Review: Pitfalls & Parachutes by Durgesh Shastri

Anthology has been in a constant demand this season. Readers have enjoyed a variety in one single book. The genre freedom in anthology has made it for the readers to enjoy all of it at one place. Author Durgesh Shastri in his book "Pitfalls and Parachutes" has penned down an anthology from his own experiences. So will the variety offered in the book suit the taste of the readers? Let's find out.  

Pitfalls and Parachutes is a collection of fifteen short stories. The stories are youthful and lively. Entertainment is at the core of each of the stories. Watch out for exciting endings. A glimpse of the collection: 1. The protagonist's decision to help a lost lady might cost him his job. 2. Television news becomes a reality in the life of Cyrus. 3. Pramanik's reputation is at an all-time low. Someone can make it worse. 4. Can anything other than ragging make one's first day of college hell? 5. Why does an anonymous donation trouble Kanha so much that he hires goons to hurt an old man? 6. Deepak decides to overcome his superstitions; will they leave him so easily? 7. Michael sets out to fulfill his wife's last wish. What's his last wish? 8. Can a kick change somebody's life? 9. Does Sumit land a job in spite of a disastrous interview? No recommendation is entertained. 10. Kanchan has to choose between her lover and husband. Her son holds a dark secret. 11. Rishi has vowed never to fly kites again. What if he breaks it? 12. Valentine's Day and fanatics ultimatum. Will love Blossom?

First look at the title and the cover and a reader won't be able to make out the exact theme of the book. The title is justified as the book progresses on. The cover image is apt to go with the title but it's relevance with the book will be revealed slowly and steadily. The blurb highlights about anthology as the theme of the book and a brief one line description of all the stories. The blurb could have been summarized generally rather than giving one liners about the story. The suspense could have been maintained for the readers. 

There are 15 short stories covering the day to day life, incidents around us and numerous situations and circumstances which can compel a person to think, to react and to stand up for it in their own way. Each story has something or the other to offer to a reader in terms of experience. 

Story No. 1: 

It's a simple twisted story of two people who are together by fate and end up in a dramatic mix up. It's a good story considering the fact that it has a bit of spice in it for the readers. 

Story No. 2: 

Reality being shown on any electronic medium acts as an eye opener for the society most of the times. It's just that somebody has to take the first step. This is what this story is all about. It's an average story with the main catch towards the end. 

Story No. 3: 

When things spiral out of control in a person's life it becomes way too difficult to get it back on track. This is what the story is all about. It's a nice story with a touch of surprise in it. 

Story No. 4: 

This is a story about college life and it's implications and the first hand experiences when it concerns lecturers. It could have been a better story. It's one of the weak links of the book. 

Story No. 5: 

It's a story of beliefs, religion and spiritual connection of a man with a god. The story has an essence of purity in it. It's a wonderful story with quite a surprise for the readers in store. 

Story No. 6: 

The story is about blind superstitions and how people get spoil their lives by following them regularly. It's a funny story and with an abrupt and a happy end to it. 

Story No. 7: 

Some things are just not meant to happen in one's life. This is what the story is all about. It's the wishes and desires which are left incomplete. It's an amazing story with the right mix of emotions in it. 

Story No. 8: 

One should not be stubborn in life at times and listen to the elders too. Some advises work as tonic and a cure for the rest of your life. It's a good story of realization and the feeling of helplessness at the end of it. 

Story No. 9: 

It's the story of frustration and unwanted attention and few assumptions which leads to numerous other outcomes. It's a funny and an unexpected story and keeps the readers engaged. 

Story No. 10: 

One truth can change the lives of many. Destiny sometimes takes a course which is not in anybody's hands. It's a marvelous story with a touch of deceit, happiness, anger and shock and realization. 

Story No. 11: 

Some vows from the past are never meant to be broken. It's the story of staunch determination of a person and then the results of breaking it. It's an average story with not much to excite while reading it. 

Story No. 12:

When it comes to a girl's respect the man who stood up for it is the one who deserves her completely. This is what the story is all about. The story has a moral and a message in it for the society which makes it interesting. 

Story No. 13: 

It's a vivid imagination of the future and when resources will be limited then how would humans adjust to it. The story is a mix of present scenario in the future giving few insights as to what to expect in the coming time. It's not one of those exciting ones in the book. 


Story No. 14: 

It's a story with a lot of unanswered queries at the end. It has twist in it, love and something shocking which will baffle the readers a lot. It can make an intelligent one look silly. It's one of the best stories of the lot. 

Story No. 15: 

The arrogant always take a mighty fall and this is what happens in this story. It's a story of revenge and dignity of a person. It's a very good story considering the narration and the way it has been penned down. 


The stories which I liked the most are story no. 5, 7 ,9, 10, 14 and 15. The weak links of the book are story no. 2,4, 6 and 13. The anthology is a good attempt at observing the day to day happenings around us. Flavor of life is an added charm in the book. 

The book is a decent attempt at penning down an anthology for the readers. It has been balanced out well for the readers to enjoy but few of them might not click with the readers too. It's unraveling various human emotions in different circumstances under one book. 

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5. 

Review: Love Is Vodka: One Shot Ain't Enough by Amit Shankar

Teenage is a time when a boy or a girl undergoes a lot of changes in the characters. The choices they make for themselves not only affect them but also the people around them too. Author Amit Shankar in his latest offering "Love Is Vodka: One Shot Ain't Enough" has tried to pen down a journey of one such teenager. So is the appropriate message conveyed by the author? Let's find out. 

If love is all about freedom and honest expression then how can one associate it with loyalty?
Being a love child; Moon, the protagonist is anything but a conventional teen. With a leading TV news anchor as her mother, an aspiring entrepreneur as her boy friend, the word LOVE baffles her. The whole idea of having one partner and love being eternal is beyond her comprehension. 
Life turns upside down when she falls for the CEO, who happens to be her mother's boyfriend too. Destiny further complicates things by blessing her with a big time modelling assignment and she becomes famous and popular overnight.
A war starts waging between her head & heart on a lot of issues exposing her to various forms of love online & offline. 
Will she decipher the true meaning of love? Embark on an exhilarating rendezvous with Moon and discover love like never before.

First look at the title and the cover and glimpses of a chick lit novel hovers in the mind of the readers. The cover could have been much better than what it is right now. The title is catchy and the tagline goes with the title very well. The blurb talks about a person and her life's endeavors. The blurb has a lot of questions which will be answered by the end of the book. It's a good blurb giving out less to the readers and keeping the curiosity alive. 

The story is of a young teenager Moon who is raised by her powerful news maker mother Payal Malik single handedly and she is devoid of father's love all the time. Moon makes some choices for herself in life and ends up being the puppet of her mother's decisions and joins an advertising agency as an intern. Her not so happening love life with Ash her current boyfriend leads her to find solace first in the company of Adi whom she meets my chance and then D a.k.a Devil who happens to be the boss of her company and also her mother's best friend. With some startling revelations she gets attracted to D and ends up loving a person 25 years elder to him. After a series of shocking incidents in her life she is left stranded alone and she's again on a crossroad as to tread on which path. Will she be able to correct the wrongs in her life? Will she find love? What will life teach her? This is what the story is all about. 

The depiction of love between mother and daughter and few failed relationships in the first half makes the book worthy of giving a shot. The emotions in the first half binds and holds the plot together. Moon and her teenage melodrama is an apt portrayal of a wavered teenage life and few wrong decisions. The plot is strong in a few parts which is a plus. 

The downside of the book is the start stop narration of few events and sudden shift in the story line in the second half moving on a different path altogether. The end not quite in sync with the complete theme of the story line. Some parts in the book seemed to be rushed off too much and lacked details. It lacked excitement and some surprises in the second half making it duller with every page. 

The book with its catchy title and engaging story line in the  first half is a good prospect but later on takes a journey which is not an ideal set up for the book. It could have been a better prospect but left high and dry towards the end. But the teenage times of Moon speak volumes of how to approach teens in the volatile times. 

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5

Review: Ex...A Twisted Love Story By Novoneel Chakraborty

Have you experienced love with equal amount of pleasure and pain? Have you always been loyal towards the person you love the most? Have you been able to carve out a niche for yourself and be someone's pride? There are endless questions to love and it's repercussions and one cant only think of endless possibilities. Author Novoneel Chakraborty in his latest book "Ex...A Twisted Love Story" takes you on a journey for love where nothing is straight as it looks. So is the twisted story magnetic enough? Let's find out.

To get to his heart, she seduced his mind.
What will you do if one day a svelte and sexy girl comes up to you and says she is your ex ? And the only thing you know about her is that you don't know anything about her.
Neel, an aspiring author, meets Nivrita at the Jaipur Literary Festival. Though Nivrita says she is his ex, he remembers nothing and yet everything about her seems to lure him to unravel the mystery she personifies. The more he is drawn to her, the more Neel feels guilty because he is already in a steady relationship with Titiksha, the love of his life.
When Nivrita makes a tempting offer to Neel, which he accepts for his own good, his life slowly begins to spiral out of control while Titiksha starts turning into a stranger until Neel realizes there's much more than his eyes can see and mind can recollect.

First look at the title and the cover and the thing which attracts the most is the tagline beneath the title. It's a twisted love story as suggested by the author which is more than enough to arouse the curiosity pangs of the readers. The title is simple and adds a touch of resemblance to some love stories but that's not the case in this book. The blurb has been kept short and simple and mysterious and talks about a boy's story who is about to encounter some of life's most unaccepted experiences. It's a good blurb considering the story line. 

The story is about Neel who quits his boring bank job and aspires to be an author. He has a perfect love life and is in a live in relationship with Titiksha. One of his visits to Jaipur Literature Festival spells a new angle to his life with the advent of Nivrita who makes a tempting offer to Neel which he is not able resist and fans his dreams of becoming a big author one day. But things start getting complicated with Titiksha and her possible love affair with someone which gradually leads up to the point from where there is no going back. So will he able to salvage his relationship? What is it between Nivrita & Neel? What is in store for him? This is what the story is all about. 

If one word is needed to describe the book it will be "Twisted". It's a book which will catch readers off guard with it's mesmerizing story line and alluring tell tale of Neel and his life. There are surprises ate regular intervals in the book and the command over the narration and vocabulary is fabulous. It's a book which cannot be put down even for a moment for the simplest of the things will make sense later on towards the end.. The emotions of love, betrayal, loneliness, infidelity and perhaps life's problems has been projected in the perfect manner. It has both dark and bright sides of love in one to make the readers dance to it's tunes. 

There are no faults in the book neither there's a dull moment in the book. 

If as a reader you are looking for a love story with a feel of newness and a fresh flavor to it, then without any second thoughts you can pick up the book. The mind of the readers will be churned to a maximum and in the end it'll leave you in a state of trance from where there is no coming back so easily. It mesmerizes, makes you high, makes you jump and shout & cry and in the end leaves you baffled. 

RATINGS: 

5 OUT OF 5

Review: Because...Every Raindrop Is A Hope by Sankalp Kohli & Mansi Sharma

Life has been a teacher for all the living beings on earth since the advent of time. Not many have been able to decipher the correct path to lead their life in peace. There's always a turmoil or a phase where you tend to fall out of favor or waiver off in a wrong direction. Author Sankalp Kohli & Mansi Sharma in their debut book "Because...Every Raindrop Is A Hope" have tried to decipher the right mix to live a happy and a peaceful life. So is the book powerful enough to leave an impression on the readers? Let's find out. 

Because... Every Raindrop Is A Hope chronicles the life of Raj as he grapples with love, loss, consequences of wrong choices and his efforts to emerge victorious a midst adversity.

Raj, a small town boy from Kanpur, is a big dreamer, who after a series of twists and turns, ends up at an impasse in life. Because... Every Raindrop Is A Hope portrays his story with a series of nostalgic references about his past mixed with his present. Essentially a love story, the love triangle between Raj, Mahek and Shruti often leads the protagonist to make crucial life changing decisions. Subjected to the cruel realities of life, Raj loses more than he bargained for and ends up paying the price for his carelessness.At his wits end, Raj thinks about giving up when in a serendipitous moment he finds a note from his beloved professor, which tells him not to give up as every raindrop is a hope. Because... Every Raindrop is a Hope deals realistically with the issues of life, love and friendship. Raj’s relationship with his two best friends, Rahul and Rohan, defines a solid part of his identity. The breakdown of his friendship spirals Raj into a life of seclusion and despair. The crowded city of Mumbai offers no solace to Raj as he seems to be destined to walk through its streets in loneliness and agony.

Raj’s life is supposed to act as an inspiration for readers to endure hardships and not give up, as hope will always shine no matter how dark circumstances may be at the moment. Through various instances like love, tests of friendship, politics in college, betrayal, manipulation and survival, the theme of hope is brought out. Mumbai has been described with painstaking detail, making the crowded city a stark background to Raj’s eventual isolation. An element of mysticism is brought in with the mysterious man who guides Raj whenever he veers too far off the right track.

First look at the title and the cover and the highlighted word of the title "Hope" raises a lot of hope in a readers mind. The curiosity to read the book is aroused and the cover image is a cherry on the top of it. The blurb talks about a boy and his struggles to adapt and change according to the life's pace has been mentioned. The blurb could have been cut short a bit. It's unusually lengthy. 

The story revolves around a small town boy from Kanpur i.e Raj and his life's adventures through his eyes as he lives his past and tries to recollect the good and the bad which happened to him in a strange sort of occurrences and took away most of the angel side away from him and made him the devil which he didn't intended to be. His friendship, his love and & his inability to stand up to life's challenges is a best way to realize once own's mistakes. But will he be able to take control of the situation? What will happen to his love life? What will happen to his friends? What will happen to Raj in the end is what is the story is all about. 

The life's important lessons always to keep your head steady and never let ego or arrogance take control of your personality is a pretty strong idea in the book. The emotional turmoil and the struggle to get out of the mess self created by Raj has been beautifully crafted. Friendship & love are high in this story and the message and the impact it leaves on the readers makes it an interesting book for the readers. The simple narration is an added plus to it. 

The downside of the book is no difference in the story line from the other books. The story could have been made more interesting and few things happened or ended out of the blue which is an eye sore. The story in the middle could have been more compelling. 

The book though no different from the others in terms of the story line yet leaves a deep impression on the mind of the readers. The choices you make and the cautious you are towards life, the rich the rewards will be is the important message throughout the book. It lets you relive the good old college days through the eyes of the protagonist and the mistakes which you committed and not realized it that time. 

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5 

Review: Nav & The Ninth Universe by Sunny Shandilya

Sci-fi as a genre in the books has been tapped quite often nowadays. It's not the foreign authors who are doing it but the Indian authors have jumped in the fray too. Author Sunny Shandilya in his debut attempt "Nav & The Ninth Universe" has tried to pen down one such sci-fi tale. So is he successful in pulling it off? Let's find out. 

Ever had a feeling that nothing around you is what it looks like. You feel you are dreaming and would soon wake up from your sleep. What would you do if you had the superpowers of invisibility and super fast travel? Nineteen year old Nav's monotonous life turns Topsy-turfy when he comes to know that his father who died ten years ago is actually alive in a parallel universe.He has to race against time unraveling various mysteries starting with his first clue at 'Christ the redeemer' statue in Rio de Janeiro.In his pursuit to find his real mother in nine days, he stumbles upon 'The Clock of Time' and fights humans, super humans, ninjas, mythical creatures, demons, centaurs, mixed breeds. He also meets Kiaraa, a mysterious girl who can control water at will. Witness Nav uncover many lies that the human civilization has been living under, while trying to find his real mother who holds the secret to his destiny.

First look at the title and the cover and one can get the feel of a sci-fi book in making. The cover image is not so impressive and could have been worked upon in a much better manner. The title along with the tagline does justice to the theme. The blurb talks about a person's journey around the world to uncover few things. It could have been a more concealed blurb giving out less about the story. A lot of hints have been dropped in the blurb about the same. 

The story is about a young astro physicist Nav who near his 19th birthday stumbles upon a mystery which changes the entire course of his life. He sets upon a journey where he has to race against time in order to find his mother and father. But his task is not so easy as he has to battle his wits, fears and counter unexpected and dangerous forces who will not only deter him from his mission but also try to scar his life. He finds an able companion in Kiaraa and along with her sets out to uncover a lot of mysteries which will finally lead him back to his family. So will he able to succeed in his mission? What's in store for him? That's what the story is all about. 

The story for a sci-fi is furiously paced and the way events span out in different places and the circumstances leading up to it is a mind blowing experience for the readers. The mystery element in the story is maintained at all times and the narration helps the story along the way. The book is action packed and has a lot of surprises in store for the readers. 

The book lacked detailing at times and some parts happen in a jiffy which doesn't suits the story line. The story could have been made much better towards the end by exaggerating things a little bit. Some vivid details were required instead of  straightforward happenings in the story. The main villain comes a little too late in the book to leave an impact. 

The book is a star in it's genre and has the knack to perform well with the readers. It's to the point which is a drawback at times but it makes up for that with it's pace and spread out story. It has to be absorbed and get soaked with as you turn the pages. 

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5

Review: The Pink Smoke by Shomprakash Sinha Roy

Life teaches you a lesson one way or the other. It can leave a long lasting mark on a person's memory. Some things just never fade out of mind. Their after effects are far more severe than some other important issues in life. Author Shomprakash Sinha Roy in his book "The Pink Smoke" has tried to put up a book in form of various life lessons for the readers. So does this book really teaches us something? Let's find out. 

The Pink Smoke is a story set in the backdrop of Bangalore, India. It traces Siddhant Roy's journey as he tries to adapt himself into an alien world of love, lust, addictions and unnerving degrees of friendship. He gets guided by two contrasting elements Saahil, the perpetually high philosopher and Ashish, the sane and balanced advisor. His ambitions and desires duel it out inside his head and his love for Nikita fireball Sen drives him over the edge as he begins experimenting with every social norm, until his world comes crashing down. Will he survive? Will he make it through college or end up picking up the broken pieces of his soul in the sunbathed streets of Bangalore? Read the book, to find out. The story has been placed a midst varying shades of emotions, questions the authenticity of every feeling akin to love.

First look at the title and the cover and the book has an element of difference to it. Though the tagline has love and nicotine involved in it, love being the more common formula and nicotine gives a new angle to the reader's thought process. The blurb talks about a boy's journey from a small town to a big city and the things he learn during that entire lifespan. The blurb could have been more thought provoking as the title and tagline are. 

The story covers the entire journey of Siddhant Roy and his exploits in his college PESIT, Bangalore and life with friends Saahil & Ashish. Gradually his love story too comes in the picture when he meets Nikita Sen and both of them start off a very passionate and intense relationship where all the boundaries of physical intimacy and mental comfort is crossed. But problems galore for Siddhant on both college & love front as he struggles to maintain & sustain the momentum. So will he able to survive his college? Will Nikita be his side in tough times? What will happen to Siddhant in the end? That's what the story is all about. 

The book has a fluidity in narration and the story has a feel of freshness in it when it is being narrated from Siddhant's point of view. His life, his problems, friendship & love it all is an eye opener and a lesson for the readers. His will to stand tall among all the problems is a commendable part in the story. The emotional exchange between characters in the story is one thing to watch out for in the book. 

The downside of the book is lack of a fresh story line. Same old college problems & troubled romance doesn't adds up anything new in the book. The story from Nikita's point of view feels incomplete at times. The excitement and the serious conversations could have been handled much better in the book. The physical intimacy could have been cut down a lot. The end could have been handled much better in the book. The story is too predictable. 

The book is good for hopeless romantics and few life lessons can be picked up too. The story has nothing new and fresh to offer apart from a good narration. The book could have been a much better prospect . It was less intriguing and convincing in the end. 

RATINGS: 

2 OUT OF 5

Review: The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal by Adite Banerjie

When business is mixed with pleasure it generally spells doom. There are numerous books written on this subject and many movies made too. It has a different flavor to it each time someone narrates a tales related to business and pleasure. Author Adite Banerjie in her book " The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal" has tried her hand on creating one such story. So will the story charm the readers? Let's find out. 

Dancing with the enemy, Krish Dev needs to find a bride and quick! With a marriage arranged by his father looming, Krish finds the key to his freedom in Maya Shome, but is this dazzling beauty really all she seems...? Maya has only one thing in mind: revenge. But when the host of the most exclusive high society party asks her to dance what is meant to be an innocent tango it leads to an engagement to Krishher enemys son! Arranging their own marriage could work to their advantageif they can resist mixing business with pleasure!

First look at the title and the cover and it gives a perfect feel of a Mills & Boons in making. The cover image with two young lovers and an eye catchy title to go with it the readers are in for some entertainment in the book. The blurb talks about a business tycoon and his life's dilemmas and his plans to get out of it. The blurb is a quick work and the story's essence has been concealed well to keep the curiosity of the readers at high. 

The story is about Krish Dev son of business tycoon Kamal Kant Dev a.k.a KD who somehow gets hold of his dad's evil plans to solemnize a marriage without his consent with his business rival's daughter to strengthen his position in the market. Krish treads on a different path and goes for a bride hunting on his own and comes across Maya Shome who is an upcoming landscape designer. He throws the bait and gets hold of her and chalks out a plan of his own on which he works out things in his favor. But Maya has a plan of her own? She has revenge in her mind. What happens when two volatile people collide? Will their marriage last long? Who will be the winner among this chaos? Will Maya get what she waited for long. This is what the story is all about. 

When it comes to romance, drama, emotions and mixing business with pleasure the story scores well. It has right amount of ingredients in to keep the readers hooked to it. The story has an element of fluid pace to it and is able to maintain both love & revenge as one till the end. The choice of words to describe few scenes is commendable. The first half is more interesting and gripping with regular encounters of Krish & Maya.

The story is predictable and lacks details which could have made the torrid past of Maya a better prospect. The end is too easy considering the plot of the book. The excitement in the second half is less. Some parts in the story look too plain and simple. 

Overall it's a good story with the bonus of love & revenge in one. It might not turn out to be the most compelling books to read but still it has few elements of its own to make it an interesting prospect for romance readers. 

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5. 


P.S: The book was received as part of the "Reviewers Programme" on "The Tales Pensieve".