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DEAD NEVER DIE: Based on the Rural Legends of Rajasthan
A village, that is abandoned on every 14th of June. Legend has it that deadly witches, or churels, visit it on that cursed night.
Whosoever happens to be there is sacrificed by the churels to enhance their evil power.
A kund, where demons are exorcised out of the possessed people. Legend has it that if a pandit of the kund dies an unnatural death, he comes back unless he is beheaded.
A jungle, in which no one dares to step on a full-moon night. Legend has it that it is haunted by women who turn into blood-thirsty human bats, or chamgadarni and eat their prey alive.
What if the legends are true and you find yourself entrapped in one of these places?
What if there is nowhere to escape and your worst nightmare is standing in front of your eyes?
And what, if your time is not running out? It is already over.
Strictly not to be read by the weak hearted, Dead Never Die is a collection of three terrifying tales inspired by the rural legends of Rajasthan which will shatter your belief that danger lurks only on the city streets, and serial killers can only be humans.
Siddharth Nirwan is an ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon, and Assistant Professor at SMS Medical College, Jaipur. Apart from the world of medicine, his passions are photography, travelling, film-making, vlogging and of course, creative writing. He has a You Tube channel ‘Reader’s Vlogg’ on which he regularly posts review videos of books by Indian authors. He can be reached at siddhartharchie1@gmail.com.
Whosoever happens to be there is sacrificed by the churels to enhance their evil power.
A kund, where demons are exorcised out of the possessed people. Legend has it that if a pandit of the kund dies an unnatural death, he comes back unless he is beheaded.
A jungle, in which no one dares to step on a full-moon night. Legend has it that it is haunted by women who turn into blood-thirsty human bats, or chamgadarni and eat their prey alive.
What if the legends are true and you find yourself entrapped in one of these places?
What if there is nowhere to escape and your worst nightmare is standing in front of your eyes?
And what, if your time is not running out? It is already over.
Strictly not to be read by the weak hearted, Dead Never Die is a collection of three terrifying tales inspired by the rural legends of Rajasthan which will shatter your belief that danger lurks only on the city streets, and serial killers can only be humans.
Siddharth Nirwan is an ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon, and Assistant Professor at SMS Medical College, Jaipur. Apart from the world of medicine, his passions are photography, travelling, film-making, vlogging and of course, creative writing. He has a You Tube channel ‘Reader’s Vlogg’ on which he regularly posts review videos of books by Indian authors. He can be reached at siddhartharchie1@gmail.com.
- GenresHorror
98 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2020
9 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 12, 2020
Typical episodes of "Ssshhhh...Koi Hai".
The first two stories were basic. From the writing to the characters... everything was basic and cliched.
But the third story was pretty good.
Among people like me Rajasthan is known for its hauntings and legends but I'm disappointed that I couldn't discover any chilling "rural legend" in thes stories. All the legends were outdated and borrowed and there was little to none ingenuity in them.
The first two stories were basic. From the writing to the characters... everything was basic and cliched.
But the third story was pretty good.
Among people like me Rajasthan is known for its hauntings and legends but I'm disappointed that I couldn't discover any chilling "rural legend" in thes stories. All the legends were outdated and borrowed and there was little to none ingenuity in them.
September 11, 2021
Terrible. Ridiculously bad. Stories are ridiculous and boring. Characters are unlikable and language is crass. Use of Hindi abusive words left a bad taste in my mouth. Total waste of time.
March 13, 2021
No. Just… no.
Ugh.
The book is awful. Awful writing, plot, characters.
Don’t waste your time.
Ugh.
The book is awful. Awful writing, plot, characters.
Don’t waste your time.
November 20, 2020
Detailed review coming soon on my blog.
August 8, 2020
This is a short horror storybook based on legends of rural Rajasthan India. Each story is weaved around particular legend and around a particular place in the region, the plot was developed nicely and it thickens slowly and reaches its climax with bone-chilling horror which hits your nerves.
I especially liked the story built around the Pushkar which is about the exorcism, horror and the dirty game that was played long ago. What happens when the dead rise?
A good read for horror lovers.
I especially liked the story built around the Pushkar which is about the exorcism, horror and the dirty game that was played long ago. What happens when the dead rise?
A good read for horror lovers.
October 23, 2021
Intense and gripping
It's a good book. I feel more than horror factor, the emotions and complexity of human nature is portrayed well in this book. I enjoyed reading it.
It's a good book. I feel more than horror factor, the emotions and complexity of human nature is portrayed well in this book. I enjoyed reading it.
September 3, 2020
4.5 stars
Its a collection of 3 stories.
1. Legend of Churela : I loved this one with a good twist in climax.
2. The priest from Sudhabay Kund: Not great as other two, but still a good one
3. The bride from Rayna village : Probably the best one of all 3. It was the one with a good message as well. A good mix of horror & thriller.
All the stories are engaging and i never felt lost reading it. Kudos to author for putting all this together in his debut novel itself. I'll definitely recommend this book to all horror book lovers.
Its a collection of 3 stories.
1. Legend of Churela : I loved this one with a good twist in climax.
2. The priest from Sudhabay Kund: Not great as other two, but still a good one
3. The bride from Rayna village : Probably the best one of all 3. It was the one with a good message as well. A good mix of horror & thriller.
All the stories are engaging and i never felt lost reading it. Kudos to author for putting all this together in his debut novel itself. I'll definitely recommend this book to all horror book lovers.
October 8, 2020
Must read if want to enjoy that bone chilling experience
I love horror and thriller stories. However, all of such stories are not up to mark. I am reading freak but it always depends on the author. I fancy trying new authors though. While on one such hunt, I trotted across Dead never die by Siddharth Nirwan. Trust me it is a book that I devoured at one go leaving all the important work at Bay. It is a book that draws the reader with it's unique description and healthy characters. Plots are set in rural and that makes it more fascinating, giving the tint of rural atmosphere. There are three stories all together. First story was so gripping that I read it ones again for the thrill. This is just a small trace of what I felt. I will definitely post a detailed review soon. Wait for it. #horror #horrorindia. Horror in India is taking a peak.
I love horror and thriller stories. However, all of such stories are not up to mark. I am reading freak but it always depends on the author. I fancy trying new authors though. While on one such hunt, I trotted across Dead never die by Siddharth Nirwan. Trust me it is a book that I devoured at one go leaving all the important work at Bay. It is a book that draws the reader with it's unique description and healthy characters. Plots are set in rural and that makes it more fascinating, giving the tint of rural atmosphere. There are three stories all together. First story was so gripping that I read it ones again for the thrill. This is just a small trace of what I felt. I will definitely post a detailed review soon. Wait for it. #horror #horrorindia. Horror in India is taking a peak.
October 7, 2021
Very boring, all the 3 stories all too bore.
Not able to understand how this book got this much rating.
Not able to understand how this book got this much rating.
September 9, 2020
Three horror stories that spooked me last night!
Had fun reading it. I love stories that entail ancient rural legends and unexplained mysteries and the author does a good job on that front.
Congrats on your Kindle debut Siddharth and best wishes for future projects. Keep 'em coming.
~SBR.
Had fun reading it. I love stories that entail ancient rural legends and unexplained mysteries and the author does a good job on that front.
Congrats on your Kindle debut Siddharth and best wishes for future projects. Keep 'em coming.
~SBR.
July 25, 2020
A scary and thrilling read !!
Normally, I avoid reading horror genre and this book is going to haunt me for a long long time. I am surely going to look over my shoulder for weeks now.
It's a collection of three super thrilling stories which are based on local folk tales or legend. I have been staying in rajasthan for 8 years now and I have seen that how much people here believe in their legends .
This covers three of such legends and each story will give you goosebumps. They are so addictive that you will be not able to control yourself from finishing it once you start it. First story ,is about a haunted village. It was most scary among all three. Second one revolves around a legend associated with puskar and it was thrilling. The last one is about a village and legends associated with its women.
All three are well narrated . The language is lucid. The narration is fast paced and will keep you on toes all through the book. Author had done complete justice to the legends.
A must read !
Normally, I avoid reading horror genre and this book is going to haunt me for a long long time. I am surely going to look over my shoulder for weeks now.
It's a collection of three super thrilling stories which are based on local folk tales or legend. I have been staying in rajasthan for 8 years now and I have seen that how much people here believe in their legends .
This covers three of such legends and each story will give you goosebumps. They are so addictive that you will be not able to control yourself from finishing it once you start it. First story ,is about a haunted village. It was most scary among all three. Second one revolves around a legend associated with puskar and it was thrilling. The last one is about a village and legends associated with its women.
All three are well narrated . The language is lucid. The narration is fast paced and will keep you on toes all through the book. Author had done complete justice to the legends.
A must read !
July 25, 2020
Dead Never Die is a collection of three spooky tales based on the tales from Rajasthan. An author always leaves a part of him behind in his books and this is true for Dr. Siddharth Nirwan as well. In all his stories the good triumphs over evil. The evil is well and truly punished.
The stories are written so well that it's hard to believe that this is the author's debut book. The narration was such that it felt like a movie playing right in front of me.
The first story is about Churails, the second one is about a restless spirit seeking revenge, and the third one The Bride from Rayna Village, looks at evil spirits with empathy. All the stories are truly engrossing. Highly recommended. Personally, I found the book to be unputdownable and finished it at one go.
The stories are written so well that it's hard to believe that this is the author's debut book. The narration was such that it felt like a movie playing right in front of me.
The first story is about Churails, the second one is about a restless spirit seeking revenge, and the third one The Bride from Rayna Village, looks at evil spirits with empathy. All the stories are truly engrossing. Highly recommended. Personally, I found the book to be unputdownable and finished it at one go.
July 22, 2020
You ever felt chills at the center of your heart on a warm afternoon?? That is what this book will do to you. The stories have deep ties to Rajasthani legends and they are written so well. My heart was in my throat most of the time and despite knowing well what to expect from a horror story, you can expect the unexpected. I loved the book and I love the gothic cover even more. Kudos to the author on a job well done.
July 21, 2020
Dead Never Die is a collection of three spine-chilling horror tales from the pen of Dr. Siddharth Nirwan. All the three stories pack the chills and make you unnerved at some point.
The first story about the legend of Churela was predictable, but the unique premise and writing style kept me engaged. The twist at the end added the horror quotient by and large.
But I was truly bowled over by the second story about The Priest from Sudhabay Kund. I especially felt uneasy while reading this story, because it was based in Pushkar, a place I had visited as a tourist. So I could almost visualize the story frame by frame and it added to the fear quotient. The story is very cinematic and should be made into a movie. It is also a revenge story where justice is served in the end.
The last story of the book is one of the best horror story I have read till date. I do not read horror regularly, not because I am scared, but because there is so much pain and misfortune in these stories that it depresses me. But the last story of this book, The Bride from Rayna village, portrayed a very nice message. It said that evil people are not always evil by nature, sometimes they carry a curse that make them evil and they cannot change it. But they never harm people who are good by heart and have not harmed them. This positive message made me like the story and the book by many folds. I always search for such positive life philosophies in all the stories I read and this story won my heart in that aspect.
The title of the book is very apt and the cover photo is terrifying, keeping up with the theme of the book. All in all, an enjoyable book that not only thrills the readers, but imparts the heartfelt message of the triumph of good over evil.
The first story about the legend of Churela was predictable, but the unique premise and writing style kept me engaged. The twist at the end added the horror quotient by and large.
But I was truly bowled over by the second story about The Priest from Sudhabay Kund. I especially felt uneasy while reading this story, because it was based in Pushkar, a place I had visited as a tourist. So I could almost visualize the story frame by frame and it added to the fear quotient. The story is very cinematic and should be made into a movie. It is also a revenge story where justice is served in the end.
The last story of the book is one of the best horror story I have read till date. I do not read horror regularly, not because I am scared, but because there is so much pain and misfortune in these stories that it depresses me. But the last story of this book, The Bride from Rayna village, portrayed a very nice message. It said that evil people are not always evil by nature, sometimes they carry a curse that make them evil and they cannot change it. But they never harm people who are good by heart and have not harmed them. This positive message made me like the story and the book by many folds. I always search for such positive life philosophies in all the stories I read and this story won my heart in that aspect.
The title of the book is very apt and the cover photo is terrifying, keeping up with the theme of the book. All in all, an enjoyable book that not only thrills the readers, but imparts the heartfelt message of the triumph of good over evil.
August 3, 2020
I am not a fan of the horror genre! But the intriguing teaser and title of Dr. Siddharth Nirwan's latest book 'Dead Never Die' prompted me to pick up this e-book. And I am thrilled that I did! The book comprises 3 spine-chilling horror tales.
The first one 'The Cursed Village of Churela' was spooky, to say the least! What I liked best about this story is the intelligent use of dialogues to reveal character and move the story forward. Besides, the twists make this an unforgettable tale.
The second story - 'The Pandit of Sudhabay Kund' is exceedingly well-written and I liked this story the most. The plight of a restless spirit in the backdrop of rural Rajasthan makes this a captivating tale of suspense, revenge, and horror.
In the third story - 'The Bride from Rayna', the author succeeds in building the climax very well and the story tends to make you emotional. And yet, it races to a nail-biting, spine-chilling finish! Superbly plotted.
Overall, this book is a brilliant, haunting collection of horror stories that will leave an indelible impression on your mind. Highly recommended.
The first one 'The Cursed Village of Churela' was spooky, to say the least! What I liked best about this story is the intelligent use of dialogues to reveal character and move the story forward. Besides, the twists make this an unforgettable tale.
The second story - 'The Pandit of Sudhabay Kund' is exceedingly well-written and I liked this story the most. The plight of a restless spirit in the backdrop of rural Rajasthan makes this a captivating tale of suspense, revenge, and horror.
In the third story - 'The Bride from Rayna', the author succeeds in building the climax very well and the story tends to make you emotional. And yet, it races to a nail-biting, spine-chilling finish! Superbly plotted.
Overall, this book is a brilliant, haunting collection of horror stories that will leave an indelible impression on your mind. Highly recommended.
October 27, 2020
I had just finished reading this one and I can say I really enjoyed this horror coaster ride. There are three different stories in this book and they all are based on old legends from the rajasthan. Churails (witches), demons and Chamgadarni (Batwomen), these are the creature on which the stories are based on. They kind of give the vibe of typical indian horror serials from 90s (like Aahat, X-Zone and Ssshhh koi hai, which I liked), while reading it. Though I must confess that it's a quite entertaining read and narration makes the reading more interesting and engaging. Writing is quite good. Even the twists are mostly predictable but it won't stop you to read till the end. There are some 18+ contents as well that already have been warned in disclaimer at first.
August 25, 2020
Regional horror stories are something that pique all our interest. Whenever we travel, it is always fun to learn about the local lore and legends, especially the scary ones! And in Dead Never Die, Dr. Siddharth Nirwan brings us three fabulous stories from Rajasthan.
A group of friends get caught in a village of witches, a cursed woman who is looking for love and a couple who find themselves in the midst of a supernatural revenge. These are the stories you will find inside and each of them will take you on a scary, fun ride. Dr. Nirwan has imbued the local legends with his imagination, and it makes for a thrilling read. Do give this book a read, you will not be disappointed.
A group of friends get caught in a village of witches, a cursed woman who is looking for love and a couple who find themselves in the midst of a supernatural revenge. These are the stories you will find inside and each of them will take you on a scary, fun ride. Dr. Nirwan has imbued the local legends with his imagination, and it makes for a thrilling read. Do give this book a read, you will not be disappointed.
August 7, 2020
The book comprises of four short stories, each brilliantly told through the eyes of well-crafted characters! Each story is embedded with thrills and chills, that keep the reader both entertained and hooked till the very end! The author has a thorough command of the genre and an engaging style of writing; in time he will emerge as a master storyteller of this genre! Easily among the best book of horror short stories I have read, and unique because it is based on some really scary rural legends! At just ₹99, this read is more than value for money; it's a steal!
January 23, 2022
5/5 stars
ये काफी बढ़िया हॉरर + थ्रीलर किताब हैँ जिसमे चमगादरनी, चुड़ैल औऱ पंडित भूत को दिखाया हैं. किताब छोटी हैं औऱ यही लेखक ने सबसे अच्छा अच्छा काम किया - कम लिखो लेकिन अच्छा लिखो.
कुछ बातें औऱ विलन predictable हो जाते हैँ, लेखक से निवेदन हैं की climax को बिल्कुल unpredictable रखे. Excellent work👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
ये काफी बढ़िया हॉरर + थ्रीलर किताब हैँ जिसमे चमगादरनी, चुड़ैल औऱ पंडित भूत को दिखाया हैं. किताब छोटी हैं औऱ यही लेखक ने सबसे अच्छा अच्छा काम किया - कम लिखो लेकिन अच्छा लिखो.
कुछ बातें औऱ विलन predictable हो जाते हैँ, लेखक से निवेदन हैं की climax को बिल्कुल unpredictable रखे. Excellent work👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
January 26, 2022
It bound me to finish in one go.
I love horror and this book justifies it. I could visualize each and every word. In fact I finished the book at one go which tells how interesting it is. I am a non fiction lover but books like these motivates me to go ahead with fiction.
I love horror and this book justifies it. I could visualize each and every word. In fact I finished the book at one go which tells how interesting it is. I am a non fiction lover but books like these motivates me to go ahead with fiction.
November 27, 2025
I donot read horror stories often but this somehow caught my attention.
The 1st story was good. the little twists were interesting.
I enjoyed the 2nd story but that end line turned it into comedy.
the 3rd one was not even a horror story.
It was horror because its real life.
The 1st story was good. the little twists were interesting.
I enjoyed the 2nd story but that end line turned it into comedy.
the 3rd one was not even a horror story.
It was horror because its real life.
December 26, 2021
Gripping!
I would like to congratulate author for his debut with this good and fast-paced book!
The stories woven with these locations of Rajasthan are super! \m/
I would like to congratulate author for his debut with this good and fast-paced book!
The stories woven with these locations of Rajasthan are super! \m/
April 28, 2022
Thrilling with good content
The writer has a gift to keep the readers hooked to the book. All 3 stories were amazing but the 3rd one was the best in my opinion
The writer has a gift to keep the readers hooked to the book. All 3 stories were amazing but the 3rd one was the best in my opinion
September 16, 2022
Nice horror stories.
April 22, 2024
Loved hearing it, wouldn't have enjoyed reading it though.
September 23, 2024
Stories are not bad but the writing is. "Gulped her saliva" is a very bad way of describing any kind of emotions.
May 28, 2021
I didn't like it one bit.This is a compilation of scripts of horror movies which have become huge cliches by now and also been used umpteenth times in movies and serials.Not only that,the writing style is ameaturish.My opinion-wastage of time and money.It isn't worth it.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews