Navapashanam: The Quest for the Nine Magical Poisons-Nitya Neelakantan

Book: Navapashanam: The Quest for the Nine Magical Poisons
Author: Nitya Neelakantan
Publisher: Readomania

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

Do you have any family heirlooms with an interesting story?

Two women...two hundred years apart. A story of magical healing, hidden treasure, betrayal, and murder. Mookambikai, the secret keeper of the Navapashanam, is being hunted and persecuted by nefarious factions until her trail goes cold after a confrontation with the vilest Aghora who wants the Navapashanam. 200 years later, Mookambika's great grandniece, Manimeghalai aka Megha, finds herself entangled in a maelstrom of events involving dark elements who are still on the hunt for the Navapashanam. Amidst near fatal accidents, an increasing count of dead bodies, and a missing fiancé, Megha, is pushed into looking for the lost Navapashanam. Will she find what she desperately seeks? Are Mookambikai's and Megha's destiny entwined? Will Megha save the day? Navapashanam takes you on a fascinating journey of passion and intrigue.

Nitya pens an interesting blend of mythology and thriller in this book where the genres do seem to blur. The plot is very well planned and as a reader, you are given hints of what might happen in the book, but you can never be too sure of the events that would unfold. The storytelling is gripping and fast-paced, especially considering the detailing done in the plot. The parallel timelines, running almost 200 years apart are coherent, and in both the timelines the reveal is slow and deliberate which keeps the interest alive in the story. Another interesting aspect of the book that stood out for me was that the clues for the reveal are hidden in plain sight, but just like a jigsaw, you don’t get the context until all the other pieces are in place. Using similar names for the characters and the part of the secret was quite ingenious and it added a good flavour into the story. While the general feeling was quite good, I did feel that the climax was a bit rushed, considering the build up to it. I do feel that a bit more of detailing in the latter part of the book could have done wonders for it. That said, the poetic justice in the climax was quite satisfying.

Coming to the characters, there are just the right number of characters in the story. Each character has been carefully plotted and placed into the story, entering and exiting just at the right time. I loved Megha’s character for her resilience, as well as her emotional quotient that drives the story forward. It was her grit that leads the story to the climax. Linking her name to the heirloom was a wonderful way of maintaining connection between the timelines and showing the importance to the reader. Mookambikai’s character was another which was written beautifully and with such devotion to her cause. I do feel that some of the characters, had they been provided more time, could have added more richness to the story. Saravanan was one such character that I felt could have added a bit of more complexity into the storytelling.

Overall, Navapashanam was a book I thoroughly enjoyed reading, and I must say that this sort of storytelling I have read either in a Dan Brown or an Ashwin Sanghi book. The book scores a 4.75/5 for me.

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

The Constitution of India-An Illustrated Children’s Book- Sutapa Basu

Book: The Constitution of India-An Illustrated Children’s Book
Author: Sutapa Basu
Illustrators: Shalini Soni Mazumdar & Shubham Lakhera
Publisher: Wonder House

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

Do you have an idea of the basic tenets of the Constitution of India?

Ever wondered what makes India’s democracy work? This book is your ticket to exploring the Constitution in a way that’s fun, interactive, and easy to grasp! With vibrant illustrations and simple, engaging language, it breaks down complex ideas into bite-sized lessons, helping young minds understand their rights, responsibilities, and the power of their voice.  Why You’ll Love This Book-Democracy Made Simple: Big ideas explained in a clear, accessible way, Bright & Engaging Illustrations: Learning that’s as colorful as it is fun!,  Empowering Young Citizens: Know your rights, duties, and the pillars of democracy, Interactive & Thought-Provoking: Encourages questions, discussions, and real-world connections, and Your ultimate guide to democracy—made easy and exciting!

Most of our introductions to the Constitution of India have been through the Social Studies classes and text books. As Citizens, most of us have not actually taken out the time and read this book that forms the basis of our lives as citizens of the country. Sutapa takes out the essence of this bedrock of democracy and presents it in a compact, easy to read and understand way in this edition. Each of the founding blocks has been explained word by word. The book explores the various aspects of the preamble, the meaning of Socialist, Secular and Democratic Republic. What I loved about the book is that it is filled with illustrations outlining the topic Sutapa is talking about in the book. Another aspect that stands out is that it is written in a simple language, keeping in mind the target group of kids and young adults. The topics which are usually complex to understand have been beautifully explained, and the food for thought that she has left in each chapter would encourage the young citizens to read more and explore. The section of the book where she talks about the history of the constitution, key people who were instrumental in creating the constitution and the brief introduction to them was a wonderful addition to the book.

This is an edition of the Constitution of India that should certainly be a part of the learning curve for every child and young adult to help them know more about the country they live in, and how our country is run and managed. The book scores a 5/5 for me.

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

Whispers in the Mist-Prerna Dewan

Book: Whispers in the Mist: Tales from a Himalayan Hamlet
Author: Prerna Dewan
Publisher: Readomania

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

Do you have stories in your hometown that have been prevalent since time immemorial?

A haunting plagues a sleepy hamlet in the mist-covered hills of Darjeeling. Gayatri's distraught spirit wanders about her husband and his new wife until she discovers a secret that unknowingly alters the trajectory of the nine lives she has touched. Whispers in the Mist weaves together ten interconnected stories, with Gayatri’s love and grief as the thread binding them all. From a grieving couple to a halfwit seeking meaning in life, from friends reunited after tragedy to a little girl’s lament for her broken family, each character faces profound struggles. An octogenarian caught between colonial rule and tradition, a shopkeeper torn between love and duty, and a rape victim fighting societal stigma—every life touched by fate. And Baini, a stray cat, discovers her own fate alongside them all. With a blend of Himalayan folklores, myths, and culture, Whispers in the Mist highlights the complexity of the human spirit, the resilience and strength of ordinary people to overcome life's adversities.

Prerna’s book is a book set in the mist-covered hills of Darjeeling, and the book gives you the feel as if you are reading something akin to Malgudi Days. The storytelling format of individual stories, set in the same town and connected by a common thread makes for a good setting. Prerna’s writing is engaging and you see the town and its stories through the eyes of different characters as you move along in the book, including non-human characters. The superstitions and the beliefs of the people have also been captured, as well as the rustic lives of the people in small towns. What works in the book is that the stories are short and descriptive, and you get to move to different perspectives in each story. Prerna’s writing is quite honest and that is evident in the manner she tells the story. What didn’t work for me in the book was the length and the number of stories. The charm of the town and the unearthly apparitions weans off after a few stories. Another aspect what could have been improved was reducing the number of characters and increasing the impact of the remaining characters. The last chapter was fresh, but till you reach that part, the complexity gets to you.

The characters in the book are well written, and the level of detailing, specially when talking about almost an entire town is commendable. I loved how the author introduces quirks in the characters, be it the English-obsessed Mr. Thapa, or the infatuated shopkeeper. Prerna creates her characters with ease and each of these characters become an important part of the storytelling.

Overall, the book is a good story of myths, folklore and culture of the hills. The book scores a 4.44/5 for me.

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

Behind Closed Doors (Maya Alexander Series #1)-Jemimah Jonah

Book: Behind Closed Doors (Maya Alexander Series #1)
Author: Jemimah Jonah
Publisher: Papertowns India

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

What if the key to solving a triple homicide lay in the place you never thought of looking?

As the light of the New Year's celebrations fades away, a groggy & hungover neighbour is woken up to cries of distress. At the door is the eldest child of a close-knit family that lives nearby, drenched & distraught, pleading for help. Despite a splitting headache, the neighbour ventures to find out... only to find himself standing witness to a most horrifying start to the new year. A TRIPLE HOMICIDE. All the adults of the family—horrifically slaughtered. Witnesses? None but the three children who were sound asleep through the night. Private Investigator Maya Alexander is called on the scene, and soon, the rabbit hole only gets deeper & darker. WHO DID IT AND WHY? THE ANSWERS LIE – ‘BEHIND CLOSED DOORS’

Behind Closed Doors is a wonderful introduction to Maya Alexander and her sleuthing skills. The book opens with a horrific triple homicide and the book then moves on to the investigation and the identification of the culprits. The book is quite well written, and the descriptions of the crime scene are quite vivid. As a reader you are quite alarmed with the crime scene, but that is also the thing that draws you into the book. The technical aspects of the investigation are well written and researched. The forensic results and how it plays a crucial part in the climax was something that shows masterful writing. You are taken through the crime scene multiple times, each time through the POV of a different person, and you get to know something new about the crime scene. The writing is engaging and keeps you hooked till the very end. Another aspect of the book that I loved was how Jemimah leaves these red herrings across the book and you realise that the elements were right in front you. Apart from the crime thriller aspect of the book, the side of psychological thrill are an added advantage. The climax was very well written and brings the story to a perfect close, and an equally wonderful start to the series.

The characters in the book are well plotted and Jemimah has taken her time in creating these characters. Maya as a detail-oriented, almost obsessive detective was my favourite. As the protagonist, her aura in the book is quite effective and her quirks make the reading even more fun. Allen as the loyal support system was someone I really admired, specially in the way he was supporting her, even probably at the cost of his job. The pairing was wonderfully penned, and the subtle romantic moments were fun to read.

Overall, I loved BCD and would recommend the book to any reader looking for a great crime thriller. The book scores a 4.94/5 for me.  

Get a copy of the book on Amazon India. Also available on Kindle Unlimited!

Leading With Words-Smita Das Jain

Book: Leading With Words
Author: Smita Das Jain
Publisher: Srishti Publications

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

Have you ever wanted to understand and improve on your communication skills?

Leading With Words is your go-to guide to mastering the everyday conversations that define successful leadership. Packed with real-life insights, actionable frameworks, and ready-to-use strategies, this book offers a practical roadmap to Lead effective meetings and virtual teams; Present and speak with authority; Give feedback, handle conflicts and influence decisions; Communicate like a pro even if you’re an introvert; Inspire, Influence and Drive Success as a Transformative Leader. Whether you’re leading a team, managing a crisis, presenting in meetings or navigating difficult conversations, this book gives you the tools to communicate with clarity, confidence and impact. Simple, smart and actionable, this is the ultimate communication playbook for anyone looking to lead with confidence in the modern workplace.

When it comes to books on leadership and communication, quite often we find them verbose, preachy and mostly ineffective in the context of the Indian Corporate world. Smita’s book, on the other hand, is neither of the three. The book is written in the form of a discussion between 3 people, and you feel almost like sitting with them and learning from your peers at work. The conversational tone also helps you relate to it as if you are conversing with a friend or a colleague which make the points even easier to imbibe. The concepts have been neatly explained and there are no aspects which are not easy to implement in your daily life. What I loved about the book was its alignment with the contemporary work place, and Smita covers communication in virtual environments, emails as well as office chats on messaging applications. The chapters are succinct, to-the-point and actionable, which make them appealing to a person spending most of their waking hours at a workplace. Another good aspect of the book was that it is replete with examples and they are tailored to the Indian context, which was a bonus. Each chapter ends with a summary and a list of small activities one can take up to improve their communication skills. The writing is simple and jargon-free, making it easy to understand. The key points are bulleted which is an added bonus for the reader to be able to focus on the content.

Drawing from her experience across leading multi-national firms, Smita’s book is a ready reference for all who are looking to develop a leadership mindset, and to grow into the next role in life. The tips in the book are not just for working professionals or corporate employees, but are also important life skills that can help you succeed in all walks of life. A book that is definitely recommended from me, it scores a 4.94/5 for me.

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

Naaga-K. Hari Kumar

Book: Naaga
Author: K. Hari Kumar
Publisher: HarperCollins India

Have you read about the practice of Serpent Worship in India?

K. Hari Kumar combines meticulous research with vivid storytelling to uncover the cultural, spiritual, and historical significance of serpent worship in India. From the Naagabanas and Sarpakaavus of the southwestern coast, to the East where the goddess Manasa is worshipped, to remote Himalayan peaks that echo with lore of guardian serpents, Naaga is a fascinating exploration that reveals shared truths, striking contrasts, and the unwavering reverence for these sacred beings across the subcontinent. Embark on a journey into a world where serpents are guardians of cosmic order, protectors, adversaries and symbols of power-deities that continue to inspire awe and devotion in India’s spiritual consciousness.

Naaga is a book that is very well researched, and as a reader, you get pulled into the world that Hari brings to you from his travels and research. Divided into 4 sections, the first 2 sections explore the themes, nomenclature and the practice of serpent worship in India. The remaining 2 chapters bring out the various stories from the local cultures and the epics. I loved how the book starts with the explanation of the names of the various deities, and what it is the story behind each of them. Hari also presents the variations that exist across our land for the same stories. Moving forward, we are present with the various ways in which serpents are worshipped across various cultures, and how those are at times governed by local beliefs and customs. Hari’s research is thorough and while this is a non-fiction book, you are engrossed in the stories that he tells from the Puranas, Vedas and the local folktales. The writing in the book is engaging, and he has planned the book in a perfect fashion where he introduces us to the practice of ophiolatry, the various deities, and then the practices of ophiolatry. As he slowly takes you into this world, he piques your interest in the theme, and then you take this journey with him, not as a reader, but as a co-traveller. The descriptions are quite vivid and you can visualize most of the places he describes, before googling them. Another aspect of the book I really loved was that there is reverence and respect in the way he writes about the places, practices and the stories which comes out very nicely. The last 2 sections of the book, recounting the stories from the epics and folktales is quite interesting. He has meticulously picked up the stories and presented them in the book which ties perfectly with the first half of the book where we get to know the deities and the practices. This part of the book rounds up the research and the deep dive into ophiolatry as it shows us the reasons why serpent worship became prevalent, and how it is entwined with our culture.

The book is an excellent read if you are looking to know about the various practices of serpent worship in the country, and the stories behind why we do, what we do. The book scores a 4.94/5 for me.

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

Secret of The Pickled Dream (Shanti and Amani #1)-Yesha Gambhir Mirza

Book: Secret of The Pickled Dream (Shanti and Amani #1)
Author: Yesha Gambhir Mirza
Illustrator: Priyanka Pachpande
Publisher: Simon & Schuster India

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

Do you have any memories of making pickles with your family?

Amani is all about haul videos and sparkly gadgets—until she lives through something magical. How did she become a pickling expert overnight? Will she succeed in her secret mission? Can a jar of achaar really bring a family—even a neighbourhood—closer together? And do values of past and future have to compete… or can they come together to create something even better? Funny, flavourful and full of heart, Shanti and Amani: Secret of the Pickled Dream is a story of curiosity, connection and the quiet magic passed down through generations.

The novella is a wonderful way of connecting the current generation with some of the activities that we used to do, some years back. The book manages to present a wonderful case for stepping away from this hyperconnected world, and to look for connections beyond our devices, and instant gratification of short-length videos. Yesha captures the essence of familial bonding, social relationships and how even a small act of sharing home-made pickle with those around us can help create memories that are so tied to the scents that merely recreating them can bring back memories. The writing is simple, and I loved that the author captures the entire process through the eyes of an pre-teen perfectly. The initial streak of wanting what everyone has, to blending traditions with modernity was something I really loved. Another aspect of the book that I really loved were those of the illustrations which capture the essence of the book perfectly. Each of the illustration is placed just at the right location, and that elevates the reading experience superbly. The idea to highlight the key takeaways from the various sections about family, social life as well as the joy of giving was a nice touch and I really liked it.

Amani’s character as an eleven-year-old in this connected world is nicely captured. Yesha sets the character quickly, but the descriptions are so detailed, along with the illustrations that you can picture her perfectly. Bebe Shanti’s character has also been plotted well, and her appearance to help Amani find her way was heartwarming.

Overall, this is a series I am really looking forward to continuing, and learning some more from Bebe myself. The book scores a 4.94/5 for me.

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