Arjun Shaji’s new novel “The Four Horsemen” is straight out of a fantasy video game but with a lot of sparkles from the classic literary works. If you are a gaming enthusiast who loves to solve mysteries and at the same time allude to the great writers, every single time you do so, then this book will become the apple of your eye. 

The novel starts with three friends boarding a train ready to visit a castle as a part of their day out. However in the train is a black box, which holds the cards to their fate. On picking up the cards the three friends are transported into another reality, a virtual reality. What’s interesting to note here is the choice of the card which the characters make unintentionally but end up with having a very significant effect on their journey ahead. 

Deekshit’s Journey

Deekshit on picking up a card with famine from the deck is transported to 1798 in the land of the ancient mariner. The author has very beautifully incorporated the world famous classic poetry written by S.T. Coleridge titled “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, and used it as a foundation for the character’s journey. The poem deals with the story of a captain who kills an albatross without knowing the consequences of doing so. As the setting of the poem also suggests, the author has incorporated the fantastical and the mystical elements of crocodiles, dark sky, and vast expansive sea in his narrative. Just like a video game the author has put various clues and tips throughout the narrative to help the character as well as the reader tell deeper into the story of the mariner. 

What may seem a simple narrative of Deekshit being the mariner in the land turns out to be a completely out of the box experience for both the character and the reader. Straying away from the expected plot the author chooses to make the sheet the albatross on the last ship which is stuck in the sea because of an iceberg. However this is where the author’s excellency comes into play. The author has not only used the allusion of the Rime of the Ancient Mariner but has involved various other myths and stories which are red by the people usually in schools and early days of their higher education. 

The author chooses the story of Icarus and puts his character on the same pedestal and thus giving him the symbolic characteristic of the albatross but the physical attribute of the man with wings. The story unfolds with various other allusions, like that of Homer’s epic Odyssey, Robert Frost’s Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening, etc. The writing is lucid and easy to comprehend with the use of vernacular language that makes the characters relatable. 

The title of the chapters give a fine and interesting touch to the narrative which makes the reader guess the mystery of the story he’s delving into. However, at times the reader might find the allusions and details too confusing if they do not have a background to reading already. Even though the writer has tried to incorporate the context to everything he has quoted, it may become tiresome for the reader and he may not be able to enjoy the complete essence of the stories because of their limited reading knowledge.

About Book

Dive into the Enigmatic World of “The Four Horsemen”

Join Aaryan, Janaki, and Deekshith as they unwittingly embark on a journey far beyond their imagination after discovering a mysterious black box that thrusts them into the roles of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Their playful camaraderie turns into a desperate quest for survival and understanding when they are swept into a whirlwind of cursed realms, battling not only for their own lives but for the fate of worlds beyond their comprehension.

From the icy grips of a cursed ship to the magical land of Narnia, each friend faces their unique trials, guided by cryptic prophecies and the haunting parallels of classic tales twisted into their terrifying realities. As Aaryan grapples with the weight of conquest, and Janaki confronts her lineage in a Narnia unrecognizable from her father’s stories, their paths are fraught with challenges that test their courage, resolve, and the strength of their bonds.

But can they decipher their roles in time to avert the apocalypse they’re foretold to bring? As the lines between ally and enemy blur, and the true nature of their quest emerges, “The Four Horsemen” offers a gripping tale of adventure, sacrifice, and the quest for identity amidst a battle that spans the fabric of reality itself.

Will they unravel the mystery of the black box and fulfil their destinies, or will their journey end as mere pawns in a game far greater than they ever imagined?

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About Author

Arjun Shaji is the author of “The Four Horsemen”, his second published work. Following the success of his debut paperback” The Beat Of My Heart” he continues to make a mark in the literary world. Hailing from the city of Kollam, Arjun Shaji is a permanent resident in the UK. He is also the co-founder of SAR study abroad, a company with an office in Hyderabad. Arjun Holds a masters degree in creative writing and has received numerous awards for his storytelling and poetry. Additionally, he is set to make his debut in script writing for an english theatre production of “Peter Pan” which will be performed at the Globe theatre, the oldest theatre in England, next summer.