Review: Nine: Curse of the Kalingans by Shobha Nihalani

Historical Fiction has caught the eye of many authors off late. History mixed with present day life and some interesting and thrilling events have become the new flavor in the current scenario. Ashwin Sanghi and his books are the biggest proof of it. Author Shobha Nihalani in her second offering has chosen one such theme to make some headway in the reader's mind. So has justice been meted out to the book or it's just a fantasy tale? Let's check it out. 

Nine: Curse Of The Kalingan (Book - 1) is a modern tale which has been brought out by the author from the depths of ancient history. The Kalinga war, fought by Emperor Ashoka, took place in 261 B.C. The war brought enormous destruction, death, and devastation. This was the war which brought about a profound change in the most famous Mauryan Emperor. The war shattered the Emperor, who then converted to Buddhism and pledged never to wage a war again.
The society of the ‘Nine’, founded by Ashoka, protected their knowledge and power fiercely, and kept this wealth of wisdom a closely guarded secret. This secret could prove to be very dangerous for mankind if it were to be placed in the wrong hands. In order to ensure peace, these secrets were handed down the generations. It is believed that these secrets still exist, and their keepers and protectors live normal lives as preachers, teachers, and scientists.
Unfortunately, Ashoka’s desire to keep the peace of the land is about to be shattered. The war of Kalinga also gave rise to an angry spirit, the spirit of one killed brutally in the war. This spirit is bent on avenging the Kalinga Empire. His intention is to rule the world and to change its destiny, and for this he needs the hidden knowledge, the power of the Nine.
The story then unfolds in the present with the spirit possessing a young man, Jeremy, in order to complete this task. This possessed man then sets out to kill each of the Nine. Three of the nine are dead, and the rest of the members disappear. Only three people can now stop this dangerous spirit, Tara, the chosen Trinity nurse, Akash, a DJ, and Zubin, a forensic expert. These are the three who are chosen to protect and carry forward the secrets of the Nine.
As they reside in different parts of the world, they decide to travel to Tibet. There, they meet a Dutch woman, Lise, who knows the secret locations of the nine ancient texts that have to be brought to the hidden kingdom in Tibet. In Tibet, a monk enlightens them about their powers and how they can use them to defeat the Kalingan spirit. Then unfolds their dangerous and thrilling journey, their fight against this deadly spirit to protect the secrets of the Nine and to save the world from destruction.

First look at the cover and it gives glimpses of something grueling and edgy in terms of the story. The title has been embossed on the page like an ancient carving which is a plus point for a historical fiction. The blurb tells a historical tale and there on it's effects on the modern day world. It's a lengthy blurb but enough to provide insights about the book. All the aspects be it title, blurb and cover have been taken care of very well considering the genre of the book. 

The story starts off from the past with glimpses of the great Kalingan-Mauryan war. A Kalingan spirit before dying chooses revenge in modern day to restore glory to the Kalingan clan. Then the story moves in to the present day where Nine a secret society found by Ashoka thousands of years ago to keep the wealth of wisdom as a secret has been compromised by the returning Kalingan spirit in a human form. Three members have been compromised out of Nine and three young people DJ Akash, Tara & Zubin have been chosen to inherit the knowledge and save the world from a catastrophe. The story spilling over three continents and with lot of mystic elements and powers rallying behind it is about whether they are successful in deflecting off the threat or they succumb to the rising power of the evil spirit. 

It's a fast paced historical fiction thriller. It has glimpses of the past, it has magic, it has secrets, it has naive young men and women and it has an evil which makes the plot a lot more interesting. The pace is furious at times and many a things will happen in the blink of an eye. The shift from the past to the present has been handled well by the author. The story doesn't goes off track anywhere during it's entire course of narration. The blend of history, present & fiction has made the plot a formidable offering for the readers. 

The book can be liked for the antagonist's journey. It can be liked for it's connection with the past. It can be liked for unlikely heroes of the plot and it can be liked for it's absorbing plot and theme set in different stages of time. 

There are no faults in the book.Editing is at the best in the book.  Some scientific explanations and spiritual lessons might put off a few while reading the book. But it all makes sense in the story. 

It's a story with brute force and thrilling narration which makes the readers heads turn. It will make you jump out of your seat, it'll make you anxious and with all the thrills and high octane drama spilling over three continents it'll give you a satisfaction of going through the entire experience. As the book suggests a part two is on offering too for unquenched thirst of the readers. 

RATINGS: 

4 OUT OF 5. 

Review: Tall Man Small Shadow by Vipin Behari Goyal

Many of us have read books which have an unusual theme. They go deep in to a subject and try to explain the bits and pieces of it. Author Vipin Behri Goyal in his debut book "Tall Man Small Shadow" has chosen a path which not many stray on to narrate a tale. So is he successful in justifying his own plot? Let's find out. 

It is my debut English novel based on existentialism. Salil loves a shadow which transforms into many characters to reveal the secrets of life. Aalya, his neighbor, is doing research in English literature. Her guide Seema is a childless lesbian. Paul, husband of Seema, is a drama director. I am the protagonist, who coins philosophies for day to day events and my wife Sulekha is the second protagonist who makes coincidences happen with her artful manipulations. Read on to learn what happens when.... 

First look on the cover and the title and the readers will get a feel of something spooky coming. But the title is very well aligned with the cover image. The author has chosen to kept is simple yet deceptive. The blurb talks about few people and the events of their day to day life with the author itself at helm with his wife to explain the existence of the book. The blurb though not very sparkling in terms of appearance but has some things which will throw the reader's thought process off course. It's intriguing for a curious mind. 

The story revolves around a man, his wife Sulekha, their daughter Aalya and their neighbor Salil. Old age is catching up with the narrator and his wife and they want the best for their daughter. A daughter who knows her limits, has not done anything out of the blue, cares about her parents and is obedient and shy. Salil their neighbor is a recluse who prefers to stay with himself till he sees Aalya at his doorstep. Love culminates between them and takes a lot of time to get hang of things. Meanwhile Aalya and her guide cum mentor Seema who is in a non existent kind of relationship with husband Paul is drawn towards Aalya. It's reciprocated with equal force and it changes the whole perception of Aalya and gives a new dimension to her life. Will Aalya & Salil come together? Will Seema stop herself? What will Aalya's parents do to see their child settled? These are the questions that will be answered in the book. 

It's a fluid story with no pauses and if's and buts in narration. It takes time to get hang of things in the book. But once Aalya comes in the picture the story is on a roll. The everyday events and the delicate subjects of our society have been touched with utmost importance. All the characters have played an important part in the story and contributed to the existence of the book. The elders narrating the whole story and the later on revelations of the mother are a highlight of the whole book. 

Faults are hard to find in the book. There are hardly any except for the pace which won't suit some people's reading style. 

If you are serious about understanding the approach of a human being towards their life each and everyday then this is the book to look out for. From the mother child relationship to the care and to the fatal attraction towards the same gender and in the end concealing all other things to keep each other happy have been covered with command in the book. It's not a regular love story but it has enough to excite a young or an adult mind. 

RATINGS: 

4 OUT OF 5. 

Let's Fall In Love Once Again!!

You and I were certain
but there was a hint of restrain.
Forget all the sorrows and pain
Come on let's fall in love again

Don't let our efforts go down in drain
because I'm here to entertain
You don't need to explain
come on let's fall in love again. 

I don't want you to overstrain
hold my hand in this endless rain.
The looks on your face were plain
come on let's fall in love again.

Together we should remain
our love will sustain without any stain
Your love for me will not go in vain
come on let's fall in love again.

Review: She Fell (Fail) In Love Once Again by Ramesh Tehlani

Indian literary industry has undergone a sea change with many authors coming up. Authors who chose to change the style and content of the book and go bolder. Some genres which have experienced this trend prominently are love and relationships. Some of them have shown the brighter side of love while some have went on to explore the darker shades of love. Author Ramesh Tehlani in his debut book "She Fell (Fail) In Love Once Again" chooses the dark over dawn. So is he successful in his attempt or not? That will be answered in this review. 

She Fell (Fail) In Love? Once Again? is a real life tale of Shreeti Sharma, young girl, working with private bank in small town Ajmer. In search of Mr. Right, she met some people in journey of life and fell in love with them.In expectations of long life bond, she received betrayal with life changing lessons and experiences about Pain, Pleasure, Sex, Spirituality, Social Rules, Ethics, Personal Development, Office Politics etc. After many experiences of failure and betrayal, now she fell in love?once again. This time, will she get long lasting love or will she fail in love, again?In her journey of search she learnt life-changing concepts like:

• Why Extra Marital Affairs are not wrong...

• Why Physical Relations without marriage are not wrong...

• Why women gives sex for love and men gives love for sex...

• How pain gives pleasure?

• How to face office politics and recession?

• How one can increase his/her value in job and society by using ?Quiwam Theory? and ?Why Apple is costlier than Potato Theory??

• And other new aspects of life?

Somebody has rightly said that sometimes a book cover is enough to entice a reader in picking up a book. This one is surely up in that list. The title is a charming one. It has that feel of double meaning to it which gives it an extra edge. The blurb points out towards a real story involving Shreeti Sharma where is in her search for Mr. Right. The points highlighted are a reason enough to enjoy the story. 

The story is about Shreet Sharma and her life. A life which wasn't destined to be easy by any means be it love, job, personal matters, family matters, friends, relationships etc. Her life hit a lot of rough patches and she stumbles and keeps getting back up again. In the end is she able to set things right for herself is one big question which will be answered in the story. 

This is a story where a girl single handedly from her childhood through her teens and till her late 20's make many heads spin and many lives toss around courtesy her destiny and rash decisions. She is the perfect recipe of failure. Biggest of them all failure in love time and again which is also the title of the book. At one point of time readers might forgot the no. of times she was in and out of a relationship. She is a perfect modern day recipe of a girl who goes awry with her decisions and her life and her past keeps coming back to haunt her. You can experience love, office politics, sex, failures etc. all through Shreeti's eyes. The story is quite different from the usual recipe. It has loads of spicy flavor with little bit of sweetness too. Things have been spiced up at the right places in the book for the readers. 

Poems are worth reading throughout the book. The story commands absolute attention with it's fluid narration and small yet intriguing chapters. Shreeti Sharma and her life are a perfect example of a young blood caught on the wrong foot and inability to think clearly in crunch situations. Her helplessness, her plight, her failures and her misery and little happiness are a perfect blend to weave a story around her. 

The major downside of the book is editing. Spelling mistakes, spacing errors and incomplete words in the poems and at some places in the book make it difficult sometimes. Its not Jahar, it's Zeher. It's not Kismet, it's Kismat. Its not Phoolo, it's Phoolon etc. Mistakes like these in Hindi words written in English require a lot of attention. Spacing error seems to be the specialty of Notion Press. I have read couple of books from their stable but the same mistake has been repeated in this one too. Other than that the plot is flawless. 

It's the story for the masses and all the classes.The book is bold but in the right sense. The author right from the cover page and entire theme has nailed it to perfection. Be it the multiple relationships, office & problems, family matters etc. no issue has been left out and given equal importance right through out the book. It'll act as a right dose for girls who are young and yet to experience the world and it's goods and bads in their lives. It's definitely worth the readers time. 

RATINGS

4 OUT OF 5. 

Review: The Edge of Desire by Tuhin A Sinha

Politics is one of the most sought and controversial subjects in our country and all around the world. The no. of political dramas and sagas keep the people entertained most of the times. It's difficult to see the roots of corruptions and hatred. Author Tuhin A Sinha in his latest offering "The Edge of Desire" tries to uncover the politics of our country which is in shambles. So has he been successful in doing that or the book is enough to stir up a controversy? Let's find out. 

When journalist Shruti Ranjan, newly-wed wife of the Deputy Commissioner of Kishanganj in the lawless Bihar of the 1990s is brutally raped by a ‘politically sheltered local goon’ all of her attempts at getting justice are crushed by a corrupt and complicit state government. That’s when the charismatic Sharad Malviya, a leading member of the Opposition party, offers her an unlikely solution: his party’s ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections.Left with little to choose from, Shruti agrees, only to realize that being catapulted to an enviable position of power in an all-man’s world comes at a price. Caught between her mentor and her spouse – both upright but ultimately flawed men – and a host of envious others who continue to cast aspersions on her character, she struggles to address the larger problems of the country.Taunted for being a ‘Draupadi’ she makes the curse her identity and resolutely fights her fate…

The title is quite edgy and on a cover page is a girl with a tagline which reflects a little about the story. The blurb hints at the plight of a dynamic Shruti Ranjan and what happens to her in her entire journey. The blurb along with the title and cover image gives a strong indication of political thriller with a woman on the helm. This will impress the readers. 

The story is about Shruti Ranjan a dynamic personality who is first ditched by her long term love Abhay and then when she goes for an arrange marriage with a bureaucrat life takes a drastic turn and she ends up on the cruel side of destiny. Her rape and futile attempts to get justice echoes all over the country which is heard by young and charismatic Sharad Malviya under whose guidance she fights out the system and takes strides towards her crushed ambitions. Many unpleasant events along her political journey makes it a roller coaster life for her and when her own leave her in the process she is left alone to fend for herself. Whether she'll make it to the end is a question which will be answered in this book.

The plot indeed lives up to the expectations. The knack of the author to pick up the story from the dirty streets of a small town in Bihar to the colonial bungalows in Delhi is remarkable. The whole political theme works in the favor of the book. The characters and their stories are never out of place and there are parts which people can relate to in the real life. Book is more realistic rather than a fiction novel. Shruti's plight, the no. of obstacles in her path, her image at stake, less concerned relatives and parents and a turmoiled love life sets the tone of the entire plot. Sharad Malviya is another inspiring character in the story with his political experience and calmness. 

The no. of twists and turns and the emotional barrage and the political agenda are the flavors of the book. It has been moulded into a perfect fiction tale. The comparisons drawn from the past are a notable feature too of the book. The writing style is also worth mentioning. 

The story slows down a little bit in the latter half but again picks up the pace towards the end. Faults are hard to point out in the book. 

It's a must read for the readers. It has been written to open the eyes of people to the injustice happening around them in reality. The message is loud and clear. Keep aside your problems be manipulative at times and never let your guard down when you are in process of achieving something big.  Reader's hearts will go out for the story and for Shruti too. It's about the survival of the fittest. 

RATINGS: 

4 OUT OF 5. 

Review: No Vacancy for Love by Anuj Shrivastava

Friends are an important part of everyone's life. Some stay till eternity, some use you and some just leave your hand when you need them the most. Author Anuj Shrivastava in his debut novel "No Vacancy for Love" has come up with a story portraying the colors of friendship. So has the book done enough justice to the title and the story? Let's find out. 

A reserved boy, an extroverted girl, both of them from the same college and a small town. It's not a love story, but a story of trust, belief, loyalty and sacrifices. Welcome to 'No Vacancy for Love' this is a story about two young people Shabd - Tanya and their friendship. It is about a friendship that burns under the path of faith, humanity, decency and hurting decisions. It challenges the saying 'if you are good to others, they are always good to you, if not today then wait for tomorrow.'

The title is a unique one. The cover page has shades of black and white and a girl and a boy. The blurb contains a mistake. It should be extrovert not extroverted. It's a decent blurb which talks about two people and their friendship. 

The story revolves around Shabd, his college life, his friends and also about Tanya and his relationship. It takes for the readers to find out whether it's love or infatuation or just friends. It involves some classmates who despise their friendship and in the end what Shabd realizes when he confronts himself about the situation. 

The story has plain and simple narration. It's not a long book. It has the strong flavor of friendship and misunderstandings in it. It has been put up to let people know the true colors of friendship and feelings. It leaves a strong message as to how one should go about approaching friends in their circle. The heartbreaking turn of events in Shabd's life are a highlight and to be enjoyed thoroughly. 

Spelling mistakes especially the Hindi Words are a turn off. It's yaar not yarr. It's behen not bahan. Editing is not good. The story lacks depth and focuses more on college assignments, gossips and rumors and Shabd's personal achievements. Tanya-Shabd's friendship doesn't justifies the title. Love is not the true flavor of the book. A different title for the book would have made it more apt. It had to be approached with more focus on friendship rather than college achievements. Tanya's character lacked intensity which was the main requirement of the story. 

It could have been much better with a much more suitable title for the story. The story won't woo the readers but few emotional patches will make readers ponder about it. A lot more was expected from the book but it didn't do justice to its theme. 

RATINGS: 

2 OUT OF 5. 

Review: The Teen by Gyandeep Kaushal

Teenage is a time where a child loves to experience new things. He/ she craves for new challenges. They make mistakes, they fall again and again but they never learn to give up. Author Gyandeep Kaushal still in his teens has brought for readers a story of two teens. Its "The Teen". So what new aspect of the "teen" has the author covered and is he successful in the whole process? That are the questions that will be answered in this review. 

Love can make you do anything, absolutely anything. It can make you run out of your house in the middle of the night to save the girl you love, it can make you not fear anything, not even death when you feel you have been forgotten by someone you can never forget, it can make you choose to live in isolation for a complete year just so that you dont risk her peace; it can make you choose to wait for her forever, and it can make you choose to be awfully selfish so that you can see your whole life being ruined, at the cost of seeing her alive and breathing.

The cover is not impressive as it should be. It could have been more vibrant. The tagline gels well with the story which is to be found out when the readers go through the book. The title is a simple one. The blurb talks about a jilted lover who can go up to any limits for his love. Probably the blurb needed a bit more. But in terms of surprise element it'll suffice the needs of many readers. 

The story is no less than a grand tale. It's probably the lengthiest books. It's about Ravi, Nikki and their teenage and the love which they develop in the process of knowing each other over the time. The story will travel a long journey of 8 years with a sudden time leap and then unravel the end with some twists and turns in it. 

The first word when you pick up the book as a reader comes into your mind is patience. With this book you need a lot. Unique chapter numbers might fool some but with time you'll come to know that it's the class in which Ravi & Nikki studied together throughout the story. When it comes to unearthing the raw side of the teenagers this book stands out among many other books. It has Ravi a young hot blooded boy and Nikki a charming little girl with orthodox parents by her side. Ravi's haste combined with Nikki's fears will make their journey of love epic. It's full of emotions, expressions, fears, problems, rash decisions, unexpected thoughts and ideas, boyish charm, attention, misunderstandings and not to forget two people's love too. The poems and small notes exchanged are very meaningful in the story. Ever nagging friends, high expectations from parents and orthodox approach of Nikki's family are the major highlight of the story. Understanding characters like Fr. Jose, the tuition teacher and few others make the story a lot more interesting. 

Ravi's character has been sketched well in terms of the theme of the book. Character sketching is the strength of the book. Nikki too gels completely in the story as a teenager who is unsure of  her actions most of the times. Reader's heart will go out for the plight of Nikki in the story. She is the enchantress in the latter half of the story. 

The story lost a lot of charm in chapter 10.5. The unexpected love triangles, Kisha's part were completely unnecessary. The first half of the story could have been shorter by nearly 70-80 pages. The build up is good but to enchant a reader it has to be kept on the track. In the latter half I expected more or Nikki & Ravi but Nikki's dad played the spoilsport. The book should have been kept 150-200 pages shorter. 

It's not an easy book as the title suggests. It gets on with high octane drama, covers everyday problems of families and friends, your first love and gives a complete picture of what a teen goes through or will experience in the future in this book.It is sweet and spicy with some masala in to towards the end. It's a love story which fights its way out and still stumbles on the last step perhaps for the betterment of the other but it gives a fair idea that in order to see a smile on somebody's face sometimes you just need to let that thing go.  

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5.