--- product_id: 65883332 title: "ASURA: Tale of the Vanquished | Part of 100 Books by Indian Authors to read in a Lifetime| Mythological Fiction Bestseller Novel by Anand Neelakantan | Historical Fiction about Ravana | Indian Author Book Based on Ramayana | Author of Ajaya book series" price: "7375CFA" currency: XOF in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.sn/products/65883332-asura-tale-of-the-vanquished-part-of-100-books-by store_origin: SN region: Senegal --- # Top 100 Indian reads Epic myth retelling Ramayana reimagined ASURA: Tale of the Vanquished | Part of 100 Books by Indian Authors to read in a Lifetime| Mythological Fiction Bestseller Novel by Anand Neelakantan | Historical Fiction about Ravana | Indian Author Book Based on Ramayana | Author of Ajaya book series **Price:** 7375CFA **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📖 Unlock the Vanquished’s Voice — Dare to See Ramayana Differently! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** ASURA: Tale of the Vanquished | Part of 100 Books by Indian Authors to read in a Lifetime| Mythological Fiction Bestseller Novel by Anand Neelakantan | Historical Fiction about Ravana | Indian Author Book Based on Ramayana | Author of Ajaya book series - **How much does it cost?** 7375CFA with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sn](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/65883332-asura-tale-of-the-vanquished-part-of-100-books-by) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **A Bold New Perspective:** Experience the untold story of Ravana and the Asuras, challenging the traditional Ramayana narrative. - • **Critically Acclaimed Bestseller:** Ranked #4,728 in Books with over 4,300 reviews and a strong 4.2-star rating, proving its wide appeal. - • **Immersive First-Person Narrative:** Engage with a gripping, personal storytelling style that brings complex characters and ancient conflicts to life. - • **Perfect for the Discerning Reader:** A high-quality print edition with neat typography and impressive paper quality enhances your reading experience. - • **Culturally Rich & Thought-Provoking:** Delve into themes of caste, power, and perception, making it a must-read for fans of mythological and historical fiction. ## Overview ASURA: Tale of the Vanquished by Anand Neelakantan is a mythological and historical fiction bestseller that retells the Ramayana from Ravana’s perspective. Celebrated as one of the 100 must-read Indian books, it offers a fresh, immersive first-person narrative exploring themes of caste, power, and legacy. With over 4,300 reviews and a 4.2-star rating, this English-language novel is a compelling addition to any mythological fiction collection. ## Description The story of the Ramayana has been told countless times. The enthralling story of Rama, the incarnation of God, who slew Ravana, the King of Wrath, is known to every Indian. And in the pages of history, as always, it is the version told by the victors, that lives on. But what if Ravana and his people had a different story to tell? Asura is the epic narrative of the vanquished Asura people, a story cherished by the oppressed outcastes of India for over 3000 years. Until now, no Asura has dared to tell this tale. But perhaps the time has come for the defeated to speak: “For thousands of years, I have been vilified, and my death is celebrated year after year in every corner of India. Why? Was it because I challenged the gods for the sake of my daughter? Was it because I sought to free a race from the yoke of caste-based Deva rule? You have heard the victor's tale, the Ramayana. Now hear the Ravanayana, for I am Ravana, the Asura, and my story is the tale of the vanquished.” The ancient Asura empire lay shattered into many warring petty kingdoms under the heel of the Devas. In desperation, the Asuras look to a young saviour: Ravana. Believing that a better world awaits them under Ravana's leadership, common men like Bhadra decide to follow the young leader into war. With iron will and fiery ambition, Ravana leads his people from victory to victory, carving out a vast empire from the Devas. But even in triumph, the poor Asuras find that little has changed for them. But perhaps there is hope yet—but can Ravana change the course of history forever? Who is this for? Asura is a great choice for fans of mythological bestsellers like The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, The Forest of Enchantments, and the Ramayana in English. It is also a must-read for anyone interested in Indian mythology, mythological fiction books, spiritual books, and historical fiction books. For those who enjoy religious books and mythological books like The Ram Chandra Series by Amish Tripathi, including Scion of Ikshvaku, Sita: Warrior of Mithila, Raavan: Enemy of Aryavarta, and War of Lanka, this novel provides a compelling addition to your collection. Fans of The Lord of the Rings book set and The Way of Kings will also appreciate the epic storytelling and complex characters found in Asura. Whether you are interested in fiction books, bestsellers English or exploring the Ramayana book from a new perspective, Asura is an essential addition to your library. Review: Brilliant storyline ! - The book is truly mind-blowing. The print is neat, and the paper quality is impressive, making the reading experience even better. The story itself gives us a fresh perspective on the world of Devas and Asuras. It portrays Lord Ram from Ravan’s point of view. It highlights not just Ravan's flaws but also the brilliance, talent, and relentless efforts that helped Ravan achieve his position. What stands out is how the narrative encourages us to appreciate the strength and uniqueness of the demon community, without ever suggesting that doing wrong is justified. It beautifully captures the contrast—how Asuras view the Devas’ lifestyle as flawed, just as Devas see Asuras in a negative light. Yet, amidst these perspectives, one truth remains timeless: Lord Ram will always stay in our hearts. His struggles, sacrifices, and commitment to upholding dharma continue to inspire us, reminding us that greatness often comes at the cost of personal suffering. Review: Amazing first person narrative - This book had long been on my "to read" list but i always shied away from reading it thinking it would be too preachy and too pro ravana and too anti ram. However, one day, i decided to order a sample from desertcart on my kindle. I read the first chapter and I was amazed and hooked. I could not believe something related to mythology can be written so personally and with such dark shades. Apart from the story line, which we all know pretty well, what kept me hooked was the first person narrative. The author has excelled in his writing style bringing forth a person's views and his contrasting actions. Ravana is in no way made the "hero" of the story. He is portrayed as he is, an ambition man with an urge to win, who was lucky most of the times. It is Bhadra, a fictional character, who is the eyes and voice of Asura, who steals the show. He is the string, the forgotten voice, that ties the whole story together. You see the contrast between these two characters and how they see the same situations differently and you release, there is no truth or fact in stories, its just perception. Bhadra flows thru the book and is an excellent device used by the author to tell the story of the nameless without introducing too many unnecessary characters. this way you feel for the character, generation and race all at the same time! Kudos, to the author, who managed to portray the story of ravana's life, without being partial. Ram, is shown as a prince of a small state and the author asks the questions that most of us do. Just because someone is deemed god, can all his actions be justified. The author manages to stay away from Ram's journey and this, nevertheless, makes the story fast paced and still interesting. However, The book gets a little long and winding and repetitive in the end and I feel like the editor could have done a better job. There are a few spelling mistakes like thrust instead of trust and a few repetitive phrases like "wily" and "impotent rage" etc but they dont take anything away from the reading experience. The author also makes good points regarding brahamism and caste system but they are so few and repeated throughout the book, that they loose their effect. It is my personal opinion that the relationship or storyline between Ravana and sita could have been developed more. Its kind of a blank in that area. The last quarter of the book is slow and winding, and could have done with better editing. The book deserves praise as it manages to be impartial towards Ram and Ravana, something that the pop-ed up versions of Ramayana cannot boast of. ## Features - Product Condition: No Defects - Language Published: English ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #4,728 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #16 in Plays #63 in Myths, Legends & Sagas #95 in Indian Writing (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.2 out of 5 stars 4,380 Reviews | ## Images ![ASURA: Tale of the Vanquished | Part of 100 Books by Indian Authors to read in a Lifetime| Mythological Fiction Bestseller Novel by Anand Neelakantan | Historical Fiction about Ravana | Indian Author Book Based on Ramayana | Author of Ajaya book series - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/712bY6-QsrL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Brilliant storyline ! *by K***R on 17 September 2025* The book is truly mind-blowing. The print is neat, and the paper quality is impressive, making the reading experience even better. The story itself gives us a fresh perspective on the world of Devas and Asuras. It portrays Lord Ram from Ravan’s point of view. It highlights not just Ravan's flaws but also the brilliance, talent, and relentless efforts that helped Ravan achieve his position. What stands out is how the narrative encourages us to appreciate the strength and uniqueness of the demon community, without ever suggesting that doing wrong is justified. It beautifully captures the contrast—how Asuras view the Devas’ lifestyle as flawed, just as Devas see Asuras in a negative light. Yet, amidst these perspectives, one truth remains timeless: Lord Ram will always stay in our hearts. His struggles, sacrifices, and commitment to upholding dharma continue to inspire us, reminding us that greatness often comes at the cost of personal suffering. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing first person narrative *by S***A on 7 January 2014* This book had long been on my "to read" list but i always shied away from reading it thinking it would be too preachy and too pro ravana and too anti ram. However, one day, i decided to order a sample from amazon on my kindle. I read the first chapter and I was amazed and hooked. I could not believe something related to mythology can be written so personally and with such dark shades. Apart from the story line, which we all know pretty well, what kept me hooked was the first person narrative. The author has excelled in his writing style bringing forth a person's views and his contrasting actions. Ravana is in no way made the "hero" of the story. He is portrayed as he is, an ambition man with an urge to win, who was lucky most of the times. It is Bhadra, a fictional character, who is the eyes and voice of Asura, who steals the show. He is the string, the forgotten voice, that ties the whole story together. You see the contrast between these two characters and how they see the same situations differently and you release, there is no truth or fact in stories, its just perception. Bhadra flows thru the book and is an excellent device used by the author to tell the story of the nameless without introducing too many unnecessary characters. this way you feel for the character, generation and race all at the same time! Kudos, to the author, who managed to portray the story of ravana's life, without being partial. Ram, is shown as a prince of a small state and the author asks the questions that most of us do. Just because someone is deemed god, can all his actions be justified. The author manages to stay away from Ram's journey and this, nevertheless, makes the story fast paced and still interesting. However, The book gets a little long and winding and repetitive in the end and I feel like the editor could have done a better job. There are a few spelling mistakes like thrust instead of trust and a few repetitive phrases like "wily" and "impotent rage" etc but they dont take anything away from the reading experience. The author also makes good points regarding brahamism and caste system but they are so few and repeated throughout the book, that they loose their effect. It is my personal opinion that the relationship or storyline between Ravana and sita could have been developed more. Its kind of a blank in that area. The last quarter of the book is slow and winding, and could have done with better editing. The book deserves praise as it manages to be impartial towards Ram and Ravana, something that the pop-ed up versions of Ramayana cannot boast of. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Must read book *by P***N on 28 June 2020* This book reveals so many things about our history which we don’t even knoW. The writer narrated the story profoundly and gave every detail in about his subject. This book provides a keen perspective of a king and as a poor on what had happened. This is a masterpiece and a must read for every individual to know about the history which is hidden. and to know about mighty king (Ravana) who never killed anyone hiding somewhere in the woods or bushes and was brave enough even at his last breath but killed only because some people betrayed him for his throne and that’s the only factor added advantage for someone’s (so called brave people who kill like coward) victory. They attacked ravan’s island during the nights of War, take away her queen and leave her Stripped completely naked, kills Meghanada from behind while he is worshipping lord shiva in his room, kills a 8 year old Shambuka for the sake of his birth as a Sudra and having the knowledge of vedas. The person who did all this and still speaks of raja dharma. We have been fooled since our childhood by hiding some truths and manipulating the history just to make Rama a god. ## Frequently Bought Together - ASURA Tale of the Vanquished: The Story of Ravana and His People (The Vanquished Series) - The Palace of Illusions: A Novel - The Forest of Enchantments --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.sn/products/65883332-asura-tale-of-the-vanquished-part-of-100-books-by](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/65883332-asura-tale-of-the-vanquished-part-of-100-books-by) --- *Product available on Desertcart Senegal* *Store origin: SN* *Last updated: 2026-09-16*