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Reckoning from the Shadows: A Riveting Political and Espionage Thriller
Agent Petra Shirazi is back in sizzling action thriller to stop an Agency mole… and save a democracy. Veronica Salazar knows her former colleague Petra Shirazi’s dark secret. Under threat of blackmail, Petra and her partner Kasem Ismaili, formerly known as the deadly assassin the Ahriman, have no choice but to join a covert operation to hunt down an Agency Mole. After tracking the mole to the East African Great Lakes region the team gets caught in an even larger Chinese intelligence is attempting to orchestrate a military coup d’etat to ensure their stake in a major green energy deal. The race to stop a coup d’etat begins. The Agency mole hunt quickly transforms into a race to stop the Burundi government from being overturned. As the conspiracy unravels, the team questions the Agency’s motivation and has to decide who to trust. Can the team put their differences aside to focus on the threat at hand? Does Petra and Kasem’s relationship stand a chance in this turmoil? The perfect blend of action, espionage, and suspense. Fans of Mark Greaney, Kyle Mills, Don Bentley, Tom Clancy, Daniel Silva, Frederick Forsyth, John LeCarre and international espionage will love this fast-paced suspense novel. Find out why Reader's Digest and LA Weekly magazine refer to Reckoning from the Shadows as one of the most exciting pieces of espionage fiction in recent times. THE AHRIMAN LEGACY is back with another action-packed adventure. Get your copy today to dive right into the action!
369 pages, Paperback
Published January 18, 2023
About the author
Puja Guha
12 books77 followersPuja Guha draws upon her experiences from traveling and living around the world in her writing. She has lived in Kuwait, Toronto, Paris, London, and several American cities including New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco. Each of these places and many more show up in her writing as her travel to places such as Mozambique, South Africa, Vietnam, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Guinea-Bissau inspire more and more story ideas. She also uses her experience working in international finance and development with the World Bank and Oliver Wyman to delve into global political themes in both her thrillers and literary fiction.
She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with work experience in finance and health care consulting, along with master's degrees in public policy from London School of Economics and Sciences Po. She has published two books, international spy thriller AHRIMAN: THE SPIRIT OF DESTRUCTION and literary fiction piece THE CONFLUENCE.
She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with work experience in finance and health care consulting, along with master's degrees in public policy from London School of Economics and Sciences Po. She has published two books, international spy thriller AHRIMAN: THE SPIRIT OF DESTRUCTION and literary fiction piece THE CONFLUENCE.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
February 3, 2023
Reckoning From the Shadows, #4 - Interesting addition to the series. I was lucky to have the trio to read back to back and although it has been awhile I remembered much of those books. Intriguing bit of the past rises its ugly head and causes problems for and between the team. See other reviews for more information. 4*
The Ahriman Legacy:
Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction #1 - This is my first read by Ms. Guha and I was impressed. I took my time to read this well thought out and well written and well edited first time novel. The author's experiences and education show throughout her book; while not a spy, she understands of the parts of the world she is writing about so clearly. There are several storylines that weave in and out during two or three periods of time and mesh together in this intriguing, suspenseful saga of terrorism and politics in the Middle East and the agents assigned to combat the terrorists.
While there are Americans involved, the majority of the characters are from the Middle East and there is plenty of customs and languages used throughout the story that add depth. The characters have interesting backgrounds about their developments and the events that shaped them during the different timeframes. The pace is fast and smoothly transitions the years and events to keep the reader immersed in the pages. Plenty of time is given to set the foundation that meshes the storylines and shapes the characters into a novel that keeps the reader constantly striving to figure what happens next. There is nothing Hollywood about this book. This is a very substantial read that could have been written by any of the heavy weights like Ludlum and Follett and company. This caliber of Indie author is hard to find in this genre nowadays.
Happily, I read the paperback version. This 309 paged, oversized book was comfortable to hold and didn't have any fumes. The serif typeface was a size too small for me to read comfortably, but with normal eyesight it is perfect. I'm used to a Kindle with narrow pages and large font to enable me to read faster. I have the other two books of this series, in paperback, and look forward to reading more about the female character that played such a strong role in this novel. I contacted the author to review her books. 5*
Road to Redemption #2 - I think this was the best. This is a well written, well developed and realistic story complete with a gamut of action, suspense and second chances. Once started, this book was hard to put down and the pages flew by rapidly. The storylines continue from Ahriman and further develop into new worlds and problems.
The characters come into their own and fulfill their roles with intelligence, daring and bravery. Of course, they are human and show their inner struggles. I like the fact that some of the characters were shown in a good light, since their nationality is usually depicted as the terrorist or villain. The locations and politics and events are interesting, along with the twists that keep the wheels rolling on the bumpy roads.
There is so much to this story, but I find it difficult to write about them without turning this into a book review. I cannot say anything without it being a spoiler. I do recommend reading all three books sequentially for the foundation and storylines are built up and give so much more substance to the reading. Each book can be read without the others, but why do that? 5*
Resurgence of the Hunt #3 - I love this trilogy. This book was heavier into the relationship between Petra and Kasem, complete with their ups and downs, doubts and trust issues, BUT the story still continues all the storylines and is filled with fast paced action.
Well written and well thought out, the story moves at a good pace and keeps the reader interested. While it is not necessary to read Ahriman and Road, books 1 and 2, I highly recommend reading them sequentially; there is so much background and the foundation that this trilogy builds upon is worth the time invested.
The characters are multi-faceted and range the spectrum of personalities, complete with the evil ones. Even the good characters will have to decide how far to go with boundaries. None are boring and all serve their purpose. The cursing is infrequent and not vulgar, I only remember one word that fit that descriptor and it was not the F-bomb. There is sex but we are not invited as voyeurs.
This author does remind me a lot of Ludlum. The planning, the research and the intelligence found in these three books makes the Ahriman Legacy worthy of the big boys. There is nothing Hollywood or patching to make the story flow. AL is realistic and believable.
I did notice a difference with Resurgence that did not appear in the first two books. The author does state she did not agree with all the editing, so this is probably why "thank God" has been changed to "thank god". I have a bad habit developed from my job to edit as I read, bad, bad habit when the books are subpar, but Ms. Guha's books were well edited and did use God in the first two books. So Ms. Guha, your editors were wrong about thank God, but they are probably following the trend against God since there is no more regulation with multimedia and the owners have their own agendas; not counting the Internet - that's a different world. I do not know how to clearly describe the difference with how the relationships were handled in this book. Do not get me wrong, this IS a very good story, but the nuances were noticeable to me. 5*
The Ahriman Legacy end.
The Ahriman Legacy:
Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction #1 - This is my first read by Ms. Guha and I was impressed. I took my time to read this well thought out and well written and well edited first time novel. The author's experiences and education show throughout her book; while not a spy, she understands of the parts of the world she is writing about so clearly. There are several storylines that weave in and out during two or three periods of time and mesh together in this intriguing, suspenseful saga of terrorism and politics in the Middle East and the agents assigned to combat the terrorists.
While there are Americans involved, the majority of the characters are from the Middle East and there is plenty of customs and languages used throughout the story that add depth. The characters have interesting backgrounds about their developments and the events that shaped them during the different timeframes. The pace is fast and smoothly transitions the years and events to keep the reader immersed in the pages. Plenty of time is given to set the foundation that meshes the storylines and shapes the characters into a novel that keeps the reader constantly striving to figure what happens next. There is nothing Hollywood about this book. This is a very substantial read that could have been written by any of the heavy weights like Ludlum and Follett and company. This caliber of Indie author is hard to find in this genre nowadays.
Happily, I read the paperback version. This 309 paged, oversized book was comfortable to hold and didn't have any fumes. The serif typeface was a size too small for me to read comfortably, but with normal eyesight it is perfect. I'm used to a Kindle with narrow pages and large font to enable me to read faster. I have the other two books of this series, in paperback, and look forward to reading more about the female character that played such a strong role in this novel. I contacted the author to review her books. 5*
Road to Redemption #2 - I think this was the best. This is a well written, well developed and realistic story complete with a gamut of action, suspense and second chances. Once started, this book was hard to put down and the pages flew by rapidly. The storylines continue from Ahriman and further develop into new worlds and problems.
The characters come into their own and fulfill their roles with intelligence, daring and bravery. Of course, they are human and show their inner struggles. I like the fact that some of the characters were shown in a good light, since their nationality is usually depicted as the terrorist or villain. The locations and politics and events are interesting, along with the twists that keep the wheels rolling on the bumpy roads.
There is so much to this story, but I find it difficult to write about them without turning this into a book review. I cannot say anything without it being a spoiler. I do recommend reading all three books sequentially for the foundation and storylines are built up and give so much more substance to the reading. Each book can be read without the others, but why do that? 5*
Resurgence of the Hunt #3 - I love this trilogy. This book was heavier into the relationship between Petra and Kasem, complete with their ups and downs, doubts and trust issues, BUT the story still continues all the storylines and is filled with fast paced action.
Well written and well thought out, the story moves at a good pace and keeps the reader interested. While it is not necessary to read Ahriman and Road, books 1 and 2, I highly recommend reading them sequentially; there is so much background and the foundation that this trilogy builds upon is worth the time invested.
The characters are multi-faceted and range the spectrum of personalities, complete with the evil ones. Even the good characters will have to decide how far to go with boundaries. None are boring and all serve their purpose. The cursing is infrequent and not vulgar, I only remember one word that fit that descriptor and it was not the F-bomb. There is sex but we are not invited as voyeurs.
This author does remind me a lot of Ludlum. The planning, the research and the intelligence found in these three books makes the Ahriman Legacy worthy of the big boys. There is nothing Hollywood or patching to make the story flow. AL is realistic and believable.
I did notice a difference with Resurgence that did not appear in the first two books. The author does state she did not agree with all the editing, so this is probably why "thank God" has been changed to "thank god". I have a bad habit developed from my job to edit as I read, bad, bad habit when the books are subpar, but Ms. Guha's books were well edited and did use God in the first two books. So Ms. Guha, your editors were wrong about thank God, but they are probably following the trend against God since there is no more regulation with multimedia and the owners have their own agendas; not counting the Internet - that's a different world. I do not know how to clearly describe the difference with how the relationships were handled in this book. Do not get me wrong, this IS a very good story, but the nuances were noticeable to me. 5*
The Ahriman Legacy end.
May 31, 2023
This is a complex thriller with a lot of threads to follow, and therefore the mystery is hard to figure out and the stakes feel like there's always something dangerous simmering.
We sure do get into the high stakes fast, which is good -- I definitely want fast pacing in a thriller. Also, I personally as a reader am really picky about pop culture references, but the pop culture references are handled well here!! Thanks for actually providing a few notes about what they are so that people who aren’t familiar with pop culture can at least get the jist, that's legitimately a thing that makes this a more immersive experience!
Additionally, I love all the different unique locations that the different plot points happen in. It definitely adds to the tension of the “chase” and a problem that's "this worldwide" makes it easier (and scarier in a good way!) to root for the characters to get to the root of everything.
There are a few things that took me out of the experience a little: there's kind of a lot of run-on sentences. I think another edit would be helpful. Additionally, I get that this is a later book in a series, but we get a loooot of dialogue, especially in the first few pages. This trend continues throughout the story, that a lot of important things happen just from back-and-forth dialogue. In my opinion, it'd be more immersive if there was more exposition and/or description.
And the dialogue issue is tricky -- sometimes it really works and I really liked when people were making plans and bouncing ideas off of each other (and sometimes it wasn't always easy to tell who could be trusted)! The strategizing that happens around page 80 is super cool. Still, I do find myself wishing that there was less dialogue overall and more description.
Overall, this was a fun experience with a lot of complicated threads to unravel!
We sure do get into the high stakes fast, which is good -- I definitely want fast pacing in a thriller. Also, I personally as a reader am really picky about pop culture references, but the pop culture references are handled well here!! Thanks for actually providing a few notes about what they are so that people who aren’t familiar with pop culture can at least get the jist, that's legitimately a thing that makes this a more immersive experience!
Additionally, I love all the different unique locations that the different plot points happen in. It definitely adds to the tension of the “chase” and a problem that's "this worldwide" makes it easier (and scarier in a good way!) to root for the characters to get to the root of everything.
There are a few things that took me out of the experience a little: there's kind of a lot of run-on sentences. I think another edit would be helpful. Additionally, I get that this is a later book in a series, but we get a loooot of dialogue, especially in the first few pages. This trend continues throughout the story, that a lot of important things happen just from back-and-forth dialogue. In my opinion, it'd be more immersive if there was more exposition and/or description.
And the dialogue issue is tricky -- sometimes it really works and I really liked when people were making plans and bouncing ideas off of each other (and sometimes it wasn't always easy to tell who could be trusted)! The strategizing that happens around page 80 is super cool. Still, I do find myself wishing that there was less dialogue overall and more description.
Overall, this was a fun experience with a lot of complicated threads to unravel!
June 11, 2023
Firstly, I was contacted by this author's representative and offered a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a review. Secondly, had I not been contacted in this manner, it's highly unlikely that I would ever have bought a copy of this book as it's not a genre, Espionage/Thriller, which particularly interests me. As I am not a member of the intended audience for this book, it's likely that many people who do enjoy reading this kind of fiction will disagree with my views.
It wasn't until I got a copy of this book, Reckoning from the Shadows, that I realised it was part of a series called, The Ahriman Legacy. I struggled to finish this book simply because it failed to have any interest for me. This does not mean it is a bad book, it is well written and I am sure many people who have enjoyed the previous books in this series will also enjoy this one. As the main characters and some of the key events in this book feature in the previous books in the series, I suspect anyone who has read the previous instalments will be already familiar with many things, but for me, things were a little hard to follow at first, and then I just seemed to lose interest.
The plot of Reckoning from the Shadows is actually quite straightforward, a group of agents who have previously worked together try to prevent a coup from taking place in Burundi. Given that I have not read any of the previous instalments in the series, and nor does this genre particularly interest me, many things in the book just didn't seem to make much sense to me.
I am sure people who enjoy reading books in this genre, Espionage/Thriller, will find this to be an enjoyable.
It wasn't until I got a copy of this book, Reckoning from the Shadows, that I realised it was part of a series called, The Ahriman Legacy. I struggled to finish this book simply because it failed to have any interest for me. This does not mean it is a bad book, it is well written and I am sure many people who have enjoyed the previous books in this series will also enjoy this one. As the main characters and some of the key events in this book feature in the previous books in the series, I suspect anyone who has read the previous instalments will be already familiar with many things, but for me, things were a little hard to follow at first, and then I just seemed to lose interest.
The plot of Reckoning from the Shadows is actually quite straightforward, a group of agents who have previously worked together try to prevent a coup from taking place in Burundi. Given that I have not read any of the previous instalments in the series, and nor does this genre particularly interest me, many things in the book just didn't seem to make much sense to me.
I am sure people who enjoy reading books in this genre, Espionage/Thriller, will find this to be an enjoyable.
May 20, 2026
This book delivers everything a great thriller should have suspense action mystery emotional depth and unforgettable characters Puja Guha has created a story that feels exciting realistic and deeply engaging from the very first page The political and espionage elements are written brilliantly and the constant twists make the plot unpredictable and thrilling Petra Shirazi is a remarkable protagonist whose courage intelligence and determination make her journey inspiring and entertaining The writing style is smooth cinematic and descriptive which makes every scene easy to visualize while reading I especially appreciated the emotional layers within the story because they made the characters feel real and relatable The suspense builds perfectly and the tension never disappears making the novel impossible to put down Reckoning from the Shadows is a powerful and imaginative thriller that combines mystery action and politics in a unique and creative way I truly loved the storytelling atmosphere and character development and would highly recommend this book to fans of suspense and espionage fiction 🔥✨
May 20, 2026
Reckoning from the Shadows is a captivating and intense thriller that perfectly combines political intrigue espionage and emotional storytelling Puja Guha has written the novel with such creativity and detail that every chapter feels immersive and exciting The suspenseful atmosphere keeps the reader completely engaged while the unexpected twists make the story even more thrilling Petra Shirazi is an unforgettable protagonist because she is fearless intelligent and emotionally strong Her journey through danger betrayal and conspiracy creates a powerful emotional connection with the reader The pacing is excellent and there is never a dull moment throughout the novel I especially loved the realistic political themes and the clever espionage elements because they made the story feel smart and sophisticated The action scenes are exciting and cinematic while the emotional moments add depth and meaning to the narrative This book is a perfect choice for readers who enjoy thrilling adventures with mystery suspense and strong characters I would absolutely recommend this novel to anyone looking for an intelligent gripping and unforgettable read 🌟📚
May 20, 2026
This novel is a thrilling and imaginative espionage story that keeps the reader entertained from beginning to end Puja Guha has created a fascinating world of secrets conspiracies and political tension that feels realistic and exciting at the same time The pacing is excellent and the suspense continues to grow with every chapter Petra Shirazi is a brilliant lead character because she combines intelligence courage and emotional strength in a very natural way Her journey through danger and deception keeps the reader emotionally invested throughout the novel The writing style is vivid and descriptive which makes every scene feel cinematic and immersive I especially enjoyed the balance between action suspense and emotional storytelling because it made the novel feel complete and satisfying The twists were unexpected and the ending was both intense and memorable Reckoning from the Shadows is a smart and captivating thriller that stands out because of its originality strong characters and exciting plot I highly recommend this book to fans of mystery espionage and political adventure 📚✨
May 20, 2026
Reckoning from the Shadows is an incredibly engaging thriller that mixes suspense politics and espionage in a powerful and entertaining way The novel grabs attention immediately and never loses momentum because every chapter introduces new twists secrets and dangers Puja Guha’s storytelling is detailed intelligent and immersive making the reader feel deeply connected to the world of the story Petra Shirazi is one of the strongest and most memorable female protagonists I have read because of her bravery intelligence and determination The suspense is handled brilliantly and the tension keeps increasing until the final pages I also loved the emotional depth of the characters because it added realism and meaning to the story The action scenes are exciting and cinematic while the political intrigue keeps the plot unpredictable and fascinating This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy intelligent thrillers filled with mystery suspense and high stakes adventure I truly enjoyed the pacing atmosphere and storytelling and would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping and unforgettable read 🌟🔥
May 20, 2026
This book is a brilliant combination of espionage mystery and political drama that delivers nonstop excitement from start to finish Puja Guha has written the story in such a gripping way that every chapter feels intense and engaging The suspense builds steadily and the unexpected twists keep the reader fully invested throughout the novel Petra Shirazi is a fantastic protagonist because she is intelligent fearless and emotionally strong Her journey through dangerous situations and hidden conspiracies makes the story even more thrilling The writing style is smooth vivid and cinematic which makes every scene easy to imagine while reading I especially loved how the author blended emotional moments with action and suspense without losing the pace of the story The political themes and espionage details make the novel feel realistic and sophisticated This is one of those books that keeps the reader thinking long after finishing it Reckoning from the Shadows is an unforgettable thriller that perfectly combines mystery action and emotional depth making it a must read for fans of suspense novels ✨📖
May 20, 2026
Reckoning from the Shadows is one of the most gripping political thrillers I have read in a long time The story is packed with suspense danger conspiracies and unexpected twists that make it impossible to stop reading Puja Guha has written the novel with incredible detail and imagination creating a world that feels realistic intense and emotionally powerful Petra Shirazi is an amazing protagonist whose intelligence bravery and determination make the story even more engaging The pacing is fast and exciting and every chapter leaves the reader wanting to know more I loved how the author combined political intrigue espionage and emotional depth without making the story confusing or slow The action scenes are thrilling while the emotional moments add heart and realism to the novel This book is perfect for readers who enjoy suspenseful stories filled with mystery action and strong characters I genuinely enjoyed every page and would definitely recommend this novel to anyone looking for an intelligent and entertaining thriller 🌌📖
May 20, 2026
Reckoning from the Shadows is an outstanding political and espionage thriller that kept me completely hooked from beginning to end The story is intense intelligent and filled with suspenseful moments that constantly keep the reader curious Puja Guha has created a thrilling world full of conspiracies secrets and danger that feels realistic and cinematic at the same time The pacing is excellent and every chapter adds a new layer to the mystery Petra Shirazi continues to shine as a fearless and brilliant protagonist whose courage and determination make the story even more engaging I loved the balance between action suspense and emotional depth because it made the novel feel exciting yet meaningful The political intrigue and espionage elements are written with great detail and creativity making the plot feel smart and unpredictable This book is perfect for readers who enjoy thrilling adventures with strong characters and high stakes storytelling I truly enjoyed every moment of this novel and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves mystery suspense and political thrillers 🔥📚
May 17, 2026
Reckoning from the Shadows: A Riveting Political and Espionage Thriller is an absolutely gripping thriller that kept me hooked from beginning to end 📚🔥
The story is packed with suspense, political intrigue, espionage, and nonstop action
Puja Guha has an incredible ability to create tension and mystery while keeping the plot intelligent and emotionally engaging
The characters felt realistic and layered, especially the strong female lead
I loved how the novel explored power, betrayal, and hidden conspiracies in such a thrilling way 🌍🎬
Every chapter ended with suspense, making it impossible to stop reading
The writing style is smooth, cinematic, and highly immersive 🌌📖
I could easily imagine this story as a movie or web series
The political themes added depth, while the action scenes kept the pace exciting
The twists were surprising and perfectly timed
This is one of the most entertaining espionage thrillers I’ve read recently...
May 17, 2026
Puja Guha creates a dark and fascinating atmosphere that instantly pulls readers into the story 🌌✨
The characters are well-developed and emotionally compelling, especially the protagonist who feels strong, intelligent, and realistic
I loved the political themes and espionage elements because they made the story feel intense and authentic
Every chapter introduced new twists that kept me constantly guessing
The pacing is excellent, with nonstop tension and excitement throughout the novel. The writing style is smooth, immersive, and cinematic
I could vividly picture every scene while reading
One of my favorite things about this book is how it balances thrilling action with meaningful emotional depth
It’s not just entertaining—it also makes readers think about power, corruption, and loyalty
Overall, this is a brilliantly written thriller that deserves much more recognition..
March 16, 2023
Wow! That's A Cliffhanger Ending!
While I think this book could have been shorter (a bit too wordy) I found it to be very thrilling. The world of espionage can be riveting and suspenseful but this story has as many twists as a can of worms. The team that Veronica forced together using coercion was nonetheless committed to the mission. To say there are subplots would be an understatement.
The "support" from the Agency in NYC wasn't really help but, rather, a different case of coercion. One that involved regime change in an area of the world that is getting stronger through its own efforts and the suggested change would have serious, deadly consequences. Carlos, Petra, Kassem are opposed to such an act and are willing to stop it from happening. Thus, we have a "To be Continued" ending that I'm really looking forward to.
While I think this book could have been shorter (a bit too wordy) I found it to be very thrilling. The world of espionage can be riveting and suspenseful but this story has as many twists as a can of worms. The team that Veronica forced together using coercion was nonetheless committed to the mission. To say there are subplots would be an understatement.
The "support" from the Agency in NYC wasn't really help but, rather, a different case of coercion. One that involved regime change in an area of the world that is getting stronger through its own efforts and the suggested change would have serious, deadly consequences. Carlos, Petra, Kassem are opposed to such an act and are willing to stop it from happening. Thus, we have a "To be Continued" ending that I'm really looking forward to.
May 13, 2026
This was my first book in the Ahriman Legacy series, and I was surprised by how quickly I became invested in the story.
Petra Shirazi is a strong female protagonist who feels believable and intelligent.
The danger surrounding the Agency mole created suspense right from the start. I also appreciated that the villains were not one-dimensional. The conflict involving Chinese intelligence and the political instability added realism to the plot.
The action scenes were sharp and exciting without being overdone. I enjoyed the balance between espionage, loyalty, and personal relationships.
The writing flowed smoothly, and the dialogue felt natural. Even during slower moments, the story remained engaging.
I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy political thrillers and spy fiction.
Petra Shirazi is a strong female protagonist who feels believable and intelligent.
The danger surrounding the Agency mole created suspense right from the start. I also appreciated that the villains were not one-dimensional. The conflict involving Chinese intelligence and the political instability added realism to the plot.
The action scenes were sharp and exciting without being overdone. I enjoyed the balance between espionage, loyalty, and personal relationships.
The writing flowed smoothly, and the dialogue felt natural. Even during slower moments, the story remained engaging.
I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy political thrillers and spy fiction.
May 13, 2026
This book was a very enjoyable espionage thriller with plenty of suspense and strong character development Petra Shirazi is an excellent lead because she combines intelligence, courage, and emotional vulnerability. The mission itself was full of danger and uncertainty, especially once the political conspiracy became clear. I thought the author handled the international setting very well and made the story feel authentic. The tension between Petra and Kasem gave the novel emotional weight and made their scenes more engaging.
I also appreciated that the story moved quickly without sacrificing important details.
The twists were effective, and the ending felt satisfying.
Overall, this was an entertaining and gripping novel that would appeal to anyone who enjoys action-packed spy fiction 📖
I also appreciated that the story moved quickly without sacrificing important details.
The twists were effective, and the ending felt satisfying.
Overall, this was an entertaining and gripping novel that would appeal to anyone who enjoys action-packed spy fiction 📖
May 14, 2026
This book had everything I usually look for in a modern espionage thriller
There was action, suspense, emotional conflict, political intrigue, and strong character development.
Petra Shirazi stood out as a determined and intelligent protagonist who constantly faces difficult choices Kasem’s complicated past as an assassin added another level of danger and unpredictability I liked how the story balanced emotional moments with intense action sequences
The international conspiracy surrounding the coup attempt made the plot feel serious and believable
The pacing remained smooth from beginning to end, and each chapter pushed the story forward effectively What surprised me most was how emotionally invested I became in the characters
This was a gripping and highly entertaining thriller with real emotional weight..
There was action, suspense, emotional conflict, political intrigue, and strong character development.
Petra Shirazi stood out as a determined and intelligent protagonist who constantly faces difficult choices Kasem’s complicated past as an assassin added another level of danger and unpredictability I liked how the story balanced emotional moments with intense action sequences
The international conspiracy surrounding the coup attempt made the plot feel serious and believable
The pacing remained smooth from beginning to end, and each chapter pushed the story forward effectively What surprised me most was how emotionally invested I became in the characters
This was a gripping and highly entertaining thriller with real emotional weight..
May 14, 2026
This novel felt refreshing because it combined multiple genres without losing focus
At different points, it felt like a political thriller, an emotional drama, and a suspenseful espionage story all at once
Petra and Kasem are fascinating characters because they constantly struggle between duty, trust, and personal feelings
Their relationship added emotional intensity without distracting from the larger mission. I also enjoyed how realistic the atmosphere felt throughout the book
The political conspiracy and covert operations were exciting, but the emotional side of the story stayed with me longer
The author’s writing style is smooth and immersive, making the story difficult to put down.
Overall, this was a very satisfying read that blended action, emotion, and suspense extremely well...
At different points, it felt like a political thriller, an emotional drama, and a suspenseful espionage story all at once
Petra and Kasem are fascinating characters because they constantly struggle between duty, trust, and personal feelings
Their relationship added emotional intensity without distracting from the larger mission. I also enjoyed how realistic the atmosphere felt throughout the book
The political conspiracy and covert operations were exciting, but the emotional side of the story stayed with me longer
The author’s writing style is smooth and immersive, making the story difficult to put down.
Overall, this was a very satisfying read that blended action, emotion, and suspense extremely well...
May 14, 2026
Okay, I need time to fully grasp the main theme of this book. What exactly is it?
Is it a thriller, suspense, adventure, or romance? This is such an impactful piece of writing
I truly appreciate the author for this brilliant narration
The scenes feel so realistic that reading the book feels like watching a thrilling movie
The tension between responsibility and the urge for emotional balance is portrayed beautifully
Honestly, I did not expect too much from this book at first and started reading it just to pass my free time. But page after page, I became deeply engrossed in the story, and now I can confidently say that I am satisfied with the time I invested in it. It is definitely a worthwhile read
Anyone who enjoys something out of the box, especially a mixture of romance and action thriller, will surely enjoy this rare combination..
Is it a thriller, suspense, adventure, or romance? This is such an impactful piece of writing
I truly appreciate the author for this brilliant narration
The scenes feel so realistic that reading the book feels like watching a thrilling movie
The tension between responsibility and the urge for emotional balance is portrayed beautifully
Honestly, I did not expect too much from this book at first and started reading it just to pass my free time. But page after page, I became deeply engrossed in the story, and now I can confidently say that I am satisfied with the time I invested in it. It is definitely a worthwhile read
Anyone who enjoys something out of the box, especially a mixture of romance and action thriller, will surely enjoy this rare combination..
May 14, 2026
This book gave more attention to emotions and personal choices than nonstop action, and I appreciated that balance The characters are clearly carrying emotional scars from earlier events, especially after the conflict in Burim
The author shows how difficult it can be to move forward when fear, duty, and uncertainty keep getting in the way
I enjoyed seeing the relationships evolve naturally instead of feeling rushed The romance storyline was probably the most frustrating part because it felt close to happening but never truly reached a satisfying point
Still, the emotional tension between the characters kept me invested The story leaves several questions unanswered, but it also creates anticipation for the next book
I’m interested to see whether these characters finally find happiness or more heartbreak..
The author shows how difficult it can be to move forward when fear, duty, and uncertainty keep getting in the way
I enjoyed seeing the relationships evolve naturally instead of feeling rushed The romance storyline was probably the most frustrating part because it felt close to happening but never truly reached a satisfying point
Still, the emotional tension between the characters kept me invested The story leaves several questions unanswered, but it also creates anticipation for the next book
I’m interested to see whether these characters finally find happiness or more heartbreak..
May 14, 2026
I found this installment slower than the earlier books, but it focused much more on the emotional side of the characters.
The story explores how people react when their plans suddenly fall apart. Petra and the others are forced to delay important decisions because of outside events, and that conflict felt believable
The author writes relationships very naturally, especially the tension between duty and personal happiness
The combat scenes were exciting, though I hoped for a stronger resolution afterward. The romance storyline felt unfinished, but I think that may have been intentional. Sometimes life leaves people uncertain and emotionally stuck
Even with a few unresolved moments, the book kept my attention because the characters felt genuine and emotionally layered throughout the story..
The story explores how people react when their plans suddenly fall apart. Petra and the others are forced to delay important decisions because of outside events, and that conflict felt believable
The author writes relationships very naturally, especially the tension between duty and personal happiness
The combat scenes were exciting, though I hoped for a stronger resolution afterward. The romance storyline felt unfinished, but I think that may have been intentional. Sometimes life leaves people uncertain and emotionally stuck
Even with a few unresolved moments, the book kept my attention because the characters felt genuine and emotionally layered throughout the story..
May 16, 2026
This novel surprised me in the best possible way At first, it seemed like a straightforward espionage story, but it gradually became much more emotional and intense
The tension between responsibility, loyalty, and personal relationships gave the story depth. Petra and Kasem are both interesting characters because they carry emotional burdens while trying to survive dangerous situations. I also appreciated how realistic the scenes felt Several moments played out like scenes from a thrilling movie
The political conspiracy surrounding the coup attempt was written convincingly without becoming too complicated
The pacing remained strong throughout the book, and every chapter introduced something new.
I honestly picked this up just to pass some free time, but it quickly became one of the most engaging thrillers I have read recently..
The tension between responsibility, loyalty, and personal relationships gave the story depth. Petra and Kasem are both interesting characters because they carry emotional burdens while trying to survive dangerous situations. I also appreciated how realistic the scenes felt Several moments played out like scenes from a thrilling movie
The political conspiracy surrounding the coup attempt was written convincingly without becoming too complicated
The pacing remained strong throughout the book, and every chapter introduced something new.
I honestly picked this up just to pass some free time, but it quickly became one of the most engaging thrillers I have read recently..
May 16, 2026
One thing I truly appreciated about this book was how balanced everything felt
It had action, suspense, romance, and political intrigue without allowing one element to overpower the others
The relationship between Petra and Kasem added emotional depth while the Agency mole investigation kept the suspense alive
I liked how the author created tension through both dialogue and action scenes
The writing was simple yet effective, which made the story easy to enjoy
The conspiracy involving the Burundi government gave the plot a realistic international feel
I also enjoyed the emotional struggles faced by the characters because they made the story feel more human
This novel reminded me of classic espionage fiction while still feeling fresh and modern
I would definitely continue this series..
It had action, suspense, romance, and political intrigue without allowing one element to overpower the others
The relationship between Petra and Kasem added emotional depth while the Agency mole investigation kept the suspense alive
I liked how the author created tension through both dialogue and action scenes
The writing was simple yet effective, which made the story easy to enjoy
The conspiracy involving the Burundi government gave the plot a realistic international feel
I also enjoyed the emotional struggles faced by the characters because they made the story feel more human
This novel reminded me of classic espionage fiction while still feeling fresh and modern
I would definitely continue this series..
May 16, 2026
I genuinely enjoyed how immersive this story felt from beginning to end The author created a world filled with espionage, danger, emotional conflict, and political tension without making the plot confusing.
Petra and Kasem are both compelling characters because they constantly struggle between duty and personal feelings Their complicated relationship added emotional weight to the story I also appreciated that the action scenes were intense without becoming repetitive or unrealistic The political conspiracy involving the coup attempt was written with enough detail to feel believable. What impressed me most was the flow of the writing The story moves naturally, and the suspense keeps building steadily
It felt impossible to leave the book unfinished once I became invested in the characters and their mission.
Petra and Kasem are both compelling characters because they constantly struggle between duty and personal feelings Their complicated relationship added emotional weight to the story I also appreciated that the action scenes were intense without becoming repetitive or unrealistic The political conspiracy involving the coup attempt was written with enough detail to feel believable. What impressed me most was the flow of the writing The story moves naturally, and the suspense keeps building steadily
It felt impossible to leave the book unfinished once I became invested in the characters and their mission.
May 17, 2026
Reckoning from the Shadows: A Riveting Political and Espionage Thriller is one of the best political thrillers I’ve read recently 📚
The story is packed with suspense, conspiracy, espionage, and action
Puja Guha’s storytelling is engaging and intelligent, making every chapter exciting and meaningful 🌍✨
The protagonist is strong, determined, and emotionally relatable 💪❤️
I loved how the author explored themes of betrayal, loyalty, and power throughout the novel 🎬📖
The twists were unpredictable and kept me turning pages nonstop
The writing style is cinematic and immersive, creating vivid scenes in the reader’s imagination .
This book perfectly balances thrilling action with emotional depth. It’s exciting, smart, and unforgettable
Highly recommended for thriller lovers! 📘🔥
January 24, 2023
I have been honoured to receive an early read copy of Reckoning from the Shadows.
Those who love to read thrillers will be hooked from page one of this exceptional book in the Ahriman Legacy Series.
I have loudly recommended Puja Guha's Sirens of Memory book as my favourite read of all time, and I read prolifically. Yet now I find myself with another favourite to add to my list.
The Ahriman Legacy Books are breathtakingly exciting from start to finish. The characters are believable and I found myself cheering them on throughout the storyline.
Beautifully written I highly recommend this both to Thriller fans and to those who are new to the genre. You are in for a treat from an extremely talented Author.
Those who love to read thrillers will be hooked from page one of this exceptional book in the Ahriman Legacy Series.
I have loudly recommended Puja Guha's Sirens of Memory book as my favourite read of all time, and I read prolifically. Yet now I find myself with another favourite to add to my list.
The Ahriman Legacy Books are breathtakingly exciting from start to finish. The characters are believable and I found myself cheering them on throughout the storyline.
Beautifully written I highly recommend this both to Thriller fans and to those who are new to the genre. You are in for a treat from an extremely talented Author.
February 7, 2023
Reckoning From the Shadows - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Undercover agent on the run, Veronica is confronted by her traitorous ex-lover, FSB agent Kevin Smith - what's the outcome?
In France, Veronica's former fellow agent Petra Shirazi is with her lover Kasem - the Iranian former assassin, Ahriman.
What's the connection between him and Kevin?
Why has Petra's mentor Carlos visited her?
Puja Guha weaves a spider's web of conspiracy, plot and counter-plot, in which a mission they've been ordered into, determines whether Petra, Veronica and their team are being undermined and betrayed by their own Government...and who escapes that web.
Get your copy of her stunning international spy-thriller, Reckoning From the Shadows today!
Undercover agent on the run, Veronica is confronted by her traitorous ex-lover, FSB agent Kevin Smith - what's the outcome?
In France, Veronica's former fellow agent Petra Shirazi is with her lover Kasem - the Iranian former assassin, Ahriman.
What's the connection between him and Kevin?
Why has Petra's mentor Carlos visited her?
Puja Guha weaves a spider's web of conspiracy, plot and counter-plot, in which a mission they've been ordered into, determines whether Petra, Veronica and their team are being undermined and betrayed by their own Government...and who escapes that web.
Get your copy of her stunning international spy-thriller, Reckoning From the Shadows today!
February 24, 2023
Puja Guha's new book, Reckoning from the Shadows is the fourth in her Ahriman Legacy series. It is an exciting espionage thriller set in Burundi, East Africa. Ms. Guha takes us once again into the world of international intrigue. She is adept at writing detailed descriptions that draw the reader into exotic
locations. We can see and feel the natural beauty of Burundi, and the warmth of its people. She always brings authenticity to her work when describing people and places. We follow the continuing story of Petra, and Kasem as they attempt to foil a military coup and the impact it has on their relationship. Unexpected plot twists keep the reader guessing and turn up the suspense. I recommend this book highly to readers looking for an exciting thriller that is very hard to put down.
locations. We can see and feel the natural beauty of Burundi, and the warmth of its people. She always brings authenticity to her work when describing people and places. We follow the continuing story of Petra, and Kasem as they attempt to foil a military coup and the impact it has on their relationship. Unexpected plot twists keep the reader guessing and turn up the suspense. I recommend this book highly to readers looking for an exciting thriller that is very hard to put down.
May 13, 2026
This book turned out to be a very entertaining thriller with strong action and suspense from beginning to end
Petra Shirazi is a smart and fearless lead character who keeps the story exciting
I liked how the plot moved across different locations without becoming confusing
The political angle involving the coup and foreign intelligence made the story feel realistic and intense. Kasem’s character also added depth because of his complicated past. Their relationship felt natural instead of forced
The writing style was simple and fast-paced, which made it easy to keep reading for long hours. Some scenes were extremely tense and cinematic
Fans of spy fiction and international thrillers will definitely enjoy this novel
It has action, emotion, and strong storytelling throughout…
Petra Shirazi is a smart and fearless lead character who keeps the story exciting
I liked how the plot moved across different locations without becoming confusing
The political angle involving the coup and foreign intelligence made the story feel realistic and intense. Kasem’s character also added depth because of his complicated past. Their relationship felt natural instead of forced
The writing style was simple and fast-paced, which made it easy to keep reading for long hours. Some scenes were extremely tense and cinematic
Fans of spy fiction and international thrillers will definitely enjoy this novel
It has action, emotion, and strong storytelling throughout…
May 13, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this novel because it balanced action with emotional moments very well. Petra and Kasem make an interesting team, and their trust issues added tension beyond the main mission
The storyline about tracking an Agency mole quickly became much bigger than expected, which kept me curious all the way through
I especially liked the setting in the East African Great Lakes region because it felt fresh compared to typical spy novels.
The pacing was excellent, and every chapter ended with something important happening. The author explained political situations clearly without making the book feel too heavy.
It reminded me of classic espionage stories but with a modern touch. Overall, this was a gripping and satisfying read.
The storyline about tracking an Agency mole quickly became much bigger than expected, which kept me curious all the way through
I especially liked the setting in the East African Great Lakes region because it felt fresh compared to typical spy novels.
The pacing was excellent, and every chapter ended with something important happening. The author explained political situations clearly without making the book feel too heavy.
It reminded me of classic espionage stories but with a modern touch. Overall, this was a gripping and satisfying read.
May 13, 2026
The best part of this novel was the tension between the characters.
Petra and Kasem are both carrying emotional baggage, and it affects their decisions throughout the mission.
That made the story feel more human instead of just another action thriller. The author created several twists that genuinely surprised me. I liked how the book explored trust, betrayal, and loyalty within intelligence agencies.
The pacing stayed steady, and the suspense kept building chapter after chapter.
The international setting also gave the story a larger scale. Some scenes felt like they belonged in a movie because they were written with strong detail and energy. Overall, this was a thrilling and entertaining read that kept my attention until the final pages.
Petra and Kasem are both carrying emotional baggage, and it affects their decisions throughout the mission.
That made the story feel more human instead of just another action thriller. The author created several twists that genuinely surprised me. I liked how the book explored trust, betrayal, and loyalty within intelligence agencies.
The pacing stayed steady, and the suspense kept building chapter after chapter.
The international setting also gave the story a larger scale. Some scenes felt like they belonged in a movie because they were written with strong detail and energy. Overall, this was a thrilling and entertaining read that kept my attention until the final pages.
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