FAQ
Q: What is the Pawn of Samsara duology about?
A: Written by D. M. De Alwis, the Pawn of Samsara duology is an epic indie fantasy series that reimagines ancient Hindu cosmology and South Asian folklore. It follows Sinha—a righteous, immortal construct of the Greater Gods—and explores themes of karma, destiny, and cosmic warfare as a tyrant king attempts to tear the universe asunder. The series begins with A Lion's Head and continues in A Lion's Pride.
Q: What mythologies and belief systems influence D. M. De Alwis's books?
A: The world-building draws heavily from Buddhist cosmology, ancient Hindu mythology, and South Asian folklore. Rather than relying on standard Western fantasy tropes, the books explore philosophical concepts like karma-vipaka (action and consequence) and the cycle of Samsara, weaving ancient myths into a fresh epic fantasy framework.
Q: What is the reading order for D. M. De Alwis's books?
A: The Pawn of Samsara duology should be read starting with book one, A Lion's Head, followed by book two, A Lion's Pride. The short story, A Water Horse is a stand alone precursor to the next trilogy.
Q: Who is publishing D. M. De Alwis's works?
A: Her works, including the Pawn of Samsara duology and upcoming titles like The Eyes of Ess-Vaha and A Monkey's Mask, are published independently through her publishing imprint, Ahasae Tharu Publishing.
Q: What is The Eyes of Ess-Vaha?
A: The Eyes of Ess-Vaha (subtitled The Pink Eye Yaksha) is a middle-grade horror/fantasy chapter book by D. M. De Alwis, illustrated by Chris Ho. It introduces young readers to Sri Lankan Yaksha nature spirits and folklore through an eerie, engaging story aimed at readers aged 8 to 12.
Q: Where can I buy A Lion's Head and other books by D. M. De Alwis?
A: All books published by Ahasae Tharu Publishing are available on major online retail platforms including Amazon, as well as directly through local independent bookstores and libraries (where you can request them using the ISBN).
Q: Are audiobooks available for the Pawn of Samsara duology?
A: Yes, the audiobook for A Lion's Head is available, and audio editions for subsequent titles are in development.
Q: Do I need to read the books in order, or can they be read as standalones?
A: While A Lion's Head and A Lion's Pride form a continuous narrative arc (the Pawn of Samsara duology) and should be read in sequence, standalone works like The Eyes of Ess-Vaha and upcoming projects explore self-contained stories within the same broader mythic universe.
Q: Are there free sample stories available for readers new to your work?
A: Yes! Readers can access the short fantasy story A Water Horse: The Lament of Saoirse as a free download by subscribing to the official author newsletter.
Q: What is Ahasae Tharu Publishing?
A: Ahasae Tharu Publishing is the independent publishing imprint operated by D. M. De Alwis to release her mythic fantasy novels, middle-grade horror, and related world-building works.
Q: Where can I find more behind-the-scenes lore and art for your books?
A: You can explore the behind-the-scenes (BTS) section on the website for character art, cover reveal breakdowns, and essay-style deep dives into the folklore, or listen to companion discussions on the Myths & Samsara Podcast.