Rewaj Chettri

The Immortals of Meluha is the kind of book that grabs your attention from the very first chapter—not with flashy action, but with a deeply human story dressed in the robes of mythology. Amish takes a bold approach by imagining Lord Shiva not as a distant deity but as a flesh-and-blood man, flawed and real, who earns his place in legend through choice, struggle, and compassion. The story is set in an alternate history where the Indus Valley Civilization—here known as Meluha—is a highly advanced society that believes in law, order, and the perfect way of life. Into this world walks Shiva, a Tibetan tribal leader with no idea of the fate that awaits him. What follows is a journey of transformation, not just for Shiva but for the reader as well. Amish’s writing style is clean and accessible, making the complex themes of morality, free will, and dharma easy to absorb. While the prose occasionally feels a bit flat or overly modern, the emotional resonance of the characters more than makes up for it. The political intrigue, the slow unraveling of secrets, and the moral dilemmas faced by Shiva add layers to what might otherwise be a straightforward hero’s journey. One of the strongest aspects of the book is its reinterpretation of mythology. Amish doesn’t just retell a tale—we all know who Shiva is—but instead reimagines it, inviting us to ask what makes a person divine. Is it birth? Deeds? Belief? I gave this book four stars because while the pacing drags in parts and some characters felt underdeveloped, the originality of the premise and the philosophical undertones make it well worth reading. It’s a thoughtful, engaging start to the Shiva Trilogy, and I look forward to what’s next.