A Man From Mandu-Manoj V Jain

Book: A Man From Mandu

Author: Manoj V Jain

Publisher: Notion Press

In this hectic age, we all have some belief of a person we turn to when we need advice. It can be a friend, family member, relative or maybe a spiritual leader, but everyone has someone they always turn to.

A Man from Mandu is a book that delves into the concept of Godmen and how behind the scenes action of how the system operates. It is a book of deception, transformation and growth. The protagonist of the book is Dhawal who is discovered by Tarini, a disgraced marketing executive when she goes with her friend to Mandu. As a part of a deal between Tarini and her friend, they create the brand of Avishkar Baba and she promotes him very successfully. He gains a huge traction on social media and uses the #SadhuofStories to get his sayings across. How the journey of Avishkar Baba progresses forms the plot of the story.

A Man From Mandu is a story that basically tells the reader about how people transform during the course of their life due to their experiences and the impacts of other people around them. The protagonist is Dhawal, his transformation into Avishkar Baba and how it changes his life and thoughts is the central plot of the story. Apart from Dhawal, the changes in the life of Tarini are also brought to the fore beautifully, specially the open-ended ending with her tells us how far she has come in the course of the year.

The book also focuses on the fact that we tend to focus and hear what we want to hear rather than what is actually being said. Through the character of Avishkar Baba, Manoj tells the reader that though everyone hears the same story, each one relates to it differently. With no specific endings to the short stories, it further emphasises on this point. This is what makes us relate to the stories of godmen and charlatans at times as well.

The plot is well built and executed. Manoj has given us wonderful food-for-thought through the story of Dhawal, Tarini and the team. The characters are well built with their flaws and strengths coming out beautifully. The past of the characters is revealed in phases as the story requires and this adds to the charm of the book.

A wonderful and a short read, I would give A Man from Mandu 4/5.

The Hidden One-Ruchir Gupta

Book: The Hidden One (The Untold Story of Aurengzeb's Daughter)

Author: Ruchir Gupta

Publisher: Platinum Press (Leadstart Publication)

Family is something we trust blindly, right? They can go to any extent to protect us and do what it takes to be on our side. But what happens when your family is your nemesis?

Set in 1658, The Hidden One is set after the events of the play for the throne of the Mughal Empire after Aurangzeb imprisons Shah Jahan, murders his brothers, seizes the throne of Delhi and proclaims himself as the emperor. His reign is a story of tyranny, invading his neighbors, religious intolerance by destroying temples and churches and banning the music and the arts. During this time, Aurangzeb’s daughter Zebunissa forms a secret poetic society called the Makhfi (Hidden One in Persian). Though it is a society to promote the arts on the outside, Zebunissa uses the arts to plot and plan rebellions to overthrow her father and restore justice in the kingdom. How Makhfi influences the turn of historical events is the plot of The Hidden One.

The Hidden One is part-fiction-part-history. As described by the Author, the Makhfi did indeed exist but he intermingled it with the historical events to create the plot. The book progresses through the eyes of Zebunissa and we get to see the transformation of Mughal India into decline. Makhfi, though lost in history, deserves its place in history and that is what the author attempts to do.

The book is the second one in The Mughal Intrigues series by the author, though it can be read independently as well. The plot of the book is beautifully crafted with twists and turns at unexpected points. With many powerful characters like Zebunissa, Jahanara, Raushanara and the others, each of them gives their unique flavor to the plot. Cold and calculating Raushanara, Ruthless Aurangzeb, Assertive Zebunissa, each of them has a role in the events. The poetry in the book is amazing and has been taken from the actual writings of Zebunissa, hence should not be skipped. They are an integral part of the plot. The story is gripping with emotional upheavals at many points.

A special mention to the cover art of the book which is truly beautiful with many hidden elements.

Ruchir Gupta has created a wonderful account of what could have happened in this game of thrones of the Mughal empire. The events are described in detail. The ending of the book is truly heart wrenching and emotional.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, do give this one a read. 

I would give this book 4.25/5.

IM So Hacked-Gautam Mayekar

Book: !M S0 H@CK3D

Author: Gautam Mayekar

Publisher: Jufic Books (Leadstart Corp)

How secure are you while you browse the internet? Isn’t it the latest fad to have a Internet-enabled TV or maybe go up a notch and have IoT enabled gadgets controlling your house? Makes you pretty safe seeing a CCTV camera?

What if one day you wake up and find out you are no longer in control of your own house, own computer or for that matter your mind?

Welcome to Avidit’s world, or should I say @v!, as he calls himself. A hacker who works for India’s numero uno antivirus company as a security researcher and at night, crawls the deep recesses of the darkweb into the hacking forums. A general recluse, he despises his routine office work and lacks purpose in his life. Everything changes when he receives a letter from a person calling himself M@dR1; a revolutionary who wants to change the world. To convince @v!, he uses his horrific past to motivate him into doing what he wants, which begins with a not so damaging task of shutting down the internet of the entire city. Just the beginning, the innocuous hack transforms into a complex web of interconnected events leading to a major cyber attack that rocks the foundation of the country’s technological unit with the help of @v!’s friends, $@m and K!LL3R.

!M S0 H@CK3D is a book that keeps you on your toes all the time. The plot of the book is tightly bound and keeps you engaged. With common yet not-so-common hacking terms like DDOS and XSS are used but explained in detail, thus help keep the reader understand the technical aspects and keep track with what is happening in the plot. Moving along the plot at a brisk pace, you are sure to make some assumptions that are confirmed in the penultimate chapter of the book. Relating with Avidit with his corporate life is easy for any person who is working in that setup. For a person who is into hacking or understands the concepts, this book is going to be a wonderful ride.

The book also has some wonderful song recommendations and my personal suggestion would be to plug in your earphones and listen to the songs as they come into the plot and them move ahead. This would enhance your reading experience multifold.

The characters of @v!, M@dR!, $@m and K!LL3R are wonderfully crafted with careful details and specific roles each of them plays in the plot development. The character arcs move without a hitch and close all loose ends at the end in an amazing manner.

The title of the book is just apt and will become crystal clear one you read the book.

The plot twist at the end is just mindblowing and will make you question the very concept of Hacking! Just for this, I am adding half-a-star to the rating.

A sure shot recommendation for your TBRs, I will give the book 4.5/5.

The Code of Manavas (Maha Vishnu Trilogy-1)-Arpit Bakshi

Book: The Code of Manavas (Maha Vishnu Trilogy-1)

Author: Arpit Bakshi

Publisher: Rupa Publications

Everyday we hear of the environment getting degraded. With every technological leap that mankind has taken, nature has paid the price. With pollution levels extremely high and shortage of basic necessities like water, what is the future of mankind?

The Code of Manavas by Arpit Bakshi is set some 2 million years past 2050, which was when Earth, as we know it, ceased to exist and so is mankind. The planet, now known as Bhoomi, is divided into 2 city-states-Ayudhpur & Madhavpur. The protagonist is Krishna, who in the earlier days was a scientist and a researcher, working on ways to save the planet at NYCAR in USA. He developed a chemical called Bhoomidium which helped in stabilizing the crust of the Earth as well as develop the humans into a more advanced version of themselves, called the Manavas.

The plot of the book is basically set in Madhavpur, which is a technologically advanced city with all modern technologies like MagVahn or Maglev Trains, Invisibility Suits, Space travel and Supercomputers-Samganak & Paramganak. The Manavas have developed exceptional powers through Bhoomidium and thus are categorized between CD3++ (lowest) to CD1++ (highest). This is basically the level of development of the Cortex and determines a person’s intellect.

Krishna, long with his friend and colleague Mohan are working on a project called Café Evolution, which seeks to seek a solution to the declining condition of the Bhoomi’s Crust. Through his research, they manage to find a plane resembling Bhoomi called Prithvi-1408, where they observe and seed life and allow it to develop through evolution.

But like all good things, this one also has an enemy, one who wants to subjugate all Manavas.

Will the Swarnim Yuga of the Manavas end at the hands of this enemy?

Would Krishna be the savior of all?

The book is very well written. Arpit has combined mythology, fantasy and Science Fiction to create a wonderful and unique narrative. Basing the story on mythological characters and current situations gives it a different vibe to it. Coupled with unique yet simple names of Bhoomidium, MagVahn, Brahmportation etc., the book is easy to picture. Another interesting fact about the plot is that all characters of the book, Krishna, Vallabha, Gopal, Mohan etc. are named after different names of Krishna. The Character development of all the characters is done perfectly with details given vividly. Apart from Madhavpur, the glance at Ayudhpur is subtly done, which is ruled by Shriram, another veiled reference to the mythology.

Setting the stage for a beautiful plot, The Maha Vishnu Trilogy should be a definite entry in your TBRs.

I would rate the book 4/5.

What Mina Did-Geeta Menon

Book: What Mina Did

Author: Geeta Menon

Publisher: Rupa Publications

Do you have a person who knows every inch of you, who can tell when you are lying or when you are smiling to hide a sorrow deep down?

“What Mina Did” explores how one betrayal can have catastrophic consequences, while delving into the complex bonds that link mothers and daughters, and best friends.

The book opens in 1998, where we see a terrified 22-year old Mina escaping from her house while something terrible is happening. Cut to 2002, Mina returns to Bangalore with her husband when she is confronted with the demons of the past. She gets quite weak mentally. Another blow comes to her when she comes to know that Neelu, her best friend, who had supported her unconditionally 4 years ago is in a sticky situation and wants her help. Though she does what Neelu had asked, she does so half-heartedly.

Once back in the US, Mina now starts getting multiple job assignments and long working hours, thus widening the crevice between Mina & Neelu more and more as time passes. Sensing that Neelu is unhappy with her life in the US, Mina goes to her place and stays there for a couple of days to understand her situation better. After coming back, one day, Mina decides to give some unsolicited marital advice to Neelu, leading to her accusing Mina of something unimaginable.

“What Mina Did” is a story alternating between present day and flashbacks. The plot is very well planned and executed. The history is unraveled in parts which keeps the reader guessing as to what has happened. With the story moving from Bangalore to Chennai, Bangalore, California and New York, the transitions are planned beautifully. The character of Mina is blessed with emotions. She goes to all lengths to make sure her friends and family are always put on first, but at the same time, she is a determined career woman who balances her work and personal life perfectly. This is highlighted multiple times through various incidents in the plot.  Neelu as a person is strong-headed and compassionate person. She is very protective of her friends and this is very well accentuated in one of the moments where we see her coming to the rescue of Mina in an alley where cards were stacked against them. The character of Vijay, Mina’s better half, is a portrayal of a friend. He is understanding of Mina’s situation, gets mad when Mina takes reckless decisions but ultimately supports her. On the other hand, Ajit, Neelu’s husband, is portrayed as a person with a limited emotional wavelength, who is supportive but not very much and is in the relationship for the need of it.

Other characters of Neelu’s family, Vijay’s Mother, Mina’s co-workers and others are also well-placed and a wonderful word-picture can be painted of them.

The title of the book “What Mina Did” is apt as it shows how our actions have consequences. The entire book is based on the cause-effect premise. What Mina Does propels the story forward at all junctures.

I would rate the book 4/5.

Room No 904-Shivani Singhal

Book: Room No 904?

Author: Shivani Singhal

Publisher: Partridge India

Each of us has that familiar memory of walking into a college for the first time, exhilarated yet nervous, butterflies in the stomach. This becomes more prominent when you stay away from your home for the first time, in a hostel. This is when friends become important, having a support system becomes a necessity.

Room No 904? Is based in a similar setting. Tamanna moves from Srinagar to Delhi to pursue a degree in law. Luckily, she gets a room in the hostel, but from the beginning, she starts getting a feeling that something is not right. Like every college, this one also has its secrets hidden inside the walls of the college. Allotted room 904 in the Narmada Hostel, she gets a nightmare on the very first night in the hostel. Coupled with the warden behaving weirdly during the room allocation and the hostel mates treating it like a taboo, things start becoming difficult for Tamanna. On top of the mysterious room, she has a run in with a senior, Tanya, who is bossy and vengeful. As a silver lining to this cloud, she befriends a girl opposite to her hostel room, Smera, who is 4 years senior to her but acts an anchor to her. She also gets involved with Tanya’s classmate, Surya. We are also introduced to Nandini, Tamanna’s paternal aunt, who is her guardian after the tragic death of Tamanna’s parents.

As the book moves ahead, we get to understand the reason why Room no 904 is central to the plot. We also get to move along the psyche of the characters and how they change as the time progresses. Why is Room No 904 such a taboo in the college? Why is Tamanna feeling uneasy in the college life? Are Surya & Smera truly helping her in the college?

Room No 904? explores different themes in the plot. Though the mail plot is a mystery, the subplots explore topics such as depression, teenage bullying, ragging in colleges and teenage love. It expertly weaves all the subplots into a coherent narrative that has equal amounts of mystery, thrill and emotions. Shivani has described the characters in detail and the scenes are believable. The theme of depression and bullying by peers has been handled extremely well by her. The plot of romance in the book has been shown with multiple perspectives and has a mature writing on the theme.

The climax of the book is quite unexpected and deserves due credit for its proper execution and planning. Guessing the ending is a bit difficult and that has earned this story another half-star.

For me, the book deserves a 4/5.

The Reason is You-Nikita Singh

Book: The Reason is You

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers India

Author: Nikita Singh

Telling the tale of Siddhant and Maahi after the events of Like a Love Song, Nikita Singh’s latest offering The Reason is You is a tale of how certain events in life affect us and those around us.

Siddhant and Akriti meet during their medical residency in Delhi. The book opens with Siddhant going out for a date with Akriti. A tad bit nervous, the date begins with Siddhant fumbling but slowly easing into his date when he and Akriti move to familiar turf of discussing their common turf-medicine. It is towards this date that events of the book unfold. Akriti faces a loss that she has to recover from and she leans on Siddhant for support.  In this emotionally charged moment, they assume the feelings to be that of love and the tale unfolds through the pages. Everything seems to be going just fine, when Maahi, Sid’s ex-girlfriend bumps into them one evening.

It is not just a simple story of how emotions play with our behavior, it delves deep into human psyche and brings out the raw emotions of us, of what makes us human. The story deals with the concept of mental health and depression, of how certain events in our lives have the power to completely alter our lives as we know them. It is also a story of how important it is to have a support system-family & friends and how asking for help is a better option. However, it also touches upon the fact that people who need professional help should not shy away from it. 

Another topic it touches upon is the fragile concept of second chances. The story of Siddhant, Akriti and Maahi, all are based on second chances that they gave to life and to the people they love.

The characters are tightly woven and convey the message very sharply. While reading the book, you can imagine Siddhant talking to Akriti, assuring her, dealing with different emotions, fighting emotions. You can almost feel the pain of Akriti, her pang of sadness and her change of behavior through out the story. Last but not the least, Maahi and Priyesh are the characters that bring the story home. It is them who make the story truly life like.

P.S. the character of Akriti’s mother is a complete surprise.

All in all, a wonderful read.

The Prisoner of Yakutsk-The Subhash Chandra Bose Mystery Final Chapter

Book: The Prisoner of Yakutsk-The Subhash Chandra Bose Mystery Final Chapter

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing

Author: Shreyas Bhave

Taking the often-retold story of the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Shreyas has beautifully woven a storyline around it, moving across countries. It is a pacing story with multiple twists and with an even amazing climax. The story moves between the past and the present where Shreyas has taken seemingly unrelated events and given a plot to the timelines. 

The characters are constructed in detail and the individual stories of the characters move in sync with the complete plotline.

It has a gripping plot that keeps you engaged and waiting for the next chapter to start and no wonder, I finished the book in one sitting.

It is a definite must read for anyone who has read or researched the history of Netaji’s disappearance.

The plus point in the book is the discussion in the beginning where Shreyas details the background the work that went in. it is definitely something different that I saw for the first time in a fiction that is inspired from historical events.

Recommendation: A Definite Read