Reviews
"Shadows of the Northlands is a fun, exciting, imaginative, rambunctious romp through vividly realized worlds with fascinating characters. It has more adventure and excitement than most other books in the mytho, fantasy, adventure genres published in India today by most well-known authors. Vishwesh Desai is an author because that’s what he was born to do. He’s a born writer."
- Ashok K. Banker
Internationally acclaimed bestselling author of the ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’ series
"Writing a work of fantasy is a challenge for the most accomplished of authors, as it involves not only the craftsmanship that goes into any novel, but the leap of imagination needed to create a totally different world, populated by its own heroes and villains, and with its own history, society and tensions. Shadows of the Northlands is an exceptionally well crafted novel, sucking the reader into a richly woven alternate universe of the city of Salidar with its protectors and the evil Crime Cartel, full of magic and action, and with detailed insights into its society and religion. All ingredients for a fantasy novel that is a delight to read not just for its fast paced action, but for the immersive nature of the world it creates. The fact that this has all been done by a fourteen-year-old blows one’s mind, and points to the prodigious talent that Vishwesh Desai is. As his debut novel, one can only hope he writes many, many more, for this marks the beginning of what could be a writing career which will keep millions of fans entertained."
- Mainak Dhar
Bestselling author of the ‘Alice in Deadland’ series
“My friend Vishwesh, only 15 years old, his first book just published; and it reads like Tolkien, I must say I'm amazed.”
- Yossi Ghinsberg, Australia
Bestselling author of ‘Jungle’ now a major motion picture starring Daniel Radcliffe
- Yossi Ghinsberg, Australia
Bestselling author of ‘Jungle’ now a major motion picture starring Daniel Radcliffe
“Have read the book. Foreword by Ashok K Banker says it all. A very mature narration.”
- Sumant Batra
Founder, Kumaon Literature Festival
- Sumant Batra
Founder, Kumaon Literature Festival
“Anyone who loves fantasy genre will definitely find this book engrossing and riveting. I was personally stunned by the powerhouse of vocabulary and out of this world imagination of the author. It was difficult to believe that a novel which is near to the standards of The Lords of Rings type fantasy series is written by a 14 year old teenage boy.
Vishwesh has awed me with his writing from the very first page. He might be only 14 years old but his vocabulary is so rich that even main stream writers would envy him.”
- The Book World
Vishwesh has awed me with his writing from the very first page. He might be only 14 years old but his vocabulary is so rich that even main stream writers would envy him.”
- The Book World
“Hats off to the author Vishwesh Desai for penning such a marvellous fantasy fiction which I would compare to Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings and other titles penned in the west. The vocabulary used in the novel is simply stunning considering the fact that the author is just 14 years old.”
- Sarath Babu (Top 500 Reviewer on Amazon)
www.sarathbabu.in
- Sarath Babu (Top 500 Reviewer on Amazon)
www.sarathbabu.in
"The author has created an entire fictional empire, complete with its history and eventualities intact. The first thing that caught my attention was the language used in the book. It is delightfully sophisticated. The manner with which the dialog shifts between characters is neat and smooth. The narrative flows oh-so-smoothly and the reader is simply sucked into the plot and its unraveling mysteries.
A must read for historical fantasy lovers, but even otherwise if you love reading a book with good language skills, then you shouldn't miss this one.”
- Chitra Iyer
www.bookvue.blogspot.in
A must read for historical fantasy lovers, but even otherwise if you love reading a book with good language skills, then you shouldn't miss this one.”
- Chitra Iyer
www.bookvue.blogspot.in
“The story of the book Shadows of the Northlands, is about the discovery and more importantly realization, which provokes action, which provokes retaliation and which provokes extinction.
Vishwesh has penned down a wonderful read as far as the fantasy fiction genre is concerned. I would recommend Shadows of the Northlands, an action packed 480 page fictional fantasy drama to anyone to anyone looking to read something really good in fiction.”
- Kaushal Gupta
www.guptakaushal.in
Vishwesh has penned down a wonderful read as far as the fantasy fiction genre is concerned. I would recommend Shadows of the Northlands, an action packed 480 page fictional fantasy drama to anyone to anyone looking to read something really good in fiction.”
- Kaushal Gupta
www.guptakaushal.in
“This book is phenomenal. Shadows of the Northlands will take you on a roller-coaster ride which will make you dumbfounded. You won't be able to put it down. It's not everyday that I love (key word) an Indian author book and that too in the fantasy genre.”
- Celebrity.reads
- Celebrity.reads
This maiden novel by Vishwesh Desai has an absorbing plot, well-etched out characters, wonderful settings, doses of humour, elements of suspense and a fast pace - ingredients that make a thoroughly engrossing and entertaining piece of reading. All through the book, Vishwesh has displayed flair for his language skills through the use of rich vocabulary, which is exemplary for a boy of 14. In a nutshell, it's a must read for fantasy lovers.
- Mangesh Parelkar
Director, Abacus Academy and Visiting Faculty, IIM Ahmedabad
- Mangesh Parelkar
Director, Abacus Academy and Visiting Faculty, IIM Ahmedabad
I really enjoyed reading your book. The book had an amazing combination of action, adventure and spikes of humour. I specially loved the moments when Rikkard cast his huge spells. The book was exhilarating and I look forward to reading your next book. In my mind I felt as if I was reading a book written by a renowned author. Congratulations on your book. I think I now have a new favourite author!
- Ishaan Patel
Student (11 years old), Brisbane, Australia
- Ishaan Patel
Student (11 years old), Brisbane, Australia
After years I have come across a book like this. Took me back to the times when I would get hooked to the world of fiction. Vishwesh Desai has struck gold by balancing all elements like suspense, drama, fantasy in perfect combination. I am awestruck by his content, imagination and also his vocabulary. And it's not fair for the world to know that he is just a 14 year old boy because up in his brains he is 40+ . A must buy.
- Saumil Soni
Senior Manager, Centrum Finance Ltd.
- Saumil Soni
Senior Manager, Centrum Finance Ltd.
The wonder of "Shadows of the Northlands" lies primarily, I think, in its theme of how hatred can destroy entire civilizations, and how commitment, dedication and love can counter these. The fantasy, suspense and magico-realism of it are only props to support this theme.
The words used not only communicate the emotion of the incident, but more than that, manifest the richness of his vocabulary, the powerhouse of lexis that lies in his mind.
And then I am highly impressed by his imagination. To create a whole world with cities, governments, people, emotions and most importantly fantastic events requires not only imagination, but detailing, awareness and thought. And what is more, he has given a sort of Indian touch to these in the names and the description of the geographic locale.
The story line, with imagination and sprinkles of spiritualism, show the immense scope that the book can broaden into.
In conclusion, let me prove that this is an objective review, unbiased and balanced. What did I like less about Shadows of the Northlands? I did not like the cover page of the book. It seemed too dark for the message that the book conveys – that hatred destroys but forgiveness, love and friendship can recreate. And finally, the book ends too soon. I wish I could have had more of the book.
Salidar becomes safe too soon.
- Dr. Jean Dsouza
PhD, English Literature
The words used not only communicate the emotion of the incident, but more than that, manifest the richness of his vocabulary, the powerhouse of lexis that lies in his mind.
And then I am highly impressed by his imagination. To create a whole world with cities, governments, people, emotions and most importantly fantastic events requires not only imagination, but detailing, awareness and thought. And what is more, he has given a sort of Indian touch to these in the names and the description of the geographic locale.
The story line, with imagination and sprinkles of spiritualism, show the immense scope that the book can broaden into.
In conclusion, let me prove that this is an objective review, unbiased and balanced. What did I like less about Shadows of the Northlands? I did not like the cover page of the book. It seemed too dark for the message that the book conveys – that hatred destroys but forgiveness, love and friendship can recreate. And finally, the book ends too soon. I wish I could have had more of the book.
Salidar becomes safe too soon.
- Dr. Jean Dsouza
PhD, English Literature
Vishwesh Desai’s debut novel, Shadows of the Northlands is a fast paced and exciting tale which takes the reader on a powerful exploration of another world. Each chapter provides intriguing details in amazing settings and draws you in from the first chapter. The author’s imagination and creativity is truly commendable. I look forward to reading the next book written by this very talented young man!
- Darshana Patel
Communications Consultant, Latitude Worldwide, Washington DC, USA
- Darshana Patel
Communications Consultant, Latitude Worldwide, Washington DC, USA
“This book is a fantastic journey with a deep story that is full of allegories and will make you want to be one of the protagonists. Sometimes it may seem like heavy reading but at the same time attractive. Masterfully written, the plot is suitable for everyone that will bring them closer to the world of reading. For those who love fantasy, such a book cannot be missed!”
- Kalyan Panja
www.travtasy.com
- Kalyan Panja
www.travtasy.com
A fictional world.A great empire.An unknown enemy and a courageous hero.They are the ideal ingredients of any fantasy novel we read,but what makes shadows of Northlands rivetting is its narrative.It makes the story come alive and the reader be a part of the journey.From the very start till the end,the book has been able to hold the mystery and keeps one glued.Suspense,war,mystery all have just in the right doses it's ought to be.What's missing is maturity in building up the characters.The author being only a 14 year old obviously lacks that but otherwise it is recommended for all fantasy suspense lovers.
- Misty B
- Misty B
Vishwesh has a pleasantly non colloquial style of writing. He stands out among modern Indian writers for his language, humour and wit. It is impossible to believe that he was a pre teen when he wrote the book. Carry on writing, Vishwesh!
- Dr. Sujata Ambalal
- Dr. Sujata Ambalal
An excellent book by Vishwesh !! The plot, characters and the fantasy world created in the book had me hooked from the start. look forward to the next in the series..
- Aditya Shah
- Aditya Shah
Shadows of the Northlands is an amazing trip down the fantasy land. A thrilling plot coupled with vivid picturization of the area, people, religion, architecture and a fantastic use of vocabulary is what summarizes this debut masterpiece by the young lad, Vishwesh Desai.
- Puja Shah
- Puja Shah
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