Deep within an ancient, uncharted jungle, something stirs―something that should have remained buried. When a daring botanist disappears while uncovering its secrets, Maya, a journalist, sets out to investigate Khandav’s mysteries. But what begins as a search soon becomes a waking nightmare. ‘Khandav’ is one of those rare horror novels that instantly pulls you in and doesn’t let go. From the very first page, it builds an eerie, slow-burn suspense that wraps around your mind like jungle vines—tightening, creeping, whispering. If you’re a fan of psychological horror books, sci-fi thrillers, or mythological suspense novels, this can’t go missed.
Author: Mahesh Rajmane | Publisher: Notion Press | Genre: Horror, Science Fiction | Pages: 224
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“Behind him the jungle remained still, but the name on the sign bled in the darkness. “Khandav.” A place now marked by something ancient, something malevolent. Something that was waiting.“
The plot follows Maya, a sharp and determined journalist investigating the mysterious disappearance of Vikram, a renowned botanist in an ancient, uncharted forest in the heart of Dongarwadi. But as she steps into the jungle, reality starts to unravel. What begins as an investigation slowly becomes a surreal, nerve-wracking descent into a world where the forest is not just alive, conscious, and watching, but also sinisterly savage. The forest isn’t just the setting but also the heart and soul of the story. Then there’s Chendkai, the forgotten goddess, whose presence lingers in every shadow, every movement in Khandav. Like every good horror story, the book starts with a prelude to the historical significance of the word Khandav with relevance dating back to Mahabharata. Khandavprastha was a forest bestowed upon Pandavas eventually burnt down to build Indraprastha. For those who know this story – the plot of Khandav holds so much more intrigue and thrill.
“Books on spirits, demonology, and forgotten rituals exuded an eerie presence, their faded pages marked with cryptic annotations, in the margins. The air in the room heavier around them as if centuries of forbidden knowledge had seeped into their very fabric.“
Khandav blends supernatural horror , environmental horror, and science fiction with a mythological twist providing a scrumptious platter to lovers of horror. Each chapter starts with a quote from popular authors such as Lewis Carroll, Eliot, Tolkien, and Lovecraft, and sets the mood for the following story impeccably. The writing is captivating, settings enchanting, the details dense and layered to let your imagination run wild, and lead you astray at the slightest hint of creepiness. Readers will find themselves hooked by the slow build-up of dread with every chapter, every character. The motley crew of characters such as Maruti, Vikram, Baburao, Bhairav, Maya, Swati, Siddharth, add the necessary flavors of intrigue and fascination that this sci-fi platter demands. The characters are all well-written, and the parts they play are authentic and grounded, adding a sense of raw realism to the story. The pacing is controlled with occasional bursts of amplified drama and tension, that spikes the adrenaline rush making such moments thoroughly enjoyable. Nuances like inclusion of old Bollywood classics such as “Zindagi khwab hai” or “Jaadu teri nazar”, capture the surreal and nostalgic horror beautifully. Even though horror, the book never relies on gore or cheap scare tactics to captivate its audience. Instead, the fear is built through ideas, dialogues, and character temperaments. What stands out however, is how natural the narration feels – one feels like watching a movie unfold on the big screen than just reading off a page.
“Do you believe?” Vikram asked Baburao who was walking slightly ahead. “In what?” Baburao replied, looking over his shoulder. “All of this – God, ghosts, magic?” Vikram gestured toward the thickening jungle. Baburao nodded. “Yes, I believe. I haven’t seen anything myself, but I believe they exist.“
And then there’s the jungle itself. Khandav isn’t just a forest, but the most prominent character of the story. It waits like a predator. It’s the watcher, the doer, the omnipotent survivor. Atmospheric tension of Khandav resembles that of the Area X trilogy but with Indian cultural undertones and themes. The jungle becomes a living entity—mysterious, sacred, terrifying. The forest is symbolic of the book as a whole: familiar, yet deeply unsettling. What makes Khandav even more intriguing is the way it fuses hard science elements—like mycelium networks that connect consciousness—with themes of ancient divinity and forgotten powers. It’s a chilling reminder that sometimes the most terrifying forces in nature exist in the soil beneath our feet. It’s the kind of horror that lingers but with good intention at the end of it all. The cliffhanger end however, remains obscure until it is cast on the face like a cold splash and that finally, is the cherry on the cake!
Please note: I received an ARC from the author but the review remains unbiased.
Mahesh Rajmane is a writer, filmmaker, and storyteller with a deep passion for horror and science fiction. His works blend mythology, psychology, and cosmic horror, exploring the fragile boundary between reality and the unknown. Beyond writing, he has directed two Marathi horror films and is currently developing a horror web series. With a background in software development and a career in programming and product design, he infuses his narratives with analytical depth, crafting intricate, immersive worlds that linger long after the final page. His latest novel, Khandav, is a chilling descent into an ancient jungle where science and myth collide, unraveling a terrifying revelation. When not writing or directing, Mahesh explores philosophy, the mysteries of the universe, and the evolving landscape of horror storytelling across different mediums. Follow his journey and explore exclusive horror content on his YouTube channel, @horroflux666.
