Author: Shivran86

Introduction -

Title: When I came across the word Kāmā, the first thing that I could connect it with was sin. Because that is how most people are directed to feel. Be it Indra's Kāmā for Ahalya or that of Raavana's for Sita, but what we fail to realize that it is one of the four principles that bind the human life. No one really educates that Kāmā isn't the mistake here. The people who malign it are. Kudos to you for choosing such an ambiguous and well fitting title! And the moment I read the last chapter, the concept aligned in order. Kāmā indeed precedes Liberation and Rudra is its best example!

Cover: The cover was fab! Beautiful and intricate. And the correlation of the snake with the emotion of Kāmā was beautiful. Loved the imagery! But I won't be doing justice to my role as a reviewer if I said that the cover had reached its limit. For such an intricate and beautiful story, I think there is more scope for the cover. Its just my opinion though.

Blurb: Blurb is said to be the window to the story. It either attracts readers or repels them. And I must say you have done a great job with it. 'The Four' delicately showcases the mystery in the plot while the supernatural forces bring the ambiguity. Just a small thing I want to say - I, as a reader, don't like reading short forms. Like MC's for Main Characters. It's not something that is worth mentioning, but I thought that it's a necessary thing to say.

Summary -

A curse. It was what that has ruined the lives of millions. From Memory Loss to death, there were many consequences that were a part of the course of fate. With the message that from love and Kāmā comes liberation, the story is an astounding narration of the rediscovery of love between the two couples Aryām - Nādirā and Rudra - Pasha and Indumalā

Analysis and Evaluation -

Characters: I have no words to describe the beauty of the characters. Beautifully carved out!

Āryamnā - the gentle yet fierce soul who had to face obstacles far greater than any noble man should have. But again, these circumstances are what make him noble. Ishvarā - the mischievous princess who lost her memories as a consequence of the same plague that made many miserable. Yet, with her spirituality, she rides to the position of the priestess. Rudra - The Rājan who lost the reason for his life due to the plague and became a slave to many addictions. But slowly, he rediscovers god and comes back to fulfill his duty as the Ansh of Shiva. Indumalā - the young, funny, naughty and rowdy daughter of the Senapathi who creates her own identity by rising ranks as the King's Rakshak.

But, the side characters, which break or make the story, are, I felt, a bit underrated. Especially Dilrōbar, Shitalaa, Mātārāj and Muriel. I mean, maybe they have a bigger role in the next books in the series, but I felt like these could have been more descriptive.

Plot: Firstly, I have to say. Cheers to you for skillfully moulding such an amazing storyline! Any words of appreciation I say aren't enough.

But as a reviewer, my first and sole job is to help you become better. So I'd like to point out a few things that I think would make you book even more amazing.

A few parts in the story flow were a bit confusing. I mean I can understand that a few topics were left untouched to cover them up in the next books of the series. But a few things like -
Or the beloved daughter of the late queen but born of a Veshya
I understand that you want to keep the suspense intact but it was confusing when I first read it. I feel like it could have been better phrased. Maybe like - The beloved adopted daughter of the late queen but apparently believed to be born of a Veshya.
This is just my advice though.
I just felt like the ending of the story was a bit rushed. Dilrōbar's character could have been more strong and the Māyā more emphasized.
I felt like there were a few gaps in the story flow. A few things I found too far from reality to be believed. Mainly Āryamnā and Ishvarā's relationship. It felt like it took off too long for them to consummate their relationship, an year to be precise. When they are married and have such an amazing chemistry.
I'd also love to know a reference about how the first few years after the curse. How things got the way they are. I mean I know that they will come in the other books, but a little insight about it here would have been great, I feel.

Grammar and Vocabulary: I honestly have no qualms about the vocabulary. It was diverse and intense! And the grammar was amazing too. But there were a few errors which can easily be corrected. But I'd like to emphasize on Punctuation

Eg: So she came to him, to grace the home of forgotten souls like Ranavato "the veshya", and the secret abode of Gandhārvi.
The inverted commas here, usually used for conversations. I mean a single inverted comma would make this less confusing.

And no space after the second inverted comma after conversations make things all the more suffocating, if I can say.

Usage of capital letters unnecessarily at parts was also a concern.

Though these errors are not very big or major, I'm intimating you because there are no major things in your story that I felt need to be changed or added or removed. Correcting these few errors would also make the story closer to perfection!

Sensory flow: It was in pace which made the story even more enjoyable. But there are regions where they can be emphasized. Like the helplessness and fear of Ishvarā while she had to conceal her secret of forgetting her past. Or Aryām's sad happiness (if that makes sense) when he realized that his wife is in fact Indumalā's mother. (I am trying very hard not to give out spoilers😶)

Descriptions and Detailing: The descriptions were absolutely amazing. Be it the physical appearance of Rudra, or Indu's avatar as Shakti, or well, just almost everything. Great job!

Conclusion:

'Kāmā: Liberation' is one of the best books I read on Wattpad. I am a fan! Reading such an amazing Historical Fantasy is like finding a gem in an ocean of concrete stone (Lol! My amazing brain and it's historic comparisons!) It is an amazing story which I believe will reach great heights with a little tweaking.

Suggestions: Here are a few suggestions that aren't already mentioned earlier which I think would make your book even amazing.
Instead of putting up fan art at the start of the book, add it either at the end of the chapter or at the last of the book. This is because putting it up at the front is giving out a few spoilers and also because people may actually not appreciate it and skip directly to the story or the smaller group of readers might even quit the book before starting it because it has so many pages even before the story starts....
And the glossary, you did an amazing job by compiling it at one place. For readers familiar with such customs as in the book, it's easy to connect and understand it. So skimming through it once  is enough but for those who aren't, it'll be hard for them to come back every time in between the chapters and look for the meaning. Things wouldn't have been complicated if this were a physical book. But because it's an e book people think it's laborious to shuffle between the chapters so many times. My suggestion is you also mention the meaning of a complicated new word or a custom even at the chapter end.
These are just suggestions though....

In conclusion, I only want to say that you and your book - Both are absolutely amazing!

Anything else, PM me or comment after tagging me.

Regards,
Sanjana
virtueme01 ❤️