Review: The Last Surge by Pramit Sarkar

Life is nothing short of madness. In the fast forward nature and the tepid pace of life there's very little less to do for ourselves or for other's happiness. Author Pramit Eerie Sarkar in his book "The Last Surge" tries to downplay the hectic nature of life and puts forth the amiss moments of the life and the people surrounding us. Does he succeed in his endeavor? Let's find out. 

"...the day we face each other, she will be sorry; sorry for rendering me emotionally impotent. And that will be my victory." Their blazing courtship was nearing marriage, before fate played its vicious card. Rimi dumped Gabriel and married the choice of her family but Gabriel decided to remain single. Why did Rimi take such a drastic decision? How did Gabriel keep up his single hood? Did they meet again or did fate succeed in keeping them apart? How does Sneha fit into the picture? Crafted with the characteristic flavors of Bengal, THE LAST SURGE brings you the tale of an ace football player turned relationship counselor and what made this protagonist a great brother, a greater father and an even greater romantic.

First look at the title and the cover and a reader is absorbed in the beauty of Kolkata and it's rich heritage. There's very less to talk about the title but it is pretty much on cards with the subject it tends to cater. The blurb talks about few people and how their lives bank upon each other's responses. The blurb keeps the glorious part away and a sneak peak is the best way to pick up the book, 

The story is of Gabriel, Rimi and Gabriel's adopted daughter. Circumstances have not been easy for the father-daughter duo yet Gabriel has been able to fulfill the wishes of her daughter. Meanwhile Rimi has spent a huge chunk of her life wishing and waiting for something to make her come back to the basic sense of freedom and happiness.But it cannot happen so easily. So after so many years what is it that will get them back together? What perspective each one of them has to offer towards life and relationship? Is it worth a shot or distances are the spunk of the destiny? That's what the story is all about. 

First things first, the author with his rich knowledge of English and grammar has given the book a midas touch. There are broken relationships, destiny's call and other melodramatic combinations that bind the story very beautifully. There's a storm and there's moment of lull too. The story occurs in both happiness and sad times and it's worth taking the ride with. The messed up personal lives of each and every character and their inner dilemmas and the hidden expression behind the simplest of things are some of the few ideas which have been touched and given space to. There's a lot of breathing space for everyone in the book and it excels in crispiness and vividness. 

The downside of the book is it's inability to maintain a stoic end. The end looks pretty much awry and offers very little compared to the majority of the story. A whiff of crack appears and takes away the entire charm. Introduction of a new character in the story backfires by all means. A pin point finish was the demand of the story. 

All in all the book with it's fair idea about life and relationships gives a great viewing angle to everything. From the time it sets into the deeper recesses of the characters there is deliberate deliverance of their wounds and gay moments. It motivates a reader to seek peace and solace in the scarred events of life. The story has a shiny new edge to it and looks polished all the way till the end. Barring few hiccups its a recommended book to pick up and spend sometime seeking meaning of life with. 

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5

Review: The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo (Harry Hole, #5)

Sometimes an author needs more than specifics to lure the reader into a world of nothingness. But there's still something to crave or contort about. Author Jo Nesbo in his book "The Devil's Star" let the people crave for more and the more has no immediate end. So has he been able to spin a web of deceits and truths? Let's find out. 

THE MARK OF THE DEVIL, THE SIGN OF A KILLER...
A young woman is murdered in her flat and a tiny red diamond in the shape of a five-pointed star is found behind her eyelid. Detective Harry Hole is assigned to the case, alongside his long-time adversary Tom Waaler and initially wants no part in it.
But Harry is already on his final warning and has little alternative but to drag himself out of his alcoholic stupor when it becomes apparent that Oslo has a serial killer on its hands.

First look at the title and the cover and a reader cannot decipher the major expression on the face of the young man. To an extent there's fear but by and large it's not the exact interpretation of the book or the story. The title is more a religious hoola-hoop but keeps the sanctity of the story alive with a precise blurb. The blurb leaves out nothing for the readers to delve into but enough to keep the hope of light on. 

The story is set in Oslo where murders in different parts of the town have caused havoc. For police it's more than a headache as it's vacation time. Tom Waaler, the best of the cops is assigned to catch the killer. But tagged along with him is the super hero of the Sydney adventure i.e Harry Hole. Drunk and wasted and probably on the last warning it's make and a break situation for Harry. But he wants nothing of it. So how will Waaler and others convince him to take up the mantle one last time? How good will his rapport be with his adversary Waaler? What's in store for Oslo and who's behind this devilish pursuit. What's the story all about? 

The story in simple words is exaggeration and test of patience of the readers. From the word go it expands into past, present and the future and feeds on the worst fears of the reader. Its a blend of at par brilliance of crime plus nocturnal follow ups of the police with no leads. The story will itself lead you to dead ends and bring you back to start all over again. The onerous power to capture the killer and the personal lives and animosities at stake it offers a lot of hidden secrets too. It comes with a baggage of suspense and drama but magnificent deliverance. 

The downside of the book is pretty much distorted connection of Harry's past to the present. It's more of an eye sore and fails to match the wavelength of the crime. It fails to sort out the exact purpose of the presence and never gathers any momentum. It's a tedious repetition of Harry's failed life which lets the story to stray in various directions. 

All in all keep aside the personal belongings there's nothing private in the story. The only agenda is killer and the cops. But it's no easy game and the game is played blind on instincts and helplessness of the victims. At random its the best narration and with specific it becomes tedious and complicated. But there's things for everyone which never lets down anyone till the end. It's one book which will slowly wither away the mind but keep you on course to the end. It's a twisted mystery thriller. 

RATINGS: 

4 OUT OF 5 

Review: The Plantation by Chris Kuzneski (Payne & Jones, #1)

Some authors have over the time led us to believe that there is always a common man lurking behind the scenes to save the world and its citizens. Its fictional yet effective. It inspires us to believe in a cause which is worthy of mention. Author Chris Kuzneski in his book "The Plantation" has recruited two soldiers to finish up the job for him. So do they make their presence count? Let's find out. 

A ski instructor disappears in the mountains of Colorado. Hours later, a pregnant woman is taken from a crowded hospital, and no one notices. Two places. Two incidents. One motive. And so it begins...
One by one, people are being abducted. But these aren't random kidnappings. They're precisely planned crimes with a singular objective: revenge. The latest victim is Jonathon Payne's girlfriend. With few clues to follow, Payne gives chase with the help of his best friend, David Jones. Their journey leads them to New Orleans, where they must solve the mystery of the South's most violent and shocking secret.

First look at the title and the cover and it fails to impress altogether. Though the title offers a different appearance but the cover is an absolute disaster. The blurb offers some respite in the form of some mystery accompanied with two action heroes. That's the first step towards an engrossing read. 

The story is of two friends David Jones and Jonathan Payne, ex-Maniac's and now part of a regular corporate life. But things suddenly get interesting as Payne's girl friend Ariane vanishes into thin air. Along with her people vanish from different parts of the country too. But who's behind the kidnappings and what's the motive is still a mystery? So it's up to the duo to uncover the mysterious disappearance of Ariane? What is the ulterior motive of the kidnappers? That's what the story is all about. 

There's a lull before the storm. Same is the case with the story too. After a regular banter the story twists into an unknown territory and marks the opening of two new ex soldiers and best friends. The story provides extra charge, action, suspense and high voltage drama. A stinging story line which is not a familiar territory embraces the whole idea of action and thrill. The barbarism and the mythical ruse behind the fiasco stretches the story and lingers on with great effect. It reminds of old times full of sadistic ways of going to the extreme. The narration is complete and is complete worth of the money. 

The possible let down in the story is lack of action on the antagonist side. They are not useful with their appearances and their structuring lacks that intensity. The weaknesses tend to spill over to the story for a very long duration and keeps the growth of the nemesis in a check. Its a subdued outline for them. 

All in all the book promises and delivers most of the time. It explores dimensions of all variety and leads readers to believe in the cause and effect. The cause being shady and the effect bombastic. The story is a treat to read and with the narration as skilled as a genre demands it never fails to enthrall with its witty drama. The few surprises pack a punch too. It's an all out show with lots of massacre and macabre. 

RATINGS: 

4 OUT OF 5

Review: World's Best Boyfriend by Durjoy Datta

Love is four letter word which indeed is not perfect yet people try to achieve the perfection by adopting various mediums of expression. Some work and some don't. Author Durjoy Datta in his book "World's Best Boyfriend" tries to weave magic out of the ordinary for the readers. So has he nailed it to perfection? Let's find out. 

Hate, is a four letter word.So is love.And sometimes, people can't tell the difference. 

Dhurv and Aranya spend a good part of their lives trying to figure out why they want to destroy each other, why they hurt each other so deeply. And, why they can't stay away from each other. 

The answer is just as difficult each time because all they've wanted is to do the worst, most miserable things to one another. 

Yet there is something that tells them: This is not it.If you want to know the answer to it all, read the book.

First look at the title and the cover and a reader can easily be lured into reading a romance novel. The title is pretty simple but the cover image is nothing better than ordinary. A broken puzzle is not the exact representation of a book neither the clouded aspect of love it wants to deal with. The blurb is precise and keeps it to the nuances of love and hate. 

The story is set in DTU, New Delhi where old nemesis Aranya and Dhruv are about to figure out the worst of their nightmares. Old buddies turned into enemies they are at each other's throats and this time it's a battle between wit and sarcasm. Times have changed and these two too. But somewhere in the tussle it's not an ideal situation brewing in the young minds. So what is it that will flutter their hearts? Who all will be part of their turmoil journey? Is there a reprieve or will it all bring them close to each other? That's what the story is all about. 

The only positives discovered after reading the story is that some leverage has been given to vitiligo patients. Some good old college romance is found prevalent in the book and some positive characters which somewhere down the line look good even in their bad form. 

The downside of the book is it's monotonous story line set in college. The forgetfulness of the author not to leverage Aranya's medical condition which pretty much skims out after the initial burst. The crudeness in the language where expletives rule the story. The alcohol and porn ruling the rooster. The far from polished idea feels flat on many counts of love and hate. It's not a magical ending as it is predictable and falls back on the known and trusted old age romance. 

All in all the book doesn't puts forth the best forward. It wobbles on a shaky ground of love and hate. Language is another expression which makes it look messed up and absolutely wacky. The idea to get two opposites together is a nice idea but in this case it's a regular affair with nothing out of the ordinary to keep it going. It's not the best of the deal breaker. Rather it's a story put together but it turns out into shambles rather very soon. An average affair.  

RATINGS: 

2 OUT OF 5