Set in a fictional kingdom, The Himadripuram Adventure by Sitharaam Jayakumar is a creative blend of fantasy, thriller, adventure, and historical fiction. The narrative abounds with suspense, conspiracies, espionage, twists, and turns, which the author skillfully weaves together. King Devdutt of Himadripuram is a just and able leader. However, his son, Prince Veer Narayan, the heir-apparent, is callous. He whiles away his time with women and wine, making him an unworthy ruler. Worried about the kingdom’s future, Devdutt requests his trustworthy advisor and chief of Himadripuram Khoofiya Vibhag ..read more

When I started reading Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar, I immediately figured out the ‘who’ and ‘what’ right at the very start. It’s probably because of all those thriller movies I have been watching, lol! However, it is the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ that kept me going. This fast-paced YA mystery thriller deals with identity, grief, trauma, friendships, and sibling relationships. Through a dual POV narration, the story provides a close insight into the lives of two sisters, Grace and Maddy. The sisters are like chalk and cheese. Grace is an outgoing person, surrounded by friends. Maddy, on the oth ..read more

Freida McFadden’s books have been on my TBR since forever! I read such rave reviews about The Housemaid, (even though I have yet to read it) and was excited when I received the arc of The Inmate. Sadly, it was a bummer! It’s fast-paced and full of unexpected twists and turns. But a lackluster main protagonist and glaring plot holes stopped me from enjoying this book as much as I had hoped to. Brooke Sullivan, a single mother, moves to Raker after her parents’ demise. A trained nurse practitioner, she lands a job at a men’s maximum-security prison. Though she is terrified of the inmates, there ..read more

Vivekananda: The Philosopher of Freedom by Govind Krishnan V is a comprehensive exploration of Swami’s religious philosophies, thoughts, and ideologies. The book is divided into three sections, with each section exploring various facets of Swami’s life and spiritual journey. According to the author, “The book attempts to give the reader a set of conceptual tools through which to approach and understand Vivekananda’s life and work.” The first part offers a detailed insight into Swami Vivekananda’s life, exploring his perspectives on Christianity, Islam, and Hindutva. In the second part, the nar ..read more

Renita D’Silva’s “The Spice Maker’s Secret” is a captivating multi-generation historical tale that unfolds across dual timelines (1930s and 1980) and two distinct settings (India and London), featuring two interesting female protagonists, Bindu and Eve. Love, ambition, poverty, challenging marriages, societal expectations, colonialism, and resilience are among the central themes explored in this narrative. In the 1930s, Bindu, a spirited and independent young girl, finds herself navigating a harsh reality after losing her parents early in life. Raised by her Ajji, she dreams of escaping to the ..read more

In the mesmerizing narrative of “C: A Novel,” Anupama Raju seamlessly blends prose and poetry to craft a tale as intriguing as the title. Darkness and light, depression and desolation, love and heartbreak, hope and despair—all converge in a symphony of words, with poetry serving as the novel’s beating heart. The novel unfolds across two ambiguous, yet enigmatic cities, centuries apart, connected by the thematic thread of poetry—a thread that runs through the very fabric of this story. The convergence of two Cs, spanning time and distance, becomes a metaphorical journey through the complexities ..read more

“Where have you been all these years, Sudha?” Paati jerks awake when my fingers graze her warm forehead. I know her mumblings are a result of a feverish delirium, but the mere mention of her name brings a sour taste to my mouth. “It’s me… Ramya.” I clench my fist, examining the photograph lying atop her Sudoku book. Paati and Sudha, in their best madisarus. Shimmery glass bangles in her hand and her smiles etched onto the aged paper forever. My heart skips a beat as I notice the bulge. “Why do you have this?” Paati sits up, ignoring my protests. “It’s from her valakaapu, the only photo I could ..read more

Djamila Morani’s The Djinn’s Apple is a captivating YA historical mystery novella that reminded me of Arabian Nights. Set in 8th century Baghdad, commonly known as the golden age of Baghdad, the short story follows Nardeen, a gifted twelve-year-old girl who witnesses the horrific murder of her entire family and makes it her life’s mission to avenge her family’s massacre. Nardeen’s father, a doctor, is an avid reader and inculcates a love for books and medicines in his daughter too. Her idyllic life takes a tragic turn when a politically motivated gang slaughters her entire family. Tw ..read more

How often do you judge a novel by its cover or title? Well, I have done it quite often and might continue to do so. The first thing that struck me about Taha Kehar’s No Funeral for Nazia was the title. It’s such a hook! Unfortunately, the story failed to live up to the promise set by the intriguing title. Set in Pakistan, this story revolves around the themes of love, friendship, betrayal, adultery, and politics. Nazia, a successful writer, has led an interesting life, challenging predefined norms. And even in her death, she has left a mark. In her last letter to her sister Naureen, she states ..read more

“Amma, I’m scared,” Adi murmured as he nestled into the metallic bed, resting his face against his mother’s. The unpleasant odours triggered an itch in his nose, but he nuzzled closer to his mother, hoping to catch a whiff of familiar scents that had now disappeared. “Amma, are you sleeping?” he whispered again. His fingers trembled as he caressed her bald scalp. It was soft yet prickly, like thorns. Adi bit his lower lip, “are you angry with me?” “How can I be angry with you, my darling?” Amma’s faint voice caught him off-guard. Even though he was right next to her, she sounded as if she was ..read more