LOVE FOREVER @ RAJPATH

My dear Book Lovers and the ones who do not Love to Read too,

booktalereviews.com appeals on this World Book Day, to CONVERT
Yes, you read it right... let's convert from Non Readerism to Readerism...(just coined this term Readerism) #CelebrateBooks #Lovetoread #LoveForeverRajpath

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HAVE A LOOK HERE:

https://www.amazon.in/Love-Forever-Rajpath-Kalpana-Mishra-ebook/dp/B01F05234K?_encoding=UTF8&deviceType=desktop&qid=1492924295&ref_=tmm_kin_swatch_0&sr=8-1

ASHVAMEDHA...THE GAME OF POWER

ASHWAMEDHA

THE GAME OF POWER

BLURB:

You have to dethrone a powerful man to become the most powerful. I was itching to defeat the single most powerful person, but there wasn’t any. I was left with only one choice — to create one.”

Little does Ashwin Jamwal know that the last twenty-five years of his life have been controlled by a master manipulator, who wanted to make him the most powerful man on earth, though for a reason! Ashwin steps up to take oath as the youngest Prime Minister of India and is unknowingly thrown into a vortex of power and authority as the entire world is threatened by a faceless enemy — Hades.

The world starts to look up to Ashwin as the savior, but he was just a pawn, reared only to be sacrificed in the end.

A story of greed, lies, deceptions, manipulations and corruption, Ashvamedha is a thriller revolving around the infamous game of power in a maddening bid to seek absolute control.

The Title:

It appeared to be a very intriguing title to me. As per Wikipedia, in ancient India, Kings to prove their imperial sovereignty by releasing a horse accompanied by the king's warriors to wander for a period of one year.  In the territory traversed by the horse, any rival could dispute the king's authority by challenging the warriors accompanying it. After one year, if no enemy had managed to kill or capture the horse, the animal would be guided back to the king's capital. It would be then sacrificed, and the king would be declared as an undisputed sovereign.

If Wikipedia is to be believed, the Title is the most apt for this political thriller. It is a game of power indeed, where the horse or Ashwin Jamwal is reared only to be sacrificed in the end. So, whether the centre of power remains with one King or is shifted to the other one, the Horse has to be sacrificed beyond doubts.

My Take:

I always believe that a good beginning is half the job done. The debut of the author Aparna Sinha is no doubt a good one. Some typographical errors here and there do not really matter. The end was no doubt a surprise, this is a different matter altogether that I could not agree with it. However, that is my personal perception. The author has all the freedom in the world to use her creativities.

Full points on the language, the cover page and the presentation style.

SUMMARISATION:

Has anyone watched the 24 series..if not..please watch it.

Points: 4/5

ARJUN, WITHOUT A DOUBT

Blurb of the Book:

I knew there was nothing poetic about death. I knew not that the most horrific battles are fought off the battlefield.

Arjun: The idealist in a non-ideal world; the warrior whose deadliest opponent was his conscience. History forgot his voice, but misquoted his silence.

My self-esteem originates from me and ends in me. Why does your honor depend on me? Find your own.

Draupadi: The untamed tigress, the fragrant flame, the unbridled spirit.

Power does not justify sin. Power is not virtue. Virtue is that which lasts in spite of power.

Krishn: The enigma whose unique ideology churned the battlefield into a quest for Truth.

The Missile…The Trajectory…The Vision. The trio that makes for the core of The Mahabharata. This is their saga. Insightful, visceral and candid.

Know the Author

Dr. Shinde Sweety holds a Doctorate in Medicine. She is an avid Mahabharata fan, voracious reader, yoga enthusiast, student of Spanish and yearns to learn Sanskrit. Personally, Dr Shinde Sweety is skilled at pencil sketching, loves to daydream and swim. She is curious about the Mystic & Mystique, crazy about soulful music and content to be cocooned in a dream world.

My Take: Knowing my interest in reading stories, my father had got me my first books on the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana, when I was in Class Eight or Nine. I read it without taking a break then, and I read Arjun, Without a Doubt, without taking a break even now. I re-realised my love for mythology with this book. 

At that tender age when I had read the first version of this epic called Mahabharata, I had a few questions still unanswered, and I am glad to share that this book answered most of them. It’s the answer to all those people who feel that it was Draupadi who was responsible for the war called Mahabharata. 

Before reading this book, I used to firmly believe that it was Duryodhan whose greed to the throne led to this war. But, hold on, there are other grey characters

too. None, absolutely none is without grey shades in their character. Even Arjun, the hero of the book, has himself admitted that he was one of the offenders.

I used to feel that Draupadi was one of the victims. The feeling has been reinforced by this book, but the book also throws light on the fact that Draupadi was a Tigress, she was not a dumb character leading her life only on the mercy of her five husbands, that more than becoming the victim in the hands of Duryodhan and party, she was a victim of her own clan including the adamancy of Mata Kunti, the lust of her supposedly elder brothers-in-law Yudhistir and Bhim and the timidness of her younger brothers-in-law Nakul and Sahdev.

I could have written so much about this book, but that would take away from the reader the joy of reading the book, the suspense of the interpretation. Hence, I would stop here itself.

A wonderful book, which will not allow you to keep it aside till the last page. I would personally like to request the author to take up other epics from the point of Sita and one from the point of view of Radha.

Title:    With due respect to the author’s choice, the Title Arjun, Without a Doubt” , to my understanding is mis-kept and could be replaced with probably, “Draupadi, The Empress” or “Draupadi, The Tigress”.

Cover Page:    Wished to see a trace of Draupadi or as she was fondly called Krishnaa on the cover page for the same reasons that I found this to be doing justice towards the female protagonist.

Publishers:  This one is a leadstart publication.

Overall Rating:           4.5/5

LET THE GAME BEGIN

BLURB:

Two kingdoms, Chaturanga and Sarprakt, separated by a mystic mountain range are at war with each other since ages. Chaturanga, ruled by King Viratha, is soon bestowed with a dynamic heir, and the whole kingdom is drowned in rituals and festivity. On the other side, Sarprakt is executing a cruel conspiracy. King Viratha, crippled by the conspiracy, urges the mysterious man of the mountain to devise a method to recreate the conspiracy and that gave birth to 'The Game of Chess'.

**** 

Serial killings shock the nation as the police are rendered clueless. The killer leaves behind a trail of chess pieces with a strange message. Random people are murdered. Connoisseurs of different fields - History, Chess and the Security forces - have united as the next intended victim is the most powerful person of the country. How is Chess involved in the whole scenario? How will they find a man who died 4000 years ago? Can a person defy the laws of nature? Does history really repeat itself? Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

My Take: Marvellous piece of work, amazing characterisation and plotting, flawless writing and above all editing was a masterstroke too.

Having a number of twists and turns, I would like to keep it in the genre of Thrillers. The conceptualisation is too good from an author who is only two books old.

The Story revolves around two Kingdoms in the past, Chaturanga and Sarprakt, and travels to the present day scenario in the life of the History Sir Dinesh Gandhi. A lot of efforts and thinking has gone into plotting of the characters. I am sure that while writing, going back to the past and then coming back to the present day scenario, is very tough, and more so, if the past and present combination has been done in the same chapter. The author has made it look so simple with his effortless style of writing and clarity of thoughts. Nowhere did I feel that the story was dragging or was boring.

I personally liked the appeal to the readers from the Editor of the book “Dhivya Balaji”.

Sandeep’s style of writing has once again confirmed by belief that Engineers are awesome authors too. I really wonder sometimes, as to what exactly do they teach in Engineering Colleges.

TO buy the book online: 

http://www.amazon.in/Let-Game-Begin-SANDEEP-SHARMA/dp/9385783467/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1464235608&sr=1-1&keywords=let+the+game+begin

Points: 4.5/5

ANYTHING TO LOOK HOT

About the Author: Dr JAS KOHLI

Dr Kohli is a Plastic Surgeon by profession, and that reflects in his book too. A wonderful piece of work made me re-think my perceptions about Doctors. Doctors and that too Doctors working in the Government Hospitals, to my understanding are over-worked people with grey hairs, bordering to crazy kind of an attitude. However, Dr Kohli is definitely set on a mission to change the attitude of people like me towards people like him.

In the words of the author, “If I can demystify plastic surgery and bring the doctors and the patients closer, I would be more than happy.” . RIGHTS RESERVED

So, let us move on to the book quickly to get an insight into whether he has been able to use his profession to bring his readers closer to the doors of the Plastic Surgeons or not.

The Book Blurb:    

When the superstar diva of the past decade doesn’t want to play the hero’s mother on screen, she insists that she be reshaped into the most beautiful woman in the world…by any means.

This is just one of the many odd situations which plastic surgeon Dr. Dhruv faces in Mumbai. He has dealt with tyrannical bosses and finicky patients while undergoing his training, during which he has also won over a stunning doctor as his life partner. But satisfying the movie stars is a different ball game, because every girl wishes to have bee-stung lips, and every guy wants to flaunt a six-pack abdomen without working too hard. And all this while, he has to resist losing his balance over his ravishing female clients. Will he be able to become the don amongst the plastic surgeons of Mumbai, or return back to his home town? Dr. Dhruv’s journey surpasses even a masala movie for humour, drama and action. In debunking many a myth about cosmetic surgeries, the book will enthrall those who can do Anything to Look Hot.

Reader’s point of view:  

When I got this book for review alongwith other books, I kept it for the last, thinking that this must be confessions of a Doctor, as the tagline says “Candid Confessions of a Plastic Surgeon”, and who is interested in reading the confessions of a Surgeon.

But this Doctor, or should I say a part time author, rather he should be called a Part Time Astronomer , a part time bird watcher,... and the list is endless. He is truly a creative persona with a superb wit.

My Take:  

A wonderful book, which will not allow you to keep it aside till the last page. The author is well versed with his subject, and his writing skills make him a wonderful author covering all the aspects of his wide range of experiences in an interesting manner. Its a novel which takes through the world of plastic surgery through the eyes of its protagonist Dr Dhruv, which seems to be the alter-ego of the author himself. The story begins when he gets the degree of a Plastic Surgeon and through his busy schedule meets his better half. Being a lady, I appreciated the fact that although his profession guaranteed him beautiful clients, he never strayed even when the protagonist and his wife were living in different cities for three complete years. The Doctors always have to take their success with a pinch of salt. I observed that in parts, the author was overtaken by the Doctor in him, which is why, too much of details could not be ignored.

Cover Page: 

A beautiful cover page, which could have been better designed.

Publishers:  

This one is published by my favourite Publishers, SRISHTI PUBLISHERS. Really hats off to them for taking on new authors with such diverse range.

Overall Rating:       4.5/5

LOVE HEALS EVERYTHING

About the Author:   AKANSH MALIK

Akansh is the author of the book “Love Heals Everything”. He completed his graduation in BBA from SH.L.N. Hindu College, Rohtak and is a scholar from Model School, Rohtak. At the very young age of 18, circumstances forced him to enter his family business, and he became an entrepreneur. 

In his debut book, he has tried to give love a new definition. He has depicted how love is an integral part of one’s life and that the power of love can heal anything.

THE BLURB:

Two people met by chance and fell for each other, wanting to spend the rest of their lives in each other's arms. Aarush, the handsome hunk, who doesn’t believe in God, falls head over heels in love with the religious Aarohi. But things take a sharp turn when Aarohi comes to know that her cousin, who is like her blood sister, has fallen for Aarush as well. Will Aarohi sacrifice her love for her sister or will her sister realize that her love is only one sided? Standing in the middle of this crossroad, what decision will Aarush take? Read and witness a story of blossoming love unfold, with its own share of trials, tribulations...and triumph...

About the book :    

The book seems to be a good work of fiction. The boy is presumably falling in love for the second time in life, and how this love changes his life from being an agnostic to the one who bows down his head to all the Gods in all the Temples, Churches, Mosques that he comes across. The protagonist, Aarav is an intelligent character doing good in his job, falls for his best friend’s (a girl) cousin. Little does he realise that even the best friend is in love with him. So now there is a  love triangle too. However, this story is much more than that. Its a roller coaster towards the end where one actually feels for the characters and lives every moment with them.

Positive:         

I saw tears falling on the book in the end. Were they my tears, or were they the tears of the characters?

Publisher:     Petals Publishers

Surprisingly, many books coming to me for a review are from Petals Publishers. This book is the third one from Petals and I felt that this time the book has been edited well. Barring a few   typographical errors, everything has been taken care of.

POINTS: 4.5/5

LOVE STORY? Seriously !

About the Author:    Shivi Pandey

This is the debut book from Mr. Shivi Pandey,  and he has done a good job. He is working in Cognizant Technology Solutions. Hence I feel after Engineering Colleges, it is probably the Cognizant Tech Solutions which is responsible for giving birth to writers and authors now. The case in reference is Mr. Ajay Kumar Pandey, author of “You are the Best Wife”.

THE BLURB:

The sanguine sun is just preparing to slumber and the filtered glare from it striking the scene makes it even more alluring .The flock of birds are moving together in a v shaped structure and it looks as if they are returning to their home after a long tedious day's hard work .The fact that they are all together in every aspect of life brings strength and calmness to my dilapidating heart. It is even more mesmerizing to find the three best people of my life beside me.
SAMAR: The epitome of the story, takes you on an amazing voyage of his life. He recalls his friends and all his unsuccessful love interests - Sapna, Samriddhi and Surbhi.

What happens when you fall in love? What happens when you fall out of it? What happens when you are unwanted? What happens when you are cheated and still coined a cheater? Can there be a reason to not like someone? Can there always be a reason to like someone? Explore answers to all these questions along with Samar on his journey in search of true love. It brings you, yet another unconventional love story of all times. The author intends to bring about the fact that can this also be a love story and leaves the readers to decide enquiring them Love Story? Seriously!

About the book :      

The book seems to be a true story, atleast first 75 % is surely a true story, as the details match with the Author’s biodata given in the book. The protagonist, to begin with, is a child studying in class 8^th and is being sent to a boarding school. I could, somehow sympathise with the child because of the trauma that he has to undergo. It really pinches you hard and makes you think whether all boarding schools are like this. Since the story begins with the scene where the child is reaching the boarding school, I actually wanted to know, the background, the reasons as to why was he being made to go to a place, which he never wanted to go, or of which he had heard horrifying stories about. The middle part of the story is fine, and the last part is again something which makes you sit straight and take note of.

Positive: 

If the author’s intention was to create sympathy in the mind of the readers as regards the child who is having a horrifying experience initially, and as an a dult who has just seen the face of happiness only to be haunted by a deadly disease, then he has done his job.

Vocabulary of the author could be termed as Good.

Negatives:       The book seems more of a diary account.

Publisher:       Petals Publishers

This book is second one from Petals that I am reviewing, and I felt that with due respects to the Publisher, The book has not been edited well. There are a number of spelling mistakes, which I hope will be corrected in the next print.