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Heir to Govandhara - By- Saira Ramasastry Saira Ramasastry was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey and grew up on the East Coast of the United States. She holds a B.A. in economics and classical voice and an M.S. in applied math from Stanford. She received a Churchill Scholarship and continued her graduate studies at the University of Cambridge. She is currently working as an investment banker and living with her husband in Silicon Valley. Saira's debut novel, Heir to Govandhara, was released in September 2000 to critical acclaim. It received the Merlin House Editing Company Award for best science fiction romance novel of the year, as well as many outstanding reviews. Harriet Klausner, the Senior Reviewer of Scifihaven, wrote that "the plot rivals the best of the fantasy genre yet offers a deep understanding of India's rich heritage that leaves the audience waiting for the next spin." Recently, Heir to Govandhara was honored with the prestigious Sapphire Award for best science fiction romance of the year by the Science Fiction Romance Association. The Science Fiction Romance Association is composed of primarily writers and publishers in science fiction, fantasy and romance fiction. As part of an effort to raise awareness of Science Fiction Romance, and to recognize the outstanding authors already publishing in the field, the association sponsors the Sapphire Award for the best science fiction romance of the year, with the nominees chosen and winners selected by the group.

Book Name:	Heir to Govandhara
Author:	Saira Ramasastry
Publisher:	Writers Club Press
ISBN:	0-595-13066-6
Pages:	373
Price:	US $18.95
Web:	http://www.heirtogovandhara.com

Many people have asked me why I wrote Heir to Govandhara. They speculate that I wanted to bring South Asian mythology and folklore to the forefront of fantasy fiction or that my novel was intended to explore themes in South Asian history. Unfortunately, I did not have such noble intentions. I simply wanted to write a story.

I was fortunate to have been brought up in a loving home and gifted with a beautiful heritage. My parents introduced me to the world of storytelling. I had magic, heroes, villains and fantasy in my childhood play and was always encouraged to find my own stories. I was never told that I had to stop because I was growing up.

I began writing Heir to Govandhara when I was in England attending the University of Cambridge. After spending two years in a rigorous corporate environment, I was grateful for the free time. I was also very lonely, since I had to be away from my fiancé (now husband) for the year. There was a pub just across the street that I could see out my window. Sometimes I would go there to catch a few pints with my friends after class. Sometimes I would go there to study.

On a rainy afternoon, I lugged my old laptop over to the pub and ordered a pint of pear cider. I started writing about a place and young woman that had always been a part of me. The first paragraph came quickly:

The birth of Sri had been planned for three generations by the priests and scholars of the Kasimian lands. It was known that one of the sky powers would take on a masculine form exactly one thousand moons after Varuna, the sea god, slipped from the mortal realm to sit beside Kasimi. This new power would need a proper consort to create the next link from the Kasimians to the gods, and so Sri was intended.

I decided to continue with the story, and made no demands of myself. I would go each day to the Bun Shop, have a coffee or a cider, and just write. Soon, I found myself growing very attached to my characters and needing to spend a part of each day with them. I grew to love Sri, the Queen of Kasimi, and had to write her story.

My reason for writing Heir to Govandhara is as simple as that.

I am proud to have drawn upon my heritage to create the Kingdom of Kasimi. I had not seen many plotlines in fantasy that incorporated South Asian themes, and was excited to weave a tale inside a land inspired by India. My references to Hindu scripture are intended only to help create this world, not define it.

The story is very personal to me. I have always been moved by the human experience, and the strength we find in ourselves. The tale focuses on a young Queen who must struggle to lead her people and define herself in a place where the rules of the gods are final. She was born to her role as wife to the next King and god, and finds herself trapped by the unfortunate circumstances of her position and the expectations of her kingdom. Despite her birth, she finds the strength to rise above the life that was set for her.

There is nothing I am trying to prove through Heir to Govandhara. There was a story in my heart that I wanted to share. There is tremendous beauty in the South Asian tradition, and I hope to bring the reader closer to it.

For everyone who opens her heart to Govandhara -- may the journey be worthwhile.

Review of Heir to Govandhara

Sri begins her quest to find her husband and King by traveling to the home of her murdered family to put her past to rest. While she is searching through her deserted father's house, she notices a boy about her age. Immediately, she feels love for him and knows that he is the next King and god of Kasimi. They recite the miracle together, but when he turns out to be her fraternal twin Marici, there is political upheaval. The Isles reject Marici's claim to the throne. Marici grows furious and uses magic to create an endless storm in the night sky that destroys the Isles.

With the help of Goane's Priest Devyn, Sri saves the people of the Isles. She leaves Marici and flees to Goane where she finds love with Devyn. They make a life together and have a daughter that Marici wants as his heir. The King will do anything to bring Sri and her daughter back to Govandhara.

Heir to Govandhara is one of the first fantasy novels to incorporate themes from South Asian mythology and literature. Ramasastry draws upon her Indian heritage to create a land of mystery and warmth in Kasimi. She masterfully weaves poems from Hindu scripture into the storytelling, which adds a level of depth to her writing. This is a refreshing addition to the fantasy genre which has traditionally relied on medieval Europe for its plotlines.

Although this is a fantasy novel, the characters become real people that surround the reader. This is achieved in Ramasastry's humble and descriptive writing style that makes it easy for the reader to join the story in Govandhara. She keeps the reader in each page by daring to remain true to a tragic storyline.

This is Ramasastry's debut novel, and the writing style reflects her youth. There are some rough edges that will improve with future novels. But, there is an unusual understanding of the human experience in her story that is both moving and beautiful. Heir to Govandhara leaves the reader waiting eagerly for the next movement in a compelling journey.

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