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ratings: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: Fiction / Mythology / Hindu Literature / Spiritual Fiction

Book Review:
Preetha Rajah Kannan's ''Hounds of Shiva'' is a luminous and captivating collection of stories from the rich tradition of Shaivite devotion. The book brings to life the Nayanmars—the sixty-three saints whose unwavering bhakti (devotion) to Lord Shiva has inspired millions for centuries. These are not gentle, passive tales of piety; they are stories of wild, passionate, and often shocking acts of sacrifice. Kannappa tears out his own eye to offer it to his Lord; Siruthondar beheads his own son at Shiva's command; Punitavati gives up her beauty to become an emaciated ghoul. What makes these stories so compelling is the central presence of Shiva himself—a god who appears in countless disguises, testing his devotees with impossible demands, playing with them, and ultimately blessing them with his grace. Kannan's prose is elegant and vivid, bringing these ancient tales to life for a modern audience. Whether you're a believer or simply a lover of great mythology, this book is a feast for the mind and soul. A beautiful exploration of what it means to love the divine without reservation.