So You Had to Build a Time Machine by Jason Offutt

I wanted to listen to something light during the festive season of Diwali, so I selected "So You Had to Build a Time Machine" by Jason Offutt, after checking its blurb. I selected the book based on the title and blurb, as the cover design has only a title with cockroaches (later on, I came to know why cockroaches were portrayed). As per the blurb, the book was a comedy based on time-travel, so I thought of having a different experience this time. 

Though the blurb says about time traveling, it doesn't say much about narration style. There are 5 main characters in the story, four of them are on the good side, and one of them on the bad side. Skid, David, and Brick took a major role, their time-traveling scenes were given in different sequences, initially, I found them too random and haphazard but later on, I understood that it was done to keep the interesting quotient intact.

The author has taken the liberty and used the style of a scary movie to make the book a light-hearted comedy. In the scary movie, you find comic scenes based on different movies, here the author has taken plot-based characters from various fantasy books. You will find dinosaurs, golems, mantis, ogres, giant cockroaches, and whatnot. Things will pop out at unexpected corners and make you laugh. 

An enjoyable book. But it could have been better. 

I am giving 3.25 out of 5 to this book.

21 Fantastic Failures by Sonali Misra

The title "21 Fantastic Failures" is the lone reason for me to select this book by Sonali Misra. And as the title suggests, the USP of this book is lessons for readers from 21 successful personalities. 

Every self-made man/woman has his or her experience. It's a common fact that a single failure teaches us more things than multiple successes can. One of the most famous teachings of Chanakya was "Smart people learn from their mistakes, but the real champ learns from mistakes of other." ( I haven't used exact wording, so spare me from your wrath). In short, this book allows us to learn from these great people's failures.

Coming to 21 stories, let me warm you. If you are looking for some unheard stories of these personalities then you might feel disappointed. Because much is said and written about the life of these celebrities. Your next question would be "then what is new in this book?". Well, it is structured such that you will get an idea of what steps these people have taken (which in turn you may take) to get out of dire situations. 

One chapter is dedicated to each celebrity. The structure of these chapters go like this

1. Paths that the person could take.

2. Lessons learned.

3. ‘Extra mile’ that the person in question chose to go

Overall, a good motivating book. If you have read many books in this genre, then you may find it about average, but for once-in-a-while or first-time readers will find the book good.

The cover of the book can be improved, you may consider that as a weak point from my point of view.

Overall 3.75 out of 5 stars to this book.

The Warrior's Progeny (Heaven & Earth Series #2) by Jeny Heckman

 I was not aware of the auto approve concept on Netgalley. So when I was auto-approved by "Backlit PR", I was very happy. The book with which I got this approval was "The Warrior's Progeny" by Jeny Heckman. I was a bit skeptical while applying for the book because it is the second book in Heaven & Earth Series. But I was relieved of that tension once I started reading the book. Accept the initial 2-3 chapters, the book was somewhat independent. 

The usage of peacock feathers in cover design gave me the impression that there might be a reference to Indian God Krishna. However, the story is based on Greek Mythology. As I have already mentioned, this is a second book in the series, though it is part of the grander plan, the book is focused more on Colten, a football player, notoriously known for sleeping with his colleagues' wives, and Lilly, a single parent. Though their personalities were opposite, their attraction towards each other was as strong as magnetic opposites. Apart from mythology, this book covers a mature love story as well. Read the book to the know-how on a grander scheme Colten and Lilly would be helpful to ancient Gods.

Coming to writing style, Jeny has used easy-to-read and easy-to-comprehend language. I found no difficulties following the storyline of Lilly & Colten. I accept I faced difficulties while reading the first few chapters as they influence the first book. The tempo of the writing was high, so is the pace. You will hardly find a dull or boring page during the story. I enjoyed it. 

Overall I will give 3.75 out of 5.