A Spark of White Fire

Celestial Trilogy, Book 1

De: Sangu Mandanna

Narrado por: Soneela Nankani

Named one of the best 25 space opera books by BookRiot!

The first book in a sci-fi retelling of the Mahabharata. When Esmae wins a contest of skill, she sets off events that trigger an inevitable and unwinnable war that pits her against the family she would give anything to return to.

In a universe of capricious gods, dark moons, and kingdoms built on the backs of spaceships, a cursed queen sends her infant daughter away, a jealous uncle steals the throne of Kali from his nephew, and an exiled prince vows to take his crown back.

Raised alone and far away from her home on Kali, Esmae longs to return to her family. When the king of Wychstar offers to gift the unbeatable, sentient warship Titania to a warrior that can win his competition, she sees her way home: She’ll enter the competition, reveal her true identity to the world, and help her famous brother win back the crown of Kali.

It’s a great plan. Until it falls apart.

Inspired by the Mahabharata and other ancient Indian stories, A Spark of White Fire is a lush, sweeping space opera about family, curses, and the endless battle between jealousy and love

©2018 Sangu Mandanna (P)2021 Recorded Books

Weaves Hindu mythology & sci-fi!

Love how the book creates a whole universe like a good sci-fi and blends references to Hindu mythology without being laborious.

Unbelievable Main Character

** spoilers **

I was enjoying the book most of the way through, until at some point the heroine just flips her nature of caring about the fate of the people around her to gamble with the fate of the world on the chance that she might get to see her mother who doesn't want to see her and abandoned her as a newborn. I understand why something was needed to advance the plot, but this was just unbelievable nonsense.

I was to stop listening right now. I probably won't, but it will make me think twice about getting any more books in the series.

Not for Me

I'm not sure if it's the written material or the way it's read, but the book was too Twilight-ish for me. I'm planning on returning it.