It can lead you to be denied company, services, opportunities or…get you into trouble. It can offer you privileges, or give you something to be concerned about depending on whom you’re dealing with.

It’s never talked about in a taboo way or anything to be ashamed of, per se, but rather an accepted reality of all people’s lives. South Asian readers will see and, more importantly, feel many similarities while also noticing a breath of new fresh air in how some cultural things are changed, interpreted, and play roles in daily life.įor most people, caste plays a huge role and is part of normal life. The First Binding primarily takes place in the Mutri Empire (book one, at least), which is an analog of South Asia if it had been birthed in another world with different origin myths behind it, and allowed to evolve to the current state it’s in. Q: Tell us about your latest novel, The First Binding: the world where it takes place, and the people who inhabit that world. His family is still coping with this decision a decade later. Instead, he decided to chase his dream of being an author.

He’s offended a long list of incalculable ancestors by choosing to drop out of college and not pursue one of three pre-destined careers: a lawyer, doctor, engineer. He was born and raised in Northern Virginia and is a first generation Indian-American with all the baggage that comes with. He is the author of two urban fantasy series, The Grave Report, and The Books of Winter. VIRDI is a two-time Dragon Award finalist and a Nebula Award finalist.

Grave Measures by R.R. Virdi