Bookish Indulgences: Pan Macmillan

Showing posts with label Pan Macmillan. Show all posts

15 April, 2019

Debdatta Dasgupta April 15, 2019 1

#BookReview :: My Father Drank My Lover and Other Stories by Ashok K. Banker

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Well, I have to admit that I was taken aback by the title of the book. It sounds a bit odd, doesn’t it? At the same time, it is sure to get your attention too.

There are 11 stories in the book where each story is different from the other. Yet they are connected by the bizarreness. The author touches upon different genres of mythology, religion, history, sci-fi, dystopia, fantasy and satire to bring together these 11 stories that simply blow your mind. The very first story of the book is the title story of ‘My Father Drank My Lover’ which combines historical and mythological elements and deals with the Ausras and Devas. After finishing each story my thoughts were that of how could the author possibly top this one. And each time I was taken by surprise. My favourite stories in the collection have to be Tongue and Blood Mangoes.

The USP of the book has to be the way the author has reflected the realities of our world through pure and tangible fiction. It is a book that will feed your mind with each story and then put it to work. None of the messages are delivered in an ‘in-your-face’ manner even though they are very clear. Stories that highlight the way our society looks at women made me smirk through them because it actually highlights the ridiculousness of the thought process of the society that we live in.

There is no doubt that Ashok Banker is a master story teller after delivering a number of best sellers. But through this book he reminds us how a master storyteller can tell a fantastical story that everyone can relate to if they are being honest.

An engrossing collection of stories that are must read for people who like meaningful stories and for people who appreciate a masterful story telling style. It will make you keep wanting for more.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

This post is a part of A to Z Challenge and BlogchatterA2Z

03 April, 2019

Debdatta Dasgupta April 03, 2019 3

#BookReview :: Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orïsha #1) by Tomi Adeyemi

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Thanks to Pan Macmillan India, I had an ARC of this book. One of the reasons I put off reviewing this book initially was because this turned out to be one of those books that give you a hangover and leave you pining for the next in the instalment. I so wish I hadn’t started reading this series before all the books are published because the wait for the next book is almost unbearable.

Zelie, our protagonist, is on a journey to bring back magic to the land and restore it. She remembers the time before the cruel king, when there was magic everywhere and different clans ruled the land. She is joined by Tzain, her brother, and Amari, a rebel princess in her quest to not only bring back magic but also topple the monarchy.

What I loved the most about this book was the strong female characters. Zelie is someone who always follows her heart. She can be a little impulsive in her actions, but her heart is always true. Amari’s character grew through the book and developed into this person that I could root for. Together they are amazing and I loved the relationship that they developed over time. I am not so sure about Tzain and Inan though. Tzain on the other hand irritated me right off with his attitude towards Zelie.

The magical world that the author has created is indeed very beautiful and there is so much potential in it. The kind of magic that is described in the book has me thinking of all the possibilities. I hope to meet more characters in the upcoming books with diverse abilities so that we get to see how far the scope of magic goes in this world. Did I mention that I also absolutely love the creatures of this world? As the first book of a series, the book does a very good job in world setting and building up the major characters in play. The author’s narrative style is engaging and the language is beautiful. Another thing that may appeal to the readers is that though it’s a fantasy book, it is very relatable to our reality in some aspects.

Just in case you are a fantasy enthusiast and have been living under a rock (you must be if you haven’t heard about this book before), please go and get this book. You will love it too.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

This post is a part of A to Z Challenge and BlogchatterA2Z

01 April, 2019

Debdatta Dasgupta April 01, 2019 4

#BookReview :: Accidental Heroes by Danielle Steel

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When Bernice Adams, a TSA Agent finds a postcard of the Golden Gate Bridge with a warning written on it, she pushes it up the chain. Her supervisor however doesn’t think much of it and so she ends up notifying the security team about it. This in turn brings in Ben Waterman, a Homeland security agent, who is put in charge of it. Two planes are en-route to San Francisco. Which plane and its passenger are in danger? What is going to happen? Will Ben be able to stop whatever plans are in motion in time from the land?

I loved the fact that this book had an element of mystery about it. So far, I have mostly read Danielle Steel books that are about romance or drama and so, this was a refreshing change from them.

There were two main lines of narration in the book – in one where we see the people on land trying to figure out everything in order to land the plane safely and in the other we see the crew and passengers on the plane. At the same time we also get to see into the lives of the major characters and get a bit of background on them. The book has a diverse set of characters and we get to hear most of their voices. It was interesting to see the different reactions and coping mechanisms of different people to the same situation. I liked the character of Helen who is the captain of the plane in question. She has a military background that helps her keep calm and composed in order to handle every hurdle that the situation throws at her. At the same time, the recent death of her husband which has left her as a single mother of three children is something that could potentially threaten her calm. I also liked the way Ben worked out which plane may be the one in danger by working through what information was available to him.

However, the oscillating voices of the characters were confusing at times as they changed abruptly. And, at some places, the conclusions drawn by certain characters were unbelievable given the different and limited information that they each had. It was bit of a bummer there. Some of the things were pretty predictable. End of the day though, I liked the fact that the book just didn’t end with a happy ending and a promise of a happily ever after. We got small glimpses into some of the lives after the event.

Overall, it was an entertaining and a light read.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

This Post is a part of A to Z Challenge and BlogchatterA2Z

17 March, 2018

Debdatta Dasgupta March 17, 2018 0

#BookReview :: Fall from Grace by Danielle Steel

Sydney Wells's perfect life with her wealthy, devoted husband vanishes when he dies suddenly in an accident. Widowed at forty-nine, she discovers he has failed to include her in his will. With Andrew's vicious daughters in control of his estate, and no home or money, Sydney finds a job in fashion, despite her own designer daughters' warnings. Naive, out of her element, and alone in a world of shady international deals and dishonest people, she is set up by her boss and finds herself faced with criminal prosecution.

What happens when you lose everything? Husband, safety, protection, money, and reputation gone, faced with prison, she must rebuild her own life from the bottom to the top again, with honor, resourcefulness, and dignity. Sydney finds herself, as well as courage and resilience. Taking life by the horns, she revives her own career as a talented designer, from New York to Hong Kong, risking all in an exotic, unfamiliar world. She is determined to forge a new life she can be proud of.

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As is typical with most of Danielle Steel’s novel ‘Fall from Grace’ is the story of a woman who finds herself in unexpected circumstances. The book covers her trials and tribulations and whether she emerges victorious at the end of it all.

Sidney’s life has been as close to perfect as possible. She has a good husband, a wealthy lifestyle and a comfortable lifestyle. Her daughters and step-daughters are grown up and independent. As such, she is ‘settled’ in her life… That is until her husband dies and she finds out that he forgot to include her in his will. What ensues is a rollercoaster journey for Sidney while she tried to get back control of her life.

I enjoyed reading about Sidney. She is a smart and intelligent woman who can be really naïve at times. It was exasperating at times, but for most parts it was enjoyable and admirable to read about her journey. It couldn’t have been easy for her to go back to work after such a long time of living a wealthy lifestyle; living paycheck to paycheck. Yet when the times were hard, she toughed up and rode it through. She is the kind of woman you want to cheer for. At the same time her friend Veronica irritated me to no end. If Sidney was the picture of everything a woman can be, then Veronica was the perfect picture of almost everything that a woman shouldn’t be. There were quite a few supporting characters that were good addition and they each contributed to the story.

The story flows well with a steady pace. Danielle Steel’s narrative style still holds a certain charm. I say still, because I have already read quite a bit of her and though sometimes the stories feel too predictive, the narrative continues to hold my interest. Overall, I think this is one of the better stories from the author that I have read recently.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

26 February, 2018

Debdatta Dasgupta February 26, 2018 0

#BookReview :: Charlatans by Robin Cook

Noah Rothauser is the new super chief resident at Boston Memorial Hospital. Housing state-of-the-art medical facilities, it’s always been Noah’s dream to work for such an esteemed institution. But the pressures of the role become all too clear when a seemingly routine operation results in the tragic death of an otherwise healthy man. With potential malpractice suspected it falls to the newly appointed surgical doctor to investigate what happened. Questioning those involved uncovers bitter feuds within the hospital’s surgical staff when Dr. William Mason, the egotistical, world-class surgeon who performed the operation, is quick to blame staff anaeshtetist Dr. Ava London for the disastrous outcome. However Dr. London, along with the nursing staff, point the finger at the surgeon. When two more anaesthesia-related deaths occur, Noah is forced to look closer at the impressively competent, charming, yet mysterious Dr. London, and he quickly realizes there’s far more to her than meets the eye. With his own job and integrity coming into jeopardy, Noah must decide which doctor is at fault and who he can believe – before any more lives are lost . . .

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When a routine surgery results in death, fingers are pointed in every direction. It falls on Dr. Noah Rothauser, the new super chief resident to investigate the incident. Dr. William Mason was quick to point the finger at the anesthetist Dr. Ava London while the nursing staff blames the surgeon. When there are similar deaths in the hospital, the stakes are raised higher. But it is really difficult to pin point the perpetrator with so many misdirection and lies. Will Noah be able to pin down the one at fault or will he fail and lose his job?

I love Robin Cook and consider him the best in medical thriller category. He did not fail to deliver with this book. With each character carefully developed, it is interesting to see the whole drama play out. The relationship dynamics at the Boston Memorial Hospital is just off the charts. There is so much going on between the characters in there that it is fun to be on the ‘sidelines’ but I do not think I would survive that life for even a day! The plot is interesting, partly due to the plethora of characters and partly because of the whodunit element in it. Dr. Noah’s character, as the protagonist, is not the most interesting one in the book. Yet the way he works through the book to figure out the mystery was remarkable.

I did have a big problem with the book though. The author has taken his narrative to a whole new level with regards to details. For instance the first death took about 25-30 odd pages at the very beginning. As the result it gave the book a very slow start where as the reader we know what is going to happen… yet the pages felt more of a drag than a buildup. It happened several times through the book and as a result I put it down a number of times.

This is certainly not one of the best by the author but still quite good.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

02 February, 2018

Debdatta Dasgupta February 02, 2018 0

#BookReview :: Awaken (Shakti Trilogy #1) by Ashok Banker

The Haters are coming to destroy all life on Earth. It is not a question of if, but when.

The Brahmaand has already rung the warning bell and the awakening of the Preservers has begun. Kiara unexpectedly finds her skin covered with golden fur and her sense of smell extraordinarily enhanced; Saumya is suddenly able to go from Ahmedabad to New York in just a step; and Sia’s songs have the power to do things she had never imagined possible.

First in the thrilling Shakti Trilogy set in contemporary India, Ashok Banker’s action-packed and brilliantly imagined Awaken introduces our unlikely heroes who must discover and harness their superpowers before they can protect and preserve the Earth from the wrath of a menacing alien invasion.

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Awaken is told from the points of view of its three protagonists, Kiara, Saumya and Sia. At the beginning they are just normal girls with everyday problems till their latent powers start to ‘awaken’. Three girls belonging to three different backgrounds must come together to not only help each other but also to fight a much larger threat.

The blurb of the book was appealing to me. I found myself attracted to the idea of a fantasy novel set in contemporary India with three girls as protagonists.

The author has put in much effort into setting the background and developing the characters. This being the first book of a trilogy, I expected as much. The three girls have three distinct voices and personalities which was interesting to say at the least. Their individual struggles were something I could feel and understand, if not empathize with. They felt very real. The other thing that attracted me to the book were some of the issues handled by the author. It was great to see the author bringing up the problems of a transgender in our society alongside couple other problems. Brownie points there for the book.

But that is all that is good and exciting about the book. Having read a couple of other books by the author, I had certain expectations from him. For instance, the language in the book felt very juvenile. I did consider the fact that the author has stepped somewhat out of his comfort zone, but writing about young characters in contemporary India doesn’t necessarily require such juvenile language. Even the monikers used felt childish. Also, while I understand the need to perfectly set the stage in the first book of a trilogy, I felt that the story did not progress much in this book. In fact, it kind of left me feeling that I had read only half a book. Being such a short read, I wonder if the story of this trilogy can actually be told in one book…

All in all, the book left me feeling disappointed and dissatisfied. I am not sure whether I will be picking up the sequels.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

19 January, 2018

Debdatta Dasgupta January 19, 2018 0

#BookReview :: End Game (Will Robie #5) by David Baldacci

As he started out the plane window, he knew the next twenty-four hours could possibly be his last ones on earth.

Will Robie, highly trained assassin and the US government's most indispensable asset, is called to London.

An imminent terrorist attack threatens the Underground and with the US next in line. Robie is the perfect choice to stop it before it begins.

He knows he has one chance to get it right. One chance to save London lives. One chance to make it safely home to find out what has happened to fellow agent Jessica Reel following their last deadly mission together.

But Robie is about to learn that even if he succeeds, the worst is yet to come.

The game has started. Now only he can end it...

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There’s a terrorist threat that is suspected to target the London Underground. There’s a possibility of a similar attack on US soil as well. Robie, a highly trained assassin, is put on the case. One would think that taking down the group in London would be enough to nip it at the bud. But no, Robie’s boss, a highly placed officer with a lot of top-secret information goes missing. So, Robbie has no choice but to follow the trail… What or who is waiting for him at the end of that trail?

David Baldacci has a knack for writing mind blowing opening scenes. A reader has no option but to get on the journey that each of his books offer after that. This was one of those books where I was hooked right at the beginning. Since I have not read the four books that came before in this series, I had no idea of what to expect from Will Robie. When we think of deadly assassins, we think of anonymity and a penchant for blending in, but Will Robie felt quite different to me. He has a flair for drama and a style to go with it. Jessica on the other hand does have the ‘femme fatale’ air about her when she wants to show it. The contrast in their personalities is interesting. As the leading characters they both have certain eccentricities that made me like them quite a bit. However, there was a bit too much drama between them. There must have been a build up over the series that I have missed. Had I read the first four books, I may have had a different perspective, though I doubt it. I love thrillers for the thrills and mysteries, not personal drama of the romantic kind.

I liked the plot, but loved the narrative. I quite enjoyed as clues and information were revealed step by step and tension built up before the climax. With an air of mystery, some action and some drama, the book kept me entertained. It was fun trying to resolve the mystery along with the protagonists. I am pretty sure that I would have enjoyed the book a lot more minus the personal drama.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

18 December, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta December 18, 2017 0

#BookReview :: Tell Tale by Jeffrey Archer

Nearly a decade after his last volume of short stories was published, Archer returns with his eagerly-awaited, brand-new collection TELL TALE, giving us a fascinating, exciting and sometimes poignant insight into the people he has met, the stories he has come across and the countries he has visited during the past ten years.

Find out what happens to the hapless young detective from Naples who travels to an Italian hillside town to find out Who Killed the Mayor? and the pretentious schoolboy in A Road to Damascus, whose discovery of the origins of his father’s wealth changes his life in the most profound way.

Revel in the stories of the 1930’s woman who dares to challenge the men at her Ivy League University in A Gentleman and A Scholar while another young woman who thumbs a lift gets more than she bargained for in A Wasted Hour.

These wonderfully engaging and always refreshingly original tales prove not only why Archer has been compared by the critics to Dahl and Maugham, but why he was described by The Times as probably the greatest storyteller of our age.

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This is a collection of fourteen short stories, some of which were inspired by real life stories.

The book opens with a hundred-word story called ‘Unique’. I suppose for a hundred-word story, it does deliver but completely fails to set the mood for the book. Thus, it falls on the second story ‘Who Killed the Mayor’ to set the tone for the collection. ‘A Gentleman and a Scholar’ has to be my favourite story in the book. It chronicles the journey of a woman entering the world of academics at a time when it was monopolized by men. The ending of the story left me with an impression. ‘The Road to Damascus’ is probably my second favourite in the collection. It is about discovery and irony. ‘All's Fair in Love and War’ has to be my least favourite in the collection.

The fourteen stories in the book form an eclectic collection. Some are really short and some are comparatively longer. Some are complete fiction, while some were inspired by real life incidents. Some had clever twists and some offered alternate endings. Some were full of irony and some were full of hope. In short, each story is distinct and offers up the readers a wide variety.

I have always been a fan of Jeffrey Archer’s short stories. For me, nobody tells a short story better than Archer, except maybe O. Henry. But I felt that the author’s usual ‘spark’ was missing in this short collection. It fails to meet the standards set by the likes of Cat O’Nine Tale, A Quiver Full of Arrows and Twelve Red Herrings by the same author.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

17 July, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta July 17, 2017 0

#BookReview :: Against All Odds by Danielle Steel

Taking chances is part of life, but when you bet your future against the odds, it’s a high-risk game. Kate Madison’s stylish resale shop has been a big SoHo success, supporting her and her four kids since her husband’s untimely death. Now they are grown and ready to forge lives of their own. And they all choose to play against the odds, to their mother’s dismay.

Isabelle, a dedicated attorney, is in line to make partner at her Wall Street firm when she falls for a client she represents in a criminal case. She tells herself she can make a life with him—but can she? Julie, a young designer, meets a man who seems too good to be true and falls under his spell. She marries him quickly, gives up her job, and moves to Los Angeles to be at his side—but is all what it seems? Justin is a struggling writer who pushes for children with his partner before they’re financially or emotionally ready. Will the strain on the relationship take too high a toll? And Willie, the youngest, a tech expert, makes a choice that shocks them all, with a woman twelve years older.

Kate—loving, supportive, and outspoken—can’t keep her children from playing against the odds. Can the odds be beaten? Not often—as her children have to learn for themselves. For Kate, the hardest lesson will be that she can’t protect the children she loves from the choices they make—but can only love them as they make them.

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‘Against All Odds’ is a story about Family and Life. After losing her husband early on, Kate raised her children as a single mother. She had taken on anything that life had to throw at her, with hopes of doing right by her children. Now they are all grown up and have lives of their own. All Kate wants now is for her children to settle down in their lives. But it is wishful thinking on her part as her children have their own sets of woes to face.

The thing about Danielle Steel books is that the characters always take the center stage. As a reader we can love them or hate them or feel exasperated at times, but we cannot deny that for most parts they are very real. Even in this book the characters we see are quite flawed and it is their flaws and follies that make them so real. I enjoyed reading about Kate, Lou, Isabelle, Justin and even Julie. It was only Willie, Kate’s youngest, that failed to make a mark. Each character has their own nuances and set of problems that they have to overcome. The way the author has portrayed Kate, a mother who wants to save her children from the proverbial ‘skinned knees’ is really amazing.

This book is full of family dynamics and drama. The plot is quite simple and easy to track even with so many parallel stories going on. The only hitch in the book is that the pace drags a bit at times. Aside from that, the book is a true Danielle Steel entertainer.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

19 June, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta June 19, 2017 0

#BookReview :: The Women of Baker Street (A Mrs Hudson and Mary Watson Investigation #2) by Michelle Birkby

As Sherlock and Watson return from the famous Hound of the Baskervilles case, Mrs Hudson and Mary must face their own Hound, in the swirling fog of Victorian London . . .

When Mrs Hudson falls ill, she is taken into a private ward at St Barts hospital. Perhaps it is her over-active imagination, or her penchant for sniffing out secrets, but as she lies in her bed, slowly recovering, she finds herself surrounded by patients who all have some skeletons in their closets. A higher number of deaths than usual seem to occur on this ward. On her very first night, Mrs Hudson believes she witnesses a murder. But was it real, or just smoke and mirrors?

Mary Watson meanwhile has heard about young boys disappearing across London, and is determined to find them and reunite them with their families. As the women's investigations collide in unexpected ways, a gruesome discovery in Regent's Park leads them on to a new, terrifying case.

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I have not read ‘The House at Baker Street’ which is the first book in this series. Though this book can be read as a standalone, there were places where certain references made me feel like I was missing something – something that I ought to know about Mary and Mrs. Hudson’s first adventure. I would straightaway suggest people to pick up the books in the series in order.

Mrs.Hudson has been taken in ill and has been admitted to the hospital where she shares a ward with various other quirky characters. But Mrs.Hudson soon notices some very uncommon things which seem to be coincidental; yet they feel like anything but coincidental. With the number of deaths involved mounting up, Mrs.Hudson knows she is the only one who has noticed and hence needs to do something about it. With the help of Mary Watson, she delves deep into the case… Only, is what she seeing real or her medicines are causing her to hallucinate?

The highlight of the book is its characters and their dynamics. The characters of Mary Watson and Martha Hudson have been well fleshed out in the most believable ways. While in the Sherlock Holmes stories they are more or less in the background, here when you read about them, you have no trouble believing that they are one and the same. Sherlock and John Watson have been added to the story in ways that they add something to the story without ever taking the limelight off Mary and Mrs.Hudson. their dynamics is something that I really enjoyed, whether it is between Mary and John Watson or it is between Sherlock and Mrs.Hudson. The plot can stand on its own. Several seemingly unrelated incidences are strung together to build up the plot. This could be almost categorized as a cozy mystery; the kind you read to brighten up a dull day.

All in all, this book is a complete entertainer as Michelle Birkby weaves a wonderful story with her pleasurable narrative with strong characters and a classic whodunnit mystery.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

05 May, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta May 05, 2017 0

#BookReview :: The Width of the World (Vega Jane #3) by David Baldacci

This is it. Vega Jane’s time. She’s been lied to her whole life, so she breaks away from Wormwood, the only home she’s ever known, in search of the truth. She battles horrors to fight her way across the Quag with her best friend, Delph, and her mysterious canine, Harry Two. Against all odds, they survive unimaginable dangers and make it through.

And into a new world that’s even worse. Not because deadly beasts roam the cobblestones, but because the people are enslaved but don’t even know it. It’s up to Vega, Delph, Harry Two and their new comrade, Petra, to take up the fight against a foe that’s unrivaled in savagery and cunning. Not only is Vega’s life and the lives of her friends on the line, but whether she triumphs or fails will determine whether a whole world survives.

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Vega and Delph reach the end of the Quag along with their new friend Petra. At the end of the Quag is a wall with a town on the other side. At a glance, it seems like a normal and happy town; it is only when you take a closer look that you realize that not everything is as it seems. The town is ruled by a race who brainwashes the townsfolk and steals magic from those who have it. With the discovery of a safe-haven for herself and her friends, Vega fights for the rights and life of these common folks.

Here’s the thing… three books into the series, the characters should have settled down by now. While Vega and Delph seemed to grow in book 2, the characters and their dynamics didn’t really work for me in this book. Most of them felt flaky to me for most part. The fun part in this book is Vega discovering where her ancestors came from and the training of the new recruits. Like the previous book, there is a lot of action and drama to pull the book through.

Then again, there were certain inconsistencies in the book that didn’t quite add up and made the reading experience more like a hurdle race. I was hoping that this would be the conclusion, making this a trilogy. But from the climax of the book, it is quite clear that there are more books to come in the series. On one hand, I do want to know if Vega will evolve further, but on the other hand the general inconsistencies and the inconsistency with the characters are really bummers.

At the end of this book, I am not sure whether I want to pick up the next in the series when it releases.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

Book Review :: The Finisher (Vega Jane #1) by David Baldacci

Book Review :: The Keeper (Vega Jane #2) by David Baldacci

26 April, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta April 26, 2017 0

#BookReview :: Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1) by Susan Dennard

In a continent on the edge of war, two witches hold its fate in their hands.

Young witches Safiya and Iseult have a habit of finding trouble. After clashing with a powerful Guildmaster and his ruthless Bloodwitch bodyguard, the friends are forced to flee their home.

Safi must avoid capture at all costs as she's a rare Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lies. Many would kill for her magic, so Safi must keep it hidden - lest she be used in the struggle between empires. And Iseult's true powers are hidden even from herself.

In a chance encounter at Court, Safi meets Prince Merik and makes him a reluctant ally. However, his help may not slow down the Bloodwitch now hot on the girls' heels. All Safi and Iseult want is their freedom, but danger lies ahead. With war coming, treaties breaking and a magical contagion sweeping the land, the friends will have to fight emperors and mercenaries alike. For some will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

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If you know about Sarah J Maas then it is impossible for you to not know Susan Dennard and vice-versa. They always appear in each other’s social feeds and they are even writing a story together on Tumblr. I am a huge fan of Sarah J Maas’s Throne of Glass series and so I ended up picking this one up as I wait for her next release.

Safiya and Iseult are thread sisters who, even with their very different backgrounds and personalities, are inseparable. When Safi’s secret puts their strength to test and life on the run, a reluctant ally is all they have to hold on to. As their magic are tested and bonds strained, will they be able to getaway and live a life of anonymity as they desire or will they embrace their true destiny?

Let’s go over the good things first. The first thing that catches a reader’s attention is the action. The book is fast paced and there is a lot of action going on throughout the book keeping the readers engaged. The characters of Safi, Iseult and Prince Merrik are quite well done. I love Iseult and Merrik as individuals, but it is Safi and Iseult’s relationship that attracts me the most in the book. Their friendship feels really special. The concept of thread-family sounds beautiful and intriguing at the same time. I hope the author will reveal more about it in the coming books and that Safi’s uncle will play a bigger role in them. I am really curious about him.

However, rest of the things was a bit up in the air. I cannot say that the world building was bad, but there wasn’t much of it. Usually in the first book of a series, any author concentrates on it the most so as to build up for the coming book. I missed that in this. I am not very sure about the line of power or the different heritages yet. Then there is the romance between Safiya and Merrik that did not really interest me. I mean just because I am told that Safiya affects Merrik’s magic doesn’t mean that I see the chemistry happening.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

24 April, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta April 24, 2017 0

#BookReview :: The Challenge by Tom Hoyle

Ben's been grieving for his best friend, Will, who suddenly disappeared from their tiny village a year ago. But when twins Sam and Jack begin at the school, things start to look up. Cool, good-looking and popular, they draw Ben into their world and introduce him to The Challenge. What first appears to be a fun internet game quickly turns sinister as Ben's tasks become wilder and more dangerous, starting to raise questions over Will's disappearance. But once you're involved with The Challenge, it's very hard to get out ...

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Sam and Jack are twins. They are also cool and popular almost instantly when they join Ben’s school. They kind of take Ben under their wings making life feel different for the better. Almost good enough to make Ben think much less about his friend Will’s disappearance. It is Sam and Jack who introduce him to ‘The Challenge’, an online game. Ben takes to it immediately as it seems like a fun and harmless game. But things soon turn dangerous… The game is more than it seems at a glance. What will happen to Ben and what has happened to Will? Will the book give you the answers? Well, read it to find out.

Ben is an interesting character. Like more adolescents, Ben has his share of flaws but, his strength of character not only pulls him through but also, in a way, pulls the story through. It takes some time to really know and understand Ben, but once you do, it is quite easy to warm up to him. The book also has other character who add to the story. They are varied and interesting. As for the plot, it intrigued me right from the moment I read the blurb of the story. It does have a few twists to offer to its readers. It takes a while for the plot to really take off, but once it does - the book is sprinkled with action and drama to keep the readers engaged.

The author has kept his language and narrative simple and so this book might appeal to much younger (teens) audience along with the not so young crowd like me. It is a complete entertainer that will make it difficult for you to put the book down.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

18 April, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta April 18, 2017 0

#BookReview :: The Escape Artist by Diane Chamberlain

A custody suit filed by her attorney ex-husband throws Susanna Millers life into chaos. Defying a court order to turn 11-month-old Tyler over to his father, Susanna flees. She changes her name, dyes her hair, and leaves Boulder, Colorado without a word to anyone not even her best friend Linc Sebastian. Two thousand miles from home, she seeks anonymity in Annapolis, Maryland. And as she tries to forget her past, Susanna discovers that starting a new life is more dangerous than shed ever imagined and that the unpredictable has an alarming way of insinuating itself into a life . . .

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When Susanna loses custody of her eleven-month-old son Tyler to her ex-husband Jim, she feels that running away is the only solution left to her as she cannot bear the thought of being separated from her son. That is exactly what she does, pick up and move to a different city under a false identity in order to escape from the officials. She does this without telling anybody in her old life. As she starts a new life with a pre-owned computer, her only aim is to stay under the radar with her son. But she soon comes across some information that puts her in a dilemma of whether to act on the information and risk discovery. Or, ignore the information and continue to live under the radar even when Jim has the authorities looking for her and Tyler for a cash reward.

The book has a wide cast of character and each of them is different from the other. This varied cast bring together the plot that keeps you engaged. Susanna has a background that makes the reader question her choices at times. However, she finally pulls through her wits and determination. Her character has been developed well. With shades of grey, she feels very human and real. The plot itself is interesting and makes you want to know what happens. The sub plot only adds to the intrigue of the original plot. Though things aren’t really a big mystery, it is just enough of intrigue to keep you glued to the pages.

Though this is not Diane Chamberlaine’s best, it is a well narrated and balanced story that had me engaged throughout.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

20 March, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta March 20, 2017 0

#BookReview :: Dangerous Games by Danielle Steel

Danielle Steel tears down the walls of power at the heart of the White House in the thrilling Dangerous Games.

Television correspondent Alix Phillips dodges bullets and breaks rules to bring the most important news to the world. With her daughter in college, and working alongside cameraman Ben Chapman, an ex-Navy Seal, Alix exhilarates in the risks and whirlwind pace of her work. But her latest assignment puts her at the center of an explosive story that will reshape many lives, including her own: investigating damning allegations involving the vice president of the United States, Tony Clark.

Alix starts with a nationally revered woman who may be the key to exposing frightening secrets. Olympia Foster is the fragile, reclusive widow of America's most admired senator, who had been destined for the presidency before an assassin's bullet felled him. Since then, Olympia has found emotional support in Clark, who once wanted her as his wife and now stands as her protector and confidant. When Alix begins to dig deeper, federal agents pick up the trail. Then the threats begin.

As the stakes rise in this dangerous game, Alix needs Ben's help as never before. Soon they realize they are grappling with an adversary far more sinister than they had imagined . . .

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I read a Danielle Steel book after a gap of maybe about a year and it was like discovering the author’s works all over again.

Alix Phillips is a reporter with a passion for her job. She gets into dangerous situations in search of truth and then reporting it back. With Ben by her side, she launches an investigation looking into the life of one of the most powerful and influential person in the country. At first it seems like she is the only person who believes that this man has something bad to hide. But the deeper she digs in, the more dirt she uncovers. With threatening letters being sent to her, will Alix be able to complete what she started? Or will she give in?

I loved the narrative and the backdrop of the book. Set in a couple of different places, the book provides a kind of diversity. Along with that, I did enjoy the character of the protagonist. A strong woman who is passionate about what she does and takes on challenges. There are couple more character who the readers might find interesting as well. There’s an element of misfortune and heartbreak in the book though the author’s usual flair for heart-tugging emotions were missing. While the element kind of worked in getting me invested in the book, it wasn’t that hard hitting. The plot though was pretty straightforward and the surprise element was missing.

Overall, I think that this is not one of the author’s best. There were certain plot elements that seemed sudden, but the basic ingredients that we look for in Danielle Steel book were all there in smaller doses.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

27 February, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta February 27, 2017 0

#BookReview :: The Curse of Mohenjodaro by Maha Khan Phillips

2016 AD. When footage of a team of archaeologists bursting into flames at the ancient site of Mohenjodaro goes viral, the world is horrified and shaken. While authorities suspect it to be an incendiary terrorist attack, Nadia Osbourne determines to find her archaeologist sister, Layla, convinced that she has survived. Her frantic search takes her to the ruins and forces her to confront her own demons – her inexplicable dreams about a woman named Jaya.

3800 BC. The city of Meluhha is on the brink of a revolution and Iaf and his coterie of corrupt priests will do anything to maintain their power. Jaya is the only one who can read the Bloodstone, the heart of the Goddess Shakari, and divine the future. But with her daughter under Iaf’s control, will Jaya be able to prevent what is to come?

Inspired by the legends surrounding the lost Indus Valley city, The Curse of Mohenjodaro is a gripping thriller about a powerful relic, a sinister cult, and family secrets that haunt generations.

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The Curse of Mohenjodaro narrates two parallel stories. On one hand, we have the story of Jaya set in 3800 BC. Jaya can divine the future but her daughter is in under the control of Iaf who is leading a revolution. With her daughter in a compromised situation, can Jaya change the tides? On the other hand, we have the story of Nadia set in the present day. Nadia is a paranormal writer who has set on a dangerous journey of finding her sister Layla, who she believes has survived an incident at an archeological site. What connects the two parallel stories and the leading ladies? Read this book to find it out.

I loved the character sketches of Jaya and Nadia. They are well developed in ways that is just enough information is provided for the plot – nothing more or nothing less. Though both the characters are similar in all the important ways, I found it easier to connect with Nadia… Maybe it is because of the timeline differences. I found the author’s language and narrative style quite interesting as he maintained a dainty quality throughout.

The two parallel stories are narrated in alternate chapters. While Nadia’s story feels like a thriller, Jaya’s feel like a historical fiction. While they each stand out on their own for most parts, the alternate narrative actually slowed down the progression of the thriller. As a result, the whole book felt a bit slow even though I expect a lot of info dump with historical fiction. That took away from the overall reading experience.

Overall though, this is a good book that should interest both thriller and historical fiction fans.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

20 January, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta January 20, 2017 0

#BookReview :: Skyfire by Aroon Raman

May 2012. India is hit by a series of freak weather disturbances and startling epidemics that threaten to bring the country to its knees. At the same time, children are disappearing from the slums in the capital and nobody seems to care.

Stumbling upon these strange and seemingly unrelated incidents, journalist Chandrasekhar, historian Meenakshi Pirzada and intelligence operative Syed Ali Hassan start upon a trail that leads them into the drawing rooms of Delhi’s glittering high society before reaching a terrifying climax in Bhutan, where they come face-to-face with a force of unspeakable power and evil.

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In Skyfire Meenakshi, Syed Ali and Chandrasekar take on a journey to follow up with seemingly unrelated events. On one hand, we have freak weather conditions; From acid rain to fiery hot winds to random lightning flashes that causes skin burns and diseases. On the other hand, we have random children going missing from the slums, yet nobody seems to care much. Growing from The Shadow Throne, Meenakshi, Chandrasekar and Syed Ali take on an adventure like never before. They are up against a power that almost seems like is omnipresent. Can they take on or have they chewed off more than they bargained for?

The author’s take on the characters is interesting. This is the second time I am reading about them (I think I missed one book in the series) and I find them growing within the boundaries of the plot. The author gives us just enough information to be able to connect with the characters and hold back just enough to make us curious enough to pick up book after book. There’s enough drama in the protagonists’ lives to give them the credibility of being real. His treatment of the plot has that similarity with the character development. Just enough information is provided at the right moments to keep you hooked to the book. The author seems to have done quite a bit of research about his settings as his descriptions brought the various backdrops to life.

All these complimented with a good pace made this book quite an interesting and entertaining read. I did like The Shadow Throne better but that in no way reflects on this book as it has enough action and drama to hold its own.

Review Copy received from Pan Macmillan India

07 January, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta January 07, 2017 0

#BookReview :: What Lies Between Us by Nayomi Munaweera

In the idyllic hill country of Sri Lanka, a young girl grows up with her loving family; but even in the midst of this paradise, terror lurks in the shadows. When tragedy strikes, she and her mother must seek safety by immigrating to America. There the girl must reinvent herself as an American teenager to survive, with the help of her cousin. Both love and loss fill her life, but even as she assimilates and thrives, the secrets and scars of her past follow her into adulthood. In this new country of freedom, everything she has built begins to crumble around her, and her hold on reality becomes more and more tenuous. When the past and the present collide, she sees no other choice than to commit her unforgivable final act. This is her confession.

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The book opens with a woman sitting in a prison cell and admitting to her crimes. She tells the readers that she now knows that she has committed a terrible crime, but decides to tell her story from the beginning. So, the story falls back to narrating the story of a young girl in Sri Lanka in first person narrative. In a country torn with civil war, the girl lived a somewhat comfortable life till the day a tragedy strikes. She and her mother flees to America fearing for their lives, where she must build a whole new life for herself. What comes next is a tale of growing up, adapting to cultures, love, loss and betrayal.

What Lies Between us is not an easy book to read. It has a lot of themes that are both grave and difficult. For instance, how is life for a young girl and her grieving mother in a new country where everything is so different from what they are used to. Or how the traumas faced as a child could shape up a person as they grow older; what marks do they leave?

The characters in the story is well developed, no doubt. But it is with amazing language and narrative skills, the author paints a picture so vivid that it is impossible for the reader to not live the story. To read the story is to feel the pain, the confusion and the heartbreak that is in those pages.

Prepare for an emotional journey and pick up this book.