R&AW. Material-Arpit Agarwal

Book: R&AW. Material
Author: Arpit Agarwal
Publisher: Papertowns Publishers

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

What if you unearthed a conspiracy that could change history?

Prepare yourself for a heart-pounding, adrenaline-fuelled journey into treachery and deception. An electrifying tale of revenge and espionage, where a relentless spy chief places his half-brother and head of a rival spy agency in a vice-like grip of blackmail to surrender proof of his complicity in a rogue bio-weapons project, the genesis of the COVID-19 outbreak, all set amidst the perilous backdrop of Tibet, China, and India. In this pulse-pounding thriller, loyalties are tested, alliances shattered, and the reputation of a nation hangs precariously in the balance. Will the truth the world has been waiting for be unveiled? Will hard-won reputations be destroyed? Hold on tight as you dive headfirst into a whirlwind of action, suspense, and intrigue.

Arpit’s book is a brilliantly written spy thriller that explores the Indo-China relationship through a fiction lens and the COVID-19 scenario. The writing keeps you hooked and looking for answers that the characters get asked time and again. The thrill is maintained till the last page and you are drawn into this intricate web that spans borders. Another aspect that I liked was that how the author blends the story of how the Tibetan government in exile came into being, and how that forms the foundation of this thriller. Arpit’s research into the geopolitical tensions forms a good basis for the story. The storytelling feels like a movie unfolding in front of your eyes and the scenes are written in a very visual manner. As a reader you feel that you are in the thick of things, be it the cold passes of the Himalayas or the evenings in Dilli Haat. The complex nature of the story adds to the overall charm of the story. The climax is partially predictable, but the reveal does justice to the journey you take in the book.

Coming to the characters, I liked the complexity that Arpit brings in with Vijay, Wei and Pema’s characters. The character development is nuanced, and there are aspects to each of these characters that come out nicely in the storytelling. The way Arpit sketches Wei’s character causes you to admire and hate him with equal measure. The entire character arc forces you to question the entire scheme of things that take place. Vijay’s character as a “straight as an arrow” shines through the story. His dedication to truth is exhibited well and forms an integral part of the storyline. Pema’s character forms an important aspect of the first half of the book, and sets the foundation of the book. Her resilience is well written and you are inspired by the risks she takes, yet never gives up on hope.

Overall, the book is a definite recommendation for anyone looking to read a well-written spy thriller that will keep you engaged right till the last page. The book scores a 4.69/5 for me.

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

Red Flags and Rishtas-Radhika Agrawal

Book: Red Flags and Rishtas
Author: Radhika Agrawal
Publisher: Bloomsbury India

How would you like to meet your life partner-on a dating app, or through a match arranged by your family?

With an impressive score of 153 dates, Ananya Kapoor is a bit of an expert on online dating. She has seen them all—the nice guys, the fuckbois, and everything in between. In her vigorous quest for her S.O., she has pretty much exhausted the pool of eligible singles in Delhi. That is, until a series of ridiculously hilarious events brings her under the same roof as Aadar Chauhan. At the opposite end of the Indian dating spectrum, Aadar is not who she expects him to be. He is progressive, confident, and annoyingly attractive. Faced with a belief system starkly different from her own, she feels the need to prove herself more desirable than a man like him. And so, one night, she makes a bet with him to see who can find a partner first. Can she beat him to the finish line? A delightfully told story of romance, friendship, and unending banter, with one question looming large: Who is destined for a happily ever after—the serial dater or the serial suitor?

Red Flags and Rishtas is a nicely written contemporary story that is quite suited for the times we live in. Radhika explores an interesting storyline where two unlikely people come across each other in the most uncommon of situations, two people who couldn’t be poles apart. The opening scene of the book sets the tone of the book, and I really loved how the comedy of errors starts this book. Another aspect of the book that I really liked were the Bollywood references and the snippets from Shah Rukh Khan movies that weave themselves into the plot. Radhika also puts a spotlight on the way the dating apps work, and also on how the arranged marriage scenario works in the Indian context. While dating, marriage and companionship is the central plot, there is a sub-plot that runs through the entire book of finding one’s calling and finding out what you want with their own lives. The storytelling is quite fun to read, and you are engaged right from the first page to the last. The interactions between Ananya and Aadar were fun to read. The continuous tussle between a serial dater and a serial suitor was truly fun to read. The way the climax is plotted was truly unexpected, and while I had thought that a romcom would end in a different way, the last chapter is very well written. While writing anything specific would be a spoiler, it truly shows how love can make people change their perspective on things.

Coming to the characters, while the book is a romcom about Ananya and Aadar, the book is equally about Vrinda, Karan and Kavita. Each of these characters have been given due attention and depth. While Ananya seems like a undecisive, serial dater, there is a second layer to her character who is looking for someone to be her anchor. There are subtle hints, specially in her and Vrinda’s relationship that highlight this need for companionship. Another aspect of Ananya that stands out is her attention to detail and the eye for creativity, which comes across in both of her initiatives in the book. With Aadar, the conventional tall, handsome man image is reinforced, but the softness in his character is also highlighted, specially the party scene when the drink spills on Ananya. Vrinda, as a character, does stand out for me, specially for her resilience and her ability to compartmentalize and yet function.

Overall, the book is a good read in case you are looking to pick up a book that warms your heart, and serves you with a side of laughs. The book scores a 4.75/5 for me.

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

One More Chapter-Shalini Mullick

Book: One More Chapter
Author: Shalini Mullick
Publisher: Readomania

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

Who was the one person who has inspired you the most?

A homemaker mother challenges tradition and redefines her role. A young scholar discovers the power of shared solidarity. An Air Force officer overcomes her incapacitating fears. A goddess calls out patriarchy. A mother battles the judicial system. A fashion designer rises above disability and rejection. These are some of the characters you will meet in One More Chapter, a powerful collection of stories featuring women who rise above challenges, defy societal norms, and discover their inner strength. Each story in this anthology is a testament to the resilience, courage, and grace of women who, when faced with adversity, discover their greatest treasure: themselves. These pages celebrate their journeys towards self-empowerment, showcasing how women can transform challenges into triumphs, embrace their full potential, and ultimately change the world around them.

Shalini presents 16 stories that are in inspiring and challenging in equal measure. The stories focus on the resilience of the women in daily life, and presents some seemingly normal daily events from a completely different perspective. The writing in the book is powerful, but presents the idea of the book in such a simple manner that after each story you take a pause to take in the events that transpired. Each of the story is short and crisp, but the essence of each of these stories is quite deep. Another aspect of the book that I loved was that each of the stories are distinct and you see a completely different character in each of the 16 stories. While the most of the book deals with breaking the moulds that the society has set for these characters and facing their fears, there are a couple of stories that fit the theme in a uniquely different manner. If I had to pick my favorites from the lot, “Diwali Rush” would be one making it to the list because of the simplicity with which the author highlights the theme of the story! Another story that makes the cut for me was “Kindling the Fire” for the theme, the inspiration, and the way Shalini adapts the story while keeping it contemporary. The third story to make it to the favorites list was that of “Mother’s Day.” The reason why this story stayed with me was not just because of the theme, but because of the mastery of writing that this story shows that the story is right in front of you, but the twist in the end stuns you are a reader, and given that this is in the initial part of the book, you start paying attention to small details in the book as well.

Coming to the characters, each of the story in the book features a set of wonderfully sketched characters that are relatable, but at the same time show resilience like no one else. The characters are not described in detail, by the virtue of the stories being short, but somehow you are able to visualize them very clearly while reading the book. The characters are the soul of this book, and as a reader, each of these characters would inspire you to look at your life from a completely different perspective with each page you turn.

The book is highly recommended for anyone who likes to read short stories with a message, and for anyone looking to read something beyond the usual fiction writing. The book scores a 4.94/5 for me.

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

Check out my review of the other books by Shalini here: