A Lion's Head
An asura completes his divine mandate only to receive a god-turned-demon’s wrath.
Finalist for the 2025 Canadian Science Fiction & Fantasy Association Aurora Prix for Young Adult Fantasy.
"A smartly plotted, 'myths and legend' adventure for young adults." — Wishing Shelf Book Awards
A HEAVEN TURNED INTO A HELL: Thousands of years before the common era, the greater gods evacuated humans to the immortal asura realm as rapidly shifting continents reshaped the mortal realm. One hundred years later, the asura, led by a tyrannical king, want the human inhabitants gone from their realm.
PROTECTOR OF THE PEOPLE: Isha, a guardian spirit from the mortal realm, binds himself in service to the invincible Asura King in the hope of a safe passage for his mortals to go home. Unknown to him, the greater gods have tasked a hero, the lion-headed Sinha—aided by three unlikely human companions—to defeat the King.
ONE WILL BECOME A DEMON, AND ONE A GOD.
Available in eBook, Paperback, Hardcover & Audiobook
Editorial Review
"A smartly plotted, 'myths and legend' adventure for young adults."
— The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards reader feedback:
Publication Details
Author: D.M. De Alwis
Publisher: Ahasae Tharu Publishing
Pub Date: September 9, 2025
Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Paperback ISBN: 978-1069401878
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1069666000
ASIN: B0FMJTR9G1
The Samsara Universe
A Lion's Head
The journey begins with Sinha's divine mandate and the wrath that follows.
Enter the Cycle →
A Lion's Pride
Sinha's mission to find his pride in the mortal realm.
Read the Conclusion →
Full Editorial Review by The Wishing Shelf Book ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"A smartly plotted, 'myths and legend' adventure for young adults." Wishing Shelf Book Awards
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our 15 readers thought:
- 9 would read another book by this author.
- 6 thought the cover was good or excellent.
- 15 felt it was easy to follow.
- 9 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
- Of all the readers, 10 felt the author's strongest skill was 'plotting a story'.
- Of all the readers, 2 felt the author's strongest skill was 'developing the characters'.
- Of all the readers, 3 felt the author's strongest skill was 'writing style'.
- 10 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
- 9 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers' Comments
"I think this will be the first book of a set. I enjoyed it. It's got a 'mythical' feel to it. I didn't like the cover much as it looks sort of boring. But I liked the story." Boy, aged 13
"Isha is the best character as he develops the most in the story. If you enjoy adventure books, I think you'll probably like this." Girl, aged 13
"It's not a very long novel, but that's okay. I liked the writing style. The beginning is slow, but the second half is better. If you enjoy myths and legends in school, this book is for you." Girl, aged 15
"Liked the plot. That was the best part." Boy, aged 14
"This is what I'd call a good fantasy story. But it' not a wow book. You know when you read a book that's so original, it's amazing - like Harry Potter or THGs. This book isn't so original. It's a myths and legends novel which is okay, but I couldn't relate to the character like, say, Katniss Everdeen. It lacks a character YA can root for and relate to." Girl, aged 15
"I felt the title was a bit off putting; it didn't pull me in. The writing style is good though. Will they defeat the king? There was good suspense. I'd read the second book. I'll try and get hold of a copy and see what happens next." Boy, aged 15
What readers are saying from Goodreads,
The Pawn of Samsara Duology
A king is hell-bent on destroying the universe. Isha's pact with the tyrant grants safe passage for his people to go home. But everything goes wrong for him when the gods unleash their champion.