Book Review: Wild Symphony by Dan Brown

 Title: Wild Symphony

Author: Dan Brown

Publisher: Puffin

Wild Symphony is an interactive picture book by Dan Brown, the author of The Da Vinci Code. Through 20 short poems in this picture book, Maestro Mouse invites young readers to meet a series of animals who have lessons to impart and a symphony to perform. Each spread also includes life lessons reinforced by a short message (often on a banner or signpost held up by Maestro Mouse, who introduces the story on the first page) drawn from how animals face their own challenges and anxieties.

Brown has composed poems made of three to eight rhyming couplets, each line with four strong beats, to introduce the animals who will be revealed in the final double gatefold as the players in an all-animal orchestra to be conducted by Maestro Mouse. The book, as such, introduces kids to orchestral music. There are various instruments named in the book to pique the interest of young music lovers.

This picture book is fully interactive with a smartphone app that plays each character's signature song. The music is part of a symphony the author composed and that's played by the Zagreb Festival Orchestra.

In the book there's also a hidden game involving search-and-find puzzles—a bee that appears somewhere in every scene, and letters that form anagrams of instrument names—and a final coded message from Brown in his author’s note. This book brings music, animals, instruments, and word searches all-in-one.

Susan Batori’s cartoon illustrations are whimsically engaging and absolutely gorgeous. Each page is like a colorful palette to be enjoyed by kids.

Dan Brown has always been a storyteller. Fascinated by rhythms and riddles since age three, Dan loves to share stories through books, music, and poetry for bookworms big and small. Dan is the author of numerous #1 international bestsellers – including the worldwide phenomenon The Da Vinci Code. Wild Symphony is his debut picture book. Dan lives in New England with his yellow lab, Winston.

Susan Batori lives in Budapest, Hungary, with her soulmate, Robert, and her cat, Kamilla. She studied graphic design at the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts. Since 2013, Susan has been a freelance children’s book illustrator.

Amazon * Website

I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in. wildsymphony.com

Book Review: Along Came A Spyder by Apeksha Rao

Title: Along Came A Spyder

Author: Apeksha Rao

Publisher: TreeShade Books

All 17-year-old Samira wants in life is to become a spy like her parents who are RAW agents widely known in the circle for their courage and bravery. Her parents too have trained her all her life for this profession until now when all they care is for Samira to become a doctor. But the headstrong teenager that Samira is, she is not to be deterred by anyone, lest her parents.

Samira’s lifelong dream seems to come true when she accidently stumbles upon a group of teen spies being trained by the government. She is ever so happy to be a part of this sisterhood dubbed “Spyder.” Will she be accepted by these teenagers who have taken upon themselves to fight and solve crime? But more importantly, does she have what it takes to be a real spy?

Apeksha Rao, in her debut novel, writes an amazing story of bravery and self-confidence, encouraging teenagers to think out of the box and never give up. Her use of language is easy but perfectly teen-y. It’s easy to relate with Samira and her new gang of teen spies. All the characters are memorable and adequately fleshed out.

With a quirky cast of characters, witty dialogue, and cool spy gadgets, Rao has spun an entertaining read that will likely satisfy adrenaline junkies.

An awesome series opener, especially for those who love spies. Don’t miss this witty teen spy’s story that promises a superb read.

Apeksha Rao is a multi genre author from Bangalore.

She is the author of Along Came A Spyder, which is the story of a seventeen year old girl who wants to be spy.

Apeksha has written many short stories based on the same series, The Spyders, which are available on this blog.

She is a voracious reader, and a foodie.

Apeksha's current works in progress: A middle grade book, a chick lit featuring a detective, and a horror novel (the writing of which is giving her sleepless nights).

Goodreads * Amazon

I'd like to thank the author for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

  

* I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Journey to the Forbidden City by Deepa Agarwal

Title: Journey to the Forbidden City

Author: Deepa Agarwal

Publisher: India Puffin

Deepa Agarwal’s ‘Journey to the Forbidden City’ is the little-known story of the exploration of Tibet, ‘the Roof of the World,’ by Nain Singh Rawat who mapped the country in disguise in the late 19th century.

Nain Singh Rawat, an unsung Kumaoni hero, was sent to Tibet along with his cousin Mani on a top-secret mission by the British. The British government was desperate to acquire geographical knowledge of Tibet. They were apprehensive that Russia might next try to wrest control of India, their prized colony. On the successful completion of his mission, Rawat was applauded. His contribution to the map of the world was recognised by institutions like the Royal Geographical Society and the Paris Geographical Society.

The book is based on Rawat’s actual diaries and is a tribute to the daring, resourcefulness, and never-give-up attitude of a solitary man who risked life and limb for his job. He went on to become one of the greatest pandits, a select group of highly educated and brave local men trained in geographical exploration. Apart from recording information that the British sought, Rawat also put in his diary a glimpse into the socio-cultural life of the Tibetans and the scenic beauty of the land.

Agarwal’s writing is easy to follow yet crisp. There’s a flow in her narrative that compels one to turn the pages. 

This book is a must read for everyone who is interested in learning about one of the great figures in Indian history.

A beautiful portrayal of a historic and arduous journey of a solitary explorer.

Author, poet and translator, Deepa Agarwal grew up in the pristine Kumaoni region set in foothills of the Himalayas. She writes for both children and adults and has over fifty published books to her credit, including Puffin Classics: Chandrakanta and Listen, O King! Five-and-Twenty-Tales of Vikram and the Vetal.

A frequent contributor to magazines and journals in India and abroad, she has edited, compiled and contributed to several anthologies. Among other awards, she received the NCERT National Award for Children's Literature in 1993 for her picture book Ashok's New Friends, while her historical fiction Caravan to Tibet was on the 2008 IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) Honour List. Her works have been translated into several Indian and foreign languages.

Amazon

I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in, Penguin.co.in

Book Review: Saved by Love by Shilpa Suraj

Title: Saved by Love

Author: Shilpa Suraj

Publisher: Locksley Hall

Naina Ahuja, daughter of the CJI, is kidnapped from her tent at a camping ground near Thiksey in Ladakh. The captors, a terrorist outfit, want to negotiate her life for that of their leader’s who has been convicted of countless acts of terrorism in her father’s court. “A life for a life,” that’s what the kidnapping is about. Naina knows for certain that her fate is doomed as her father would rather choose his principles any day over his daughter’s life. Enters Lieutenant Colonel Arjun Rathore. He is to lead a team of four highly trained officers in a covert operation to bring her back safely.

Though at this point the story looks predictable, it is not the entire truth. The two protagonists do fall for each other in Shilpa Suraj’s Saved by Love, however, their union is not how one would visualize in an otherwise run-of-the mill love story. The story has depth and much more to it than just ordinary romance.

Shilpa’s narrative is stunningly vivid with a flow-y yet crisp language that is easy to read. While the plot is expertly conceived and executed, the dialogues are nicely rendered with just the right amount of thrill and humour sprinkled over the concoction. The next best thing about the novel, besides the engaging plot, is the character development. Naina, with her vivaciousness, is a strong character who forges her own path and finds happiness on her own terms. Arjun, with his serious and brooding personality, is the embodiment of a gentleman. The love that blooms between these two is sweet and poignant and makes for a good read.

A remarkable love story for readers looking for equal parts romance and family drama.

Shilpa Suraj wears many hats - corporate drone, homemaker, mother to a fabulous toddler and author. An avid reader with an overactive imagination, Shilpa has weaved stories in her head since she was a child. Her previous stints at Google, in an ad agency and as an entrepreneur provide colour to her present day stories, both fiction and non-fiction.

Amazon

I'd like to thank the author for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in