In Defense of the Realm

May 1, 2011

An info-comic wrapped in a sketchy, overloaded plotline, this historical tale chronicles a fictional clash between the ancient Indus Valley kingdoms and an invading army of Akkadians.

Pausing for frequent but largely speculative infodumps about a civilization that remains almost entirely unknown, the author, an archeologist, sends the modern-sounding prince ("Oh! I so wish I was down there") of a besieged city and his pedantic mentor on a tour. They go to neighboring Mohenjo-Daro and then Harappa, both to gather an army of allies and to marvel at the "very efficient system of regulations," the public hot baths ("Another miracle of systematic construction") and civic organization ("I have heard it is divided into three parts—a citadel and two large population centers"). Sharma leaves plenty of skin exposed as the buff, shirtless prince battles a leering traitor and then, with help from a bangle-laden dancing girl (who happens to resemble the prince's lissome but warlike betrothed), contrives to ambush the Akkadian general. Still, readers are unlikely to care much about the characters, the setting or the clumsily expressed theme that "tact can win kingdoms without much loss of blood." A closing spread of information about the mysterious Indus Valley ancients veers off into a discussion of the Rosetta Stone.

Despite occasional action sequences and all the skin, readers will be yawning. (Graphic info-novel. 11-13)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

July 1, 2011

Gr 4-8-The Akkadians of Central Iraq, hungry for new lands to conquer, have set sail for the great cities of Sind, in what is now southern Pakistan. Prince Meluha and his teacher Chandrayaan are out hunting when the invaders launch their assault upon Meluha's city, and so it becomes the prince's responsibility to rally the other Indus Valley cities to stand together against them. There's a treasonous minister, a poison ring, a beautiful princess, ambush, and even a dance number, all drawn in a heroic comic realist style, using glowing, brilliant colors-golds, olives, rich purples. Exotically costumed royals and courtiers are distinguished visually by their headgear, hairstyles, jewelry, and facial hair as well as their features and build, giving readers a fighting chance at keeping all the Rajas straight. The smartly paced story takes an occasional breather so that the travelers have a chance to check out their magnificent surroundings, including the gigantic public baths in Mohenjo Daro and a royal funeral in Harappa. Chandrayaan explains some of the region's impressive administrative accomplishments to his princely student, injecting this fun story with a little educational content. An introduction and brief appendix make clear that while much is known about the Indus Valley civilization, much also remains tantalizingly undeciphered. In Defense of the Realm has all the drama and excitement of a Bollywood action film in graphic-novel form.-Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

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