I'm obsessed with the series, and with the indian rep in them. I was lowkey dreading reading this book just because the first book had some questionable scenes with the women, but this book, although darker in nature, was able to maintain a fine line between disgust and grimdark with its clever use of humour to soften it up a bit. Overall, another brilliant book added to the stack and I'm anticipating the next book already!!

My jaw literally dropped. Multiple times.

Dance of Shadows is the sequel to Sons of Darkness, but it's a parallel story in that most of it takes place at the same time as the events of the first book, only we follow different characters. Before I go any further, I just want to acknowledge that a) I don't typically read adult epic fantasy, so any confusion on my part may be the result of that and b) I just started a semester at school, which may also play a role in my comprehension of certain parts of this book. I wanted to throw that out there so you can take this review with a grain of salt.
I think I preferred this book to the first, and the main reason is that it follows one of my favorite story structures: the characters are all split up at first but come together by the end. There are so many moving plotlines it can be hard to follow at times. Mati (yes, the same pirate princess) and her appointed knight, Dantavakra (yes, Shishupal's womanizing brother) are supposed to be traveling for diplomatic reasons. Karna finds Marzana, a dancer who may just save his life. Nala, Masha, and Parshuram embark on a journey to save the world. Vahura is simply a bookworm princess searching for a way to save her sister. I can't say much more without dropping spoilers, but the last 20% of the book was incredibly shocking in a variety of different ways and I don't know if I'll ever recover. My main issue was that the pacing dragged at some points, and yet at other times I was confused as to how characters had progressed from place to place so quickly.
I also enjoyed the characters from this book way more than the first. I also appreciated that they are all morally complex and there's not really any character who doesn't do things you'll disagree with at some point. I found Mati's chapters very enjoyable (they had a fair amount of action), but she's also just a fun narrator. I didn't like Dantavakra at first, but by the end, he was probably one of my top three characters (we love the noble knight types). I didn't care much for Karna and Marzana's sections, mostly because they were the most "romance" heavy. While Nala was my favorite in the first book, she kind of annoyed me in this one...mostly because her role of favorite was usurped by Taksha. Taksha was, hands down, my favorite character and I can't really explain why. I didn't care much for Masha again, especially with the dynamics between her, Nala, and Taksha that left me with mild secondhand embarrassment. I also didn't love Vahura, which was surprising because I usually love characters similar to her. I did love Vauri, though.
Fans of Sons of Darkness will not be disappointed by this stunning sequel, Dance of Shadows, and its epic scale, rich worldbuilding, and fascinating characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!

3.5/5

This was completely different from book 1
As someone familiar with the Mahabharata, I was expecting book 2 to continue from book 1's storyline but events here take place during book 1's timeline. We have new characters and some returning. They are all well written. The pacing does take time to catch up especially around the 20-30% mark but it's never boring.

I still think it could have been slightly shorter with some random povs excluded but overall, an amazing book 2 and really delivers on the GOT meets Mahabharata tag
Can't wait for more

4.5 Stars

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. I have been waiting for this book since I finished reading the 1st book. I haven't finished reading the whole book but again it's a long read and am loving each page of it. So far it's everything I was hoping from the book and the author. be aware, it is very graphic and gruesome and is not for everyone. Will update the review once finished the book but its fantastic

My first review of 2025 and it’s a five star. A solid-omg-wtf-I-need-therapy-over-fictional-characters kinda ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It would be encouraging to start off year with an articulate review, but Mohanty has rendered me stunned. After that last 25%, it felt like I just stepped outside of a tornado and I’m trying to comprehend the destruction.

I’ve been in this review game awhile, and my marketing background wants me to sell this book in a clever, charming way. But this book hangover prevents me to doing it with pizzazz.

So let me land on three semi-coherent reasons why.

1. You’ve read Sanderson. Or some other outrageous George R. R. Martin-level ish. Now you are ready for your next wordy Iron Man. Note, this series isn’t complete, but I still recommend joining the party now, because there is a lot to unpack in each book.
2. I’d argue Mohanty is one of the funniest high fantasy authors I’ve read. Which feels ironic for how dark this ish is. 😅
3. For people that think fantasy book series have “book slumps”- Even I sometimes dread reading book 2’s or 3’s because I hold a previous book on a pedestal. I think it’s safe to say Mohanty crushes this theory with all signs of not slowing down.

I’m here for you after you read this series. You may need to talk to someone (or scream into an abyss). Better yet, highly recommend securing this series as your next fantasy book club read. (I loved the audio for book 1, too!)

Book 2 is due out 25 February 2025

TY NetGalley for this much anticipated ARC.

eARC Review: Dance of Shadows by Gourav Mohanty 🐘

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! 🤯😳🥲😍

Okay, I got that out of my system so now for some coherent thoughts. This book exceeded and completely ANNIHILATED my expectations for a sequel. The action, the characters, the gore, THE PLOT?? Mohanty, you are a wicked genius for what you did here because my heart is deceased with something like depressed giddiness. 🤪

This plot runs parallel to the events of Sons of Darkness. There are new characters who join the already known cast of Duryodhan, Karna, and Mati. As with the first book, I loved all the characters in all their wickedly flawed glory, but the ones that stood out to me the most were the librarian princess, Vahura; the immature knight, Dantavarka; and again, poor Karna. 🏹

Karna is DRAGGED through the mud in this book and man I just wanted him to be happy for just one blissful second (and even that was viciously ripped from him). Vahura is a wonderfully naive but incredibly booksmart princess that I was cheering for the entire plot only to be cruelly reminded that this is a grim dark fantasy and happiness doesn’t exist. And Dantavarka. . . Oh you sweet summer child. His progression towards maturity was not only very well done in my opinion, but what he got at the end of the book? I’m gonna need a few days to just process it all. 😮‍💨

But seriously though, the last 35% of the book had me in a chokehold and I think I was repeatedly and distressingly saying “no” and “ah, what the hell man?!” the entire time I was reading and for five minutes after I finished the epilogue. As much as I would to recommend this to ALL readers out there, this is not for faint of heart or for people out there looking for a bit of “light/cozy reading.” If you’re looking for wonderfully flawed individuals, gore-core and an epic fantasy inspired by Hindu belief and the Mahabharata, then go pick this up NOW! 🗡️

Bowing at the feet of Head of Zeus and NetGalley for accepting my request to be traumatized with this INCREDIBLE sequel. And to Mohanty: WHEN IS BOOK 3 COMING?! 🥺

Shout out also goes to @lookmairead and @ladymairreads for being amazing buddies to scream with on StoryGraph. Here’s to trying to chase this high in another book. 🥂

Publication date: February 25!!

Overall: EASILY 5/5 ⭐️

Dance of Shadows is a dark and vivid reimagining of ancient India, weaving a tale of war, ambition, and fate. Packed with morally gray heroes, political intrigue, and a lush, atmospheric setting, it’s an epic where peace is but the prelude to chaos. Gourav Mohanty masterfully balances humor, heart, and havoc, delivering a story that is brutal, mythic, and utterly captivating. A must-read for fans of immersive, high-stakes fantasy.

This book was a wild ride. It’s one of those stories that throws you right into a sprawling world full of intrigue, danger, and complicated characters, and it doesn’t let up. The Tree Cities of the East, where most of the action happens, feel alive with their mix of politics, corruption, and desperate ambitions.

What I really enjoyed was how layered the story is. There’s a pirate-queen stuck in a cage (both literal and metaphorical), a temple-courtesan caught between duty and her heart, and even a librarian who decides stealing is the only way to save the world. Add to that a deaf swordswoman, lovesick princes, and immortal assassins—it’s a lot, but somehow it all fits together in this chaotic, fascinating way.

The pacing wobbled in places, especially with so many perspectives to follow, but once things clicked, I was hooked. The tension builds steadily, and when the stakes finally boil over, it’s worth it. There’s also something refreshing about how messy the characters are—not everything they do is noble or wise, and that makes them feel more real.

This is definitely a book for readers who love big, ambitious fantasy with plenty of twists and moral gray areas. The themes of love, loyalty, and ambition are woven throughout, and while the story doesn’t shy away from darkness, it’s balanced with moments of hope and humanity.

Overall, a solid 4 stars. It’s not a light read, but if you’re in the mood for something epic and a little unconventional, it’s worth picking up.

An excellent dark fantasy that puts a new and exciting spin on the Mahabharata! Definitely recommended to any fans of A Song of Ice and Fire and of Indian literary epics! Thank you to NetGalley and to Bloomsbury USA for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

As a big fan of SON OF DARKNESS I was absolutely thrilled to receive the ebook of this sequel! It was wonderful and everything I hoped, and I cannot wait for the opportunity to buy a hardcover with sprayed edges that will match the first one.

The magical heist, pending war looming on the horizon, and fantasy environment was so rewarding and fun to live in during this read.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This series is vicious, bloodthirsty and I just love the ride. Definatly for the people whom like John Gwen or Christopher buelman I love the dark Fantasy