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Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction
"Like Grisham and Clancy... this title shines among the genre simply though superb storytelling." -The US Review of Books
The Day of the Jackal meets Syriana in the near future.
When the CIA intercepts intelligence on a terrorist attack in Kuwait, Petra Shirazi, a former field agent, comes face to face with the Ahriman, one of Iran's deadliest assassins.
It was the year when global economies continued to plummet despite analysts' predictions of a turnaround.
It was the year when the Kuwaiti National Assembly consisted of the largest Islamic contingent in more than two decades.
It was the month when the price of oil plunged to twenty dollars a barrel.
It was the month when the Emir of Kuwait dissolved the National Assembly for the thirteenth time in fifteen years.
It was the day when the head of the Islamic majority of the Assembly hired an assassin and the CIA intercepted intelligence about a new wave of terrorist attacks.
It was the day that would change the face of the Middle East forever.
It was May 15, 2021.
After a disastrous mission forces her out of the field, Petra Shirazi retires from a life of espionage to work in a research position. Three years later, her division stumbles upon a money trail that reveals a massive new wave of terrorist attacks. The money trail places her in the midst of an assassination plot that implicates the highest levels of the Kuwaiti and Iranian governments. Petra will find herself face to face with the Ahriman, a man named for the Persian spirit of destruction who is responsible for a series of bomb blasts that paralyzed the Suez Canal two years earlier. As the investigation begins to unravel, the ripple effects threaten to engulf not only the Middle East and its Western allies, but also the darkest secrets of Petra's past.
The Day of the Jackal meets Syriana in the near future.
When the CIA intercepts intelligence on a terrorist attack in Kuwait, Petra Shirazi, a former field agent, comes face to face with the Ahriman, one of Iran's deadliest assassins.
It was the year when global economies continued to plummet despite analysts' predictions of a turnaround.
It was the year when the Kuwaiti National Assembly consisted of the largest Islamic contingent in more than two decades.
It was the month when the price of oil plunged to twenty dollars a barrel.
It was the month when the Emir of Kuwait dissolved the National Assembly for the thirteenth time in fifteen years.
It was the day when the head of the Islamic majority of the Assembly hired an assassin and the CIA intercepted intelligence about a new wave of terrorist attacks.
It was the day that would change the face of the Middle East forever.
It was May 15, 2021.
After a disastrous mission forces her out of the field, Petra Shirazi retires from a life of espionage to work in a research position. Three years later, her division stumbles upon a money trail that reveals a massive new wave of terrorist attacks. The money trail places her in the midst of an assassination plot that implicates the highest levels of the Kuwaiti and Iranian governments. Petra will find herself face to face with the Ahriman, a man named for the Persian spirit of destruction who is responsible for a series of bomb blasts that paralyzed the Suez Canal two years earlier. As the investigation begins to unravel, the ripple effects threaten to engulf not only the Middle East and its Western allies, but also the darkest secrets of Petra's past.
540 pages, Paperback
First published June 15, 2014
357 people are currently reading
557 people want to read
About the author
Puja Guha
12 books76 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 74 reviews
November 28, 2023
I love a book that can get all my emotions roiling and Puja Guha did just that with Ahriman. From gut wrenching sorrow, to savage torture, to a love that will break all the rules, I was hooked from beginning to end.
We start off with a late night call and Kasem races to meet Lila. And, we begin the story of Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction.
We will travel from New York to Kuwait.
Years later, Petra is awakened by an early morning call, cutting short her vacation.
We are in Kuwait. Their is political unrest. There are those that are pushing for Sharia law, wanting to role back any progress they have gained, but the Emir has other ideas. Seeing what is happening in the world today, we all know that is a possibility.
May 15, 2021, is a date that will change the face of the Middle East forever, or will it? What is the plan? Can it be stopped?
Petra had retired from active field duty, but she was the only agent suitable for the job. She has struggled with PTSD and I wonder what happened to cause it. Her career hinges on her decision. They are, more or less, blackmailing her into doing it. And, she will be on her own. It makes me wonder how these undercover operations work in real life. The Agency is a swift action oriented organization that members around the world agreed to. It allows for action without all the oversight and approvals that other organizations may require.
Petra has an incentive to come home from this mission. She has a significant other, Grant, who is also an agent, and though she hasn’t said those three little words, he has. His specialty is IT, and it will come in handy.
We travel from the past to the present and back again as Puja Guha fills in all the blanks and keeps us informed of current events. Terrorism. Betrayal from your own always cuts the deepest. Tragic terrorist actions will change Kasem and Petra’s lives forever.
Kasem didn’t deserve the hand he was dealt. I feel so bad for him and I don’t see a good ending for him. Will Lila ever know the truth? Will Kasem?
General Mayed…evil…I hope he gets taken down in a brutal, savage way. Do unto others should apply to him.
Puja Guha has written a realistic novel of terrorism, betrayal, and love. The manipulation and psychological torture was so real. Ahriman is the story of the creation of an assassin. In the spy game, we have to watch out for those rogue elements that can change history. It makes me wonder how an intelligence agency can keep track of all the double crosses and convoluted ‘missions’ among so many players.
This amazing debut novel brings to mind a suspense series that I have been following for years, the Leine Basso series by D V Berkom. A lone woman agent is sent in to stop a terrorist action that will reverberate around the world. I can’t think of a thing I would change about Ahriman and I never figured out all the double crosses, betrayals, and the ending. There will be more and I can hardly wait to find out what happens next.
We start off with a late night call and Kasem races to meet Lila. And, we begin the story of Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction.
We will travel from New York to Kuwait.
Years later, Petra is awakened by an early morning call, cutting short her vacation.
We are in Kuwait. Their is political unrest. There are those that are pushing for Sharia law, wanting to role back any progress they have gained, but the Emir has other ideas. Seeing what is happening in the world today, we all know that is a possibility.
May 15, 2021, is a date that will change the face of the Middle East forever, or will it? What is the plan? Can it be stopped?
Petra had retired from active field duty, but she was the only agent suitable for the job. She has struggled with PTSD and I wonder what happened to cause it. Her career hinges on her decision. They are, more or less, blackmailing her into doing it. And, she will be on her own. It makes me wonder how these undercover operations work in real life. The Agency is a swift action oriented organization that members around the world agreed to. It allows for action without all the oversight and approvals that other organizations may require.
Petra has an incentive to come home from this mission. She has a significant other, Grant, who is also an agent, and though she hasn’t said those three little words, he has. His specialty is IT, and it will come in handy.
We travel from the past to the present and back again as Puja Guha fills in all the blanks and keeps us informed of current events. Terrorism. Betrayal from your own always cuts the deepest. Tragic terrorist actions will change Kasem and Petra’s lives forever.
Kasem didn’t deserve the hand he was dealt. I feel so bad for him and I don’t see a good ending for him. Will Lila ever know the truth? Will Kasem?
General Mayed…evil…I hope he gets taken down in a brutal, savage way. Do unto others should apply to him.
Puja Guha has written a realistic novel of terrorism, betrayal, and love. The manipulation and psychological torture was so real. Ahriman is the story of the creation of an assassin. In the spy game, we have to watch out for those rogue elements that can change history. It makes me wonder how an intelligence agency can keep track of all the double crosses and convoluted ‘missions’ among so many players.
This amazing debut novel brings to mind a suspense series that I have been following for years, the Leine Basso series by D V Berkom. A lone woman agent is sent in to stop a terrorist action that will reverberate around the world. I can’t think of a thing I would change about Ahriman and I never figured out all the double crosses, betrayals, and the ending. There will be more and I can hardly wait to find out what happens next.
November 18, 2014
Petra is everything you want in a main character: heroic, smart, driven. I also like most of Petra’s supporting cast, such as her boss and her recruiter who’s now retired. Except her boyfriend. The positive I can say about Grant is the character is used like he should be. He has a certain skill set that Petra lacks and needs in order to complete her mission.
The Ahriman is everything I want in a villain. Great motivation with a strong, conflicted backstory.
Great job of characterizing villains. Gives most of them (except for the most diabolical) a good, sympathetic backstory.
Weaves between the past and present. The past covers Puja’s recruitment, early missions and lead up to a huge, global event that took place in the past.
Writing is well done. The story reads easily. There’s a lot of information that gets covered early on the book, especially for someone like me who knows little about Middle Eastern politics. Luckily, Mrs. Guha works this in naturally, such as during briefings or in regular dialogue between characters. Instead of being bored by it, I found it fascinating.
Mrs. Guha used the prologue well in her story. Normally, I dislike it because, but it’s a faced paced prologue and its significance is realized later in the story with a big “AHA!” moment.
Just like one of my favorite things about this book was the characters, some characters were my least favorite. The President is a total douche. Which one? You’ll find out towards the end. It seems too strange that someone could become so powerful and yet be that big of a douche. I’m fine with the character being a jerk, just so outright. But maybe that’s a personal preference. I disliked the way Grant and think this was mostly due to how he weaseled certain characters into given him classified information.
But don’t let a few bad apples stop you from reading it. I still enjoyed and I’m sure you will, too. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next one.
The Ahriman is everything I want in a villain. Great motivation with a strong, conflicted backstory.
Great job of characterizing villains. Gives most of them (except for the most diabolical) a good, sympathetic backstory.
Weaves between the past and present. The past covers Puja’s recruitment, early missions and lead up to a huge, global event that took place in the past.
Writing is well done. The story reads easily. There’s a lot of information that gets covered early on the book, especially for someone like me who knows little about Middle Eastern politics. Luckily, Mrs. Guha works this in naturally, such as during briefings or in regular dialogue between characters. Instead of being bored by it, I found it fascinating.
Mrs. Guha used the prologue well in her story. Normally, I dislike it because, but it’s a faced paced prologue and its significance is realized later in the story with a big “AHA!” moment.
Just like one of my favorite things about this book was the characters, some characters were my least favorite. The President is a total douche. Which one? You’ll find out towards the end. It seems too strange that someone could become so powerful and yet be that big of a douche. I’m fine with the character being a jerk, just so outright. But maybe that’s a personal preference. I disliked the way Grant and think this was mostly due to how he weaseled certain characters into given him classified information.
But don’t let a few bad apples stop you from reading it. I still enjoyed and I’m sure you will, too. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next one.
November 19, 2014
It is debatable whether being able to compare the way a book is written to a TV series is a good thing, but in this case, I think it’s a great thing.
Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction is the literary equivalent of the TV series 24. Fast paced, completely terrifying in places and constantly has you teetering on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next.
Set in the not too distant future, the lack of difference between life now and then is really well written and actually builds on the fears that many have when it comes to being the victim of a terrorist attack.
The use of a strong female lead in this action political thriller is really refreshing change from the mountains of books in the genre that have women side-lined to the role of romantic interest, damsel in distress or double agent. This is especially prevalent when you think that the strong female lead is being sent into Kuwait, where even in 2021 women still have little to no rights.
The plot is very well thought out and executed in a way that means you are strapped in for the duration of the book, you do have to put it down at some moments just to catch a few mouthfuls of oxygen before getting back to it and there may be moments when you really feel like you want to stop, that you don’t want to know what happens next, but you will find yourself drawn back to the story.
The characters are well developed and easy to engage with and the realism displayed in the writing brings it to life in a vivid way.
The only downside to this book is that it is almost too full on at times and could have done with a little bit of slowing down in places, but on the whole a great book and definitely one that can be read again and again.
Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction is the literary equivalent of the TV series 24. Fast paced, completely terrifying in places and constantly has you teetering on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next.
Set in the not too distant future, the lack of difference between life now and then is really well written and actually builds on the fears that many have when it comes to being the victim of a terrorist attack.
The use of a strong female lead in this action political thriller is really refreshing change from the mountains of books in the genre that have women side-lined to the role of romantic interest, damsel in distress or double agent. This is especially prevalent when you think that the strong female lead is being sent into Kuwait, where even in 2021 women still have little to no rights.
The plot is very well thought out and executed in a way that means you are strapped in for the duration of the book, you do have to put it down at some moments just to catch a few mouthfuls of oxygen before getting back to it and there may be moments when you really feel like you want to stop, that you don’t want to know what happens next, but you will find yourself drawn back to the story.
The characters are well developed and easy to engage with and the realism displayed in the writing brings it to life in a vivid way.
The only downside to this book is that it is almost too full on at times and could have done with a little bit of slowing down in places, but on the whole a great book and definitely one that can be read again and again.
February 23, 2018
An Off the Book Operation?
Story is a little complex but very good, strong characters with depth and realism.
A well crafted novel.
Narration is good.
Allround a good read.
I received a copy of this audio book at my request and voluntarily leave this review.
Story is a little complex but very good, strong characters with depth and realism.
A well crafted novel.
Narration is good.
Allround a good read.
I received a copy of this audio book at my request and voluntarily leave this review.
September 20, 2014
This was such a great read! I really enjoyed this one from Puja Guha. One of my friends had read this book and said that it was really good. She couldn't stop talking about it, so I decided to give it a try too. I'm so glad that I did! This book was thrilling, fun and exciting. You can tell that Puja put a lot of time and energy into this story to make it what it is.
Once I turned the first page, I found the book extremely hard to set down. It had so much action, thrill and I wanted to see what would happen between the characters. I am such a fan of this author already and I would love to see what she will put out next. The scenery was so vivid in this book and the storyline was very interesting. This is normally not the genre that I enjoy to read, but this one really kept me on the edge of my seat! It was a great action thriller and I greatly enjoyed reading it!
Once I turned the first page, I found the book extremely hard to set down. It had so much action, thrill and I wanted to see what would happen between the characters. I am such a fan of this author already and I would love to see what she will put out next. The scenery was so vivid in this book and the storyline was very interesting. This is normally not the genre that I enjoy to read, but this one really kept me on the edge of my seat! It was a great action thriller and I greatly enjoyed reading it!
October 5, 2014
Well if you are a regular novel reader you will most probably be putting puja’s next book in your buy list after you read her first ever published novel Ahriman: the spirit of destruction. And its good to know that she maybe planning to write more volumes for this title. Its mainly based on international politics mainly the middle east. For a new writers first work, this book might actually exceed your expectation and leave you to wait for the next volume of the series. You probably even notice she is a new writer if you didn't read up about the writer or the reviews. Give it to your friend who doesn't know about puja and ask her opinion, and you will get an honest opinion regarding just how good a writer puja is and how much more she can become.
February 3, 2023
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*
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 end.
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*
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 end.
September 24, 2014
Wow, I really enjoyed this one from Puja Guha! Actually, My friend gave me as a gift.So, I decided to read this.I was interest to read this.As well as, I could learn about Middle East politics, and had something interesting and easy to read everyone.The scenery was so vivid in this book and the storyline was very interesting. I can't wait to read more from this author. Her writing style is very interesting and it kept me on my toes.I suggest to every one to read. So.
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
September 28, 2014
I really liked this book. It was entertaining and intriguing to read and learn about Kuwaiti and Middle East politics through a fictional novel. Puja Guha is a young and promising author. Petra, with her experience and secret past, makes for a fascinating lead. There is a lot of action and suspense making for a real page turner. I couldn’t wait to read what happened next. I really enjoyed reading this book and am excited for the next one.
October 1, 2014
I was not expecting this to be so good!
I didn't think I'd enjoy this book, Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction, nearly as much as I did. I'm usually more fond of the types of stories that center around character than events. However, this story manages to have both in equal richness. I never thought the political aspect would be entertaining to me, but the author successfully was able to weave it in such a story that it was not boring in the slightest. Cannot wait to read more by Ms. Guha!
I didn't think I'd enjoy this book, Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction, nearly as much as I did. I'm usually more fond of the types of stories that center around character than events. However, this story manages to have both in equal richness. I never thought the political aspect would be entertaining to me, but the author successfully was able to weave it in such a story that it was not boring in the slightest. Cannot wait to read more by Ms. Guha!
November 11, 2014
This is my very first thriller book set in the Middle East . "Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction" turned out to be the perfect pick.
"Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction" is an interesting and easy read. The text flows smoothly and the twists and suspense kept reading.
Highly recommended to all thrillers lovers.
"Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction" is an interesting and easy read. The text flows smoothly and the twists and suspense kept reading.
Highly recommended to all thrillers lovers.
February 6, 2019
Ahriman #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*
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*
April 17, 2023
Intense, detailed, and complex characters; misinformation, military and governmental lies, intrigue, a strong female protagonist, and informative and active language, are all in this book. There were a few places in the story that were predictable (some of the character’s habits are big clues) but the story had me questioning or analyzing how/if politicians are the same globally. Does every government and media entity lie to the public? (Pffft) False accusations are a global epidemic in government and business, and it does cost people their jobs. Guha builds onto these and weaves them into Petra’s experiences, and as she navigates the reader through past and present situations, the connections tie things together impressively well.
Petra is a strong lead character, but I still wanted more of her story; for me, it felt like pieces of her backstory that led to her trauma were missing. I wonder if Guha builds on that in book two (thinking emoji goes here). Guha also added to my ongoing wonder about what the rest of the world thinks of the U.S. The way Guha writes about U.S. democracy wowed me, and the villain, you can't help but feel sorry for him, but also wonder about how week-minded he was, then wonder about how his loss of free will is traumatizing, and then about how trapped he felt, it was a roller coaster of emotions when it came to him. Definitely an enjoyable read.
Petra is a strong lead character, but I still wanted more of her story; for me, it felt like pieces of her backstory that led to her trauma were missing. I wonder if Guha builds on that in book two (thinking emoji goes here). Guha also added to my ongoing wonder about what the rest of the world thinks of the U.S. The way Guha writes about U.S. democracy wowed me, and the villain, you can't help but feel sorry for him, but also wonder about how week-minded he was, then wonder about how his loss of free will is traumatizing, and then about how trapped he felt, it was a roller coaster of emotions when it came to him. Definitely an enjoyable read.
March 9, 2019
Espionage. Assassins.Middle East.
Homeland meets Syriana in the near future.
When the CIA intercepts intelligence on a terrorist attack in Kuwait, Petra Shirazi, a former field agent, comes face to face with the Ahriman, one of Iran's deadliest assassins.
The story is led by a strong female protagonist who is pitted against her nemesis. To stop him, Petra must confront her past and the traumatic experience that took her out of the field.
This was a well thought out, well written intricate international thriller. The main character, Petra, is an intelligent and independent woman who is forced to overcome her fears and PTSD from a failed field op in order to prevent a massive terrorist attack.
Ms. Guha does a great job weaving the political landscape of the today’s Middle East with a future (2021) that she’s created. It’s a refreshing change from the majority of spy thrillers in that the author stays away from all the typical clichés that can slow a fast paced thriller down. A great first novel.
Very good strong characters and loved the plot.
Really enjoyed this and highly recommend!
This book was provided to me for free for an honest and unbiased review
Homeland meets Syriana in the near future.
When the CIA intercepts intelligence on a terrorist attack in Kuwait, Petra Shirazi, a former field agent, comes face to face with the Ahriman, one of Iran's deadliest assassins.
The story is led by a strong female protagonist who is pitted against her nemesis. To stop him, Petra must confront her past and the traumatic experience that took her out of the field.
This was a well thought out, well written intricate international thriller. The main character, Petra, is an intelligent and independent woman who is forced to overcome her fears and PTSD from a failed field op in order to prevent a massive terrorist attack.
Ms. Guha does a great job weaving the political landscape of the today’s Middle East with a future (2021) that she’s created. It’s a refreshing change from the majority of spy thrillers in that the author stays away from all the typical clichés that can slow a fast paced thriller down. A great first novel.
Very good strong characters and loved the plot.
Really enjoyed this and highly recommend!
This book was provided to me for free for an honest and unbiased review
April 24, 2019
How does one become a terrorist? A legend of that dark world? Is there a place for compassion, sympathy when we view them? Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction is an intense political thriller that follows the making of such a legend. It is a very human story, worth your time and money!
Kasem Ismaili was raised in the US and went to Kuwait for a job as a financial analyst. It may have been where his family originated, but it is an all new world for him. He is a young man, used to a light, carefree life. Being immersed in the Arab world is an awakening for him.
Petra is an agent with an organization similar to the CIA. Her past career saw her as a field agent. Since a very traumatic mission, she has worked in the office gathering intelligence without the risk.
Unfortunately she is the ideal operative for a new mission. Will she be able to overcome her PTSD and return to the field, at least this one time? How does her world collide with that of Kasem Ismaili? Is the world at the doorstep of another day like 9-11?
Kindle Unlimited edition
Kasem Ismaili was raised in the US and went to Kuwait for a job as a financial analyst. It may have been where his family originated, but it is an all new world for him. He is a young man, used to a light, carefree life. Being immersed in the Arab world is an awakening for him.
Petra is an agent with an organization similar to the CIA. Her past career saw her as a field agent. Since a very traumatic mission, she has worked in the office gathering intelligence without the risk.
Unfortunately she is the ideal operative for a new mission. Will she be able to overcome her PTSD and return to the field, at least this one time? How does her world collide with that of Kasem Ismaili? Is the world at the doorstep of another day like 9-11?
Kindle Unlimited edition
July 10, 2019
I thought that this book may be difficult to read, because there is so much in it that I'm unfamiliar with. However, the author does a good job of describing the places and the political climate. Ahriman is the "bad guy", but all I did was feel sorry for him. I really loved reading about a strong independent woman agent. I like seeing women in strong and typically male roles. I was disappointed with the ending, but only because I wanted to see Petra end up with a certain someone. The ending was still good, and made sense. The book called into question what you would do for love. I wish the different time periods were in chronological order, but again I believe that this is my shortcoming. I have concentration problems. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and I can't wait to read what happens next.
July 28, 2020
I love spy novels. That said, Puja Guha has achieved my top rating; “The Ahriman, The Spirit of Destruction,” is a brilliantly written novel that kept me reading and wanting more. It is the best novel in this genre that I have ever read!
Two plot lines are skillfully interwoven throughout the novel: that of Petra Shirazi, an intelligence agent for the U.S., and of Kasem Ismaili, a finance expert who gets pulled into a world he never anticipated. I was never lost or forced to look back on preceding pages because the writer made sure that the plot was easy to follow, yet both riveting and complex in its development.
I look forward to reading Books II and III of the series. Enjoy!
Two plot lines are skillfully interwoven throughout the novel: that of Petra Shirazi, an intelligence agent for the U.S., and of Kasem Ismaili, a finance expert who gets pulled into a world he never anticipated. I was never lost or forced to look back on preceding pages because the writer made sure that the plot was easy to follow, yet both riveting and complex in its development.
I look forward to reading Books II and III of the series. Enjoy!
August 14, 2020
I really wanted to like this book as the author was so nice and sent me an actual book as I don't often read ebooks and yet I could not. The choppy chapters switching back and forth between characters and between time lines was VERY confusing and I had trouble and often lost focus. I had great difficulty keeping all the characters except The Agency staff straight. Plus this was written in 2014 and covers 2017-2021 .. it is now 2020 and it is hard to read about terroristic events that didn't happen except in the author's imagination. I am glad it was in her imagination but I also have no desire to read any other books by this author.
February 26, 2021
A take on the Middle East that feels almost prophetic...the story weaves together powerful flashbacks and present threats, moving from political concern to zoom on more personal emotions. Petra and The Ahriman are thrown into a whirlpool of events that will decides who lives and who dies with far reaching consequences.
An enjoyable read that unfolds steadily and tautly without revealing the plot until the very end... recommended
An enjoyable read that unfolds steadily and tautly without revealing the plot until the very end... recommended
April 12, 2019
Off book melee!
Undercover work is always dangerous. But when two lovers pursue the same operative, death can be too close for comfort! This novel is very well written by someone familiar with international intrigue. Well written and difficult to put down. CE Williams Free from Bookbub
Undercover work is always dangerous. But when two lovers pursue the same operative, death can be too close for comfort! This novel is very well written by someone familiar with international intrigue. Well written and difficult to put down. CE Williams Free from Bookbub
September 5, 2019
Finally, a female agent that isn't a whiney shrinking violet. Competent, multi lingual, and a quick study in tight situations. Petra, aka Lockjaw, is sent to the middle East because of info on an assassination. No one knows who's the target or who's the killer. I was gifted this from the author.
June 24, 2020
Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction is the best novel in this genre ( political thriller / espionage ) that I have read. I appreciate reading a novel w/ Middle East setting written by an author who has lived there. I visited Bahrain in 1980s so I have some familiarity w/ the geography. The writing is smooth, although the storyline is a bit complex. The book is a great read!
July 27, 2020
This is a well designed story. It is evident the author did her research and visited these locations of which her story takes place. This captivates the readers attention and you do not want to put it down. There were a lot of twists and turns to keep the story moving. I think this book would make a great spy/thriller movie. I look forward to reading more from this awesome author.
August 7, 2020
Loved the plot and enjoyed the twists in the author's back and forth style of writing. Eventually the reader arrives at the current status quo as to what role each person has played in the lead up to the finale. This author has much to offer and I do recommend her writings to those who would enjoy a good spy thriller
September 2, 2020
This book is a very very good read. The twist and the characters are fabulous and it kept me up too late trying to finish it. Puja Guha is a very talented writer and I expect some excellent books to be written by her. If I could I would add an extra star for her work. You will not go wrong buying this book and I know that mystery thriller lovers will not want to pass up this excellent book.
December 27, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was very easy to read, and very ‘unputdownable’. I really liked the way the story didn’t run straight through a to b to c etc, but that there was present day, then a snippet of the past and then continuing in this vein. I had worked out part of the ending, but part was still a surprise.
Definitely a must read, and I look forward to book 2 in the series.
Definitely a must read, and I look forward to book 2 in the series.
March 28, 2023
Fast Paced, Gripping Thriller
This story was complex and fast paced. It has everything a thriller needs. Mystery, subterfuge, misdirection and suspense. My only concern was the frequent time shifts trying to cover the present versus the backstory. The espionage factor was keen and kept the story moving quickly. I'm ready for book two.
This story was complex and fast paced. It has everything a thriller needs. Mystery, subterfuge, misdirection and suspense. My only concern was the frequent time shifts trying to cover the present versus the backstory. The espionage factor was keen and kept the story moving quickly. I'm ready for book two.
April 5, 2019
Petra is a strong female coming against one of Iran’s deadliest assassin
The nightmare of her past has to be dealt with now to do her job. This a saga of political, and terrorist in the Middle East. The author was well versed in the happening over there, and gave us a captivating story.
The nightmare of her past has to be dealt with now to do her job. This a saga of political, and terrorist in the Middle East. The author was well versed in the happening over there, and gave us a captivating story.
May 16, 2019
Really was glad to finish this. Felt like I was just plodding along not caring what happened at the end. Not interested in finding out what happens next. I know there were some inconsistencies in the story but was just not interested enough to go back and double check.
August 23, 2019
Military Adventure
Military adventure is not my first choice. As such, it took me a long time to commit to finishing this book. The writing was enjoyable and the pieces of the story all came together in the end.
Military adventure is not my first choice. As such, it took me a long time to commit to finishing this book. The writing was enjoyable and the pieces of the story all came together in the end.
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