Book Review : The Mahabharata Code by Karthik K.B.Rao

Book- The Mahabharata Code

Author- Karthik KB Rao

Genre- Fiction (Sci-fi/Mythology)

Publisher- Notion Press

Pages- 216

Price- 250



Blurb-

A NRI Mr. Narayan Rao is finding some clues in the mystical country India. Mahabharata and Ramayana lure him from the time his grandmother narrated them as bedtime stories.

When the dimensions are changed and a group of people has travelled some light years away they inspect something magical and unbelievable.

What will happen when the restaging will be in full swing? Will Mr. Rao get his answers? Will the words of Krishna reveal the bigger picture?



Title and Cover-

I loved both the title and the cover because they explain things in a very wide manner. The name of the book tells the story in some parts but a lot of things can be seen only after the completion. But yes such indifferent title can make any mythology reader have a good look at the book. And what adds more points to the mythology characteristics of the book are the elements which are painted in the cover to deliver the relatable picture. The stars, planet and the Mor-Pankh say a lot. The cover is really catchy and extremely beautiful in all terms.



Characters-

Well as it was Mahabharata so I was expecting a lot of characters. There were many characters but those were different from what I wanted to see. But I am not sad over that because author has brought freshness in these new characters that were exploring the beautiful world of Shree Krishna. What I liked about these characters was that they had a spine. All the characters were able to show something of high quality and though they didn’t appear much in the book (in case of some characters) they still had that magnificent personality of theris which enhanced the parts in a great way.

From all the characters I loved Narayan Rao, Shree Krishna, Srishti and Badal. These characters were holding the book in one way or the other.

But yes if there were more people from Mahabharata I could have relish things more.



Narration-

The narration was smooth and to the point. I didn’t find any extra explanations. I didn’t find any hasty movements. Everything seemed very well crafted and nicely planned. The chapters were divided well and everything was complementing the book.



Review-

The Mahabharata code is one of a kind compilation of two very different yet fascinating genres. On one side is a member of NASA who is out to explore the hidden aspects but something whimsical is on his toes, and on the other side is Krishna who is magical himself. I picked the book just because of its name. Being an ardent follower of Mahabharata I was ready to explore some more details through this book.

And as expected I did explored some hidden facts. The book started with a bang on. The most basic and serene scene not to forget touchy as well is presented by the author. I loved the fact that the story wasn’t narrated in a monotonous way. There were amounts of thrill added here and there because of some different dimensions brought up together to make a great cameo.

What I loved about the book is also the same thing which I didn’t like. I was enjoying the changing scenarios very much. I was noticing Krishna at one end and I was seeing the beautiful explanations by a girl of Kalyuga. But as I proceeded I came to know that I wouldn’t get much of Bheem, Draupadi and Ashwathama in the book. So I was standing in two boats at the same time.

I wished the author could have extended his narration in showing some unforgettable incidents from the epic Mahabharata. But alas it’s the choice of author.

I loved the starting of the book. This part contained both the situations/eras in equal proportions. But the middle had more of explanations then story. The explanations were really scintillating no doubt. The author has taken a lot of pain in explaining different things with completely different concepts. But I wanted some story also going hand in hand.

The last three chapters of the book were the greatest because it had everything. I could see the great advices given by Krishna and the terminology was helpful in putting a cherry on the top. I was happy to see that the author maintained equilibrium. Then I liked the unfolding and the suspense’s and the turns that the last two chapters had. They brought out things in a more fuller and delightful manner.

I loved the fact that the author didn’t try to explain the things much. We as readers were left to think and draw an inference on our own. A book that can make you think for hours or maybe days is worth picking up again once in a while.

Summing up- The book came out to be really surprising because it is a piece of art that needs more space in your mind to place the thoughts which it contains. With simple vocabulary but distinct terminology blended with incidents of Mahabharata Kaal are really working in great terms.


Eye-catchers-

• “No matter what your salary is, there will always be that one person whose salary would be greater than yours and you will still end up comparing yourself to that person.”

• “India is like a mirror. If you see it with a negative mindset, you will only see negative things. You see it with an open mind and you will get whatever answers you are looking for.”

• “If you set aside your ego, any problem on this planet can be resolved.”

• “Act and fail rather than be inactive and regret later.”



Turn-on’s-

• Out of the box concept.

• The creativity of author.

• Simple and fluidic vocabulary.

• Negligible editing errors.

• Srishti’s explanations and point of views on different things. I found them really fascinating.

• The last three chapters.

• The mash up created.

And the list is endless...



Turn-off’s-

• A very smaller portion of Mahabharata is displayed.

• I missed some of my favourite characters.

• I felt a lot of positive side was shown in the book in the form of characters or incidents and the author didn’t focus on the antagonists and the darker phases in great length.



Recommendation-

Sci-fi and Mahabharata lovers can surely pick the book. It is a nice mash up of something extraordinary.



About the author-

Karthik Rao is a 32 year-old software professional based in Bangalore. He says that he gets to meditate close to three hours every day on his bike, thanks to the notorious Bangalore traffic. His hobbies include following cricket, Indian politics on the social media and Indian mythology.

Check the spotlight for more details of the book and the author-
https://thesubtlebraiding.blogspot.in/2016/08/spotlight-mahabharata-code-by.html



Connect with the author-

• Twitter- @raokarthikkb



Buy the book-

• Amazon link- http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/9352068882/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1472105261&sr=8-2π=AC_SX118_SY170_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=the+mahabharata+code+by+karthik

Book Review : Vikram Rana Investigates by Sharmishtha Shenoy

Book- Vikram Rana Investigates

Author- Sharmishtha Shenoy

Editor- Patricia B. Smith

Genre- Fiction (Mystery/Suspense)


Blurb-

An ex-cop Vikram Rana is all set for his new venture. A new case is waiting for him which can make him reach the zenith. There is a murder in town, that too in the family of his old buddy Rohan Lohia.

Vikram gear up and talks to everybody who is a little bit related to the murder of Mrs. Richa Lohia, wife of Rohan’s elder brother Gaurav Lohia.

Another interesting case “The Sonia Sinha case” Vikram gets after solving the previous murder mystery. Two business partners, various murders and a handful of suspects.


Title and Cover-

Well it is a detective novel and what better than making it clear from the name itself. “Vikram Rana Investigates” is a well suited name for the book. And the cover too is as ravishing as the name of the book. The dark and mysterious background with two person with no faces work well with the murder mystery, which is about to be displayed in the book. Also I loved the showcasing of Hydrebad city in the lower portion of the cover. It seems the author has taken care to show even the parts from the subtitle to make it a complete picture.


Characters-

Murder mysteries has a lot of suspects and victims, the cases in the book has the hue of same order. There were a lot of characters related directly or indirectly with the case. And it was nice to see that the author had brought them in front from time to time. It made the show look really realistic and understandable.

From the major characters I liked Vikram Rana of course. He was not the tough guy with extra embellishments. He was shown with utmost care and precision. From the first case I liked Gaurav Lohia and Rohan Lohia and from the second case I liked Pavel.

From the minor characters I liked Veena, Lakshmi, Juhi, Kinshuk etc.


Narration-

I liked the way the author presented the cases. The narration was smooth. Chapters were divided well and also named well.


Review-

Vikram Rana Investigates was my first Indian detective novel. I was highly impressed by the writing style and the two stories that were shown in the book. They seemed very well thought of and not at a single place I felt that I know who the murderer is.

From the very start the author had tried to build up the suspense of high order. What I liked the most in the book is the way of showcasing the case, step by step. Also I liked the transitions in the characters which came in front after each revelation. This was a very nice move. If the author had explained everything in advance then such effect wouldn’t have been created for sure.

Coming back to the story, well I thought that the author shouldn’t have summarized the advancements again and again. It made me skip some paragraphs easily without missing much. If a person skips some part of the chapters and read the endings then one can easily decode the things.

The first case was far better than the second one because I felt that things were a little more complicated in the second case or maybe the author didn’t present them well. The pictures became quite hazy in between and I had to re-read the incidents or check back who was whom.

I liked the little gags which were presented in the form of difference in opinion between Veena and Vikram Rana. I loved how Vikram always had a back door to all the issues he was facing due to his wife.

Summing up- The book came out to be a lot better then what I expected. The hopes were high from the first chapter itself. Mysteries were highly refined and interesting. Waiting to read more in the same series.


Turn-on’s-

• The smooth movements of the story.

• Creation of a perfect mystery.

• No hasty moves.


Turn-off’s-

• Not even a single part of the story was able to mark an extra-ordinary impact. Things just moved and moved and ended.


Recommendation-

The book was suspenseful and the mystery was nicely folded and unfolded. Any thriller lover can give it a try.


About the author-

Sharmishtha Shenoy loves writing murder mysteries, the kind of books that she herself likes to read. Her favourite authors are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. She also likes the work of Satyajit Ray- especially the Feluda Series. She was born in Calcutta and has done her post-graduation from University of Reading, Great Britain. She lives in Hyderabad.

Check out the Spotlight of the book to read the excerpt, blurb and to find more details:
https://thesubtlebraiding.blogspot.in/2016/08/vikram-rana-investigates-by-sharmishtha.html




• Amazon link- http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/B01FG6WIKW/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1471876022&sr=8-1

Buy the book-

Book Review : What Might Have Been by Lynn Steward

Book- What Might Have Been

Author- Lynn Steward

Genre- Fiction (Romance/Women’s Fiction)



Blurb-

As a fashion buyer at one of New York’s most glamorous departmental stores, Dana McGarry is a tastemaker, her keen instinct for fashion trends and innovative ideas coupled with a razor sharp business sense. But like the elegant and conservative store that employs her, Dana is caught between two eras- between being like and standing her ground, between playing by the riles and being a maverick. Dana is sensitive and beautiful, but what you see is not what you get. Behind the cool and attractive facade, Dana is both driven by her need to control yet impeded by her expectation of perfectionism. As she competes to replace women at the top of their game, she is challenged by jealous colleagues. And when a wealthy love interest wants to open doors and support her ambition, she embraces Coco Chanel’s mantra of “never wanting to weigh more heavily on a man that a bird.” As the women’s movement paves the way, Dana finds a path to the carer she wants at the expense of happiness that was not meant to be.

Steward captures the nuances of 70s life in New York City and provides the perfect backdrop for an independent woman determined to make her mark. What might have been is a story that transcends any period.



Review-

The novel is set in 1970’s and the author has tried her best to bring in the flavour of the old school. The cover of the book is quite enchanting and it gives the feeling of independent behaviour. It is certain after having a good look at the cover of the book that the story will revolve around the "meaningful and challenging" life of a lady.

Penning female protagonist is not hard but it surely is challenging. Because one has to take care that the lady comes out to be serene and not just a subject.

The author has tried her best to talk more about Dana's professional life which made it easy for me to see a person rather than a lover, a wife or a friend in larger sum.

There were some characters like Father Macaulay, Patti, Andrew, etc who allowed me to explore the other sides of Dana. I thought that author has done justice in presenting the different characters and also connecting them with the main protagonist.

Also I loved the detailing done by the author in order to present the likes of Dana and how she explores various artistic aspects. For those who have lost hope after losing some bits of their life in the long run then Dana can be your perfect companion. She can help you to look beyond and fathom a world for yourself, made by your whims and fancies.



Eye-catchers-

• “...a determined woman could accomplish anything if, above all, she didn’t lose the spirit to fight for what she believed.”

• “A life worth living she realized had to be shared with others.”



About the author-

Lynn Steward, a veteran of the New York fashion industry and a buyer on the team that started the women’s department at Brooks Brothers, created the Dana McGarry series, set at a transformational time in 1970s world of fashion and in the lives of multigenerational women. What might have been is the second volume in the series. A Very Good Life, Steward’s debut novel, was published in March 2014.



Connect with the author-

• LynnSteward.com

• Pinterest.com/LynnStewardny

• Facebook.com/LynnStewardnyc

• Twitter- @LynnStewardNY



Buy the book-

• Amazon link- https://www.amazon.com/What-Might-Have-Been-McGarry-ebook/dp/B00U8CR2KG

Book Review : Shamsuddin's Grave by Paromita Goswami

Book- Shamsuddin’s Grave

Author- Paromita Goswami

Genre- Fiction

Publisher- Partridge Publishing



Blurb-

Shamsuddin is in the search for a place to call his own. In all these years only two ladies have been behind him in the ups and downs.

Latika is all set to have a fresh start. But there were things which became hard to handle.

What happens when the natural forces make things vulnerable? Will the people be ready to accept the changes? How things will wrap up for the final drop?



Title and Cover-

I loved the cover even though it was teamed up with a plain white background. The idea of using a photograph to depict the idea behind the novel is really creative. I can see a wandering man in the person who is shown in the cover, an umbrella in hand takes things to different level. On the other hand, the title of the book is really intriguing and suspenseful. All in all the first impression is really deep and any curious reader can pick the book for a good look.



Characters-

Oh, well there were so many characters in the novel that I almost fell in love with every person I came across. There was so much difference shown by the author that it became a nice package of varied courses. I saw ladies who were powerful and also those who were gloomy and lonely. Then I saw men who were sentimental and also who were goons. And above all there was this very important part of the book “The Brahmaputra” which had a larger share in shaping things the other way out. Though there were no dialogues by the river but there was this power which made things more lifelike.

From all the major characters I loved Shamsuddin, Latika, Snehlata, Debjyoti. They all were very powerful and serene to inspect.

And from the minor characters I loved Geeta, Latika’s father, Monidi. I found Geeta and Monidi very similar, there circumstances were same, just there way of living was different.



Narration-

The author used third person narration which worked nicely in all terms. But what I felt didn’t work was using the dialogues in the narrative section. It stops the flow. Also I felt that a lot of work could have been done to make behind the scenes part a bit more fluidic, so as to match the other part of the story. There were places where a lot of extra information the author has provided which could have been edited easily.



Review-

Shamsuddin’s Grave is one of a kind book. Right from the start such aura was maintained that sheer attention and a need to complete the book as soon as possible was driven inside. I was really engrossed in the book due to the short and crisp chapters which the author has penned. The short incidents presented in front in quick successions have made things really sorted out and clean in all respect.

I was certain in the start that the book is about a man who is a wanderer. But as I explored the book more I realised the real aim of the book. It’s not just about a man; it’s about the root cause of things which people don’t notice, even though they live in closer proximities.

I loved the complete concept of a NGO which was seen from time to time in the book. It made things more relatable and to the point in understanding the deeper concepts.

Everything was going superbly fine till some chapters. This is so because I was able to read a part of everyone who was in the major lead. But then as the chapters proceeded I found people getting subsided. I thought that the author has started focussing on the issues and not on the story, which is the most important thing that was needed to be look after at.

I was seeing incidents of varied people. It worked nicely, it brought up the whole concept but sadly it was a different part which didn’t gel well with the story. Also I found that some major leads in the book were having a major share of the story somewhere in the middle part of the book.

There were a lot of hopes in my mind after I completed the prior show. But I was disheartened later…

The ending chapters changed that scenario and made the book shine like before. I liked the different imageries with which the author played while explaining the surroundings. I could easily relate to the things and I could feel the rage and agony and what not.

After the track was restored I was enjoying each and other part of the story. I loved the terrifying picture, also I loved the movement in the story, I liked the way things altered for good or for bad, I liked the longing which develops in some characters due to incidents of different order, I loved the things which were wrapping up in the last chapter.

The last chapter to be precise is my favourite in the whole book. I liked the fact that author hasn’t tried to do things to make a showdown just fine. She has gone beyond her limits to think something which suits the picture in the longer run.

Summing up- The book was a great image to bring in front some important aspects which are neglected by almost all the classes, even the suffering ones. Everything came out to be a treat. Only and only if things were made to move one by one in every character's life then maybe the other characters wouldn’t have been left behind in the background. Paromita Goswami stole the show with the closing paragraph. Well done mam…



Eye-catchers-

• “Whatever Allah has assigned for you will always come back to you. Nobody can seize it from you. So have faith in his actions and serve him selflessly.”

• “He had already waited for so long that waiting some time more didn’t make much difference to him.”

• “They say the grass is greener on the other side and we run only to find it pretty same as this side. The day we stop running maybe we could make a difference to our life.”



Turn-on’s-

• A perfect showdown to a well lifted story.

• The atmosphere created throughout.

• The first visit of Latika to Shillong.

• The account of Debjyoti and Latika.

• Loved witnessing the amazing sentiments and feelings.


Turn-off’s-

• Editing errors.

• The brining up of dialogues in the narration part.

• Improper treatment of characters while dividing their share in the chapters.



Recommendation-

Shamsuddin’s grave doesn’t target a particular group of readers. It is more of a standalone novel. Anyone can give it a try. It will be worth your time.


About the author-

Paromita Goswami is an Indian based freelance writer and blogger. She also writes for many travel magazines. She is born in Shillong and spent her growing years in the Northeast before moving to Delhi. “Shamsuddin’s Grave” is her debut novel.


Connect with the author-

• Twitter - @authorparomita


Buy the book-

• Amazon link- http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/1482843943/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1471706695&sr=8-1

Book Review : Never Again by Shreyan Laha

Book- Never again : Tale of a Stranded Legend

Author- Shreyan Laha

Genre- Fiction

Publisher- Dream House Publication



Blurb-

The secrets are hidden in the pages of an old diary which is with an old librarian. There are many people who are after that but only a historian gets his hand on it first to decode the hidden things.

Kasper Hartman, a Nazi soldier, narrates his life right from his childhood revealing the best and worst days of his life.

What happens when there are many people involved to claim the old piece? Will things be revealed? Or the story of “The stranded legend” will remain buried?



Title and Cover-

The title contain the main aspect of the book. It is working literarily and otherwise too as well. And as far as the cover is concerned it contains the important things, like a target, a soldier, a city ahead of him. I liked the visuals, loved the elements and most importantly I liked the rough colour scheme.



Characters-

When the story contains the background of a war or a war zone than it is certain to see some very great personalities and it happened in the book “never again” as well. I was surrounded by tough and determined soldiers who were ready to do anything.

From the major leads I loved, Kasper and Aarav. Kasper had all the traits of being in the top charts. He was showing colours of magnificent degree.

And from the minor leads I liked Saira, Siddha Maharaj, Klara and Petra.



Narration-

The narration was smooth and not hasty. I liked the concept of using third person narration while the life of Kasper was decoded. The author was really clear about the presentation of the story and it can easily be seen in the well divided chapters and incidents.



Review-

Never again is not a simple book which you hold in your hand every other day. It is one of a kind historical fiction which unleashes some different aspects of different countries. The book had opened up some really serious issues which remains answerless even in the 21st century. The way the author has mixed genres to bring out the best of both worlds is seriously a great attempt to make.

I liked the idea of the book. I think that it is the background or the base which the author created, which has lifted up the book. How the things connect and move ahead is really noteworthy. The best part of the book was the life of a Nazi solider that was shown very nicely. Witnessing the surrounding they are into, the kind of life they lead produces a really nice impact.

A historian is on the verge to decode the meanings but then that is not all. There are a lot of inner dimensions which are working simultaneously to bring the best in front. I found the approach of author to lift the story in a raw and rustic manner really radiant. It made things more engaging. If the flashback technique with simple narration would have been used then things wouldn’t have reached the present level for sure.

The advancements in the story are not at all predictable and it makes you glued to the book. Only if the author hadn’t used the Italic font the book would have taken less time. Nevertheless, it was the inspiring story of Kasper that made me read it in spite of all the hurdles.

I loved the harshness which his life had. I loved the phases which his story passed from. I loved his childhood, adolescence and adulthood. I loved him when he was at his darker side and I loved him even more when he was fully committed.

What impressed me the most was the ending or I can say the concluding pages. They were very promising and delicate. It shows the transition of a person in a very extravagant manner. The problem in the book arises when the secrets are revealed one after the other. I felt that if the secrets were opened in a more systematic manner or from time to time than it would have created a different effect altogether.

Summing up- The book is a complete treat in all terms. The chapters were divided well and the concept of putting in front one incident at a time worked perfectly. Never again is a very interesting book in all terms.



Eye-catchers-

• “People do not change. The changed self is always within us, unknown to us.”

• “Maturity is the worst barter we have in life.”



Turn-on’s-

• Concept of the book.

• Different shades of characters.

• Mystery of high order.



Recommendation-

A vintage thriller with a love story of different order, well yes the book can be highly recommended to any book lover.



About the author-

Shreyan Laha is a MBA student of XIMB and has completed his graduation from Ravenshaw University, Cuttack and hails from Jamshedpur. He marked his literary debut with a paranormal romance novel ‘The Adventures beyond Existence’ which earned him the Rajiv Gandhi Youth Literary Award in 2014. He has continued his literary voyage with several short stories and his second novel ‘Never Again’.


Buy the book-

• Amazon link- http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/9384180696/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471706391&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=never+again+by+shreyan+laha&dpPl=1&dpID=51ED91GDhKL&ref=plSrch