Dharmayoddha Kalki: Avatar of Vishnu (Kalki Trilogy #1) by Kevin Missal – mythology-inspired fantasy

Dharmayoddha Kalki is a fast-paced, mythology-inspired fantasy brimming with political tension, tribal rebellion, and action-packed chaos.

Synopsis

Born in the quiet village of Shambala, Kalki Hari, son of Vishnuyath and Sumati, has no idea about his heritage until he is pitted against tragedies and battles.

Whisked into the province of Keekatpur, which is under the fist of Lord Kali, Kalki sees the ignominy of death trumping life all around him. He learns that he has been born to cleanse the world he lives in, for which he must journey to the North and learn the ways of Lord Vishnu’s Avatar; from an immortal who wields an axe.

But trapped in the midst of betrayals, political intrigue and forces that seek to decimate him, will he be able to follow his destiny before the Kaliyug begins?

Review

Dharmayoddha Kalki is a mythology-inspired fantasy that explores the eternal battle of Dharma (good) vs. Adharma (evil), a familiar theme in Indian mythology. As the legends say, when Adharma starts to dominate the world, Dharma incarnates to restore balance—and in this tale, Kalki is Dharma’s chosen avatar, while Kali represents Adharma.

The setting is Illavarti—a kingdom ruled by the Manavs (regular humans) who look down on the tribal communities, treating them as inferior species. These tribes include Nagas, Rakshasas, Yakshas, Suparna (technologically advanced), ,Vanars (lives in seclusion), Danavs (extinct), and the Asuras (nearly extinct). This species-based hierarchy and discrimination is a major source of tension in the story.

Kali, one of the central figures, is an Asura. He and his sister Durukti are the only survivors of a brutal attack on their tribe. His difficult childhood left him scarred, cynical, and with a singular life goal: to unite the marginalized tribes and bring peace to the world by standing up to the oppressive Manav rulers.

He begins by rallying the tribal forces scattered across Illavarti, defeating major regions like Agnigarh and Suryagarh, and ultimately bringing the capital city of Indragarh to its knees. At first, Kali seems like a revolutionary with noble intentions—but things unravel fast. He falls gravely ill, tribal leaders start feuding, and an assassination attempt nearly kills him. That’s when Durukti learns about a magical healing stone,Soma Stones, hidden deep in the Shambala forests.

Meanwhile, in peaceful Shambala, we meet Kalki—a boy born with superhuman strength (think: strength of three rakshasas in one body) and rapid healing. Kalki’s father urges him to hide his powers, but when his father is kidnapped by local thugs, he’s forced to reveal his strength to save himself and others.

This leads to the introduction of Guru Kripa, an immortal who once aided the previous Vishnu avatar during a legendary war. Kripa explains that Kalki’s powers come from Soma, very stones Durukti seeks. Fearing the destruction Soma stones could unleash if exposed to the world, Kalki tries to stop Durukti. The attempt fails, and he ends up imprisoned.

Kali is revived by Soma, gaining similar powers. But unlike Kalki, the extract warps him physically and mentally, turning him into a more dangerous, unhinged version of himself. His arc from visionary to villain is slow, unsettling, and honestly, one of the better-written aspects of the book.

Dharmayoddha Kalki is a plot-driven fantasy rooted in classic themes of good vs. evil layered with social hierarchy, rebellion, and destiny, political intrigue, and tribal warfare. The short chapters and multiple perspectives keep the story moving at a fast clip. However, I agree with many reviews on Goodreads: the writing is not great. It’s simplistic, heavy on telling instead of showing, and filled with cliché dialogue. It almost reads like a rough movie script—which might explain why the movie adaptation seems more promising.

The characters didn’t really hit home. A bunch of people die, and I felt… nothing. No emotional connection. Not even when Kalki’s father died or when friends perished. Kalki’s growth from clueless boy to “chosen one” happens too suddenly and without much emotional groundwork. We’re told he changes during his imprisonment, I still don’t feel it (and I’m about to finish 2nd book).

Kali, on the other hand, is the exception. His moral grayness, growing darkness, and psychological unraveling are well-handled. His transformation is believable and grim.

Durukti also stands out. She’s sharp, pragmatic, and fiercely loyal to her brother, but she’s not blind to the cost of their actions. She’s torn between love and morality, which makes her arc more complex. She even tries to help Kalki, showing she isn’t devoid of conscience.

Kalki’s brother Arjan is another character I liked. He’s smart, brave, and clearly set up for something bigger.

Then there’s Kripa, guiding Kalki north to Mahendragiri for training. He’s shady in that classic “wise old mentor with secrets” way. He’s linked to another immortal, Bhargav Ram, who helps Kalki during his meditations and in his channeling. There’s a larger history between these immortals that I’m looking forward to uncovering.

The action scenes are surprisingly good (of course not all of them). Twists are also interesting but they are predictable. The final rescue was fun and dramatic but what follows was tragic. There is no end, the book continues to second book.

Overall, Dharmayoddha Kalki is a fast-paced, mythology-inspired fantasy brimming with political tension, tribal rebellion, and action-packed chaos. While the writing didn’t wow me, the world-building, plot, and sheer potential of the story kept me invested. So, I’ll be continuing the trilogy just to see where it all leads.

What to Expect

A mythology-inspired fantasy
War, rebellion, and tribal politics
Loads of characters
Plot-driven story
Unimpressive writing (feels like story board)
book that might work better as a movie
No character development

Book Links

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Have you read this book or wish to read?
Your favorite Indian Mythology retelling or mythology inspired fantasy?

Just in case you missed,,,

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• Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen – slow and simple coming-of-age classic
• The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King (Crowns of Nyaxia #2) by Carissa Broadbent – addictive and steamy romantasy

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