Book Review ~ Return Of The Brahmin by Ravi Shankar Etteth

 
 

 
RETURN OF THE BRAHMIN

AUTHOR
Ravi Shankar Etteth
 
 
Format: Paperback
Publisher : Westland
ISBN-10 : 9390679397
 

 
BLURB

After thwarting the devious Lord Suma and becoming the emperor of Magadha, Ashoka now faces a new threat—a lethal foe whose only aim is to topple his empire. By slaughtering imperial officials, kidnapping royal prisoners and infiltrating the palace, the nemesis weaves a mesh of hatred, intrigue and menace. His identity is unknown, yet he breathes such terror that even dying men fear to utter his name. He calls himself the Khandapati. He provokes prison riots. He leads the Resistance. A poison witch and a murderous giant terrorise the people. What is the role of the vishkanya Daarya and the Pretnath? Who is the mysterious prisoner named Nirmukh?
Caught in a vortex of death and deceit, there is only one man Ashoka can turn to. The Brahmin. Years of friendship and fealty lead the spymaster back to Magadha, only to be caught in a violent conspiracy that extends beyond the empire’s boundaries. Will he be able to live up to his role as Magadha’s protector or will the Khandapati prove to be more than a match for the Brahmin?
 

 
MY TAKE
(Review)

 
Turbulent times beckon a shadow mysterious
He who sends a chill down the spin
Devious are his ways
Yet, an ally sought after by the mightiest
Silent as a cat he watches
Bids his time in shadows mysterious
Cross swords with him and invite peril
He is the spymaster, a genius

Ravi Shankar Etteth’s spymaster the Brahmin, is perhaps the only one who can withstand Emperor Ashoka’s wrath without a twitch of the lips or flicker of the eyelids. Such is his power and prowess that when Magadha experiences a spate of disturbing events that are strong enough to rock Ashoka’s throne and put his life in peril, it is he who is sought out from his self-imposed sanyas to return and protect the King and the Kingdom. However, the mute question is…Is he still the crafty spymaster? Will he be able to live up to the Emperor’s expectation? Will he be able to solve the mystery of the Khandapati and Nirmukh?

Lucid language and powerful imagery combined with a perfectly crafted plot make “The Return of the Brahmin’ a book worth reading and possessing. Replete with twists and turns the book is a roller coaster ride down dark alleys and mysterious minds exploring motives and fighting a faceless enemy. The style, the language, and the pace add to the thrill that the plot envisages in the reader making it a perfect read for the one who loves tickling the brain to solve a maze intriguing.

While the narrative is riveting enough to keep the reader on the edge, the imagery is so powerful that one can actually ‘witness’ the scenes, the actions, and the characters right before one’s eyes. The characters many of them as mysterious and intriguing as the spymaster, are well-developed and dexterously woven into the fabric of the story.

 
Key Takeaways From The Story

 A bruised snake is akin to a ticking time bomb. You don’t know when or where and in which form he will strike.

 Even the best of chess masters can make a tactical error that has the ability to destroy well-laid out plans.

 

 
VERDICT

A thriller par excellence peppered with the right amount of mystery and action.  

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Disclaimer

This review is a part of the Writersmelon Book Reviewing Programme . The thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are my own and have not been influenced by either the author or the publishing house in any manner

Book Review ~ Queen of Mahishmathi by Anand Neelakantan

 
 

 
Queen of Mahishmathi
(Baahubali: Before the Beginning Book 3)

AUTHOR
Anand Neelakantan
 
 
Format: Paperback
Publisher : Westland
ISBN-10 : 9389648726
ISBN-13 : 978-9389648720
 

 
BLURB

Sivagami’s missteps have only deepened her determination to fulfil her father’s wish and stop the despicable activities at Gauriparvat. And so she battles on. Unknown to her, however, Maharaja Somadeva’s challengers have begun to close in on the king, and Sivagami finds herself suddenly at a disadvantage. With a player like Somadeva, though, the biggest mistake you can make is to not immediately checkmate and destroy. The game of chaturanga is not quite over.

As Sivagami takes on the kingdom’s enemies, guided by Somadeva, she finds in her own manoeuvres an echo of the man she has always detested. In her journey to becoming the queen of Mahishmathi, Sivagami must choose between love and ambition, principles and deviousness, selflessness and envy. What does she hold on to, what does she let go? A thrilling, breathless read, Queen of Mahishmathi is the third and final book in the Bāhubali: Before the Beginning series.
 

 
MY TAKE
(Review)

Have you ever encountered hairpin bends? Wondered how it would feel to be hanging from a cliff overhanging a gorge deep? If so, you will know what I mean when I say that this book is in every aspect a thriller that will see you on the edge of your seat. While the twists are sharp and sudden, the turns will see your eyes pop out in wonder.

Out on a mission noble, Sivagami the daughter of Bhoomipathi Devaraya who was a genius wrongly coined a traitor, finds herself torn between conflicting emotions, and adopting ways devious to fulfill her goal. The journey a tough one, sees her wade through the murky waters of palace politics with just her wit and determination to guide her. Stumbling, falling, and rising up she continues on the arduous ‘trek’ only to find new and more challenging obstacles block her way. Will she continue on the path she has set out on, or will she buckle under pressure?…Join Sivagami on her action packed journey in Anand Neelakantan’s Queen of Mahishmathi (Baahubali: Before the Beginning Book 3).

While the plot is interesting, the narrative is riveting leaving the reader in me looking forward for more. The imagery drawn up by the author is powerful enough to conjure up the scenes, the actions, and the characters right before one’s eyes. The cast of characters, a good measure, are well-developed and dexterously woven into the story.

 
Key Takeaways From The Story

 Inequality lights the fire of indignation which in turn is a ticking time bomb. If not addressed on time this ticking time bomb will cause havoc untold, havoc from whose ruins it is difficult if not impossible, to salvage the remnants and rebuild life once again.

 Never undermine your opponent. Even the ‘weakest link’ on the other side can turn the tide against you if he or she decides.

 Loyalty cannot be bought.

 Wars are not won by weapons and men alone. Wars are won by wit, determination, and long-term vision which entails provision for dealing with failures and turning the unexpected to one’s favour. To win a war Strategists, Planners, and Executors need to work in tandem

 
My Favourite Quotes From The Book

 “…The power of civilization is not in some obscure sacred texts or in the croaking of priests. It is in the power of knowledge, in the power of science and technology. ……”

 “…if you want your country to be truly great, believe in knowledge and not in the accident of birth.”
 

 
VERDICT

A wonderful read that will see you sail through page after page without a hitch ( read break).
 

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Disclaimer

This review is a part of the Writersmelon Book Reviewing Programme . The thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are my own and have not been influenced by either the author or the publishing house in any manner

Book Review ~ Editing Bootcamp: A Fiction Writer’s Guide to Self-Editing Part 1 (TBC Writer’s Toolkit Book 11) by Dola Basu Singh

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 388 KB
Print Length: 45 pages
ASIN: B083C4ZNMP

THE BLURB SAYS

Learn self-editing fiction from a Pro.

Self-publish on a low budget without compromising on quality.
Polish your book before querying.
Learn developmental editing.

If you want to learn self-editing fiction, I’ve got your back.

Lots of books teach the craft of writing but not many focus on reworking, polishing, or self-editing. Learning editing skills shouldn’t be restricted to a privileged few. All writers should have access to strategies that can change a crude first draft into a polished work of art.

Editing Bootcamp will demystify the editing process by showing you how to spot and avoid common pitfalls, and correct those mistakes.

Inside you’ll find:
•Actionable steps for all stages of editing.
•Seven fiction elements including structure, point of view, characters, dialogue and more.
•Handy editing checklists.

Take your writing to the next level with this short and concise how-to guide.
Edit yourself into print.

AND I SAY
A must- have guide for first- time authors and editors, Editing Bootcamp is not a guide to writing a perfect novel, but is a book that will tell you what to look into, what to take care of, etc, should you decide to publish your work. It is a book that will give you an insight into the world of writing and editing in just a few concise yet all-encompassing chapters. Here the author herself an experienced editor with quite a fan following 🙂 , discusses threadbare the various processes involved in self-editing, Now for a reader or for an author for that matter, this process could .seem cumbersome. However, Dola Basu Singh presents the nitty-gritty of self- editing in a style that is not only enough to capture the reader’s attention, but also make the process look easy and doable. A nightmare of many, self-editing can actually turn out to be interesting if one is to follow the simple tips Dola lays out here. The only condition is that one needs to look at one’s manuscript with a dispassionate eye. One has to take a role reversal and become a reader instead of an author. The flaws will show themselves up and thus pave the way for corrections, corrections, and corrections. The end result…..A book that will be loved by he who picks it up. Now isn’t that what we all dream of 🙂

Now coming to what I liked about the book –

1) It is well structured (I’m not surprised since it is brought out by a person who knows her job in-and-out)
2) The contents are presented in an engaging manner, a manner that makes the read easy and interesting. Hence, no question about skipping paragraphs or pages here.
3) The editing checklists at the end of each chapter. They make the author’s job easier.

So, whether you intend to self – publish your next work or go in for traditional publishing don’t hesitate, pick up this book. It will help you sail through the editing process with ease.

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Meet The Author

“Dola Basu Singh is a cozy mystery author and a professionally trained fiction editor. Many of her short stories have been published and she has won an Editor’s Choice award from Indiereads for her short fiction.

She lives in a small yet picturesque village in Punjab, India, and loves nothing better than to sit under the mango tree in her courtyard with a book in hand, sometimes day-dreaming and sometimes writing, when she is not otherwise occupied editing manuscripts or reading storybooks with her son.”

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Book Review ~ The Treasure Syndicate by Jatin Kuberkar

 
 

 
 

Formats : Paperback & Kindle
ISBN-10: 9388424743
ISBN-13: 978-9388424745
ASIN: B082PR3GGK

 
 

A compelling mix of suspense, action and fantasy ’The Treasure Syndicate’ will see you ride on the crest of curiosity right till the end. Well crafted and beautifully narrated this story of a treasure hunt involving a motley group of five is unique in that each of its members stands for different attributes required to see the mission through. While Acharya Agnihotri as the ‘Nidhi-Palak’ stands for vision and fare-sightedness, Dr. Mahesh his nephew is the man who finances his missions secretly. He is the financier-cum-treasurer. Kumar an ordinary taxi driver has unfathomable luck on his side that’s needed to see a mission as secretive and dangerous as this one through without a hitch, and Jabbar is the man who with his uncanny ability as a master digger executes the job. Srikanth the odd man out though a common man holds the key to the success of the mission with his questioning mentality and foresight. Together they embark on a treasure hunt in a locality notorious for its granite quarries and accompanying mafia. With a failed mission that cost him dear behind his back the Acharya banks on luck and his crew to see him sail through this one and achieve success. Narrated in riveting style ‘The Treasure Syndicate’ is all about intelligence, foresight, team work and determination. It is the story of a mission undertaken for Lok kalyan.

Packed with suspense the story has its fair measure of twists and turns that are enough to keep the reader hooked. The characters each one, are well articulated and one can easily identify them with their strengths and weaknesses by entering their mind via the imagery created by the author. Each one of them takes the story forward in his/ her style thereby making it unique.

While the pace is steady, the language is crisp and devoid of unnecessary jargon that can spoil the mood. It helps maintain the flow that is crucial to the success of a story like this one.

VERDICT

A treasure hunt thriller that will leave you craving for more. Hope to read the next in the series for I believe there is one considering how the book ended, soon.

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Book Review ~ The Magician (The Tarot Trilogy Book #1)

 
 

 

 
 
Perfect!

This one word above sums up my thoughts about Author Sonia Rao’s latest offering to her readers. Endowed with all the qualities that define a true Magician, ‘The Magician’ has the power to keep the reader hooked, or should I say, ‘hypnotized,’ till the end. When the magic ends, you can literally feel your spirits buoyed up.

Three women, three stories, interwoven seamlessly make ‘The Magician’ a truly interesting read. Laced with all the elements that make the human mind work overtime, the story sees a wife go into an emotional overdrive, and search for true love. Then there is this friend of hers, who has always been her source of strength, her mentor, a tarot reader whose name and fame make her the sought out one. However, she who foresees the future of others, helps them untangle the tangled, is herself at a loss unable to resolve her love life. A string of broken relationships has left her wary of that magical word that is every girl’s dream. The third woman, a young professional blessed with true love, looks forward to live the life of her dreams only to see her world crashing before her eyes. When the vagaries of life stare them in the eye, how do they react? Will they part ways or will they turn out to be each other’s strength? Will Sasha find her true love? Will Shantha finally be able to settle down? Will Nilima rise up from the grief that envelops her, and move on in life?…… ‘The Magician’ is a story of the magic that’s called life…..a magic that has the ability to bring a smile to the lips, dry up wet eyes, and see the human spirit bounce back from the deep recesses of despair into the shining light of life.

Characterization being a strong part of this book, one can’t help live the lives of the three women, their emotions, their elation and their aspirations. This along with the imagery created by the author, and of course the tarot reading part, makes the book a one of its kind.
 
 

VERDICT
 

Magical!

A book you will not regret having picked up.

 

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Book Review – More Unfairy Tales: 5 more fairy tales retold (Carthick’s Unfairy Tales Book 2)

 
 

AUTHOR
T F Carthick

Formats
Kindle Edition / Paperback

ASIN : B07SSLN8M3
ISBN-10 : 9353821061
ISBN-13 : 978-9353821067

 
 

Get ready to unravel the mysteries of the mind, look at fairy tales with different eyes, and feel amazed by the author’s ingenuity. Here while dark characters shine, and lend hope, the behavior of some we’ve idolized / sympathized with since childhood, leave us thinking.

More Unfairy Tales is without doubt, creativity at its best. Serving a fare of five stories (fairy tales) that have been with us since early childhood, the author delves into the vagaries of the mind, and reveals how one’s behavior and actions are often governed by emotions such as empathy, sympathy, distrust, love, jealousy, greed, etc… The stories each are unique in themselves, in that they look at the fairy tales from a divergent perspective, provide an altogether different insight into the villains of yore, bring out their bright side and of course offer food or thought. Who would have thought that simple fairy tales meant to regale little ones hold so much potential within them that they can set the adult thinking? But then Author T F Carthick , is a man who searches for the unknown within the known. If his earlier book on the same lines, i.e. ‘Carthick’s Unfairy Tales: A retelling of seven tales from the days of the yore’ was a pleasant surprise, then this one is even better.
 
 

VERDICT

A book that will see you smile all the way, and leave you craving or more, ‘More Unfairy Tales’ is definitely a must read.

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About the author

T F Carthick is a Bangalore-based writer and blogger who has been blogging since 2008. He is an avid reader of Children’s Fiction, Science-fiction and Fantasy. Enid Blyton, J K Rowling, Isaac Asimov, Frank Herbert, Neil Gaiman and Douglas Adams are some of his favorite authors. His paranormal thriller ‘Bellary’ was one of the three stories in the book Sirens Spell Danger, published in 2013. Six of his stories have featured in multi-author anthologies and literary magazines. He has written over 50 short stories, many of which can be read for free on 

www.karthikl.com

He is an Engineer and MBA from India’s premier institutes IIT, Madras and IIM, Ahmedabad and currently works as an Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Consultant at one of the world’s leading Consulting Firms.

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Book Review : Ambuj by Anita Shirodkar

 
 

Ambuj (Guardians of the Blue Lotus # 3)

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: AuthorsUpFront | The Write Place
ISBN-10: 9387280403
ISBN-13: 978-9387280403

 
 

With the end of the great war of Sompur, two brothers cum bosom friends part ways, each in search of his destiny. While Aryavir’s destiny as King of Kamalkund is written large on the wall, Sitanshu’s destiny is hidden deep within layers of suspense. Riding towards his destination i.e. Aryavartha, Sithanshu gets ready to perform a task on the success of which lies the destiny of Aryavartha, and all that lies south of it. Will he or will he not succeed?……..To know that one must delve into ‘Ambuj’ which incidentally is the third and last part of The Guardians of Blue Lotus Trilogy.

Packed with some interesting insights into the way a person’s character changes with time and situations, ‘Ambuj’ is a revelation in itself like its prequel ‘Sitanshu’. Here one gets to see the darker side of King Ambujakshan’s life and reign, as well as palace intrigues plus loyalties. But at the heart of ‘Ambuj’ is actually a story of gruesome murders and the thirst for revenge. Packed with suspense, ‘Ambuj’ sees love blossom in unexpected quarters.

The characters, a sizeable number, are well etched, and the pace as well as style are fine. Then what is it that holds me back from saying, ‘Wow’?

While ‘Aryavir’ was perfect in every sense except for the typographical errors that held me back from giving it a 💯. ‘Sitanshu’ which was definitely a notch above ‘Aryavir’, had me floored , so much so that I couldn’t wait to lay my hands on ‘Ambuj’. The expectations were really high, so the disappointment at not receiving a truly riveting read like ‘Sitanshu’ was great. The end is a cliffhanger, and thus the realization that this is the end of the series, left me disappointed. It feels like one is driving down a well-constructed road, enjoying the scenic beauty around, only to be suddenly come face-to-face with a deep chasm. The sudden application of the brakes mars the mood. So I hope the saga continues, and the author comes up with another book that picks up from where ‘Ambuj’ ends.
 
 
VERDICT

An interesting read, which will leave you thirsting for a sequel.
 
 

Interested? Would like to read the blurb? It’s here

Want to know more about ‘Aryavir’& ‘Sitanshu’? Click for my views about the books here :-

1) Aryavir

2) Sitanshu

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BookReview: The Missing Fairy Princess by Walter Salvadore Pereira

 
 

Format: Kindle Edition
ASIN: B07T81C748

 
 

 
 

A book that’s sure to be loved by both the kids and adults, The Missing Fairy Princess has at its core a battle of egos, and wits. When human witch Zharga ‘kidnaps’ a fairy princess, she triggers a chain of events that eventually lead to some wonderful twists and turns and an ending that suggests that we’ve not seen the last of the culprit and her machinations. She is sure to return to enthrall us in a sequel.

Intriguing and riveting, The Missing Fairy Princess is nothing short of a wonderful suspense thriller. As the story develops, one gets pulled into the web of magic created by the author, a magic that transports the reader to the scene of action. Conflicting emotions like empathy, hate, love, horror, respect, etc. overpower us thereby making the journey a joyous ride.

The characters though quite a sizeable number, are well fleshed out. We can experience them evolve right before our eyes, and this experience is truly magnificent.
 

VERDICT

A book for all ages. If you are a child, pick it up for the entertainment it offers. If you are an adult, get ready to relax and travel down memory lane to that phase in life that saw you enchanted with all that’s magical.

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Book Review : Aru’s Balcony Garden

 
 

TITLE
Aru’s Balcony Garden

AUTHOR
Arundhati Nithiyanandhan

ILLUSTRATOR
Oksana Vynokurova

Publisher: White Falcon Publishing
ISBN-10: 9388459121
ISBN-13: 978-9388459129

 
 

Arundhati the seven year old author of ‘Aru’s Balcony Garden,’ who incidentally is the protagonist of this sweet and simple book and goes by the pet name Aru, lives in an apartment community of a metro city. She has a small balcony garden at home, which is full of blooming plants that give her immense pleasure. Every morning before going to school, she spends a few moments with them. This habit of hers has found voice in ‘Aru’s Balcony Garden.’

Beautifully illustrated, Aru’s Balcony Garden is a simple tale that reflects not only the innocence of childhood, but also draws our attention to the fact that plants too can communicate and respond to love showered on them, be it by way of a question, or something as simple as a touch or a few drops of water at their base. Tend to them and see them bloom and spread a smile on your face.

The book though meant for the little ones, is sure to touch a chord in the adult too. Here though the story is of a little girl and her plants, if one were to look deeper, one could relate them to the children around. Children as we all know are like those little plants that adorn one’s garden. They spread cheer and make life heavenly with their antics and innocent talk. Like plants they offer that much needed respite to an otherwise hectic and stressful life. Spend some time with them, tend to their needs, and see them bloom and grow. Neglect them, and they will wilt right under your eyes.

VERDICT

A simple lesson communicated effectively, this one is a truly wonderful book that’s sure to spread a smile on young and aged faces alike. My three year old grandson Atharv can’t have enough of this and Aru’s other two books. Since the day I received them, he insists on having two reading sessions daily, one in the morning before leaving for his play-school and one before retiring to bed. Try to make an excuse, and see him throw a tantrum. 🙂

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Book Review ~ A Man From Mandu

 
 

TITLE
A Man From Mandu

AUTHOR
Manoj V Jain

 

Paperback: 168 pages
Publisher: Notion Press
ISBN-10: 1645871622
ISBN-13: 978-1645871620
 

 
 

THE STORY: A SNEAK PEAK

Is he the New Age Guru that we have all been waiting for?
Is he a fraudster?
How does he know the story of your life?
In his latest book, Manoj Jain delves into the world of Godmen and devotees, of faith and money. A Man from Mandu is a book of deception, transformation and growth. Read about Dhawal and his metamorphosis into Avishkar Baba, the Sadhu of Stories, and about Tarini who is promoting him so successfully. But what does the scheming Tarini have to gain?

 

THE BOOK ACCORDING TO ME : A REVIEW

A journey of deceit slowly but steadily winding through alleys of research and soul search ends up in a destination that’s not only amazing but insightful too.

Author Manoj V Jain once again serves up what he is best at; a short yet riveting read that delves deep into the human mind. The latest from the author’s desk A Man From Mandu is anything but boring. Delving deep into the human psychology, the author holds up a mirror to the reader, the mirror of reality.

Who are Godmen? Are they human beings born with supernatural powers or just mere pawns in the hands of some unscrupulous elements? Are they conmen out to beguile the unaware public who fall easy victim to their tips and tricks or are they truly the enlightened ones? A Man from Mandu is the author’s take on this and much more. While faith is something personal, it is also prone to deceit and deception, and it is not only the illiterate who fall prey to it but also the highly educated ones.

A Man from Mandu is the story of Tarini and Dhawal alias Avishkar Baba more popularly known as the Sadhu of Stories. It is the story of the metamorphosis of Dhawal from an ordinary human being into a Sadhu, one with numerous followers. What makes him step into that path? Is he successful as a Guru? Will he shatter his followers faith in him? …..These and many more questions are answered in the book. However what puts Avishkar Baba apart from other Godmen is his way of reaching out to his audience. His stories delve deep into human psychology. They make interesting read and offer food for thought. The stories stay with even one long after the book is closed.

Characterization is another strong aspect of this book. Each character turns out to be the soul of the story. The protagonists Tarini and Dhawal are etched out in such a manner that you can easily visualize them. While Tarini can be easily deciphered, Dhawal is out of bounds, and that’s exactly how it should be for else how can he don the garb of a Godman with success.

Replete with emotions like desire, passion, frustration and defeat, the book also shows us how desire can lead to greed, as well as pave the way to enlightenment. Two different paths, one leading to darkness and another to light, are there for the choosing. It’s up to the receiver to dwell upon the two, do a soul search and pick.

The icing on the cake? The climax.
 

VERDICT

A Man from Mandu is one of the kind that you would love to go back to again and again. I for one plan to give it a permanent place in my private collection.

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