Book Review: My Name Is Cinnamon by Vikas Prakash Joshi

 

Title: My name Is Cinnamon
Author: Vikas Prakash Joshi
Publisher: Hay House India

‘My Name is Cinnamon’ is the adventurous tale of Roshan Rishikesh Paranjape aka Cinnamon, a teenage boy trying to find his roots and place in the world.

The plotline chronicles Cinnamon’s journey in his search for his birth parents. His search takes us from the bustling city streets of Pune to the chaotic city of Kolkata and subsequently to the interiors of Maharashtra (Nandurbar) where he finds his answers. 

On each part of his journey, Cinnamon encounters new people, new cuisines, and new adventures. With him, readers are also drawn into his world effortlessly. The story is seasoned well with a generous sprinkle of humour.

Well-written and tautly paced, Vikas Prakash Joshi’s debut novel reveals emotional turmoil both through what is recounted and what is not. He deftly plays the characters against each other. Especially in the case of Cinnamon’s mothers. There’s severe tension evident between the two during their interactions and yet their love for their son surfaces together and bridges the gap between them. This interlacing creates a rich texture that reflects the complexity of the opportunities and challenges faced by the two in their respective roles in Cinnamon’s life.

Joshi starts Cinnamon’s story on a light note but subtly traverses the intricate themes of adoption and the even grave theme of rare genetic diseases that remain out of the scope of our literature for various reasons.

Joshi’s passion for and knowledge about the topics he has chosen to highlight in this novel may or may not be extensive but his story is a compelling context against which to wrestle with themes of belonging, autonomy, family, and agency. And by engaging with these complexities and handling his subject and its characters with empathy, Joshi emerges as a promising and determined voice.

To sum up, Vikas Prakash Joshi’s ‘My Name is Cinnamon’ is a book worth reading and discussing.

 

Vikas Prakash Joshi is a writer, editor, translator, public speaker and freelance journalist based in Pune. He has been writing for children since the age of 17, beginning with stories and columns in a major urban English newspaper that is read by thousands of people. He writes in English and his non-fiction articles and stories have been translated into 31 languages, both foreign and Indian, and published in 24 countries.

His first children’s book, My Name is Cinnamon, was published by Hay House India. The book was appreciated by people from about 25 countries, as well as from all over India. He has been published in many of the country's leading English publications and won 8 public speaking awards. His hobbies include public speaking, cooking and traveling

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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.

  

Book Review: Goodbye, Perfect by Sara Barnard

Title: Goodbye, Perfect
Author: Sara Barnard
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Sara Barnard’s ‘Goodbye, Perfect’ is the story of best friends Eden and Bonnie, two teenagers who are just days away from taking their GCSEs. While Eden is the ‘rebel,’ Bonnie is the ‘good’ girl and ‘Head Prefect’ who plays the flute, lives for exams, and is a model student. Poles apart, the two understand each other and are BFFs.

The story begins when one fine Saturday morning Bonnie runs away with her secret boyfriend, Jack, and the police arrives at Eden’s doorstep to question her. For the latter it’s a bit of a surprise as she discovers that the secret boyfriend is their music teacher, Mr Cohn. Eden suddenly finds herself facing the toughest situation of her life. Though she denies knowledge of her best friend’s whereabouts, it’s not true. Bonnie has been in touch with her through her texts. Eden’s dilemma only surmounts as she is sworn to secrecy and bound by loyalty to her friend. She knows she won’t betray her friend for Bonnie was the one who made Eden feel at home in a new school when she was placed with a new foster family. Until Bonnie, Eden hadn't had a proper friend. She wants to do right by her. But what is right — being silent or speaking up?

Sara Barnard tackles some serious issues in this novel and she does so with tremendous empathy. While Eden’s dilemmas are clearly visible, it is Bonnie whose problems don’t seem like much on the surface. Under pressure to be the perfect student, always achieving good grades, and never misbehaving — is it any wonder Bonnie finds her life stifling and falls for the one man who appears to understand her? There are multiple layers of intricate relationships and tensions throughout the story.

Barnard has beautifully captured the voice and experience of teenagers. The issues that she raises hit home with a silent thud. Readers will likely relate to Eden and Bonnie’s struggle to navigate the treacherous teen waters rife with unhealthy relationships, temptations, and self-doubt. It is definitely an amazing story about friendship, family, and loyalty. 

A realistic, worthwhile look at dating violence and unhealthy relationships in teenage years.  

Sara Barnard lives in Brighton and does all her best writing on trains. She loves books, book people and book things. She has been writing ever since she was too small to reach the 'on' switch on the family's Amstrad computer. She gets her love of words from her dad, who made sure she always had books to read and introduced her to the wonders of second-hand bookshops at a young age. 

Sara is trying to visit every country in Europe, and has managed to reach thirteen with her best friend. She has also lived in Canada and worked in India. An important voice in contemporary YA, she is the author of the bestselling, Zoella Book Club choice Beautiful Broken Things, and A Quiet Kind of Thunder.

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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, Goodreads.com

Book Review: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Title: Children of Blood and Bone
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

A teenage magician, a rebel princess, a prince in hot pursuit, an unlikely love story, and lots of magic prove to be as thrilling as they sound. The best thing is, all this and much more form the backdrop for Tomi Adeyemi’s debut sensation, Children of Blood and Bone. It is the first installment of the Legacy of Orisha trilogy.

The story opens with Zélie, a 17-year-old girl who tries to keep her head above choppy waters even as she mourns not only her mother, but the birthright of magic now lost to her. She is a divîner — someone with latent magical abilities indicated by the distinctive white hair that sets them apart from the non-magical populace.

As the story progresses we learn about the history of Adeyemi’s fictional world. Orisha was once home to 12 Maji clans, each with a patron god or goddess and a signature magical ability that manifests in some members at age 13. The despot king, Saran, cut off access to magic and purged the Majis. Only the children were spared, but with a target on their heads.

Once while trying to raise money for the ever growing taxes, Zélie saves a girl from the king’s soldiers. The girl turns out to be Princess Amari, who is on the run from her father. She has stolen a scroll that can transform divîners into magic-wielding maji. The two girls flee along with Zélie’s brother, Tzain.

The scroll had vanished 11 years ago during the maji genocide. King Saran sends out his son Prince Inan, Amari’s elder brother, to retrieve the artifact. When the trio — Zélie, Amari, and Tzain — learn that the impending solstice offers the only chance of restoring magic, they race against time, and Inan, to obtain the final artifact needed for their ritual.

Over the course of the book we can see some allegiances shifting as the characters grow. Zélie learns to unlock the magic that has been lying latent all these years. Inan too comes face to face with the fact that he is what his father has always hated — magic.

Adeyemi writes beautifully. She has deftly portrayed the racial tensions and persecutions. However, the novel is too long and repetitive. The three POVs keep saying the same things without furthering the story much. But it can definitely be overlooked given the other good things. The book culminates in a cliffhanger ending, which is sure to leave readers anxiously waiting for the next installment.

A compelling story that is hard to put down.

Tomi Adeyemi is a Nigerian-American writer and creative writing coach based in San Diego, California. After graduating Harvard University with an honours degree in English literature, she studied West African mythology and culture in Salvador, Brazil. When not writing novels or watching Scandal, Tomi teaches and blogs about creative writing on her website, named one of the 101 best websites for writers by Writer’s Digest. Children of Blood and Bone is her debut novel.

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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

Cover Reveal: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

** Cover Reveal **

Title: Children of Blood and Bone
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Publisher: Pan Macmillan India

They killed my mother. They took our magic. They tried to bury us. 

Now we rise.

Zélie remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. When different clans ruled – Burners igniting flames, Tiders beckoning waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoning forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, anyone with powers was targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. Only a few people remain with the power to use magic, and they must remain hidden.

Zélie is one such person. Now she has a chance to bring back magic to her people and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must learn to harness her powers and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where strange creatures prowl, and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to come to terms with the strength of her magic – and her growing feelings for an enemy.

Tomi Adeyemi is a Nigerian-American writer and creative writing coach based in San Diego, California. After graduating Harvard University with an honors degree in English literature, she studied West African mythology and culture in Salvador, Brazil. When not writing novels or watching Scandal, Tomi teaches and blogs about creative writing on her website, named one of the 101 best websites for writers by Writer's Digest. Children of Blood and Bone is her debut novel.

‘Infused with rich mythology of west Africa, Adeyemi’s lush world-building and consummate plotting breathes new life into a YA fantasy epic. Themes of oppression and racism resonate all too strongly in today’s political climate. The cliffhanger ending may leave some readers reeling but, rest assured, this is first in a trilogy.’ Fiona Noble, Observer