What is Ashok Banker on? - Rated 
'this is a quintessentially Indian story, written by a contemporary Indian for other contemporary Indians to read'
I can't believe I just read this. I was bought book 2 in the series by a relative, thought it looked good and interesting and so was looking for book 1 to start things off. Well, I'm not a contemporary Indian, but one of the non-indians who apparently don't display any interest in the series, so if that's your attitude as the author, and the books are obviously not for me, I won't buy the first book, and I don't think I'll be reading the second either.
PLEASE READ THE INDIAN EDITIONS INSTEAD - Rated 
f you are reading my Ramayana series, then I gently urge and request you to please not buy the UK or US editions, even if they're available at bargain prices. Which they probably are, since the publishers there have more or less put the books out of print, due to a lack of interest by non-Indian readers.
The Indian editions are the definitive editions of my work, containing a lengthy Introduction by me titled 'Retelling the Ramayana', which provides an essential perspective on the work, the final versions of all the books--including some small but significant changes, particularly in some book endings--no glossary, thank God, and are generally the best-edited, designed and published versions, in my opinion at least. In short, they're the Author's Preferred Edition, particularly the new hardcover omnibus editions, which represent the story in the way I had originally intended and are truly sumptuous to hold (and behold). Also, significantly, they aren't packaged as 'Fantasy' or 'SF' like the firang ones, which is a ridiculously transparent attempt at cashing in on the commercial success of the fantasy genre a la LoTR and Harry Potter. Please, people, my Ramayana series is a retelling of an epic, and that's exactly what it should be called, 'Epic'. I'd venture to call it 'Itihasa', but even Mythology, which is the label Penguin uses for the books here in India, is acceptable. But certainly not Fantasy as in one of the ubiquitous Tolkien rip-offs that are churned out in droves by western publishers, or even SF, both genres that can sometimes be wonderful in their own right, but are totally inappropriate in the context of an epic that pre-dates Tolkien by some thousands of years, and the entire tradition of western literature as well!
Frankly, I feel so strongly about this that I'd even go so far as to say, if you can't get the Indian editions, then don't read the books! That's why I'm currently in the process of re-acquiring the rights to the US and UK editions and they will soon be out of print everywhere but India. Which is how it ought to be: this is a quintessentially Indian story, written by a contemporary Indian for other contemporary Indians to read. And the Indian editions are really the only way to go.
Ashok K. Banker
www.ashokbanker.com
Excellent sequel - Rated
I was fortunate to get the second book too at the same time, and I finished both the books in the next 10 hours on the train back to Thrissur, without a break. Hell, I even forgot to have my dinner!!!
The guru-shishya relationship between Vishwamitra and the princes Rama and Lakshmana has been conceived brilliantly. I loved the chapter in which they discuss how Ravana could be vanquished. Ravana's plans to invade Aryavarta is the crux of the book. I felt that the ten headed rakshasa king has been shown very well and he promises to be one of the most interesting characters of the series. Banker's imagination is just too good- he must be applauded for having the guts to show Ravana's point of view..
The part where Rama and Sita meet was quirky... and Lakshmana's banter was really funny!!!! Some unforgettable scenes of the book are: Rama's rescue of Ahalya from her condemned existence as a stone, Sita's swayamvara, where Ravana appears as a suitor, the events going on in Ayodhya with Manthara trying to achieve Ravana's objectives, and of course, the climactic battle sequence where Rama and Lakshmana destroy the rakshasa army...
Truly, one roller coaster of a ride... Ashok K. Banker rocks!!!! Another 9 on 10...
The best just got better! - Rated
The Ramayana literally translated means "The Journey of Rama", with respect to AKB's Ramayana, it's a journey that we the readers too get to experience in all its epic glory.
For me the the spiritual connection of this tale is undeniable. However, the story of spirituality is so skillfully interwoven within the fantasy and adventure elements of the story that the connection can at times seem but an afterthought. If you're not looking for a spiritual connection, then it won't matter to you. If you're looking for a good read, look no further. With Siege of Mithila Ashok K Banker succeeds in expanding on his rich tapestry of adventure and continues to delight with his unique re-telling. One of the most refreshing factors being the depiction of Sita as a true warrior princess.
As with Prince of Ayodhya, the politics and subterfuge within the invincible walls of Ayodhya continue to fascinate, only now we are so positively familiar with the characters concerned that we cannot help but experience the range of emotions that they are faced with. None more so than that of our protagonist Rama's. Herein lies banker's expertise.
It's fair to say that given the flawless traits of Rama's character it is all but too easy to simply dismiss him in terms of having "less reader appeal" for being too perfect (after all even Superman has his Kryptonite right?).... well,this is where we see Banker at his finest; he succeeds in drawing us in by giving us an insight to the development of Rama's uncompromising code to DHARMA. Rama is the ultimate soldier of Dharma which proves to be not only his greatest attribute but also his 'Achilles' Heel'. During the course of the story (even moreso in the books that follow) Rama's strict adherence to DHARMA comes at great personal cost to him and his loved ones ..... or does it?
The only way to find out is by reading on. Herein lies the author's expertise in taking age old popular stereo-type & turning it on its head whilst staying true to the essence of his source material. In doing so he has made his Ramayana the definitive version for me........ or to put it another way "The best just got better"!
A great re-telling - Rated
I haven't read any of the Ramayana stories in many, many years and the last time I read them was in comic-strip form about 15 years ago. I just got done reading book two of the series (someone borrowed book 1 from me before I could really get into it). It's written in a very LOTR-esque style which makes it hard to put down. Yet I found that I was able to enjoy book 2 without having the first book (that may be because I know the basic characters of the story even though I don't remember specific incidents). The pace of the story was fast, the descriptions detailed and colorful, and the characters fleshed out. Seeing the protagonist Rama as a man and not an outright demi-god added a connection that made me want to follow the progress of events. I'm dying to read through all four books. Mr. Banker has made this epic not just palatable but very appealing to those not brought up hearing it from their grandparents.
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