Volcanic Moments

Writer: Mona Mohanty

Paperback: 144 pages

Publisher: Authorspress (2018)

Thankyou @hbb for the review copy, Mona’s book Volcanic Moments is a book comprising of 25 short stories. The stories vary in length but one thing remain common is persuasive story telling. Mona has weaved stories out of convoluted human relations and deals with ordeal the character faces. Her writing style is poignant and reflects the vitality. She has mooted some of evil menaces prevailing in our society and reflects on strange and complicated human mind and behavior. Her stories represent a mixed bag of emotions. Mona’s command on language make her readers aware of the scholar she is and her love of writing. She as a writer never leaves you wanting for more and each 25 stories have a perfect and beautiful end.

Book: Language-4/5, storytelling 4/5, cover 3/5

My 1^st perception of the book was not satisfactory, I thought the cover doesn’t add to the appeal. But as I progressed through the book my fallacy of judging the book by its cover went out of the window. The cover justifies beautifully the title and the stories. Each of the 25 stories are distinctly weaved. Different characters show acrid emotions and reflect how tyrant an individual can be. The stories typify the various abuse and demeanor prevailing in the society.

The Makeover :  one particular story that outshines, it deals with the life and challenges of acid attack victim.

https://www.amazon.in/Volcanic-Moments-Heart-Popping-Tales/dp/B07HJCCD93/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1550849504&sr=8-1&keywords=volcanic+moments

Magic Square

Magic Square: Shlini Vineeth

Format: Kindle Edition

File Size: 4432 KB

Print Length: 62 pages

Sold by: Amazon Asia-Pacific Holdings Private Limited

Language: English

Magic Square is a fast gripping tale of discovering a mystery. The mystery that starts with a book and the puzzle intensifies and the pieces are difficult to fit in. Magic square is Shilini Vineeth’s debut novel and boy she did have command on plot and characters and had readers attention throughout. The story is well plotted and the characters are minimal yet realistic and pragmatic throughout the story and shows vitality as the story grows. Shalini’s internment approach of starting a novel from a shabby computer lab and taking us on a journey is an eloquent way of storytelling.

Amudha as a character shows persistent determination and her journey from interview session to research lab is humorous. Your stint with puzzles at placement interview and the super chilled central AC is what I encountered most of the time. Though Amudha is stuck in wrong job that requires arduous labor she yet somehow manages to be cheerful and resourceful in spite of all the pittance. Dheeraj is a research fellow and shares a lab with Amudha and they share a cool vibe. Dheeraj is a genius who gave up a high paying job to change the world by joining research and aspired to be a Phd. In spite of his hard work he somehow managed to irk Dr. Murty and can’t get his thesis done.

With Dr. Murty summoning Dheeraj to the office and assigning him with some set of difficult mathematical problem. In tumultuous effort to get this problem done and get his research done they tried everything. With failing miserably, the last resort was an old book shop in hope of finding some solution. They did stumble upon a book that did have all the solution but the owner was not known and a beautiful poem was scribbled at the back of the book. The uncertainty in finding the owner of the book added to the puzzle. The more Amudha tried the cobwebs surrounding the book intensifies. The book eluded Amudha from her priorities and she take a journey to solve the puzzle. The journey is well described and thrilling. This Novella is a perfect read.

https://www.amazon.in/Magic-Square-Salini-Vineeth-ebook/dp/B07KSHCVQL/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1546529500&sr=8-1&keywords=magic+square+by+salini+vineeth

Minuscules- When less is more…..

Writer: Priyanka Bhatt

Format: Kindle Edition

File Size: 683 KB

Publisher: Notion Press; 1 edition (2018)

Language: English

Minuscules is one book that a reader can vouch for , reading this will  leave you delighted thank you @hbb for this review copy and @priyankabhatt for some dope writing. This book is exhuming and will restore your faith in poetry and beautiful writing. Book is engaging and manage to finish reading it in a single stretch of 2 hours. This book is unputdownable, reading miniscule was an enthralling experience. There is something in it for every kind of reader. The verses are short yet they speak your thoughts. The verses and poems of miniscule is like a rainbow it is poignant and have touched almost all the aspect of human emotions. Book left me agape reading it was supple and with every page I felt content. Miniscule is a trove of acrid emotion and reflects quintessential work put in by Priyanka. The mini tales are worthy enough to be turned into mini standalone movies. I end this review by 2 verses from the book read and ponder.

“Art is a natural way of healing, it gives us the key to freedom. Where we like birds, can travel far without any constraints. I have always believed that anyform of art brings joy, it carries an essence of beauty”

“He drank the most expensive wine,

Climbed the steepest mountain,

Swam the deepest ocean,

Visited the remotest place,

The prisoner experienced everything in confinement,

Who said books are boring”

https://www.amazon.in/Minuscules-when-less-Priyanka-Bhatt-ebook/dp/B07H5MMMML/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1542313358&sr=8-1

We Never Know

We Never Know

Writer: Bhumika Monani

Format: Kindle Edition

File Size: 2851 KB

Print Length: 145 pages

Publisher: Half Baked Beans (26 August 2018)

Language: English

Bhumika has diligently written her debut novel We Never Know, this in beginning seem to be a regular college story of ups and down but with Bhumika being a raconteur have beautifully narrated a tale in gusty manner. The characters and plot are realistic their persona makes them likeable and one can easily relate to them. Jigisha and Sushant‘s characters are not only adorable, realistic yet their struggle for survival will make you love them. I strongly believe one story can be told in numerous ways similarly Bhumika’s choice of character and narration is persuasive and segregates this from other college tale. We Never Know is a trove and the story telling is nimble, reading it was brisk and entertaining. The language is simple though some mistakes are prevalent yet leaves a profound aftereffect.

The story primarily revolves around Jigisha Sushant and Nikhil, Jigisha a literature major’s first day in college from Ajmer to a prestigious college where she encounters odd behavior of a group of popular students. These students mend their ways and influence the decision of college administration. Jigisha and Sushant elude these brats and make up a great team. The demeanor figure of influential kids make Jigisha and Sushant earn friends. The chapters are fun reading and easy to go through.

Cover: 3/5

Overall: 3/5

https://www.amazon.in/We-Never-Know-Bhumika-Monani-ebook/dp/B07GVR1Y7C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539011179&sr=8-1&keywords=we+never+know

Twenty-Three:

Collection of short stories

Paperback: 176 pages

Publisher: Notion Press 1^st edition 2017

Language: English

Writer: Bikramjit Sen

This is debut novel of Bikramjit Sen, A 21-year-old lad who has envied the rich values and cultural heritage of the city of joy Kolkata. His narration of stories is simple yet leaves a profound impact on the readers. The book comprises of 23 stories all vivid in nature scope and yet eloquent. They all belong to different genre and vastly covers different phases of character and life in general. Bikram’s storytelling leaves you in awe as some stories are humorous while some will grip you with grief and pain. The stories deal with philosophical mythological religious and few representing different personalities. His style of storytelling is supple and reminds you of folklore being told by grandparents. The language is simple yet eloquent, the anecdote leaves you wondering and pondering. These are small stories yet vastly any one of them could have been a full-blown story with standalone story as the characterization is strong and the storyline being rich. His influence of childhood regional tale and inquisitiveness can be seen oozing out from the stories. The essence of his thoughts can be identified by various dream narratives he has penned down as stories. His stories profoundly acknowledge the power of supreme, supernatural and one’s inner self and he has beautifully managed to craft stories out of such fragile topics.

Unleash, Raghu and his laptop are my favorite from the lot as both the story are some what similar yet there ends are opposite.

Great storytelling

Amazing cover

4/5

https://www.amazon.in/Twenty-Three-Collection-short-stories/dp/1948321254/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538059866&sr=8-1&keywords=twenty+three

ZIDD

Paperback: 162 pages

Publisher: Half Baked Beans (15 August 2018)

Language: English

Writer: Hetansh Desai.

The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away- William Shakespeare.

     Writer: Zidd means being Stubborn, the title aptly matches the storyline. Adamant to achieve aspire and love. Zidd is Hetansh Desai’s debut novel and boy he has perfectly book depicting love friendship and ambitions. This book is a fun read the story line is different than the regular love stories and the character drafting id eloquent. The traits the character possesses is peculiar and interesting. The subject is well researched and Hetansh education comes handy, if you are observant and keen to learn the book leaves you with some great business concept that can be easily come handy in real time situation. The character of Vihaan and Parth are poles apart yet the writer manages a beautiful friendship brewing amongst then. Hetansh’s storytelling is quirky and supple and he diligently takes care of the plot. There are no loose ends and humor is supple yet prominent. It is commendable how writer shows the importance of alternative studies. Would recommend people to read and will root for Hwtansh’s second book as well.

Story: The story starts on a promising note a train travel and a business discussion and it was here when Vihaan’s stroke with business began. 2 Different stories ply on same time parallel at different places in Guju land and later they tactfully unite as one and moved in union as if they were always meant so. Vihaan and Parth our protagonists are two vastly opposite heroes but their dreams help forges an undying friendship. Vihaan is rebellious talented yet lacked dedication until Raina comes into his life. Parth is a trailblazer hard worker and dedicated and he lacks resources and qualification. Raina is beautiful and enchanting yet she lacks conviction and surety if life. Her persona made Vihaan fell for her while it is here the actual story begins. The change of tides makes Vihaan dedicated and ambitious in making Raina realize what she has lost. The it is the hoarding that takes us on a roller coaster of a ride. The journey is humorous tactful and some great business strategy and ideas.

4 star

https://www.amazon.in/ZIDD-Hetansh-Desai/dp/B07GJLW5LH/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1537358571&sr=8-2

ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM by Suraj Laxminarayanan

Writer: Suraj’s love for crime and mystery thrillers can easily be identified by the quality of work he has put in his debut novel and yes, this book is mammoth. This book is well contrived and convoluted with diligence. Minute details were left by the writer all along the story and at the end beautifully ties all the loose ends. Suraj has been eloquent in story telling and gradually the story edifices to a grandeur prospect. Characters are well contrived and are persuasive, even the characters used for infinitesimal part justifies their role in the story. The background of the characters makes the story more prominent. The array of vivid characters is intricate yet they all fit in exemplary well. Suraj’s storytelling is supple and narration is realistic. I fell in love with the book right from the first chapter where a busy Chennai Street was depicted and Nari carried out his heist with ease. It requires some mantle to write a 598 page describing events on the course of 4 days but primarily focuses on a single day of robbery. The detailing is similar to that of Dan Brown and Suraj needs to be credited. I was intrigued by this book because of detailing plot twists and characterization. This book can easily be made into a movie or serial. Elephants in the room is quintessential work.

Story: A group of naïve teen age boys plan a bank robbery to come out of there woes, every one citing their own problems and their association with the bank some way or the other. These guys are broke famished and ill equipped yet they had a plan that could work. In order to make their plan work they planned small heist and theft to gather resources to complete their job. The day finally arrived and they headed to the bank to complete the job where they were confronted by an adversary gang different in their approach well equipped and seems a better plan but the timing being same. To there surprise the scene got weirder and complicated with introduction of a terrorist group ready to take the entire bank hostage and make illicit demands to the government and strike with a sinister plan in mind. The odds favor different gangs with plot changes and a truce between two gangs make it more interesting. The book takes its reader to and thrilling narration of events, Elephants in the room is an interesting and captivating read.

Kudos to Suraj for good work, 5/5 deserving stars. Only the cover could have been for appealing