Vishnul Jain is charting a new course in fantasy literature. This Australian-born author has written the “The Future King” series that has already captured the imagination of readers across continents, blending Arthurian legend with Hindu mythology in a way that’s fresh and deeply rooted in cultural traditions.
“As an avid mythology and history enthusiast, I was drawn to the timeless legends that have shaped human civilization. This love for mythology led me to create The Future King series, which reimagines the Arthurian legend with a fresh perspective,” says Jain.
Weaving a Tapestry of Global Mythology
Jain’s approach to fantasy is as multifaceted as the gemstones he facets. His series reimagines Arthurian legends through a kaleidoscope of world cultures. “In a literary aspect often dominated by single-culture fantasy worlds, my series breaks free from tradition,” he notes. “Chinese dragons soar through the same skies as Greek phoenixes. Hindu gods are there and so are Celtic faeries”.
This cultural fusion is the very foundation of Jain’s narrative architecture. In one chapter, readers might find Merlin consulting with Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom, while in another, King Arthur might wield Excalibur against a fearsome rogue Chinese dragon. This rich tapestry of mythologies mirrors our world’s diversity, appealing to readers from London to Mumbai, New York to Sydney.
The success of this strategy is evident in the series’ accolades. “The Future King” has garnered multiple awards, including first place in Overall Fiction, New Author Fiction, Science Fiction/Fantasy, and Young Adult Fiction at the Story Monsters Book Awards.
The Alchemy of Gemstones and Magic
What sets Jain’s work apart is its multicultural style and integration of gemstone lore into the fabric of magic. Drawing from his background as a diamantaire, he has created a magical system where colored diamonds serve as the source of power.
“In the series, colored diamonds serve as the source of magical power, each hue carrying its unique properties and abilities,” he explains. “This system is not just a flight of fancy. It is grounded in my real-world expertise with precious stones, particularly colored diamonds, which led me to establish Ace of Diamonds, Co.”
This blend of the mystical and the material adds a layer of depth to the fantasy world that resonates with readers and critics alike. The US Review of Books noted, “Jain has created a remarkable, inventive tale combining elements of two cultures with ancient traditions. His love of British & Indian history & mythology shines through the storyline, while his innovative use of gemstone lore adds a unique and captivating dimension to the magical system.”
A Message of Redemption for Modern Times
At its core, “The Future King” series is more than just another fantasy epic. It depicts a story about second chances, a theme that Jain believes is crucial today. The narrative centers on Merlin, grappling with his greatest failure, the loss of King Arthur at Camlann. For centuries, the legend of King Arthur has ended in tragedy – the once-great ruler of Camelot falling in battle at Camlann, carried away to Avalon with the promise that he would return when Britain needed him most. T.H. White captured this bittersweet tale in “The Once and Future King,” but like most Arthurian works, the story always seemed to emphasize the “once” rather than the “future.”
Enter “The Future King” series, which dares to ask: what if that ancient promise of return wasn’t just a myth? Rather than dwelling in the shadows of Camelot’s fall, this bold reimagining picks up the threads of prophecy where most tales end. Through Jain’s masterful storytelling, we finally see the “future” half of the “Once and Future King” prophecy unfold.
The series doesn’t just resurrect Arthur – it resurrects hope. While White’s classic focused on the tragic reign of a young king doomed to fall, Jain’s narrative explores what it means for a legend to rise again in a world that has moved on without him. It’s a delicate balance between honoring the timeless elements of Arthurian legend and breathing fresh life into a story that has largely been frozen in medieval amber.
What makes this continuation particularly compelling is how it transforms the weight of destiny. In the original tales, Arthur’s fate was a sword hanging over his head, leading inevitably to betrayal and ruin. But in “The Future King,” destiny becomes a door rather than a death sentence – an opportunity to rewrite the ending that history thought was set in stone.
“This is not just fantasy, rather a reminder that in our own lives, just like in the most ancient myths, the possibility of redemption is always within reach. Merlin’s journey from failure to redemption mirrors the struggles we all face in our personal and professional lives,” he explains.
This message of hope and resilience has struck a chord with readers, particularly young adults navigating an increasingly complex world. Jain’s portrayal of Merlin as a flawed, vulnerable character resonates deeply with those who have faced setbacks and are seeking the courage to try again.
Jain reflects on the journey ahead, both for his characters and for himself as an author, stating, “If I can inspire even one person to pick themselves back up, dust themselves off, and try again, then I’ve achieved something truly magical.”
His “The Future King” series presents themes of unity and hope, highlighting the influence of myth on reality and the value of second chances.
Jain offers a contemporary interpretation of Arthurian legend, with extensive world building, and deep, multifaceted characters, creating a story that addresses experiences of failure, resilience, and redemption. His work extends beyond conventional fantasy by combining various mythological traditions, developing distinctive magical frameworks, and exploring fundamental human themes to create literary connections between different cultures.
