Book Review : The Crossbow Code by MC Raj

Book- The Crossbow Code

Author- MC Raj

Editor- Sanjeev Mathur

Genre- Fiction (Historical/Saga)

Publisher- Panther House Paper and Digital Publication LLP

 

Blurb-

Kris is a handsome boy, a bit lonesome and in the need of shelter. His journey takes him around the globe. But his travel always brings him under the spotlight. He is associated with the biggest names and is part of hasty advancements.

He reaches the ashram of Mohandas and his findings make him question things beyond the comfort zones of the others.

What happens when the big game turner is out? Will Kris move on the path he has chosen with ease? Who all are creating chaos for Kris and others?

 

Title and Cover-

The title promises a lot but doesn’t deliver the requisite meaning and greatness. It is just a small part of the story, though it delivers important results. It fails to tickle the nerves.
The cover has some important images like that of Jesus Christ on the Holy Cross, a city in the background, dice and a concealed face. All the elements bring together the whole concept very nicely.

Characters-

Abundant amount of characters the book has. From the very start it was clear that the book was no less than a saga of old times. There were rich and quite different characters. Antagonist and protagonist were clear from the very start and it made me quite judgemental in a good way.

From the major protagonists I loved Kris. He had all the qualities of being the lead; he had a strong and opinionated voice which made him stand above all in the hierarchical order.

The minor characters had lot of potential too. I loved Rhea and Fatima, they had very different traits still they seem going hand in hand with perfection. Also, I liked Bhim, Alice, and Mataji. They opened another world of thinking for me in the book.

 

Narration-

Being in third person, the complexity was handled well by the author. The chapters were crafted well and the layers were opened with ease. All the phases were in great symphony with each other. The author was clear-headed and the result was this book.

 

Review-

The book covers three phases; number one is around the Pope of high esteem and the lead Kris. This particular part of the book made my advancement and grasping power slow. There was a lot in author’s mind when he was penning this particular sequence. I wasn’t expecting all that I read but I won’t say that it was not beneficial. The topics which the author has picked are interesting and very deep. The dialogues hold the book till the very end. Kris is the man of words and it is his worthiness which makes the whole scene very lively.

Small advancements were often made in different chapters which were of great help to relax my mind a bit. The book was literary sound. I could inspect some elements of high order like the details which are hard to hold on. The whole aura was created with great care and thus the usage of peculiar things and the addition of foreign language added a lot of beauty, in accordance with the place which was mentioned in the story at that time.

I was highly impressed with the way author has made a background of the story. The connections were neat and unexpected and I was often drifting from different cities with the characters. One important thing which is highlighted in every section was the different treatment to different classes of people. The vintage quality can be sniffed easily through this, which adds some brownie points.

Much involvement from my side happened when the story shifted completely to India in the second phase. I could feel the things closely and thus I was indulged more and more with every moving chapter. The way author has impregnated the story with certain tones is harsh yet blissful. It was not another blabbering version of what all say about the condition of India before partition, it was different.

The dialogues are very energetic and you can feel the rage rising from your cheeks to your eyes. The life in the ashram with Mohandas (Bapu) is the high point for me. The details and the hidden meanings are well pointed. I was amazed beyond normalcy.

Finally the third phase takes Kris to Germany and again what holds it immensely are the dialogues. I loved the way the concept of Buddhism was kept in front. There were many jaw dropping factors in this phase, like the speech of Kris, the realization of Bhim and the unexpected end.

Summing up- The novel touched the rims which were unthinkable. The theoretical approach which author picked was unusual. He played with his words quite well in the form of strong dialogues, verdicts and speeches throughout. The book had a unique and strong flavour which is not seen much in the midst of casual tales which are narrated these days.

 

Eye-catchers-

· “Soul is the truth and body is only an illusion.”

· “Your unusual silence is very loud in my ears.”

· “Heavy atmosphere in a simple ashram. Enclosure without fences! Boundaries without walls! Closed without doors!

· “Truth exists by itself objectively and does not belong to anybody.”

· “Great men have greater weakness and greater reasons to hide their weaknesses.”

· “When you go below the ordinary than you are an extraordinary being from below.”

Turn-on’s-

I loved the things which Kris spoke. He had that charm which made every chapter fantastic. There were many moments when I had to stop and re-read the whole thing because it made sense. The conversation between Pope and Kris, Mohandas and Kris were the best part of the book. Vast and deep study which the author has done can be seen in the precise chapters which are penned by him.

Also, I loved the rage of Mataji, it was unusual and I had no idea that something of that sort would be waiting for me as I will advance.

The small phrases which author used at the end of the paragraphs were a complimentary treat.

Turn-off’s-

Well, I was really impressed by the cover, title and blurb of the book and that is why I said yes to this book without second thoughts. But sadly I completed this book with great difficulty. It was a heavy mixture of History, Religion, Spirituality, Social Dogmas, with a little bit of story here and there.

 

Recommendation-

Need something strong and powerful to read, The crossbow code can be your pick but only if you have a lot of time to devote.

 

About the author-

Winner of the Ambedkar International Literary Award, MC Raj has authored 21 books to his credit. A notable social activist, he was bestowed with the prestigious Ambedkar award from the Karnataka Government and also prompted a German filmmaker to make a film on him that was telecast in Austria. Part of the Writers’ Retreat in New Zealand, Raj has also featured on CNN, Newsweek and NDTV for his brilliant work.

Buy the book-

Amazon link- http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/B01CCHV33Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467037296&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&keywords=the+crossbow+code+by+mc+raj

Book Review : My Dream Man by Aditi Bose

Book- My Dream Man: A journey from dreams to reality

Author- Aditi Bose

Genre- Fiction

Publisher- Author’s Ink Publications

 

Blurb-

Ajopa is all set to hit the buttons to produce a manuscript, in a limited amount of time. After all the heartbreak and rejections from various publishing house, Ajopa was set back for quite some while. But a hope enlightens her life.

Aniket is a professor of Economics and bridges the gap between immaturity and maturity.

Will Ajopa overcome the fear of getting rejected and produce a scintillating story? How Aniket will influence and handle the chaos? What end is destined for them?

 

Title and Cover-

The cover of the book has a deeper sense just like the title. Two entangled beings say a lot. The saying “Don’t judge the book by its cover (here name too)” fits perfectly because the story has touched different tangents. One can understand the title and cover only after reading the book. And I love exploring hidden meanings. Perfectly worked for me.

 

Characters-

A book with not a bulk of characters manages to face the wind with guts. Just two names cross your eyes and even then I enjoyed a lot.

Aniket, the hero of this romantic tale is not any Casanova or a male chauvinist, he is subtle. Aditi has beautifully crafted him in the story and his presence made things better. Ajopa being a mixture of a bubbly student and a grown up is shown radiantly. The way her life advances with her age leaves an impact of evolvement.

Apart from these two there were some supporting characters which didn’t shine at all. There role ended with a blink of eye.

 

Narration-

I never like first person narration, personally speaking, but “My Dream Man” was an exception. I enjoyed the simplicity which could have been produced only through first person narration (In my opinion). The narrator Ajopa was clear from the very start that she was the master and she narrated things quite well. There were proper breaks, perfect change of situations and well divided chapters.

 

Review-

The story of Ajopa seemed quite related and after just few pages of reading I could feel a strong connection with her. The way she presented herself was really charming and fluent. Story moves with the narration of her life and aspirations. In the midst of so much going in her life you don’t need to wait and understand what is happening because everything is swaying smoothly, no hitches, no haste.

The novel starts at a very bland end. I am never interested in knowing how people meet, what interest me is how things progress in their lives and Aditi Bose has touched that grip when the middle portion of the book arrived. Interesting was to see the part where Ajopa is in between the low phase, the writer’s block. The variety of things she tries and what at the end attracts her is used well by the author in terms with the moving tale.

At many nooks and corners I found comparisons, say, between situations and people, and it is not just told by Aditi, it is shown. You get a wider scope to understand things, microscopic level I must mention. The gags were making things brighter in the dim light. I read that the author wrote the book when she was low, no one can guess that while reading "My Dream Man" . The blend of openness and hindrances was well managed to attain a perfect equilibrium.

Further, the story has a very dramatic portion. The way author has mentioned deaths and dreams is quite radiant. The explanations and little theories that Ajopa implies give you a comfort pat on your back. It sounded smooth. And that can happen to only those who have close relation to Dream and Death in their lives. So in the midst of jokes and light chapters there comes a hole where such deep things are hidden in the book. I loved that fact.

Other noteworthy parts in the ending of the book are the second try of Ajopa and how things crawl. Not going in much detail, I want to mention one more thing which hit my nerves was the family scene. I read it with apt attention and found that we all are part of the same game. High five author.

Summing up- What can be better than an end which can make you smile. A proper showdown and blend of extra spices the book contained, before the curtain was about to fall. I loved the middle, liked the end and was involved with the beginning. The author has tried to show her best colours in the pages of “My Dream Man” and I am happy to say that she hasn’t failed. It was a book which I can read once again just to dive in with Ajopa and meet Aniket in the way.

 

Eye-catchers-

· “..The harder parents try to bind us in chains, the easier they make it for us to slip out.”

· “People tend to become their vulnerable at night.”

· “Everything would turn into a blur. All except his touch.”

· “No relationship can bloom without thoughtfulness.”

· “Sometimes just sitting alone calms down the mind.”

· “Writing is a craft. And craft is a creation. It is an urge. It is not a choice.”

 

Turn-on’s-

The simplicity of the book is what turned me on. An easy and quick read made me finish the book in a day but not to forget the story which was also that powerful to hold me till I finished. The blend of softness and truth of life are seen at every end.

A mind-blowing fact about the book was the small quotes which author mentioned with the start of every chapter. If one closely takes a look after finishing the chapter then one can get a powerful insight to some hidden aspects.

The one liner's were great. The conversations were quirky and day-to-day type so a strong connection was made with the characters while reading.

 

Turn-off’s-

I wasn’t awestruck even once while reading. There was no rise of heart beat and no goose bumps. The story moved and moved and then finished but that one moment of greatness was nowhere to be seen.

 

Recommendation-

The short and beautiful tale can be a perfect break from all those hard literary works you are about to read. Worth a try.

 

About the author-

A content writer and the author of an e-book for children Aditi Bose is based in Delhi. She completed her MBA from the International Management Institute and is an alumina of Loreta house and St. Xaviers College. Hailing from a family of judges and lawyers she is the first to pick the pen. Stories her parents told her as a child and her passion for maintaining a personal diary and a travel journal inspired her to take up writing.

 

Connect with the author-

· Twitter- @aditi_bose

· Facebook page- https:// www.facebook.com/MyDreamManBook

 

Buy the book-

· Amazon link- http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/9385137301/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467035822&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&keywords=my+dream+man+by+aditi+bose

Book Review : An Autograph for Anjali by Sundari Venkatraman

Book- An Autograph for Anjali

Author- Sundari Venkatraman

Genre- Fiction (Romance/Thriller)

Publisher- Self Published

 

Blurb-

Anjali and Jayant are married for very long, still void reside between them. Arjun tries his best to bridge the gap but he is more concerned about the feelings of his parents.

Parth is a bestselling writer. But he lacks inspiration in his life. The new change arrives which alters things beyond normalcy for him.

What will happen when sanity becomes the call of past? How will the leads tackle the pressure? Will things mend for all? Or will things fall from their hands?

 

Title-

Title was ok. It wasn’t literary and it didn’t create an everlasting impression. There could have been alternatives.

 

Cover-

The cover is really gripping because it has all the elements which are an essential part of the book. The “PB” initials, the coffee mugs, the red and grey tint, the bullets. It is a very thoughtful and creative cover.

 

Characters-

Major and minor leads cross one’s eyes from time to time. There is a perfect blend of negativity and positivity residing in the characters. There thought process is very wide and didn’t repeat. It seems they open up another dimension to let the readers know the mind-set of: a housewife, a millionaire husband, a caring son, the upper class society and what not.

If I pick my favourite characters then I would surely mention, Anjali, Parth, Jayant and Arjun. It has been the first time that I have loved all the leads. Also, from the minor characters I loved, Rana, Seema and Nalini.

All these characters were mind-blowing.

 

Narration-

Third person narration was really well suited. Short sentences, normal vocabulary makes the novel an easy read. Short and sweet chapters were another important factor of the book. The narrator doesn’t just say the story but also the feelings were well shown which allows the book to climb one step above the normal books.

 

Reviews-

Sundari Venkatraman is well known for her romance novels. “An autograph for Anjali” is like a properly rehearsed scene by the author. Every corner was decorated well because the author seems at complete ease when dealing with romance. I started this book with a pre-notion in mind that a pure romance will be placed on my table. But I was wrong.

92 chapters long novel had more elements than one can think. It had mystery, grief, love, affection, longing, feminism, women empowerment and lot more. I was in complete awe while experiencing so many things in just one book.

The story starts with a bang on but sadly this phase of the novel is cut short. I was enjoying all the murder mystery but then I knew that it was meant to change the line. The drama crafted in the initial chapters was noteworthy. I highly enjoyed the mind set of different people and how people were reacting according to their traits. It was human nature described vastly I must say.

I loved the balance between the characters which was maintained from the very start. I don’t fall for books in which there are only good people. The world is not spicy enough without the antagonists and Sundari Venkatraman was thinking alike. I was crowded by characters and I loved what they had to say, through their way of reacting.

Further, the story took turns in a jiffy and the flashback hit my spine like a hammer. I was so involved to know what happens further. I want to bow down in front of the author for keeping such clean and short chapters. One cannot stop themselves to know what the next chapter has in store for them. It needs proper vision towards the story which one is about to pen to do this.

Anjali represented a woman who was held in the middle. Not knowing much yet wanting to know more. I loved her attitude towards things. The phase of Greece was fantastic. It opened many new faces of people like that of Parth, Anjali and of course Jayant. I loved Jayant from the bottom of my heart. Thanks author for penning such minute details about such group of men who were represented by Jayant.

Not even once I felt that some chapters were added just for the sake of moving things. Every chapter had some necessary movement and information that helped in the long run. I felt the emotions that people showed were more powerful than the story and I haven’t experienced the same thing while reading in a very long time. The book has opened a very new section of writing in front of me. Highly impressive.

Summing up- The book succeeded in attaining a perfect equilibrium. There were equal proportions of everything in the book. Nothing left behind and nothing won the race, no one was over powered and no one was forgotten, nothing was exaggerated and nothing was pressed beyond its need.

 

Eye-catchers-

· “An author by profession, he was good at observing people.”

· “Acquiring fresh knowledge kept a mind healthy and young.”

 

Turn-on’s-

The fluidic quality in the book was the biggest turn on. One cannot stop before reading 20 to 30 chapters in a go. Everything about the book is a big turn on.

 

Turn-off’s-

Wow factors were missing from the book. I didn’t miss a heart beat much often. Also, the mystery is stopped in between and doesn’t appear for a long time. It was like a long break before knowing what happened.

 

Recommendation-

Romance lovers can pick it without thinking much. It is a great book, will surely entertain you.

 

About the author-

An autograph for Anjali is the sixth book authored by Sundari Venkatraman. This book is a romantic suspense. Other published novels by the author are The Malhotra Bride, Meghna, The Runaway Bridegroom and the madras affair- all romances. She also has a collection of romantic short stories called Matches made in heaven.

 

Connect with the author-

· Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Sundari-Venkatraman/e/B00IBEUJV2

· Website- www.sundarivenkatraman.com

· Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSundariVenkatraman

Book Review : DNA: Dad's Not Adopted by Shikha Kaul

Book- DNA: Dad’s not adopted

Author- Shikha Kaul

Genre- Fiction (Thriller/Mystery)

Publisher- Gargi Publishers

 

Blurb-

Rishabh Shenoy is living a peaceful life. But in a milli-second his life went upside down. Nisa Yuen is a girl from Thailand who is on a mission after her mother’s death. Everyone tries to solve the codes of a hidden mystery.

Ghazal and Pranab are keen to know the truth. But what lays in front of them?

In the middle of this chaos and running scenario, will the truth come in front? Or things would remain entangled in the web of conspiracy? What more difficulties would pop in front of people who are trying to chase the truth?

 

Title-

The title of the book is fine but doesn’t have the capability to leave a great impact. It does have relevance, great relevance but there is no literary impression which it can leave on one.

 

Cover-

It is pretty, yes, very pretty but the elements shown in the cover doesn’t depict much of the novel. But the good part is the back cover. The image of a person, a darkened persona and the city shining bright is really tantalising.

 

Characters-

Characters are the breath of book. If there power is increased then things can go wrong. The book has an enormous amount of characters, antagonists and protagonists both. The major and minor characters are well described, equally.

Mentioning the best ones- amongst the major characters I loved, Ghazal and Pranab. And amongst the minor ones I loved, Nattakit and Nisa.

 

Narration-

Third person narration worked well for this thriller. Everything was well penned, from love to mystery and revelations, everything was well handled. The chapters were divided well and even the flashbacks were handled at ease.

 

Reviews-

Shikha Kaul has penned the story in her book “DNA” with utmost care and precision. Trying her hand for the first time in thriller she has done wonders. The plot was complicated yet had relatable facts and figures, making it easy to involve completely in the tale. The book has four parts and every part contains some important things which make the whole book from start to the end very influencing and gripping. It never felt that things were added just for the sake of adding them. Everything was making sense.

The story revolves around Rishabh Shenoy and how his life is affected by just one incident which he is not even aware of.

Part 1- The murder:
It was a mind blowing move by the author to keep the most important fact in front. The story was very clear from the very start and that made the curiosity level touch the sky. I loved how the chapters were planned in this part. The confession and the reality were helpful in avoiding any sort of confusion that might have occurred. The story has layers and that is the key step in succeeding when one is writing a thriller.

The main leads were put in front without any delay. I loved the fact that author didn’t exaggerate the power of Rishabh. It would have then become another daily soap. The concentration was on story and not on characters, mind-blowing fact.

Part 2- Thailand:
It was my favourite part from the whole novel because it had unthinkable facts and the highest suspense is created due to this part only. Another important factor about the book is that the main leads switch and this creates a new phase with lot of freshness. The movement of the investigation is triggered smoothly.

The smoky lifestyle of the place and the situations are well described. It has the power to make you stand with the two leads, Ghazal and Pranab while they move ahead to find the clues, it’s that much gripping. Well done author.

This part is a great combo of violence, love and attraction with a little curiosity on the top.

Part 3 & 4- The Past and The Trial:
All that is to be known reside in these parts. The way new characters arrive in the scene to let the readers know more about the story is an interesting fact. If the links were kept straightaway in front then things wouldn’t have appeared the way they were now.

Summing up- A thriller can only success when it makes you lose your heart beat at least once. DNA can do that multiple times. As the story progress one starts doubting even a minor character and that is where the sole motive of a thriller is achieved. It needs to connect much-much more than the normal fiction stories. I loved the fact that minute details were thought of and a straight path was followed by the author. Love, hatred and want was supporting the mystery but were not over-powering it. And that is when I fell in love with the book.

Kudos to the author for being successful with her first thriller novel.

 

Eye-catchers-

· “There must be something planned about this unplanned situation.”

· “There’s a difference between leading a life and living a life but the good part is... the choice is yours.”

· “Every unspoken word of his was smoothly landing on to her ears.”

· “You drink water to quench your thirst, not to fill your bladder, but they go together, don’t they?”

· “Everyone loves to hate rains here (Mumbai) and everyone hates to love them too.”

· “There’s always a first time to do and there’s always a second time to rectify.”

 

Turn-on’s-

Everything about the book is a big turn on. The story, the mystery, the characters, places, situations, the ending, everything has the capability to hold any reader.

 

Turn-off’s-

Nothing I found which distracted or hindered my reading experience.

 

Recommendation-

Mystery and thriller lovers can give it a try without any doubts. There are many layers to keep the fun intact.

 

About the author-

Winner of the author of the year award by Salis Online magazine for her debut novel “Hidden Husband”, which is a romantic contemporary fiction, author Shikha Khanduja Kaul has experimented with a thriller and a murder mystery with her second bok. Alongside her career in the staffng industry, she managed to pursue her passion for writing.

 

Connect with the author-

· www.facebook.com/shikhakaulauthor

· Twitter handle- @shikhakaul10

· shikha.kaul.author@gmail.com

Book Blitz : Tales of Sunshine by Sundari Venkatraman

BOOK BLITZ

TALES OF SUNSHINE

(A collection of short stories)

by

Sundari Venkatraman

Blurb

TALES OF SUNSHINE is a collection of ten short stories that bring hope.

“A Ray of Sunshine” is about young Raj who’s terribly upset when many people in his team lose their jobs. But is he able to do anything about it?

“A Promise Given” is about Sachin, the poor, rich, young man; and the pregnant Aparna.

“Life Goes out of Control” is the story where Preeti, an only child, is a bone of contention between her parents.

Rakesh Nath has slogged throughout his life to become rich, to suffer a massive heart attack at 57. Read “Rakesh Nath’s Recovery” to find out more...

“Exam Fever” is about Renu and her anxious mother, Maya. Renu wants to play truant from studies while Maya is terribly worried about her daughter’s exams.

“Until Death us do Part” is the story of Rekha, the 35-year-old COO of an MNC. She finds love or does she?

Ansh adores his grandfather. But his mother Anu is scared of her son spending time with the Alzheimer patient in “Is Grandpa Home?”

The “Daydreaming Mercenary” is Reema. She blows up her sister Rita’s hard-earned money. But are things what they actually seem?

“Breaking Free from the Mould” is the most difficult thing as a human. With so much pressure from his Grandma, will Aarush pursue his calling?

“The Elephant in the Room” is in the first person where the poor Nandita talks about her friendship (?) with the rich Shruti.

 

Grab your copy @

Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.ca | Amazon.com.au

About the author

Tales of Sunshine is the seventh book authored by Sundari Venkatraman. This book is an anthology of human interest stories. Other published novels by the author are The Malhotra Bride, Meghna, The Runaway Bridegroom, The Madras Affair and An Autograph for Anjali—all romances. She also has a collection of romantic short stories called Matches Made in Heaven. All of Sundari Venkatraman’s books have been on Amazon Top 100 Bestsellers in India, USA, UK & Australia many times over.

 

Stalk her @

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Other books by the author

The Malhotra Bride

Meghna

The Runaway Bridegroom

Flaming Sun Collection 1: Happily Ever Afters From India (Box Set)

Matches Made In Heaven

The Madras Affair

An Autograph for Anjali

                                                           

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