Books corner: Age of Apostasy-Knife Edge by Abhijeeth Hiliyana

• Ambica Gulati

 In the last few months, I have read a lot of fantasy thrillers. And joining the gang of fantasy writers is Abhijeeth Hiliyana with Age of Apostasy-Knife Edge. A software engineer by profession, he is fascinated by Indian mythology and history. And holds a masters in computer science from University of Florida. There’s something about Indian myths and tales that seems to always excite us all. In an email chat with Hilyana, many months back, I came to know what inspired him from the fantasy tales. Excerpts:

What has been the inspiration for the book?

My inspiration, I guess for me major inspiration has been our own epics. Ramayana, Mahabharat, were major influences. I was always fascinated by the story as well as the story itself. That was why I guess I wanted to write a story set in Indian mythology. But I wanted to create something on my own and not retell the epics themselves.

How do you frame your characters? Are they people you know?

With respect to the characters themselves, I wanted to write them a bit closer to what I think people. Therefore most of my characters tend to be grey, motivated by their own aims and carrying their own strong views. In essence you cannot classify them as good or bad I guess.

What makes you a happy writer?

I like to work on multiple stories. I guess regularly writing makes me a happy writer.

What is it that pulls you towards fantasy and mythology?

I guess my fascination with Indian mythology started early. As I said the epics themselves were a strong fascination. Later I read works of writers like Steven Erikson, George R R Martin, Tolkien and others. It was reading their works that motivated me to create my novel and build a world for it.

What can we expect from you in the future?

I am currently working on the second part of the series. I am also working on an alternate history novel set in early modern India.

About the book

Price: Rs 325

Paperback: 504 pages

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd

Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha - Dharma protects those who protect it.. ...so goes the saying from Manusmriti. A aphorism, considered an ideal way of life for a human. But in a age where the quest for survival presents a greater challenge, ethics and loyalty have become mere cursory references in the lives of people; in this world it becomes hard to define Dharma. A disillusioned general caught between his loyalty for his country and the cost of that loyalty. An assassin stuck in the past, hoping for a way to escape it. A warrior desperately trying to gain the respect of his benefactor. And an ancient enemy, re-emerging, hoping to right old wrongs. This is age of suffering and conflict, an age of Apostasy and humanity stands on a knife edge.