The Girl with Blue Eyes-Vaiibhav Nigam

Book: The Girl with Blue Eyes

Author: Vaiibhav Nigam

Publisher: Self Published

Do you believe in the concept of love at first sight? Have you ever met someone who becomes so intoxicated in love that he crosses all the lines?

“The Girl with Blue Eyes” is the story of Armaan Sinha. It was love at first sight for him when he met Tanisha in his college. Though he courts her successfully, things turn complicated between them. To add to their woes, Armaan meets with a serious accident on the same day and that becomes a turning point in the lives of Tanisha & Armaan. He recollects seeing a woman with striking blue eyes just after the accident just as he collapsed. Forwarding to a couple of months later, he comes across the same woman in a mall and decides to initiate a conversation as he was unknowingly drawn towards her. Things escalate fast and he becomes romantically and physically involved with that girl and things become so serious that he does almost everything that she asked of him. What happens next is a complex chain of events that create a lot of difficult situations for Armaan, Tanisha and “the girl with blue eyes”.

The plot of the story is simple, and things move at a brisk pace. The plot development is not very good as the scenes seem sort of disconnected. The basic premise of the story takes too long to come up. The underlying theme of the book can be understood if a reader pays a bit of attention. The climax is not very well crafted and looks hurried. Assuming that the book is supposed to be a romantic thriller, it fails to create a feeling of chills or even a hurry in pace to reach the climax. The scenes between Tanisha & Armaan are somewhat good, but the scenes between Armaan and “the girl with blue eyes” should have been crafted with more detail. Overall, a better climax could have been crafted as the plot conception is very good.

Coming to the character development, or rather a lack of it, we have no understanding of why does Armaan behave in the manner that he does. There is no backstory, no flashbacks or explanations throughout the book. The same is true for Tanisha, but the bit towards the end at least takes care for her backstory.

One thing that will turn off the reader completely is the poor usage of grammar and multiple spelling mistakes throughout the book. Starting from the very beginning itself, there are simple words that are spelt wrong. For example, “Steering Wheel” is written as “Staring Wheel” more than once. At multiple places, words that have been used could have been replaced with more appropriate words. The book needs a thorough reediting to remove these chinks as they take the interest away.

Over all, the book can only takeaway 2.5/5 from me.

Long Short Stories-Chetan Soni

Book: Long Short Stories

Author: Chetan Soni

Publisher: Half Baked Beans

Long Short Stories by Chetan Soni is a collection of 5 short stories that explore the theme of modern day romance and how we are adapting to the same with our changing lifestyles.

The first story, Infidelity, focuses on the concept of infidelity and how things unravel in the life of Raj that change his point of view completely. Despite feeling guilty, he continues his amorous adventures and with a cruel twist, gets poetic justice. The Second Story, The Chronicles of Raghu Kapoor, is an emotional story that focuses on the relationships that fizzle out just because somebody did not have the courage to say, Just Stay. What’s in a Name, the third story focuses on the story of Krish and Lakshmi and how the scars of the past sometimes hold us back and do not let us enjoy the pleasures of the present. Following this, we see the penultimate story, Letters from a Stranger, where the story revolves around Kundan and his broken heart, following which he moves to the mountains after cutting off all his connections in the city. One day, missing Akriti, he decides to check his email, where a surprise awaited him and this story teaches us the value of time in a relationship. The last story, The Long Short Story of Kabir-Sonia, is a cheesy romantic story where love trumps across the barriers of age, distance and time.

The characters in all the 5 stories are crafted nicely. Each of them has a distinct personality and each of them is well-suited to the situation they are set in. Talking about the plot, the stories seem a bit hurried and hence are not very captivating. The essence of the plot is understood but the abruptness leaves a feeling of incompleteness. There are a few editorial errors as well that stand out prominently.

All in all, if you are looking for a quick read, go for it. I’ll give it 3/5.

Lights! Scalpel! Romance!-Jas Kohli

Book: Lights! Scalpel! Romance!

Author: Jas Kohli

Publisher: Rupa Publications

We have all gone to see a doctor some time or the other. What happens behind the scene has always interested us and there is a dearth of TV shows and movies made that show the other side of a doctor’s life.

Lights! Scalpel! Romance! is a witty take on the subject of doctors. Set in the Nirog Hospital in New Delhi, we are introduced to Nipun, a prankster, who is pursuing his Masters of Surgery there, and Nishtha, who is a peer of Nipun in the same course. They are put under the tutelage of Dr. Ujjwal who is a brilliant doctor, but a serial womanizer and the alfa-male of the hospital. Apart from these 3, we meet Dr. Anuroop aka Candy, who is a smooth operator. Put these people in an enclosed environment under stress of being a doctor and what happens next is a roller coaster of emotions, laughter and a pinch of romance. As the book progresses, we are also introduced to Ridhi & Mayur, who are a year junior to Nipun & Nishtha, and Ayana, a friend of Dr. Ujjwal’s cousin. With romantic relationships getting made, getting broken, emergency patient calls and high-pressure situations, we see Nipun, Nishtha, Ridhi & Dr. Ujjwal battling emotions and juggling work and personal life, leading to freaky situations.

The plot of the book is quite straightforward and simple. The setting of the book is described in great detail and one can imagine the scenes as they unfold. The author has kept the complications in the plot to a minimum so that the actual humour of the plot comes out. He has created the scenes beautifully and the transitions are seamless. Be it the witty punchlines by Nipun, or the denials by Nishtha, none of them seem unreal and can be related to very easily. The one-liners at the beginning of each chapter are an interesting addition to the book. The ending of the book is not so conventional and specially the closing line of the book deserves a very special mention.

The characters in the book are wonderful and almost realistic. Be it the sarcastic Nipun, or the wary Nishtha, each of the character has a characteristic flavor and each of them do their role very nicely. The myriad of patients with different ailments create the perfect scenario for the flavor of the characters to come out. Being a doctor himself, he has used his trump card to his advantage and used medical terms liberally, sometimes as puns, which give it a distinct touch.

Lights! Scalpel! Romance! cuts away a 4/5 from my rating board.

Upon a Burning Throne (The Burnt Empire Saga Part 2)-Ashok K Banker

Book: Upon a Burning Throne (The Burnt Empire Saga Part 2)

Author: Ashok K Banker

Publisher: Simon & Schuster India

Picking up after the events of the attack of Shvate on Reygar, Part 2 of The Burning Empire Saga focuses on the lives of Shvate, Karni, Adri, Geldry and Mayla. The powerful demonlord Jarsun returns to poison the residents of Hastinaga and that one night changes the entire course of the events to come. Jarsun uses his powers to wreak havoc, and almost shatters the realm. Shvate, when out hunting, with Mayla commits such a heinous crime that he exiles himself and abdicates the throne to Adri because of a curse on him. Adri, on the other hand, under the effect of Jarsun’s magic that night, commits infidelity and falls for the maiden with whom he consorts with. Meanwhile, Geldry also gets pregnant after that night and it is suspected by Vessa that the seed was of Jarsun, and when the gestation period keeps extendinf, fears start running wild. To add to the woes of Hastinaga, Kune, Geldry’s brother, a wily character charms himself into the council of Hastinaga and executes Geldry’s not-so-good wishes.

The second book in the saga is quite a contrast in comparison with the first one. While the first book was more about the kingdom, its rules and how the Krushans work, this one is more the personal changes in the lives of Adri and Shvate. Since the saga is based on the Mahabharata, many incidents in the plot draw parallels from it and can be foreseen but the causes behind them have been brilliantly tackled by Ashok in the plot construction. He has also changed the character graphs of Adri, Shvate, Mayla, Karni, Geldry and Jilana. Each of them goes a transformation in this book which sets a background for things to come. Each character has their moment of weakness and it is highlighted that even the mightiest of the people can break down when pushed beyond a point.

Talking about the plot, it is created wonderfully, but there are instances that could have been better. Some of the incidents that seem critical to the plot were not very prominent and should have been given their due as well. The plot is largely concentrated in the city of Hastinaga and the focus is on the characters, rather than the setting. A special mention to the characters from Ramayana that have been referred to. I believe that is a wonderful trait in a storyteller, to co-relate different stories and merge them.

All in all, the book is captivating and makes me itch to get my hands on the next part of the saga. Though the basic plot is clear, I am really eager to see the author’s take on the various events of the Mahabharata.

I would give the book 4/5.

Go buy the book now!!!

This post is a part of the Blog tour by Simon & Schuster India.

I received a physical copy of this via my participation in a blog tour but that, in no way, affects my rating and/or opinions about it.

Turn the Tables (From Challenges to Opportunities)-Priya Kumar

Book: Turn the Tables (From Challenges to Opportunities)

Author: Priya Kumar

Publisher: Books That Inspire

How many times have you faced something and said that this is something beyond my capabilities?

Has it ever happened that you have set a goal for yourself and when faced with adverse conditions given up on it?

Welcome to the basic context of Turn the Tables by Priya Kumar. It is a book that takes the reader on a journey through challenges into opportunities. The book has the lessons that the author has learnt through her experience that life presented to her and from these experiences, she tries to extract a learning and move forward with it. The book presents multiple situations that will be relatable to everyone at some level or the other and the solution, if understood correctly, will seem extremely doable. Turn the Tables is a book that helps the reader create a mindset that can change every challenge into an opportunity and take the reins to control their own life.

The book is divided into 28 chapters, each of which deals with a concept of personality development, management, communication and people skills. In each of these concepts, the case presented is simple yet captivating for the reader so that the message is able to penetrate deep into the mind of the reader. Priya has taken up her success, failures, interactions and experiences to drive the messages home. Baring some of her critical learning points, the core message that is built is that each experience is an opportunity and it is upon the person to take responsibility and recognize it.

The book is quite easy to understand and comprehend. Priya has used a simple language so that the message is driven effectively to the reader. The questionnaires at the end of each chapter are interesting and helps the reader analyze his or her life choices and help them relate the concept described to their own life and thus helping them turn the table on their lives. The fictional stories with which the book opens, and closes are very interesting and should be read with emphasis on understanding.

My recommendation is that a reader should give due time to the book and try to space out the chapters, understand them and comprehend them before moving ahead with the next one. That would be the best way to imbibe the concepts presented.

Over all, a 3.85/5 score for me.

The Speaking Stone-Ratnadip Acharya

Book: The Speaking Stone

Author: Ratnadip Acharya

Publisher: Aksora Publications

 Each one of us loves to shop from the local flea markets because of the deals and most of it because of coming across some really interesting objects. Then there are some people who tend to obsess over a thing that they see and rest only once they find what they are looking for.

Meet Saikat, the male protagonist of The Speaking Stone by Ratnadip Acharya. The book opens with him being stone drunk at a bar in Mumbai from where he is escorted out after closing hours and he decides to spend the night in his car. In the morning, he takes a call to have breakfast at the famous Café Leopold in Colaba. While coming out of the café, he notices a person setting up shop at the causeway and is pulled towards him seeing a stone statue with him. Even though he did not know why, he felt  a connection to the statue and he bought it. The seller told him that it was called “The Speaking Stone”. On the other side of the country, Shuvashini Guha, a doctorate aspirant had her hopes cut short because her topic was rejected by a reputed historian and was asked to find a new topic and thus she trudges to the library and tries to look for something when she comes across an old book, “Stories beyond and after Rajmala”. Though she was shown the door as the library closed for the day, a thought began taking shape in her mind. Meanwhile, our protagonist was at his wits end about the statue and decided to find the seller to help him figure it out. His search led him to an old Parsi neighbourhood which finally have him some idea. Based on his, ne narrowed his search to Tripura and made up his mind to go there. Our female lead, Shuvashini also decided to take her research ahead and her path also led her to Tripura and as fate would have it, Saikat and Shuvashini were incidentally bound for the same destination. Their common ideas finally make them team up and a wonderful story of love, betrayal and treasure starts unravelling. From the city Museum to a far-flung mountain with rock carvings, The Speaking Stone then decodes a mystery that was shrouded from the people for a long time.

The Speaking Stone is a wonderfully constructed story with many minute details woven into the plot. The book initially moves as 3 parallel tracks which then coalesce into 2. The historical plot is also wonderfully crafted with each character having a parallel character in the present time. Throughout the plot, the author has dropped many hints, which in hindsight connect many plot points. He has taken a local folktale and created an amazing fictional account around it. It is a decently paced plot with emphasis as and when required. Nowhere does the attention of the reader gets diverted.

As for the characters, Ratnadip has taken great effort to give credible and interesting backstories to each of his characters. It makes them a lot believeable and their actions seem justified, be it any of the characters. The description of each character is quite vivid and it helps you paint a picture of them in your minds and then the rest becomes easier to comprehend.

The climax of the book is praiseworthy and it was not something that can be guessed earlier. The build up is great as well.

This historical thriller gets a 4.75/5 from me.

P.S. Look out for a surprise in the plot.

P.P.S. Read the Author’s warning in the beginning of the book!!!!