Book Review - Heartquake by K. Vijayakarthikeyan

K. Vijayakarthikeyan has made a loud entry with his debut book "once upon an IAS exam". Being an IAS himself he has taken writing around experiences of the same environment. Once Upon IAS was so popular in 3 months of its release that we cannot deny the book. So we wanted to read the book to know what is all the noise about the book. My teammate Devi read it and she liked the book. As per her, the book was on par with praises it was fetching. So this time when Vandana from Vinfluencers offered us a review copy in exchange for an honest review I took the opportunity.

Book Blurb

An IAS officer’s tale of survival against all odds.

Once upon a time there was a city plagued by greed, corruption and mysterious deaths…

A patriotic IAS officer, Vikram, decides to expose a corrupt and powerful minister, Rudra Pratap Rana (aka RPR), during the latter’s visit to the IAS training academy. The video of Vikram asking the minister some highly embarrassing questions in front of a packed auditorium goes viral.

Instead of having Vikram suspended from service, a vengeful RPR unleashes violence on the officer’s family, and to continue the torture, RPR gets Vikram posted as the sub-divisional magistrate in Laxmipur—the politician’s backyard.

As soon as Vikram joins duty, RPR resumes his vengeance. However, a new drama unfolds when a large number of people start dying of heart attacks across Laxmipur. As Vikram tries to unravel these mysterious deaths with the help of Veda, a cardiologist, and Raghu, a police officer, extreme panic grips the city, which soon leads to riots and pandemonium. Vikram is left with no other choice but to risk his life to get to the bottom of this mind-numbing situation.

Join Vikram in this fast-paced thriller as he fights to save Laxmipur from HEARTQUAKE

Well, "Once Upon" was the story around IAS exam preparations. "Heartquake" is more of after IAS situation. Don't worry it is not a sequel (even if it is I didn't feel one). The story started when during IAS training our protagonist Vikram confront antagonist Rudra Pratap Rana (RPR), a corrupt politician & home minister of the state. RPR got Vikram posted in his base constituency, Lakshmipur. He planned to insult Vikram and he did it till the end. In Lakshipur Vikram met the love of his life, a cardiologist Veena. Then started a series of mysterious heart attacks in Lakshmipur taking lives of hundred plus people. The story became a mystery thriller later on.

Vijayakarthikeyan's writing style is simple and straight. This was my first read by Vijaya and now I know why he is reaching good readership in such a short time. His story flows like a smooth river stream, which is fast in pace and shallow not to sink its readers. You will turn page after pages and before you know you are done with the book. You can finish the book in 2-3 sittings. If I had 2-3 hours at stretch I could have finished it in a single sitting. Language usage is simple, if you want to cultivate a habit of reading or learn English this book can be a good pick. The book cover of Once Upon IAS was catchy but with this book, I found it a little dull. 

Ratings

1. Cover - 3/5
2. Concept - 3.5/5
3. Characte - 4/5
4. Content - 4/5
5. Overall - 3.5/5

Book can be found at Amazon

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Book Review - Meant To Be Together by Faraaz Kazi

You have to agree that no matter what a love story always catch human attention. But plain love stories sometimes get you bored, especially every month hundreds of them coming in the market. that brings the creative side of authors how they can show it in a different style. I think recently apart from thriller and action-based love stories two types are doing great. One is an inspirational love story and another is mature ones. "Meant To Be Together" by Faraz Kazi belongs to later type. Well, I was not aware of the same when we received the book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Blurb

Preeti Thaker moves to Mumbai to run away from herself, to put behind a painful childhood, plagued adolescent years and the recent death of her only support system – her brother. She is on the verge of ending it all, succumbing to her depression, when the doorbell rings. Little does she know that answering it will change her life forever! The guy on the other end of the door will offer her solutions to all her problems, but in the process, she will end up losing the only thing she had never lost till date – her heart!

Inspired by the true story of an artist who found that love was the only color missing from the palette of her life, 'Meant to be Together' is a tale of love, friendship, courage, determination and above all, hope... hope that makes us look for the rainbow when it rains and for the stars when it is dark!

Preeti is out protagonist who had troubled past and was on verge of breaking down. She met a guy named Sameer who helped her to come out of her emotional turmoil. Deep down, Preeti started having feelings for Sameer, but she was not confident about Sameer's feeling. Read the book to know more.

The overall writing style is smooth. Though written with emotional quotient in mind book won't bore you out if you don't like emotional drama. It shows how love can bring balance to an emotionally depressed person. Language usage is simple, I would say ideal for people who want to learn reading. A light and quick read. You can take it on a trip and enjoy it. Don't worry it is not another Mills and boon's type. 

I will give 3 out of 5 stars to the book.

Book can be found at Amazon & Flipkart

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Book Review - Sanjay Dutt: One Man, Many Lives

I have been reading since I can read (literally from the age of 8 or 9). I read so many fictions that now I reached a level where fictions don't fancy me much. Rather I started reading more nonfiction. Among them, biographies have taken the front seat. I have read more than 25-30 biographies in the last 3-4 years. When I watched Sanju movie I wanted to read Sanjay Dutt's biography "Kuch to Log Kahenge" but I didn't get the book at that time. So when I got the chance to read the book on Sanjay Dutt by another author I didn't miss it. here I am to discuss the book.

The book is written in a simple context. Lucid language and medium pace made me turn page after page. The author has covered parts and packages of many incidents of Sanjay's life. These incidents are what makes Sanjay Dutt that we see today, whether they are good or bad. In a neutral scale, you may find book slightly towards Sanjay side. So those who see law above stardom may criticize the book just like they did it for movie Sanju.

Talking about the book design, hardcover book with a classy image of Sanjay Dutt make the book a nice attraction for your bookshelf or coffee table. Special moments of Sanjay's like are pictured in the book for fans in color glossy pages. 

Talking about the ratings

1. Cover - 4.5/5
2. Content - 4/5
3. Overall - 3.75/5

Book can be found at Amazon & Flipkart

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Story based on Bollywood Struggles - The Stranger in Me Book Review

There are perks of reviewing books. Before that, I used to read a specific genre. But book blogging has exposed me to multiple genres and writing styles. In the last three years, I have been to a blind date with many books where I have been surprised. Almost 8 out of 10 times, I enjoyed those book thoroughly. Same was the case with "The Stranger in Me". I have been provided this book like a blind date(of course in exchange for an honest review). Again the book was a bigger surprise for me as I was expecting a mythological fiction from publishers. Well, we didn't lose heart as at the end of the day as a book blogger we need a book to read.

Book Blurb

One man. His three lives. One city. 

Amit is dead. Amit is alive. Amit is the superstar. Amit is a failed actor. Are there many men or just one man living different lives at different times? After 40 years, Amit wants to hark back to his youth and become a Bollywood hero. But Bombay is now Mumbai and he is no longer 20.

Does Amit have it in him to be the hero of his own story? Rocky, his flatmate, a struggling writer by day and bouncer by night, steps in as a messiah of sorts, along with Disha, the daughter of a renowned movie producer, who is madly in love with Rocky and believes all is fair in love, and Sasha, Amit’s best friend, a hippie stuck in the ’70s.

Chandni, the Bollywood siren of the ’70s, is still the reigning queen of Amit’s heart. With Amit back in the same city, will there be a reunion of two lost souls from another time? Will Amit achieve his Bollywood dream? Will Rocky pen a blockbuster? Will Disha win her love?

"The Stranger in Me" is a story of few struggling characters wanting to enter into the limelight of Bollywood. One of our protagonists is Amit. Amit tried in Bollywood in his younger days, but he didn't succeed. He went back to normal life and had it almost for 30 years. When he got retired from his professional and personal responsibilities he came back to Mumbai for another try as now he didn't have much to lose. He met a guy called Rocky on his first day of Mumbai. Rocky is our next protagonist, who had good looks and body. But he was not accepted by his family as none in his family looks so good. He wanted to become a writer (scriptwriter) but people wanted him to cast him instead of his scripts. Rocky took Amit as his co-tenant and then started a comical journey. Do read if you like to read books on Bollywood backstage.

The book is written with simple language and medium pace. It is an ideal pick for beginners. Don't worry, even seasonal readers can also read it. I would say they will enjoy it for sure. Three things I liked the most about the book

• The cover page. I cannot just ignore if I am window shopping it.
• Pranks by Amit. They are just funny and instant.
• Writing style. not too confusing.

Ratings

1. Cover - 4.5/5
2. Content - 4/5
3. Concept - 4/5
4. Overall - 4/5

Book can be found at Amazon & Flipkart

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Asoka: The Buddhist Emperor of India by Vincent A Smith

Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka, they have a good number of books dedicated to them in our historical fiction shelf. Many of them were related to Chanakya. Well as I said, they are all "Historical Fiction" which means at the end they are fiction. And most of the fictions are written as thrillers or war/strategy book, so it would show more violent and emotional side which affect readers the most. Till now I haven't read historic records or researched book on Mauryas. So when an opportunity was appeared to review "Asoka The Buddhist Emperor of India" by Vincent Smith I simply grabbed it.

Book Blurb

Asoka: The Buddhist Emperor of India is regarded as a culturally important work in the historiography

of the life and times of King Asoka. A masterpiece when it was first published, its importance

has only increased with time.

I was not aware Asoka was such a well researched and well accepted book worldwide. The book is published in multiple languages in multiple countries.

Being a historic scholar and having exposure to multiple ancient Indian sites, Vincent (the author) has dug out as many relevant information about Asoka than we can find in folklore. The author has been to various sites which were created during Asoka's time. He has studied them and presented us with the crux of his findings.

We have heard many myth about Asoka how he became king by killing his 100 brothers. What if I say there are no proof of that theory. What all Asoka did after the war of Kalinga? Read this book to know more.

The language of the book is slight academical. So is the flow to the subject and medium paced. For people who wanted to know about the great empire and its culture, this is a nice pick. People looking for story and action may stay away from the book. I know cover can misguide you by giving a different picture. And that' what we are for. 

Overall a different style & genre. Content of the book is deep.

I would give 3/5 to this book

Book can be found at Amazon

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Meet Khalnayaka of Mahabharata - Shakuni - Read the Story of Master of the Game

I know "Shakuni" from Mahabharata and "Manthara" from Ramayana, these two are always portrayed as darkest or the most wicked minds of their time. You will find good and bad of all other characters, be it Duryodhana, Karna, Ashwatthama or Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Vali. I feel even storyteller needed an antagonist for such epics, so 99.99% times you will find these two characters in negative color only. Have you thought what was their thought process behind their actions. I haven't encountered a book on Manthara yet bu in Shakuni this was given in finer details.

Book Blurb

Threatened by the formidable Kuru dynasty, the kingdom of gandhara is forced to marry off its princess to the blind king of Kuru, Dhritarashtra. Enraged by this defeat, shaken, the heir to the gandhara kingdom, vows to seek revenge. He uses the Kauravas and Pandavas as Pawns in a cleverly crafted game of deceit and destruction and watches as the mighty Kuru kingdom crumbles. Told through the gripping perspective of shakti, this retelling of the Mahabharata asks the burning question –was shakuni really the vilest of all villains or the victim of a grave injustice?.

I won't take you through the story, as usual, instead let me give you situations to visualize

• Assume your beloved sister is at the age of marriage. You are looking for a good candidate. But some powerful guys come to your father and forced your father to give your sister's hand in marriage to a blind guy.
• Assume you love your sister's eyes as she sees and tells you how she sees the world. Now she has wrapped the cloth around her eyes for the rest of your eyes.
• After all these sacrifices she is married to a person who lost kingship due to his blindness to a weaker candidate

Can you tell me what would be your reaction? Unless you are a saint or insane you will be disturbed and shocked. So was the case with Shakuni.

If you think he was all evil and coward. Have you ever thought about how he was able to manage his kingdom staying away in Hastinapur. Well, that required good governing policies and implementations. Coming to cowardice he did encourage and plotted the skirmish within the family, but when the time came for the war he didn't run away. He was there with his nephew. Read the book to know the exact character of Shakuni.

The book is written nicely with author's imaginary skill which has capabilities to neutralize one of the sinister characters from Hindu mythology. Language usage is good for regular readers. The pace of the book is medium to fast. A good choice for a long trip. Talking about the ratings

1. Cover - 4.5/5
2. Concept - 4/5
3. Content - 4/5
4. Overall - 4/5

Book can be found at Amazon & Flipkart

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Inspirational Fiction - Alumni of the Year by Tomson Robert - Book Review

I got this book last to last week Saturday (20th July) and I was expecting a more of a self-help type book. But it turns out as a light read with a good entertainment factor. I would like to thank author Robert Tomson and Writersmelon for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Blurb

Experience Dave’s journey.

Dave is ambitious, has a demanding boss, and is struggling to balance work and life, especially the relationship with his five-year-old daughter. Dave cherishes the memories of his school days. However, due to an incident from the past, he hardly keeps in touch with his best friends.

When Dave learns that his arch-rival from school is nominated for the prestigious Alumni of the Year Competition, he buys his way into the nomination by donating to the school library.

Travel on a life-changing journey with Dave—from Dubai, to Goa, to Kochi—as he goes for the School Reunion function. See how he confronts his past, his ambitions, his fears, and discovers about what truly matters in life.

When I say inspirational, don't dishearten, the book is based on a fictional story. The protagonist of the story is Dave married to Ann and father of 5-year-old girl Alexa. He is working with JW Associate and settled in Dubai. Well set in a job and doing better financially was not able to give Dave satisfaction. He was one of those (maybe like us) who always say just next target (maybe project/promotion) and then I will slow down. But the moment target is achieved he would make the next target by sacrificing family relations. Dave's company is targeting for a multimillion bank merger project and Dave's team with his shrewd boos Ben was working on it. Dave has already started experiencing early family problems due to his negligence toward family. His vacation was colliding with Ben's set expectations for the project. Dave is getting stressed out how to handle out the situation. He revisited memories associated with his friends and how things went during junior college days. The gem of the story is the last section which gives inspiration to Dave. Read the book to know more.

My observation

• The fast-paced story you won't feel it finished. I did it in just 3 sittings in less than 4 hours
• Language is easy. Good for beginners
• Good balance of faith and inspiration
• Can help people stuck in such professional-personal cycle.
• Good choice for light readers. Take it on the trip, it will keep you entertained

Talking about ratings

1. Cover - 3.5/5
2. Concept - 3.5/5
3. Content - 4/5
4. Overall - 3.5/5

Book can be found at Amazon & Flipkart

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads