The Rainbow Runners-Dhrubajyoti Borah

Book: The Rainbow Runners
Author & Translator: Dhrubajyoti Borah
Publisher: Thornbird (An imprint of Niyogi Books)

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

Do you think that we can move away from our past deeds?

Sriman is a young man living in insurgency-hit Assam whose life turns upside down when he happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. The raw terror which fills Sriman after witnessing the incident leaves him paranoid. Existing as a terrified zombie, unable to share his secret with anyone, Sriman drifts through the murky world of journalism into the world of the dadas—the erstwhile underground leaders who surrendered to the state and then started working for it. And it is at such a time that he again faces a terrifying encounter that unhinges him. In the Himalayas, Sriman learns to look at the world and himself in a new way, discovers the teachings of Tathagata Buddha and gains an insight into the tragedy of the Tibetan refugees and their improbable dream of restoration of their homeland someday. And it is here that he also discovers love in all its splendour and sorrow, with its promise of redemption of his sheltered and fragmented life.

The book explores the theme of conflict in Assam and how that impacts the general populace of the area. The author beautifully, through the eyes of the protagonist, shows how it impacts the mindset of a person when they live in a conflict zone, and how that can alter a person’s perception of life and psyche. The book is very well written, and despite being almost 400+ pages long, there is never a dull moment that makes you keep the book away. Another aspect of the book I loved was how the author brings to light the viewpoint of the Tibetan refugees and their constant struggle. These two narratives have been interwoven quite nicely and you realise that the idea that the author wanted to highlight was that of how conflicts impact psyche of the people embroiled in it. The one scene that stayed in my mind was when they go to “Gateway to Heaven” and the similarities with the end of Mahabharata when the Pandavas are ascending to heaven. The overall plot is a story of redemption and how the past can be a albatross around our necks, until we take charge and take steps to change our lives.

I liked how the character of Sriman was sketched and his journey throughout the book. right from the very first page, there are a series of events that impact Sriman, and the first part of the book aptly sets the base of the character arc for him. In the second part of the book, we see the transformation and get into the thought process of the person when he is removed from that environment. Another character that I liked was that of Ramen, primarily because of his loyalty and his commitment to his friend. Another aspect of his character I liked was his quick thinking and being street smart.

Overall, this is a wonderful story, and a translation which does not feel dry or lose its emotion at any point. The book scores a 4.75/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book from your nearest bookstore or on Amazon India.

Shadows and Secrets: The Pataliputra Conspiracy-Harini Srinivasan

Book: Shadows and Secrets: The Pataliputra Conspiracy
Author: Harini Srinivasan
Publisher: Treeshade Books

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

Do you like historical fiction?

Circa 403-404 CE. The Gupta Empire has reached its zenith under its greatest ruler yet, Maharaja Chandragupta II Vikramaditya. But with glory comes mischief. Mahakavi Kalidasa, the great poet-dramatist and one of the Navaratnas of the kingdom, heads the state intelligence network to weed out threats, internal and external. On the eve of the annual Buddhist procession, a spate of shocking murders casts a dark shadow on the glorious city of Pataliputra, with corpses of unidentified foreigners and the city’s social and administrative elite turning up one by one. Who is behind these killings and why? To crack the mystery, the Mahakavi enlists the help of Shaunaka, one of his unofficial spies. As the keenly observant but idealistic guptachara pursues his secret mission, the young man gets a taste of real-world affairs-deception, religious fanaticism and a 100-year-old secret. Faced with more questions than answers, there is one thought on everyone’s mind-what is going on in Pataliputra?

The book is a historical fiction based in the times of the Gupta empire. While I loved the premise of the book, considering that the spy network during the earlier days was quite efficient. The book is detailed oriented and Harini has explained the events quite in detail which help you place and understand what is happening in the book to make connections with the people and the events. However, it is this detailed oriented nature of the story that makes it a hard read. With the full names of the characters being repeated, monotony sets in and as a reader you get bored and turning the page becomes a bit difficult. Another aspect of the book that didn’t work for me was the slow pace, and being a historical spy fiction, I expected the story to move at a faster pace than it did in the book. However, with the flaws, the book does has its moments when you are drawn into the story, and it keeps you engrossed in sections.

In favour of full disclosure, I couldn’t continue the book after 50% and thus it would not be fair for me to comment on the climax, the characters and to rate the book. The book might be liked by people who like to read a slow-paced, long drawn historical spy fiction because the writing is good, only that the pace is a bit slow.

Get a copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore.

A Murder in Dehradun-Siddharth Maheshwari

Book: A Murder in Dehradun
Author: Siddharth Maheshwari
Publisher: Papertowns India

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

How far would you go to seek revenge?

In the shadowed corridors of deceit, innocence fades to illusion, and trust becomes a deadly gamble. Amidst the lush hills of Dehradun lies the opulent estate of the Dinshaws—a family bound by legacy, torn apart by greed. When an unexpected fortune of 700 crore rupees lands in their lap, old secrets resurface, and chaos ensues. The family patriarch, Jahangir, summons his lawyer, Bejan Contractor, and his daughter, Shehnaz, to revise his will. As the weather turns for the worst and a snowstorm envelops the hills, a death occurs! 13 suspects. One deadly secret. Is it greed that binds them, or something far more sinister? Trapped within the grounds, someone needs to take control and navigate through a labyrinth of lies and greed to unmask the killer. With each passing moment, the danger grows, and the stakes rise. As you read, observe the traits of every character and follow the clues! Will the killer be pinned, or will their deadly streak continue? The clock ticks and the suspense thickens. Trust no one. Suspect everyone.

A Murder in Dehradun is the story of the Dinshaw family, whose patriarch Jahangir comes across a windfall, and decides to alter his last will and testament. Things take a turn when the weather changes, and a death occurs in the mansion. Siddharth takes the setting of a rich family, marooned in the hills, each member being a suspect and builds the plot around it. The book starts in an interesting manner and as the whereabouts and the mindset of each character is explained, you are drawn into the plot. The initial chapters of the book are quite gripping and you get a flavor of a Christie mystery brewing. The visuals that the author explains are quite vivid and painting a picture of the Dinshaw estate or Anahita’s bonsais is quite easy. This helps quite a bit in the reader living the moment. What did not work for me was the second part of the book where the investigation happens. I felt that section of the book could’ve done with a bit more of suspense and flair, given how the first half of the book had built up to the moment. A thriller works when the reader is engaged, and there were enough red herrings in the first half that kept me guessing on the whodunnit part, but the interrogations became repetitive, specially the second time over. The climax was a good reveal, but felt hurried to me.

The characters are the crux of this book, and Siddharth has crafted them quite well. Each of the characters has a nice story that explains their actions and their role in the entire scheme of things. What I also liked was that each character was given a distinct quirk which becomes important as the story progresses on. I particularly liked the way Anahita’s character was sketched, and how her relationships with the other characters were explored. One character I think who did not get his due was that of Bejan Contractor. I believe he could have been an excellent red herring for the readers to get stuck in at some point. Shehnaz, as a character was interesting, but felt a little monotonous in the way she was depicted.

Overall, a decent book that is a recommendation if you like to pick up a nice thriller. The book scores a 4.25/5 from me.

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

The Fabulous Mums of Champion Valley-Zarreen Khan

Book: The Fabulous Mums of Champion Valley
Author: Zarreen Khan
Publisher: HarperCollins India

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

What happens when you join a posh school as a teacher?

Ambika S. thinks being a teacher at Champion Valley School is tough until she meets Riddhi, Giselle, Pareeta, Kainaz and Jia-the ridiculously demanding, impatient and unreasonable mums of her young students! From the boardroom to the classroom where they want their kids to shine, these women mean business. Fed up with the mums' behavior, and caught in her own charade of trying to fit in, Ambika accidentally sets off a chain of events that shocks the mums and threatens to unravel explosive secrets. Will Ambika survive this onslaught of the massive mummy egos? Will the truth set Ambika free or make her pay a greater price? Follow the lives of the Ambika and the fabulous mums as they navigate the complicated world of parenting, fragile friendships, and hard truths. With wit and warmth, this book reminds us that behind every facade lies a story waiting to be understood.

The book is a satirical take on how schooling has evolved in the current times, specially in posh areas, as well as a social commentary on how perception has come to the forefront of how we evaluate people based on limited interactions with them. The 5 mums in the school represent different sections of the society as well as each of them have a complex story that gets explored as the book moves ahead. Ambika as a protagonist is the lens which is pointed at these 5 women and is the social lens by which we judge people by their looks or their behavior without knowing their backgrounds. On the other hand, as we navigate through the world of each of these women, we come to realise that sometimes, it is better to let first impressions not be last impressions. The writing of the book is crisp and moves at a good pace, so that you are not bored. The book is also not preachy, but sends the intended message in a nice manner. Another aspect of the book that I loved was the school part of it and how Zarreen has taken the current schooling system and highlighted the state of affairs that are currently prevalent, and the dig on them is quite amazing to read. The climax was quite fun and the reveal towards the end (both of them) were a delight to read.

The character development in the book is detailed, and the author peels the story of each character slowly and steadily so that you are invested in the story as well as relevance to the central plot is maintained throughout. I loved how the character arc of Ambika is explored, and how there are hints here and there about the climax, but there is nothing conclusive till the very end. The detailing in the characters of the 5 mums and how it is explored was quite fun to read, specially with the summaries in the beginning. As the stories are told through each person’s perspective, it was quite fun to see how each person was perceiving the situation even while sitting together.

Overall, this was a fun book to read, and a definite recommendation from me. The book scores a 4.5/5 from me.

Get a copy of the book from your nearest bookstore or Amazon India.

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The Secret Diary of a Conman-Vish Dhamija

Book: The Secret Diary of a Conman
Author: Vish Dhamija
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

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

What, do you think, is the key to a successful con?

One heist. One night. No second chances. Fresh out of prison after being double-crossed by his former partners, a cardsharp turned conman extraordinaire finds that Mumbai’s underworld is no place for a failed criminal. Having spent years amassing a fortune and securing a reputation that few can compete with, he has learnt the hard way that playing high stakes is a dangerous game – especially when one’s comrades can be just as crooked as one’s rivals. He plots an elaborate heist to take revenge: an epic night of gambling amongst the city’s upper echelons, with crores of rupees – and his life – on the line. When the ever-thickening web of lies and deception he has woven begins to threaten those he loves most, he is forced to make an impossible choice. The deck is stacked against him … but this master conman has a final ace up his sleeve.

There are stories about conmen and heists, and then there is this book which cons the reader itself with multiple misdirects. The book is written in the form of diary entries by a man who is a card sharp and was double crossed by his partners. The book then explores the story of how he plots his revenge with his partners. What I loved about the book was the manner in which it is written and in the first person narrative, takes you through his life as a cardsharp and how he came into this life. The book is divided into 5 sections, each corresponding to one suit, and an extra chapter for the Hearts. Vish’s writing is excellent and you are drawn into the story so much that you miss the subtle cues that he has placed throughout the book. Each chapter corresponds to a song which matches perfectly with the vibe of the book and if you plug into the playlist and hum while you read, trust me, you’ll enjoy the book a lot more. True to the format of diary entry, there are scribbles on the margins that also fit in with the storyline, and give you the feel of reading someone’s diary. There are moments in the book where you, as a reader, are fooled into a sense of discomfort and miss the cues that misdirect you completely. Another aspect of the story that I loved was the research and the mind-boggling planning it would have taken to plan out the events in the book, given that not a word out of context is mentioned, and I take the example of the “three doorbells” here, giving no spoilers at all. The climax of the book, however, is the cherry atop the cake. It takes deviousness of another level to come up with what happens in the end.

I’ve always been a fan of Vish’s writing, and the way he likes to play around with his characters’ emotions, and by extension the readers’. Even in this book, you cannot help but feel sorry for our Dimpy Raja when you read his story. Another lovely character was that of Zara and how she added that zest to the entire story through her role in the entire con. Then there is this sub-plot of importance of friends that is the key to this entire story. Puja and Ranjit’s characters were crafted beautifully. In the relationship between the three of them, Vish manages to highlight how the friends we make when we are young are the ones we can bank upon, even for the craziest and the riskiest of plans.

Overall, the conman managed to con me and my rating scale to make me give a 5/5 for this diary, and the extra half star was just for the 1 misdirects that caught me blind!!!

P.S. I loved the Rita Ferriera reference in the book!

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

Till Fate Do Us Part-Smita Das Jain

Book: Till Fate Do Us Part
Author: Smita Das Jain
Publisher: Readomania

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

What if professional boundaries make you reconsider a possible relationship?

Doctor Gaurang’s ordinary life takes an extraordinary turn when Vedika, a corporate professional burdened by life’s challenges, enters his examination room. Sparks fly as they delve into treatment options for Vedika’s daughter’s rare medical condition, awakening emotions long dormant. An unforeseen event hurls their worlds into chaos, blurring the lines between duty and desire. As Vedika’s estranged husband, Rohan, reenters the picture, the trio confront difficult choices that could either break them apart or offer a path to redemption. Join them on a heartrending journey of love, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of invisible bonds. Can love mend what destiny has broken, or will fate do them part?

The book explores multiple themes around the human psyche. Smita explores various aspects such as maintaining a work-life balance, maintain relationships with our families and the idea of how love functions as a primary emotion. Through the idea of a special needs child with a rare medical condition, Smita highlights the challenges of caring for her, along with balancing a full-time corporate career. Through Gaurang’s character, Smita brings to light the challenges that our front-line workers face, and how sometimes they have to choose between the professional and personal. The storytelling in the book is engaging and there are moments where you feel deeply connected with the characters. The book is quite well researched and I liked that the author has taken her time to focus on the medical procedures and the background to craft a believable story, especially the climax that starts building in a couple of chapters before. Another aspect of the story that I liked was the grey area in which Vedika and Gaurang operate where they briefly explore a “what-if” scenario. While the story has its ups, there are a few things that I thought could be improved. I felt that the story of Gaurang and Divya could have explored a bit more to develop his character arc. Another aspect of the book that could have been improved was the focus on the relationships between the Rohan and Vedika, as well as a , rather than the spotlight being on Devika and Gaurang.

Coming to the characters, I liked the way Smita sketched the character of Devika. A career-driven woman, juggling work and personal life, I liked that while a headstrong woman, she has her faults and Smita has brought them to light nicely. The way her character arc develops across the story was quite wonderful to read. Gaurang’s character also impresses with his empathy and the way he handles Samiksha’s case and the bedside manners he exhibits.

Overall, the book is a wonderful tale of love, empathy and the value of human connections and is a definite recommendation. The book score a 4.63/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore.

Nadir (The Empress of Indraprastha # 3)-Sonali Raje

Book: Nadir (The Empress of Indraprastha # 3)
Author: Sonali Raje
Publisher: Vishwakarma Publications

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

What would you do if your life was its Nadir?

The Empress of Indraprastha series takes a unique approach to the Mahabharat. It focuses on one current issue of societal relevance in each installment of a story told through Draupadi’s lens. Part 1 focused on unconventional marriages and gender equality, part 2 on women’s empowerment. Part 3 addresses maternal support for married daughters, and tackles the canker of sexual harassment by highlighting the victim-perpetrator pairs of Draupadi-Keechak and Arjun-Urvashi. In this fictional retelling of the epic, discover a never-seen-before persona of Draupadi, the formidable warrior queen, who stands tall despite her life being at its – Nadir.

Book 3 takes off from the events after the Raajsooya Yagya at Indraprastha and the events that take place after the Pandavas are invited to Hastinapur for a game of dice by the Kauravas. The book starts with the events at Hastinapur and what happens when the Pandavas lose the game, and with that everything that they wagered. What stood out for me, and what sets the tone for the book was the powerful writing of the scene when the disrobing of Draupadi is written. The way that particular scene is written shows you what to expect in the book. The manner in which Draupadi retains her elegance and power in the face of adversity was truly amazing. Another aspect of the book that I loved was that how the same point is recalled during the end of the book in Matsya and the manner in which the actions of the Pandavas are different. Another part of the book which is wonderfully written is when Draupadi visits Hidimbaa and the events that take place there. What works in the book is its impeccable storytelling and the plot which keeps you turning the pages. Another aspect of the book that I loved was that the characters are neither black or white, there are shades of grey and the author does not restrain herself on presenting the moral dilemmas that the characters face, specially in the Hastinapur court after the game of dice. Skillfully retaining key stories from the Mahabharata, while blending in her concept of highlighting an issue of societal relevance in the plot.

Sonali’s writing is powerful and keeps you engaged as you turn the pages of the book. The book is longer than the previous two, however the pacy plot doesn’t let you feel the increased length. The events of this book set the tone for the next books nicely and with the side plots developing, I am excited to see how she proceeds and the social issues that she takes up in the upcoming books. The issue of maternal support for married women, especially after the disrobing in the Hastinapur court. I really liked the way she structured it. With each book in the series raising the bar, I am excited to read the remaining books and to see how she brings the story to a close. The book scores a 4.94/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore.

Check out my review of the previous books in the series