The Rise of Sivagami (Báhubali: Before the Beginning - Book 1)

This is one of those books that I found tedious to finish. The plot in the book is interesting, even if I did not find it to be original. I think one reason I was so underwhelmed by this book is that I did not care for the song of ice and fire books (Game of thrones) from which this seems to be liberally inspired.Second reason is that while I found the writing to be nice in some parts, overall I felt it to be mostly dull.One final thing. While this isn't a negative point to me, this book has a completely different atmosphere than Bahubali. Much more dark and highlighting the ills of a casteist society. So, anyone expecting this book to be like Bahubali should be aware of this difference. For me, this was the only original thing about the book.That and the occasional brilliance in writing deserve 2 stars.Oh, btw, this book is not meant to be read by children. I originally bought it for my daughter. But, I am glad I read it first. She will need to wait a few years for her turn.

First of, I thought this was the full story of Sivagami until we see her in the Baahubali movie. But it is first installment of a trilogy, so it was slightly disappointing to not get the full story in one sitting. The story also has a lot of name calling, which pulled me out of the story quite a bit. This is a book of political intrigue and followed multiple characters between chapters. This kind of multi-person perspective works well in movies as a story can be shown in a shorter time span. However, when reading a story, to read about one person and wait three to four chapters to get back to that same person caused an emotional detachment - with each break in the perspective, I would loose the tension that would grip me to know about that particular character. There were too many themes/ideas running through the story, once again dispersing the tension a conflict can create in the reader. Overall, it was a story with good plot but with poor execution.

I loved the way the story was brought from the start. Very gripping. But the conclusion was very vague and abrupt. It showed only half of how Sivagami came to a rise. There should definitely be a sequel for this. The author should tell us how Sivagami became the queen to bijjaladeva and what did she do to solve the grave issues in Mahishmati. Finally the book will be justified only if there would be a 2nd part of it.

Loved delving further into the fictional Mahishmathi world and learning about some of our favorite characters.

The Rise of Sivagami is a good read, but fails to be engrossing. The narrative slows down agonizingly in parts and while it is a commendable effort by the author to string the different plots together, it does nothing to peak my interest in knowing more about the sub-plots. At best, I just wanted the story to move on. However, the story does a great job in describing the politics and the motives of the main characters.

Whilst the story is based on a great movie, the plot of this novel lost me. The plot went in a different direction to the movie.

I loved the grandeur and the ending is perfect.There was good build up and the pay off’s are good for some stories. But some stories felt flat without a good pay off.

Oh man when are the next books coming? There are still unanswered question! I need answers please T-TGood book btw

The story started interestingly but slowed often and defied logic in many places. Fight sequences especially on a ship seemed illogical and unrealistically prolonged given all other information on that scene. Why would a dangerous pirate be allowed the freedom to move about after capture and allowed the opportunity to jump ship while putting in danger those in charge? Also, who is sailing and navigating the ship through a supposedly very dangerous stretch of the river, while everyone seems busy baiting and interrogating the captured pirate?There was some indication that Sivagami was trained in combat by her guardian in the early part of the book, but very little evidence of this training was on display whenever she faced danger, which was really disappointing. Towards the end when Sivagami is facing the villains who have just murdered the Prime Minister (?) in front of her, is it not natural instinct for any person, let alone a young girl like Sivagami, to run away from danger? Instead she runs towards the victim and danger, when all she had to do was to step out the nearest window to escape, especially when the PM begged her to run before he was killed! Unfortunately she just stood there like a deer caught on car headlights and runs towards the murdered victim. I am sorry to be critical, but I felt that this story had so much more potential than what has been delivered. The lead character Sivagami seemed ready to cry at the drop of a hat, passive and allow things to happen around her and to her without taking much by way of positive action. I wonder if the lead character was a male of the same age, the author might have imagined greater freedom of action? This is the first book by this author that I have read, I hope he will imagine the lead characters (especially female) in adventure stories like this to be more confident and positive in future books. There is plenty of basis for such heroines all around the world including India, such as female warriors, warrior queens, leaders and strategists both in mythology and actuality as my daughters never fail to educate me!

Loved every single chapter of it. When you reach last few chapters its unstoppable. Even though its from Bahubali this is complete different world. This is Sivgami's, Katappa's, and Shivappa's world. loved it absolutely loved it. I am eagerly waiting for 2nd part.

Unnecessary detailing of characters and incidents fills up pages. Only the section of the titular character, Sivagami and parts of Kattappa was interesting. After the first couple of chapters, the author seem to have lost his way by throwing in too many names and people. Mystery of the manuscript not solved. Sorry, didn't enjoy

I purchased this book because I wanted to know more about origin of Shivagami post bahaubali movie package. I really enjoyed reading this book.

Very good