Vikram and Betaal: Night of the Blood Moon-Amit Juneja

Book: Vikram and Betaal: Night of the Blood Moon
Author: Amit Juneja
Publisher: Penguin India

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

What would you do if you encountered a real-life Betaal?

Vikram Chauhan, a brilliant fintech entrepreneur with no belief in the supernatural, is at the peak of his Silicon Valley career. But when his wife, Meera, is diagnosed with terminal cancer, his world collapses. He abandons everything to chase a cure at any cost. His desperate search leads him to the whispers of a hidden temple in the remote town of Gresham, Rajasthan, said to perform miraculous healings. But Gresham hides darker truths. On the ominous night of the Blood Moon, Vikram is brought before the temple’s enigmatic high priest, who offers him a single, terrifying bargain: salvation for Meera, in exchange for capturing the ancient pishach―Betaal. Bound by an otherworldly oath to Vikram’s bloodline, the pishach draws him into a harrowing cycle of encounters. Each time Vikram closes in, Betaal tells the story of its current host and poses a riddle that tests his morality, forcing him to confront the limits of love, logic, and faith. As Meera’s time slips away and the curse of his lineage resurfaces, Vikram must face an impossible question: how much of his humanity is he willing to sacrifice to save the woman he loves? Vikram and Betaal: Night of the Blood Moon plunges into a world where ancient folklore collides with modern reason, a haunting tale of love, legacy, and the darkness that binds them both.

Vikram and Betaal is a wonderful take on the original folklore, set in the modern times. Amit presents a story that is rooted in the traditional story of Vikram and Betaal, but at the same time also aligns perfectly with the present times. The storytelling is very vivid and you are drawn into the story as Amit weaves this tale, page after page. Another aspect of the book I really loved was the background to the folklore and how the endless cycle across the ages has been set into the plot. When the book started, I was honestly expecting a conventional retelling of Vikram and Betaal, with sub-plots and Vikram answering questions. I was pleasantly surprised how Amit not just retains the core of the conventional idea of questioning morality through Betaal’s stories, but takes it a step forward by linking the host bodies and the names. As a reader, you are compelled to also think from Vikram’s perspective and try to answer Betaal’s questions, and that is there the newspaper clippings, police report etc. come into picture, which feel that you are living the story in Gresham, and not just reading the book in your room. The climax of the book is not just a moment, but a series of events that was truly not expected and while I was envisaging a climax basis what had happened, Amit did take me by surprise, especially with that one death of which I was certain would not happen (not revealing it here!).

The book reads like the horror shows that used to air on TV some years back with those grainy graphics and questionable costumes, but the horror was real, and the chills were guaranteed. Amit also manages to tease about some other characters that dwell in the forests of Gresham, and with our very home-grown tech billionaire at the helm, I am sure the book is the first of many encounters with the otherworldly creatures.

Coming to the character development, I loved the way in which Vikram’s character has been written. His transformation from a career-driven tech entrepreneur to a family focused person was sketched quickly but quite nicely. His character arc, post his arrival in Gresham, however, was something that really shines out. I was initially concerned that with the current times, Amit might have taken a 180-degree on Vikram, but even with the modern times, the essence of Vikramaditya was written beautifully. Another character I really loved was that of Dushyant. A friend who responds on one phone call is truly precious, and I loved how Amit created this friend in Dushyant. His ability to work around the toughest of the situations was very well written. Meera’s character, while a small part of the book, is one of the most important aspects of storytelling that Amit uses.

Overall, Vikram and Betaal is one of the best pieces of writing I have read recently and I am eager to see more adventures of Vikram and his cohorts. In my opinion, the book deserves 5 Betaals out of the 5 in Gresham forest.

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

Swansong-Vandana Kumari Jena

Book: Swansong
Author: Vandana Kumari Jena
Publisher: Rupa Publications

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

Do you like reading stories that end with a twist?

It begins with a whisper from the pages of a locked diary, a farewell song, a leap into the void. The surface of life trembles and the ripples spread outwards, pulling what is hidden into the light. In Swansong, nothing is what it seems. A birthday marks the beginning of the end, a neighbour hides more than gossip, an ordinary home turns into a stage for a final performance. By turns poignant, chilling and quietly defiant, these twenty-four stories do not soothe. They disturb, provoke and linger. With unflinching honesty and lyrical precision, Vandana Kumari Jena draws you into unexpected depths, where lives fracture, certainties unravel, and revelations arrive in ways both devastating and redemptive. This is not a book of endings. It is a book of reckonings.

The writing in Swansong is quite interesting and as a reader you are presented with stories with endings you would not have guessed at all. Each of the stories is unique and is set in a different setting. While the stories are short, they are precise and deliver the message that they are written to convey. I went into the book expecting a collection of short stories that would have a thriller element, or might also have some bit of twists, but Vandana turns each of the 24 stories into a masterpiece, keeping you turning the pages till you finish the book. It is a page-turner and I can surely attest to the writing prowess of the author, specially with the endings of some of the stories. The very first story, Swansong, presents so many options and opoortunities, yet the author picked the one ending that you would usually not guess at all. Memories of Happier Times is another story that cannot be slotted in any conventional genre, but presents a situation that has become all to common, and the author presents it in a wonderful manner. Angel of Mercy stood out for me for the sheer coldness of the characters and how the author writes the last line of the story, that spine chilling was exhilarating.

Overall, Swansong is a book that I would recommend to anyone looking to read a wonderfully penned book that would surprise you with each of the 24 stories. The book scores a 4.88/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book on Amazon India or a Bookstore near you.

Creepy Crawlies-Kanika Sharma

Book: Creepy Crawlies
Author: Kanika Sharma
Publisher: Hachette India

What if things were not what they seem?

Something creepy hides in the cracks... It's watching you, waiting to crawl out. In this unsettling anthology of psychological and supernatural horror, the line between the living and the demonic blurs, boundaries between nightmare and reality collapse, and sanity is only a mirage. A boy returns from the asylum after years, and his neighbour's infant goes missing. A reclusive homeowner begins to suspect the spiders in his house aren't intruders, but guardians. In a chilling psychiatric interview, a young girl recounts why her brother had to die. The darkly audacious stories in Creepy Crawlies twist the familiar into the grotesque. Drawing inspiration from ancient folklore, urban legends and the darkest corners of the human mind, this collection dares readers to peek behind the curtain with a fair warning that they may find something sinister watching from the dark.

Creepy Crawlies is written in an interesting concept where Kanika takes 10 paranormal entities across folklores and weaves a story around them in the Indian context. Kanika’s storytelling is interesting and keeps you hooked in the stories one after the other. Another aspect of the book that works is the concept of the book, and how the idea of these paranormal entities has been woven into seemingly normal stories. Kanika’s writing will keep you guessing what is going to happen in the end.  The story about Dybbuk stood out for me for the fact that the author uses the idea of the paranormal entity and a diary in a good manner and while the perpetrator is quite visible, you keep turning the pages to see what happens in the end. Similarly, the story with the Ghoul was another that I liked for the manner in which Kanika treats the concept. What did not work for me in the book, however, was the length of the stories. I think that with the concept that Kanika brought in, and with her storytelling, the characters needed a bit more of space and time for the creep and thrill to blossom. While the stories kept me turning the pages, the spine-chilling fear that I had expected somehow did not materialize completely. That being said, I loved the way each of the stories end.

The book is a recommendation who love reading about paranormal entities and happenings, specially in the Indian context. The book scores a 4/5 for me.

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

The Divine Duel-Pratik Sahay

Book: The Divine Duel
Author: Pratik Sahay
Publisher: Book Leaf Publishing

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

In the peaceful town of New Delhi, a few tragedies befall Anugrah, a devoted family man, a loyal lover and pillar of the friends. Malevolent instances sweep through, leaving his family and friends brutally taken from him. Consumed by grief and fueled by a thirst for justice, Anugrah descends into the shadows, emerging as a vengeful force against the world that betrayed him. Haunted by unanswered questions and a deep-seated anger, Anugrah adopts a new identity – "GOD." Under this dark guise, he seeks answers not from the earthly realm but from the divine. As Anugrah amasses power, his actions draw the attention of a group of heroes called the ATF, determined to stop the spreading darkness. Led by General Daksh and others, the ATF embarks on a journey to save the world from Anugrah’s wrath. The novel unfolds as a gripping exploration of revenge, redemption, and the blurred lines between good and evil. "The Divine Duel" delves into the complexities of loss, the fragility of the human psyche, and the consequences of unchecked power. The novel weaves a tapestry of mysticism, morality, and the indomitable human spirit, as Anugrah navigates the thin line between justice and vengeance while confronting the gods themselves in his quest for answers. Will he find solace in revenge, or will the light of redemption pierce through the veil of darkness shrouding his heart?

Pratik’s attempt to mould mythology and science fiction together is a commendable attempt. He explores the idea of the circle of time in an interesting manner. The book explores the story of Anugrah, a boy with dreams and purity in his heart, forced by the actions of others to turn to the other side and turn evil. Pratik’s idea of showing the entire arc of a good guy turning bad was nicely penned and I liked that the transformation was explored in detail. Another aspect of the book that stands out was the science and how he weaves it into the entire plot of the book. The aspect of friendship, bonds and relationships is also touched upon nicely. What did not work for me in the book was the stark contrast in the first and the second half of the book. The “Too Good” turning “Too Evil”, while ideated nicely, was not executed well in the story. Another aspect of the book that did not work for me was the rushed storytelling, vague codes that seemed like afterthoughts and storylines that did not make sense. The climax, while in line with the theme, could have been explored a bit better and with the build-up, I was expecting a bit more of content.

Overall, the book is a good attempt at mythology and science fiction which could have been treated better. The book scores a 3.75/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book on Amazon India.

The Seventh Swar (A Satyadarshi Mystery)-Natasha Sharma

Book: The Seventh Swar (A Satyadarshi Mystery)
Author: Natasha Sharma
Publisher: Pan Macmillan India

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

What if crimes across the city were related to a secret steeped in history?

When an old woman is stabbed to death in her Mumbai apartment, ex-cop-turned-private-investigator Satyadarshi expects it to be a routine murder investigation. Well, as routine as murders ever get. But the deeper she digs, the more confounding the case appears. Clues hidden in classical music, an innocuous-looking wall hanging she keeps seeing everywhere and a tattered old book that seems abuzz with secrets rooted in ancient Indian history ... As she is vaulted back to King Ashoka’s times (yes, that Ashoka) by her unusual discoveries, she finds the threads of his legacy entangled with those of her own life in ways she is completely unprepared for. As she chases leads through Mumbai’s humid chaos, Satyadarshi also has to fend off her mother’s relentless matchmaking, investigate an overweight So-Bo dog and deal with an almost-date whose nerdy facts and unexpectedly muscular chest make her heart race. Not to mention the growing pile of bodies further ensnaring her in a conspiracy that spans across centuries and threatens to upend everything she knows to be true about her family and herself. Witty, pacy and dripping with Mumbai’s entropic charm, The Seventh Swar is a classic murder mystery with a rom-com twist.

The Seventh Swar is a wonderfully written thriller that introduces us to Satyadarshi and her crime investigation skills. The book starts off with a very Dan Brown and a Ashwin Sanghi vibe that kicks off from the past and you are suddenly catapulted to the present. The storytelling is quite gripping and you are invested in the story right from the very first page. Another thing that works in the books favour is that Natasha keeps a humour element going in the book and there are giggles and smiles hidden across the book that, otherwise, deals with a lot of gore. The author leaves crumbs for the reader to find as he is telling you the story, and there was an interesting element that she saves for the climax in a very lovely manner. The classic misdirects, which are the hallmark of a good thriller, works perfectly, and just like Satyadarshi, I was convinced at first about the identity of the killer based on the two deliberate clues she leaves. The Baby Bimbette arc was such a fresh aspect into the storytelling and an insight into the mind of Satyadarshi. The climax is nicely penned and I loved how Natasha brings the story right where it started. The only thing I missed was the secret and if a bit would have been revealed and what it held. That would truly have made it a complete thriller right up there with the masters.

Coming to the characters, Satyadarshi as a honest ex-cop-turned-sleuth is wonderfully created. I loved how she goes through the evidence and joins the dots. The character quirks of using pen to paper, and the quintessential love for food was something I really loved. Jai as a character was wholesome, and his chemistry with Satyadarshi was quite palpable. I loved how Natasha keeps the romance teasing and almost there which makes their romance something to look forward to in the upcoming books. Twarita was another interesting character that makes her presence felt across the story.  

Overall, The Seventh Swar hits all the right chords and scores a 4.94/5 for me.

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

Heartbreak Unfiltered-Milan Vohra

Book: Heartbreak Unfiltered
Author: Milan Vohra
Publisher: Rupa Publications

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

True stories. Hard truths. And a gentle plan. Everything you need to get over that ex. No platitudes. No sugar-coating. Just the honest truth and understanding you need but were never given about the messy reality of heartbreak – the other side of love. Heartbreak touches us all, regardless of age, gender or geography. With her signature wit, warmth and grounded wisdom, Milan Vohra, India’s bestselling romance author, turns her gaze to what follows after love leaves. Heartbreak Unfiltered: Things nobody told you about love, loss and letting go helps you make sense of what happens when love doesn’t end happily. Through 20 raw, real, deeply moving and inclusive stories from around the world, Milan paints a vivid picture of heartbreak in its many forms – from betrayal and ghosting to gaslighting and the unravelling of once-beautiful relationships. Each story brings not just catharsis but also clarity. Beyond storytelling, the book helps you understand the psychology of heartbreak-attachment styles, red flags, love languages and why we’re hardwired to fall into love. And then, it offers a plan-firm yet gentle guidance. Heartbreak Unfiltered will challenge your perspective, shake you out of your apathy, push you to face your feelings, use your pain to do something constructive with it and help you laugh through your tears. Milan Vohra’s now-tender-now-tough love will hold your hand and kick your ass to get you through it.

When I read the blurb of Heartbreak Unfiltered, I thought that it would be a usual non-fiction self help book that gives you a lot of advice, without understanding the ground reality of what happens. When I started reading the book, I realised the depth of research that had gone into the book. The book not only talks about heartbreak and grief, it explores various facets of love and relationships. Milan starts off with the basic idea of heartbreak and she goes on to talk about how heartbreak can actually manifest physically and can literally cause a “heart break”. As we move on with the book, you feel like talking to a group of friends who are telling you their own stories, some very close to home and some across continents. What worked for me in the book was that Milan has kept the voices in the stories authentic and that is what keeps the storytelling alive in this book. Each of the 20 stories in the book is unique and it is not just heterosexual relationships that she has explored, but the book also explores heartbreak across genders and gender identities. Another aspect of the book that I really liked is that there is no judgement and the author understands the emotions that go through the mind of the people living those stories and presents them here. Even with one-sided relationships, Milan presents a structured manner of dealing with it.

There is a second aspect to the book, which are the exercises and the key messages that she wants to send across. Each section of the book gives you small exercises to deal with the situation you are in, and to walk away from something you were holding back with a positive mindset. The activities she proposes, and gives you the guide to, are easy to do, and quite helpful as well. Personally, I feel that the ideas can help you walk away from not just romantic relationships, but toxic workplaces and friends as well, adapting the concepts to your scenario. The sections where Milan is explaining the ideas, concepts and the exercises, you feel as if a friend is talking to you, comforting you and admonishing you. That, I believe, is one of the best aspects of this book. The writing is easy to understand, and while the book has psychological aspects, it is free from jargon and infact, uses quite a bit of slang and colloquial words to keep it relatable.

The last aspect I would like to highlight are the two playlists that Milan has added to the book. Both Side A and Side B have some wonderful selection of songs that would suit either mood you are in, and do refer to the author’s instructions for listening to them. I am sure you will find some old favorites, and some new ones to add to that never-ending playlist.

Overall, Heartbreak Unfiltered does not break by heart. The book scores a 5/5 for me.

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

Never Make a Bucket List-Shraddha Sahi

Book: Never Make a Bucket List
Author: Shraddha Sahi
Publisher: Vishwakarma Publications

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

What if a vacation becomes an investigation into the death of your spouse?

Capri - the land of magical beauty, glamorous yachts, the scent of lemon blossoms, and the famed Blue Grotto: Who wouldn't put it on their bucket list? Meet Pooja Sharma - shy romantic, wealthy, crazy about her husband, Ravi, and devoted to her daughters, now desperate to begin living for herself. She sets out to rekindle their romance and her sense of self with a new plan for life. It all goes horribly wrong on the penultimate day of their trip... Pooja goes overboard just as their boat exits the Blue Grotto and is nowhere to be found. Did she drown? Was it a tragic accident... or a sinister plan? A depressed socialite, a bankrupt husband, a sultry ex- lover - are these the real personalities of those involved? Inspector Roberto Batliwala stands in the way of the busload of remaining Indian tourists desperate to go home... surely the case is a simple, straightforward one, isn't it?

Shraddha’s book is an interesting whodunnit which explores the death of Pooja Sharma on her holiday in Capri. The author explores the idea of what happens when a murder investigation takes place on a foreign soil, and how things can get complicated quickly. Shraddha’s writing is interesting and the concept she explores is really gripping. While reading the book, I was almost reminded of Poirot and how he investigates crimes across the lands. Another aspect of the book that stands out is the slow burn and that the time it takes for the pieces to fall into place. The writing keeps you interested and as a reader, you are in sync with the investigator as he unravels the pieces. While the plot is interesting, there were certain aspects of the book that did not work for me. Firstly, while the book opens on a strong note, the spark fizzles out as the book moves as the interrogation becomes repetitive and non-yielding. Secondly, the writing becomes slower and we see a lot of events, but not a lot of thrill that should have been an integral part of the book. The climax is surprising and it does salvage the slow writing in the second half of the book.

Coming to the characters, Shraddha incorporates a motley of characters, and I loved that there are connections between characters that show up as the book progresses which increases the suspect pool. The character descriptions are detailed and you can visualize the characters as you read through the book. Roberto Batliwala as an Indian-Italian investigator flummoxed by the events is nicely created. My concern with the character arc was that it was superficial and as a detective, he could have been a wonderful detective to have been carried forward as a series.

Overall, the book is a well-written crime thriller that could have been improved. The book scores a 4.13/5 for me.

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