Xavier de Montenin (1823–1902) is the author of more than 60 adventure novels translated in Russia, which have not been published in Russia over the past 75 years. A master of fascinating intrigue, dynamic plots, and skillfully constructed dialogue, he transfers the action of his works to an unusual setting. Most often, this is the world of Parisian bohemia, hospital wards, gloomy dungeons, taverns and dens of a big city, in which poverty and lawlessness coexist with selflessness and kindness, cruelty and the meaninglessness of existence with faith in a person who knows how to find a ray of light in the dark kingdom of mysticism, cruelty, fear. “Shiva’s Revenge” can rightfully be considered a colonial novel. The heroes of the book go through all the trials. Love and hatred, revenge and cruelty reign under the gloomy arches of ancient Indian temples and in the halls of magnificent palaces, events unfold against the backdrop of exotic nature and religious traditions.