The Heartbreak Club: One Girl Vs One Twisted Legacy by Novoneel Chakraborty: a review

I've been a Novoneel Chakraborty reader since 2013 and I've no qualms in admitting that I've read ALL of his works (yes, even the ones he had written before I got introduced to him). Having said that, I'm not biased towards him. It's just that he has been an extremely dependable and consistent writer for all these years. As if you know, no matter where you're in life and what you're up to, each year, there will be one Novoneel book release and you'll get to touch base with your roots. His 18th, The Heartbreak Club: One Girl Vs One Twisted Legacy is no different in 2024!

About the book: A DARK ROMANCE IN WHICH A GIRL’S SEARCH FOR HER SISTER LEADS TO REVELATIONS ABOUT A SINISTER LEGACY.

Kisha Sen arrives in Fairmont High International School, Noida, from London as part of a student exchange programme. An achiever and all-rounder, she immediately catches everyone’s eye, including that of the school’s rugby star, Tavish Mathur. But unbeknownst to those around her, Kisha is on a mission of her own. Her elder sister, Anara, went missing from the school a few months ago, and Kisha has a tip that the notorious Heartbreak Club may have something to do with it.

The sinister club is all-powerful yet shrouded in secrecy. All Kisha knows is that they can make your life hell if they decide to. And no one appears to know how to contact them. But Kisha must make her way into the club, however impossible that may seem, if she is to find out what happened to Anara. The more she discovers, the murkier it all gets—but Kisha is not afraid to flirt with danger. Or risk her own life.

In this dark romantic thriller, Novoneel Chakraborty creates a world of passion, lies and revenge where no legacy, however strong, can stand up to a sister’s steely determination.

Let's start by addressing the two elephants in the room - his change of publishing houses after what seemed like AGES with Penguin and his shift to a fictional world he hadn't tried before - high school thrill! To say that this changed a lot would be wrong because after wrapping this book up in a few hours, I can say that the Chakraborty magic hasn't changed even a wee bit. 

Now, the cover. While it might look unassuming to say the least upfront, when you try capturing it on camera, you see the glow from the smartphones staring right back at you, making you feel like they're actually lit up with notifications in real life - a job well done by the designer and the team.

This book starts off at Fairmont High and ends at Fairmont High and everything is a part of Fairmont High. Kisha, Tavish, and THC seemed like characters we've known forever since they've been around us for a very long time and this familiarity is what kept me going for the 160'ish pages that were written surrounding them. Well-written characters have always been a selling point for Chakraborty and this book goes on to prove his mastery over 'stories,' if I can put it that way. 

They say that the journey is sweeter than the destination and rightfully so - the journey of the King, Queen, Bishop, Rook, and Pawn - are at the heart of The Heartbreak Club and you would have no idea what I'm talking about if you don't go along this journey with the characters. The Easter Eggs that I could find in the book, I have no idea if they were intentional or not, but felt like the marks of a writer who has evolved to write for himself & make it for the masses at once - making them worth it. One such easter egg that I'd love to talk about is the use of the red-black colour theme of the cover & the font used for the blurb which reminded me of the 1st ever How about the Sin Tonight cover (if you know, you know!).

When it comes to the cons, well, I missed the now so-familiar Novoneel special quotes in the book, but I know that the target audience for this book wouldn't need those quotes which we long-time readers swear by and that's okay, I think. We all need to move on with time and be happy with what has been given to us and we cannot thank Chakraborty enough for being that rock-solid picture of sanity in all our lives at least once a year through his books. The ending to the book made me go, WTF because the cliffhanger irked me off to another level, but that conversation is for some other day (very soon, I'm sure). 

Overall, this book took me on a journey and I loved it. Even though I don't have a favourite character YET, the guessing game is on and I'm hoping against hope that the next book gives me the one I've been looking for. 

To, khichdi and biryani!

To, all of us who have lost something precious...

A Thousand Kisses Deep by Novoneel Chakraborty: A Review

 2011 - 2022 

11 years

That's how long Novoneel Chakraborty took to write a sequel to the 2nd book of his life - That Kiss in the Rain. This much awaited & talked about sequel, titled, A Thousand Kisses Deep, picks up from where the first story ended and goes deep into Haasil, Swadha, Palki, and Pallavi's life, as it stands today. Before I start talking in-depth, let's see what the blurb has to say... 

About the Book: Humiliatingly rejected by Haasil, even after she thought she had him, Pallavi sets forth on a self-destructive path, seeking one life-thrill after the other. All she desires is to heal the wounds that haunt her every move, not allowing her to be herself. Neither can she forget Haasil nor can she reach him any more. That is, until she meets . . . Palki, Haasil's ex-wife who is presumed dead by the world. Talking to Palki, Pallavi realizes she has found the ultimate weapon to destroy Haasil: the one man who changed her life and persona forever. She plans a deadly set of events that catch Haasil, Palki and his current love, Swadha, unaware. As the dice of destiny is rolled, the question looms: will Pallavi destroy Haasil irreversibly using his once true love, Palki, or will she, for once, come to terms with her deep love for him? A Thousand Kisses Deep is an emotional whirlwind depicting modern layered relationships, lost love and how, sometimes, destiny's plans are quite contrary to what we have been coveting all our life. As Haasil, Pallavi, Palki and Swadha go about life seeking their personal answers and solace, they realize love, after all, is still not done with any of them . . .

I'd have to be frank here, before even picking up the sequel, I had to go back and re-read That Kiss in the Rain to even remember what the characters were upto (a decade is a long time, after all) and I'm glad that I did. I read both the books back to back and I'm glad that I did. I re-read my review of That Kiss in the Rain before starting this review and I'M GLAD THAT I DID. 

My views about the previous book hasn't changed much (or at all) since the first time I read it BUT I had seriously high-hopes from the sequel. And I must admit, Chakraborty didn't disappoint. He merged the story of yester-year and gave it a new spin with his current way of writing, making it a beautiful read. 

Among the returning 4 main characters, Haasil Swadha and Palki have undergone a massive transformation over the years which is both exciting and heartwarming to know. However, my favorite remains the same - Pallavi. In her own words, "you can only beat Pallavi if you have her permission" and she stands by it even today. 

Coming to the story, well, for me, this book was a result of an unfinished business left back in time (oh c'mon, I know you're thinking about Pallavi's revenge over Haasil after what happened in the previous book as you read this line) which Chakraborty finally found the heart to do. As an ardent reader of each of his works for, again, a decade now, it seemed fitting to me. 

The book answers every single question that the readers had. It touches every aspect of what he's been talking and hearing about in all his reader interactions over the years. This book is dedicated to his readers and it shows. So, for me, commenting on the quality of the book would be a blasphemy. It is you who should take out the time, read the book, and see for yourself if this is what you've been asking for all these years or not. 

For me, however, this book is a closure. This book marks a new journey. This book gives hope... 

To, "I love you because you do to my life what I would've done had it been under my control.."

To, being a human diary.. 

To, more books from Novoneel... 

Whisper To Me Your Lies by Novoneel Chakraborty: A Review

Every time I read a book written by Novoneel Chakraborty (and yes, I've read 15 novels, 2 e-novels, and a collection of short stories by him), the first thought that comes to mind is - 'Why did he write it?' Well, while the answer to this question might never come to me, what I do know is what his books make me feel! Whisper to Me Your Lies, his recent release, made me grin (and I know how sadistic that sounds), but you can blame it on my recent serial-killer series/news/book binging experience. So, without further ado, let's get into the details! 

About the Book- Ekantika Pakrashi has just lost the love of her life. Preliminary reports suggest it was no accident. Her boyfriend was murdered in cold blood and the modus operandi resembles that of India's most notorious serial killer of the 1990s: the Cellotape Killer. He was never caught, and if this indeed was him, then he had resurfaced after twenty-one years.

Ekantika swears to find the killer and get an emotional closure, but what she doesn't know is that in the process she may end up wounding herself irreversibly. Follow this exciting chase as the dark alley turns out to be a twisted labyrinth and it seems the killer is actually coming for . . . her.

Whisper To Me Your Lies is a fast-paced, chilling crime thriller and a poignant tale of a girl's single-minded obsession to find out who altered her life. And why.

The story revolves around Ekantika Pakrashi & the murder of her live-in boyfriend, Faizaan Ahmed, by the Cello-Tape killer. Here, the first thing I would like to say is, I loved the modus operandi. The fact that I was reading about serial killers and unsolved cases made me actually connect to the book on a deeper level than I expected. Now, the book comes with several other characters with stories of their own, that makes the story what it is. The return of a well-loved character from his past book brought out a vocal wooting and an ear to ear smile from my side for sure! And somehow I would want to see Taksh return in some other book as well. Personally, though, I also did a little dance at seeing 'Vanya' as a character! 

While reading the book, I had made several assumptions along the way, but let most of it to rest because I know better than this. Chakraborty won't let anyone even wildly guess what's going on without making us dance on our toes for quite a while first. 

Next up, the narration. The book shifts back and forth into the past and present through the eyes of different people. The best part about that is, you can visually shift through the distinct narrations, all thanks to the different styles of font used for them (no, not his usual italics), which you would only notice if paid keen attention to. If there's one thing that Chakraborty has managed to keep up with over a decade of writing novels, then it has to be his flawless writing style. 

The book explicitly mentions revenge as a theme. Or, is it? Well, I'll leave that part for you to decipher as you pick this book up on your weekend binge reading session. At almost 300 pages, I completed reading this book at a stretch and isn't that what it's supposed to be like when the book is unputdownable? After one point, you make it your day's purpose to figure out who the Cello Tape Killer is and won't be able to sleep before you know it! The revelation, however, didn't disappoint. 

Do I really have to speak about the cons of the book? Sigh! Well, if I have to mention something, then probably I'll say that this book had the typical Novoneel Chakraborty essence in it, but somewhere deep down, it didn't. Don't get me wrong here, the book answered a lot of questions going on in my mind most definitely. But maybe it was a few places which felt..umm..I don't know..like something could've been polished? But then again, you can blame this nitpicking as a con of my profession! 

All in all, though, the third book of the Obsession Trilogy (after Roses are Blood Red and Cross Your Heart, Take My Name) deserves a read for sure as I forcefully stop writing more and give this one a 4.5 out of 5! Here's looking forward to being a Novoneel Chakraborty reader for the longest time ever! 

Cross Your Heart, Take My Name by Novoneel Chakraborty: a review

 Wait. 

Give me sometime to breathe. 

Yes. 

So, as I wrap up Novoneel Chakraborty's latest, Cross Your Heart, Take My Name; I can't help but think about relationships and marriages. Marketed as a slow burning suspense thriller, this is one book is a beautiful amalgamation of both the way the writer is known to write all these years and the way his writing has matured to become. This book is filled with layers and no one will be able to grasp the intensity of the book in one go - I can promise you that.

About the book: Garv Roy Gill and Yahvi Kothari meet at an airport lounge by chance. Six months later they find themselves consumed by the proverbial once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. Bored with their mundane daily routine, their adventurous streak makes them decide, one day, to escape the present and begin a new reality somewhere far, far away. Just that the day they are supposed to meet and escape, Yahvi doesn't turn up. Then she doesn't respond to Garv's phone calls or messages. And mysteriously Yahvi vanishes altogether.

Days later, as a grieving Garv stumbles upon her Instagram profile, which he didn't know existed, he is shocked to realize that her every post is probably a clue to the truth behind her disappearance. Except, the more he unearths the meandering truth, the more he learns about a certain side of Yahvi which changes the way he saw her. And the way he understood love.

Cross Your Heart, Take My Name is a beguiling tale about urban loneliness, fickle relationships and our need for companionship as depicted by the twisted journey of two individuals, caught up in their own emotional plight, blurring the lines between crime and sin.

The main protagonists of the book are, as usual, two girls and a guy - Garv, Yahvi, and Nihira. Each of them bring to the fore aspects of the urban relationship and companionship that we all have either felt within or around us. It's a story we all know but has layers which we fail to admit, even to ourselves. The supporting characters do their job exceptionally well and they come and go gracefully. 

The writing style, and I will never be tired of saying this, is flawless and smooth sailing. There is not one point in the book where you will get bored. Be it from the story or the underlying meaning of the scenes or dialogues, you will close the book with a lesson for sure. This book will bring a new side of Chakraborty to the readers which I'm sure a lot of you will come to love. 

It isn't a book where you'll be able to picturise something as clear as day. This book will make you think about how your life and relationships are like. You will start questioning yourself and that's the cue to an excellent book, I believe. If you're looking for a light read, this isn't for you, dear friend. But if you're looking for something that can add value to your life - Cross Your Heart and Take My Name - is the one you should pick up. 

Amidst all the psychosexual thrillers Chakraborty is well known for, this is a deep rooted breath of fresh air for a very niche audience, I would like to believe. The climax binds the book and hits the reader pretty hard. 

As far as the flaws are considered, personally, I would've liked something more towards the end of the book. I can't pinpoint what exactly I am talking about but there was something at the end of the book that was missing. Or maybe, just maybe, the book had me thinking so much that I craved to know and read more about the protagonists by the end of it. I also felt there were a few sections that reminded me of fragments of his previous books but I blame that on my overactive imagination.

Apart from that, there were a very few portions within the story which felt repetitive and I would've preferred them not to be there but they were within reason and didn't interfere with the reading flow at all. Who knows? Maybe you wouldn't feel them to be so at all. 

All in all, this is a wholesome read that can bring the truth of your relationship in front of you and make you sit back and think! It's been long that I've forced myself to rate a Novoneel Chakraborty book and the ratings for his particular novel, I'll leave upto you... 

Irrationally Passionate by Jason Kothari: a review

What happens when you, in the midst of a pandemic, get notified about a book titled, "Irrationally Passionate?" Well, you end up reading it. That is precisely what I did when I got to know about Jason Kothari's book. I would be wrong if I say that the book didn't match up to what I thought. This book is so much and so much more at the same time and you would not be able to determine the extent this book can get into your head till the time you read it yourself. So, what are you waiting for?

About the book: While a college student at Wharton, Jason Kothari scraped together money from family and friends to save his childhood favourite comic book company, Valiant Entertainment, from bankruptcy and bring it back to life. A few years later, he transformed Valiant into the third-largest superhero entertainment company in the world after Marvel and DC Comics and sold it for $100 million. Jason then became a professional turnaround leader and went on to transform distressed Indian Internet icons Housing.com, FreeCharge and Snapdeal, helping save billions of dollars in value, and advise giants like technology investor Softbank and real estate developer Emaar, who have invested billions of dollars in India. Irrationally Passionate reveals the inside story of how a rebel, train-wreck kid transformed himself into a successful young entrepreneur and business leader who became one of the top ten paid executives in India while only in his 30s. From getting his first job as an assistant to Jackie Chan in Hong Kong, to learning strategy from champion Muay Thai fighters in Thailand, to tackling huge personal setbacks, to becoming a CEO in 60 seconds, among many other stories - Jason's inspiring journey across countries, industries and companies has something for everyone, right from students to entrepreneurs to corporate CEOs to even parents of students and entrepreneurs. Irrationally Passionate is a highly personal, authentic, open and complete account of a young entrepreneur's life. Brimming with practical advice and philosophical insights, it will force readers to reflect on how they perceive life, work, family and spirituality by giving them a fresh perspective.

In these testing times when you yearn for a little bit of fiction to get you going, I picked up this non-fiction because of the title, to be honest. What surprised me is the way this book holds together feelings and success moulded into this fine narration by the author. Not only does the story attract you, but it gives you moral life lessons which are pretty useful in today's time.

I took a lot of time reading it because I wanted to grasp every chapter by its soul and so I did. The journey of the writer from the start till the finish kept me hooked to the story. The writing style of the writer is one where you feel like he is narrating the entire story to you, face to face, and I believe that is one of the top-points of the book. You would be able to literally imagine what it felt to be in the author's shoes when you read the same and that is something I loved about this particular book.

You would be drawn to the book no matter what you are doing in life because this is much more than just writing about business or life goals. The chronological order that the book goes through lets you live the journey in your own way. Once you are done with the book, you would feel as if you are a part of the author's life, which is very unlikely seen in the other non-fiction books being published these days. The book is written in such a way where you would be able to relate some or the other incidents with one in your life, making it all the more worthwhile.

One of the minus points for me in the book is that the book drags long. Yes, while someone would live to read more and more about the author, there are a few sections of people who would have wanted more details about his life and its ups and downs, rather than sticking on one situation and focusing on that for a long time. Apart from those places where it felt like the author could've used lesser words to describe the incidents, I do not have to say much negative about the book. Starting from the scratch to being what he is, the author has given it his all to make something this credible and I would love to read and know more about him. To me, Irrationally Passionate gets 4.5 out of 5 and loads of luck for the future endeavors.

Satyayoddha Kalki by Kevin Missal: a review

After a stupendous start for author Kevin Missal with the first book in his Kalki series, Satyayoddha Kalki,  eye of Brahma is the second book he released. A seemingly simple yet powerful cover made me pick this book up.  Not forgetting my ardent love for Vishnu! When I held this book for the first time, these 400 something pages seemed like a huge then.  Only then did I realize, not really.

About the book- After a defeat at the hands of Lord Kali, Kalki Hari must journey towards the Mahendragiri mountains with his companions to finally become the averted he's destined. But the road ahead is not without peril. Not only is he trapped by the cannibalistic armies of the pisach, he is also embroiled in the Civil War of the vanars. And in the midst of all this, he meets a face from the legends. Meanwhile, Manasa,  the sister of the late Vasuki, plots to overthrow Lord Kali by bringing a massive war to his kingdom. But naagpuri, her homeland, has been infilterated by their sworn enemy, The suparns. Not only does she need to protect her kingdom from the suparns, she must also protect her close ones from the league of conspirators at her own home. Who can she really trust? And will she be able to put and end to Lord Kali's rule?  As the plot thickens and Lord Kali sees his ambition crushed right before hjs eyes, he comes to know about his race and its history that threatens to destroy the very fabric of this world's reality.

I am sure like me a lot of people who are reading this blurb for the first time are onfused about what is happening. But take my advice,  don't be. The author takes it upon himself to give a recap of all the incidents of book 1 right before he starts this book. Divided into two parts,  you get an overdose of mythology here.

If you have taken my earlier advice,  take another. This book isn't for the weakhearted.  Or for the ones who are not that much into mythology. For hardcore mythology lovers like me,  though, this is an once in a lifetime opportunity to read and go into the depths of it. The narration is fabulous and it grips you to the edge of the seat.  But you don't need to be careful here as it doesn't let you fall off.

A bit lengthier for sure, you'll die to read the first book and the third installment of the series right after you have finished this one. Characters who we have grown up reading and listening about form the crux of the book while this fiction tale is enchanting to say the very least. It was a 1 day one sitting read for me and I couldn't just have more as I kept on reading.  The way the characters have been formed and how the author takes you through the book, you'll surely be confused on who to root about.

As far the cons are concerned, there aren't much. You must read book 1 before starting this one and you'll die to read book 3 once you've completed this. A cliffhanger at the end of the book leaves you speechless. The author has a natural flair of writing which I'd love to keep on reading.  A 4.5 out of 5, I'm looking forward to reading more from the author.

Love Knows No LOC by Arpit Vageria: a review

When I choose to look at what's beyond me,  I fail. It takes a lot of efforts from all of us to go beyond that thin line of right and wrong.  Arpit Vageria's latest, Love Knows No LOC is one such book. A cross-border saga of love, this book is much more than just good looks.  Read on to know what I felt about it…

About the book- Zoya, a twenty five year old Pakistani Popstar, meets Kabeer, an emerging Indian cricketer, while he is in Lahore to play a match promoting India-Pakistan friendship. One thing leads to another and soon the two become inseparable. As their love for each other grows, she leaves Pakistan to be with him, only to return a few months later following a misunderstanding. In Pakistan, Zoya is gloomy and sulking, thinking about the bond she shared with Kabeer. In India, a confused Kabeer is still hopeful of meeting Zoya. As their relationship is put to test in the wake of mounting tensions between the two countries, the couple unearths a long-buried truth that will forever change the course of their lives.

If a premise of a book is so strong we know what the book is supposed to bring to the table. This book was no different. One look at the title and the cover makes this a must buy for every person who has their eyes on it. Once you read the blurb,  you are sure to get intrigued regarding the book. So was I and I am not even lying. Having received this book, I straight away started reading it without a pause. Hours later as I sit to write this with still moist eyes, I would recommend it to everyone.

Kabeer,  an Indian Cricketer.  Zoya, a Pakistani popstar.  Cliché much? The story isn't so.  Just when in real life IPL ended and WC preparations are on,  this was a much needed break. The author, after publishing the book has also got a chance to work during the IPL and that is an achievement in itself. All his childhood cricket fantasies and mind you, the Author also has a great voice; has been clearly depicted in this book.  Information regarding the game and the aura surrounding the stadium has been presented beautifully and so has the story.

The first page of the book might seem a bit heavy at first but post that,  it's a clear and sorted read. Jerking your tear levels and bringing a smile,  I had faced a myriad of emotions throughout reading. Clever plot points and the shift between years,  indicated properly on the chapters are a steal. However, you need to be very careful while reading it  to keep a track of the years.

There were lines in the book that had my heart and the meaning plus motive of the book, completely transparent. I have only one glitch with the book. While this is such a smooth ride,  don't we expect a bit more left for the reader to imagine? If that were there, this book would've been the best. As of now, for me, it's a 4.75 out of 5 and hoping to read much more from the author in the future.

The Sun Shines Down by Sankha Ghosh: a review

There are books that you love from the first glance at the cover.  Then there are those books which seem pretty basic at first but when you read them,  you get to know what they are all about. The sun shines down by Sankha Ghosh is one such book.  Here's something about the book…

About the book- Shreya Basu is a kind of politician India has hardly ever witnessed and that too from a political party which has been suffering from an existential crisis for the last few years. Within impeccable beauty and excellent oratory skills, Shreya Basu’s hot to Fame is no less than a Fairytale. But now she wishes to contest election with the powerful incumbent government at their own bastion. But little did she know about the dirty inlands of this murky game of politics. And, in this topsy-turvy right to power, she came across the enigmatic Hector Fernandes. Obscured by thousands of unanswered questions, Hector Fernandes is haunted by the Ghosts of his past. And, to put them to rest, he wants one single thing. Vengeance. And, when Shreya’s seamless ambition to acquire power meets hectares heathfield stigma of Retribution, it wrecks war.

A political saga like no other,  this book is much more than what it seems it is. First things first,  the cover is pretty simple but if you take a close look at it, you would know what it actually speaks.  The ongoing crisis faced by the nation is depicted wonderfully in the cover. Done in bright colours, it would surely capture your attention to the fullest.  Coming to the writing style, well, it needs a lot of polishing.

The narration skills were really good but the writing style and errors take it one notch down than it already is,  making it sound like a fairytale, yes, but forced one at that. I loved how descriptive the book is and how the author has managed to put across his thoughts in action.  This thriller is an edge of the seat one which will keep your nails biting and you sweating as you keep on reading it.

As for the cons of the book,  the ending and the book in its whole essence couldve been much more tighter than it already is. I took a long time to read it and probably half the credit for that would go to the errors I found in the book.  Having said that, the author has a really good potential which could be used further. Looking forward to reading more books from him, this was a 3 on 5 for me.

Dead to Them by Smita Bhattacharya: a review

This book had me at thriller.  Next, the blurb gave me goosebumps. I agree I took a long time finishing it and an even longer time to write what I felt for the book,  this book is surely there to stay with me. Yes. I'm talking about Smita Bhattacharya's Dead to them.

About the book-Moira Madhwa is the typical young, beautiful and successful urban woman until the day she goes missing. Her friends start looking for her, but quickly realize nothing is as it seems. Moira had kept devastating secrets—secrets that could wreck their lives if revealed. As days roll by, one by one, skeletons tumble out of closets, and each of Moira’s friends’ looks guilty. But did one among them hate her enough to do the worst? A nail-biting, psychological suspense thriller, Dead to Them weaves a web of deception, lies, and paranoia in the city of Mumbai, where every face hides a dark story and uncovering it can lead to disastrous consequences.

See?  Exactly. What might seem a mystery is much more than that. Those who know me would know thriller is my latest forte and this book was a pleasure to read. This does not only have a plot but it has layers enclosed within the safe confines of subplots which mesmerized me as a reader.  A regret that I'll always have is not reading this book at a stretch because of which I had to struggle to keep the feel of the book with me.

Having said that,  once I finished this roller coaster, it challenged me psychologically.  Deception, lies and everything that is mentioned in the blurb actually happens in the book in a way that you might feel it is happening right next to you. Coming to the narrating style,  this book was a crisp read so the narration had to be quick and on its toes. Yes, at certain parts it failed but there were some that amazed me to another level.

Coming to the cons, having read this book I know what the potential of the author is. Sharpening it a bit and another round of proofreading would have made this an amazing experience. All in all, this awesomeness deserves a 3.5 out of 5 from me. Looking forward to reading more from the author.  

Until Love Sets us Apart by Aditya Nighhot: a review

White covers always attract me and this book was no different.  Until love sets us apart by debut author Aditya Nighhot is not just any other book.  It is a love story that caught my attention and will be in my mind for a long time to come. To love,  with love; the tagline stole it for me. Here's what the back blurb has to say about the book…

About the book- Aisha and Rohit are like chalk and cheese.  While Rohit is completely aimless and imperfect,  Aisha is focused and a perfectionist. Just two opposites.  But don't they say opposites attract? He loves her. She loves him.  Their wedding is on the cards but their love is put to test when an unforeseen incident hits their lives.

The rest of the blurb says exactly what my feelings were.  “Can loving somebody immensely set you apart?  Can everything just change in the blink of an eye? Inspired from real life incidents,  this Best romance book of the year award winning novel is a heart wrenching tale of true love, friendship,  and destiny. And a young author's quest to find out what exactly happened… “ That's exactly what the book is all about.  What I loved the most about this book was it's writing style. The narrative was bang on which gave me enough space to imagine yet perceive what the writer was trying to tell me.  

At times,  yes, the book gave me the pleasure of thinking that it is written by a debut author. But barring those times,  the book was a delight. There was a simple yet engaging narrative about Rohit and Aisha and many more characters (which I will not talk about because it is for you to know once you read it)!  Written in an exceptionally simple language, this had hindi poems also duly translated which struck me. The impersonal tone that the author has used gave me a personal read to the mind of the characters.

Talking about the cons of the book,  I believe only the grammatical errors could summarize it.  That said, the writing needs to be a bit more polished. A great one time read from a debut author who I would love to read more from,  this one would be a 3.5 out of 5 for me. Looking forward to more books…

Half Torn Hearts by Novoneel Chakraborty: a review

Novoneel Chakraborty has consistently maintained that his fourteenth book,  Half Torn Hearts is his most autobiographical work till date. Now, having finished the book I know how it surely is but also,  how skillfully he has knitted the story to seem fictional to the world. I asked him if he had a favorite character from the book, he's spoilt for choice,  he said. A seemingly simple cover where the title is mentioned with unassuming pictures of stone, pappers, scissors is something that is the first undertone that Chakraborty has set up.

About the book- The greatest loss in life is what love kills within us.  Life is good for Shanay Bansal-he is due to get married in a few months and has been nominated for a prestigious award by Business Right Now.  Until he receives a mysterious voice note from an unknown number one night. It's a woman's voice telling him that be is part of a story he is not aware of.  But a story whose ending only he can decide. Curious, Shanay plays along and is introduced to Raisa, Nirmaan and Afsana. By the time the story comes to an end,  his life has turned upside down. Half torn hearts is a gut wrenching story about three people who experience the unbelievable highs and the unimaginable lows that one can go through only in love…  of the rarest kind.

Okay!  So now that I have completed this book in just a few hours and have bombarded my feelings while reading this book to n number of people, here's my time to articulate whatever I felt. Half torn hearts is a personal story and that reflects in the writing style of the author.  Yes, it has a very typical Novoneel Chakraborty feel but the whole book has come from a place that is deep inside the heart. Something, only his loyal readers would understand.

Having said that, the four characters spoke to me. Once I was somewhere in the middle of the book I could feel that whatever is happening in the book is happening around me for real.  I could see, feel and touch Raisa, Nirmaan and Afsana. Tushara's poems made for a great accompaniment to the book and I'm so happy the author put a step forward and turned his poem writing skills to good use. All the characters had a graph of growth and it was well visible. As far as I am concerned, nope. I don't have a favorite character either. I rooted for all the three characters and their perspectives. But well,  I have my reasons to dislike Afsana a wee bit at times.

Coming to the story and the narration skills.  A love story coming from his fan induced title of being the Sidney Sheldon of India, can be a shocker for a lot of people. But,  if we closely follow Chakraborty and his works, a love story is something that he has to write. The narrative was smooth, engaging and entertaining. The tagline of the book,  Have you destroyed yourself for someone? Makes the book all the more appealing. The story was in a way simple. Where in a lot of places you could know what would happen in the future course of the book, a lot of places come unprepared. Do we really have it in ourselves to judge the story of an autobiographical work? I don't think I have. Wrapped in the simplicity yet competition of the game stone, papers and scissors played in childhood, the book is just that for Raisa, Nirmaan and Afsana.

The cons of the book, as usual were very few.  Barring a few typos that are blink and miss. I was expecting a more fast paced book which would be his usual edge of the seat one but the fact that I cried at a few places and smiled while the book ended mars all the criticism that I've put forward. I am not going to rate the book this time for I'll leave it to you to judge the book and rate it for me.

To end it, Don't you think love is freedom?

“Zamaane se chupke,

Ek band kamre mein,

Parde kheech ke,

Bistar pe beeche chadar ko kuchalke,

Ishq nahi hota.

Ishq,  khule mein hota hai… “

The Code of Manavas by Arpit Bakshi : a review

Vishnu has been my dearest darling friend.  In my times of peace and anxiety he's  whom I go to.  That's  why when I saw this book,  I couldn't  help but get my hands on it.  The Code of Manavas by Arpit Bakshi is the first book of the Maha Vishnu Trilogy and the first thing that struck me was the cover.

About the book- Book one of the Maha Vishnu Trilogy, The Code of Manavas, is set some two million years past ad 2050, when earth as we know it ceased to exist and so did mankind. A new race, the Manavas, now exists on Bhoomi, the erstwhile Earth, which is divided into two cities—Madhavpur and Ayudhpur. In the quiet and peaceful city of Madhavpur, a reclusive Krishna is busy with an immense task. He has to prepare a new abode for the Manavas before an impending apocalypse destroys them. He knows something that nobody else does—the Manavas are running out of time faster than they can imagine and there are no inhabitable planets to escape to. To make matters worse, there is someone in Madhavpur who wants to destroy Krishna and subjugate each Manava. The Manavas, it seems, are doomed. Yet Krishna knows there is a slim chance of survival for the Manavas, although there is a huge price to be paid for it. Will the various factions of the Manavas unite for the greater good? Will Krishna, who saved them during the turn of the last Yuga, be able to save them now? What will be the price to pay? Enter the mythical world of Maha Vishnu and get swept up in a fast-paced suspenseful narrative.

The book has so much to tell that it becomes very difficult for me to decide where to start complimenting it.  To begin with,  the cover was something  that glued me to the book and the blurb added fire to the urge of reading it.  Written in a place where nothing is how we know it to be like,  this book ticks all the right boxes to be something  that I'll remember forever.  What remains constant throughout the book is the fact that the book still concerns Krishna to be what we know him as.

The narrative of the book is fast paced and quick.  It brings forth a fun time reading the book and at no point was I bored while reading it.  In a matter of 3 hours I finished the book and damn I won't  be wrong if I say that I am dying for the next part of the trilogy to be out in the market.  The author has done a great job at capturing the minds of the readers starting from the get go.  These books of the genre has a tendency of stretching unnecessarily  but this one didn't  do that.  Which was a saving grace.

For the cons of the book,  there are very few.  To a reader like me,  a few parts could've been avoided. There were only a few grammatical errors which could've been rectified.  But having said these,  this is one book which I would remember forever.  Waiting for the next part,  this one is a 4 on 5 for me.  

Seduction by Truth by Mukul Kumar: a review

Some books catch your eye by just the title. Seduction by truth by Mukul Kumar was one such. The next thing that struck me when I saw the book was the cover. It showed exactly what the blurb had to offer. But did the book actually live by the expectations? You have to read the whole book to know that. Here's what the blurb says…

About the book- Shiva is good looking, an irresistible talker, well off, lives in Delhi's poshest suburb, is a dutiful husband to the attractive Akriti, and a perfect father to their little son. So why is he the picture of disenchantment? It could be that not uncommon human condition: boredom that sometimes accompanies fidelity. In Shiva's case, the discovery that Akriti has already found distraction with someone else frees him to look for excitement on his own- but with a mind conflicted between Dharma and desire. Which path to follow? He embarks on a journey to empirically explore different options- the sexually vibrant Sana and Mary, to name just two- but at the end of it, winds up with more questions than he started out with. To confuse things further, Akriti continues to occupy a tender place in his heart; a woman first and a wife later. A story, part reality, part legend, that dared the modern reader to solve mankind's oldest puzzle: marriage.

The premise of the book spoke a lot to me and thus the expectations went further high up. To begin with, I somehow felt that this particular book doesn't cater to a wide range of an audience per se. It's about the couples who are married, separated or to be married. The whole backbone of this book is spread on as the author puts it, “mankind's oldest puzzle: marriage”. The clean and simple way of writing and narration made it simple for me to read the book in one sitting without any break.

Now that is something I like in books. Which keep you hooked to the end. The way the whole concept is dealt with is really good and everyone should read it. Shiva as a character have been portrayed very cleverly with typical traits. This makes sure that you feel, as a human being, that Shiva is someone right beside you. There are legends mentioned in the book which can be used to draw comparisons and that's something that is very well thought of. I also liked how all the women in Shiva's life has been crafted in the book.

For the cons, I would like to mention that I believe the book had one too many facts which the urban reader might not prefer reading much. Also, the book could've been written with much more vibrancy in it than there is. There were a few parts which I felt could've been ignored while some needed a bit more explanation. Grammatical errors there weren't any and that's a good sign for me as a reader. All in all the book had a good flow to it and is surely an one time read for the audience. For me, it's 3.25 out of 5 looking forward to reading more of the author's works.

Tarikshir by Khayaal Patel: a review

I divide my choice of books in a few categories and judge me if you want to but books which look good are surely in my wish list. This debut work by Khayaal Patel, Tarikshir: The Awakening had in itself every category that I like. The cover is mesmerising where I remember when guests had come over to my place they commented that this book is gorgeous. The blurb is interesting and the premise holds your breath.

About the book- A small princely state in Rajasthan is the last bastion of resistance against the might of the British empire. While unrest surrounding the sudden death of the king of Devangarh grows, young prince Rudra Pratap Chauhan prepares to ascend the throne. But the kingdom is in turmoil. The Devangarh army is outnumbered and the British forces are closing in. To make matters worse, Rudra discovers the king's death may not have been accidental at all. The frequent appearance and disappearance of a mysterious, masked stranger, and a series of ritualistic murders in which the bodies have been drained of blood, spread panic across the realm. Who is this creature and how is he connected to all the strange occurrences? As Rudra struggles to manage his new responsibilities and investigate his father's death, he stumbles upon dark, dangerous secrets that will destroy everything he now holds together.

First things first, Rudra is definitely my newest favorite character. Everything about him is so good. But is everything what they seem it is? The book is all about known characters with unknown faces and unknown characters with known faces. It traces the journey wonderfully and does not seem like the author's first novel at all. The grasp of the language is wonderful and so is the narrating skills.

I'm seriously not going to comment on the characters or the plotline because the book is a series and I wouldn't want to spoil it for you. The flow is great and there's not a single dull moment in the book which might bore the readers. The language used isn't that much tough and is lucid enough for readers across generations to find the book meaningful and interesting. While a lot of writers are trying to experiment with the genre, Khayaal has done a commendable job in writing his debut.

For the cons of the book I would like to say that there were some scenes where I felt the book was stretched but then that's something that I give the liberty to the new writers about. The pace was maintained throughout apart from a few drops which I know the author will improve in his further books. I would also like to commend the author for writing something like this which made the book reading all the more worth while and giving birth to the eagerness to know what happens next. For me this one's a 4.5 on 5. Looking forward to more from the author's desk.

The Heartfulness Way by Kamlesh D Patel (Daaji) : a review

Mediation has seen a lot of variants over the years. Some believe in the power of meditation while some don't. And it's completely fine if they have their own idea on this topic which isn't really clear to the human mind yet. There are thousands of books in the market speaking of the power of the meditative mind but none seem motivational enough. What if you get to read one such book written by a spiritual 'master’ and his 'disciple’ where they take you through the journey? The Heartfulness way by Kamlesh D Patel (Daaji) and Joshua Pollock is one such book.

About the book- If you knew that was a practical way to transcend suffering and fly into the sky of hope and contentment, would you be interested? That is exactly what heartfulness offers -  transforming us from the inside out so that we see the world in a new way, without the filters of our limitations.

To begin with, in the midst of all the books available in the market this one particular book attracted me for a few reasons. The first reason was the cover of the book. How I love the beautiful and enriching book cover that the book has. To top it off, it is basically a paperback with a book jacket and it feels so good to hold. Teamed up with cream colored pages, this book is everything I like in a book put together. Next, the blurb and the tagline of the book that says, “Heart based meditations for spiritual transformation” made me pick this one up.

I can today safely say that I found this book when I needed this book the most. I wouldn't have had the depth of understanding what the book has to say if I didn't read this book at the time I read it. The book takes off from the time Joshua sits and talks to Daaji regarding mediation and everything associated with it. Dare I say, through Joshua I felt that my questions were also answered. Throughout the book as the two co-authors of the book talk and discuss about everything related to meditation, the book also teaches the readers on how to meditate.

All the myths associated with meditation are busted and one reading of the book in itself is enriching for the soul. By the time you reach the conclusion of the book, you know what you're stepping for. Coming to the cons of the book I have to say a few words. For starters, like I already mentioned, this book caught me at the right time. I believe that when we pick up a book based on such a topic, it should come naturally to us and no matter what situation we're in or what we're going through, the book should connect to us.

The only flaw of this book can be the fact that it is for the serious crowd written in layman's language. I would've loved it had the book been written in a more quirky shade. The second half of the book, specially. That apart, everything about this book is wonderful. To me, this one takes back a 4 on 5 and I am looking forward to taking the Heartfulness Way...

Amidst the Whirlwind by Sayan Banerjee: a review

In the midst of all the light and extreme breathtaking books that you might read on a daily basis, this sparkling debut by Sayan Banerjee titled Amidst the Whirlwind is something that will take you aback. To begin with, the cover dutifully done in black enhances the whole feel of the book which makes it all the more tempting to pick it up. The back cover says a lot about the book but don't just keep it at that. Read on to find out…

About the book- Trapped in the labyrinth of the 21st century, this novella is an expression of the underlying conflict of the social, emotional, and the carnal turmoil of the narrator. Surfing through the waves of morality, immorality, helplessness, the narrator with journalism as his surfboard takes us through an enthralling, nail biting and emotional roller-coaster ride that is bound to raise the heartbeat of the audience just a bit more. The whirlwind inside our minds confront us every now and then and we are trying to cope with our existential crisis. The embedded emotions, realisations and the conflict that the narrator experiences is an apt metaphor of the current modern world…

Having got the opportunity to read this book before it's release (and yes, it's released now) this book made me sit and think. The book is set in Kolkata and that made me relate to the book even more. I loved the way the blurb itself caught my eyes enough to pick this one book. The way the blurb has been written carefully showcases the writing style of the journalist that the author is.

Starting with the characters of the book, I loved the way the author has sketched the characters. The graph of every character was properly shown and that is commendable for a debut author. The story is free flowing and never looks clumsy. While reading the story, as it isn't with many authors these days, you as a reader could very well imagine the scenario and feel as if you're a part of what's going on in the book. My favorite character has to be Manni!

For the cons of the book I would like to mention the fact that after reading the blurb I had huge expectations out of the author. And I would have to mention that I was a tad bit disappointed with the writing style dripping a notch. Grammatical errors and a few errors here and there set aside, the book was overall a worthy read. Once the book got over I really wanted to know what happens next and that's very important for any author I believe. Since it is a novella, I felt that it should've been a bit more crisp. All that said, this one book is worth the read and it takes aalot to give in such a bold attempt at first go. Commending the writer on the same, I would give it 3.5 out of 5. 

The Best Couple Ever by Novoneel Chakraborty: a review

With the announcement of the 10th anniversary edition of his debut book, bestselling writer Novoneel Chakraborty also announced his 12th book The Best Couple Ever. Just after the announcement of the book, his readers were baffled as the book mentions three couples (with names typical Novoneel style) contending to the be the Best Couple Ever. This, along with the blurb of the book couldn't have been a better story…

About the book- Do you flaunt your happy moments in the form of filtered photographs on Facebook, Instagram, etc.? Do you and your partner set relationship goals for others on social media? Do you make people jealous of the perfect life you are living? Do you portray yourself as a forever-happy person to your social media followers? Do you think you are a cyber-world aspiration? If no, then chill. If yes, then congrats! You are their next target.

Chakraborty himself is extremely active on social media about his books and his shows and his travel and everything in between. So, what made him write this book? A quick chat with the author revealed it was the strong social message it carries. Novoneel has the power to push me down the cliff and hold me up. That is a reason why I cannot stop myself from starting to read his books the very moment I hold it in my hands for the first time. This book, after all these years, was no different.

The cover of the book was what attracted me to begin with. The answer to the book is there in the cover itself. When I met the characters for the first time, I couldn't help but fall for them. Imagine an over ambitious woman who lives by the money of her husband. Oh wait. Or live in partners? You're already imagining? Let me help you fuel your imagination more. A super wonderful woman and her super wonderful husband. You want more? Imagine the best couple ever. That's Dhriti, Satyam, Kashvi, Parth, Sanisha and Adhik!

And they are not the only ones. In one of the most character books that has been written by the author, this one falls clean and sturdy. From the first page to the last, I couldn't help but keep reading the book even though I was using an extremely new bookmark which I had kept specifically for this one. My favorite of his characters out of this book? He asks. Of course Kshay. I beam! And he knows and only smirks at my answer. The typical Novoneel smirk.

The story revolves around these 3 couples and there's one hidden mystery in the book. The book has it all. Murder. Sex. Thrill. Mystery. Love. Divided into two parts, the second part actually is something that the author has written for the first time. And as for a first attempt, this is brilliant. I would want the author to write more like the second part of the book. The seamless transition of one story to another and how these three stories merge at one deserves a standing ovation. In also a very typical Novoneel way, he leads on to make the readers think something while the end is something completely different. I love how the author controls the minds of his readers. A feat not many can achieve.  

“One of those things you say!” - you might tell me after reading this review (and trust me! God! You NEED to read this book NOW to find out what I mean by the above line). Ashwamedha has been a role model throughout the book and by the end of the book you'll also consider him as one. One of the best parts about the book is that by the end of the book, Novoneel explains why the book was written and what the book actually means. This doesn't mean you'll read the last page first.

Having read and reviewed all his previous 11 books till date, after reading this I realized that this was what I was talking about all these years. This book is the reason why I adore his writing style and everything in his books but have always refrained from giving full marks. This one has everything I've always wanted from a Novoneel book and I will be so discriminating if I hold back the full marks now. This one's to a mind blowing book, a wonderful plot and stupendofantabulousticallyfantastic characters. This one's 5 on 5! 

Hot Toddy by TC Collins: a review

Oh freak! Why did this book end at where it did? Hot Toddy, T.C Collins’s first novel is a narration about LJ and her life. The ups and downs of it. The book has a lot of sex but doesn't that come with the part and parcel of Hollywood? The book had me at first go when I saw the cover. But this book is much beyond sex, Hollywood, the flashy lifestyle.

About the book- Growing up in the heartland of America, LJ didn't learn what the world was really like outside the boundaries of her family farm until she left for college in southern California. She immediately falls head over heels in love with a hot surfer and his sun and surf laid back lifestyle. She picks up modelling and acting gigs to pay down her student loans. After a few unbearable twists of fate, LJ abandons her Midwestern values for the temptations of Hollywood- and that's only the beginning. Caught in the pressure of balancing a lie and reality, and with her seemingly new best friend, Sidney, becoming more viperous at every turn, LJ can no longer escape the fall down the rabbit hole into a dark world of money and power, where sex sells and everything is for sale. Hot Toddy is for every woman who's ever let her foolishness consume her. Part naughty thrill ride, and part serious on coming of age in a time when wealth and celebrity seem to be the only things that matter, Hot Toddy promises to be this Summer’s best read, with belly laughs, engaging women characters, and an unexpected finale that will leave you wanting more.

As I went on to read the book after reading the blurb I kept on wondering what can happen at the end which will leave me wanting more. Well, the answer to that I received and it got me as a reaction to my first line I wrote here. Oh Freak! The book introduces us to LJ, Brody, Sidney and Naomi. The characters whom you love, hate, live throughout the journey of the 329 pages of the book.

The characters are super well written and you feel instantly connected to them. I, for instance, connected the most to LJ because that's how I am. In the situations she faces, I would have behaved the exact same way she did. And I hated Sidney but loved their girl bond. There are parties, drugs, booze and everything a hollywood lifestyle demands in the book. You feel LJ’s journey. Every character got a proper start and a proper end to it which I commend the writer for. Especially since it's her first book.

Coming to the story, the book was a fun ride which left me thinking at a lot of places. Picking up a novel of this genre was easy but justifying what we write is difficult. The writer did a great job with that. At times, as a reader, I wanted to slap sense into some characters. And that's also something that counts as the achievements of the writer. Loved the narration style and the elements underlying in the book. And trust me, you'll have to read the book to find out what exactly am I saying.

If I have to speak of the cons then the first thing I will have to mention is that the book is a very long read. Even though breezy, by the time you reach the end of the book and knowing the end you would wonder that the prior informations and the scenes that were mentioned in a lot of detail were unnecessary. A few scenes could've been skipped or if not skipped then written in a lesser detail. Some characters I believe, should've had a bit more space in the book to make them all the more worthwhile. But having said all of that, you know what's worthwhile!? Waiting for the next part of the book. This one for me was 4 out of 5 and I'm definitely waiting to know more about what happens with LJ next...

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang: a review

The tagline of Helen Hoang's The Kiss Quotient says, “She wanted to learn how to be seductive. He taught her so much more” and trust me when I say this, the whole book is so much more than just what the tagline has to offer. Appearances can be deceptive, there's no two ways about it and this book with different covers for different regions, justifies what the title says and surpasses the expectations of the readers by miles.

About the book- It's high time for Stella Lane to settle down and find a husband- or so her mother tells her. This is no easy task for a wealthy successful woman like Stella, who also happens to have Asperger's. Analyzing Data is easy; handling the awkwardness of one on one dates is hard. To overcome her lack of dating experience, Stella decides to hire a male escort to teach her how to be a good girlfriend. Faced with mounting bills, Michael decides to use his good looks and charm to make extra cash on the side. He has a very firm no repeat customer policy, but he's tempted to bend that rule when Stella approaches him with an unconventional proposal. The more time they spend together, the harder Michael falls for this disarming woman with a beautiful mind, and Stella discovers that love defies logic.

Helmed at a spot at cosmopolitan's 33 books to get excited about in 2018, this book is delightful. To begin with, I love the cover of the book that I have and also all the other covers of the book that I have seen out there. Next, the way the blurb has been written has my heart. The third thing that attracted me to the book was the whole concept of it. An econometrician having Asperger's hiring male escort to teach her how to be a good girlfriend, the whole concept seemed unique.

Coming to the story, well, there is sex. A lot of it. But none of it cringeworthy. These are beautiful written lines that one might want to read again. Perfect fit for the underlying romantic theme of the book, I loved the chemistry both of them shared. To the point that there were situations where I wanted to intervene so that they end up being together. Reading the book with a smile on my face, this was one of the sweetest romantic books I've read in a long time now.

Talking about the concept I will have to mention this that dealing with the main protagonist having Asperger's is a very tricky thing. Many people might find flaw in logic and all that comes along with it. The writer, here, I should commend, on not going so utterly deep into the disease yet letting the disease leave it's marks here and there. It is surely a flaw of the protagonist but it isn't something to pity and the author has shown it wonderfully.

If I have to mention the flaws of the book then I'll have to think hard about it. There aren't many flaws that come to face you while reading the book. The narration is nice, concept is different. Overall I liked it. But. There would've been no harm in stretching a few characters or cutting short a few ones. The family, I believe, should've been talked about more. Teeny weeny details trust me. Because the book is wonderful. Looking forward to reading more from the author, here's 4.75 out of 5 from me.