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2.5 Stars
One Liner: It could have been better
I picked up the book with some expectations. Having read two anthologies by the author, I was sure this would work. Sadly, it didn’t. Not because I’m not used to dark emotions. But because many stories don’t reach the mark, and one is subtly ideological.
Damage: The first story in the book and one with great potential. Yet, it felt like too many themes crammed into a smaller word count. None of it seemed real or relatable. (I don’t move in such circles anyway.) And no full-page introspections, please.
Samsara: If you are like me, let me inform you that Samsara is a perfume. The word also means family in Telugu (though it would be samsaram). An apt title, in a way. This is a sort of crime thriller with a female cop and the death of a politician’s wife. The plot had merit, but the narration didn’t have enough words. This story required a larger canvas. The female cop had such potential. A novel or a novella would do justice to her character.
Creep: A creep trying to smooth talk women to get laid. A short piece from the creep’s POV. Does the job but not enough.
Ma Vie Sans Couleur: I have no idea what happened here. There are too many themes (adultery, racism, mental illness, abuse) left hanging in the air, with faint threads connecting some of them. Too vague.
Secrets and Lies: The dead grandfather still manages to protect the young grandson. But can the boy find love and affection from this arrangement? The POV keeps the story interesting, as the intentions of other characters are revealed in bits and pieces.
The Consequence of Contradiction: This was a little confusing in the beginning. It settles down later and packs a punch. A very well-written tale that ends right where it should. One of the best in the book that will leave you thinking.
The Unlikely Casanova: “Creep is so middle class, Monisha. It’s Casanova!” says Maya Sarabhai. Indians will understand the reference here. To explain, this story is an elite version of Creep we read a couple of stories earlier.
Swami Claus: The internal darkness of self-declared religious leaders but with a twist. The double track is interesting and makes the storyline fresh. I initially thought it was about that pedophile and fraud Ram Rahim, but I’m not entirely sure. Children continue to suffer, be it in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, or America.
Ugly: A story told in two POVs- the brute husband and a too-loyal wife. Sadly, this is a common occurrence in our society. The story starts with a bang, but the ending is melodramatic and OTT. It would have been more powerful if the ending was realistic.
Palindrome: Is this inspired by Sridevi’s death? Maybe, maybe not. But an Indian reader cannot help but wonder. The title suits the story- the rise and fall of a famous actress in the film industry. It tends to lag at times but wraps up well.
Dear Anil: A letter from a woman to the only love of her life. She details the journey from childhood friendship to unrequited love to a relationship that probably wasn’t meant to be. A sad story indeed.
Unrequited: A semi-erotica presented as a feminist revenge story. It wasn't bad though.
The Strings That Bind Us: This was bittersweet in its own way. It seemed like the author wanted to use the same story for multiple themes (friendship between cousins, family dynamics, and children neglecting parents). It works because of the two lead characters.
Fallen: This is Raavan’s POV of Ramayana, and honestly, he deserved a better voice. Raavan has always been a huge (larger-than-life) presence. You are sure to find intense drama when Raavan is around. This version is mild and almost resigned. I don’t remember reading Raavan being this mild, even on his deathbed. And no, I didn’t mind the sly digs at Rama. Those are expected when the story is from Raavan’s POV, but I wish the tone was powerful enough to establish his voice. Gimme that attitude!
Like a Boss: Okay! This is a sort-of retelling of the Nirbhaya case that shook India years ago. I’m not sure how I feel about this but the writing is impactful. So that’s something.
The dead girl’s parents had to fight for so many years to get justice for the dead child. Incomplete justice because one of the rapists (a juvenile from the minority community) was released within three years. He was gifted a sewing machine, Rs. 10,000/-, and a new identity away from the public eye.
Imagine that! A teen old enough to rape someone is being protected and safeguarded even today. What’s worse is that his H-M porn sold on Amazon?
The girl gets pregnant and marries her lover. Then, we get to know she may not be treated well and may have been forced to covert. Nothing is explicit in the narration. It’s all between the lines and gut feeling. When the girl’s family and a friend try to get her back home, they find out that the guy’s family has left the city.
Jaipur, India Track- This is where the author’s intelligence comes out in full force. The H girl and M guy are high school kids from a poor background. The girl’s brother (wait for it) goes around campaigning for a saffron-robed Guruji who ‘spreads venom against Muslims’. The author takes great pain to show the ‘hatred’ and ‘bias’ in explicit detail. After all, how else will the reader know that they are reading about Hinduvadis?
The girl’s possibly uneducated mother speaks more like an upper-class woman about her ‘Hinduvadi son’ and the ‘hate-monger Guruji’. Finally, the story ends with the girl’s brother burning her M boyfriend and posting the video on Twitter. He is a ‘maniac’ Hindu burning a Muslim boy for daring to love his sister. We have almost no information about the clothes the characters wear in the story. But we most certainly know that the Guruji wears saffron. Such detailing!
Now, let’s shift the scene to real life and look at a few reports from recent times. Mind you, these are limited to the guys who were murdered. Don’t even get me started on the cases about women who were abused, raped, kidnapped, converted, butchered, and packed into suitcases. I’ve been following the reports for more than five years. I know exactly what I'm talking about.
Vijaya Kamble (25), a Dalit, was killed by the family of his Muslim girlfriend in Bangalore.
dead husband’s family. The media, of course, wants you to believe that the upper caste Hindus are somehow responsible for it when they are not even involved in the first place.
14-year-old boy from the Schedule Tribe community was butchered because the boy spoke to a Muslim girl.
Let me make one thing very clear. I am under no stupid illusion that Hindus don’t kill or commit crimes. I would have had no problem with the story if the girl’s brother was a maniac by default. He could have been an abuser who couldn’t digest his sister loving a boy from another religion. He could have been anything, literally, and the storyline would still hold strong.
What I object to is the blatant ideological thrust on readers by describing the guru and his activities while only hinting at what could have happened in the London track. Why not show them both the same way? Why go into detail about Guruji but not Mohsin and his parents? Why do I have to guess what Moshin did when the author clearly shows what the 'maniac Muslim-hater' brother from India did?
I’m reminded of the intellectuals' idea of a good Hindu. A good Hindu is someone who bends backward to appease others but has zero self-respect. This good Hindu, with a minus-level understanding of Hinduism, mocks their own culture and relates to a foreign culture.
Do you know who a bad Hindu is? A bad Hindu doesn’t appease others and is proud of their rich cultural heritage. A bad Hindu asks for equal rights and takes a firm stand, declaring that respect is a two-way street. Fake secularism doesn't mean a thing. The story pretty much pushes the idea of a good Hindu to the readers. Too bad I am not one of them.
I’ve read < a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4401251515”> Eight - Fantastical Tales From Here, There & Everywhere and < a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4661314184”> Holi Moly! & other stories by the author and enjoyed the stories. This book, however, is an exception.
The book feels like it has been written for people who are not comfortable with dark stories but want to try if they can handle grim and disturbing. The themes are hinted at, but there’s nothing graphic or detailed in some stories. This makes the Indian track of the Love Jihad story rather apparent.
To sum up, Damage & Other Stories could have been an outstanding collection if some stories were more fleshed out and personal ideologies were kept away from sensitive topics. The families are still grieving the dead and fighting for justice.
I should have rounded it off to 3 stars (which would be more accurate considering the stories), but I can’t make myself do that. So 2 stars it is.
2.5 Stars
One Liner: It could have been better
I picked up the book with some expectations. Having read two anthologies by the author, I was sure this would work. Sadly, it didn’t. Not because I’m not used to dark emotions. But because many stories don’t reach the mark, and one is subtly ideological.
Damage: The first story in the book and one with great potential. Yet, it felt like too many themes crammed into a smaller word count. None of it seemed real or relatable. (I don’t move in such circles anyway.) And no full-page introspections, please.
Samsara: If you are like me, let me inform you that Samsara is a perfume. The word also means family in Telugu (though it would be samsaram). An apt title, in a way. This is a sort of crime thriller with a female cop and the death of a politician’s wife. The plot had merit, but the narration didn’t have enough words. This story required a larger canvas. The female cop had such potential. A novel or a novella would do justice to her character.
Creep: A creep trying to smooth talk women to get laid. A short piece from the creep’s POV. Does the job but not enough.
Ma Vie Sans Couleur: I have no idea what happened here. There are too many themes (adultery, racism, mental illness, abuse) left hanging in the air, with faint threads connecting some of them. Too vague.
Secrets and Lies: The dead grandfather still manages to protect the young grandson. But can the boy find love and affection from this arrangement? The POV keeps the story interesting, as the intentions of other characters are revealed in bits and pieces.
The Consequence of Contradiction: This was a little confusing in the beginning. It settles down later and packs a punch. A very well-written tale that ends right where it should. One of the best in the book that will leave you thinking.
The Unlikely Casanova: “Creep is so middle class, Monisha. It’s Casanova!” says Maya Sarabhai. Indians will understand the reference here. To explain, this story is an elite version of Creep we read a couple of stories earlier.
Swami Claus: The internal darkness of self-declared religious leaders but with a twist. The double track is interesting and makes the storyline fresh. I initially thought it was about that pedophile and fraud Ram Rahim, but I’m not entirely sure. Children continue to suffer, be it in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, or America.
Ugly: A story told in two POVs- the brute husband and a too-loyal wife. Sadly, this is a common occurrence in our society. The story starts with a bang, but the ending is melodramatic and OTT. It would have been more powerful if the ending was realistic.
Palindrome: Is this inspired by Sridevi’s death? Maybe, maybe not. But an Indian reader cannot help but wonder. The title suits the story- the rise and fall of a famous actress in the film industry. It tends to lag at times but wraps up well.
Dear Anil: A letter from a woman to the only love of her life. She details the journey from childhood friendship to unrequited love to a relationship that probably wasn’t meant to be. A sad story indeed.
Unrequited: A semi-erotica presented as a feminist revenge story. It wasn't bad though.
The Strings That Bind Us: This was bittersweet in its own way. It seemed like the author wanted to use the same story for multiple themes (friendship between cousins, family dynamics, and children neglecting parents). It works because of the two lead characters.
Fallen: This is Raavan’s POV of Ramayana, and honestly, he deserved a better voice. Raavan has always been a huge (larger-than-life) presence. You are sure to find intense drama when Raavan is around. This version is mild and almost resigned. I don’t remember reading Raavan being this mild, even on his deathbed. And no, I didn’t mind the sly digs at Rama. Those are expected when the story is from Raavan’s POV, but I wish the tone was powerful enough to establish his voice. Gimme that attitude!
Like a Boss: Okay! This is a sort-of retelling of the Nirbhaya case that shook India years ago. I’m not sure how I feel about this but the writing is impactful. So that’s something.
The dead girl’s parents had to fight for so many years to get justice for the dead child. Incomplete justice because one of the rapists (a juvenile from the minority community) was released within three years. He was gifted a sewing machine, Rs. 10,000/-, and a new identity away from the public eye.
Imagine that! A teen old enough to rape someone is being protected and safeguarded even today. What’s worse is that his H-M porn sold on Amazon?
The girl gets pregnant and marries her lover. Then, we get to know she may not be treated well and may have been forced to covert. Nothing is explicit in the narration. It’s all between the lines and gut feeling. When the girl’s family and a friend try to get her back home, they find out that the guy’s family has left the city.
Jaipur, India Track- This is where the author’s intelligence comes out in full force. The H girl and M guy are high school kids from a poor background. The girl’s brother (wait for it) goes around campaigning for a saffron-robed Guruji who ‘spreads venom against Muslims’. The author takes great pain to show the ‘hatred’ and ‘bias’ in explicit detail. After all, how else will the reader know that they are reading about Hinduvadis?
The girl’s possibly uneducated mother speaks more like an upper-class woman about her ‘Hinduvadi son’ and the ‘hate-monger Guruji’. Finally, the story ends with the girl’s brother burning her M boyfriend and posting the video on Twitter. He is a ‘maniac’ Hindu burning a Muslim boy for daring to love his sister. We have almost no information about the clothes the characters wear in the story. But we most certainly know that the Guruji wears saffron. Such detailing!
Now, let’s shift the scene to real life and look at a few reports from recent times. Mind you, these are limited to the guys who were murdered. Don’t even get me started on the cases about women who were abused, raped, kidnapped, converted, butchered, and packed into suitcases. I’ve been following the reports for more than five years. I know exactly what I'm talking about.
Vijaya Kamble (25), a Dalit, was killed by the family of his Muslim girlfriend in Bangalore.
dead husband’s family. The media, of course, wants you to believe that the upper caste Hindus are somehow responsible for it when they are not even involved in the first place.
14-year-old boy from the Schedule Tribe community was butchered because the boy spoke to a Muslim girl.
Let me make one thing very clear. I am under no stupid illusion that Hindus don’t kill or commit crimes. I would have had no problem with the story if the girl’s brother was a maniac by default. He could have been an abuser who couldn’t digest his sister loving a boy from another religion. He could have been anything, literally, and the storyline would still hold strong.
What I object to is the blatant ideological thrust on readers by describing the guru and his activities while only hinting at what could have happened in the London track. Why not show them both the same way? Why go into detail about Guruji but not Mohsin and his parents? Why do I have to guess what Moshin did when the author clearly shows what the 'maniac Muslim-hater' brother from India did?
I’m reminded of the intellectuals' idea of a good Hindu. A good Hindu is someone who bends backward to appease others but has zero self-respect. This good Hindu, with a minus-level understanding of Hinduism, mocks their own culture and relates to a foreign culture.
Do you know who a bad Hindu is? A bad Hindu doesn’t appease others and is proud of their rich cultural heritage. A bad Hindu asks for equal rights and takes a firm stand, declaring that respect is a two-way street. Fake secularism doesn't mean a thing. The story pretty much pushes the idea of a good Hindu to the readers. Too bad I am not one of them.
I’ve read < a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4401251515”> Eight - Fantastical Tales From Here, There & Everywhere and < a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4661314184”> Holi Moly! & other stories by the author and enjoyed the stories. This book, however, is an exception.
The book feels like it has been written for people who are not comfortable with dark stories but want to try if they can handle grim and disturbing. The themes are hinted at, but there’s nothing graphic or detailed in some stories. This makes the Indian track of the Love Jihad story rather apparent.
To sum up, Damage & Other Stories could have been an outstanding collection if some stories were more fleshed out and personal ideologies were kept away from sensitive topics. The families are still grieving the dead and fighting for justice.
I should have rounded it off to 3 stars (which would be more accurate considering the stories), but I can’t make myself do that. So 2 stars it is.
Publication Date: 04th August 2022
3.8 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming but slow
The Glen Carrick House in Scotland has a family of a widowed mother and her three sons. Eighty-eight-year-old Mimi lives in her past as a carefree dancer and stage performer. Her sons, Finlay, Angus, and Hamish, love her to bits but are dealing with issues of their own.
Jess Oliver, a fifty-nine-year-old, is on a short trip to Scotland. Her new house is under renovation, and life has offered her another chance to live to the fullest after her amicable divorce. She is mesmerized by the beauty of Scotland and loves it there.
When life brings Jess and Mimi together, it is a chance for both of them to look at the future instead of focusing on the past. With Isabella, Heather, and others playing their part, can the women make the most of their future?
The story comes in the third person POV.
What I Like:
The book mainly deals with family, relationships, and emotions. Aspects like love, loss, grief, past, happiness, freedom, etc., are an integral part of the plot. Scotland is a part of the story, and some descriptions are lovely.
The two main ladies, Mimi and Jess, are well-etched. They are strong yet vulnerable and beautiful in different ways. The men aren’t fully etched, but Angus is well-developed of them all.
I love how the sons absolutely love their mother. They have loads of issues in their lives and have different coping mechanisms. But when it comes to Mimi, they do everything they can to keep her happy. Indulging in her eccentricities is not at all easy, but they do it because they love her.
Jess’s role in The Glen Carrick House grows from being a caregiver to a part of the family because of her genuine admiration and affection for Mimi. The relationship between the men and Jess is presented wonderfully. It doesn’t feel awkward or weird at any point.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
The book is quite heavy despite the antics of Mimi and Isabella. It’s not something as light or cheerful as the cover suggests. It’s not overwhelming but is still heavy.
The pacing is slow and drags in some places. There’s some repetition, too, probably because Mimi loves to talk about her past. It sometimes feels like the story is going nowhere.
I’m not sure if the title fits the story. The alliteration sure caught my attention and is the reason I requested the book. But after reading the story, it doesn’t seem enough somehow. Not a major issue, considering I make a mess of my story titles.
To sum up, The Highland Hens is a heartwarming book about second chances, love, life, friendships, family, and self-love.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#TheHighlandHens #NetGalley
3.8 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming but slow
The Glen Carrick House in Scotland has a family of a widowed mother and her three sons. Eighty-eight-year-old Mimi lives in her past as a carefree dancer and stage performer. Her sons, Finlay, Angus, and Hamish, love her to bits but are dealing with issues of their own.
Jess Oliver, a fifty-nine-year-old, is on a short trip to Scotland. Her new house is under renovation, and life has offered her another chance to live to the fullest after her amicable divorce. She is mesmerized by the beauty of Scotland and loves it there.
When life brings Jess and Mimi together, it is a chance for both of them to look at the future instead of focusing on the past. With Isabella, Heather, and others playing their part, can the women make the most of their future?
The story comes in the third person POV.
What I Like:
The book mainly deals with family, relationships, and emotions. Aspects like love, loss, grief, past, happiness, freedom, etc., are an integral part of the plot. Scotland is a part of the story, and some descriptions are lovely.
The two main ladies, Mimi and Jess, are well-etched. They are strong yet vulnerable and beautiful in different ways. The men aren’t fully etched, but Angus is well-developed of them all.
I love how the sons absolutely love their mother. They have loads of issues in their lives and have different coping mechanisms. But when it comes to Mimi, they do everything they can to keep her happy. Indulging in her eccentricities is not at all easy, but they do it because they love her.
Jess’s role in The Glen Carrick House grows from being a caregiver to a part of the family because of her genuine admiration and affection for Mimi. The relationship between the men and Jess is presented wonderfully. It doesn’t feel awkward or weird at any point.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
The book is quite heavy despite the antics of Mimi and Isabella. It’s not something as light or cheerful as the cover suggests. It’s not overwhelming but is still heavy.
The pacing is slow and drags in some places. There’s some repetition, too, probably because Mimi loves to talk about her past. It sometimes feels like the story is going nowhere.
I’m not sure if the title fits the story. The alliteration sure caught my attention and is the reason I requested the book. But after reading the story, it doesn’t seem enough somehow. Not a major issue, considering I make a mess of my story titles.
To sum up, The Highland Hens is a heartwarming book about second chances, love, life, friendships, family, and self-love.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#TheHighlandHens #NetGalley
This is a heartwarming picture book about a tiny snowflake that has a different dream than her friends. She only wants to go somewhere warm!
She travels distances to find a home with a flowerbox on a window sill. She sits there, enjoying the warmth inside the house and sharing her happiness with the snowdrops. And when spring arrives, she is the happiest snowflake.
The best parts of the book are the illustrations. These have a fairytale-like feeling with pictures of quaint towns, castles, Eskimos, and a picturesque home with a lovely garden. I love how the color scheme changes from the beginning to the end. The detailing is just as lovely without being too sharp or bold.
I wish the font size was better. It is as tiny as the snowflake (in the electronic version) and leaves a lot of white space.
To sum up, The Smallest Snowflake is a touching book with adorable illustrations. Grab it for the illustrations.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and NorthSouth Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheSmallestSnowflake #NetGalley
She travels distances to find a home with a flowerbox on a window sill. She sits there, enjoying the warmth inside the house and sharing her happiness with the snowdrops. And when spring arrives, she is the happiest snowflake.
The best parts of the book are the illustrations. These have a fairytale-like feeling with pictures of quaint towns, castles, Eskimos, and a picturesque home with a lovely garden. I love how the color scheme changes from the beginning to the end. The detailing is just as lovely without being too sharp or bold.
I wish the font size was better. It is as tiny as the snowflake (in the electronic version) and leaves a lot of white space.
To sum up, The Smallest Snowflake is a touching book with adorable illustrations. Grab it for the illustrations.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and NorthSouth Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheSmallestSnowflake #NetGalley
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Mixed feelings
The Girl from Jonestown is based on Jonestown or The Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, where many innocents followed a maniac and committed mass suicide. Lucy realizes what she’s gotten into by joining the project. She is desperate for help and asks Zoe to help her.
Zoe Quint is a freelance journalist fighting demons of her own. She’s at her Uncle’s place in Guyana after traveling for three years. Lucy fires up Zoe’s instincts. Zoe starts to find out more despite people asking her not to bother. The more she digs, the murkier it gets.
Zoe knows she has to help Lucy and plans ways to enter Jonestown. But things aren’t as easy as they seem. Can Zoe save Lucy and many others trapped in Jonestown? Is Zoe going to be too late? Can she save herself, at least? After all, Jim Jones doesn’t like his plans being messed with.
The story comes from Zoe’s POV, with Lucy’s POV interwoven into the narrative.
My Observations:
I knew a little about Jim Jones and the mass suicide (massacre). This book caught my attention because I wanted to read fiction before I read non-fiction about the same.
I also expected a slow-paced story with loads of triggers and got it right. It is dark without being gory but is not an easy read.
The story took its own sweet time to unfold, and I did lose my patience with Zoe’s personal track taking up more space than the core theme. Still, it continued to be a compelling read.
The setting was vivid and easy to picturize. I could see Guyana, its people, and the forest.
I loved Lucy and Moria’s character arcs. They were on the opposite ends of the spectrum and had distinct personalities. I wished they had more to do in the story. This book has too much of Zoe and not enough of those from Jonestown.
Zoe was going strong until she did the most stupid thing at around 65% of the book. I immediately checked how many pages were left to understand why this had to happen. Yes, I know that certain elements cannot be changed as it was based on a true story. That doesn’t mean a character should go against her character development. This is also where the rating crashed from 4 to 3.5 stars.
The climax made up for the slow pace, and the final chapter answered the remaining questions, even if it was chunks of dialogue. Still, I liked how the story ended. It kept things rooted.
The author's note at the end provided what I wanted. She detailed what was real and what was fiction. The blend was very smooth though I wished the book didn’t focus so much on Zoe (pretty much a minority opinion).
To sum up, The Girl From Jonestown is a fictionized version of a dark and disturbing real-life incident. Pick this up when you’re in the right frame of mind (a bit of prior research would help).
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
*****
P.S: The book was previously titled A Home for the Lost. I think it suits the story more. The Girl from Jonestown wouldn’t be that appropriate given Lucy’s share in the book. Oh, well.
One Liner: Mixed feelings
The Girl from Jonestown is based on Jonestown or The Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, where many innocents followed a maniac and committed mass suicide. Lucy realizes what she’s gotten into by joining the project. She is desperate for help and asks Zoe to help her.
Zoe Quint is a freelance journalist fighting demons of her own. She’s at her Uncle’s place in Guyana after traveling for three years. Lucy fires up Zoe’s instincts. Zoe starts to find out more despite people asking her not to bother. The more she digs, the murkier it gets.
Zoe knows she has to help Lucy and plans ways to enter Jonestown. But things aren’t as easy as they seem. Can Zoe save Lucy and many others trapped in Jonestown? Is Zoe going to be too late? Can she save herself, at least? After all, Jim Jones doesn’t like his plans being messed with.
The story comes from Zoe’s POV, with Lucy’s POV interwoven into the narrative.
My Observations:
I knew a little about Jim Jones and the mass suicide (massacre). This book caught my attention because I wanted to read fiction before I read non-fiction about the same.
I also expected a slow-paced story with loads of triggers and got it right. It is dark without being gory but is not an easy read.
The story took its own sweet time to unfold, and I did lose my patience with Zoe’s personal track taking up more space than the core theme. Still, it continued to be a compelling read.
The setting was vivid and easy to picturize. I could see Guyana, its people, and the forest.
I loved Lucy and Moria’s character arcs. They were on the opposite ends of the spectrum and had distinct personalities. I wished they had more to do in the story. This book has too much of Zoe and not enough of those from Jonestown.
Zoe was going strong until she did the most stupid thing at around 65% of the book. I immediately checked how many pages were left to understand why this had to happen. Yes, I know that certain elements cannot be changed as it was based on a true story. That doesn’t mean a character should go against her character development. This is also where the rating crashed from 4 to 3.5 stars.
The climax made up for the slow pace, and the final chapter answered the remaining questions, even if it was chunks of dialogue. Still, I liked how the story ended. It kept things rooted.
The author's note at the end provided what I wanted. She detailed what was real and what was fiction. The blend was very smooth though I wished the book didn’t focus so much on Zoe (pretty much a minority opinion).
To sum up, The Girl From Jonestown is a fictionized version of a dark and disturbing real-life incident. Pick this up when you’re in the right frame of mind (a bit of prior research would help).
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
*****
P.S: The book was previously titled A Home for the Lost. I think it suits the story more. The Girl from Jonestown wouldn’t be that appropriate given Lucy’s share in the book. Oh, well.
4 Stars
Emma wakes up early, excited to go to school on her first day. But soon, she is jittery and unsure about it. Her mother convinces Emma, and the little girl decides she’ll go to school in her flamingo costume.
The story is for little ones in the same age group. The illustrations are vibrant and cheerful. Not just Emma but every kid in the book has cute expressions. The school is diverse too! The classroom looks authentic with little drawings pinned on the walls, banners, toys on the floor, etc. The detailing is really good without being sophisticated.
My friend and fellow reviewer, Rosh, mentioned the contradictory parts, and I see what she means. This book would work even better if it was limited to either theme. There isn’t anything wrong with being a flamingo for a while. ;)
To summarize, Emma's First Day of School is a sweet little book with lovely illustrations.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Clavis Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#clavispublishing #NetGalley
Emma wakes up early, excited to go to school on her first day. But soon, she is jittery and unsure about it. Her mother convinces Emma, and the little girl decides she’ll go to school in her flamingo costume.
The story is for little ones in the same age group. The illustrations are vibrant and cheerful. Not just Emma but every kid in the book has cute expressions. The school is diverse too! The classroom looks authentic with little drawings pinned on the walls, banners, toys on the floor, etc. The detailing is really good without being sophisticated.
My friend and fellow reviewer, Rosh, mentioned the contradictory parts, and I see what she means. This book would work even better if it was limited to either theme. There isn’t anything wrong with being a flamingo for a while. ;)
To summarize, Emma's First Day of School is a sweet little book with lovely illustrations.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Clavis Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#clavispublishing #NetGalley
Publication Date: 1st Sep 2022
3.8 Stars
One Liner: Lighthearted and fun
Moon Ridge is a delightful small town with 400 years of history. Everyone knows about the Lady of Moon Ridge and her love story. Halloween has a special significance in the town. After all, the Lady of Moon Ridge descends from the stars once every hundred years and walks among the people to help lovers unite at midnight.
It’s no surprise that the high school students (and many adults) are super excited about Halloween. It’s the hundredth year and time for the mysterious lady ghost to make an appearance.
The Coven, a trio of mismatched besties- Onny, True, and Ash, have mixed feelings about the special occasion. Onny is excited to find true love using her granny’s love potion. True wants nothing to do with magic. Ash is doubtful if he’ll ever find love (or win it).
What happens on Halloween party eve? Do the friends get what they want? Can they hope for their deepest wishes to come true? And what’s Halloween without some magic?
Onny’s Story
Onny comes from the richest family in the town but is loved by many. She plans her life based on astrology, tarot, and signs from the stars. Ash and True love her enough to indulge in her antics (which are often). She is determined to use the love potion on the guy she sets her eyes on. But things rarely go as planned.
Her story sets the tone for the rest of the novel. It uses the academia frenemies-to-lovers trope with a third party thrown into the mix. Onny is infuriating but a sweetheart too.
Ash’s Story
Asher is an awkward nerdy teen who feels comfortable with art and just two humans, Onny and True. He has a huge crush (turned love) on Cassidy, his neighbor. When a chance incident brings him and Cassidy close enough to talk and spend some time together, can Asher use the chance to win his lady love?
The story is sweet and predictable (which is the case with this genre). Ash’s love for art comes across very clearly though the ‘love track’ could have been better. Still, it suits the book’s theme and atmosphere.
True’s Story
True believes only in science. Magic has no place in her life despite being Onny’s best friend. She’s learned to guard her heart, but meeting Orion at the Halloween party might just change her mind (or her heart).
This story has insta-love and maximum paranormal activity in the entire book. Makes sense that it would happen to True, right? ;) The story is rather cute, even if I didn’t like the insta-love trope.
Overall Observations:
The writing is a bit disjointed in places but a fast read once you stop looking for a seamless transaction between the stories.
It is a YA book so expect some (a lot) eye-roll moments and dialogues. The Coven is colorful, with each of them having a distinct personality. They act more like early teens, but that’s fine too. They are still teens.
All stories are pretty light though they do deal with some heavy issues. Don’t look for anything deep. This book is meant to be enjoyed.
There’s a diverse rep and a cool LBGT couple (who can have a story of their own).
The magic isn’t really there. The book has very mild bits of paranormal (almost as if ticking off a box). The atmosphere is there but not enough magic except in the last part. It would have been better if the events were more evenly distributed across all three stories.
I’d have loved it more if the three stories were interwoven into one novel where things happen in parallel. It sure would have helped with character development and pacing.
To sum up, Three Kisses, One Midnight is a lighthearted read in a cozy setting. It’ll work as a breather between heavy reads as long you don’t think much about the plotlines.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#ThreeKissesOneMidnight #NetGalley
3.8 Stars
One Liner: Lighthearted and fun
Moon Ridge is a delightful small town with 400 years of history. Everyone knows about the Lady of Moon Ridge and her love story. Halloween has a special significance in the town. After all, the Lady of Moon Ridge descends from the stars once every hundred years and walks among the people to help lovers unite at midnight.
It’s no surprise that the high school students (and many adults) are super excited about Halloween. It’s the hundredth year and time for the mysterious lady ghost to make an appearance.
The Coven, a trio of mismatched besties- Onny, True, and Ash, have mixed feelings about the special occasion. Onny is excited to find true love using her granny’s love potion. True wants nothing to do with magic. Ash is doubtful if he’ll ever find love (or win it).
What happens on Halloween party eve? Do the friends get what they want? Can they hope for their deepest wishes to come true? And what’s Halloween without some magic?
Onny’s Story
Onny comes from the richest family in the town but is loved by many. She plans her life based on astrology, tarot, and signs from the stars. Ash and True love her enough to indulge in her antics (which are often). She is determined to use the love potion on the guy she sets her eyes on. But things rarely go as planned.
Her story sets the tone for the rest of the novel. It uses the academia frenemies-to-lovers trope with a third party thrown into the mix. Onny is infuriating but a sweetheart too.
Ash’s Story
Asher is an awkward nerdy teen who feels comfortable with art and just two humans, Onny and True. He has a huge crush (turned love) on Cassidy, his neighbor. When a chance incident brings him and Cassidy close enough to talk and spend some time together, can Asher use the chance to win his lady love?
The story is sweet and predictable (which is the case with this genre). Ash’s love for art comes across very clearly though the ‘love track’ could have been better. Still, it suits the book’s theme and atmosphere.
True’s Story
True believes only in science. Magic has no place in her life despite being Onny’s best friend. She’s learned to guard her heart, but meeting Orion at the Halloween party might just change her mind (or her heart).
This story has insta-love and maximum paranormal activity in the entire book. Makes sense that it would happen to True, right? ;) The story is rather cute, even if I didn’t like the insta-love trope.
Overall Observations:
The writing is a bit disjointed in places but a fast read once you stop looking for a seamless transaction between the stories.
It is a YA book so expect some (a lot) eye-roll moments and dialogues. The Coven is colorful, with each of them having a distinct personality. They act more like early teens, but that’s fine too. They are still teens.
All stories are pretty light though they do deal with some heavy issues. Don’t look for anything deep. This book is meant to be enjoyed.
There’s a diverse rep and a cool LBGT couple (who can have a story of their own).
The magic isn’t really there. The book has very mild bits of paranormal (almost as if ticking off a box). The atmosphere is there but not enough magic except in the last part. It would have been better if the events were more evenly distributed across all three stories.
I’d have loved it more if the three stories were interwoven into one novel where things happen in parallel. It sure would have helped with character development and pacing.
To sum up, Three Kisses, One Midnight is a lighthearted read in a cozy setting. It’ll work as a breather between heavy reads as long you don’t think much about the plotlines.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#ThreeKissesOneMidnight #NetGalley
Publication Date: 07th Sep 2022
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining
Julia Bird is settling down in Berrywick with Jake, her adorable chocolate-colored lab, and half a dozen chickens. Her routine is set until she discovers another dead body.
Famous author Vincent Andrews charms the townsfolk during his meet of the next book’s release. The meet and greet is a great success, or so it seems until his body is found in the same library where the event occurred.
Julia tries not to get involved but can’t help it. She decides to do her bit and help DI Hayley catch the real culprit. As Julia digs further, the truth of Vincent’s real life unravels (with a bunch of lies and contradictions). Can she separate facts from fiction and identify the killer before another dead body turns up?
The story comes in the limited third-person POV of Julia Bird.
My Observations:
The second book in the series can be read as a standalone. It has recurring characters that add to the charm and annoy you by creating new hurdles.
The book is just the right light (250+ pages) and a quick read. It tends to go this way and that once in a while but gets back on track to keep the momentum going.
Julia Bird’s character is shaping up very well. She’s investigating more openly now. It’ll be fun to see what happens in the future books. Jake is growing up, too but is as naughty as before (his sloppiness makes him even more adorable).
I like the relationship strengthening between DI Hayley and Julia. Though I’ll admit I want Hayley to do a little more (even if Julia is the leading sleuth of the series and is not as busy as the detective).
The case of the writer’s murder was decent, with some twists thrown in and revealed in stages in the last quarter of the book. It wasn’t hard to figure out (which I don’t mind anyway).
There’s a development in the personal track (the Julia- Sean track), which is quite endearing. I hope there won’t be any clichéd tropes in the coming books.
To summarize, Murder in the Library is a promising continuation of the series. It’s a light cozy mystery with minimum dangers. Pick it up when you want something quick and easy to read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Jess from Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #MurderintheLibraryJuliaBirdMysteriesBook2
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining
Julia Bird is settling down in Berrywick with Jake, her adorable chocolate-colored lab, and half a dozen chickens. Her routine is set until she discovers another dead body.
Famous author Vincent Andrews charms the townsfolk during his meet of the next book’s release. The meet and greet is a great success, or so it seems until his body is found in the same library where the event occurred.
Julia tries not to get involved but can’t help it. She decides to do her bit and help DI Hayley catch the real culprit. As Julia digs further, the truth of Vincent’s real life unravels (with a bunch of lies and contradictions). Can she separate facts from fiction and identify the killer before another dead body turns up?
The story comes in the limited third-person POV of Julia Bird.
My Observations:
The second book in the series can be read as a standalone. It has recurring characters that add to the charm and annoy you by creating new hurdles.
The book is just the right light (250+ pages) and a quick read. It tends to go this way and that once in a while but gets back on track to keep the momentum going.
Julia Bird’s character is shaping up very well. She’s investigating more openly now. It’ll be fun to see what happens in the future books. Jake is growing up, too but is as naughty as before (his sloppiness makes him even more adorable).
I like the relationship strengthening between DI Hayley and Julia. Though I’ll admit I want Hayley to do a little more (even if Julia is the leading sleuth of the series and is not as busy as the detective).
The case of the writer’s murder was decent, with some twists thrown in and revealed in stages in the last quarter of the book. It wasn’t hard to figure out (which I don’t mind anyway).
There’s a development in the personal track (the Julia- Sean track), which is quite endearing. I hope there won’t be any clichéd tropes in the coming books.
To summarize, Murder in the Library is a promising continuation of the series. It’s a light cozy mystery with minimum dangers. Pick it up when you want something quick and easy to read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Jess from Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #MurderintheLibraryJuliaBirdMysteriesBook2
Good Night Tahoe is a cutie animal and places (in Tahoe) book with ABC for the kids. Each page has an animal, city, and alliterations to describe them. The animals come with cool expressions (some outright cheeky and funny).
There isn’t any story except for the list of animals (real and mythical) from A to Z. The illustrations look like digital art and are certainly vibrant. Kids will love to check out the details on each page (though it will extend the bedtime, lol). The book also serves as a short guide to different places you can visit in Tahoe.
To summarize, Good Night Tahoe will be a great choice for bedtime stories and read-aloud sessions with little ones.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Beary Tahoe, and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Members' Titles and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#GoodNightTahoe #NetGalley
There isn’t any story except for the list of animals (real and mythical) from A to Z. The illustrations look like digital art and are certainly vibrant. Kids will love to check out the details on each page (though it will extend the bedtime, lol). The book also serves as a short guide to different places you can visit in Tahoe.
To summarize, Good Night Tahoe will be a great choice for bedtime stories and read-aloud sessions with little ones.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Beary Tahoe, and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Members' Titles and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#GoodNightTahoe #NetGalley
Publication Date: 05th Sep 2022
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Slow Burn Drama; Minority Opinion
Morranez is a perfect seaside town in Brittany. It’s a great place for locals, visitors, and tourists. But the death of a gypsy camper woman and the subsequent hate campaign against the leading archeologist stir trouble.
Mila has put her life on hold to care for her niece, Ani after Sophia died. Mila lives with Ani in The Sea Side home (Sophia’s home) and takes over her job at the family agency. Though Mila is weighed down by too many responsibilities, she cannot help but dig deeper about the dead woman.
But things are more complicated than they appear. With police disinterested in the case and danger mounting from all sides, Mila has no choice but to uncover the truth, even if it means risking her life and Ani’s. Can Mila find the truth someone is desperate to hide?
The story comes from the limited person POV for Mila.
What I Like:
The story is set in a small French town, which suits the plot perfectly and adds to the atmosphere.
Mila’s character is well-etched. I love that she is not too happy to handle the responsibility of her sister’s child but also loves the kid. I may not connect with her, but I could empathize with her.
Sophia, despite being dead, is a constant part of the book. Sometimes in a good way, and sometimes in a not-so-good way. Still, she does create an impact on the reader.
I got to know about something from history I didn’t know before. Not revealing to avoid spoilers. I also like how the author didn’t use the event to preach but wove it naturally with the plot.
The plot is multilayered and never confusing. This is one of those few books I don’t mind for the slow pacing. I felt invested in the plot almost throughout.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
I have a thing for endings, and this book gave me mixed feelings. As much as I don’t need HEA, I still like to have things tied up (unless there will be a sequel).
The main mystery part is solved, but the rest is left to the reader’s interpretation. Furthermore, the ending sentence has string vibes of a sequel (and I still don’t know if there will be one). When I read a 350-page book, I like to close with a sense of satisfaction or sadness (but not disappointed about the lack of resolution). This is a personal pet peeve (so you might like the ending more than I did).
The build-up to the climax was stronger than the climax itself. This dampened things a bit. Things happened a little too fast and were over before I could feel the impact/ tension.
The writing is beautiful, but the overall story feels like it has a lot more potential. I wanted more about the past (Sophia, Mila, & Carter). That ‘drama’ isn’t enough if you know what I mean.
Not sure if Mila has alcohol issues. She doesn’t drink constantly, but when she does, it seems like she goes overboard. I’m a teetotaler, but I don’t think someone who wants to research something crucial on the internet (and read dozens of pages) will continue to top her wine glass and drink to the point where she doesn’t remember her conservations with another person.
Ani acts pretty much like a teenager (she is fourteen). I don’t mind it, but I sure wished for more depth in her character arc, especially since she showed the signs of being a complex personality.
To summarize, The Lost Notebook is a slow-burn mystery set in an atmospheric location and great premise. Pick it up if you want to read beautiful writing with a decent mystery.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#TheLostNotebook #NetGalley
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Slow Burn Drama; Minority Opinion
Morranez is a perfect seaside town in Brittany. It’s a great place for locals, visitors, and tourists. But the death of a gypsy camper woman and the subsequent hate campaign against the leading archeologist stir trouble.
Mila has put her life on hold to care for her niece, Ani after Sophia died. Mila lives with Ani in The Sea Side home (Sophia’s home) and takes over her job at the family agency. Though Mila is weighed down by too many responsibilities, she cannot help but dig deeper about the dead woman.
But things are more complicated than they appear. With police disinterested in the case and danger mounting from all sides, Mila has no choice but to uncover the truth, even if it means risking her life and Ani’s. Can Mila find the truth someone is desperate to hide?
The story comes from the limited person POV for Mila.
What I Like:
The story is set in a small French town, which suits the plot perfectly and adds to the atmosphere.
Mila’s character is well-etched. I love that she is not too happy to handle the responsibility of her sister’s child but also loves the kid. I may not connect with her, but I could empathize with her.
Sophia, despite being dead, is a constant part of the book. Sometimes in a good way, and sometimes in a not-so-good way. Still, she does create an impact on the reader.
I got to know about something from history I didn’t know before. Not revealing to avoid spoilers. I also like how the author didn’t use the event to preach but wove it naturally with the plot.
The plot is multilayered and never confusing. This is one of those few books I don’t mind for the slow pacing. I felt invested in the plot almost throughout.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
I have a thing for endings, and this book gave me mixed feelings. As much as I don’t need HEA, I still like to have things tied up (unless there will be a sequel).
The main mystery part is solved, but the rest is left to the reader’s interpretation. Furthermore, the ending sentence has string vibes of a sequel (and I still don’t know if there will be one). When I read a 350-page book, I like to close with a sense of satisfaction or sadness (but not disappointed about the lack of resolution). This is a personal pet peeve (so you might like the ending more than I did).
The build-up to the climax was stronger than the climax itself. This dampened things a bit. Things happened a little too fast and were over before I could feel the impact/ tension.
The writing is beautiful, but the overall story feels like it has a lot more potential. I wanted more about the past (Sophia, Mila, & Carter). That ‘drama’ isn’t enough if you know what I mean.
Not sure if Mila has alcohol issues. She doesn’t drink constantly, but when she does, it seems like she goes overboard. I’m a teetotaler, but I don’t think someone who wants to research something crucial on the internet (and read dozens of pages) will continue to top her wine glass and drink to the point where she doesn’t remember her conservations with another person.
Ani acts pretty much like a teenager (she is fourteen). I don’t mind it, but I sure wished for more depth in her character arc, especially since she showed the signs of being a complex personality.
To summarize, The Lost Notebook is a slow-burn mystery set in an atmospheric location and great premise. Pick it up if you want to read beautiful writing with a decent mystery.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#TheLostNotebook #NetGalley
Happy Birthday, Bhyrappa garu!
*****
4.5 Stars
One Liner: A comprehensive compilation; a must-read for Bhyrappa fans
The book is a collection of memories and experiences of various translators who worked with Bhyrappa and translated his works into a multitude of languages. Creating a book like this is no small feat when we consider the extent of translations- the languages, the reprints, and the varied medium in which the great man’s works were presented. Giant Genius Bhyrappa and Mirrors of His Novels is a result of the tremendous hard work of M.S. Vijaya Haran, a senior broadcaster and researcher.
Bhyrappa’s books were translated into many regional Indian languages, along with Samskritam, Chinese, and Russian. A total of seven novels were translated into Samskritam- Sartha, Daatu, Dharmashree, Aavarana, Vamshavriksha, Tabbaliyu, and Parva. Parva was translated into Chinese and Russian. Then we have his books in Telugu, Gujarati, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, etc.
For someone who read just one book by the literary genius (and the other English translations on the TBR list), reading this compilation has been a treat. I was unsure whether I could read it from start to finish and not end up with spoilers for his works. Yet, I wanted to read it all and know more. I had to skim through a few pieces as the translators went into detail about the stories and characters from the books they translated.
The translator’s experiences came straight from the people themselves (or their dear ones in the case of the departed souls). Each piece started with the translator’s picture and ended with their bio (icing on the cake).
It would be unfair if I didn’t mention Subbu Publications in my review. This is a huge book with 578 pages. The font size and print are great. Big enough to read (even for seniors) and neatly spaced text throughout.
To summarize, Giant Genius Bhyrappa and Mirrors of His Novels is a tribute to the literary genius and a wonderful way to know more about the man behind many successful novels. He is Bharat’s treasure indeed.
I received a review copy from Indica Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This review is posted as a part of the Thousand Reviewers Club.
*****
Read the full review here
*****
4.5 Stars
One Liner: A comprehensive compilation; a must-read for Bhyrappa fans
The book is a collection of memories and experiences of various translators who worked with Bhyrappa and translated his works into a multitude of languages. Creating a book like this is no small feat when we consider the extent of translations- the languages, the reprints, and the varied medium in which the great man’s works were presented. Giant Genius Bhyrappa and Mirrors of His Novels is a result of the tremendous hard work of M.S. Vijaya Haran, a senior broadcaster and researcher.
Bhyrappa’s books were translated into many regional Indian languages, along with Samskritam, Chinese, and Russian. A total of seven novels were translated into Samskritam- Sartha, Daatu, Dharmashree, Aavarana, Vamshavriksha, Tabbaliyu, and Parva. Parva was translated into Chinese and Russian. Then we have his books in Telugu, Gujarati, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, etc.
For someone who read just one book by the literary genius (and the other English translations on the TBR list), reading this compilation has been a treat. I was unsure whether I could read it from start to finish and not end up with spoilers for his works. Yet, I wanted to read it all and know more. I had to skim through a few pieces as the translators went into detail about the stories and characters from the books they translated.
The translator’s experiences came straight from the people themselves (or their dear ones in the case of the departed souls). Each piece started with the translator’s picture and ended with their bio (icing on the cake).
It would be unfair if I didn’t mention Subbu Publications in my review. This is a huge book with 578 pages. The font size and print are great. Big enough to read (even for seniors) and neatly spaced text throughout.
To summarize, Giant Genius Bhyrappa and Mirrors of His Novels is a tribute to the literary genius and a wonderful way to know more about the man behind many successful novels. He is Bharat’s treasure indeed.
I received a review copy from Indica Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This review is posted as a part of the Thousand Reviewers Club.
*****
Read the full review here