Silver Birch Fiction Award, Forest of Reading
(May 2009)
The Third Eye - Tara Trilogy 1
Formats: E-Book, Paperback
Ages: 8-11
How will Tara escape the malevolent gaze of the Third Eye?
In a village haunted by disappearances, Tara alone sees the truth behind the healer Zarku's sinister magic. With her family missing and danger lurking, she must summon her courage and enlist divine help to uncover the mysteries of the Third Eye before it claims her too.
★ Winner of the Silver Birch Fiction Award
The Tara Trilogy is a spellbinding middle-grade fantasy adventure steeped in the rich tapestry of Indian mythology, culture, and folklore. When an evil healer, Zarku, threatens to destroy everything she holds dear, young Tara must summon every ounce of courage, resilience, and determination to stop him. With danger lurking at every turn, she embarks on an epic journey to protect her loved ones and uncover the hidden strength within herself. A story of bravery, heart, and the timeless fight between good and evil, this trilogy will captivate readers and transport them to a world filled with magic and wonder.
Reviews
"A wonderful fantasy with a Hindu Flavour. This is a fairy tale, a myth, and a quest fantasy, set in an Indian village, all rolled into one."
"The tone of the story feels like reading a fairytale with the wicked stepmother and two siblings lost in the forest searching for a parent. Mahtab Narsimhan places a unique spin on this concept, creating something delightfully original. The setting weaves between the village and the forest with each serving a specific purpose for how Tara’s journey moves forward. The forest adds to the subtle fairytale aesthetic with monsters and riddles. Narsimhan introduces various antagonists that the two siblings have to face, from their stepfamily to Zarku with his third eye and real monsters like a python. Elements of mythology are brought to life with subtle inclusions such as the Vetalas which adds richness to the story and helps to create this amazing world. The lovely writing is drawn from vivid details and succeeds in creating a story that makes The Third Eye enjoyable for all ages."
"In some places it gets so scary that a shiver runs down my spine. There are a lot of surprises and the book is filled with adventure and chills. Mahatab Narsimhan has done a really good job giving mythology an engrossing modern plot"
