Song of the Asunam
From the book
It was filled with mythical monstrosities and notes on how to hunt them. Vetri was going to be the greatest hunter in the village, even better than his grandmother!
MY THOUGHTS
A graphic novel is that magical blend of story and illustration that instantly hooks readers and leaves them with a sense of accomplishment as they turn the final page with ease and delight. This is super exciting for me for multiple reasons — firstly, I love it when CG Salamander and Rajiv Eipe produce work together because you can feel how much fun they have had while creating the book. Secondly, I adore graphic novels because they make raising readers easy. And third, this is the start of a brand new graphic novel series! How exciting!
Song of the Asunam is set in a sleepy South-Indian village where man, strange animals, and monsters coexist. Vetri, a boy from this village, spends his days learning about these fantastic animals and how to hunt them. He dreams of being the greatest hunter that ever lived! One day, he spots a fantastical creature – an Asunam. This large dragon-esque creature, whose body is covered in colourful, shimmering scales, swoops down on the village, causing havoc and scaring the villagers. Vetri knows this is his moment to shine and runs to capture the Asunam but soon realises that the Asunam was not there to hunt; he was only confused and scared. The rest of the book follows Vetri’s journey deep into the forests to reunite the Asunam with his family. A heartwarming tale of friendship and courage.
This new series is every bit as stunning as the Maithili and the Minotaur books—another fantastical collaboration by the same talented duo. I love that they’ve teamed up again to craft an entirely fresh series centered around mythical creatures, this time aimed at readers aged 10 and up. CG Salamander’s deep fascination with mythical beings and his meticulous research—evident in Makaras and Manticores—shine through once more. I can’t wait to discover which creatures will come to life in the upcoming books!
I’ve always been a huge fan of Rajiv Eipe’s illustrations of nature, and in this book, he brings breathtaking spreads of the forest. The rainbow-coloured Asunam is larger than life in every sense, and he brings that wow factor to the page. I think (and I could be wrong) his illustrations of fantastical creatures are believable because he adds that one element that conjures up an actual animal, making us believe that these mythical creatures could exist.
If you are trying to raise a reader, or if your child is into art and illustrations, or even if they enjoy a good storyline — get this book. It is perfect for a lazy summer afternoon read.
If you think your child would enjoy this book, you can buy it here →
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