Book Review: Love, Long Ago by Shreyasi R. Phukon

 

Title: Love, Long Ago
Author: Shreyasi R. Phukon
Publisher: Locksley Hall Publishers LLP

Love, Long Ago is a contemporary romance novel, which is both an emotional and a realistic story that deals with the themes of heartbreak, betrayal, forgiveness, and destiny.

The book follows the story of Rhea Barua, who lives in the US with her aunt Maya and cousin Hilda for her higher studies. There she meets Aarav, a bestselling author whom she admires. Her strict aunt makes life a little difficult for Rhea initially but soon realises her follies and lets her live her life on her terms.

Aarav and Rhea come closer but Rhea’s happiness doesn’t last longer. Out of the blue, her aunt is murdered and Rhea’s world is disrupted. Aarav takes care of Rhea during this time and Rhea inevitably falls in love with him. However, he rejects her and breaks her heart. Rhea returns to India, broken and bitter, and agrees to marry Abhinav, a man she barely knows. However, fate has other plans for her and she meets Aarav again in India. Will she be able to forget her past and move on with Abhinav? Or will she give Aarav another chance?

The book is well-written, with engaging dialogue and believable characters.

The author, Shreyasi Phukon, has a flair for writing engaging and realistic characters that make the readers empathise with their emotions and dilemmas. The plot is well-paced and has some twists and turns that keep the readers hooked till the end. The language is simple and lucid, making the book easy to read and enjoy.

The book is a perfect choice for romance lovers who like stories that are sweet, emotional, and relatable.

A satisfying love story about people who grow into being right for each other.

Shreyasi Rhittika Phukon is an author and has contributed her writings to a few anthologies and e-magazines. She has initiated and also co-authored an anthology ‘A Phase Unknown Woman- A Tribute Series’ and also published her debut solo short story book '18 Via Teen -Be Yourself.'

'A Phase Unknown Woman- A Tribute' is a venture initiated by Shreyasi R.  with a collection of short stories and poems contributed by various authors/poets pan India. This book makes a strengthening call by questioning, poeticizing, and narrating various social stigmas revolving around in the social air regarding the identity of women. The book is a tribute to all women who somehow mark a change in everybody's life. The first part of this book has been awarded the ‘Best Anthology Award 2014’ by Sanmati Publication.

'18 Via Teen- Be yourself’ the name says it all. It's a collection of short stories which enumerates the various phases of a teen and the hopes, aspirations, apprehensions, ambiguity, insecurity, dilemma, restlessness and sensitiveness, associated with each phase. Each story vividly depicts the psychological aspects of a teenage girl/boy and how intuition helps her/his to overcome the hurdles one after another, which in teens makes her/him mature.

Shreyasi was also awarded the 'Special Jury Award 2016' conferred upon her by Sanmati Publication.

Her new release, 'Love, Long Ago,' is her debut novel which has been published by Locksley Hall Publishing.

She now works as language editor for SAGE Journals at TNQ Technologies.

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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!

Book Review: The Wrath of the Hellfires by Shatrujeet Nath

Title: The Wrath of the Hellfires

Author: Shatrujeet Nath

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

An impressive series closer! There, I’ve just summarised Shatrujeet Nath’s “The Wrath of the Hellfires” in a nutshell. But this one-liner will not do justice to such an elaborate and fascinating saga and that’s why let’s delve into the full review that this book deserves.

This final instalment of the Vikramaditya Veergatha series starts where the earlier left off. Vikramaditya is under attack from all ends and his council of nine is no longer the strong team that it once was, courtesy Shukracharya’s scheming.

With the Asuras and the Devas preparing to mount their final assault, Vikramaditya needs his trusted council backing him up. However, Ghatakapara is missing, Kalidasa has left Avanti to join the Hunas, and Vararuchi is laying his claim to the throne. Alone and abandoned by those dear to him, Vikramaditya is overwhelmed from all quarters.

Will the strife between the humans prove to be their downfall ultimately? Will Vikramaditya be able to fend off the Devas and the Asuras for good or will everything come crumbling down as the Devas and the Asuras leave the human world desolate in their quest for Veeshada’s dagger that seals within its hilt the potent halahal? Read this final chapter to find the answers yourselves.

Shatrujeet’s writing is like gold that keeps on shining. His characters have a life of their own and nowhere do they feel one-dimensional. His vivid imagery transports readers to the described setting. This book has heart-stopping action and intrigue from cover to cover. A must read definitely.

Shatrujeet Nath is the creator of the runaway national bestseller series Vikramaditya Veergatha, a four-book mytho-fantasy arc which comprises The Guardians of the Halahala, The Conspiracy at Meru, The Vengeance of Indra and The Wrath of the Hellfires. Described as “a new face to Indian mythology” by DNA, Shatrujeet writes for movies and web shows as well. He is also the author of The Karachi Deception, an Indo-Pak spy thriller.

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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, Google

 

Book Review: Komol Sporsho by Shipra Tarafdar (Majumder)

 Title: Komol Sporsho

Author: Shipra Tarafdar (Majumder)

Publisher: Pandulipi Publishing

'Komol Sporsho' by Shipra Tarafdar (Majumder) is a Bengali novelette about a family that copes with grief more than ones and stands tall at the face of it. It’s a well-written story showing how people are shaped by their losses.

The story revolves around Suryamukhi's family which consists of her husband, son, daughter-in-law, and her beloved granddaughter Rim whom she adores the most. The grandma-granddaughter duo share a unique bond that makes up for most of the story. Their happy family takes a terrible hit but the two do not give up but become each other's support system. Amidst all these, there surfaces a secret that has the power to overturn everything that they have built together. Does it break them apart or brings them closer still? And what is this terrible secret? Read this lovely book to find out for yourself.

With her fluid writing, Ms Tarafdar keeps her plot thrumming and her social commentary crisp. She has proved with her debut that she’s a sensitive, insightful writer with a striking ability to illuminate the intricacies of life.

Shipra Tarafdar (Majumder) was born in Balurghat (Dakshin Dinajpur). From her childhood she was inspired by her parents and maternal uncle to write poems, stories, etc. She has holds a Master Degree in Economics from NBU. Currently, she is an assistant teacher at an HS school in Siliguri. She has  written many stories and novels which are mostly based on real life. 'Komol Sporsha' is a story of love and attachment meant to provide a nice reading experience to story lovers.

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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. 

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: Unlocking the Universe by Lucy and Stephen Hawking

Title: Unlocking the Universe

Author: Lucy and Stephen Hawking

Publisher: Puffin

Lucy & Stephen Hawking’s ‘Unlocking the Universe’ is a space buff’s bible written keeping in mind young and enthusiast readers. This book is actually a compendium of Stephen and Lucy’s series of children’s books, which was a global hit.

In this book, complex science has been presented in an engaging manner for young minds. Though aimed at children, it’s suitable for all age groups. It aims to describe various aspects of the universe in a manner that is accessible to children and others new to the topic.

The book is divided into seven parts, each explaining a different aspect of space science. Each topic in the book is in the form of an essay, of which some are framed as a story. These essays are from various scientists and cover a wide range of topics from relativity and black holes, particle collision, life on Mars, and the historic moon landing, to flat earthers and science deniers. 

Some of the chapters are written as explanations while others have an imaginative slant. But every piece is informative and true to science. A part of the book is dedicated to the future with descriptions of the fun of creating robots and the interesting problem of what to do when they run out of power.

To make the book more interesting, there are illustrations as well. Most of these illustrations are in black and white, with some colour photos in the middle of the book. The book also includes graphs, timelines, and pictorial depictions of various concepts.

The book is easy to read and the language is also coherent. There is minimal use of technical jargon with a glossary at the end of the book as well as quick search index for various concepts. It definitely engages while being informative.

An excellent book that will do wonders to raise enthusiasm for science among young and old readers alike.

STEPHEN HAWKING was a brilliant theoretical physicist, generally considered to have been one of the world's greatest thinkers. He was Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge and is the author of A Brief History of Time which was an international bestseller. His other books for the general reader include A Briefer History of Time, the essay collection Black Holes and Baby Universe, The Universe in a Nutshell, and Brief Answers to the Big Questions.

He died on 14 March, 2018. 

LUCY HAWKING is a children's writer, the co-creator of non-fiction compendium Unlocking the Universe and the George fiction series, with her father Stephen Hawking. Lucy is a former journalist, having written widely for British newspapers, and she gives regular talks about science and stories to audiences all over the world.

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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

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.

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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

Book Review: Nothing Ventured by Jeffrey Archer

Title: Nothing Ventured

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Publisher: Pan

Jeffrey Archer’s ‘Nothing Ventured’ marks the start of a brand new series featuring Detective Inspector William Warwick, who is a character written by author Harry Clifton in Archer’s Clifton Chronicles series.

The story opens with William Warwick wanting to join the Metropolitan Police force much to the dismay of his father Sir Julian Warwick QC, who hoped his son would join him in chambers and train to be a barrister. William doesn’t relent and is backed by his mother and his sister Grace.

Joining the London police force straight out of school, he quickly proves himself to his superiors and soon moves from being a patrol officer to fledgling detective for Scotland Yard’s Arts and Antiquities unit. There, he investigates forgeries, counterfeit antiquities, a missing Rembrandt, and a master art thief. 

Throughout the pages we see the character of William Warwick grow more endearing. He’s a well-bred youth full of intelligence and ambition. But we also find him naïve who’s got a lot to learn. Which he does while being surrounded by a distinctive cast of family and colleagues who have the best of intentions in their hearts for him. 

During investigating the theft of a priceless Rembrandt painting from the Fitzmolean Museum seven years ago, he meets Beth Rainsford, a research assistant at the gallery. He falls hopelessly in love with her and the feeling is mutual. However, Beth comes with her own baggage that she's terrified will come to light and strain their relationship. William, the gentleman that he is, rises to the occasion and helps Beth straighten things.

'Nothing Ventured' is wrought with twists, triumphs, and tragedy and Archer cranks it up further with an unexpected ending—a cliffhanger certain to create clamor for the next installment.

Jeffrey Archer, whose novels and short stories include the Clifton Chronicles, Kane and Abel and Cat O’ Nine Tales, has topped the bestseller lists around the world, with sales of over 275 million copies. He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction, short stories and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries). A member of the House of Lords for over a quarter of a century, the author is married to Dame Mary Archer, and they have two sons, two grandsons and a granddaughter.

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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, Google