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My Girly Unicorn is an adventure story of a unicorn with a mass of colorful hair and a purple horn. The girly unicorn is ignored and bullied by other unicorns in the rainbow playground. But when the cloud monsters hide the sun and flood the place, the unicorns are scared and have nowhere to go. It’s up to the girly unicorn to save the day.
The book deals with bullying by friends for being different. It shows how the bullies ultimately needed the girly unicorn to save them. It talks of doing your thing even if no one supports you and being confident to take on the obstacles and tide over them.
The illustrations are bright, colorful, and oh-so-pretty. The book is in portrait (vertical) orientation with the text printed below the illustrations (almost as a footnote). The rhyming verse was going great until I stumbled at one point. Sigh!
Nevertheless, My Girly Unicorn should be picked up for the illustrations. The gray looming clouds have such cutely wicked smiles and vampire-ish teeth, lol.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Newhall Publishing Co., and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#MyGirlyUnicorn #NetGalley
The book deals with bullying by friends for being different. It shows how the bullies ultimately needed the girly unicorn to save them. It talks of doing your thing even if no one supports you and being confident to take on the obstacles and tide over them.
The illustrations are bright, colorful, and oh-so-pretty. The book is in portrait (vertical) orientation with the text printed below the illustrations (almost as a footnote). The rhyming verse was going great until I stumbled at one point. Sigh!
Nevertheless, My Girly Unicorn should be picked up for the illustrations. The gray looming clouds have such cutely wicked smiles and vampire-ish teeth, lol.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Newhall Publishing Co., and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#MyGirlyUnicorn #NetGalley
Publication Date: 05th August 2022
4 Stars
One Liner: Engaging read with some great description
Ari Walker’s fiancé drowned in the stormy Atlantic Ocean two years ago. His words about the water witch, the lost city of Ys, and the curse continue to hound her. Ari wants nothing more than to bury herself in her university work. But when Jason asks her to visit him in Simon’s town, she has no choice but to go.
As a non-believer in fantasy tales, Ari is confused and unsure when she finds a mask during her archeological dive into the sea. Her interaction with Rafael gets complicated as she is torn between accepting the strange happenings in the town and dismissing them.
But Rafael has everything at stake. After all, every man in his family got killed before their thirty-fifth birthday. With less than a month away from his own thirty-fifth birthday, Rafael is desperate and determined to get Ari’s help.
Can they break the curse by finding the lost city of Ys before it is too late? Will Ari and Rafael acknowledge their feelings for each other?
The story comes from the limited third-person POV of Ari and Rafael.
What I Like:
The book starts slow but picks up pace once the basics are established. I love the seamless blending of reality and fantasy.
The descriptions are beautiful and vivid. I could visualize the settings with ease. It adds to the atmosphere and elevates the storyline.
I remember how the FMC in [b:The Bookbinder's Daughter|58748529|The Bookbinder's Daughter|Jessica Thorne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1628678760l/58748529._SY75_.jpg|92478950] didn’t feel capable of carrying the story. Here, Ari does a great job of taking the story forward.
Ari and Rafael are well-etched. They are confident yet vulnerable. Capable but doubtful. They work well together in the book, even if the love track didn’t get enough depth to double the impact.
While it is a mystery at its core, I could guess most of it. Luckily, I didn’t read it as a mystery book but more as a fantasy read.
The storyline is based on local folklore in the region (in Brittany, France). I love the way the author wove her plotline around it.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
My only grouse with the book is that some aspects were left without explanation. A certain character seemed to be created for the sake of it. There just isn’t enough backstory. I wanted more about Ari and Rafael’s past.
It’s not common for me to wish a book to have more pages (I prefer smaller books), but this one needed another 15-20 pages to provide more depth to the main characters and use the side characters to their full potential.
To sum up, The Water Witch is an engaging and entertaining read if you like contemporary fantasy with some mystery and romance thrown in.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheWaterWitch
4 Stars
One Liner: Engaging read with some great description
Ari Walker’s fiancé drowned in the stormy Atlantic Ocean two years ago. His words about the water witch, the lost city of Ys, and the curse continue to hound her. Ari wants nothing more than to bury herself in her university work. But when Jason asks her to visit him in Simon’s town, she has no choice but to go.
As a non-believer in fantasy tales, Ari is confused and unsure when she finds a mask during her archeological dive into the sea. Her interaction with Rafael gets complicated as she is torn between accepting the strange happenings in the town and dismissing them.
But Rafael has everything at stake. After all, every man in his family got killed before their thirty-fifth birthday. With less than a month away from his own thirty-fifth birthday, Rafael is desperate and determined to get Ari’s help.
Can they break the curse by finding the lost city of Ys before it is too late? Will Ari and Rafael acknowledge their feelings for each other?
The story comes from the limited third-person POV of Ari and Rafael.
What I Like:
The book starts slow but picks up pace once the basics are established. I love the seamless blending of reality and fantasy.
The descriptions are beautiful and vivid. I could visualize the settings with ease. It adds to the atmosphere and elevates the storyline.
I remember how the FMC in [b:The Bookbinder's Daughter|58748529|The Bookbinder's Daughter|Jessica Thorne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1628678760l/58748529._SY75_.jpg|92478950] didn’t feel capable of carrying the story. Here, Ari does a great job of taking the story forward.
Ari and Rafael are well-etched. They are confident yet vulnerable. Capable but doubtful. They work well together in the book, even if the love track didn’t get enough depth to double the impact.
While it is a mystery at its core, I could guess most of it. Luckily, I didn’t read it as a mystery book but more as a fantasy read.
The storyline is based on local folklore in the region (in Brittany, France). I love the way the author wove her plotline around it.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
My only grouse with the book is that some aspects were left without explanation. A certain character seemed to be created for the sake of it. There just isn’t enough backstory. I wanted more about Ari and Rafael’s past.
It’s not common for me to wish a book to have more pages (I prefer smaller books), but this one needed another 15-20 pages to provide more depth to the main characters and use the side characters to their full potential.
To sum up, The Water Witch is an engaging and entertaining read if you like contemporary fantasy with some mystery and romance thrown in.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheWaterWitch
*Long Review Alert*
1.5 Stars
One Liner: A colonized retelling written for the Western and west-aligned audiences.
Let me first share how the rating reached 1.5 stars.
• The first 30% - 4 stars despite the slow narration and the feeling of reading about Medieval European kingdoms rather than an Indian setting.
• The book up to 55% - 3.5ish stars as things got repetitive and the colonial influence was beginning to become prominent. (Also, the story deviated too much from the original.)
• The book up to 70% - 2.7 stars because Sita’s introduction read like something from a regency novel, and Sita’s characterization was horrible.
• By the end of the last page – 2 stars still because I’m not new to this kind of portrayal of Rama promoted by a certain ‘intellectual’ crowd.
• The next morning - 1.5 star as the patterns become clear. The retelling is much more than just another perspective. It fits like a perfect puzzle piece in the global anti-Hindu narrative to normalize Hinduphobia, given the target audience.
Note: Just as the author has FoE to write her perspective, I have the FoE to dislike it and express my opinion. I know this is beyond comprehension for some people but try to get used to it.
Please read the working definition of Hinduphobia to get a better idea.
Source: Understanding Hinduphobia
*****
Summary based on the blurb from Goodreads:
Kaikeyi is the only daughter of the Kekaya kingdom and the third wife of King Dasharath of Ayodhya. She is also a girl who grew up being ignored by her father and learning to care for her brothers when her mother was banished from the kingdom. Even her marriage was nothing more than an alliance between kingdoms.
However, Kaikeyi grows up to become an independent woman, a warrior, diplomat, and the most favored queen. She’s a powerful queen and a loving mother. But her one wish turns the world upside down and makes her a villain. Is that all there is to her?
What is it about her life that we don’t know? What is Kaikeyi’s story?
*****
The cover and POV were enticing enough for me to request an ARC though I am wary of retellings of Indian epics. I should’ve paid more attention to the blurb. I mean, those who understood Ramayana would know that Kaikeyi is a warrior queen and the favorite wife. She is also more of a mother to Rama, though Kaushalya is his birth mother. Kaikeyi was never sidelined. She was right there in the middle, always.
I’ve never hated her or been told that she is the evil stepmother. Kaikeyi, to me, was the only one capable to set things in motion. Rama is Kaushalya’s son, and she wouldn’t ask for her child to be exiled.
Sumitra is the second wife of Dasharath and gets minimum importance from all sides. She neither enjoys the privileges of Kaushalya nor Kaikeyi. In fact, Dasarath gives the kheer after yajna only to Kaushalya and Kaikeyi. The two ladies feel sad and share a portion of their kheer with Sumitra, and thus she has twins. It’s no wonder that her sons, Lakshmana and Shatraguna are closer to Rama and Bharath, respectively, rather than sharing the close bond twins usually have.
Why would Dasarath even bother if Sumitra asked for Rama's exile? She’d be exiled instead. Kaikeyi is the only one who has enough grit, command, and control to make it happen. She is an obvious choice. And why does Rama have to be exiled?
If he stayed in Ayodhya as a king, he wouldn’t be able to kill the thousands of Rakshasas in Dandakaranya or put an end to Ravana’s atrocities.
(Moreover, Ravana is an incarnation of one of Vishnu’s guards in Vaikuntam. When cursed for not doing their duty properly, the guards chose to take three births as evil kings so that Vishnu would arrive to kill them.)
If Rama wasn’t exiled, he wouldn’t be able to meet Sabari, the old devout who waited all her life just to get a glimpse of her beloved God. Kaikeyi got the raw end of the deal when she’s chosen to change the narrative, yes. But she was the only one strong enough to carry the responsibility.
When I picked this book, my expectations were that the book would explore the grey areas, look at the intricacies in the epic; not create a black and white scenario by reversing the roles of Rama and Ravana. I would have appreciated even the role reversal if it was an original idea. It is a brave thing to do, after all. Alas, the concept is neither original nor fresh. It’s a part of a larger narrative being introduced to the world at large for a while now.
To see that the book with so much potential turned into a colonial narrative retelling to suit the established anti-Hindu global narrative is painful.
*****
What I Liked:
The concept of the Binding Plane was fantastic. I loved reading about the threads, how Kaikeyi learned to use them, and the way her powers grew over the years.
I enjoyed her interactions with Yudhajit, her twin brother, and Manthara, the maidservant who takes care of Kaikeyi.
Kaikeyi’s asexuality was subtly handled. It isn’t the major focus of the book but weaves in and out of the narrative to establish her relationship with Dasharath and his wives.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
Retellings are a fine balance between staying true to the original and bringing in a new perspective. This book has quite a lot of additions and changes. It is much different from the original (though there are at least two dozen versions, not counting contemporary retellings). While I liked some, the others didn’t work too well.
The book was 432 pages long and was slow. The narration just didn’t seem to move ahead, given that there’s a lot to read about Kaikeyi’s childhood, her thoughts and feelings about herself and others.
While I appreciated the concept of feminism, I didn’t like how the epic was interpreted and represented from a colonial lens. Hinduism is a non-Abrahamic religion with Gods of different genders. Why would Gods be annoyed that Kaikeyi wants a better place for women in society? Why would Maa Shakti sit and smile if another God said women should bow their heads and do what they are told? She’s more likely to burn down the universe in reply.
Sita is neither a millennial nor Gen Z. She is an incarnation of Maa Lakshmi herself (not some God-touched little chit). Reducing her to some anxiety-ridden, confused, helpless wife of a power-hungry prince (Rama) is the worst characterization. As such, I’m annoyed with how the TV shows and movies make her cry buckets in Lanka. This one made that look respectable in comparison.
Lakshman is the younger brother of Rama, and Sita is his older brother’s wife. He will never ever address her by her given name, even when talking about her to another person. She will never be just ‘Sita’ to Lakshman. In our households, siblings don’t refer to their older brothers’ wives by their names. It has to be accompanied by terms like Bhabhi or Vadina (etc.).
The duration for exile was 14 years. Fourteen. Not ten. It can’t be a typo if it is repeated more than once.
As far as I know, Rama’s gurus were Maharishi Vashistha and Brahmarshi Viswamitra. Sage Vamadeva Gautama wasn’t one. And, Ahalya turns back from stone to a human when Viswamitra takes Rama and Lakshamana to help kill Maarich and Subhahu. It doesn’t happen during Rama’s exile.
The Jain version of Ramayana says Sita is Ravana and Mandodhari’s daughter. However, when astrologers predict that she will bring Lanka’s downfall, Ravana orders to get rid of her. The servants instead put her in a box and bury her in the earth. Nowhere does Ravana know Sita is his daughter or have maternal feelings for her.
In fact, there’s another version of Sita coming from Lanka. She is an incarnation of Vedavati, a pious woman who Ravana tried to molest. She burns herself, and Ravana collects her ashes in a box. Mandodhari finds the box of ashes and realizes the impending danger. She gets the box buried, which reaches Mithila with Sita inside.
Ravana had to be killed not because of his inventions (a typical colonial view). It was because he lost the reasoning to distinguish between right and wrong.
Ravana was a scholar, 100% true. But he was also a rapist. I’m sorry I can’t be a ‘rebel feminist’ and declare my love and support for him (I already have ‘friends’ who do that). Showing Ravana as some sort of progressive ruler while ignoring all the women he assaulted and kidnapped for personal pleasure doesn’t sit well with me.
The portrayal of Rama as a manipulative, misogynistic, narcissistic, war-loving prince aligns with the misinterpretations shared by the ‘famous’ Audrey Truschke, a so-called scholar of Hindu Studies. How can someone with missionary parents, in-laws, and husband, who spent every waking hour converting idolaters to Christianity, teach Hindu Studies without bias? Her misinterpretations and role in the Global Dismantling Hindutva Conference are not unknown.
Even if I ignore this, what I cannot forget is how this representation affects young Hindu students. When Hindus are branded terrorists by Hinduphobic associations for not toeing in line, when ‘Jai Shri Ram’ is projected as a hateful war cry, a Ramayana retelling with Rama as a war-loving and manipulative prince is like adding fuel to fire. Readers who have no idea about the original will not think twice about attacking Hindus for worshipping Rama.
(Don’t even tell me it won’t happen. I’ve seen enough idiots who use fictional retellings and dramatized movies/TV shows to assert their points as ‘facts’.)
More Incidents that are Different from Ramayana:
Ravana and Kaikeyi don’t meet. They don't have such friendly conversations. Kaikeyi’s mother being Ravana’s Minister of Finance in Janasthana is not mentioned anywhere.
Mandodhari doesn’t die before Rama and Sita marry. In fact, she lives long after Ravana gets killed by Rama. She marries Vibheeshna (Ravana’s brother who takes the throne) to assist him to manage the kingdom.
Raja Janaka (Sita’s father) was a Rajrishi (as in a king who is a rishi or gyani). Mithila had different traditions and cultures compared to Ayodhya. Sita grew up to be a strong woman because the rules were less rigid in Mithila, and she is the daughter of the earth.
Sita’s swyamvar contest was to lift the mighty Shiv Dhanush and string it. Not to hit any target (like it was in Mahabharata). Moreover, Rama’s family doesn’t travel to Mithila in advance. They go after Rama wins the swyamvar. Rama and Lakshmana go to Mithila with Brahmarshi Viswamitra.
The concept of the Rama avatar was that Vishnu would take birth as a human. It means he would make the same mistakes as humans and suffer like us. Maa Lakshmi joins him as his wife because she doesn’t want to stay apart from him for longer than necessary. That puts her in the same place as humans, and she has to go through her share of suffering. Rama doesn’t think he is God or act like one. He becomes a God after the avatar ends. There’s a difference.
I could go on and on, but I choose to end it here. Though I love the concept of Binding Plane, the rest of it spins out of control. The main reason I picked the book was to read how Kaikeyi’s view was presented. I am left with immense dissatisfaction.
Thank you, NetGalley and Redhook Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
*****
P.S: A part of me wanted to not review the book, but I decided it needs to be done. This is the longest review I’ve ever written. If you've read the entire thing, thank you. I appreciate it.
*****
PPS: Can someone please make it easier to format review on Goodreads? Please!
1.5 Stars
One Liner: A colonized retelling written for the Western and west-aligned audiences.
Let me first share how the rating reached 1.5 stars.
• The first 30% - 4 stars despite the slow narration and the feeling of reading about Medieval European kingdoms rather than an Indian setting.
• The book up to 55% - 3.5ish stars as things got repetitive and the colonial influence was beginning to become prominent. (Also, the story deviated too much from the original.)
• The book up to 70% - 2.7 stars because Sita’s introduction read like something from a regency novel, and Sita’s characterization was horrible.
• By the end of the last page – 2 stars still because I’m not new to this kind of portrayal of Rama promoted by a certain ‘intellectual’ crowd.
• The next morning - 1.5 star as the patterns become clear. The retelling is much more than just another perspective. It fits like a perfect puzzle piece in the global anti-Hindu narrative to normalize Hinduphobia, given the target audience.
Note: Just as the author has FoE to write her perspective, I have the FoE to dislike it and express my opinion. I know this is beyond comprehension for some people but try to get used to it.
Please read the working definition of Hinduphobia to get a better idea.
“Hinduphobia is a set of antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes and behaviors towards Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Hindus that may manifest as prejudice, fear, or hatred.
Hinduphobic rhetoric reduces the entirety of Sanatana Dharma to a rigid, oppressive, and regressive tradition. Prosocial and reflexive aspects of Hindu traditions are ignored or attributed to outside, non-Hindu influences. This discourse actively erases and denies the persecution of Hindus while disproportionately painting Hindus as violent. These stereotypes are used to justify the dissolution, external reformation, and demonization of the range of indigenous Indic knowledge traditions known as Sanatana Dharma.
The complete range of Hinduphobic acts extends from microaggressions to genocide. Hinduphobic projects include the destruction and desecration of Hindu sacred spaces; aggressive and forced proselytization of Hindu populations; targeted violence towards Hindu people, community institutions, and organizations; and, ethnic cleansing and genocide.”
Source: Understanding Hinduphobia
*****
Summary based on the blurb from Goodreads:
Kaikeyi is the only daughter of the Kekaya kingdom and the third wife of King Dasharath of Ayodhya. She is also a girl who grew up being ignored by her father and learning to care for her brothers when her mother was banished from the kingdom. Even her marriage was nothing more than an alliance between kingdoms.
However, Kaikeyi grows up to become an independent woman, a warrior, diplomat, and the most favored queen. She’s a powerful queen and a loving mother. But her one wish turns the world upside down and makes her a villain. Is that all there is to her?
What is it about her life that we don’t know? What is Kaikeyi’s story?
*****
The cover and POV were enticing enough for me to request an ARC though I am wary of retellings of Indian epics. I should’ve paid more attention to the blurb. I mean, those who understood Ramayana would know that Kaikeyi is a warrior queen and the favorite wife. She is also more of a mother to Rama, though Kaushalya is his birth mother. Kaikeyi was never sidelined. She was right there in the middle, always.
I’ve never hated her or been told that she is the evil stepmother. Kaikeyi, to me, was the only one capable to set things in motion. Rama is Kaushalya’s son, and she wouldn’t ask for her child to be exiled.
Sumitra is the second wife of Dasharath and gets minimum importance from all sides. She neither enjoys the privileges of Kaushalya nor Kaikeyi. In fact, Dasarath gives the kheer after yajna only to Kaushalya and Kaikeyi. The two ladies feel sad and share a portion of their kheer with Sumitra, and thus she has twins. It’s no wonder that her sons, Lakshmana and Shatraguna are closer to Rama and Bharath, respectively, rather than sharing the close bond twins usually have.
Why would Dasarath even bother if Sumitra asked for Rama's exile? She’d be exiled instead. Kaikeyi is the only one who has enough grit, command, and control to make it happen. She is an obvious choice. And why does Rama have to be exiled?
If he stayed in Ayodhya as a king, he wouldn’t be able to kill the thousands of Rakshasas in Dandakaranya or put an end to Ravana’s atrocities.
(Moreover, Ravana is an incarnation of one of Vishnu’s guards in Vaikuntam. When cursed for not doing their duty properly, the guards chose to take three births as evil kings so that Vishnu would arrive to kill them.)
If Rama wasn’t exiled, he wouldn’t be able to meet Sabari, the old devout who waited all her life just to get a glimpse of her beloved God. Kaikeyi got the raw end of the deal when she’s chosen to change the narrative, yes. But she was the only one strong enough to carry the responsibility.
When I picked this book, my expectations were that the book would explore the grey areas, look at the intricacies in the epic; not create a black and white scenario by reversing the roles of Rama and Ravana. I would have appreciated even the role reversal if it was an original idea. It is a brave thing to do, after all. Alas, the concept is neither original nor fresh. It’s a part of a larger narrative being introduced to the world at large for a while now.
To see that the book with so much potential turned into a colonial narrative retelling to suit the established anti-Hindu global narrative is painful.
*****
What I Liked:
The concept of the Binding Plane was fantastic. I loved reading about the threads, how Kaikeyi learned to use them, and the way her powers grew over the years.
I enjoyed her interactions with Yudhajit, her twin brother, and Manthara, the maidservant who takes care of Kaikeyi.
Kaikeyi’s asexuality was subtly handled. It isn’t the major focus of the book but weaves in and out of the narrative to establish her relationship with Dasharath and his wives.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
Retellings are a fine balance between staying true to the original and bringing in a new perspective. This book has quite a lot of additions and changes. It is much different from the original (though there are at least two dozen versions, not counting contemporary retellings). While I liked some, the others didn’t work too well.
The book was 432 pages long and was slow. The narration just didn’t seem to move ahead, given that there’s a lot to read about Kaikeyi’s childhood, her thoughts and feelings about herself and others.
While I appreciated the concept of feminism, I didn’t like how the epic was interpreted and represented from a colonial lens. Hinduism is a non-Abrahamic religion with Gods of different genders. Why would Gods be annoyed that Kaikeyi wants a better place for women in society? Why would Maa Shakti sit and smile if another God said women should bow their heads and do what they are told? She’s more likely to burn down the universe in reply.
Sita is neither a millennial nor Gen Z. She is an incarnation of Maa Lakshmi herself (not some God-touched little chit). Reducing her to some anxiety-ridden, confused, helpless wife of a power-hungry prince (Rama) is the worst characterization. As such, I’m annoyed with how the TV shows and movies make her cry buckets in Lanka. This one made that look respectable in comparison.
Lakshman is the younger brother of Rama, and Sita is his older brother’s wife. He will never ever address her by her given name, even when talking about her to another person. She will never be just ‘Sita’ to Lakshman. In our households, siblings don’t refer to their older brothers’ wives by their names. It has to be accompanied by terms like Bhabhi or Vadina (etc.).
The duration for exile was 14 years. Fourteen. Not ten. It can’t be a typo if it is repeated more than once.
As far as I know, Rama’s gurus were Maharishi Vashistha and Brahmarshi Viswamitra. Sage Vamadeva Gautama wasn’t one. And, Ahalya turns back from stone to a human when Viswamitra takes Rama and Lakshamana to help kill Maarich and Subhahu. It doesn’t happen during Rama’s exile.
The Jain version of Ramayana says Sita is Ravana and Mandodhari’s daughter. However, when astrologers predict that she will bring Lanka’s downfall, Ravana orders to get rid of her. The servants instead put her in a box and bury her in the earth. Nowhere does Ravana know Sita is his daughter or have maternal feelings for her.
In fact, there’s another version of Sita coming from Lanka. She is an incarnation of Vedavati, a pious woman who Ravana tried to molest. She burns herself, and Ravana collects her ashes in a box. Mandodhari finds the box of ashes and realizes the impending danger. She gets the box buried, which reaches Mithila with Sita inside.
Ravana had to be killed not because of his inventions (a typical colonial view). It was because he lost the reasoning to distinguish between right and wrong.
Ravana was a scholar, 100% true. But he was also a rapist. I’m sorry I can’t be a ‘rebel feminist’ and declare my love and support for him (I already have ‘friends’ who do that). Showing Ravana as some sort of progressive ruler while ignoring all the women he assaulted and kidnapped for personal pleasure doesn’t sit well with me.
The portrayal of Rama as a manipulative, misogynistic, narcissistic, war-loving prince aligns with the misinterpretations shared by the ‘famous’ Audrey Truschke, a so-called scholar of Hindu Studies. How can someone with missionary parents, in-laws, and husband, who spent every waking hour converting idolaters to Christianity, teach Hindu Studies without bias? Her misinterpretations and role in the Global Dismantling Hindutva Conference are not unknown.
Even if I ignore this, what I cannot forget is how this representation affects young Hindu students. When Hindus are branded terrorists by Hinduphobic associations for not toeing in line, when ‘Jai Shri Ram’ is projected as a hateful war cry, a Ramayana retelling with Rama as a war-loving and manipulative prince is like adding fuel to fire. Readers who have no idea about the original will not think twice about attacking Hindus for worshipping Rama.
(Don’t even tell me it won’t happen. I’ve seen enough idiots who use fictional retellings and dramatized movies/TV shows to assert their points as ‘facts’.)
More Incidents that are Different from Ramayana:
Ravana and Kaikeyi don’t meet. They don't have such friendly conversations. Kaikeyi’s mother being Ravana’s Minister of Finance in Janasthana is not mentioned anywhere.
Mandodhari doesn’t die before Rama and Sita marry. In fact, she lives long after Ravana gets killed by Rama. She marries Vibheeshna (Ravana’s brother who takes the throne) to assist him to manage the kingdom.
Raja Janaka (Sita’s father) was a Rajrishi (as in a king who is a rishi or gyani). Mithila had different traditions and cultures compared to Ayodhya. Sita grew up to be a strong woman because the rules were less rigid in Mithila, and she is the daughter of the earth.
Sita’s swyamvar contest was to lift the mighty Shiv Dhanush and string it. Not to hit any target (like it was in Mahabharata). Moreover, Rama’s family doesn’t travel to Mithila in advance. They go after Rama wins the swyamvar. Rama and Lakshmana go to Mithila with Brahmarshi Viswamitra.
The concept of the Rama avatar was that Vishnu would take birth as a human. It means he would make the same mistakes as humans and suffer like us. Maa Lakshmi joins him as his wife because she doesn’t want to stay apart from him for longer than necessary. That puts her in the same place as humans, and she has to go through her share of suffering. Rama doesn’t think he is God or act like one. He becomes a God after the avatar ends. There’s a difference.
I could go on and on, but I choose to end it here. Though I love the concept of Binding Plane, the rest of it spins out of control. The main reason I picked the book was to read how Kaikeyi’s view was presented. I am left with immense dissatisfaction.
Thank you, NetGalley and Redhook Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
*****
P.S: A part of me wanted to not review the book, but I decided it needs to be done. This is the longest review I’ve ever written. If you've read the entire thing, thank you. I appreciate it.
*****
PPS: Can someone please make it easier to format review on Goodreads? Please!
This is a simple, short, and super sweet book about a mother’s love. The little polar bear knows a lot of things but doesn’t know everything. It asks the mother, who also doesn’t know everything but does her best to explain things (like where the snow comes from, why it is white, and why polar bears aren’t in multiple colors).
There isn’t much in this book except for a heartwarming feeling of a child being loved and treasured by the parent. The illustrations are childlike, with rough edges and soft colors. I guess this book is for teeny ones who like to go through the pictures more than the story.
To sum up, Because I Love You So Much will make a great bedtime book for toddlers and make them drift into their sleep with a smile.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Clavis Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#clavispublishing #NetGalley
There isn’t much in this book except for a heartwarming feeling of a child being loved and treasured by the parent. The illustrations are childlike, with rough edges and soft colors. I guess this book is for teeny ones who like to go through the pictures more than the story.
To sum up, Because I Love You So Much will make a great bedtime book for toddlers and make them drift into their sleep with a smile.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Clavis Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#clavispublishing #NetGalley
Publication Date: 09th August 2022
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Fast-paced and entertaining if you ignore a few hiccups
Liv Reese has no idea of anything around her. She wakes up in a taxi and stumbles to her home only to find out that she and her friend Amy no longer live there. Nothing is the same. The scary part is the scribbles all over her arms.
Why did she write Stay Awake, Wake Up, and other messages to herself on her body? Why does she forget everything when she falls asleep? What happened in the past? Who can she trust?
Liv has too many questions but no answers. She is confused, scared, and unsure of what to do next? To make things worse, there has been a murder in a familiar-looking place. It appears that Liv is somehow involved in the crime. But how and why? Why does she feel as if her life is in danger?
Can Liv and the detectives find answers to the questions? What happens to Liv?
The story comes in the first-person perspective of Liv (past and present) and the third-person perspective of the detectives.
My Opinions:
The premise was intriguing, and the story had a solid start. The alternating POVs were well done. There was no confusion about the past, present, or person.
The book had a great pace which is always a plus for me. However, it was repetitive in many places. I can’t help but wonder how much better the book would be if the repetitions were cut out.
I liked the detectives’ track to a point. Darcy and Lavelle looked like they had potential (despite the stereotyping). But the backstories felt a bit unnecessary. Sure, they can add to the character depth, but it isn’t required unless the characters will be used in another thriller.
I’m not sure how I feel about Liv. Sure, I felt sad for her initially, but later on, I started to wonder if she was one of those TSTL heroines. She did redeem herself towards the end, so maybe I’ll cut her some slack.
The dialogues in the book are a bit weird. Some of them don’t even make sense (in both tracks). It feels like reading in circles, which is essentially what happens given Liv’s medical condition.
A couple of sidetracks/ red herrings seemed a little too much. Those could have worked better if they were properly woven into the main plot. Right now (mine is an ARC), they don’t blend well.
The book kept me hooked even though I could guess the twists. Most of them were right, and the reveal wasn’t a shock. Since I like thrillers with solutions that make sense (at least a little), I didn’t mind the rest.
To sum up, Stay Awake has its flaws (quite a few) but is an enjoyable thriller if you don’t think much about the whole thing. Just let it flow and give your gray cells some rest.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
*****
P.S: If you’re wondering why I still rated it 4 stars, it’s coz I could finish it fast (in 2.5 days). The book was enjoyable once I decided not to stress too much about the details.
This is my first book by the author, but I intend to read her other works. Seems that some of the previous ones were very good.
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Fast-paced and entertaining if you ignore a few hiccups
Liv Reese has no idea of anything around her. She wakes up in a taxi and stumbles to her home only to find out that she and her friend Amy no longer live there. Nothing is the same. The scary part is the scribbles all over her arms.
Why did she write Stay Awake, Wake Up, and other messages to herself on her body? Why does she forget everything when she falls asleep? What happened in the past? Who can she trust?
Liv has too many questions but no answers. She is confused, scared, and unsure of what to do next? To make things worse, there has been a murder in a familiar-looking place. It appears that Liv is somehow involved in the crime. But how and why? Why does she feel as if her life is in danger?
Can Liv and the detectives find answers to the questions? What happens to Liv?
The story comes in the first-person perspective of Liv (past and present) and the third-person perspective of the detectives.
My Opinions:
The premise was intriguing, and the story had a solid start. The alternating POVs were well done. There was no confusion about the past, present, or person.
The book had a great pace which is always a plus for me. However, it was repetitive in many places. I can’t help but wonder how much better the book would be if the repetitions were cut out.
I liked the detectives’ track to a point. Darcy and Lavelle looked like they had potential (despite the stereotyping). But the backstories felt a bit unnecessary. Sure, they can add to the character depth, but it isn’t required unless the characters will be used in another thriller.
I’m not sure how I feel about Liv. Sure, I felt sad for her initially, but later on, I started to wonder if she was one of those TSTL heroines. She did redeem herself towards the end, so maybe I’ll cut her some slack.
The dialogues in the book are a bit weird. Some of them don’t even make sense (in both tracks). It feels like reading in circles, which is essentially what happens given Liv’s medical condition.
A couple of sidetracks/ red herrings seemed a little too much. Those could have worked better if they were properly woven into the main plot. Right now (mine is an ARC), they don’t blend well.
The book kept me hooked even though I could guess the twists. Most of them were right, and the reveal wasn’t a shock. Since I like thrillers with solutions that make sense (at least a little), I didn’t mind the rest.
To sum up, Stay Awake has its flaws (quite a few) but is an enjoyable thriller if you don’t think much about the whole thing. Just let it flow and give your gray cells some rest.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
*****
P.S: If you’re wondering why I still rated it 4 stars, it’s coz I could finish it fast (in 2.5 days). The book was enjoyable once I decided not to stress too much about the details.
This is my first book by the author, but I intend to read her other works. Seems that some of the previous ones were very good.
Introducing Sai the Peacock: The Unique Beak
Estani Frizzell, Estani Frizzell, Sophia Frizzell, Sophia Frizzell
3.8 Stars
Little Sai, the peacock, has a huge beak everyone makes fun of. No one bothers that he has a lovely voice and likes to sing. A dejected Sai becomes silent and sings when none are around. A teeny cricket listens to the songs and encourages Sai to sing.
The cricket and Sai become friends. Sai’s voice attracts more insects and crickets who love his songs. Sai becomes a celebrity. But do his fellow peacocks and family recognize his talent?
This is a beautiful story showing how one doesn’t have to be restricted by physical appearances to become what they want. It’s all about being confident and doing what you love.
The illustrations are lovely. The color composition matches the story on the page. I haven’t seen such a cute cricket ever. The illustrations feel textured, though it is hard to tell in an eBook.
My only grouse is with the narrative style. Some verses rhyme and some don’t. The lines fall in and out of rhythm. A story in simple short sentences would work better.
To sum up, Introducing Sai the Peacock: The Unique Beak is a lovely book with a good moral lesson and beautiful illustrations. I’m assuming there will be more in the series.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#IntroducingSaithePeacockTheUniqueBeak #NetGalley
Little Sai, the peacock, has a huge beak everyone makes fun of. No one bothers that he has a lovely voice and likes to sing. A dejected Sai becomes silent and sings when none are around. A teeny cricket listens to the songs and encourages Sai to sing.
The cricket and Sai become friends. Sai’s voice attracts more insects and crickets who love his songs. Sai becomes a celebrity. But do his fellow peacocks and family recognize his talent?
This is a beautiful story showing how one doesn’t have to be restricted by physical appearances to become what they want. It’s all about being confident and doing what you love.
The illustrations are lovely. The color composition matches the story on the page. I haven’t seen such a cute cricket ever. The illustrations feel textured, though it is hard to tell in an eBook.
My only grouse is with the narrative style. Some verses rhyme and some don’t. The lines fall in and out of rhythm. A story in simple short sentences would work better.
To sum up, Introducing Sai the Peacock: The Unique Beak is a lovely book with a good moral lesson and beautiful illustrations. I’m assuming there will be more in the series.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#IntroducingSaithePeacockTheUniqueBeak #NetGalley
Publication Date: 06th Sep 2022
4 Stars
One Liner: Fast, entertaining, and light-hearted
Enola Holmes, the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes (yes, one and only), is back in action with the eighth book in the series. Like the previous one, this can be read as a standalone.
Enola lives in the Professional Women's Club, where women who share interests in various subjects and domains pursue classes and have intellectual discussions without the men disturbing or ordering them about.
It turns out that Lady Cecily, Enola’s friend, needs help yet again. Enola has rescued her twice from her nasty father and sets about doing it for the third time. However, Lady Cecily has disappeared after the rescue mission.
Enola is frightened about what could happen to her and is determined to find her at any cost. After all, Lady Cecily has a dual personality which can put her in difficult situations. Victorian society is no place for girls or women without male support.
Teaming up with Sherlock is just another inconvenience Enola has to survive to accomplish her mission.
The story comes in the first person POV for Enola Holmes.
My Observations:
I read [b:Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche|56269231|Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche (Enola Holmes #7)|Nancy Springer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1612203919l/56269231._SY75_.jpg|88916242] last year and loved Enola’s character arc. This book is just as entertaining if you like a young adult heroine who tends to run headlong into trouble and somehow manages to land on her feet every time.
Enola is easy to like. She is witty, adventurous, daring (to the point of being stupid at times), and is her own master. She is also a trustworthy friend. Being Sherlock’s little sister gets her brownie points.
This book has less than 250 pages and can be read in a couple of hours. The writing is easy and smooth. Various themes from the Victorian era are seamlessly woven into the story without resorting to preaching or drama.
The banter between Enola and Sherlock is such a treat. I enjoyed these scenes the most. However, the parts about Enola being alone and stuff got a little repetitive. She’s got her family now, so maybe they could learn to live with each other.
The setting comes alive and makes it easy to visualize the story. The descriptions are just enough to provide information for imagination.
There really isn’t anything deep in the book, though it does show the life of women in that era. The book is meant purely for entertainment purposes.
To sum up, Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade is a lighthearted and fast-paced addition to the series. Pick it up when you want something witty and fun to help you relax.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
4 Stars
One Liner: Fast, entertaining, and light-hearted
Enola Holmes, the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes (yes, one and only), is back in action with the eighth book in the series. Like the previous one, this can be read as a standalone.
Enola lives in the Professional Women's Club, where women who share interests in various subjects and domains pursue classes and have intellectual discussions without the men disturbing or ordering them about.
It turns out that Lady Cecily, Enola’s friend, needs help yet again. Enola has rescued her twice from her nasty father and sets about doing it for the third time. However, Lady Cecily has disappeared after the rescue mission.
Enola is frightened about what could happen to her and is determined to find her at any cost. After all, Lady Cecily has a dual personality which can put her in difficult situations. Victorian society is no place for girls or women without male support.
Teaming up with Sherlock is just another inconvenience Enola has to survive to accomplish her mission.
The story comes in the first person POV for Enola Holmes.
My Observations:
I read [b:Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche|56269231|Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche (Enola Holmes #7)|Nancy Springer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1612203919l/56269231._SY75_.jpg|88916242] last year and loved Enola’s character arc. This book is just as entertaining if you like a young adult heroine who tends to run headlong into trouble and somehow manages to land on her feet every time.
Enola is easy to like. She is witty, adventurous, daring (to the point of being stupid at times), and is her own master. She is also a trustworthy friend. Being Sherlock’s little sister gets her brownie points.
This book has less than 250 pages and can be read in a couple of hours. The writing is easy and smooth. Various themes from the Victorian era are seamlessly woven into the story without resorting to preaching or drama.
The banter between Enola and Sherlock is such a treat. I enjoyed these scenes the most. However, the parts about Enola being alone and stuff got a little repetitive. She’s got her family now, so maybe they could learn to live with each other.
The setting comes alive and makes it easy to visualize the story. The descriptions are just enough to provide information for imagination.
There really isn’t anything deep in the book, though it does show the life of women in that era. The book is meant purely for entertainment purposes.
To sum up, Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade is a lighthearted and fast-paced addition to the series. Pick it up when you want something witty and fun to help you relax.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
4.5 Stars
Shoo! is a little book about a lady who doesn’t like animals. A zoo opens beside her house and makes life difficult for her. She shoos and yells at the animals that come into her house. She even barricades her home and puts up boards to prevent animals from bothering her. But when the animals no longer visit her, she feels lonely and sad. Will the lady change her mind about animals?
I love the illustrations in this one. The colors are soft pastels but still cheerful. The color scheme makes this a lovely bedtime book for little ones. The lady’s house has grayish blue tones to match her mood. The illustrations almost have a middle-grade mystery kind of feel (lucky that mystery is one of my favorite genres).
The story comes in simple sentences that have internal rhymes for animal names. I found it cute and funny to read those lines aloud. There’s repetition to make the rhyming even better and help kids remember the animal’s names.
To sum up, Shoo! is a lovely book about the importance of animals and how life can be more fun when we have friends.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Pushkin Press, and Pushkin Children's Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#Shoo #NetGalley
Shoo! is a little book about a lady who doesn’t like animals. A zoo opens beside her house and makes life difficult for her. She shoos and yells at the animals that come into her house. She even barricades her home and puts up boards to prevent animals from bothering her. But when the animals no longer visit her, she feels lonely and sad. Will the lady change her mind about animals?
I love the illustrations in this one. The colors are soft pastels but still cheerful. The color scheme makes this a lovely bedtime book for little ones. The lady’s house has grayish blue tones to match her mood. The illustrations almost have a middle-grade mystery kind of feel (lucky that mystery is one of my favorite genres).
The story comes in simple sentences that have internal rhymes for animal names. I found it cute and funny to read those lines aloud. There’s repetition to make the rhyming even better and help kids remember the animal’s names.
To sum up, Shoo! is a lovely book about the importance of animals and how life can be more fun when we have friends.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Pushkin Press, and Pushkin Children's Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#Shoo #NetGalley
**Happy Publication Day**
ETA: This is my 250th eGalley!
Publication Date: 19th July 2022
4 Stars
One Liner: An entertaining read
Of all the things Grace Isabel McKenna can do, she didn’t expect to kill a man by shooting him between the eyes. Her short visit to Boston for the Buchanan anniversary party turns into a police investigation. The unexpected developments delay her Scotland trip to claim her inheritance and bring the infuriating Michael Buchanan back into her life.
Michael is a navy SEAL and a lawyer- Isabel’s lawyer until the case is solved. Neither of them is happy about the arrangement, but Michael knows he will do anything to keep Isabel safe. The attraction between grows just as the case gets complicated. Isabel’s trip to Scotland puts her life at risk. Michael follows her, but can they unearth the criminal intent on getting rid of Isabel? What about their feelings for each other? The duo has a lot to deal with.
The story comes from the third person POV.
My Views
This is the 14th book in the series and can be read as a standalone. However, knowing a little backstory will make it more enjoyable. Slow Burn has Kate and Dylan’s story, where Isabel is first introduced. Isabel is Kate’s younger sister. Reading Murder List (Regan & Alec’s story) might be a good idea.
Reading the book made me realize an important point. The book will get two different ratings based on whether I consider it a standalone or a part of a popular series. But since I read around 65-70% of the books in the series, I chose to rate it based on the series template.
Here’s why:
• Alpha hero
• A charming heroine (will come to this later)
• Hot and flawless bodies
• A family full of FBI agents, judges, business owners, etc.
• Steamy romance (2ish level)
• Recurring characters (quite a few)
These can make a book a hit or flop, depending on the reader and how they perceive the elements. It worked great for me because I expect these elements from this series.
The beginning is a bit choppy and messy, probably coz mine is an ARC with an uncorrected proof. I remember how the other books began, and I'm hoping this will be polished to that level.
The pacing is also a bit slow, which could be because of the plotline. It has many things going on and off. There’s also some info about the Buchanan couples for new readers.
The suspense takes its own sweet time to unravel, which is how it is in the other books. I could pretty much guess when things would go for the last punch.
Michael and Isabel have good chemistry, and their banter was fun to read. However, I felt there could have been a deeper connection between them. There was enough material for it.
Michael is headstrong or dumbass, as Isabel calls him. He’s got flaws but makes a decent impression. Maybe not as much as Dylan or Alec (or Nick or Noah)… you get the point.
Now Isabel… she’s 23 and has just graduated, so maybe I can forgive her for being a bit stupid. From what I remember, Isabel seems to be the weakest (or not strong enough) female lead in the series. It could be because she was under Kate and Dylan’s care, but she’s not what I’d call a Garwood heroine.
However, the book has comic relief, thanks to Isabel’s driving skills. She’d ace it in Indian traffic (you know if you know). Her driving plays a vital role in the story, and I love how it is incorporated into the plot.
The mystery is also a bit weak in this one. It kind of pales out (but the comic relief might just save it if you have a twisted sense of humor). Still, the mystery could have been better.
I love revisiting some of the previous characters from the series (it can be confusing if you don’t know them). They made the book so much better.
To sum up, Grace Under Fire is an entertaining and enjoyable read. Just go with the flow in this one and then read the previous ones in the series.
Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #GraceUnderFire
*****
ETA: I got this! Still can't believe it, but woo hoo!
***
Almost zero chances of my wish getting approved on NG (it's Berkeley!), but I'm gonna cross my fingers and keep hoping.
ETA: This is my 250th eGalley!
Publication Date: 19th July 2022
4 Stars
One Liner: An entertaining read
Of all the things Grace Isabel McKenna can do, she didn’t expect to kill a man by shooting him between the eyes. Her short visit to Boston for the Buchanan anniversary party turns into a police investigation. The unexpected developments delay her Scotland trip to claim her inheritance and bring the infuriating Michael Buchanan back into her life.
Michael is a navy SEAL and a lawyer- Isabel’s lawyer until the case is solved. Neither of them is happy about the arrangement, but Michael knows he will do anything to keep Isabel safe. The attraction between grows just as the case gets complicated. Isabel’s trip to Scotland puts her life at risk. Michael follows her, but can they unearth the criminal intent on getting rid of Isabel? What about their feelings for each other? The duo has a lot to deal with.
The story comes from the third person POV.
My Views
This is the 14th book in the series and can be read as a standalone. However, knowing a little backstory will make it more enjoyable. Slow Burn has Kate and Dylan’s story, where Isabel is first introduced. Isabel is Kate’s younger sister. Reading Murder List (Regan & Alec’s story) might be a good idea.
Reading the book made me realize an important point. The book will get two different ratings based on whether I consider it a standalone or a part of a popular series. But since I read around 65-70% of the books in the series, I chose to rate it based on the series template.
Here’s why:
• Alpha hero
• A charming heroine (will come to this later)
• Hot and flawless bodies
• A family full of FBI agents, judges, business owners, etc.
• Steamy romance (2ish level)
• Recurring characters (quite a few)
These can make a book a hit or flop, depending on the reader and how they perceive the elements. It worked great for me because I expect these elements from this series.
The beginning is a bit choppy and messy, probably coz mine is an ARC with an uncorrected proof. I remember how the other books began, and I'm hoping this will be polished to that level.
The pacing is also a bit slow, which could be because of the plotline. It has many things going on and off. There’s also some info about the Buchanan couples for new readers.
The suspense takes its own sweet time to unravel, which is how it is in the other books. I could pretty much guess when things would go for the last punch.
Michael and Isabel have good chemistry, and their banter was fun to read. However, I felt there could have been a deeper connection between them. There was enough material for it.
Michael is headstrong or dumbass, as Isabel calls him. He’s got flaws but makes a decent impression. Maybe not as much as Dylan or Alec (or Nick or Noah)… you get the point.
Now Isabel… she’s 23 and has just graduated, so maybe I can forgive her for being a bit stupid. From what I remember, Isabel seems to be the weakest (or not strong enough) female lead in the series. It could be because she was under Kate and Dylan’s care, but she’s not what I’d call a Garwood heroine.
However, the book has comic relief, thanks to Isabel’s driving skills. She’d ace it in Indian traffic (you know if you know). Her driving plays a vital role in the story, and I love how it is incorporated into the plot.
The mystery is also a bit weak in this one. It kind of pales out (but the comic relief might just save it if you have a twisted sense of humor). Still, the mystery could have been better.
I love revisiting some of the previous characters from the series (it can be confusing if you don’t know them). They made the book so much better.
To sum up, Grace Under Fire is an entertaining and enjoyable read. Just go with the flow in this one and then read the previous ones in the series.
Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #GraceUnderFire
*****
ETA: I got this! Still can't believe it, but woo hoo!
***
Almost zero chances of my wish getting approved on NG (it's Berkeley!), but I'm gonna cross my fingers and keep hoping.
Publication Date: 02nd August 2022
3 Stars
One Liner: Good; Cute; Fast-paced
Molly Price is a mermaid at the Turtle Beach Aquarium. She loves her job, the laidback small town community, and her puppy, Ursula.
Max Miller, a marine biologist, is the new arrival in Turtle Beach town. He has the huge responsibility of reviving the Turtle Beach Aquarium and preventing it from shutting down.
Sparks fly with Molly and Max meet, but their relationship is more strained than happy. They are at loggerheads with each other, despite having the same goal of saving the aquarium. The community is right with them to help in any way they can.
When a chance event makes them realize that Ursula the puppy can sniff out turtle nests in the sand. Will this be enough to save the aquarium? Will Molly and Max find love in each other?
My Observations:
The book is a quick read with a fair sprinkling of well-known tropes. The cute cover with a super cute pup is a definite bonus.
The setting is lovely. The side characters are quirky, nosy, funny, and a bit annoying. This made the whole thing charming and cute.
Now, Molly and Max are the main characters. While sparks fly from their first meeting, the characters feel undeveloped.
Molly is supposed to be a sweet, naïve, capable, and sweetheart. Yet, she comes across as whiny at times and acts more like a teen.
Max is supposed to be the nerdy, serious guy who would learn to loosen up and live life. But he alters between being rude and sappy.
The romance is supposed to be a slow burn, I guess (they don’t kiss until towards the end). But it doesn’t really give the slow burn vibes or anticipation.
If the romance in a romcom is underbaked, it needs something else to keep the reader hooked. Here, it should have been the saving of the aquarium, but even that falls flat in the end.
All those ‘supposed to be’ is where my issue is. The book has all ingredients for an engaging rom-com but doesn’t fully deliver.
While I love Ursula, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, I don’t need to be reminded of the breed multiple times.
The saving grace is that the story moves at a good pace and doesn’t require any brain work.
To sum up, A Line in the Sand is a cute story if you want a familiar read. It is good but in no way great.
Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
*****
*Rant Time*
Alright. I’m pretty much used to the misappropriation of yoga by the Western world. But it is not funny to name yoga asanas with comical English versions. Renaming asanas to Murder Victim Pose, Peeking over the shoulder into the phone (whatever!) is not funny.
I get that the character wants to make yoga entertaining (and, of course, the other character finds it strange). But yoga is not entertainment. The spirituality is already lost. Please don’t mess it further.
I’m sure some people will find it funny, but I didn’t. Just call it a workout session or give it a new quirky name. It is not yoga. Period.
*****
P.S: This is the only book by the publisher I was approved for, and there goes my 0.0001% of getting approved again.
3 Stars
One Liner: Good; Cute; Fast-paced
Molly Price is a mermaid at the Turtle Beach Aquarium. She loves her job, the laidback small town community, and her puppy, Ursula.
Max Miller, a marine biologist, is the new arrival in Turtle Beach town. He has the huge responsibility of reviving the Turtle Beach Aquarium and preventing it from shutting down.
Sparks fly with Molly and Max meet, but their relationship is more strained than happy. They are at loggerheads with each other, despite having the same goal of saving the aquarium. The community is right with them to help in any way they can.
When a chance event makes them realize that Ursula the puppy can sniff out turtle nests in the sand. Will this be enough to save the aquarium? Will Molly and Max find love in each other?
My Observations:
The book is a quick read with a fair sprinkling of well-known tropes. The cute cover with a super cute pup is a definite bonus.
The setting is lovely. The side characters are quirky, nosy, funny, and a bit annoying. This made the whole thing charming and cute.
Now, Molly and Max are the main characters. While sparks fly from their first meeting, the characters feel undeveloped.
Molly is supposed to be a sweet, naïve, capable, and sweetheart. Yet, she comes across as whiny at times and acts more like a teen.
Max is supposed to be the nerdy, serious guy who would learn to loosen up and live life. But he alters between being rude and sappy.
The romance is supposed to be a slow burn, I guess (they don’t kiss until towards the end). But it doesn’t really give the slow burn vibes or anticipation.
If the romance in a romcom is underbaked, it needs something else to keep the reader hooked. Here, it should have been the saving of the aquarium, but even that falls flat in the end.
All those ‘supposed to be’ is where my issue is. The book has all ingredients for an engaging rom-com but doesn’t fully deliver.
While I love Ursula, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, I don’t need to be reminded of the breed multiple times.
The saving grace is that the story moves at a good pace and doesn’t require any brain work.
To sum up, A Line in the Sand is a cute story if you want a familiar read. It is good but in no way great.
Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
*****
*Rant Time*
Alright. I’m pretty much used to the misappropriation of yoga by the Western world. But it is not funny to name yoga asanas with comical English versions. Renaming asanas to Murder Victim Pose, Peeking over the shoulder into the phone (whatever!) is not funny.
I get that the character wants to make yoga entertaining (and, of course, the other character finds it strange). But yoga is not entertainment. The spirituality is already lost. Please don’t mess it further.
I’m sure some people will find it funny, but I didn’t. Just call it a workout session or give it a new quirky name. It is not yoga. Period.
*****
P.S: This is the only book by the publisher I was approved for, and there goes my 0.0001% of getting approved again.