Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 43

Protected in the Wild - Day 7

  Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay 

Deepinside the forest

Whereeven light treads with care  

Aretwo young boys, carefree and happy

Awayfrom the worries of the vast world

 

Friends,brothers, and partners in silly crimes

Theylaugh, giggle, and play with abandon

Untilmud streaks cover their bodies

Makingit impossible to see who is who

 

Thelittle brains spark with an idea

Thesounds of the rushing brook

Thechill of the cool, clean water

Ananswer to their biggest trouble yet

 

 Wash, scrub, and pour – the bath begins

Asnature laughs in delight

Protectingthe innocent smiles

Atleast until they stay in her care 

***

Brief Backstory: Kids, forests, and nature bring such positivity and innocence. One look at the picture, and I knew I had to use it for my poem. 

***

This post is a part of the BlogchatterHalf Marathon 2023.

Where to, My Foggy Friend? - Day 6

Image by Thanks for your recognition • Donations ♡ welcome from Pixabay

 Themuddy path greets me with the usual silence

Thedew drops on the green grass wink in mischief

Theweathered barks of ancient trees provide support

Butit is the whitish fog that beckons me today

 

Moodyas ever and brooding as always

Iignore the lure and stand in my spot

Onestep off could take me down the slope

Overthe broken branches and into the bottomless valley

 

Yet,it persists, inching closer and closer

Releasinga chilly breath onto my face and arms

Isuppress the shiver snaking up my spine

Feigningnonchalance even as I feel the pull

 

Sensingmy interest, it draws closer

Forminga barrier between me and the forest

But,in reality, marking me as one of its own

Easingthe stress from my heart and soul

 

Heavinga breathless sigh with my eyes closed

Ismile and take a step, trusting my new friend

Whereto, I ask, ready for an adventure

Followingthe path into a world within the world

***

Brief Backstory: Forests, muddy paths, and misty hours are a perfect combination for musings. 

***

This post is a part of the BlogchatterHalf Marathon 2023.

The Empress of Indraprastha: Building an Empire by Sonali Raje - Book Review

Publication Date: 26th June 2023 

Genre: Fanfiction Retelling, Mahabharata Retelling 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining, fast-paced, and emotional 

Book two begins with the Pandavas trying to make Khandavaprastha habitable and ends with Dhuryodhana falling in a pond in the Mayasabha after Yudhistir’s Rajasuya yagna. We see Arjuna’s twelve-year exile, the marriages of the Pandava brothers to other women, and the birth of their children. Khandavaprastha is now Indraprastha, with Yudhistir as the king and Draupadi as his queen. Things are great and not great, as always. 

The story comes from Draupadi’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

I applaud the author for the full-page disclaimer (as the first page) about the book being a fanfiction retelling and should not be used for academic/ learning purposes. 

After reading book one, I knew what to expect in this and enjoyed the other side of the story (the domesticated aspects). Nakul and Sahadev get more space, which I loved again. Their characters shine throughout the book. 

Draupadi’s voice gets better in this one. While book one was decent, this one manages to hit the cord in many areas. The relationships between Draupadi, the Pandava brothers and their other wives get deeper exploration (without excessive drama). 

I love that the other women have meaty roles. They have their strengths and work together to build a stable Indraprastha. Each wife – Devika (Yudhistir), Valandhara (Bheem), Subhadra (Arjun), Karenumati (Nakul), and Vijiya (Sahadev) has a distinctive personality, which makes it easy to track them. 

The book seamlessly combines political strategy, social welfare, family and relationships. This makes for a more rounded reading experience. The topics mentioned in the official blurb are briefly dealt with, which is enough for the book. I’m glad we don’t get a moral lesson with loads of preaching. 

I do love the focus on Draupadi and Arjun’s relationship. It’s a welcome change to retellings that make her yearn for Karn (I hate this trope). Doesn’t it make sense for Draupadi to love Arjun a little more? She was to marry only him, after all! The scenes dealing with her angst are very well-written. 

My only grouse is that I wanted them to have an actual conversation like two adults. People saying they are two parts of one soul, etc., is okay. But we need to see it, too. Give us a scene where their love for each other shines so bright that it puts everything into perspective. (I sure wouldn’t have minded Draupdi getting a proper apology from Arjun. With all the creative liberties already taken in a retelling, why not use them to enhance a genuine relationship?) 

Given the number of child-births in this one, we see a lot of pregnancies too. I like how there’s enough detail to show that each pregnancy can be different and affects the mother in different ways. We also see the distinctive personalities of the children; some are happy babies, some are demanding, and some are little angels! 

The writing has modern tones with many contemporary terms like indigenous, natives, invaders, war refugees, immigrants, et al. Thankfully, the content is handled with enough care to not make it sound like a ‘progressive’ rant. We see how the Pandavas and the Nagas come to an understanding and how the place becomes more habitable for everyone. 

Issues like being different, unconventional family structures, marital consent, family discord, etc., are also well done. I enjoyed the way these important aspects were presented. 

The scenes with Krishna are my favorite (and why not). I feel even the author loves writing about him. The dialogues feel like they’ve been written with extra care. It’s Krishna, right! Naturally, there’s quite a bit of foreshadowing, which is easy to see if you know the original. 

Karn is also present (obviously), though Druapadi is more focused on her family and kingdom. Fortunately, the animosity continues and gets even stronger (also, it’s not likely to turn into anything else, which is a relief). Karn is shown as who he is instead of who readers want him to be. Contrary to the public opinion, he is no saint. I do feel his friendship and loyalty to Dhuryodhana aren’t as pure but come from a place of Karn’s self-interest, too. 

There are many versions of Dhuryodhana’s tour of Mayasabha and his subsequent ‘insult’. From what I know, that particular dialogue is not said by Draupadi (though some versions say the words were spoken by Bheem). Still, I don’t mind it much (considering we have worse retellings of the same). 

To summarize, The Empress of Indraprastha – Building an Empire is well-written, entertaining, and interesting. It does provide a fresh perspective of Draupadi (as far as I know) and works well for the contemporary market. (It is not a standalone.)

My thanks to the author, Sonali Raje, for the complimentary copy. 

***

P.S.: The cover is cool! I like how the colors perfectly match the description in the book. A darker skin tone would have been even better! 

Little Brigit - Day 5

Image by ApplesPC from Pixabay

Bright as the sun, she brings spring blooms to blow away the snow 

Renewing warmth, she nudges seedlings to sprout and break free 

Illuminating the world, she turns gloomy cold nights into bonfire moments 

Glowing in glory, she dances across the pagan lands to scatter blessings of abundance 

Impish mischief sparkles as fire flickers on her fingertips to keep the hearths hot 

Thankful is mankind, gobbling the gifts she bestows year upon year for eternity 

***

Brief Backstory: Brigit is a Celtic Goddess of Healers, Smiths, Childbirth, Poets, Inspiration, Fire and Hearth, and a Patron of Warfare. The poem is in acrostic form.

***

This post is a part of the BlogchatterHalf Marathon 2023. 

Eye See I - Day 4

Image by Nils from Pixabay

Isee

Liquidamber

Glowingin the night’s dark

Intenton the prey, do not blink

Eyesee  

***

Brief Backstory:  Some poems write themselves. This is one of those. It is in Cinquain form with 2-4-6-8-2 syllables. 

***

This post is a part of the BlogchatterHalf Marathon 2023. 

Silvery Threads of Nature - Day 3

Image by Keli Black from Pixabay

Heavy and full, the dark clouds come together 

Merging with one another, they grow to cover the sky 

No hint of blue remains visible to the naked eye 

As nature prepares to flaunt her talents 

Small and big, bushy and pointed, the trees stand below 

Huddled together in groups, connected through their roots 

Entwined with grass, shrubs, plants, and mini mushrooms 

They settle to enjoy the show and convey their pleasure 

A faraway thunder is the only announcement 

As slivery threads of light streak downward 

The trees quiver in delight, though some wince in pain 

It’s the stitch of nature, a temporary quilt of light and dark 

White tendrils glare and blink out of sight 

Seen and unseen before one even takes a breath 

Sharing power, connecting the elements 

Lightning strikes until the earth regains her lost strength

***

Brief Backstory: Clouds, lightning, and thunderstorms are other favorites of mine, so they had to be in a poem. There's something so beautiful about watching a lightning strike! 

***

This post is a part of the BlogchatterHalf Marathon 2023. 

Yours from the Tower by Sally Nicholls - Book Review

Publication Date: 07th September 2023

Genre: YA Historical Fiction, Epistolary 

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: Adorable! 

1896-97

Trizah, Polly, and Sarah are eighteen-year-old best friends who left the boarding school to go back to their families/ lives. Trizah is in Scotland with her grumpy Grandma. Polly is home and enjoying being a teacher at the local orphanage. Sarah gets a chance to debut the Season and find a rich husband, thanks to her aunt. 

Over the months, the trio sends each other letters about their frustrations, hopes, dreams, confusions, dilemmas, love, adventures, etc. They also interact with others through letters. What does the future have in store for these lovely young ladies? 

The entire story is presented in letters between different characters. 

My Thoughts: 

I knew I had to read this when I saw the cover and the title. It gave me quirky vibes with a touch of fairytale and loads of laughs. The book delivers the same and almost met my expectations. 

The main characters – Trizah, Polly (Mary), and Sarah, have distinctive personalities that make it easy to keep their voices separate. There’s no confusion about who is who (I even tried reading a few letters by ignoring the salutations, and it still worked). 

The book is described as an epic Victorian teenage drama (in the author’s note), and I agree. The characters don’t always sound like they belong to the era, but they do work within the constraints of the period. 

Various topics are dealt with here, ranging from gender bias, social conditions for the common folk, marrying rich to support one’s family, the conflict between mind and heart (love vs. duty), lack of parental love, yearning for affection, loneliness, greed, etc. We even have a mini-mystery of sorts related to some kids at the orphanage. 

It does seem like a lot, but nowhere does the book feel overwhelming. Maybe it does get emotional at one point, which is necessary for a character’s growth. Even that is balanced by light-hearted supporting scenes and some drama. However, there are a couple of triggering mentions (check TW at the end of the review). 

Despite being an epistolary novel, the book manages to offer enough character development not just for the leading ladies but a few side characters too. I really enjoyed how it provides entertainment while presenting enough elements to think about. Be it the running of orphanages or the apparent differences between rich and poor, each element is tackled with the right amount of seriousness.  

The letters between other characters enrich the book and provide a more rounded perspective. I loved knowing Mr. Thompson and Sebastian’s thoughts. Their letters provide the necessary backstory into their lives, which makes them feel real rather than being uni-dimensional.  

Of course, I’d have loved it more if the book managed to include an epilogue with a letter or two. I always want to know if the characters have HEA. Still, the ending is apt and provides good closure (aligning with the characters’ arcs). 

The writing is easy to read despite having quite a few characters. The letters are of varying lengths and keep the momentum going. I hated taking a break, but I needed my sleep more. It’s a quick book and doesn’t feel like I’ve read 350+ pages. 

To summarize, Yours from the Tower is a cute, sweet, adorable, and delightful entertainer set in the Victorian era. With quirky and loving characters, it is light-hearted, fun, and enjoyable. Pick it up when you want something cozy and happy. Do check the triggers, though. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Andersen Press, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #YoursfromtheTower 

TW: Parental neglect, alcoholic parent, mention of suicide attempt (no action but can be triggering), and hints of depression due to loneliness. 

Ancient Roots - Day 2

Image by allPhoto Bangkok from Pixabay

Darkenedwalls, broken doors, and trampled floors 

Olderthan you, me, and anyone alive

Half-hiddenand protected by overgrowth

Stoneand roots, nature’s children living together

Carvingsso intricate that no machine can replicate

Faintechoes of ancient prayers humming with power

 

Templeruins, left forgotten and ignored

Bythe civilized descendants of heathen ancestors

Templeruins converted into tourist spots with flashy guides

Fabricatedstories sold for dollars and pounds

Templeruins desecrated by lovers and reformers

Wisdomon walls wiped out by ugly graffiti

 

Thepast, no longer present, yet with roots

Toodeep to uproot and erase without a trace

Rootsthat grow back; refuse to surrender despite the abuse

Providinga gateway into the past, now and forever

Aroad not many want to take, not many dare follow

Yetthe only one leading to the center of the universe

 

***Brief Backstory: I love ancient temples and how they have been powerhouses of spiritual abundance over centuries. They are architectural marvels, built for decades with precision even modern-day tools don't achieve. There's much to learn if we stop considering ourselves superior.  ***

This post is a part of the BlogchatterHalf Marathon 2023. 

The Silent Witness - Day 1

Hello readers! 
I'm taking part in the half-marathon organized by BlogChatter. As usual, I'll be posting a poem a day for ten days. Hope you enjoy them. The topics are varied yet similar. :) 
Image by Sunrise Pohtam from Pixabay

Comerain or sun, thunderstorm or whirlpool

Thereit stood, tall and proud yet silent

Awitness to sinking ships, teary goodbyes

Awitness to new love, a salty taste of freedom

 

Seasonscame and went, ships sailed and left

Keeperscared and passed, generation after generation

Thestories it could tell if only you dared to ask

Eachfresh as it occurred, traveling back in time

 

Fadedwalls painted decades ago

Rustyrails and cracked windows

Butrocky foundations that survive for eons

The centuries-old lighthouse, the guardian ofstories 

***Brief Backstory: I love lighthouses and always try to use them in my poems. They remind me of ancient power, standing for generations to protect endless future generations. What better than a symbol of hope, guidance, protection, and perseverance to begin the event. ***This post is a part of the Blogchatter Half Marathon 2023. 

The Black Air by Jennifer Lane - Book Review

Publication Date: 07th September 2023

Genre: Dark YA Drama  

4.25 Stars 

One Liner: Great atmosphere; suitable for older YA readers 

Long Byrne, located in rural Lancashire, is a small farmer’s town with centuries of history. It is where two young girls, Rose Ackroyd and Jane Hollingworth, were declared and hung as witches. The incident happened 400 years ago on the 31st of October 1623. 

When the college management decides to enact the event as a play, Caitlin Aspey, aka Cate, signs up as the scriptwriter. Cate and Tawny are inseparable besties. However, the arrival of Byrony changes the dynamics between the duo. 

Things get tense when loyalties shift and the play’s date inches closer. Of course, some strange events seem to be occurring in the town, though not many are aware of the impending danger. But is it real or imaginary? How can Cate handle the developments? 

The story comes in Cate’s first-person POV. 

(The GR blurb is different.) 

My Thoughts: 

According to the blurb, this is a ‘contemporary story with a dark mystery at its heart’. It is also a story of ‘obsession, mental health, disordered eating, the supernatural, and the lengths teenage girls will go to for the sake of all-consuming female friendships.’ 

I must say that the book justifies the description on many fronts. However, I wish the supernatural elements were introduced early. It comes at a point where I decided the book wasn’t a fantasy. I still wouldn’t categorize it as one, though. This would have upped the stakes, but I guess the contents would have become a little excessive for the target audience (YA). 

Still, I wouldn’t recommend this to the younger teens. Not because it’s scary (it’s not). But the writing is so good that the characters get under the skin. It may be too uncomfortable for young minds, especially if they aren’t used to such reads. (Also, check the triggers at the end of the review.) 

The first-person narration in Cate’s voice is haunting and touching (don't miss the author's note). We cannot help but be moved by what she’s going through. The touch of uncertainty makes us wonder what’s real and what’s her imagination. After all, Cate is in depression and survives solely on coffee. 

We see Tawny, Byrony, and Robyn (all the y’s can be confusing) through her eyes, which also shows us the flaws on both sides. Still, the characters seem surrealistically authentic. The obsession, fear, dependence, toxicity, defensive mechanism, loneliness, etc., comes across clearly. 

The setting is wonderfully dark and brooding, and hints of sinister presence throughout. The timing (autumn months) adds to the impact. It is atmospheric and takes the reader to Long Byrne. 

However, the book has its flaws. A few aspects remained unanswered. While I’m okay with some of them, I still don’t know (why Cate’s dad remarried. There seems to be no reason for this). 

The pacing is slow (which I expected) but gets a little too slow for the majority of the book. It’s not until we cross the 70% mark that things get really complex. I wouldn’t have minded if this came sooner. 

The adults in the book are unidimensional and cardboard cutouts. Maybe Miss Rallington, the teacher, is the only one who comes close to having a decent presence (though there isn’t much to her personality either). If only the adults were more involved in their children’s lives… alas!  

The book deals with many topics like mental health, grief, absent parents, bullying, toxic and obsessive friendships, witch trials, etc. However, most of them are seamlessly woven together to present a compelling narrative. The ending is realistic and hopeful – the best we can expect under the circumstances. 

To summarize, The Black Air is a haunting and atmospheric tale where past and present collide in a small town obsessed with witches. It is slow-paced but worth a read (when you are in the right mood). 

Thank you, NetGalley and UCLAN Publishing, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheBlackAir 

TW: Coping with the death of a parent, suicide attempt, eating disorder, toxic same-gender, friendship, depression, mental illness, unaddressed grief, animal death (not graphic), and bullying. 

***

P.S.: The cover is so subtly done! I saw it on full screen to see the elements silhouetted in the face. Wonderful!