Review: I am Life by Shraddha Soni

Life is a puzzle which can never be solved. It's a never ending dilemma which can't be put together and figured out. Author Shraddha Soni in her book "I am Life" embarks on a journey of peace and solitude and takes the readers along with her to search and resolve some of their queries. So is there any light in the stiff darkness? Let's find out. 

I am Life is the journey of Siddharth Khanna from India to New York and back to his country. The author describes Siddharth as a lost soul, who is dejected and depressed with how is life is shaping up. In his search for peace and happiness, he embarks on a journey to his motherland. He shuttles from one Ashram to another in Rishikesh, and soon his journey turns out be a soul searching experience. For a person who had never believed in God, Siddharth realizes the importance of God in everyone’s life.

First look at the title and the cover and a lot of users will be in a fix as what to comprehend about the book. The title though a bit self explanatory but the image confuses at the same time. The blurb has been kept short and simple and talks about a man and his journey where he tries to find out few answers about his questions. 

The story is of Siddharth Khanna who is in New York and his personal life is in a complete mess. His wife Rhea and son Neil have left him for good and he is on the verge of going bankrupt. His friend Andrea consoles him and pushes him to undertake a spiritual journey to Rishikesh the holy land where man finds answers to most of their problems and questions. Siddharth sets on the journey and life changes once he reaches there from learning's and teachings. But will Siddharth able to give up the old habits? Will he realize about the existence of god and it's creations? What will happen in the end to him? That's what the story is all about. 

The questions and dilemmas of life and existence of god always remain in question and some light has been shed on these questions with the help of the book. The ease with which some queries have been resolved is notable and some answers are convincing enough to change few perceptions. The book also lights hope among hopeless. 

The downside of the book is it's lack of detailing at times. The problems and their solutions could have been detailed and answered in a more comprehensive manner and few more basic issues of life could have been given space in the book. 

All in all there is no harm in rediscovering some facts and facets of life. It would do more good than harm. The book is not a detailed presentation but still has some magic which can charm the readers. It's a tussle between the mind and the heart and it guides towards the path of the righteousness. A book for many who seek answers. 

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5

Review: The Mute Anklet by Radhika Nathan

History has a long set approach about love and romance. It was serene and pure. It all used happen sans the modern technology. Smallest of the gestures meant a lot at that time. Author Radhika Nathan in her book "The Mute Anklet" has penned down one such love story making history as a backdrop. So does it works for the readers? Let's find out. 

It's the 1790s in India. The third Anglo-Mysore War between the kingdom of Mysore and the East India Company is hurtling towards a climax. The British, having captured the Malabar Coast are lurching nervously towards Bangalore. Tipu Sultan is waging a ferocious battle.In this time of intrigue and hostility, the beauteous Uma Brooke an Englishman?s daughter in the care of the maharajah of Mysore is embroiled in a personal conflict of her own. The maharajah wants her to marry Captain Ashton Trevelyan of the British army, a man he takes an immediate liking to. Uma has no desire to hurt her gentle guardian yet, prejudiced by the circumstances of her birth and vociferous about her attachment to India, she cannot conceive of a future with a Briton. Detached Captain Trevelyan on his part, feels compelled to submit to this marriage for reasons that are wholly strategic ? after a failed siege, consenting to the maharajah?s demand is the only way of salvaging the battle. Further complicating the impending wedding is a threat that follows Uma no matter where she goes, what seems to be a case of petty thievery morphs into a desperate, targeted assault.Uma and Captain Trevelyan must not only try defending themselves against the onslaught of history but must also attempt securing their teetering association. Will their relationship ? strained by verbal assaults and reckless sparring, tested by ideologies that clash ? endure? Will Uma overcome her preconceptions and biases and will Ashton past his indifference, find empathy and concern? Most importantly in an era of grand historical crusades, will there be time for the personal? Find out in this captivating novel.

First look at the title and the cover and a lot of readers will fall for the image present. The title is alluring as ever and the image is pure history blend with grace and ethnicity. The blurb talks about two people and their lives during war times and their destiny. It's an usually long blurb which should have been kept short. 

The story is of Uma Brookes and Captain Ashton Trevelyan. Their chance meeting at the former's palace sets tone to unprecedented events and from being enemies to each other gradually at the insistence of the maharaja they tie knots to bring an end to the war. Uma hesitant and reluctant gives up but despises Ashton completely. Ashton realizes he has a task in his hand goes all out to make her comfortable and gain back her trust. But there are some other forces at large and their impending strikes leaves a lot of doubt and confusion. So will love blossom between the two? What are the enemies after? Whose life is in danger and what surprise is there in store for both? That's what the story is all about. 

The historical setup, the war, the vivid descriptions and the essence of pure love and the tussle gives life to the story. The book has the choicest use of vocabulary and is not too complicated. The story runs its course with purity and serenity. The entire scenario fulfills the desires to read an entire version of romance and love. The emotional aspect of the story gives it a slight edge at times. 

The downside of the book is it's predictable nature and loss of momentum towards the second half. The end goes flat and dull and will leave some people high and dry. The romance could have culminated into something beautiful towards the end but the story line deters and loses charm on this particular front. 

All in all the book has the potential to stir up emotions up to an extent but gradually it fizzles out. The grip on the excitement is lost very soon and it becomes a dull affair thereafter. The book is not a complete package but still has some elements of thorough historical approach and old style romance which will be liked by the readers. 

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5   

Review: Byculla to Bangkok by S. Hussain Zaidi

Mumbai mafia and it's stories are famous and many of them have been narrated as bed time stories or being passed on from one generation to the other. But not many of them are accurate and true. Most of it based on speculation. Author S Hussain Zaidi in his latest book "Byculla to Bangkok" takes you back in time and lets you relive the time which one can never forget or can be ever erased from history. So is this story worth spending time with?  Let's find out. 

Chota Rajan, Arun Gawli, Ashwin Naik. What is it that made men leading seemingly mundane lives turn into the terrors of the Mumbai Underworld? Organized crime has never had a greater grip anywhere else than in Mumbai towards the end of the twentieth century. This is a book about the unassuming beginnings to what became the crime syndicate.

First look at the title and the cover and the readers can let their imaginations run amok with the imposing and the most ruthless men of all times and their limitless power. The blurb has been kept very short and has been left the readers to discover about the mafia and the unheard stories of 80's and 90's. 

The story starts off from Dagadi Chawl and the rise of Arun Gawli and his empire. His ruthlessness and the various gangs operating in nearby areas and the greed to reach on top and usurp the throne helps him make lesser friends and more enemies. Gradually the war spreads to other areas and see the rise of Chota Rajan, the Naik Gang, Dawood and his D-company and Chota Shakeel and the others. So who will rule Mumbai and who will fill terror and run the mafia raj in Mumbai? Is there a twist in the tale? What role Mumbai Police will play among this mayhem? Will there be an end to this blood and gore? That's what the story is all about. 

The original and accurate account of what happened in Mumbai in 80's and 90's is a story worth reading and listening again and again. The gang wars, the men involved and the larger syndicate of crime and the helpless citizens and law and order in shambles leaves a little to imagination as what would have happened at that time. The vivid description, the inside stories, the first hand narration and the real account of the stories only heard and never proven is a spine chilling experience. The book has a tremendous flow and charged up narration and leaves up to the expectations. From the minutest information to the largest of the pictures everything has been painted and presented with command and flair. 

The downside of the book is pretty predictable end and second half which most of it has been heard or read of. 

All in all the book is an experience of it's kind. Not many have lived to tell the tale of those times but what is there in the book is enough for the readers to let their imaginations do a juggle between the war lords and Mumbai streets. The story is nearly perfect and readers won't get bored at all. It's a story of a lifetime and a daring representation of mafia and it's raj in Mumbai. A book not to be missed or ignored.   

RATINGS: 

4 OUT OF 5

Review: Unsatisfied Satisfaactionns by Riitik Babbar

Love is no easy thing to handle. It quietly seeps in to our lives and then make us dance to it's tunes. Sometimes it gives you moments to remember and sometimes it turns out to be a disaster. Author Riitik Babbar in his debut book "Unsatisfied Satisfaactionns" tries his hand on a love story and give it a magician's touch. So has he offered something different to the readers? Let's find out. 

Love sees no boundaries, religion or caste. It just happens and you have no control over your emotions until something external comes and tears you apart from that one special person. Unsatisfied Satisfaactions is the love story of Riitik, an ordinary Punjabi boy who falls in love with a Brahmin girl. From time immemorial caste and religion have been pricking the balloon of love. All you can do ultimately after you are torn apart is see each other happy in your respective lives and feel satisfied.

First look at the cover and the image and the essence of love can be felt around. The cover image could have been done better. The title is catchy but it's main purpose will be deciphered once the story is unveiled. The blurb talks about two people and their love stories and how it charts its course. It's a decent blurb enough to catch the attention and generate interest among romance lovers. 

The story is of Rittik and Niyati. They both are not of the same caste and their chance meeting leads to love blossoming between the two. Their course of journey goes through a roller coaster ride as there are ups and downs which ultimately leads to a turmoil. So will both of them be able to save their love? Who will sacrifice the most? Will their families agree? What's in store for the two innocent lovers? That's what the story is all about. 

The story is a simple narration and sought  some of the major issues in love i.e trust and sacrifice. The story runs on love lines all along and has some good parts in it. The initial half of the book generates more interest and better command. The letter towards the end is one of the very few good things happening in the book. 

The story lacks freshness and the depth to handle such sensitive love issues. The monotonous events and the vivid descriptions of Delhi doesn't adds up to the story line. The predictability factor is too high as the end turns out to be plain. All the characters have not been given detailed space and left out quite soon in the book. 

All in all the book can be enjoyed by romantics but those who have read this genre time and again it won't excite them much. The book lacks sparkling turn around of events and leaves a lot to be desired. It's not a perfect love story presented but has some valued points in it to charm the readers. 

RATINGS: 

2 OUT OF 5

Review: You, Me n Zindagi by Harpreet Makkar & Aparajita Dutta

Anthologies are becoming the food of life. A mix of experience and newcomers are being put together in order to produce books which answers all the questions of the readers in one place. Author Harpreet Makkar & Aparajita Dutta in their book "You, Me n Zindagi" try to take forward this ever growing chain of anthologies. So what different this anthology has to offer from the others? Let's find out. 

Life, love, friends,relations, everything seems so perfect in a fairy tale, but when it comes to reality, every small thing matters...
But what matters the most are the moments of our life that stay back in our memories for ever...
All of us sail through the crests and troughs of life... we all come across things which are memories soon... you, me n zindagi is a flow of emotions penned down in words... the experience of the contributors from around their own self and acquaintance....

First look at the cover and the title and it reeks of some desi touch to it with romance and other emotions at a high. The book cover has been kept simple and again hints at emotions being focused at throughout. The blurb talks about some life related aspects and other human emotions which are to be found in the book. It's a decent blurb which does justice to the anthology. 

Story No. 1:

A story of a woman and her life which has spiraled out of control and she needs to get hang of the things again. It's a good story with the emotional quotient working fine. Short form of  "and" shouldn't have been used. It doesn't leaves a good impact. The finishing touch is impressive.

Story No. 2:

 A story of past where some unsaid words and feelings are being spilled out in the present day to feel light. It's a story of emotions and realization and with a heavy duty past. It starts off well and gradually becomes predictable. A nice story.

Story No. 3:

A story of two lovers who are truly, deeply and madly in love with each other and circumstances play a crucial role in shaping up their relationship. The story has the choicest of words and exquisite touch to it but it feels incomplete and few editing blemishes take away the charm. The love shown is pure and vocabulary marvelous.

Story No. 4:

A story of a little girl who is a grown up woman now but has suffered a lot of trauma in her childhood and the constant questions which hound her. The story is an average story. It could have been handled in a better manner and lacked flow. Editing was a big let down and conversations were not up to the mark.

Story No. 5:

A story of a married couple and the happiness and the zeal fizzling out and turning into a big marital woe. The story is an apt real life description with some simple yet meaningful conversation. The entire setup is tailor made for people who have troubles in their relationship sometime or the other. A very good story.

Story No. 6:

A story of a girl and a boy who met and fell in love instantly. The story is a simple one and there is nothing extra special in it. The plot is pretty much on the same mundane romantic lines. There are mistakes which could have been avoided.

Story No. 7:

A crime thriller where a dead body is found on the streets and the case is closed without any interrogation. How does everything gets revealed? Who will do justice to the deceased? That's what the story is all about. Initial excitement is there in the story but it becomes predictable and straight forward. Narration is good but more suspense and thrill could have been added in it.

Story No. 8:

A lesson for many in form of what smoking does to people and it's ill-effects. The story has not been handled and edited well enough. The poor narration and mistakes results in an average outcome.

Story No. 9:

A story with a lot of past and lessons of life involved and how circumstances force you to tread on a wrong path. The story would have been better if at all the editing would have been handled in a better manner. The story was nice but lacked depth and emotional connect and felt incomplete.

Story No. 10:

A story of terrorism and politics being played at the behest of some people who don't want to see the country prosper and some faces which wear an invisible mask and leave very little to imagination. The story starts on a positive not and shows a lot of promise. Editing again leaves a lot to be desired as the momentum fizzles out towards the end. 

Story No. 11:

A story of a young man and his chance meeting with a girl on one of his vacations of the hills and then the sudden surge and change of thought process and meaning in his life. The story is good with a lot of humanity in it and a hope that people can take a cue out of it and do the same for the others whenever they get the chance.

Story No. 12:

A story of a married couple and how a minor issue becomes a big fuss and then ends up in a lost cause for many. The story has a good touch of emotions in it and has been scripted wonderfully. The emotions have been managed and spread out well. A lovely story.

The whole book had a very little to cherish and cheer about. Couple of stories managed to script and scrap their way through to the end in a proper manner. The stories which are worth mentioning are story no. 3, 5 and 12. 

The downside of the book is editing which leaves a lot to be desired. Most of the stories suffer from severe editing blemishes which takes away the charm and sense out of them. The raw baked form leaves the readers frustrated and a lot to ponder about. Grammatical mistakes, short forms for words and other errors hampers the progress time and again. 

All in all with an alluring title and a mix of experience and newcomers the book falls flat on expectations. The finesse and flair are missing and most of the times it is found short of enthusiasm and spirit. The book could have been given more attention and  possibly then the outcome would have been better and different. An anthology which suffers severely from basic mistakes and errors. 


RATINGS: 

2 OUT OF 5

Review: Life and Promises by Pulkit Gupta & Ila Garg

Sometimes life puts you in a dilemma and it's all about the choices you make for yourselves. You can't have it all is the saying and it applies to each and every human being present on the face of the earth. Compromises are part and parcel of any person's life. Author Pulkit Gupta & Ila Garg in their latest book "Life and Promises" talk about a journey where choices are indeed very difficult and time is testing you. So does the book live up to its promise? Let's find out. 

"Story Of An IITian Turned CA Aspirant"THIS NOVEL TRAVELS ACROSS THE REALMS OF HIS LIFE AND UNFOLDS HIS JOURNEY OF BEING A CA ASPIRANT FROM AN IITIAN, AND ALSO REFLECTS ON THE SNAGS IT BRINGS TO HIS RELATIONSHIPS. Rachit, a young,ambitious boy, hailing from a small town of Western UP, has big dreams. Destiny takes a turn when he attempts to commit suicide and lands up in a hospital bed. There, he bumps into Khushi, a chubby girl with a carefree attitude. She insists Rachit to uncover the pages of his life and tell her what compelled him to take such a drastic step.Rachit starts to narrate his story, seeing no other option. He tells her that he dreamt to be an IITian and even achieved it. Things went well for some days, till that fateful day when Rachit was diagnosed with severe health issues. After a while, already heartbroken, Rachit takes a tough decision. He drops his IIT dream and follows the CA path. In this very process,he overlooks Radhika, a gorgeous Bengali girl, his batch mate as well as his girlfriend.What will happen to the love story of Rachit and Radhika? Will Rachit become a successful professional, and if yes, then at what cost? Does Khushi has a story of her own?

First look at the title and the cover and the the freedom and the happiness of two people and the soothing colors make it all the more exciting. The title itself has a lot of promise and charges up the emotions of the person. The blurb should have been kept short and asks the right set of questions and takes the excitement of the readers to a new high. 

The story is of Rachit who fulfills his dream by hardwork and joins IIT-M. But there are obstacles in his path and some serious repercussions of it. Some difficult choices and life takes a new turn for him. The new life and his love Radhika together they create mayhem as well as bring some stability. But will Rachit be able to survive the onslaught? Will he be able to stand to the test of the time? Will Radhika remain at his side when all of this ends? That's what the story is all about. 

The free flowing story along with career and love hiccups makes the story very interesting. The narration has been kept simple and the book feels heavy on the mind. The emotions have been set and spread well throughout the book. The poetic verses also add a soothing effect to the story line. The surprises thrown in also create impact and binds the story together. The excitement and the inspiration and the helplessness has been reflected and highlighted in a very serene manner. 

The downside of the book are some serious mistakes. One of them with the character name goof up where Khushi has been spelt as Kushi twice. Another one is where the past narration has been narrated into present form which makes it a turn off while reading the story. These mistakes break the tempo and it could have been avoided. 

All in all the book has lots to offer and acts as a self help book and guidance for young readers who on an impulse make hasty decisions and end up doing nothing with their lives. The book acts as a medium of communication between the reader and the narrator. Some more polishing in the narration could have made the story line perfect but the book has remarkable strength in it to impact the thought process of the readers when it comes to career and love.  

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5

Review: Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews

Thrillers written from the perspective of especially created characters are many. But when two organizations are involved in a showdown it's an all out war. Author Jason Matthews in his book "Red Sparrow" tries to gives the readers a difference bit unique and different from what other books have to offer in this genre. So has he delivered the goods? Let's find out. 

A Russian honey trap agent targets a young CIA operative to uncover a seniorranking mole at the heart of the Russian Intelligence service. Dominika Egorov, former prima ballerina, is sucked into the heart of Putin's Russia, the country she loved, and spat out as the twists and turns of betrayal and counter-betrayal unravel. 
American Nate Nash, idealistic and ambitious, handles the double agent, codenamed MARBLE, considered one of CIA's biggest assets. He needs to keep his identity secret for as long as the mole can keep supplying golden information. 
Will Dominika be able to unmask MARBLE, or will the mission see her faith destroyed in the country she has always passionately defended? 

First look at the title and the cover and it will ask a lot of questions. A mysterious agent with an umbrella on a fogged bridge has a lot to say about the story line. The title is also intriguing and quite a title which can be related to something a thriller. The blurb talks about two people and how their lives are going to get entwined and what will happen after that. It is not a clear indicator and that makes the readers uncomfortable as what to expect from the story but keeps the spirit of the book alive. 

The story is of a CIA agent Nate Nash and ballerina turned sparrow Russian agent Dominika Egorova. When Nash is packed off to Helsinki after a huge blunder Russia takes help of General Egorov who in turn recruits Dominika, trains her and makes her ready for a showdown with CIA. When their paths cross a lot is on the line for both the countries as everything from lives to secrets to national integrity is on stake. So will Dominika be able to deliver the goods? Will Nash be able to decipher the real motive behind the whole setup? What has fate planned for both of them in the end? That's what the story is all about. 

There's a lot of action and political drama and mystery being poured into the story. The CIA & SVR face-off creates a lot of exciting moments. The book has a lot of edginess and blunt narration and a lot of technicalities which has been written with a lot of flair and a very good approach. The two agent face-off is also a noteworthy thing happening in the story. The first half has more excitement in it and keeps the readers busy with action packed sequences and blink and miss events. 

The downside of the book is it's predictability and average end to the story. The importance of the agents has been cut down a lot in the second half which takes the charm away from the book. The end could have been polished a lot better. 

All in all the story has entertainment, operatives, missions, ruthlessness and action packed drama involved in it. The story takes off with a lot of guts and glory but falters time and again after that and the flat out ending leaves a lot to imagination. The book doesn't lives up to the expectations but has the goods to make it exciting for the readers. 

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5