this epic tale forges legends in the fires of betrayal and prophecy.
Series: Sita's Fire Trilogy (Book 1)
Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Mandala Publishing; Ill edition (August 9, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1608878716
ISBN-13: 978-1608878710
Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 1.5 x 10 inches
Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #110,384 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #15 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Asian #137 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Multicultural #1162 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Mythology & Folk Tales
This book was intimidating when I first received it as it is pretty lengthy. I am interested in different cultural and religious beliefs so I thought this Hindu and Indian tradition would make for an interesting read for me and I was correct. This was my first interaction with the Ramayana story and understand that the original left it open for interpretation on which way to take the story. Although I am sure the other interpretations of this story are well thought out and enjoyable, I really enjoyed Sheth’s version. I enjoyed that women had such influential roles in the story. It kind of surprised me due to my former understanding of some cultures. It just goes to show that you need to keep an open mind and not jump to conclusions.This book went over relationships and their importance, facing demons (as we all probably have our own demons in life this should relate to everyone), kidnapping, excitement, loving oneself, jealousy, and more. This book shows a lot of values in the works and shows the hardships through each but can relate to anyone and everyone in some way.Again, this book is long and that could be a large downfall for many people but if it helps you at all there are illustrations that take up a decent amount of the overall amount of the book. I really enjoyed seeing the illustrations because I don’t see that in many books anymore now that I am grown up and pictures are a great visual tool to help the reader get a clear picture of what he or she is reading about. I would recommend this book to someone who doesn’t mind some length and is interested in an interesting story that turns out to be a twist off of an ancient story of Ramayana.I received a copy of this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
I’m sure I’m not the only adult who has a great appreciation for books with illustrations in them. It’s one of the things I love in a book. Let’s face it, there aren’t a lot of “adult” books with artwork in them. It’s rather frustrating to be honest. One of the things I really loved about this book was the artwork! The attention to the detail is not lost through reproduction. I love the different mediums that were used to create them. They add so much more to the overall book. It gives you a focus and feeds the imagination.I have always found learning about different cultures and religious beliefs very interesting. The very first thing that grabbed me was the name Sita. My good friend Sita passed away a few years ago and seeing her name added the immediate connection to the characters. It’s an easy read that grabs you into the journey that takes the characters on in order to fight for the truth and what’s right. Sita and Rama were both strong characters that compliment each other well. It’s nice to read a story where it’s not overly complicated but developed. It kind of reminds me of a twist on the usual “fairytale” stories that we are used to. The author was able to not just tell a story but take you on a massive adventure that has you wanting to find out more.The fact that the two main characters had to fight this evil demon spoke to me quite a bit too. It made me reflect on something similar. We all have demons to face and how we deal with them matters a lot. Just as they had to do and fight not just for themselves but for others they cared about. I can’t help to think about my dear friend and how much she would have loved this story as well, if she hadn’t already known some of the history. I loved it and will end up reading it once again! I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Vrinda Sheth’s novelization of the Indian epic The Ramayana brings a new spirit and vitality to this enthralling story. For those who read The Ramayana in college (myself included), this first volume concerns the chapters that most anthology versions skip: the lives of King Dasharatha and his wives, Rama’s birth and adolescence, and his marriage to Sita. The story sets up Rama as the hero destined to finally slay the demon king Ravana. However, his wife Sita is also connected to the prophecy in her own right. In other versions (usually abridged), Sita is largely a background character, but in Sheth’s new trilogy her character is clearly meant to play a greater role. The novel’s greatest strength is its nuanced, moving portrayals of a large cast of characters, particularly the women who shape Rama’s life and kingdom. This is definitely a feminist-driven version of The Ramayana epic, with female character standing equal to men--and even upstaging them in power and strength. Sheth delves deeply into the minds and motivations of her central character, and her story goes beyond a mere polarization of good and evil; the novel deals with issues of jealousy, self-image, identity crises, the looming dread of mortality, and the need to deliver a legacy. Far from being just another translation, Sheth’s story shines with her lyrical prose and masterful storytelling. Her version of The Ramayana stands on it’s own amidst a myriad of other retellings, an impressive feat. A quick word of caution: this novel is not for the faint-of-heart reader. Not only is it long, but the world of Rama and Sita will seem utterly foreign to many English-speaking readers. However, if you feel up to the challenge, you will surely be enchanted and fascinated by this excellent work. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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