Ganesha

Ganesha
An Afro- Asian Story

Author : DR SYD K
Publisher : Half Baked Beans
Pages : 191
Price : 63/- INR
Format : Kindle
Buy : Amazon India
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Blurb :
On the trail of Ganesha, the Afro-Asian calf, born by a quirk of fate and in the most improbable of circumstances in the wilds of East Africa in 1943. Then begins his journey to the Southern wilds of India and his fight for survival in those new wilds. 

Born on the same day as Ganesha in a rural hamlet of Southern India is Maari, who goes on to become one of the most dreaded poachers India has ever known. 

And know how their fates inevitably cross over the decades during which there are profound changes in both the political and ecological landscape of India.

Review :

This is my first book where protagonist and antagonist both are animals. The story is told from Ganesha's perspective.  Who happens to be an elephant. This story is a bitter sweet sentimental to the extreme and almost childlike in it's simplicity. What i really like about the DR SYD K writing is you could really get the feel of the characters being that they are elephant. Ganesha an Afro- Asian elephant. Who was born in Africa and transported to India as all the members of his herd died. Met  one-eyed and Dundubhi in India. I don't want to reveal much about the story. Read the book to unlock the story. The language of the book is simple. Cover page and title is apt to the story. This is a powerful book with many messages. A must read. Highly recommend.

Demons Of Time

Demons Of Time

Race To The 7th Sunset

Author : Varun Sayal
Publisher : Self Published
Pages : 218
Price : 279/- INR
Buy : Amazon India
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Blurb:

A time-traveling hero armed with a necromancy spell travels from 3057 BC to 2024 AD chasing a dark shadow from his past. He has only seven days before the apocalypse becomes inevitable.

3077 BC.Ancient India. A young child Tej and his mother were rescued from the atrocities of Kumbh, a demon of time. Their savior Rigu, a well-known sage, captured Kumbh inside a time-prison. Twenty years later, Tej's scars have healed, but the fire of revenge burns inside him, unabated.

Rigu reveals to Tej that Kumbh has escaped his time-prison and plans to decimate human life on a global scale. Tej has a chance to satiate his thirst for vengeance, but he must travel five thousand years into the future to the year 2024 AD and re-capture the demon. He races against time as he has only seven days, after which Kumbh will be invincible.

Time Travel meets Demonic Possession in this Hindu mythology inspired sci-fi thriller.

Review :

Demons of time is a striking and beautiful book.

Keep your mind and heart open when you open the book. It's a really a great piece of work. It's written in such an inspiring way, that it felt as if I am watching a movie. The description by author Varun Sayal wrote of every incident makes you feel that it is all real. The story revolve around Tej, Kumbh, Vetri and Guru. Tej and his mother was blocked by Kumbh and Vetri. Guru Rigu saved them and locked Kumbh and Vetri in a time prison. Read the book for to unlock the story. The language of the book is simple. Cover of the book compel you to give it a try and title is apt to the story. Book kept me hooked page to page.  A must read book. Highly recommend.

Boundless

Boundless

Author : Natasha Malpani Oswal
Publisher : The Write Place
Pages: 66
Price : 249/- INR
Buy: TheWritePlace.in
Rating : 5/5 Stars

Blurb :
Indian women are taught to put others before themselves from an early age. This book aims to change that. Boundless is a powerfully honest collection of poems that encourage a young India to find its own identity. The last ten years for the poet, Natasha Malpani Oswal, have been a journey in experimentation and self-discovery. Natasha has tried to capture her exploration of the idea of home and identity over this timeframe through these poems.
Review :
Beautifully crafted words. I Had Goosebumps.

Absolutely perfect !! My favorite poetry book. Definitely going to read once again soon. The book is divided into five parts.

Falling
Recovery
Belonging
Escape
Discovery

Besides the beautiful writings there are black and white images to accompany the poems and this collection just feels really polished well put together.
The cover of the book is unique and compel you to pick it up. Title is apt to the content of the book. Highly recommend.

Trapped

Trapped

Discover Yourself And Reinvent Your Life

Author : Rajat Chakraborty
Publisher : Author's Ink Publication s
Pages : 181
Price : 250/-
Buy : Amazon India
Rating : 3/5 Stars

Blurb :
Difficulties and hurdles are inevitable. Minor setbacks, major failures, degrees of struggle vary from person to person - no two are alike. When you find yourself questioning your strengths, that’s when you are faced with one major question - “Do I put my head down and try harder, do I seek help, or do I concede that I’m not meant to be doing this?”

This book is dedicated to the bright young minds who are confused or in doubt about taking the next step. It helps increase your self-awareness, and find the key to unlocking your true potential.
Review :
I did not really have any expectations going into this book. I read it very quickly in one day and I enjoyed it overall but it was nothing spectacular.
I liked the first part of the book the most
later on too many names and too many stories which made the book a little bit boring.Overall a nice book and indeed it inspire reader to turn to practical world as a way  to coping it up with the extremities and challenges of life.

Silver Hair Sins

Silver Hair Sins

Author : Saumick Pal
Publisher : The Write Place
Pages : 166
Price : 249/- INR
Buy : Amazon India
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Blurb :
Silver Hair Sins is one of India’s first visual-fiction, with more than half of the thriller narrated by cinematized photographs.
It is set in the future, at a time when religio-politico divide reaches its tipping point, and technology steps in to save humanity. An Artificial Intelligence (AI) merges All Religions to create One God AI.

BUT, WHAT IF THIS GOD AI IS MISGUIDED?

This gripping story is of a family – Mary, Azad and Aasma – as they grapple to survive the dystopian world of Murder, Manipulation, Sacrifice and Love.

Silver Hair Sins is a stark social commentary about today where aspects of religion are being selectively chosen by political and religious leaders, only to create and then exploit our differences.
SO, HOW DO WE EXPOSE THIS DARKNESS?
We need an excuse to flare an unsensational debate on Fanaticism, Intolerance, Apathy, Patriarchy and Hypocrisy, in our drawing rooms and cafeterias. Silver Hair Sins begs to be that very excuse.
Review :
An excellent read, thought provoking and insightful.Absolutely loved reading and leafing thru this book. Anyone who loves sci-fi will totally loved this book. The real beauty of this book are illustrations and unique storyline. I can't say much without giving the plot away, but this is a very very strange story expertly told without a single wasted word.The story revolves around Akbar , Meera , Azad , Aasma and Mary. Set in near future.Sinners were divided and they were controlled by the silver chips placed in their body which runs on AI ( Artificial Intelligence) CROSP ( Criminal Reform one silver Programme).The book takes a dig at issues and problems exist in society.( religion, caste,  gender inequality etc.).The cover of the book compel you to pick it up. Title is apt to the story. Language of the book is simple and easy to understand. Definitely a good summer afternoon read.
Highly recommend.

A Case Of Connections

A Case Of Connections

Author : Sayan Bhattacharya
Publisher : White Falcon Publishing
Pages : 239
Price : 285 INR
Buy : Amazon India
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Blurb :
During the late 1930s, an ambitious young Satyen embarks upon an apprenticeship opportunity, fuelled by his aspirations, leading him halfway around the world. He embraces the unknown and shapes his own destiny, as life throws him into challenging circumstances time and again in a foreign land! Naming a new-born grand-nephew with a less locally familiar English name, at the end of 1974, and leaving sketches of his life hidden away in a puzzle, Satyen remains an enigma to all who had known him! Who was this man... What steered his fate... What became of his dreams? ... Decades later, only fate can influence any rediscovery of the real Satyen, if such an occurrence could ever arise... Based on the true story of Satyen’s life, adventures, dreams and beyond, the novel captures the panoramic history of a family flung across geographies and spanning eight decades, in changing backgrounds and circumstances. The novel is also an insight into the stories of Atul and Andy, both related to Satyen, a generation beyond, who grow up in different times and geographies. The only thread that binds them is their strong passion to re-discover Satyen’s life story and to complete an unfinished family picture! Each in their own way embark upon a journey to connect…. Their travels and unwavering will in this new voyage of discovery, decades later, undertake search trails in Brussels and London where they literally walk in the footsteps of Satyen and re-construct his life. In a series of connected stories and characters, ‘A Case of Connections’, crosses the world from Calcutta to Leeds, London, Brussels and beyond to Ardee in Ireland, revealing how personal aspirations, conflicting ideologies, family emotions and relationships stand the test of time to finally reach the pinnacle of an unbelievable outcome!
Review :
Sayan Bhattacharya is such a good writer, not only does he have an amazing imagination that carries him to places but he is very skilled at writing. The description in the book are absolutely good. The story is revolve around Satyen , Andy and  Atul. The book contain 21 chapters, divided in five parts. This book beautifully discussed one emotion which is not so often discussed is that of expatriate guilt. The emotion and feeling and side effects of moving abroad. Atul and Andy characters are beautifully written.The narrative is smooth and has visual imaginary but lack uniqueness. Book is series of connected stories and characters. Going from places to places author beautifully covers all the city. From Calcutta to Leeds to Brussels to London. Title and cover of the book is apt to the story. Language is simple and easy to understand. If you are looking for a bit of curious adventure. Go for this book.
Highly recommend.

** This review is a part of the Blogchatter book review program **
https://www.theblogchatter.com/links-submission/a-case-of-connections/

Vanara

Vanara

The Legend of Baali, Sugreeva  And Tara

Author : Anand Neelakantan
Publisher : Penguin India
Pages : 309
Price : 350 INR
Buy: Amazon India
Rating : 5/5 Stars

Blurb :
Baali and Sugreeva of the Vana Nara tribe were orphan brothers who were born in abject poverty and grew up as slaves like most of their fellow tribesmen. They were often mocked as the vanaras, the monkey men. Sandwiched between the never-ending war between the Deva tribes in the north and the Asura tribes in the south, the Vana Naras seemed to have lost all hope. But Baali was determined not to die a slave. Aided by his beloved brother, Sugreeva, Baali built a country for his people. The capital city, Kishkindha, became a beacon of hope for emancipated slaves from across the world. It was a city of the people, by the people, for the people, where there was no discrimination based on caste, creed, language or the colour of skin. For a brief period in history, it seemed as if mankind had found its ideal hero in Baali. But then fate intervened through the beautiful Tara, the daughter of a tribal physician. Loved by Baali and lusted after by Sugreeva, Tara became the cause of a fraternal war that would change history for ever.
The love triangle between Baali, Tara and Sugreeva is arguably the world's first. Written by Anand Neelakantan who gave a voice to Ravana in Asura, Duryodhana in the Ajaya series and Sivagami in the Baahubali series, Vanara is a classic tale of love, lust and betrayal. Shakespearean in its tragic depth and epic in its sweep, Vanara gives voice to the greatest warrior in the Ramayana-Baali.
Review :
Vanara is a pure delight. I am constantly in awe of Anand Neelakantan. This book is a epic journey. Author is a superb storyteller with a vivid imagination. The book revolve around Baali the vanara king, Sugreeva ( Baali's Brother) and Tara Baali's wife. Story has everything Love, envy and betrayal.The characters were beautifully depicted. The cover of the book compel you to pick it up. Language is simple. The author demonstrate convincing insights into a thorough range of emotions.This book can be enjoyed by all age groups. A very well written book.
A must read. Highly recommend.