The Flame Of Anahata by Saranya Umakanthan - Book Review

"A book that will keep you hooked until the last page - that's The Flame of Anahata"

Book Name: The Flame of Anahata

Author: Saranya Umakanthan

Publisher: General Press

Price: Rs. 295

Blurb: 

"They turned to see his tears of love wiping away her blood of agony..."

Diya throws Suraj's proposal back in his face, leaving him broken-hearted. Why would she do so when she loved him desperately?

Suraj finds his Guruji unconscious beside a cave clutching the warrior Indrajith's diary. His heart-rending love story then unfolds. Being trapped in a web of emotions, Indrajith endured the pain of his lost love, hurting himself and trampled Deepali's hope for his adopted brother... Who was he?

Sealed for centuries and holding the Mann-Parivarthana astra, the cave is besieged by evil now. But all attempts to unlock it go futile. Faced with baffling hints, Suraj's intelligence is sorely tested. What is the potent power required to break through that Paanch-Dost-Gupha?

THE FLAME OF ANAHATA!

Will the fire of love ever flicker in the hearts of Diya and Suraj?

Review: 

I haven't read the first part of the Comeback Warrior Triology. Having no knowledge about the first part, this book wasn't that difficult to comprehend. The book cover shows a picture of a princess and that of soldiers who are in warfield. This gives the readers an impression that the book is somewhere related to the era of wars and conquests. The wars have always fascinated me during my childhood and I was convinced that I was going to enjoy this read.

Coming to the story, it has been perfectly crafted. The characters seem to be real. For a moment you will feel that you are with Suraj, the protagonist in his quest for answers. I believe that writing a book series is really difficult as you have to let out only a part of the story. Author has done a marvellous job with this triology. I am eager to read the first and the third book of this triology.

The story starts with present era where Suraj and his team visit a village for their shoot. Time and events lead Suraj to his past and he discovers that he is Indrajith. He has to set things right in this birth in order to avoid the Black Army rule the villages. Is he successfull in finding out the truth that has been hidden for ages? Who helps him in solving this mystery? Who is Diya and how is she related to Suraj?

The narration has been done in third person narrative. The language is lucid and comprehendable. I remembered my grandmother's way of storytelling when I read this story. It is fluent and has no space for confusion. The incidents have been rightly placed with detailed narration. It is this narration that makes you believe that such a place could exist in reality. The book keeps you hooked on to it until the very last page.

I rate:
Cover: 3.5/5
Characters: 3.5/5
Story: 4/5

I rate 'The Flame of Anahata' with 4/5 stars.

Place your orders for this mythological fiction here, on Amazon.

Wants and Desires by Chitrangada Mukherjee - Book Review

 

"A gripping thriller. Wants and Desires will keep you hooked on to it until the end."

Book Name: Wants and Desires 

Authoress: Chitrangada Mukherjee 

Price: Rs. 101 

Blurb: 

Sukanto Bhattacharjee, sole heir of the wealthy Bhattacharjee family, dies a few days before his 35th birthday. Leaving behind a shocked mother, hapless wife, tormented friend and a paranoid paramour. Sukanto wasn’t brutally murdered. On the contrary, he was found dead in his study, sleeping peacefully. His autopsy report, too, indicates organ failure. And yet, the about-to- retire Superintendent of Police, Mr Roy, is not convinced. Because of an intriguing letter, written by Sukanto, on his dying day and placed carefully under his favourite crystal jug. Confused, SP Roy decides on calling in the mysterious forensic psychiatrist -- Atanu to help. As Atanu enters Bhattacharjee Bari and gets talking to its peculiar and complex residents, unnerving secrets are revealed, making it clear that reckless wants and unfulfilled desires can be a potent cause for murder. 

Story in a nutshell: 

Sukanto is found dead in his study. He has left a letter behind. The letter proves that it is a suicide. His mother, his wife, his girlfriend and his friends are all shocked with his sudden departure. There is another angle to this story. The police suspect Sukanto's death to be a murder. They talk to every person Sukanto was related to in order to find any clue. They do this through Atanu, Sukanto's childhood friend and a RAW scientist. Are the police successful in finding the murderer? Was it a murder in first place? 

Review: 

Have you ever closed the book midway during reading and closed your eyes to absorb what is happening in the book? Well, 'Wants and Desires' did the same to me. There were many incidents in the book which made me wonder what the story is going to me. The more I tried to deduce an end, the farther it went. The more I tried to solve the mystery, the more I found myself confused. The book has the power to leave you wanting for more.

The story is a psychological thriller. It will keep you on the edge. This perfect plot has been crafted thoughtfully. The narration is in third person. The language is simple and is easy to comprehend. There have been occurences of a few new words here and there. And that makes me say that the book is rich in vocabulary. The authoress' matured way of writing made this book an engaging read. The talks of the characters seemed to gell well with the situations. There weren't any loose ends. There is mystery, love, hatred, jealousy and longing in this story. The characters have been rightly sketched. Each has a story. Each tells a story. Wants and Desires is a story within a story. You will want to finish this story in one sitting. 

I would like to mention the authoress' dedication here. She dedicates the book to all those people who are fighting mental ailments alone. When I read this, I was sure that I was going to have an awesome read. 

I rate:

Cover: 3/5

Characters: 4/5

Story: 4/5

I rate 'Wants and Desires' with 4/5 stars.

Buy this awesome thriller on Amazon.

Life and the Grey Notes by Mayank S. Sengar - Book Review

 "The stories of this collection will make you think. An inspiring collection indeed!"

Book Name: Life and the Grey Notes 

Author: Mayank S. Sengar 

Publisher: Zorba Books 

Blurb: 

The collection of short stories in English, Life and the Grey Notes, brings home the simple truths of human nature, the essential human ingredients. The author has you reflecting, smiling, as you relate intimately to the characters and situations that people these stories. From the inescapable dilemma of a tea stall owner caught in the mesh of societal hypocrisy, to the inherent tendency to presume and judge that lurks within each one of us, the cherished place we accord to individual faith and the element of divinity, the intricately entwined threads of emotion in the Indian ethos can all be derived from this collection of experiences in the form of a book. The turning point in some stories where the protagonist emerges as a hero or confronts his own inevitable human frailties will warm many a heart, cutting across reader demographics such as age, geography and language. Suitable read right from a teenager to a young adult to an adult. Heartwarming, thought-provoking, explores human relationships and human psychology yet light and humorous, this short stories collection makes for an ideal quick read with your leisurely cuppa chai..... 

Review: 

'Life and the Grey Notes' is a short story collection consisting of 10 short stories. Each story is unique in its own ways. Each story focuses on a trait that helps a person be a better individual. The author talks about these traits with respect to a story. He presents his lessons in the form of these stories. He doesnt give out any advice or a concluding statement. He makes you ponder over what you've been doing in the past. He makes you think whether what you were doing was right or wrong. He doesn't ask you to change your ways instead asks you to question yourself. 

The narration of these stories is mostly done in third person narrative. The simple and fluent language is one of the plus points. 

My favorites from the collection are:

• The story - Inside Bermuda Triangle talks about the state of confusion that happens with most of us. It is that conscious and timely thinking which helps us take a decision.
• The second story of the collection - The Evening Calls tells us the value of life. You never know when is the last time you are talking to a person. It tells us to value our relationships.
• The Golden Fear helps us counter our fear.

I rate:
Cover: 3/5
Stories: 3/5 

I rate 'Life and the Grey Notes' with 3/5 stars.

You can buy your copies of this inspiring collection from Amazon.

In Search of a Soulmate by Swapna Rajput - Book Review

In search of a soulmate is a good read for all romance lovers out there. It is rich in emotions.

Book Name: In search of a Soulmate 

Authoress: Swapna Rajput 

Publisher: Invincible Publishers 

Blurb: 

'Soulmates Forever' is mostly narrated by attractive chap Sandy (Sandeep), who's life is full of fun ever since his childhood with his family, short time girlfriends and eight best buddies Mansi, Shaun, Preeti, Sumit, Shreya, Aarzoo, Mandar and Gaurav. Story starts from his grand wedding and moves around with present and flashback scenarios. Things changes so dramatically in Sandy's life that he marries his best friend. Once a playboy, slowly realises his wife is his soulmate but he couldn't express his love because of the mistake he has done in her life, he does everything to win her heart back. He is the most affectionate person with all the love filled in his heart for everyone. I am sure after reading his story every girl would wish a man like him. His friends are darlings, who always back him up. Every character has an interesting story and all are emotionally attached with each other and you will fall in love with every character especially Dadi, who is adorable. Novel has everything from childhood, school fun, picnics, tours, teenage love, and romance to grand weddings and not to forget social massages. Simultaneously, various love stories are running at a same time creates curiosity in every page that no one will get bored anywhere. Lots and lots of romance will thrill your sensation, as it has special love stories which are rare to find in Indian novels or movies. Enjoy reading a complete romantic comedy! 

Review: 

'In search of a soulmate' - the title seems very mature and deep. I was carried away with the title and the book cover which is so attractive. The book cover gives you an overall idea about what the story would be. The blurb is interesting but is exceptionally lengthy. I believe a short and crisp blurb would have been much better. The blurb lets out details about the story which kind of, puts the reader off track. 

Coming to the story, it starts with a marriage scene which then moves into past and then, drives in to present. The story is about Sandeep and his wife, Mansi. It is a story of their marriage. The childhood besties turned a couple during school days. Childhood is all about crushes and puppy love. Young girls and boys fail to understand love and end up hurting each other. Similar thing happens with Sandeep and Mansi. But destiny gives them another chance to be together. 

The narration is in first person narrative, from Sandeep's point of view. The language is simple. The frank narration will make you feel that you're a part of the story. The flow of the incidents is smooth. The pace of the story, however, gets real fast at a few places. A few incidents seemed out of the place as well. But they didn't affect the overall reading experience. 

The characters are many. Each character has a fair part to play. Their role in each other's lives and the way they stand for each other will envy you. You ask yourself whether such friendships exist in real world. The story of each character is a lesson in itself. You will feel sympathy and love for all the characters. 

On the whole, In Search of a Soulmate will keep you engaged on to it. The emotions of the characters are portrayed very well. It is because of these emotions that this book will create a place in your heart. 

I rate:

Cover: 3.5/5

Characters: 3/5

Story: 3/5 

I rate 'In search of a soulmate' with 3.5/5 stars.

You can buy your copies on Amazon.

Jim Morgan and The Seven Sins by Bharat Madan - Book Review

"Jim Morgan and The Seven Sins is a dangerously awesome thriller. You will be forced to read it all in one go."

Book Name: Jim Morgan and The Seven Sins 

Author: Bharat Madan 

Publisher: Notion Press 

Blurb: 

A quest to identify seven deadly sin.

A mystery behind seven keys that were passed to seven men. 

A deadly race against time to seek atonement.

On the outskirts of New York City, Jim Morgan, an international bestselling author learns through God that he had committed seven sins in his previous life. Clues lie in the six novels he has written, that would lead him to the mystery. But the novels won't reveal everything to him. With seven days on hand, he must walk in the direction that faith leads him in, to reach the lost chamber of Seven Planets. Unless Morgan understands the secret behind his past life and the sins he committed, his chance to live will be lost forever. 

Story in a nutshell: 

Jim Morgan is an international bestselling author. He has published six novels and is working on his seventh one. He isn't finding a great story when God visits him. He learns that he had committed sins in his past life and has just seven days to make amends. He is also told by God that the answer lies in his six books. Seven days, six published books and one incomplete manuscript, will Jim achieve success? What are the sins that he had committed? 

Review: 

I realized that this book is around 300 pages long and I blamed myself for accepting an ebook for review. I started reading the book and stopped at chapter one. The book didn't intrigue me then. I closed the app and shifted to reading the paperback that I was carrying with me. Few days later, I picked Jim Morgan and The Seven Sins again - This time I didn't have anything else to read. I read a few chapters and was glued onto the book. The story has been thoughtfully crafted. The chapters are presented in such a way that you can hardly guess what's going to happen next. It creates an urge in you to finish reading the book. 'One more chapter and then I shall stop' is what you say and ultimately, you will end up reading the entire book. The narration is done from Jim's point of view and is done in first person. The language is lucid and simple. You will feel connected with Jim and the other characters from the story. Each character is a mystery that is solved in the pages of the book. The author has included time travel, astronomy, spirituality in the book. The author talks about the seven sins that a human does during his lifetime. The book will be a good companion for the Saturday night. 

I rate:

Cover:3/5

Characters: 3.5/5

Story: 4/5 

I rate Jim Morgan and The Seven Sins with 3.5/5 stars.

Buy your copies on Amazon.

Book Review: Looped by Munmun Singh Nagpal

Book Name: Looped

Authoress: Munmun Singh Nagpal

Publisher: Become Shakespeare.com

Price: Rs. 150
 

Blurb:
Toby Sezoe, the newly appointed time traveler finds himself falling in love with a woman. The only problem is that the woman lived on the same spot centuries ago. Luckily enough, the woman can't see him when he travels back in time to her because he is only present there as waveform, but he doesn't know what the future (or past), has in store for him. Assisted by the man who built the time machine himself, for reasons unknown to any one person, will he be able to bridge this gap of time between the past and present? The tale of a true enthusiast, a hardcore romantic and a loyal fan. An uncanny description of the future. An enthralling epilogue, binding all the elements together and introducing the idea that we are all characters of the same play, puppets bound by the same thread. A fascinating turn of events, reinforcing the laws of time but defying the concept of time as a whole.

Review:
Looped is the kind of book that will keep you hooked on to it until the very end. It is the kind of book that will surprise you at every page you read. A book that will give you goosebumps towards the end.
Coming to the story, it is about time travel. As a child, I was always fascinated with time travel. Reading something related to time travel was satisfying that childhood obsession for me. Looped is the story of Toby who falls in love with a lady on one of his travel expedition. It's a story of Thatooton who isn't finding his call in the kind of work he does. He doesn't find his work exciting enough. It's the story of Foenze who wants to know why his parents abandoned him. The stories of all these characters are interconnected and hence, the title 'Looped'. Is it because they work at the same place? Does Toby confess his love to the lady? Why is there a cat on the cover of the book? You'll have to read the novel to find it out.
The story has been narrated in first person narrative. Toby, the protagonist is the narrator. The authoress has sewed the story perfectly well and it is the narration which engages you right from page 1. Toby and Lisa's thoughts, Thatooton and his playful behaviour and Foenze's to-the-point dialogues are worth appreciating. The pace of the story is slow. The incidents have been thoughtfully placed. At times, you will wonder whether you are watching some movie. I have heard many readers tell me that the book created some effects on them and made them think about it over a period of time. I can very well say that Looped did the same to me.
I rate:
Cover: 3.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Story: 4.5/5
My overall rating for 'Looped' is 4.5/5 stars.

Book your copies on Amazon.

Book Review - Odyssey of a Postmaster by Debaprasad Mukherjee

The book is provided by Arudhaa Club in exchange for a genuine review.

Book Name: Odyssey of a Postmaster

Author: Debaprasad Mukherjee 

Publisher: Inspire India Publishers 

Blurb:

The skinny, bare bodied boy of an East Bengal village is willing to do whatever it takes to visit the newest entertainment buzz; motion picture. The passion is pursued in later life with whatever be it: carrying cash of bank in the oddest possible manner, escaping disguised in the coal-heap of an engine from an alienated land, rearing tiger cub in Orissa forest, finding moorings in a hitherto unknown land, and......giving shape to a goal......not cherished by many. Obstacles, barriers are ways of life; let them come. What matters is the satisfaction at the end of the day. That is Sanjoy for you; the Ulysses, or Odysseus by his own rights. He savours the beauty of the hilly terrains with the same gusto as he has his romance with telegrams. Torrid times like escapade from Pakistan, death of the first child or imprisonment during postal strike are taken with equanimity. There is a bit of Sanjoy in everybody; yet, can everyone be an Odysseus? 

Story in a nutshell:

Odyssey of a Postmaster is the story of Sanjoy and his life. The story walks you through the childhood, his adolescence and his old age. The story is about the hardships he faces in his life. It's about his career and how successful he gets over time. Being content in what you have is what Sanjoy teaches us. 

Review:

I have read Debaprasad Sir's work - Boltu and was very much impressed with his story telling skills. His stories cast a spell on you. You become engrossed in his stories. Odyssey of a Postmaster is also one of the kind. 

The story is being narrated in third person narrative and is done really well. The characters are well sketched. The story and the characters make you feel home. The pace of the story is slow. The author has narrated the story keeping in mind each and every small aspect about Sanjoy's life. The events of his life have been properly placed. Sanjoy's life is an inspiring one. You will be amazed to see his dedication towards his work in times of difficulty. He is a gem of a person.

If you have grown up listening to your grandmother's stories, Odyssey of a Postmaster will be a treat for you.

I rate:

Cover: 2.5/5 
Characters: 3.5/5
Story: 4/5

I rate 'Odyssey of a Postmaster' with 4/5 stars.

Buy your copies on  Amazon

Book Review: Unns The Captivation by Sapan Saxena

 

This book was provided by Arudhaa Club in exchange for a genuine review.

Book Name: Unns The Captivation

Author: Sapan Saxena

Publisher: Inspire India Publishers

Price: Rs. 189

Blurb:

Of course you know about the seven stages of love, but have you ever lived them?" Atharva Rathod and Meher Qasim. Lovebirds since adolescence. Bonded by love, separated by circumstances. They part ways only to meet again. But this time, he is on a secret mission... Are they in control of their own destiny, or its their destiny which is making them dance to its tunes? Only time would answer, as Atharva and Meher unwillingly and unknowingly transcend the seven stages of love. A quintessential tale of love and romance marked beautifully by its own rustic old school charm.

Story in a nutshell:
The story Unns starts with Atharva and Meher's school and progresses towards their adulthood. Atharva happens to casually mention that he likes Meher. And from then on begins the journey of puppy love. They do not realise how their liking for each other turned into love. The love story seems like a dream come true for both of them. One fine day, Meher's parents learn about her relationship with Atharva. They manage to convince her that she was infatuated with Atharva. Meher moves to Germany. Years roll on. Atharva finds himself infront of Meher. Is love giving them a second chance? 

Review:
The first thing that came to my mind after reading the book is the movie Fanaa. The story revolves around similar plot. The narration is done well. You will instantly feel connected with the characters. You will fall in love with the innocence of their childhood and maturity of their adulthood. The characters have been sketched well. The story keeps you on edge at certain places. You will feel the curiosity to know what happens next while at few places the story appears dull. The story gives out inspiration.
My personal favorite is the seven stages of love. I am in love with that dialogue.
I rate:
Cover: 3/5
Characters: 3.5/5
Story: 3/5
My overall rating for Unns - The Captivation is 3/5 stars.

Book your copies on  Amazon.