The Alexander Secret (The Mahabharata Quest - Book 1)

Good read

The writer has knitted together a well - researched plot. He has used various historical facts and sprinkled them with a considerable amount of fiction and imagination to wring out a nicely flavoured juice that pleasure the literary taste buds to a good extent. He has churned portions of Greek History, Ancient Indian Texts and his imagination in such a manner that the outcome does seem to be an actual fact.Even though the plot has several references to the previous book written by the author, it is independent enough to stand on its own and prove meaningful enough to a person like me who has not yet read the previous book. In fact, the book has encouraged me to lay my hands on his previous book as well and since he has left the story hanging precariously, to be continued in the next book, I am definitely looking forward to reading that as well.However, he could have put forward the story in a linear manner instead of a criss - cross manner going back and forth in time to make it an easier read.

1. Storyline is quite impressive, scientific terms are informative.2. Lot of grammatical mistakes, good editing required.3. Many of the instances are beyond realisation, more effective sequences should be tried.4. Many of the time a non science background person can’t relate the events. More generalised terms may be used.

Let's make it 3.5 as it is not as believable as one would expect it but it is certainly better than the last Mahabharat Secret that had nothing to do with Mahabharat.This one doesn't have to do anything with Mahabharat as well. Perhaps in the third. Ook we will finally see why it is called Mahabharat quest but till now nothing, except a few mentions of the book and mention of an event that is not exclusive to Mahabharat.Coming to the book itself, it was correctly paced, there were no childish puzzles and there was reason for everything that happened. It was a good thriller although it will make you laugh how easy things had been made for the protagonist.The end although lazy, is fitting to such a story and doesn't leave any major gaps.

The author, who started his career in the corporate world as a top notch business executive running businesses across the country, also has a passion for writing science fiction. His books have a peculiar blend of science with ancient historic events that evolve into a gripping page turner with sequels.Storyline:Vijay Singh, a prolific, intelligent US returned MIT student, is part of an Indo-American Task Force, that has been formed to explore the dangerous mission of a secret society called The Order, which has its origin in India thousands of years ago. He one day is suddenly visited by his ex-girlfriend Alice, a student of Archeology and expert in Hellenistic history. She narrowly escapes a murder hunt by some unknown professional killers after having discovered an ancient cube and artifacts, during the excavation of the tomb of Queen Olympias, in Greece, connected to her son Alexander’s, expedition to the East, to conquer the world. Coincidently, Vijay’s fiancée, Radha and her Indian Intelligence Bureau friend Imran, accidentally discover a secret, illegal genetic testing facility in New Delhi. This lab is later found to be controlled by the same secret members of the Order, involved in testing the effects of a dangerous bacteria and retrovirus on innocent people to make a drug that can cure all diseases and proclaim Immortality to humanity. Through this drug the Order wants to control the entire humanity, wiping off powerful Governments, across the world. The twist of the tale is that this particular bacteria and virus were found in the ‘mummy’ of Alexander centuries ago, who is said to have been infected after his consumption of a mysterious liquid in an ancient cave near the banks of Indus. This liquid is interpreted as the sweet nectar ‘amrita’, also called as secret of Eastern Gods, mentioned as that obtained through “Sagarmanthan” or “Churn of the Ocean” in the verses of ancient Indian epic Mahabharata. It is said to imbibe immortality to anyone who consumes it. But, unfortunately, Alexander could not benefit from this ‘amrit’ since he hasn’t consumed the right potion containing the retrovirus mixture. The members of the Order, kidnap Radha and force Vijay, an expert in solving riddles and clues, to follow a tedious path in present day Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, leading to several ancient caves containing this Amrit and the right mixture of the bacteria and retrovirus. Finally they gain access to the same and escape with the original samples of Amrit to test for viability, leaving Vijay and his team mates in the dark. To be continued in the next sequel.Pros: A hair-raising thriller churned with scientific facts behind the great fairy tale of SagarManthan, mentioned in the Indian epic Mahabharata. The linkage of the tale to Alexander’s motive to conquer the rest of the world after defeating Darius of Persia, is really fabulous. The author must be appreciated for his extensive research on the facts behind this great secret. The description of the human genome and the various permutations and combinations of how genetic structure could have been re-engineered thousands of years ago with the help of such bacteria and retroviruses, leaves the reader awe-struck. In fact there all chances that the reader forgets about the fiction behind the story and would have been compelled to accept the logic explained as the real fact and not as a myth. The stark realities of how science was used by our ancestors when there were no considerable equipment related to finding microscopic organisms, have been strikingly elicited. A must read book by mythological fiction lovers. Bet that they shall remember the story for a long long period in their lives.Cons: The excessive usage of medical jargon on genetics, could be difficult to understand to many non-biology students. Though there is a perfect sync between the story of Alexander’s conquest of the Eastern world and greatest Indian mythological fantasy story of Sagarmanthan mentioned in Mahabharata, there should have been some more emphasis on the Indian side. The story should have been completed in this book itself for better effects.My rating is 4 out of 5

book is a very good to read. it's very intresting to know how our ancient scriptures are facts instead of myths.

The Alexander Secret is a much better book when compared to its prequel The Mahabharata Secret. At the end of the book the author "CCD" mentions it's the first book in a series, (which according to me, should have been indicated at the beginning rather than at the end). That's the reason he gets 4 stars instead of 5. Nevertheless this book is fast paced as well as intriguing in that it keeps you guessing till you have read 60% of the book to determine what's it about. There is a lot of Science, History and Mythology thrown in at first but things get clearer as and when you proceed to read more.Would like to know more about when the remaining books in the series are coming out (no mention in the book nor on the author's website as of June 2015). If the author or the publisher come across my comment please enlighten us.

A nice NEXT BOOK to Mahabharata Secret.Just like the last book i was able to get through this book very fast . The book has very simple language and the flow is not too complicated either .You can see hints of Da Vinci codes here and there and this one too is inspired by the great Da Vinci Code.But it does better than the other copycats.The story line is good and the explanations are so close to being true that you end up believing them.The main leads are again Vijay , Colin and Radha with lots of sidekicks. The main negative is again the ORDER.This time the story starts from Greece where an excavation is ongoing and an Artifact is discovered. Alice (Vijays ex-GF) ends up in India with the artifact.The roller coaster ride starts which sees Vijay going to Afghanistan , Radha held captive and Imran getting Bombed (He survives like an Indian movie hero)The way the verses from Mahabharata are explained in context of current science is nice and i was almost believing it . The Science of the Gods Secret was little unconvincing till the author clarified it.Over all a good pacy read, I would have liked a little shorter version as i thought the book had some parts which could have been removed, and also some more mystery . For me the Mysteries were revealed too fast and abruptly.but still i am waiting for the next 2 books in the series.A whopping 4/5 from medeVil D

The story line is good and interesting and sometimes it feels like the story just drags on. But there are enough twists and turns to keep you in hook.However, the author or the publisher never told this anywhere except at the end of the book. It's the fist book of a series. When I bought this book, I thought I was buying a novel which would end with the last page. I feel as a person buying this book, I should have the right to know if I want to be invested in a book series.

The story is paced well and at no point I found it boring or dragging. This is the second book I have read from this author and his books have been the best mythology thrillers I have read so far.

This book is quite a a read and the excitement ends there. It is well written and carries through the story very well. However, it is very predictive at times and makes one want to skip a few para. The ending could have been more complete and yet setting a bridge to the next series. This book is like an incomplete adventure. The book is however well written and keeps the reader engaged and the plot is also exciting. Recommended read for the teens and those who love adventures.

I just finished this book, but am disappointed! Mr Doyle, thinks he is writing some 'real suspense story, trying to relate the world renown epic Mahabharata, to the history of Alexander the Great and the present day geography of the general area! But he miserably fails, in my opinion, since there is no realism in his story telling! He has used 'bombastic' language to describe medical science which a common reader can't follow!Also,he has tried to copy the 'Clifton Chronicles' of Jeffry Archer, by trying to extend his story to some more books 'yet to follow'! But he has left no 'suspense' or 'anxiousness' in the minds of readers to follow up! I, for one, am not interested in buying the next book!