Book Alert: The Simoqin Prophecies

It just looks like a bad Terry Pratchett rip-off, and worse, it has terrible back-cover blurb. Yet, exploring beyond the tackiness, you will find 1) a really interesting plot with several unexpected twists, 2) a lot of F&SF in-jokes which manage to parody a wide range of targets without spoiling the plot or making it look like a bad Terry Pratchett rip-off, 3) one of those almost-familiar worlds which teases by its difference from the familiar.

Features: two main heroes, one of who is amnesiac (Kirin), and one of who is a prince (Asvin); one heroine, who to her credit chooses wisely (Maya); one secret agent/assassin which should have a book to itself (the Silver Dagger - note the deliberate lack of gender); Indian mythology creatively interpreted (although not as coolly as in Zelazny's Lord of Light); something like a Pratchett version of Bollywood, but cleverly done; disturbing geography; perverse humour; and some genuine philosophy.

It's an excellent read, and if you look at the bottom of the back cover, the price is given in rupees, not US$. That's a major marketing advantage...