Satyayoddha Kalki : Eye of Brahma (Kalki Trilogy #2) by Kevin Missal – chaotic but entertaining

Satyayoddha Kalki is messy and chaotic but entertaining Indian mythology inspired fantasy. It amps up the action, expands the lore, and finally gives some characters room to shine.

Previous Book in the series –

Dharmayoddha Kalki (Book 1)

Synopsis

After a defeat at the hands of Lord Kali, Kalki Hari must journey towards the Mahendragiri mountains with his companions to finally become the avatar he is destined to be. But the road ahead is not without peril . . .

Not only is he trapped by the cannibalistic armies of the Pisach, he is also embroiled in the civil war of the Vanars. And in midst of all this, he meets a face from the legends.

Meanwhile, Manasa, the sister of the late Vasuki, plots to overthrow Lord Kali by bringing a massive war to his kingdom. But Naagpuri, her homeland, has been infiltrated by their sworn enemy, the Suparns. Not only does she need to protect her kingdom from the Suparns, she must also protect her close ones from the league of conspirators at her own home. Who can she really trust? And will she be able to put an end to Lord Kali’s rule?

As the plot thickens and Lord Kali sees his ambition crushed right before his eyes, he comes to know about his race and its history that threatens to destroy the very fabric of this world’s reality. Kalyug has begun.

Can Kalki become the avatar in time before it finally unfolds?

Will Manasa fight through the internal politics to bring an invasion against Lord Kali?

Can the secret that changes everything change Lord Kali as a person too?

Review

Satyayoddha Kalki picks up right where Dharmayoddha Kalki left off, immediately pulling readers into diverging paths of key characters. Kalki sets off for Mahendragiri with Kripa and Padma but is soon abducted by a Simha—an ancient species—and later by the cannibalistic Pisachs. Manasa returns to her kingdom, Nagapuri, only to discover her brother’s family has been murdered and her cousin—whom she’d left in charge—might be orchestrating a sinister coup.

Meanwhile, Kali is systematically erasing religion in Indragarh. This pushes the old king, Vedanta, to desperate extremes, which, unsurprisingly, leads to his removal and Kali crowning himself king. Arjan, now imprisoned, is forced into gladiator-style battles but finds unexpected allies, including a romantic interest—though Kali ensures his life remains a living hell.

Durukti uncovers her lady’s maid is secretly wielding magic and teams up with Urvashi, a 13-year-old girl and daughter of Vedanta, to dig deeper into the mystery of the Eye of Brahma. Urvashi ends up finding her father dead and vows to bring down Kali.

The narrative keeps twisting with new characters and plenty of action. While most of the plot turns are predictable (yes, I saw many of them coming), there are enough surprises to keep things interesting. The political scheming, mythological twists, and shifting alliances keep things engaging throughout the book.

As for the writing—it’s still pretty basic. The style is easy to follow but lacks emotional depth and finesse. Development, especially internal character growth, feels rushed or surface-level. That said, there’s a lot going on, and it does keep you turning pages.

All characters set out on different path but encounters many obstacles and they all oversome them in their own way.

Kalki is still reckless and immature, often dragging others into trouble. But his heart’s in the right place, and his conversations with Lord Bajrang and Kripa makes up for his impulsiveness. I was intrigued by the twist around his “avatar” status—not born as one, but someone who earned it. The philosophical exploration of what makes an avatar, and the blurred lines between dharma and adharma, was one of the book’s highlights.

Kali’s backstory finally unfolds, and it’s juicy. Losing his kingdom temporarily humbles him, but once Sukra returns, so does Kali’s darker side. I don’t trust Sukra one bit, and Kali’s bride-to-be? Totally creepy. But the twist about his youngest brother still being alive was a good, if slightly predictable, surprise.

Durukti really shone in this book. Her smart decisions—ditching the shady maid, aiding Urvashi and Arjan, and sensing trouble ahead—make her a standout. Honestly, she’s more capable and grounded than Kali. Give her Soma’s power already—I’m rooting for her survival in this venomous political warfare.

Urvashi was wild and chaotic. At first I thought she could be trained to be the queen but then she turned out into a megalomaniac. No wonder she met her end pretty badly.

Manasa continues to impress. She’s impulsive but clever, slowly piecing together the betrayal around her. When she finally acts, she does it with calculated brilliance.

Arjan is the MVP. He’s the only one showing real character development. Sharp, instinctual, and strategic—he’s reckless like his brother but also way more calculating. His instinct saved him throughout the book.

It was fascinating to unravel the story behind the Eye of Brahma and see how Manasa, Kali, and Kalki each reached the point where they are now. The use of the three shards drastically shifts their trajectories, adding real momentum to the plot. But the real kicker is the ending—what happens to each of them and the lingering mystery of the missing fourth shard. I can’t wait to see how it all collides in the final book.

Overall, Satyayoddha Kalki is messy and chaotic but entertaining Indian mythology inspired fantasy. It amps up the action, expands the lore, and finally gives some characters room to shine. While the writing still lacks emotional punch and polish, the plot takes a solid leap forward.

Book Links

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(Free on Audible)

Have you read this book or wish to read?
Your favorite middle book in trilogy?

Just in case you missed,,,

• Mahayoddha Kalki : Sword of Shiva (Kalki Trilogy #3) by Kevin Missal – action-packed and fast paced finale
• Satyayoddha Kalki : Eye of Brahma (Kalki Trilogy #2) by Kevin Missal – chaotic but entertaining
• Dharmayoddha Kalki: Avatar of Vishnu (Kalki Trilogy #1) by Kevin Missal – mythology-inspired fantasy

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