In this brilliantly written debut novel, Siddharth Sarma brings to vivid life a little-known slice of history from the time of World War II in Asia.

The time when the Imperial Japanese Army, undefeated everywhere on the Asian mainland, finally invades British India through the east.

A fortnight before the main invasion, an ambitious and amoral Japanese officer orders the massacre of a village of the Ao Naga tribe.

Among those killed is Uti, grandson of the eldest Ao chief.

Gojen Rajkhowa was Uti's best friend. When Uti's grandfather declares a private war against the Japanese, Gojen resolves to journey to Kohima, where the battle for 'The Stalingrad of the East' has just begun.

There, within the heart of the battle which will turn the tide of World War II in Asia, he goes to seek the man who took the best part of his life from him.

His quest will take him beyond the edge of his familiar world, through mist and smoke and an ancient Naga legend, into the unknown.