OPERATION JAI MATA DI ~ BOOK REVIEW

Genre:       Thriller
Publisher:  Smashwords edition

Book Jacket:

In a daring midnight operation by armed men, over 10,000 pilgrims are taken hostage en route to the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi, a popular Himalayan religious-tourist destination in the troubled state of Jammu & Kashmir in Northern India. The hostage-takers threaten to shoot pilgrims every day, unless the incumbent Government accedes to their demands.

With the largest Hindu festival of Diwali just around the corner and elections less than six months away, the Government at the center is under immense pressure to act. What will the Government do? The army? The intelligence agencies? The common man?

No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Who are these men? Is there a larger plot? Faced with such unprecedented events, will the country descend into unimaginable anarchy or will it rise above the issues of collective apathy and greed that have plagued it since Independence?

Book Review:

Operation Jai Mata Di is the debut work of Pratik Shah. For his first published work the author has done a reasonable job. Though, there is a lot of scope for improvement but still it’s qualified to be called as a decent work. His writing is to the straightforward and crisp. The author has tried his best to make an impactful debut but I believe he falls short.

The story gyrates around the mountains of Maa Vaishno Devi, where almost 10,000 pilgrims are being held captive by terrorists. They want the government to fulfil their demands or else one by one they will shoot down the devotees. Which terrorist organizations do they belong to is still a mystery or are they?

The story line is intriguing and will keep the readers bounded. The description of the place is up to mark and I can say this because every year without fail, as a true devotee, I have visited this place for the last ten years and this was also one of the reasons why I was looking forward to read this book.  Author’s command over the story was great and admirable.

Nevertheless, even if the narrative is honest and intriguing, the spot is practically inconceivable. The restriction and norms will never permit such a great number of devotees at the sights. Some of the scenes are disturbing or I should better say degrading. There are minor loop holes in the story here and there but then you can easily ignore it.

I would not say that it’s not a good book but yes, it could have been better. For me it doesn’t fall in the fiction genre because I would categorize it as a Fantasy.  Readers will not be disappointed after reading this book. Read this book for its description and thrill.

RATED: 3/5 

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Circle Of Fate By Prita Warrier - BOOK REVIEW

Publisher: Amaryllis

Pages:       288

Genre:      Fiction

BOOK JACKET:
Devaki lives in Kerala, confident in the hope that one day her only son Naresh will return from the States. Instead she gets a call from her granddaughter Sheela informing her of Naresh's death. Sheela comes to India to visit Devaki. This is Sheela's first visit to India. 
She knows that her father has been estranged from Devaki and is determined to know the reason.

BOOK REVIEW:

To be very honest with all my readers, there are few publishing house whom I really trust and Amaryllis is one of them. It’s not that I have read every book of this publishing house but so far there is no bad experience.

Circle of fate written by Prita Warrier is her debut work and for her first book, she has done an exceptional job. Her writing is mature, calm and beautiful. It’s hard to believe that it’s her debut book.  She has successfully blended various emotions  in the story.

The story starts with Sheela, who lost her parents were killed in a road accident. She started to feel alone in her own country i.e. America and so she decided to come to her grandmother, Devika in India. Devika on the other hand was waiting for her son Naresh unaware of the fact that he was dead. The America-returned had a tough time in adjusting in a small village in Kerala.  Just when the two women were getting comfortable with each other, in the course of finding her root, Sheela stumbles upon some informations and after knowing Devika’s story she was disturbed further.

The story revolves around Devika, the protagonist. Her character is intense, mysterious and composed. Her character is well bounded and her representation is perfect.  Sheela on the other hand is aggressive with her emotions and sometimes flow away with the situation. Though the character of Naresh is not alive from the very beginning  but he has given a considerable amount of footage and his parts are good.

The story is a perfect blend of sorrow, anger, hate and redemption. Though these are all negative emotions but in this story it really works well. The descriptions are perfect, especially the way the author has shown the village. The way she describes the places and character is as good as real. Though this is a work of fiction but it looks real. The way this book ends will definitely leave the readers thinking for a while, that means this is going to stay with you.

The pace of the story is slow and sometimes it proceeds with a crawling speed which may be not liked by many readers. The story is very serious and not all readers will find this handy.

Overall, I believe it’s a kind of book which you would like to read when you are relaxed and want to spend a day reading book but if you are looking for fast read with some fun and romance then this is not your book. Though this book is slow but it’s effective and capable enough to stay with you for a long time.  It needs courage to write such stories and the author has done it with perfection. Definitely worth reading. So, sit back, relax and enjoy the book.

RATED: 4/5

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HALF-LIFE By M H Rahman : Book Review

Publisher:      Frog Books

No. of Pages: 198

Genre:            Fiction-Thriller

Book Jacket:

Parker Williamson has a dream to win back his lost property which had been allegedly seized by his Uncle, George Williamson, a few years ago. But besides this dream, a nightmare troubles his night s slumber quite often. 

In his nightmare, he sees two kids playfully drowning a ten month old baby in the swimming pool. Parker believes this nightmare to be one of his childhood memories but his father, Stanford Williamson, persistently denies. 

Meanwhile, this frightening nightmare is finding evidences of reality. New enemies have emerged all of whom have their own motives to want Parker dead. On the fateful day, when Parker is on his way to the courthouse to fight his dream case against his uncle, he meets with a major road accident.

Half Life is a one of its kind story of Lies around Truth, Betrayal around Trust, Vengeance around Honor, Enemies around Family and Envy around Love. 

Book Review:

Half Life written by M H Rahman is the debut book  of the author and  for his first book he  has done an exceptional job. His writing is edgy and impactful. I hold no qualms in declaring that M H Rahman has arrived in a great way in the literature world.  The way in which he has handled the story is almost perfect and the way in which he has described everything is praiseworthy.

The story gyrates around Parker Williamson, a lawyer by profession, who had a dream to win back his lost property.  Just like a coin, his dreams also had two faces and the other side is a nightmare. He sees two kids playfully drowning a ten month old baby in the swimming pool.

When everything thing was falling in its place suddenly  a major accident happens and he loses everything. When his mission to win back the property was successful, he comes face to face with his nightmare.

The character of Parker is bang on. He  is perfect and engaging. The entire book revolves around him. He is a lawyer, friend, son and a lover boy in short a complete package. Nyah is sweet and adorable. She sleeps with her teddy which makes her more lovable. The other characters like George and Roselyn are also good in their places.

The pace of the story is perfect and the plot is arousing and will definitely keep the readers on their toes. It’s nor entirely a love story neither a thriller completely. This book is a perfect blend of emotions, love, thriller, rage, trust, pain and vengeance. The descriptions are so perfect that you can actually imagine each and  every scene in front of your eyes. The length of the book is just perfect and the readers will be forced to turn pages one after another. For me the best part about this book is that the story is constantly progressing with twist and turns. There was NO LOW POINT in the story.

There is nothing wrong with this book. Just a little more finishing at some part and brush up and then this author can do wonders.

I believe this “Half” is better than the other “Half” which is storming in the market these days, just because the writer of that “Half” is famous beyond limits. Half life will surely not be a disappointment for any reader.  Read it for the suspense and emotions filled inside the story and most important read it for the honest and extra ordinary efforts of the author, In short IT’S A MUST READ.

Rated:4.5/5

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HAPPILY MURDERED - Book Review

I don’t know but am I the only one who is thinking that the market is getting flooded with murder mysteries these days? Well to be honest I’ve no qualms atleast the market is not flooded with college romance. So, coming back to the point, among this crowd of murder mysteries, “Happily murdered” is like a breath of fresh air.

Happily murdered is the debut book of Rasleen Syal and for her debut book she has done an exceptional job. Her writing is lucid and sharp. This book is a perfect blend of narration and storytelling and the author’s grip overt the story is commendable with no beating around the bushes and bang on approach.

Gulab sarin was ecstatic but later she was found dead on her wedding night. Prime suspects of her murder are her in-laws, her husband, her friend and ex-lover, all living under one roof. Where some have a solid purpose other have some small issues with Gulab but what makes the whole case complicated was the fact that everyone is having their own reason to kill Gulab.

There were too many characters and all of them had their own share of limelight and every one was convincing. The characters looked culprit and innocent at the same times. For me the character of Ned and Sara were the most interesting one.

The best and the most unique part of the book is that it doesn't focuses on police investigation or some sharp minded over the top intelligent detective (which is common in every single book). The command in the story is in the hands of the suspects and they are the one who are finding the true murderer among them. The story line is engaging and conspicuous. The language is perfect and so as the flow. I loved the parts in which the soul of Gulab was talking to the readers though it always reminds me of “I am red” which was my first murder mystery but then these are two different books and no comparison.

There are too many characters and there is inter-personal relation between all of them. At times it looks deliberate and but it added a lot in the suspense factor. The story goes little dramatic at times and the reason behind that murder is not very convincing but it doesn't mean it was senseless or ineffective, it was indeed on an emotional side and perfectly manages to convey the pain hiding behind. There are some minor flaws which can be ignored easily.

Overall, I believe it’s a very entertaining book with every possible element inside it, be it pain, romance, thrill or confusion. This is a must read book for thriller fans and even not-so-thriller-type-readers will find this book interesting. This book is definitely worth reading.  

RATED- 4/5

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Dead In A Mumbai Minute - Book Review

Genre: Thriller

Pages: 320

Publisher: Pan Macmillan India

Book Jacket:

Reema Ray is a rare combination of beauty and brains. She is a brilliant sleuth who had once impressed the eccentric security professional Shayak Gupta. Reema is given a case in Mumbai – a murder case, of an Ashutosh Dhingre, a former assistant of the Bollywood superstar Kimaaya Kapoor, whose fame is on the decline. Ashutosh was found dead in Kimaaya’s private island. The suspects happen to be the house guests and Kimaaya herself. Reema also learns that Kimaaya was in a relationship with Shayak in the past. Shayak keeps disappearing very often and Reema finds this very unusual. This case is assigned to Reema by the firm Titanium, where Shayak works in. How is all this intertwined? Does Shayak have anything to do with the murder? Will Reema be able solve the case of the year? Find out the answers and more in this page-turner mystery novel.

Book Review:

It’s the season of murders and arrival of this book is like adding more cream on the cake. Dead in a Mumbai minute is the second book of Reema Ray mystery series written (wonderfully) by Madhumita Bhattacharyya. It’s very rare to see a narrative in a murder mystery and I believe it’s not an easy thing to do but the author has done a near perfect job. Her writing is engaging and lucid and the book is written in a very comfortable English.

A murder takes place in a private island of Bollywood diva Kimaaya Kapoor. Security expert Shayak Gupta along with his new recruit Reema Ray jumps on the scene to find the murderer. When Reema was slowly getting attracted towards her boss, she learns of Kimaayas’s past relationship with Shayak.

This book is not a riot of events. Initially the pace is slow but as the story progresses the flow gets going. The narration looks effortless and praiseworthy. There is a lot of suspense which will keep the readers intact with the story.

This book is an unfinished business and this is the biggest drawback for the “impatient and curious” readers (like me). Now I have to wait for the second part to know who was the murderer, why it happened, etc. etc. There are some low points in the book but then it doesn’t last for more than two or three pages every time it comes.

The character of Reema Ray is well built. She perfectly resembles a low grade detective who lands in the case of the year. She was foody and with foods comes her intelligence. Shayak was sharp and mysterious, nowhere near to any real person but intriguing indeed.

Thankfully the number of characters were well controlled and there was no unnecessary crowding unlike make other thriller book. If you can handle a murder mystery in parts then go for this book.

Overall, I believe it’s a good book with fine blend of mystery and humour at parts and worth reading. (HELL! I WANT THE SECOND PART. HAVING A TERRIBLE FEELING IN MY STOMACH. SECOND PART PLEASE.)

Rated- 3.5/5

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XenoLand- Book Review

Genre: Fantasy 

Pages: 388

Publisher: Navneet Publication

Book Jacket:

The ancient world of Xenoland is under threat of annihilation as an age old prophecy almost forgotten or otherwise misinterpreted has come true. The fate of Xenoland and its inhabitants hangs in the balance as the war of pride and power slowly engulfs the entire world. Now only those at the helm of affairs can steer the world away from extinction by making the right choices. Or can they?

Read about the saviors and the satans of Xenoland as they embark on a journey of pride and honor, right and wrong, love and hatred, war and peace, and finally-existence or extinction!

Book Review

Don’t judge the book by its cover they said. Well said. Because if you go with the cover, this is one of the worst covers I have seen in this history of mankind so far. But if I had omitted this book I would have dropped a wonderful book. XenoLand written by Hardik Desai is based on one of the most untouched genre in India: fantasy. In his first book the author has done a commendable job. His work is nice and detailed. A little more sharpness can do wonders for him.

The story is based on a planet named “Xenoland”. Xenoland’s peace was disrupted when an age old prophecy came true and the dark monarch, Azathor was born. The threat of destruction of the mother Xeno (Xenoland)  leads to the formation of Agniputras which was leaded by Doi, who was destined to fight the dark monarch according to another age old prophecy. And after that the quest of finding allies for the war started and what awaited the future of Xenoland was influenced by a man unknown to all, who aims nothing but destruction.

The pace of the story is nice. This is not a kind of book which will keep its readers on their toes but definitely has the capacity to hold your interest. The descriptions are good and the illustrations for various characters make it more wonderful. The best thing about the story is that the author has shown the point of view of both camps. Neither of them is completely evil nor completely hero. They are just driven by their ignorance.

There are some minor explanation flaws which should not have been there considering it’s a fantasy book. The way in which story progressed towards the final parts, especially the reasons which conformed the final war was not up to the mark but the climax was wonderful.

Out of all the characters, Doi, Dark monarch, Sarvin and Raaman the fool were the best. The character of twin sisters was funny, especially the way they speck was very entertaining.

It would be unfair to compare this book with Harry Potter or Narnia, so never do that. This book is wonderful in its own way. This book is a great step in the Indian literature market. I hope Indian publishers will have the courage one day to publish fantasy books. I want to congratulate the author for picking up this topic and managing it very nicely. Overall, I believe it’s a very nice book and definitely worth reading.

Rated: 4/5

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Private India - Book Review

Genre: Crime thriller
Publisher: Arrow Books
Pages: 448

Book Jacket:
When Santosh Wagh isn't struggling out of a bottle of whisky he's head of Private India, the Mumbai branch of the world's finest PI agency.

In a city of over thirteen million he has his work cut out at the best of times. But now someone is killing women - seemingly unconnected women murdered in a chilling ritual, with strange objects placed carefully at their death scenes.

As Santosh and his team race to find the killer, an even greater danger faces Private India - a danger that could threaten the lives of thousands of innocent Mumbai citizens.

Book Review:

Private India written by James Patterson and Ashwin Sanghi is the eighth book of the private series. Now, if you are thinking that to understand this book you have to read the previous seven then you are absolutely wrong. This book has nothing to do with the previous one. Though, there is a prequel to this book,  i.e. Private, which explains the beginning of Private, the detective organization but again that book is not going to affect your reading in any way.

I’m not as such any fan of James Patterson, no doubt he is iconic but Ashwin sanghi is he reason why I was excited for this book.  He is among one of the best Indian authors. Both the writers have done an extraordinary job as always. The authors have yet again managed to pen down a novel which will force the reader to turn pages one after another or should I better say “The pages turns themselves.”

Women are being killed in different parts of Mumbai and what make the murders more mysterious are the different props which are placed near the dead body. Apart from these props there is nothing left behind by the killer, not even a slightest clue to unveil his identity and then to crack the case, steps in Private India leaded by Santosh wagh, who himself is troubled by a haunting past. The biggest task in their hand was to find the meaning behind the random props and to find the pattern of murders. Busy with the ruthless murderer the member of Private India fails to see the dishonest one among them, who along with Indian mujahedin is planning to give a fatal blow to Mumbai.

The story line is intriguing and racy. As a reader even I was forced to think about the connection between the murders. The story line also has a pinch of juvenile law, rapes, human trafficking, racism, abuse of power and evil godman and all these things works perfectly with the story.

The character of Santosh wagh, the leader of Private India was mighty good. He was just a man with a brave heart and intelligent mind not a super detective or a hero. He was haunted by his past which came as a big shock as the story progressed. Nisha’s character was sharp and clever. She knew how to get her work done. At times her character was on a bitchy side. She was one of the most prominent characters of the book. Mubeen, the forensic expert had been  yet another character with a dark past. His overall sketch was nice. Hari, the tech-sevy member was bang on. His character was very intriguing and was very integral part of the story. Every member of Private India was properly used and they all had their share of limelight. The character of Rupesh and Munna were also very good and impactful.

There is nothing wrong with the book but if you read it critically then you may find that in the concluding part of the book some more explanation were required. No wonder because James Patterson is always in a hurry to finish one book and start the new one and then to finish it as soon as possible.

This book is a must read for thriller fans. With so many things getting unfold time to time, this book is a riot of events. The language if quite easy, so new readers can give it a shot and if you think that the book is thick then let me tell you that the fonts are bigger than the standard size.  If you are looking for a romantic sequence/ story or anything like that then stay away from this book. But I would personally recommend this book to everyone. Certainly this was not the best book of Ashwin sanghi and James patterson but still this book is definitely worth reading.

RATED- 3.5/5

This review is a part of the biggest <a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2011/05/04/indian-bloggers-book-reviews" target="_blank"> Book Review Program </a> for <a href="http://www.blogadda.com" target="_blank">Indian Bloggers.</a> Participate now to get free books!

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Rainbow- the shades of love : Book Review

Genre: Fiction
Pages: 176
Publisher: Teenage Publishers

Book Jacket:
Love = Sex? Love+Sex=? Love-Sex=??? Sex-Love=????

This is not a book to teach you about love or how to get a beautiful girl to bed, rather it reveals how bad things can get if you don't set your priorities right. It's a story about the most explored life aspect ' Love' 'Sex'.

YUVI, a pleasure seeking boy, falls victim to the same notorious life facet called love. Simran's beauty sweeps him off from his feet and he leaves no stone unturned to seek her special attention.

As he falls in love, he also sleeps around with all the erroneous girls, and when his fate threatens to take his love down, he promises himself to stop all of this and come out of the wreckage … But then, his past deeds come back to his present, and that tears his life apart. What follows is an uneasy course of getting his love back on board.

The story reveals the life of today's youth, their friendships, feelings, priorities, and ineptitude to handle relationships while not forgetting their turmoil between the two critical facets of life: LOVE & SEX.

Love makes the world go round … Or is it Sex? Based on real life experiences and tea time gossips.

Book Review:

Rainbow…the shades of love is the debut book of Aman Jassal. In his first book, he has done quite a nice job. Though, the scope of improvement is still in the cards. His writing is simple yet very impressive at times.

The story revolves around Yuvi, who falls in love with Simran and she loved him back with her whole heart. In love with Simran, Yuvi continued to sleep around with random girls and his world finally crumble into pieces when Simran faces, his hidden side.

The character of Yuvi is very much close to these days “hormone driven” youths. He and his gang are a bunch of baboons and again, it’s close to real. The character of Simran is adorable. She is a passionate, soft and prudent.

Though, the beginning is average but then the story picks up momentum, as it proceeds. There are some sequences which will surely make you laugh, especially the description about Kulli and the Almira scene. The highlight of the book was, its climax.  It was unorthodox, unique, impactful and meaningful. For me it was perfect and sensible. I was quite impressed with the end.

Everything in this world has two sides: Good and Bad. And this book is no exception. The way in which Yuvi and Simran entered into a relationship was not impressive. There is a major loose end, which should have been clarified. The author needs some more sharpness in his writing but it was still a very good attempt.

Overall, I believe, it’s a good book with a nice blend of humour, pain and romance. This book is suitable for new readers and chick lit readers. If you are looking for a light hearted book with a strong message try this book. Read this book for its impressive climax.

Rated: 3/5 

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The Absurd Demise of Poulnabrone :Book Review

Genre:          Fiction
Pages:         346
Publishers: Jagged C press

Book Jacket
"'Face facts, will you,' she kept telling me... 'What happens here means nothing and never will.'"

Cornelius Conlon has been forever growing old. Born at the turn of the 20th century, he has lived through a lifetime of madness, and now must witness his towns demise. He preaches, writes, loves and obsesses – of the darkness of the tunnels, of the dangers of the Folly, of the weather – but few pay heed. Deeply frustrated, his daughter, Lily, worries for him, but to many in Poulnabrone, he is simply, Con 'The Loon,' the man who stands on his soap box by the church, his face a cloud of beard and prognostication, his cane pointing as he delivers a sermon. 

Like Cornelius, young Malachy understands, but his mind is as fractured as the streets of the town, and greater forces are at play.

At once both melancholic and magical, The Absurd Demise of Poulnabrone is the debut novel of author Liam Howley. Part comedy, part elegy, and often hallucinatory, it is both a humorous meditation and a dark rendering of a tragic story. Beautifully crafted and with stunning prose, it is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the predicaments of our times.

Book Review:

The Absurd Demise Of Poulnabrone is the debut novel of Liam Howley, an Irish author. In his debut book, he has done a praiseworthy job. His imagination and explanation are beyond limits, it’s gifted. His writing style is poetic and metaphorical, which is quite rare to find. This book will give you the feeling of old school writing (classic).

The book gyrates around a town named, Poulnabrone which is slowly but unremittingly moving towards, it’s judgement day. The one who knew that something was going to happen, considered as a Con “The loon” and the other one was trying to make a money out of it.

The character of Cornelius Colon, Con “The Loon” was the best. He was maniac, matured and obsessed. Malachy was the necessary evil. He was reckless, cruel and provocative. The characters of Tara and Lily were good. Though there are too many characters but most of them were trivial.

The explanation and descriptions were perfect, though it’s too much at times. Things are portrayed in such a way that you can actually imagine them in front of your eyes. There are some sequences which will bind the readers: Walk inside the dark tunnel and the heated conversation between the Priest and Malachy.

But as the book reaches its climax, it fails to deliver. The end is disappointing and the readers are left with loose ends. The ending is discussed, on the whole and important characters are completely left alone.

Overall, I believe, it’s a nice book with a wonderful writing style. It’s a must read for all ASPIRING AUTHORS. This book is a strict no-no for new readers especially those who prefers chick-lit kinda stuffs. Though, the end is weak but read this book for its overall writing style, description and breath taking imagination.

Rated- 3.5/5

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Anti-Social Network: Book Review

Genre: Thriller
Pages: 200
Publishers: Rupa & co.

Book Jacket:

When college students across Mumbai are murdered one after another in gruesome ways, inspector Virkar from the crime branch is called in. As Virkar investigates, he stumbles upon a ruthless gang of young, tech-savvy miscreants who use social networking sites and the Internet for blackmail and sextortion. But how are the two cases linked? And who is the mastermind behind these killings?

As the case grows murkier, the computer-challenged Virkar finds himself greatly out of his depth, chasing a killer who always seems to be one step ahead and a group that soon trains its sights on him. He must race against time to unmask the gang and to find the murderer before his reputation is ruined forever. Thick with suspense and layered with grit, anti-social network brings to you inspector Virkar's toughest case yet.

Book Review:

Anti-social network written by Piyush Jha is the third installment of Mumbaistan series. The first two books were Mumbaistan and Compass box killer. The author has nailed it once again and this time he has played with the deepest desires. The way he has presented the story is mind blowing.

Young students are getting murdered in  a gruesome way and Piyush Jha’s very own, Inspector Virkar steps in to find the killer. What looked like a psycho killing start taking a shape of sextortation and what lies next for Virkar is beyond his imagination.

There is no beating around the bushes, the story is bang on from the very beginning. Even a roller coaster ride has its low point but this book has none. The way murders are executed is  very intriguing to read (it doesn’t mean that  I’m a sadist or I’m getting inspired by it) and so as Virkar’s chase for the mastermind. The story has given spotlight at a very serious issue and it can also be taken as a lesson about what users must not do while using the internet or social networking so as to stay safe.

The character of Inspector Virkar needs no explanation but still… he was mind blowing. Thankfully, he was not portrayed like Chulbul Panday or Shingham. Virkar looks real. The character of Naina, a psychiatrist and a professor, was really good. Her character had so many different shades from strict/ caring professor to an intelligent lady to a passionate lover. Apart from these, I really liked the character of Richard. He was funny, cunning and perfect.

I find nothing wrong with this book and thank god, the story was not stretched. The story line is very intriguing and will keep the readers no their toe. The pace will force the readers to turn pages one after another.

This is a perfect weekend book and this book is also the best way to distract yourself from the irritating person sitting next to you, while you are travelling. This book is a delight for thriller fans and no doubt one of the best thrillers by an Indian author in recent times. It’s worth reading.

Rated: 4/5

This book has been reviewed as part of The Tales Pensieve Book Review program.

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BUSINESS DOCTORS: BOOK REVIEW

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 240

Publishers: Booksoarus

Book Jacket:

 Ivy League educated management consultant, Michael Schneider, gets hired by an unlikely client – a mafia boss who wants to make a last desperate bid to resuscitate his family business that spans across gambling, drugs and porn.

Book Review:

Business doctors is the first fiction book of Sameer Kamat. He is also the best selling author of the book, “Beyond the MBA hype” which was published by Harper Collins. For his first fiction book, the author has done a praiseworthy job. His writing is nice, detailed and effective.

The story circulates around a management consultant, Michael Schneider, who is hired by Woody, an underworld don to resuscitate his family business but he also finds himself working hard with Woddy’s wife, Angie on her bed.

The opening of the book is like an awesome action packed Hollywood movie but suddenly it’s gear changes to funny, serious, tactical and romantic (less emotional, more sexual) things. Seeing an IVY league educated management consultant in the don’s office with dumb morons is a laugh riot. The conversations between the characters are interesting and the story is unique, refreshing and intriguing. The events keep on unfolding, even in the last paragraph of the book, which is certainly the best thing about this book.

Though there are some serious editing issues but that is compensated by a wonderful story line. Apart from that nothing is wrong with this book.

The character of Michael is wonderful, like any other human he decides something to do but end up flowing with the motion. Woody is perfect as a Don, who is dumb at times (it doesn't mean I know how dons exactly are but then…ya know what I mean). Angie is a show stealer. She is sexy and intelligent at the same time. Personally, I loved the character of Joe. His conversations and overall sketch are remarkable and funny.

The book is capable enough to teach you about the basic management skills but at the same time it also teaches you the basics about porn, drug,  hacking and kidnapping. So, this book has capacity to teach and rot you at the same time, which also leads me to compare this book with junk foods. No matter what, junk foods are always delicious and so as this book. This is a must read. Go for it.

RATED: 4.5/5

The author Sameer Kamat is the founder of MBA crystal ball and booksoarus.

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My Life Story: Book Review

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 111

Publisher: Saikiran




Book Jacket:

My Life-Story is the story of Kavya who believes in living each day as it comes. As she narrates her story we realize how her carefree nature extinguishes in the storms of her life and how she finally learns to take her own decisions. Leaving her house to marry the man of her choice and beginning life anew, she finally finds herself standing face to face with her family during a critical situation. What happens then plays a major role in shaping her life. During the course of this journey, she meets Shantanu, who has a positive influence on her life. How she copes with the challenges of her life and how she struggles to find her lost individuality is the center-point of this story! The story also lays emphasis on how her love for her husband blinds her and forces her to undergo emotional turmoil till finally she decides to fight back. What role does Shantanu play in her life? What happens in her life that almost brings her to the stage of losing her sanity? Does she succeed in coming out of all these? Does she turn out to be a survivor? Read along as Kavya tells us her story … 

Book Review:

My life story written by Arti honrao is her debut book. For her first book she has done a pretty good job. Her writing style is lucid and the language is easy to read.

The story revolves around Kavya, who believes in living for the moment until she falls in love with Roshan. She took some decisions for herself even distrust her own sister only to end up digging her own grave. Slowly she starts seeing the cruel truth behind every single thing of her life but there was also the other side of the coin, the pleasant side, Shantanu.

Though the story gets little filmy at times but the story line is really good and catchy. There are some incidences where you’ll be forced to turn the pages but  there is too much sadness in the book.

The character of Roshan is impactful and is bound to get reaction from the readers, the lead character Kavya is good and Shantanu is an over-the-limit nice guy, means it's too fictional. Such good people normally don't exist.

The length of the book small, just 111 pages but it’s perfect for the story line.  If you are looking for a quick read with a good story and easy language then you must try this book. This book is worth reading.

RATED: 3.5/5

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The Emperor's Riddles: Book Review

Genre: Fiction/ Mythological/ Thriller

Pages: 400

Publishers: Amaryllis



Book Jacket: 
More terrifying than the savage murder of historian Ram Mathur on the ghats of Ganga, are the questions that follow. Desperate for answers, Sia turns to esoteric writer & friend Om Patnaik. But what begins as a hunt for the killer, becomes an extraordinary trail of riddles strewn across the country, that must end at the gates of an enigma.

An ancient enigma so powerful that even gods would kill for it!!!

In another time and space, rules an Emperor who plays with phenomenal forces that make him supreme…who faces these very forces when they threaten the survival of the human race. An Emperor who must ultimately pay homage to the enigma… 

As Patnaik and Sia race from one riddle to another, towards a royal secret that has remained alive for centuries….will the final truth, save them or destroy them forever?

The path beckons. Can you solve The Emperor’s Riddles?

Book Review:

“The emperor’s riddles”  is the debut book of Satyarth Nayak and for his first book he has done a magnificent job. Treading into the genre which is ruled by Dan brown and Ashwin Sanghi is never easy. Many authors have tried and most of them has gone wrong but it seems Satyarth is here to stay.

The story revolves around an ancient enigma, an enigma so powerful that even God would kill for it. Sia’s father Ram Mathur, a historian was killed in a fearsome manner. Sia with the help of Om Patnaik started her quest to search for the killer which later turns out to be a quest for an enigma. Standing in their way was nine riddles.

The character of Om Patnaik is very muck like Dan Brown’s very own Robert Langdon (it’s a compliment).  Patnaik is bang on. The character of Sia is a consummate portrayal of a scientist who is not much cognizant of the myths. Suri, the police inspector was impactful. 

The climax was terrific and I personally liked the way the story ended but the way the book started was disappointing. The book started in the same way in which Da vinci code and Krishna key started, with a murder though the follow up was good and some parts lacked finishing. 

Overall, I believe it’s really a wonderful book with a nice blend of myth, thrill and imagination. The story is intriguing and fast. The concept is outstanding. It’s a fantastic read for mythological and thriller lovers. The book is worth reading.

RATED: 4/5

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The Pahlavi Sword by Jemil Metti- Book Review

Genre: Fiction/Historical
Pages: 388
Publisher: Create space

Book Jacket:
A story of redemption and self-examination, The Pahlavi Sword introduces SAVAK security Captain Jamsheed Al-Armaghani, the young, handsome officer who finds himself at risky odds with his immediate supervisor, Commander Farouk Nabizadeh. SAVAK’s systematic torture of Evin Prison’s inmates infuriates and confronts Jamsheed’s conscience and security status to the point of underground resistance. Subsequently, he is publicly branded a fugitive of the law, which compels him to forge a fragile, unlikely alliance with outlawed, anti-regime resistance fighters and political organizations, including the communist-leaning Tudeh Party. His one-year asylum under the protection of Tehran’s Assyrian Church subjects him to a brief romantic encounter with loyal church member Fareeda, an outspoken, nurse and daring Assyrian freedom fighter. He is also conflicted by his own covert actions, constantly questioning whether they are driven by his instinctive desire to seek justice or revenge, particularly when obsessed by an unrelenting crave to embarrass his former commander Nabizadeh before the shah, he blindly admires, and expose him embroiled in multiple scandals, including blackmail, drug trafficking and child kidnapping. As Jamsheed’s world increasingly slips on the fast track of regime change, he and brother Mahmood reluctantly flee Iran before travel restrictions are imposed, as their homeland is poised to welcome its exiled religious leader, the Ayatollah Raola Khomeini, in February of 1979. Whether or not Jamsheed Al-Armaghani returns to Iran is ultimately influenced by Evin’s former inmate, Thuraya Al Gailani.

Book Review:

The Pahlavi sword is the debut book of Jemil metti. To be frank I was reluctant to start this book. I was not expecting this book to be good but now I admit was wrong. Thank god I read this book. I have no qualms in saying this that this book is among one of the finest books I have read in recent time. The author has done an outstanding job.

The story gyrates around Jamsheed Al- Armagahi, who was an officer at a low enforcement unit infamous for tortures and rapes, SAVAK. He found his brother Mahmood, Ali and Thuraya in the malicious radar of his senior officer Nabizadeh. Series of events turned Jamsheed into a figurative. After one year asylum at tehran’s Assyria church he starts planning for the unthinkable with his partners which could change the face and future of the country.

The character of Jamsheed is perfect and realistic. Like every other human he enjoys his power and overlooked the wrong until the same wrong happened with him.  He was insure, coward, emotional and calculative. Nabizadeh is such an idle negative character, that every reader would want him to be decimated in a nasty way. Every single character of this book was important and impactful.

This book is a roller costar of events. The pace was perfect and will force the reader to turn pages one after another. For me it was difficult to keep this book away from my hands. The book has also wonderfully portrayed the coming of mujahideens, the regime of Shah mohammad reza pahlavi in Iran, Saddam hussain’s regime in Iraq and the revolution of 1979 in Iran which overthrown the Pahlavi dynasty.

Overall, I believe it’s an excellent book with a perfect blend of emotions, cruelty, action and relationships. It’s a must read book.

Rated- 5/5

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India Unlimited - Book review

Genre: Short stories
Pages: 198
Publisher: LiFi

Book jacket:
The Indian phenomenon is capturing everyone's attention from businessmen to Hollywood stars. But how real is the Indian story on the ground? INDIA UNLIMITED is an attempt to lay bare the lives of people and their surroundings that define an ambivalent India trapped between hype and hope.

Written over the last decade, these stories are set in villages, towns and metro cities of a country under overhaul. It's an attempt to depict pain, pleasures and prejudices of everyday Indians as they adjust to the change that fate has thrust upon them. Inspired by real life incidents this collection slides through various themes like appalling lives of street children, new perceptions about love and sex, urban disorder, influence of western values, depraved spiritual gurus etc.

Review:

India Unlimited written by Kulpreet Yadav is a collection of 31 short stories. The stories are based on different themes like street children, love & sex, depraved sadhus, urban disorder, etc. and the stories have done justice with the theme. The author has done a decent job. He has a good grip in both narration and story telling.

The book starts with a good story and end with a good one too, which makes this book a nice experience. For me the best stories were The beautiful people and The picture of life. I would like to mention the names of some stories which were really good; not only a peanut seller, pocket full of memories, city of mirrors, bringing sunset home, faking at the conference, the blind date, the hold assassin and the red women. Some of the stories will leave you carving for more and some will force you to accept the cruelty of life.

The stories like samir in rain and the Tuesday spy failed to deliver. The other things which I didn't like about the book were too much of rapes and deaths. Personally I felt that there were loopholes in some stories.

Overall, I believe it's a nice book with stories which are based on burning topics and we can also relate some of them with our society and surroundings. It's worth reading.

Rated: 3/5

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It's no longer a dream- Book Review

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 192

Publisher: Srishti

Book Jacket

“Does love manage to find a way, even when all illusions fade? Where does the journey end?”

Akshat Diwan has everything that the tangible world can offer for a dream-like life – luxurious cars, a palatial mansion, extravagant wealth and an heirloom of infinite opulence. All but peace! His parents are forever in a state of prolonged hostility; add to it failing spurious friendships and dwindling love life which metamorphoses him into a soul-less creature. Cursing his misfortune and in an attempt to end his anguish and disparity, Akshat embarks on an unknown journey, seeking nothing but solitude, or perhaps a glimpse of his inner being. It is when he meets a stranger that he realizes his journey is not just any journey, but a roller coaster ride to unravel the harsh realities of life.

It’s No Longer A Dream is all about collecting the shattered pieces of meaning of life, love and relationships and bringing them back to a whole again.

Review:

It’s no longer a dream written by Sanjeev Ranjan is his second book. His first book in course of true love was widely appreciated and a national bestseller. Author has done a commendable job in this book. His work has improved marvelously. If you like his first book then you are gonna love this one.

The story gyrates around Akshat who is sick of the kind of life he is living. He had it all but was devoid of the most important things; Love and Peace. In a journey to find him, he meets a guy whose life changes Akshat. He came face to face with the realities of life which he was ignoring so far. Life is sweet and sometimes harsh but this is what life is all about.

The best part of this book is the embedded love story which is simple and plain yet beautiful and pure. With no superficial drama and some real life situations this story will not fail to touch you. Though there are some flaws here and there but when the book manages to touch you, it’s better to ignore such things.

Overall, it’s a very nice book and touching book. The length is just perfect for this story. If you are a romance bug then this book is a delight for you. It’s definitely worth reading.

Rated: 4/5

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Losing my religion - Book Review

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 350

Publisher: Fingerprint.

Book Jacket
Racy, unpredictable, romantic, and inspiring, this is a novel that is bound to get you addicted and stay with you forever.
When gamer and entrepreneur Rishi Rai sets out to revolutionize the gaming industry, something somewhere goes terribly wrong and, like dominoes, the blocks of his life fall down one after the other.
An unexpected meeting with Alex, an unpredictable, crazy American hippie, changes his life forever, as he decides to quit everything and join him on an unplanned, uncharted journey across India. 
From getting irrepressibly high in the mysterious Malana Valley in the Himalayas to starting a shack on the bewitching Om Beach on the West Coast, they do it all. But their adrenaline-charged adventure takes a turn when Rishi meets Kyra, a beautiful and enigmatic gamer. As passions surge and sparks fly, Rishi gets drawn to Kyra . . . unaware of who she is and where she comes from.
What follows next is something nobody could have ever dreamed of . . .
Who is Kyra and why are the paparazzi after her? Can Rishi connect the dots in his life to protect the love of his life? While the world becomes a spectator, can he mastermind the fall of a ruthless giant to become a global icon or will he become the biggest loser?


Review

The first word which came to my mind after finishing this book is “Splendid.”

LMR is the debut book of Vishwas Mudagal and for his first book the author has done a praiseworthy job. His work is mature and extra ordinary. He is definitely a writer to watch out for.

The story gyrates around a bankrupt guy, Rishi, who with his friend by chance Alex decides to explore India. His world starts blossoming again when Kyra, a mysterious girl enters his life. Then he faces a challenge by a giant which can destroy him for good or can he rise as a hero?

The character of Alex is very intriguing and Rishi is just perfect. The chemistry between Kyra and Rishi is perfect; not a pinch more nor less. The other characters are also impactful especially Wolf.

 The story telling is awesome. The book has redefined gaming and reality shows. The only bad thing about this book is too much of Hindi conversation. Overall this is really a good book with an awesome end. I would love to see a bollywood movie based on this book. The story is fast and will keep the readers on their toes. This is by far one of the best releases of 2014. It’s a must read.

Rated: 4.5/5

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