Devputra-Neil D’Silva

Book: Devputra
Author: Neil D’Silva
Publisher: Authors Ink

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

What if your past lives came back to haunt your present?

Starting as mere glimpses of déjà vu, Aditya Nayak, a child growing up in Mumbai, remembers his previous birth as Dara, a man who lived in Punjab thirty years ago. But his was a life filled with heinous crimes, which left behind a huge karmic debt for Aditya for repay. Even as his mother, Kalki, tries to bend the cosmic rules to detach her son from his previous birth, Aditya grows up and finds love. But even the love is cursed: Aditya cannot be with Sannidhi, his perfect woman, unless he confronts his dark legacy and redeems his past. Will Aditya be able to break the chain of karma and rise above it to prove himself as Devputra?

Neil’s writing is quite powerful and the book is nicely written. The idea of the past life coming back to haunt the present is explored wonderfully and the scenes are narrated in a manner that keeps you hooked in the book. The book relies on the unknown to push the story forward and that mystery is nicely captured in the storytelling. The opening scene of the book sets the tone of what is to come, and I liked the shock and awe moment that happens when the scene hits you. As the story progresses, there are more questions than the answers, and as a reader, you keep turning the pages to unravel the threads. What I loved in the book was that there is a secondary storyline with Kalki that teases you but you are thoroughly engrossed in Aditya’s story. I liked that Neil takes his time to reveal the central plot of the story and it comes across beautifully. The entire plot around Kalki and the path she takes to save Aditya is nicely structured and I loved the way it was presented till the end. Neil also puts light on past-life regression therapy, and the impact it can have on someone. The climax plays out perfectly and the godly appearance was quite surprising as well as a nice closure to the story.

The character development is very well done and you are instantly attracted to the characters, especially Kalki and Aditya. The story explores their stories in detail and you realise their traits as you progress into the story. Shankar as a person is the anchor who holds down the family, and while there is not much inclusion of him in the story, I liked how Neil uses his perspective to show the changes in Kalki’s life and nature. The sub-plot about Jimmy and his book was a nice addition to show the evolution of a character as they realise the gravity of the situation and how it can change your view of looking at life.

The book is recommended for the sheer thrill that it gives you while you read the book. There is a surprise element in the book that was enthralling and unexpected. The entire exchange that happens was the highlight, and while I would have loved to include that in the review, but in the interest of this being a spoiler free review, I would let the readers find that out when they read the book.

The book is recommended to anyone who likes a good thriller or a horror story. The book scores a 4.88/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India or a bookstore near you.

This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program

The Web of Shadows-Deepti Menon

Book: The Web of Shadows
Author: Deepti Menon
Publisher: Readomania

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

What would you do to find someone you love?

What connection does the sudden death of a young girl in a dance bar have with an influential Tantric household in Kerala? As private investigator Akshata forces her way into the Mumbai-based dance bar headed by a formidable Madam and her trusted eunuch, the menacing Ahmad, she discovers a web of intrigue with its origins in a Kerala village dominated by a powerful Namboodrippad family of Tantrics. Can Akshata cut through the murky underbelly of the sinister world that threatens to devour the pawns, big and little? The Web of Shadows is an edge-of-the-seat thrilling ride.

A good thriller always lets the subtext tell you the story, and Deepti manages to keep you hooked with the subtext throughout. The storytelling is powerful and the premise of the story is quite unique, specially how the links come together. Another good aspect of the book is that while it is a short read, the message come across quite beautifully. As a thriller, you are constantly on your toes to guess what is going to happen next in the book. Correlating events that happen in a Dance Bar in Mumbai, and the tantric household in Kerala is something that you would not usually think in the same timeline, but Deepti merges them quite nicely. The climax, however is quite surprising, and while there are aspects of it that were predictable, the way it is executed is wonderful. The reveal puts a lot of things in context, and honestly, while I was expecting something a little different, this climax works just as fine.

The character development in the book is imaginative and I liked how small details have been put into each of them to keep you intrigued. Starting from the character of Madam, I liked how visually the entire scene is created and that image stays with you, till the last page of the book. Akshata’s character is also someone I thoroughly enjoyed reading, especially the tenacity and the grit to solve the case. Ahmad, as the loyal man-Friday, was nicely written and is described quite well. I liked how subtly Deepti shows the idea that love can crop up at the most unexpected of places. Lathika and Kalyani’s story was fleeting, yet powerful to show that the events of the book were not just situations, but how each of actions have consequences that come to haunt us.

Overall, this is a nice thriller if you are looking for a short yet engaging read. The book scores a 4.75/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore!

Man of Her Match-Sakshama Puri Dhariwal

Book: Man of Her Match
Author: Sakshama Puri Dhariwal
Publisher: Penguin India

What if you had a chance to rekindle an old romance?

Kicked off the team for a series of misdemeanours, Indian cricket’s bad boy Vikram Walia finally has a chance at redemption. The only problem: it involves collaborating with his childhood best friend turned sworn enemy, Nidhi Marwah. Once a tomboy, now a gorgeous, self-assured marketing professional, Nidhi must put aside her personal dislike of Vikram and leverage his unparalleled fame and poster-boy good looks for her latest campaign. But the ensuing battle of sardonic jibes and veiled slurs only heightens their blazing chemistry. Soon memories of their past fill their present, pulling them back to that fateful day when a heartless act destroyed their friendship. Can Vikram and Nidhi put their stormy history behind them? Will their partnership have a second innings?

The book is a wonderfully written romance that explores the story of how 2 people, who fell in love as kids, get a chance to rekindle the romance when their paths cross again. What worked for me in the story was the fact that the plot is kept simple and no unnecessary details have been added to create complications in the lives of our protagonists. The premise is well executed and you see the sparks of attraction between Nidhi and Vikram throughout the story. I liked how the past is revealed slowly and each reveal unravels a specific piece of the past. The scenes between Nidhi and Vikram are well-written and were quite enjoyable. I liked that the tension between Nidhi and her father is explored as a part of the plot right till the very end. The climax is well executed, and I loved how she presented the entire scene.

The characters are well crafted and their character arcs are nicely executed. I liked the way the development of Nidhi’s character happens throughout the story. He relationship with her friends, father and Vikram highlighted some very different shades of her that made the story interesting to read. Vikram’s character as a famous cricketer madly in love comes across beautifully and I loved how his story has been shown, and the fact that what is written in the press could be far from the truth.

Overall, this is a heartwarming romance that is highly recommended. The book scores a 4.63/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India.

The Mildly Chaotic World of Chi Kenny-Khushboo Shah

Book: The Mildly Chaotic World of Chi Kenny
Author: Khushboo Shah
Publisher: Readomania

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

What if animals ruled and humans were treated like cattle?

Welcome to LittleTown, where Chi Kenny, a bespectacled chicken with googly eyes, enjoys an idyllic life—until a factory farm conglomerate takes over his land and seizes his pet homin family: Adam, Eve, and Apple. Witnessed by an unnamed ghostly human narrator, Kenny is thrust into the ruthless world of factory farming, dominated by massive dairy farms, automated slaughterhouses, and exploitative markets. Determined to save Adam, Kenny takes on the system with a crew of oddball allies. Can an ordinary chicken spark a revolution against exploitation? And, who is the mysterious narrator? This disquietingly dystopian, yet scathingly satirical tale, filled with whimsical puns, will jolt you out of your indifference!

When a book has a premise where the roles are reversed, you walk into the book with a certain expectation and a plot in mind, only to be proven wrong on so many counts, and to be honest, that subterfuge is what works for the book. In the book, we encounter a world where animals rules in the world, and a form of humans were reared as cattle. The plot focuses on how the Big Corporation takes over the family-owned farm and disrupts their way of life. The plot focuses on how this corporation produces its products, the ruthless and the mechanical manner of it all. The writing in the book is something that keeps you hooked right till the very end. Khushboo keeps you guessing about the actual plot of the book as she presents Chi Kenny’s story through the eyes of a narrator which is a separate plot that is closely linked to the primary storyline. What works in the book is Khushboo’s writing which is simple yet captivating. Another aspect of the book is that the world building is slow, meticulous but never does get boring at any point in time. The way in which the entire operation is presented helps the reader connect with Chi Kenny and sets the tone for the trial. The thought that went behind creating the connections, the acronyms (specially the acronyms!) was a wonderful touch and added to the charm of the writing. The climax, however, is something that shows the excellent writing that Khushboo has done. The entire perspective changes as the big reveal happens and you understand the reasons for the events of the book in hindsight.

The characters are the soul of the book, and here is where the writing truly stands out. Starting with the character names, each name is closely linked to the animals and the characteristics they exhibit in this world, and for me that was a wonderful exercise guessing the animal from the names. With names like Tie Grr (with a collection of ties), Dr Elle Phant, Chi Kenny, Dr C Horse and a lot more, you are thoroughly engaged all the way. The character building and the arcs are extremely well written which adds to the charm of reading the book. The character arc of Chi Kenny, right from a docile employee to a whistle blower is well explored and well written. The narrator, personally, was the cherry atop the cake that ties everything in a neat bow.

If you want to read a well-rounded dystopian novel that entertains you, generates curiosity and has a dash of humour, do pick up the book. The book scores a 4.94/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore!

Interstellar Megachef (Flavour Hacker #1)-Lavanya Lakshminarayan

Book: Interstellar Megachef (Flavour Hacker #1)
Author: Lavanya Lakshminarayan
Publisher: HarperCollins India

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you believe that just food can help you relive your best memories?

Stepping off a long-haul star freighter from Earth, Saras Kaveri has one bag of clothes, her little flying robot Kili ... and an invitation to compete in the galaxy's most watched, most prestigious cooking show. Interstellar MegaChef is the showcase of the planet Primus's austere, carefully synthesized cuisine. No one from Earth---where they're so incredibly primitive they still cook with fire---has ever graced its flowmetal cookstations before, or smiled awkwardly for its buzzing drone-cams. Until now. Corporate prodigy Serenity Ko, inventor of the smash-hit sim SoundSpace, has just got messily drunk at a floating bar, narrowly escaped an angry mob and been put on two weeks' mandatory leave to rest and get her work-life balance back. Perfect time to start a new project! And she's got just the idea: a sim for food. Now she just needs someone to teach her how to cook. A chance meeting in the back of a flying cab has Saras and Serenity Ko working together on a new technology that could change the future of food-and both their lives-forever...

As a concept, the author has picked up an interesting concept of meshing together food and technology in this book. The author also presents a vision for the future where interstellar travel is a reality, and how that could possibly fare for us as Humans. The book is a good start to a possible series where the characters experiment with the idea of food, and how it interacts with our mind, body and spirit, and the possibilities of integrating it with technology. The writing is decent enough and the idea that the author wants to put across manages to come across. However, the good things about the book primarily stop at the concept stage and do not necessarily transform during the writing part of the book. As a first book of a series that presents a different style of names being used and a completely different lifestyle, and a different world, a bit of a setup is something that is required. Being a book that is a science fiction book with a completely different world, terminologies and concepts should be explained to the reader, either as an appendix, or through conversations in the book, which sadly hasn’t been done in the book. Secondly, the storytelling is very slow and the plot has too many unnecessary elements which could have been edited out, or the book could have been split into parts to enhance the reading experience. With a promising concept, the storytelling could have been an experience, however the flavour in the book was a bit shallow for me. The climax is nicely written, and leaves a bit of mystery for the upcoming books.

The book has a lot of characters in it, considering it explores interstellar travel. Lavanya has described the characters in detail and taken time for the character to mature. The inter-planetary politics is explained nicely through the characters and how they cope with it. I liked the character of Saraswati and how her entire arc is shown, leaving a bit more to be explored in the upcoming books. I also liked Serenity Ko’s character and how it develops over the story.

Overall, a book with an inspiring concept that could have been written better. The book scores a 3.75/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore!

This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program

Control the Shift-Meera Rajagopalan

Book: Control the Shift
Author: Meera Rajagopalan
Publisher: Self Published

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you think that change can be overwhelming?

Why on earth should everything change so fast for me alone? When 12-year-old Kalai switches from her government school to a posh CBSE school, the changes hit her hard and fast. Along with family troubles, she finds out that Public Enemy Number One, aka Aanveshika, has also shifted into the school. As if that weren’t enough, she has to raise an impossible sum of money for a challenge she set with Public Enemy Number 2, in a fit of rage. Along the way she finds a hidden talent and an unexpected ally. Will she control the shift, or will the shift control her?

Meera’s writing is simple, but hits you in just the right places. The concept of change, as seen through the eyes of a young adult is wonderfully written and the angst and the anxiety of it all is nicely captured. As you read the book, you are transported to your own days in school to those lunches and the awkward moments. What I loved in the book was that the plot is kept simple and Meera explores learning disabilities, social equations and the impact of the lives of parents on the lives of the children. Another thing that I really loved was how Meera incorporated the need for counselling for children, and how we need to destigmatize the same. The small passages prior to start each chapter, linked to one subject each, have been cleverly drafted and set a nice tone for the story coming ahead. The climax has been written in a very interesting manner, and presents such a nice way to show that change is not always to be feared. Sometimes it can bring about something nice for you. One thing that I would like to commend in the book was the play with the phrases and the quips that Meera builds into her writing.

The characters in the book are wonderfully crafted and I liked that they are presented in a very relatable manner which would appeal to the young adult audience that the book caters to. Kalai’s character has been written in detail and the familial aspects of her life are slowly revealed, and form a critical aspect of the plot. Her fight with her own demons and the resistance to change has been described in detail. The entire journey shows the development of her character arc very nicely. Aanveshika’s character also very nicely written, and I really liked that the play around her name was incorporated into the plot and provides a nice comic relief. Talking about names, the name of the group that Kalai is a part of was also very creatively written,

Overall, a wonderful recommendation if you are looking to read something light and fun. The book scores a 4.88/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India.

The Sanyasi Who Became a King-Sonia Chatterjee

Book: The Sanyasi Who Became a King
Author: Sonia Chatterjee
Publisher: Srishti Publications

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Have you heard about the mystery of the Bhawal Raja?

May 1909: Ramendra Narayan Roy, the second King of the Bhawal estate, dies under mysterious circumstances in Darjeeling. Twelve years later, an ash-covered sanyasi resembling the deceased King is seen. The King's family rejoices, but his wife, Bibhabati, refuses to accept the man as her husband. With support from the British government – which does not want the man to reclaim his lost power and wealth for selfish reasons – she demands proof! Was the Sanyasi a fraud? If he was the real King, then whose body was cremated in Darjeeling? What role did Bibhabati's brother play in this mysterious death? The Sanyasi Who Became a King is a true murder mystery set in pre-Independent India that highlights the intricacies of raw emotions, relationships, power, money and betrayal.

The book is a well-researched and detailed account of the story of the appearance of Ramendra as a Sanyasi, twelve years after his death and how a long legal tussle ensued to decide whether the Sanyasi was the King or not. The book is quite well researched and the descriptions of the appearance and the entire legal fight have been written in quite detail. What I liked in the book was that the with each page, the story keeps turning and you keep guessing whether the Sanyasi was the real King or not. The writing is gripping and you are engrossed in the story as you try and unravel this mystery through time. Another aspect that stands out in the book was the fact that the entire identification process is made and unmade multiple times, so much so that you start questioning your own thought process after some time. While there are quite a few points that standout in the book, what did not work for me was its length. While the research and writing is good, the length and the repetition of incidents sometimes made the story drag at a few places. The storytelling could have been a bit crisper if a few repeated scenes could have been edited out. The story closes on a good climax, and the entire tussle is brought to a wonderful close!

The book is recommendation to anyone looking to read a nice non-fiction. The book scores a 4.44/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore!