Beneath the eyes by Upender Reddy - Book Review

Book Name- Beneath the eyes

Author- Upender Reddy

Publisher- Notion Press

Blurb-

Everyone gathered around as the child opened his eyes. They stared at the monitor as the chip attached to the child's optic nerve began to relay his vision on it. There was nothing. The child appeared to watch an empty corner of the room, focusing his eyes on something invisible. The people around followed his gaze, but could only see a blank wall. Puzzled, they looked at each other inquiringly. The child continued to stare.

"Look!" said Natasha, suddenly. The monitor on the table came to life, and a faint image began to form on the screen. As they all watched intently, the faint image began to form the dark shape of a human. In a few moments, there was a hazy outline of a woman staggering towards the door. The image soon became clear, taking the distinct form of a woman. Slowly, she appeared to come closer to the screen. All of a sudden, her face became clear. She raised her eyes and looked at them. Everyone gasped and fell back, frozen.....

Review- 

It has been quite a while that I read some horror novel. I picked this book up to read in the morning and by 7 in the evening, I was done reading it. 

I wouldn't go much into the story deets as I don't want my review to be a spoiler. As the title says, the story is related to eyes and about an invention which lets you display what the eyes see on a monitor. It starts off well but gets a bit confusing in the middle. It's bound to happen as the author tries to keep the mystery factor intact. He then reveals all the truth towards the end. I loved the way the author has revealed all the answers to the questions slowly and steadily. The story starts off with one tale and as you read further, you know more about the others. 

Every character has a story and that is what the author has shown in this book. He has built the characters and their lives very well. He doesn't give out too much details. He tells you about a thing and you figure out the rest. I like such kind of books.

As for the pace of this book is concerned, it is average. It's neither too fast, nor too slow. The narration is done in third person narrative and in present tense. I have never read books wherein the story has been narrated in present tense. So, reading this book was kind of difficult at the beginning. But I got accustomed to it soon. The language is simple and lucid. The overall reading experience is good.

Here are a few reasons why you should pick up this book!

• It isn't anything like those stereotyped Bollywood horror movies. You will get chills and goosebumps at many places.
• You cannot say this book to be a pure horror one. The part of the lives of the characters may leave you teary-eyed. It's kind of emotional.
• The book gives you an insight of the advancements in the technology.

I rate-

Cover: 3/5

Characters: 3.5/5

Story: 3.5/5

My overall rating for 'Beneath the eyes' is 3.5/5 stars.

This book is available for purchase on Amazon.

The Lost Daughter by Anchal Rana Aggarwal - Book Review

Book Name: The Lost Daughter

Author: Anchal Rana Aggarwal

Publisher: Petals Publishers and Distributors

Blurb:

Finding herself at some deserted isolated land Anika is not able to comprehend that how she landed here. Her mother ACP Inayat Bakshi faces the worst nightmare of her life when she discovers that not only her daughter has been raped but she has also lost her memory and fails to recognize her. While Anika tries to embrace the given identity, she is yet not able to understand if everything is for real. ACP faces the toughest case of her life where there is no lead and tries to break the ice with whatever power she has. Anika discovers about the life she had been living before her memory loss from a diary journal she fetches from her cupboard. Truth divulges to be a real shock. Meanwhile, Anika builds courage to move forward in life and discovers love but is this love real? ACP Inayat too has kept some secrets of her life from her daughter. Will Anika accept her mother even after discovering the truth? Will they both be able to build that solid bond of reconciliation? Will there be justice? Will destiny be good to them? Will they be able to fight and break the society norms?

Review:

The title of this book and the blurb intrigued me so much that I ended up reading it in straight three hours. There was this constant urge to know the story which made me read it so soon. I would say I'm impressed. The author has penned this novel beautifully.

Coming to the story, it is about a girl, Anika who finds herself in the hospital with no memory. She learns that she has been raped and the rapists had attempted to kill her. She fails to recall anything of her past. She doesn't even recognize her mother who happens to be a police officer. With no memory about that terrifying day, will Anika know who did wrong things to her? Will her mother catch the culprits?

The story is really gripping. I totally loved it. The author has plotted it excellently by giving attention to minute details. There aren't any loopholes in the story. The pace of the story has been maintained well. The narration is done from the point of view of Anika and that of her mother alternately. It has been done really well. You will not be confused at any point in time while reading the book. The first person narrative is a cherry on the cake. The characters have been well portrayed. You feel connected with the characters. The emotions have been depicted well.

This book will urge you to turn its pages. The story seems realistic at every page. However, I found the end a bit filmy (something that I felt).

On the whole, I would say this book is really something. In the present times where there are numerous love stories published in a month, this book seems to crave a path for its own. A matured read, it is!

I rate-

Cover: 3.5/5

Characters: 4/5

Story: 4/5

My overall rating for 'The Lost Daughter' is 4.5/5 stars.

You can buy this book on Amazon.

The Day I Started To Think by Sreeja Vinnakota - Book Review

Book Name: The Day I Started To Think

Author: Sreeja Vinnakota

Publisher: Invincible Publishers

Blurb:

"Listen to me, young lady. You have thirty days to return Tanya's crown or else, your father is as good as dead."

One phone call disrupted the lives of Arya McLean and her family.

The daughter of a wealthy businessman, Arya had never been exposed to the big bad world. Now, in a quest to save her father from the clutches of a sinister bunch of villains, she comes across shocking revelations about her family and is faced with a decision that could either save the world or plunge it into complete chaos. 

Review:

The Day I Started To Think cannot be decribed as a novel belonging to one particular genre. There is mystery. There is fantasy. There is suspense. And much more.

The story is about Arya, the protagonist. Arya's father has gone missing. She receives threats from an unknown source that she needs to find and hand over Tanya's crown if she wishes to see her father alive. There are two people who are after the crown. Will Arya find the crown? Will she fight the kidnappers? Where is the crown and what is the crown's story?

The story begins with the incident where Arya's father is kidnapped. I feel that the beginning of the story was done fabulously. It created questions like 'Why' and 'How' in my mind. It was enough fuel to the fire. It made me want to find the answer and kept me hooked on to the story. A series of events unfold later. As you proceed, you encounter numerous questions which makes finding answers mandatory. Such is the 'engagement' aspect of this book. Every chapter surprises you. This book is indeed an awesome read.

I loved the manner in which the author has maintained the mystery aspect of the story. It is revealed in parts - which keeps you interested and entertained throughout the reading session. The characters are well-crafted. I could relate my reading experience with the movie 'The Chronicles of Narnia'. The narration seems realistic. The simple language and 'not-so-complicated' names of characters makes this book an easy read.

If you have been a fan of fantasy novels, the movies like 'The Chronicles of Narnia' or 'Journey to the Mysterious Island', go for this book. It is worth the read.

I rate-

Cover:

Characters: 3.5/5

Story: 4/5

My overall rating for 'The Day I Started To Think' is 4/5 stars.

Purchase your copies on Amazon.

For a Girl in a Star by Ratna Chandu - Book Review

Book Name – For a Girl in a Star

Author – Ratna Chandu

Publisher – Srishti Publishers and Distributors

Blurb –

What do you do when your best friend, the one person who has stood by you through thick and thin, knows you better than you know yourself and literally saved your life falls in love with the same girl as you? Avinash and Sahas, two village boys arrive in Bangalore in search of art and in pursuit of ambition. Sahas, hardworking and nervous, antonym to his friend, has emerged from a troubled past only to find that his future doesn’t come without encumbrances. Their friendship is the one constant in the two boys’ lives, but that is tested when they each meet Aarti, a mysterious, compassionate, beautiful girl who captures both their imaginations and sets their hearts aflame. Will their passion for the same girl and an untimely tragedy, sunder the two friends forever? A compelling tale with twists and turns reminiscent of India’s melodramatic films, For a Girl in a Star deals with the age old staples of young love, heartbreak and what it means to be a true friend.

Review –

The title of this novel and the blurb appeared quite filmy to me. Two best friends falling in love with the same girl – typical Bollywood story. This is the thought that came to my mind. With this thought, I started reading this book. The story went on just like the way it happens in the movies. And then arrived the shocking twist. And the story grew interesting.

The book seems predictable at first but then it grows interesting and keeps the reader hooked on to it. This is the thing I loved about this book. The story is a unique one. It has the potential to keep you engaged until the last page. The pace of the story is fast. I loved the manner in which the author has written all the chapters. She builds suspense in the prologue and it is only during the end that you find the answers. The story being a tale of friendship and love will give you good lessons for life.

I loved the way the author has created the characters. The two protagonists seem to be much different from each other yet they are best of friends. I envy their friendship. The girl, who seemed like a sweetheart, ever since she was introduced in the story has a minimal yet very important role to play. The close family of the protagonists are too given an equal share in the story. All the characters and their lives is kept in a loop.

I liked this book for the following reasons-

-The surprising plot

-The lessons of love and friendship

I rate-

Cover- 3/5

Characters- 4/5

Story- 4/5

I rate ‘For a Girl in a Star’ with 4/5 stars.

My True Angel by Irshad Thalakala - Book Review

Book Name: My True Angel

Author: Irshad Thalakala

Publisher: Invincible Publishers

Blurb:

This is a sweet tale of finding true love. Iqbal, who works in IT company meets a beautiful girl Rubina. Iqbal falls in love with her, but Rubina does not reciprocate the same. Whether any mystery behind this girl Rubina or the destiny is waiting for something else?

Review:

The title of the book itself throws some light on what the book would be about. The blurb adds on more! My True Angel is a romantic tale of a guy who meets three women at different walks of his life. Iqbal, the protagonist falls in and out of love. It is said that the true feelings of a person for you is only when there are adversities. Do the three girls pass this test? Do they stand by him during his bad times? Who was Iqbal's true angel?

I found the story of this book to be kind of a common one. It was predictable at a few places. However, one thing that I noticed about this book is that inspite of having a common plot, this book kept me hooked on to it. I do not know if it was the twists in the plot, the language or the narration. I was drawn into the world of Iqbal and his life.

When you start off the book, you will begin to feel like Iqbal is some kind of stalker. But as you read further, you will know his innocence. The author has crafted the characters well. The three girls seem imperfectly perfect. Though these are the central characters, the author has perfectly brought in their

families. They are a part of the story and the author has portrayed and pictured them well in the story setting. I loved the character creation.

Coming to the language and narration! The narration has been done in first person narrative. The simple language and the narration are the positives of this book. The author has perfectly placed the chapters. However, I found a few chapters to be exaggerated out of proportion. But it doesn't affect the overall reading experience.

My True Angel is a good read.

I rate-

Cover: 2/5

Characters: 4/5

Story: 3/5

My overall rating for My True Angel is 3.5/5 stars.

You can purchase your book on Amazon.

The Jingle of a Mingle by Dr. Preeti Batra - Book Review

Book Name - The Jingle of a Mingle

Author - Dr. Preeti Batra

Publisher - Invincible Publishers

Blurb -

The Jingle of a Mingle is a comedy of errors that is set in motion by a middle aged couple looking to rediscover love after many years of marriage. Between the demands of their teenagers and commands of their parents, they lost each other somewhere along the way. As their lives take twists and turns even their children and grandparents get tangled up in the web of confusion. See how the jingle of their mingle unfolds, and how their story ends...

Review -

The moment I read the title of this book, I wasn't very sure about how the story would be like. I had started to believe that it would be that usual tale about an extra-marital affair with loads of humor. Thinking it to be a light read, I started reading the book. I read the first few chapters and was convinced that the story was very much like I had assumed it to be. But as I read further, the story astonished me. There was a complete twist in the plot. And I indeed started loving it.

The story is about a couple who feel that the spark in their relationship has extinguished. They wish to revive this lost spark through secret meetings. They behave like teenagers who have recently found the love of their lives. Their secret life takes a drastic turn when their family learns about their affair. What happens next? Are they successful in rekindling their relationship?

The plot is something unique. And the reason why I enjoyed reading this book is because of its uniqueness. The plot has been well crafted. The story will keep you surprising at every turn of the page. You will be overwhelmed with emotions. The story will give you butterflies in your stomach, will educate you and teach you the essence of communication in any relationship. Categorising this story as a romantic tale wouldn't do justice to the story. It is much more than a love story.

I loved the narration. It has been done well. It will keep you engaged and interested until the very last page. The language is simple. The story has a realistic touch to it.

It is only when you read this book that you will understand the complexities of any relationship and how to deal with them. The story has been narrated in a kind of casual way. But the author gives out many lessons through this story. You need to have the knack to identify those lessons and implement them in your lives.

This book is a refreshing read - a change from those cliched love stories.

I rate-

Cover: 1/5

Characters: 4/5

Story: 4.5/5

My overall rating for The Jingle of a Mingle is 4/5 stars.

You can purchase your copies on Amazon.

Jalta Paani by Meenna Dawar ‘Mohini’ – Book Review

Book Name- Jalta Paani

Author- Meenna Dawar ‘Mohini’

Publisher- Invincible Publishers

Blurb-

'Jalta Paani' is a collection of stories relating the life experiences of acid attack victims and how they coped with the terrible experience to regain their sense of purpose in life. The book works as an excellent medium to question the attitude of the society towards the victims, and also the government and the constitution which allows the per perpetrators of such a heinous crime to walk away with minimal punishment. For the purpose of this book, Meena Dawar traveled across various cities in North India to interact with share in the pain of these acid attack survivors and used her position as an artist and a poet to make their voices heard. All revenue generated for the sales of this book goes into the welfare of acid attack victims. Meenna Dawar entered the world of books and poetry by relating her own experiences, lessons and teachings from life in the garb of words. Being both an author and a poetess, she possesses the beautiful art of expressing herself with a charm very unique to her. She is known amongst her peers as 'Mohini' and is applauded for being an emotionally strong and beautiful writer who always manages to touch the heartstrings of all her readers with her delicate string of words. She has her own individual take on relationships and the society which she never fails to portray beautifully in each of her creative productions.

Review-

I believe that it takes real courage to tell your story to the world especially when the story brings you pain. Through this book, the author has told stories of those courageous and beautiful women out there. The title of this book gives you a faint idea about what the book could be. Yes, it is about acid attacks and the stories of those heroic women out there.

I feel pained to know the reasons why these women were subjected to such heinous torture. Feelings of revenge, jealousy, obsession, etc. was the trigger for this crime. Are we so blinded by these negative emotions that we do not value life? This book is truly an eye-opener.

The stories are being narrated in a very simple language. There are snippets of poems in between the stories. The poems are so well-written that you will feel all emotional.

Acid attack survivor is what these people are generally called. I would call them brave hearts. This book is not about the stories of acid attack survivors but that of courage and inspiration.

A must read.

I rate it with 4.5/5 stars.

Buy your copies of this awesome book on Amazon.

Imperfect Misfits by Devanshi Sharma - Book Review

Book Name: Imperfect Misfits

Author: Devanshi Sharma

Blurb:

Tiasha: I am very annoyed.

Aakaash: That’s your job, Tiasha. Good that you are doing it well.

Tiasha: And I am very serious.

Aakaash: When are you not!

Tiasha: Argh! I hate you, Aakaash. 

Aakaash: Thank God for small mercies! 

Just like a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes the sizzling chocolate brownie delicious, these best friends complimented each other. A chef by passion, Tiasha jumps and waves through her professional choices, while Aakaash, the witty stand-up comedian, knows exactly what he wants.

He was the tranquility which refugees crave to stay in and she was the refugee, who wanted to wander and explore. Imperfect Misfits is a story of perfect misfits, food, frolic, emotions and their endless imperfections.

The question is, will their friendship survive through this wavy journey of love?

Review:

Imperfect Misfits is a story of two best friends who are already in love with each other yet aren't really ready to admit it. The story is about Tiasha and Aakash. Tiasha wishes to become a chef while Aakash wants to become a stand-up comedian. Do they follow their passion or does a need to have a stable job and make money come their way? Do they acknowledge their love for each other? 

Starting with the cover, I just loved it. It's cute and relatable. The novel is about teenage love and I believe the cover throws some light on what the story would be. 

Best friends turning their friendship into a romantic relationship is a very common plot. The story can be basically sum up in six-eight sentences. What's different is the situations and incidents. I won't say that I loved reading this book. But, enjoyed it. The story seemed very interesting at first. However, it turned a little dull towards the end. I felt that the end was kind of rushed into. I liked the way the author has presented the story i.e. in third person's perspective. She mentions some anecdotes about her own life which I found a bit distracting. It seemed as if I was drifted to some other place and then, all of a sudden brought into Tiasha and Aakash's lives.

The author has crafted the characters - Tiasha and Aakash in a very nice manner. They are adorable. I really loved their determination and hard work towards achieving their dreams. They are inspiring.

My likes-

- Tiasha and Aakash's friendship.

- Their determination and courage to take the path less traveled.

My dislikes

- The picture-perfect setting (I wonder how things can go so well. I remember author mentioning that certain things not only happen in books and movies but happen in real lives as well.)

- The abrupt end.

I rate:

Cover: 4/5

Characters: 3/5

Story: 3/5

My overall rating for 'Imperfect Misfits' is 3/5 stars.

You can buy your copies on Amazon.

My Mute Girlfriend by Himanshu Rai - Book Review

Book Name - My Mute Girlfriend

Author - Himanshu Rai

Blurb -

“That day I realized I had lost her forever. I had lost her smile, her friendship, her voice… But still, somewhere in my heart, I believed her to be my girlfriend. My mute girlfriend.” Rohan is a telecom professional posted in Meerut and misses his girlfriend from college days, who had stopped interacting with him, without giving any reason. Although she had always stood by his side and her eyes reflected immense love, but she remained his mute girlfriend. The book opens with an SMS from Vaidehi to Rohan, after five long years. But before he could reply, his mobile gets damaged and he wanders in his memories to narrate a story. About how his girlfriend became his mute girlfriend after the first year of their engineering college. My Mute Girlfriend is a true romance story of how Rohan unravels the answers to why Vaidehi was mute for so long and how their life is about to change. But little do they know that the worst is yet to come.

Review -

Rohan, an average boy is infatuated to his junior, Navya. He believes that he should achieve something before he confesses his love to her. He wishes to become an engineer. But, life has other plans for him. He meets Vaidehi, a studious and intelligent girl and falls in love with her. Confused between love and infatuation, Rohan seeks help from his sister. He confesses his love to Vaidehi only to suffer from a heartbreak later. Vaidehi stops talking to him altogether. Why does Vaidehi break Rohan's heart? Why does she stop talking to him?

To be honest, I found the story to be quite predictable and a bit boring. The story is a love story of two teenagers who fall in love and then grow apart. I felt like this story was like that old wine which is presented in a new bottle. Yes, there were many surprises and twists. But overall the story failed to hit those chords in my heart. At few instances, the story had turned really boring. I don't want this review to be a spoiler. But I cannot help myself from mentioning this particular incident from the story. It's the ragging incident. It is very much similar to the one from the movie, Three Idiots. The second thing that I would like to say here is the word 'mute'. It's all over the second part of the book. I found it a little weird..addressing your girlfriend as my mute girlfriend.

Coming to the narration, the story has been narrated in first person narrative. It has been done really well and has a personal touch to it. You will instantly connect with the characters. The language is simple and easy to understand. This novel is packed with emotions. You will be overwhelmed with the kind of relationship the characters, Rohan and Vaidehi share. It's too good to be true. I actually wondered why authors portray unconditional love between the characters. Does it actually exist?

The characters have been crafted well. They seem realistic. Selfless, adorable and determined - that is how you can define the characters of this book.

I found this book to be an okay-ish read.

I rate:

Cover- 3/5

Characters- 3/5

Story- 3/5

My overall rating for 'My Mute Girlfriend' is 3/5 stars.

You can buy your copies on Amazon.

Dialysis 2121 by Sujata Kohli - Book Review

Book Name - Dialysis 2121

Author - Sujata Kohli

Publisher - Invincible Publishers

Blurb -

Millions of innocent people, throng the Gigantic Multi/Super Specialty Hospitals every day each moment, some with cash, some with Govt. cards & yet some EWS, but all .... one and all .... having a common hope, brimming in their little hearts that they .... or their dear one ... their precious one .... would be saved, treated and cured and would return home with a smile. But it is not to be .... Little can they imagine that the simple doctor with the doctor's bag of yesteryears is no more that simple ... he is now a tycoon.... the simple small nursing home of yesteryears is now a giant corporate industry.... They or their dear ones can little imagine the encounter that awaits them.... with heavy dozes of medicines, multiple series of tests.... gigantic machines like CT Scan or other such......, used quite lightly... Through this attempt, author have tried to highlight the state of darkness, we are in, about the futility of this whole process in some kind of diseases; our lack of awareness about the alternative remedies and alternative systems like Unani, Ayurvaida, Homoepathy and various other systems, where there is an ancient concept of cure. Above all, a deep seated lack of respect in the minds of the Medical Professionals, for the alternative remedies.

Review -

Dialysis 2121 is an emotional tale about a girl and his mother. It really pains to see your loved one suffer from a medical condition and you can do nothing to help him out. A similar thing happens to the girl’s mother who has been her companion ever since her birth. The girl has never visualized her life without her mother. Bringing herself to the fact that her mother’s condition is deteriorating was really difficult for her.

The moment you start reading the book, you will find yourself in an alien place. You won’t understand where the story is heading to. Confusion will follow every page. But then a few chapters later, the story gains momentum. It grows somewhat interesting and engaging. 

The first person narrative adds a very personal touch to this book. The language is very casual which will make you feel like you have been talking to the narrator. The start of the books appears to be off the main track while the rest of it seems too detailed. The continuity is missing in this novel. A few chapters are really short and read like a diary entry. It was disappointing. There are many instances where you will wonder what is happening.

The emotional aspect of this novel is praiseworthy. You will be left teary-eyed.

I rate-

Cover: 2/5 

My overall rating for Dialysis 2121 is 2/5 stars. 

You can buy your copies of this book on Amazon.

The Talion Tale by Rahul Apte - Book Review

Book Name - The Talion Tale

Author - Rahul Apte

Blurb -

Just when Lieutenant Jamshed Hyatt Khan, lovingly called Jimmy, begins to feel that he can leave his tormented past behind and acquire some semblance of normalcy; a demonic machination of fate throws his life into irrevocable chaos. The heinous terror attack of 26/11 bereaves him of the love of his life and his family. Reeling with a grave sense of loss and helplessness, the enraged soldier vents his anger on a terrorist sympathizer in Kashmir, where he is posted. The extra judicial killing turns him into a pariah in the eyes of the Indian Army and a golden catch for the RAW; the Indian intelligence agency, which in the wake of 26/11, has received a secret mandate straight from the top. Devoid of reasons to live and stranded both personally and professionally, Jimmy is convinced by the RAW to undertake a covert surgical strike deep inside Pakistan. Initially annoyed at his systematic trapping, he gradually realizes that after four wars and decades of failed diplomacy, for Indians like him, a covert mission is the only way to secure justice. Thus, Lieutenant Jamshed Hyatt Khan dies and a coldblooded, lethal assassin is born, one who is driven only by revenge and has nothing to lose.

Will he succeed in his mission and secure justice for his nation as well as for himself? Meandering like a spy thriller, with its fair share of realistic twists and turns; 'The Talion Tale' is a cry for justice. It is also a tale of love, loss and the vengeance that is born out of it.

Review -

The Talion Tale is a real page turner. It keeps you on the edge. It will compel you to turn pages. This nail-biting thriller is an awesome treat for all thriller lovers.

The story is about a lieutenant general, Jimmy. Having lost his family and love interest in a bomb blast, revenge is the only thing on Jimmy's mind. Once a guy with good morals and behaviour seeks for the wrong. Will Jimmy avenge the death of his loved ones?

The plot has been well-crafted, keeping in mind the minute details. The story is being narrated in third person narrative. It has been done real good. However, the story shifts from 2009 to 1990s which confused me a bit. But it didn't affect the overall reading experience. The characters are unique and you tend to know more about them as you read the book.

The story offers you many new things and surprises you at the turn of every page. I could visualize the entire book playing like a movie in front of my eyes. I won't be surprised if this book is made into a movie.

I rate it with 5/5 stars.

You can buy your copies of this amazing thriller on Amazon.