Bookish Indulgences

13 September, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta September 13, 2017 0

#BookReview :: Girl in Snow by Danya Kukafka

WHO ARE YOU WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING?

When a beloved high schooler named Lucinda Hayes is found murdered, no one in her sleepy Colorado suburb is untouched—not the boy who loved her too much; not the girl who wanted her perfect life; not the officer assigned to investigate her murder. In the aftermath of the tragedy, these three indelible characters—Cameron, Jade, and Russ—must each confront their darkest secrets in an effort to find solace, the truth, or both. In crystalline prose, Danya Kukafka offers a brilliant exploration of identity and of the razor-sharp line between love and obsession, between watching and seeing, between truth and memory.

Compulsively readable and powerfully moving, Girl in Snow offers an unforgettable reading experience and introduces a singular new talent in Danya Kukafka.

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Girl in the Snow is a murder mystery about a girl called Lucinda Hayes. She is found murdered and left out in the snow. The story is told from the point of views of three major characters. First is Cameron, the boy who loved Lucinda from afar. He is known to have stalked her and as such some people have their suspicions about him. Then there is the fact that Cameron cannot remember where he was when Lucinda was murdered. Then there is Jade, a girl with a difficult life only made more difficult by her rebellious nature. She hated Lucinda – a girl who seemed to be loved by one and all. With her troubled home life, Jade always felt that Lucinda had the perfect life and she wanted it for herself. Then there is Russ, the officer in charge of the investigation. With a sketchy past and a promise to keep, Russ has a lot of things he must resolve in order to be able to work on this case properly.

Who would murder the most loved girl in the school? Also, why would someone do it? And just how involved are Cameron and Jade with the case?

The author has done an exemplary job of developing the characters in the book. Each personality is very distinct and I loved the character of Russ the most. There was nothing extraordinary about him yet he stands out in a way that makes the very forgettable character unforgettable. Jade too was developed well – as a girl with a troubled life, it was easy to sympathize with her at many levels. Her confusions and convictions make her what she is. Her quirkiness is in some ways quite endearing. Cameron is probably the only character I couldn’t really connect to though by no fault of the character development. He has stalker tendencies and it makes sense to his character, but I just thought it was creepy.

The plot is well paced. The story takes off immediately and as the various aspects of it are slowly revealed, it becomes clear to the reader how the smallest and mundane details are important to the crux of it. The language and narrative worked well for the book. The author’s attention to details, especially for the setting, makes it easier for the readers to transport into the world.

Review Copy received via NetGalley

12 September, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta September 12, 2017 0

#BookReview :: Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas

Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.

His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica—the stronghold of the southern continent's mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.

But what they discover in Antica will change them both—and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined.

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I wasn’t expecting much from this book. Chaol Westfall is not one of my favourite characters, but I was expecting to see Yrene Towers again from the moment I realized that Chaol is heading towards Torre Cesme.

After the incident at the Glass Castle, Chaol was badly hurt. His agenda for Torre Cesme was not only to see if the legendary healers of Torre Cesme could heal him but also meet the Royal family there as the hand to the King. From the moment Chaol and Nesryn meet the Royal family, they knew that they had their hands full when it came to convincing the Southern Empire to join in the war. But there is something evil lurking there… whether it was awakened by Chaol and Nesryn’s arrival or something else entirely remains to be discovered.

I expected quite a bit of politics in this book as it seemed to me that the Southern Continent, which is yet to be touched by Erawan, is so far away from the heart of all the action that they would need some convincing so as to what was really happening out in the world. Arghun, the eldest Prince, also known as the Prince of Spies already has some information on the happenings in Adarlan and Terrasen. And as news trickles in, the group – including Chaol, struggle to keep up to what is true and what is not.

The book introduces quite a few new characters – Arghun, Sartaq, Hasar and Kashin among them. I took a liking towards Kashin at first who seemed more welcoming of the party from Adarlan than the others. But it was Sartaq who slowly built up a place of his own. I quite like the character of Hasar – who can be manipulative at times. But being one of the heirs, she has to be strong and manipulative if she wants to live in the long run. Nesryn got her fair share in the spotlight too. But it was Yrene who won my heart in this book. She is such a strong girl. It may not have been very apparent in The Assassin and the Healer, but she has some strength and light in her that makes her very likeable. And her experience with Celaena Sardothien only made her stronger.

I didn’t really feel the romance in this book. There are two sets of romantic relationships that played out in this book and both felt very sudden and forced. Also, the pace of the book felt really slow. There were things that felt too repetitive (especially reference to Yrene having tended to an injury similar to Chaol’s) and could have been done without.

However, that HUGE plot twist just about made up for the missed mark on romance and pace. Those of you have read it – can you believe it about Maeve? I always thought that there was some motive behind Maeve’s actions that we did not know, but I could not have imagined this in my wildest imaginations. Those of you from the ToG fandom who are wondering whether to pick this book up or not – please do. That one plot twist is totally worth it. It changes everything we know!

I am going to have a very hard time waiting for #ToG7!

The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass 0.1-0.5) by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas

Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4) by Sarah J. Maas

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas

11 September, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta September 11, 2017 1

#BookReview :: White Noise by Shruti Upadhaya

“There is another city right under our city and it comes up only when you and I are together. Only you and I know about it and only you and I get to experience it. It keeps itself hidden from the rest of the world. And that is where I live.” He said
“And what happens when you’re not with me?” She asked.
“I evaporate.” He smiled.

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This is a very unique book. I am going to try and not give away spoilers while trying to tell you about the book.

First off, the book is narrated from three points of view – Me, Her and Him. Yes, let’s keep it that cryptic. The core of the plot deals with a girl meeting a man and falling in love with him while doing the simplest of things together. Now, you must be wondering what is new in that – such stories have been told over and over again. But you are wrong… The book is so much more than that baseline of the story. There’s a lot happening in the plot and it has an air of mystery around it.

The book’s USP is its narrative simply because of the way the author has handled it. From the very beginning the book takes a hold on the reader and as the pages fly by, it feels more and more intriguing and entertaining and the climax just sneaks up on you. It is quite a short book and so can be read in one sitting. Infact, I recommend that anybody picking up this book should make sure they have enough time to finish it in one sitting as it is simply unputdownable.

I cannot believe that this is the debut novel of the author. The way the book has been handled and delivered show maturity. Shruti Upadhaya has instantly become an author I will watch out for.

Review Copy received from Bee Books

09 September, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta September 09, 2017 0

#BookReview :: Here Falls The Shadow by Bhaskar Chattopadhyay

Think of your sins. Prepare to die.

On the edge of the forests of Deoghar, in the sleepy little town of Nimdeora, novelist Sangram Talukdar’s peaceful life is unexpectedly shattered when he receives an anonymous death threat.

At first, he dismisses it as a cruel joke. But when two of the family’s beloved dogs, guardians of the estate, are found killed with a clean, swift arrow to each of their throats, Talukdar calls in the astute detective Janardan Maity to investigate.

To uncover the dark secrets of this quiet town, Maity must dig deep into the past – into the Talukdar family’s bloody history, and a dreaded curse that has haunted the family for generations. But he must act quickly, because someone, or something, is lurking in the shadows of the forest, watching, waiting to claim their prey…

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Sangram Talukdar is a novelist who has moved into his family’s estate at Nimdeora, near Deoghar with hopes of leading a peaceful life. But what he assumes is a practical joke leads to something much deadlier. A death threat note followed by the murder of the two watch dogs of the estate prompts Sangram to hire a detective. Detective Janardan arrives at Nimdeora accompanied by another author by the name of Prakash. As they delve into the threat to Sangram, they discover that there may be more to the fabled curse on the family. Will Janardan and Prakash be able to suss out the perpetrator before it is too late?

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Set in a quaint little town, this mystery required exercising the ‘grey cells’ quite a bit. Janardan is an interesting character to follow even with his similarities to Feluda. He is a calculative person whose investigative methods keep the readers engaged. Prakash on the other hand seemed like an extra; an afterthought. He did not have much to contribute to the core plot. I guess the author wanted to provide Janardan an assistant of sorts; like Topshe or Watson or Hastings. Only the character was not developed well enough to make an impact on the readers. The plot plays out brilliantly as secrets are slowly revealed. Well-paced with just enough information being revealed at regular intervals made the book engaging. The author’s attention to details while setting up the plot really made a difference to the story telling.

Overall, this book is an interesting and fetching read for a mysterious afternoon.

Review Copy received from Hachette India

08 September, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta September 08, 2017 2

#SpecialFeature :: #GuestPost - Women in the Resistance, and other war history by Chrissie Parker

*** Special Feature - September 2017 ***

About the Author:

Chrissie lives in Devon, UK, with her husband. She has published five books including Integrate and Temperance (books one and two of The Moon Series), Among the Olive Groves, Nabataea and The Secrets, a collection of Poems and Short Stories. Other work includes articles for the Bristolian, The Huffington Post, The Zakynthos Informer, Epilepsy Awareness Squad and Epilepsy Literary Heritage Foundation.

Chrissie’s poem Maisie was performed at the 100 poems by 100 women event at the Bath International Literary Festival in 2013. In 2016 Among the Olive Groves won an historical fiction award in the Summer Indie Book Awards.

Chrissie is passionate about Ancient History, Archaeology and Travel, and has completed two Egyptology courses and an Archaeological Techniques course with Exeter University.

Contact the Author:

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Women in the Resistance, and other war history.

Among the Olive Groves is very much a work of fiction. The characters and story are completely made up, but if you look hard enough in the World War Two sections you will find a lot of facts that have been carefully woven into the story to give it as much authenticity as possible. Elena Petrakis, the lead character never actually existed, she is simply a fictitious person thought up for the sake of a story, but if you read any history books relating to Greece during World War Two, there are many accounts about women who joined and fought for the Resistance. There are so many stories of their incredible bravery and sacrifice, and somehow they are more harrowing to read than accounts of male Resistance fighters. Because of this, I felt it was important that Elena became the Resistance fighter in Among the Olive Groves instead of Angelos. Elena, as a woman and a mother, had so much more to fight for, and so much more to lose in the end.

Many other parts of the book are also based in fact, including the rescue of the islands Jewish population. Out of respect, I changed the names of the characters, but the depiction of what took place is as accurate as I could make it from the information of the time. The brave story of the Mayor and Bishop (Loukas Karrer and Bishop Chrysostomos as they were known in real life) was something that I felt needed to be told, as many people have no idea that it actually happened.
To potentially sacrifice themselves to the Germans in order to save the lives of 275 islanders is beyond heroic, and that bravery should never be forgotten.

Researching the book was difficult. None of the Museums in Greece have any information about Zakynthos during the war, and sadly much of the information that had been gathered and kept about the islands history in the local library etc. was destroyed, when a massive earthquake struck Zakynthos in 1953, reducing much of the main town and other areas on the island, to rubble.
In the end my Zakynthos World war Two research came from one book of information, and a number personal accounts from those who had lived through the war, along with a few small articles on the internet. Despite the struggles I had researching, I did find the right information, and what I discovered was incredibly interesting, and tried to weave as much of it as I reasonably could, into the story. A few Zakynthians kindly read the book for me before it was published and confirmed that not only was the information correct, but that it also portrayed the island very much as it used to be.

Many people ask why I chose to write Among the Olive Groves and the answer is simple. To me, it’s more than just a book. It’s a way of showing readers what a beautiful place Zakynthos is, and why it should be visited, as well as enabling the islands history, and heroic deeds to stay alive in the minds of readers, and those who visit the island.
War torn Zakynthos was part of something much bigger and its residents had no choice but to fall to the Italians and Germans, but the Greek population still fought for themselves and for what they believed in. There were so many brave people like Elena Petrakis that lived through World War Two, and fought bravely. A great number of them were women, something that many people just don’t realise. Even now I think we could all learn a lot from those incredibly brave women, and my character Elena Petrakis.

About the Book:

It is 1938, and a young Elena Petrakis lives on the small Greek Island of Zakynthos. Life for Elena is quite, traditional and typically Greek. One day she meets a local young man, Angelos Sarkis and they strike up a friendship. Soon their friendship turns to love, but when Elena falls pregnant Angelos's father is furious and he bans Angelos from seeing Elena again, and forces Angelos to marry another woman.

World War Two breaks out and Zakynthos is unable to escape invasion. Islanders are pitted against each other under the watchful eye of the Italian D'Aqui division. Elena hates the war and everything it stands for. She joins the resistance to fight for what she believes in, her freedom, and her daughters right to live in a peaceful world, but Elena finds herself drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. In the end Elena realises that the only way through the madness of war is to makes the greatest of sacrifices.

Decade’s later, in 1991, a young Cornish woman Kate Fisher is celebrating her 21st birthday. Her happiness is short-lived however when she finds out that she is adopted. The news shakes her and her world falls apart. She argues with her best friend Fletch, and they stop talking, which makes things worse for her. Kate tries her best to carry on, but finds it impossible.

Ten years later Kate has moved from her home in Cornwall to Bristol, having tried her best to re-start her life, but she is stuck in a rut and unable to move on, her adoption and loss of her friendship with Fletch still haunting her. In the end Kate flees to Zakynthos, in Greece where she is finally forced to face the harsh reality of her past. What she discovers completely changes her life.

Buy Links:

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Giveaway:

Signed Paperback Copy + a Greek Eye necklace to an UK Winner.

E-copy (all versions available) of the book for an international winner.

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Debdatta Dasgupta September 08, 2017 8

#FaveFiveFriday Lines from Literature

#FaveFiveFriday is an initiative by Buzz Magazine

“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.”

- André Gide, Autumn Leaves

“Get busy living or get busy dying.”

— Stephen King, The Shawshank Redemption

“You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world... but you do have some say in who hurts you.”

― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

– J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

“He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.”

― Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

06 September, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta September 06, 2017 0

#Interview with Luke Gracias, #Author of The Devil's Prayer

About the Book:
Luke Gracias is an environmental specialist who has been working part time in the film industry since 2006. An avid
photographer, Luke traveled through Europe during the development of the film script for The Devil’s Prayer in 2014
and 2015, documenting a 13th Century conspiracy between the Mongols and the Papal Inquisition on which The Devil’s Prayer is based.

Book Trailer:

An Interview:

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?
After my company, Instinct India, line-produced the Australian shoot of a Bollywood film “ Singh is Kinng” in November 2007, I thought it would be great to write a film script.

How did you come up with the idea for your current story?
I was asked to write a low budget film script. Horror is great genre for low budget film as you often do not need to cast a known star. I thought it would be great to do a Da Vinci Code version of The Omen with a bit of Kill Bill in it.

Are there some stories tucked away in some drawer that was written before and never saw the light of the day?
Yes. I have a film script which has not been made. It is a Musical Romantic Comedy.

Tell us about your writing process.
I create a story line and then try to balance it out like a three act play. Have an intriguing incident half way through the first act and leave your protagonist with a ticking time bomb to defuse and then keep raising the stakes till they work out how to defuse it at the end of the book.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?
The scene where Denise the protagonist meets Father Zachary in the Sedlec Ossuary in Prague. It’s a chapel decorated with the bones and skulls of over 70,000 skeletons. The old priest walking on his knees in the tea candles which depict the Nine Circles from Dante’s Inferno was a scene I saw in real life at the Salzburg Cathedral and thought it would make a great film shot.

Did any of your characters inherit some of your own quirks?
When I wrote the character for Denise, I thought of how I would have reacted in the same situations. If I prayed to save someone I loved the most and the Devil answered my prayer, would I take the deal knowing there would always be a price to pay?

What is your most interesting writing quirk?
When I write I get into character of each and every person on the page. I see it and I live out the role of the person from whose eyes the reader sees the story progress. If they are very sad, I will be crying as I write and as this was horror, I scared myself to a few sleepless nights too.

Do you read? Who are your favourite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?
As an Environmental Specialist, my job involves reading and reviewing a lot. I am now a travel reader. It is the only time I get to read.
Dan Brown. Daniel Yergin. David Seltzer.

What is the best piece of advice you have received, as a writer, till date?
The Devil’s Prayer was originally a film script which fell over. I decided to convert it to a book and the Casting Director said in jest, “You can now write without a budget to think about.”
It gave me a chance to add the second part of the book which is set in the most amazing unexplained destinations around the world. From the Devil’s Bible which lives in the National Library of Sweden to the amazing Asen’s Fortress in Bulgaria.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Believe in your story and tell it exactly the way you want to tell it. There is no right or wrong. Every story will have people who love it and others who hate it. If you do, when you read negative reviews, you will never have regrets that you should have changed it.

What would be the Dream Cast for you book if it was to be turned into a movie?
Sandra Bullock as Denise. John Travolta as the Devil.

How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?
What free time?
I am passionate about my job as an Environmentalist and have been working on Green Energy for the last few years. Europe is streets ahead of the rest of the world. I have travelled twice a year on work and have spent some time looking for new locations for my next book.
My favourite place to unwind is home. I live on the Gold Coast in Australia, which is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?
I love trains and did a trip on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz in Switzerland. I commented on how little ice was left and someone on the train said, “It is September, there is a lot more if you come in March.” A voice from the back of the train said, “It’s called a glacier because it is always meant to be there”. It hit me like a freight train.
I plan to save up and do a charter flight over the Antarctic one day. We live in a beautiful world and if more of us see what is at stake, perhaps something will change.

Tell us three fun facts about yourself.
- I was involved with making a Bollywood film.
- I travel about three months each year to Europe and India.
- I am a good photographer and pianist.

What do you have in store next for your readers?
The sequel to The Devil’s Prayer.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers?
The locations, facts and history which underlie the Devil’s Prayer are real. From the untimely total solar eclipse over Burkhan Khaldun, the lost grave of Genghis Khan to the missing pages of The Devil’s Bible. From the Katskhi Pillar in Georgia to the Mongols in the Stefaneschi Triptych in the Vatican Museum. The locations in the Devil’s Prayer have survived against all odds. Not a stone of Asen’s Fortress remains except for the one church in the book. In the church murals, the eyes of each saint have been blinded, a punishment reserved for treason. For man may take liberties with God, but nobody is game to mess with the Devil.

About the Book:

A nun commits suicide in front of thousands in Spain. In Australia, Siobhan Russo recognises that nun as her mother, Denise Russo, who disappeared six years ago.

In search of answers, Siobhan travels to the isolated convent where her mother once lived. Here she discovers Denise’s final confession, a book that details a heinous betrayal that left her crippled and mute, and Denise’s subsequent deal with the Devil to take revenge. In the desperate bargain Denise made with the Prince of Darkness, she wagered Siobhan’s soul.

As Siobhan discovers the fate of her soul, she learns that hidden within the pages of her mother’s confession is part of The Devil’s Prayer, an ancient text with the power to unleash apocalyptic horrors.

And now her mother’s enemies know Siobhan has it.

Can Siobhan escape an order of extremist monks determined to get the Prayer back? Can she save the world from its own destruction?

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Debdatta Dasgupta September 06, 2017 0

#CoverReveal :: A Column of Fire (Kingsbridge #3) by Ken Follet

‘A Column of Fire’

(Kingsbridge #3)

by Ken Follet

‘Follett is a master’ - The Washington Post

The saga that has enthralled the millions of readers of The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End continues with Ken Follett's magnificent, gripping A Column of Fire.

Christmas 1558, and young Ned Willard returns home to Kingsbridge to find his world has changed.

The ancient stones of Kingsbridge Cathedral look down on a city torn by religious hatred. Europe is in turmoil as high principles clash bloodily with friendship, loyalty and love, and Ned soon finds himself on the opposite side from the girl he longs to marry, Margery Fitzgerald.

Then Elizabeth Tudor becomes queen and all of Europe turns against England. The shrewd, determined young monarch sets up the country’s first secret service to give her early warning of assassination plots, rebellions and invasion plans.

Elizabeth knows that alluring, headstrong Mary Queen of Scots lies in wait in Paris. Part of a brutally ambitious French family, Mary has been proclaimed the rightful ruler of England, with her own supporters scheming to get rid of the new queen.

Over a turbulent half-century, the love between Ned and Margery seems doomed, as extremism sparks violence from Edinburgh to Geneva. With Elizabeth clinging precariously to her throne and her principles, protected by a small, dedicated group of resourceful spies and courageous secret agents, it becomes clear that the real enemies – then as now – are not the rival religions.

The true battle pitches those who believe in tolerance and compromise against the tyrants who would impose their ideas on everyone else – no matter the cost.

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05 September, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta September 05, 2017 0

#BookReview :: The Midnight Star (The Young Elites #3) by Marie Lu

There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.

Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She’s turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but with each conquest her cruelty only grows. The darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy all she’s gained.

When a new danger appears, Adelina’s forced to revisit old wounds, putting not only herself at risk, but every Elite. In order to preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest—though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger.

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Wow! Just Wow!!

The series has been building up slowly from the first book and even though I was guessing at the ending the series might get, it still left me breathless.

Adelina Amouteru has never been the typical traditional protagonist. She has been different at all levels right from the beginning. In the final instalment, with Violetta no longer by her side, there is nothing to really ground her. Magiano helps us see glimpses of that girl struggling to control the darkness within her. But for most parts Adelina has finally given into the darkness within her. As she conquers the world, she still has to deal with the Daggers. As she takes on the ultimate mission that requires her to work together with the Daggers, we see Adelina in her full glory.

The world building has been awesome as well. In each book, we discovered something new and let it grow on us. The ending the book has was longtime coming for me. Yet it was heartbreaking and bittersweet in ways that I cannot recount. Marie Lu is an amazing author and this final installment just confirms it. The book is on a whole new level. Though some might argue that it had lesser action than The Rose Society, it was still just as much engaging. There is so much about Adelina that I enjoyed reading about and I think it is much more difficult for an author to make such a dark character likeable. We saw her pain, her struggles and her darkness and sympathized with her every step of the way.

This is an AMAZING series that every YA/Fantasy lovers should pick up.

04 September, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta September 04, 2017 0

#BookReview :: Inside the Heart of Hope by Rishabh Puri

We’re all a little broken, and that’s okay.

Or is it? Rick has a medical condition that makes his life different from the rest. But unlike others around him, he sees this not as a curse, but as an opportunity to cherish life and all the bitter-sweet gifts it brings with it.

Amidst frequent visits to the doctor, multiple surgeries that risk his life being, and a life that meant surveillance all the time, Rick has to fight for himself each day. But he pulls through, thanks to his family and friend Jacob, who become his pillars of strength.

And then, at a time when he is least expecting it, and with someone he meets by accident – love happens. It’s a new feeling for his heart and he is scared to lose it.

Will Lisa really understand the goodness of his heart or just walk away?

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I first thought that this would be an end to end romance novel. But it proved me wrong.

Inside the Heart of Hope is the story of Rick who has a heart condition that has lead him to multiple surgeries. To people around him he is someone who has to live with a disease, but to him the chance at a life is a chance to cherish it. He has not had a chance at a normal life for the longest time, but he snatches his moments when and where he can. It goes without saying that his life hasn’t been the easiest, what with someone special walking out on him because of the disease. But he keeps on holding on to hope and does not stop living his life to his best abilities.

There is romance, yes. But the book also has a healthy dose of inspiration and motivation. Through a physically flawed character the author shows us the importance of holding on to hope. Through Rick, the author inspires us to live our lives to the fullest. Through a person with struggles that he has no control over, the author motivates us to chase our dreams.

The various character in the book each play their parts distinctively adding to Rick’s experiences and to the story as a whole. I guess, beside Rick, the one other character that stood out was that of Jacob. The story flows well and the pace is perfect. It is a pretty quick read. My only cribbing point about the book is the language. Though it is better than some IWE books I have read in recent time, it still needs a bit of polishing. Small issues like certain sentences left off abruptly.

Overall, this book made for an interesting afternoon read.

Review Copy received from the Author

02 September, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta September 02, 2017 0

#BookReview :: Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off the most daring heist imaginable.
But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're fighting for their lives.
Double-crossed and badly weakened, they're low on resources, allies and hope.
While a war rages on the city's streets, the team's fragile loyalties are stretched to breaking point.
Kaz and his crew will have to make sure they're on the winning side... no matter what the cost.

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Kaz Brekker and his ragtag group is back in action. After pulling of an impossible feat, Kaz Brekker was expecting payment as promised. But the merchant had other plans. Book 1, Six of Crows, ends with a huge surprise and book 2 picks up things shortly after.

Kaz Brekker had hoped quite a few things to happen once he received his payment. But what he did not expect was to live out his days as a criminal who is hunted everywhere. On top of that he is worried about Inej. Then there is Nina, who has been fighting the after effects of zurda parem and Mattias is not making things easy for her. With a whole new war on their hands, will Kazz Brekker be able to come out on top or has he bitten off more than he can chew?

This book was amazing. I loved how the author has taken the plot a level higher from the first installment. If the first one was interesting then, this one was mesmerizing. As a reader, we have a basic idea of what to expect – the good guys (Kaz Brekker & his team in this case) win. But how does it happen? What ploys are in motion? Who will play what role? Will they get Inej back? Will they all survive? What tricks that Kaz have up his sleeve? And will there be a closure Kaz and Pekka Rollin’s relationship? The book deals with all these questions and more. The characters seem to grow over the series. We learn a bit more about each of them.

Good plot and great characters were amplified by prodigious storytelling. It takes a few pages for the action to begin, but once it does, there is no turning back. It was easy to get into the story and the pages practically turned themselves. We get all our questions answered in the end. There were a few surprises along the way and I can say that I am completely satisfied with the way the book took turns even though in certain cases I was expecting something very different.

This duology was fantastic. If you are a Young Adult Fantasy lover, you must read this. NOW.

Check out my Book Review of Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1) by Leigh Bardugo

01 September, 2017

Debdatta Dasgupta September 01, 2017 0

#SpecialFeature :: Introducing Chrissie Parker, #Author of Among the Olive Groves

Under "Special Feature" every month I feature a Special Author.

During this month I put up 5 posts about the Author/Book, including Interview / Review / Excerpt / Guest Post / Author Bio / Fun Facts or whatever else we can come up with. Also on the first day of the month we will launch the Giveaway contest along with the first post and will announce the winner on the last day of the month.
So be sure to check out my blog every 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th of every month for something new :)

*** Special Feature - September 2017 ***

About the Author:

Chrissie is passionate about Ancient History, Archaeology and Travel, and has completed two Egyptology courses and an Archaeological Techniques course with Exeter University.

Contact the Author:

Website I Blog I Facebook Group I Facebook Page I Twitter I Instagram I Pinterest I Goodreads

About the Book:

Buy Links:

Goodreads I Amazon I Barnes & Noble

Giveaway:

Signed Paperback Copy + a Greek Eye necklace to an UK Winner.

E-copy (all versions available) of the book for an international winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Debdatta Dasgupta September 01, 2017 5

#FaveFiveFriday - Book to Movie/TV Series Adaptations

#FaveFiveFriday is an initiative by Buzz Magazine

5. The Shawshank Redemption - Movie

The Movie is based on Stephen King's Novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The movie took a few liberties and made some changes to the story, but the end product is amazing. It is my favourite Prison Break movie ever. If you haven't watched it till now (I doubt it), go watch it NOW!

4. 13 Reasons Why - Netflix Original Series

Based on Jay Asher's Young Adult Novel of the same name, 13 Reasons Why released recently and was quite talked about on the social media. It is a difficult one to digest, nevertheless a must watch for those who are responsible for teenagers in their lives.

3. P.S. I Love You - Movie

Oh! I had such a crush on Gerry (and Gerard Butler by extension) after this movie! This was probably the first movie based on a book that I ever liked. (I usually prefer the books always). The liberties taken to make changes were well done. I still need tissues when I re-watch it.

2. Fault in Our Stars - Movie

Director Josh Boone has done a great job in capturing the emotions of young Augustus Waters and Hazel Grace Lancaster. Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort brought life to two of my favourite characters by John Green. The book gave me the feels and so did the movie. Keep a box of tissues handy when you watch this film.

1. The Book Thief - Movie

My love for this film is all down to Sophie Nélisse & Geoffrey Rush. The film has been adapted well from the book. But is Sophie's portrayal of young Liesel Meminger that absolutely took my heart away. Geoffrey Rush's portrayal of Hans, the adoptive father is also done really well.

Hope you enjoyed my list. Now do check out what the others participating have on their lists...