'Victory or Dust' is the simple motto of the Gamemaster's Society. There isn't anything sinister in having a catchy slogan or a secret society inside 'Victory or Dust' is the simple motto of the Gamemaster's Society. There isn't anything sinister in having a catchy slogan or a secret society inside an academy. Is there? And yet, every fiber of Maren's body screams at her that the Gamemaster's Society is the reason for her best friend's disappearance. Although everybody, including Polly's parents, has accepted the police's theory that she ran away of her own accord, Maren does not believe it. She knows the only way to find the truth is by joining this super secret society. By far, her only concern is getting an invitation to join this "clan."What she doesn't realize is that getting out of the Society will soon become the most complicated equation of her problem.
They're Watching You by Chelsea Ichaso, in its secrets and attractive characters are reminiscent of Pretty Little Liars, a TV series. However, the story is not a reflection of the series by any means. The plot, with its shocking twists, is as gripping as it comes. Chelsea Ichaso plants a never-yielding ominous feeling inside the hearts of her audience, and still, Maren's quest to find answers provides a faint hope that keeps them glued to the pages. The protagonist, antagonist, and side characters are beautifully written. The high reach of the Gamemaster Society seemed unbelievable; however, that did not lessen the entertainment anyway. They're Watching You by Chelsea Ichaso is a recommended read for readers who enjoy Young Adult Thrillers....more
Thank you, Gail Ward Olmsted, for providing an ARC of Miranda Writes.
Gail Ward Olmsted’s Miranda Writes urges people to do the right thing by highlighThank you, Gail Ward Olmsted, for providing an ARC of Miranda Writes.
Gail Ward Olmsted’s Miranda Writes urges people to do the right thing by highlighting the domino effect of one person’s selfish actions on the larger community. During her time as an Assistant State Attorney, Miranda Quinn received an opportunity to throw a rapist, Kane, behind bars. This case meant that she would help in delivering justice and receive a massive boost in her career. However, when her key witness, Becky Lewis, disappeared before the day of the trial, Miranda lost the case, her credibility, and her job. After spending a good chunk of time moping around at her dad’s house, she started a legal advice blog, which eventually morphed into a podcast. Things started looking up for her when she received an offer to turn her blog/podcase into a daytime tv show. Nevertheless, destiny had other plans for her. Before moving forward, she had to fight the demons of her past in the most literal sense. She was getting another chance to throw Kane, the sexual predator, behind bars for good. This time, the stakes were higher for Miranda, and failure was just not an option.
Three years ago, I’d had the chance to put him away, and I had blown it. Now he had attacked another woman, and it was all my fault.
To read the full review, please click here. ...more
Conceptus by Brian Herskowitz is an electrifying start to A Laura Drummond Mystery series. A recurring nightmare, a hellish ordeal from her past, keepConceptus by Brian Herskowitz is an electrifying start to A Laura Drummond Mystery series. A recurring nightmare, a hellish ordeal from her past, keeps Laura awake at night and makes her terrible at relationships. Even though her work as a homicide detective is a distraction most of the days, her present case has triggered something inside of her. The stab wounds and a slash across the belly, resembling a C section, found on the victims' bodies hit too close to home. Her intuition screams at her that these attacks are personal, somehow. The brutality of the assaults, coupled with her sixth sense, made it crucial that she catch the killer sooner than later. However, the psychopath was not leaving any breadcrumbs for them to follow. Meanwhile, the number of dead bodies is increasing with every passing day.
It was hard not to be jaded when you worked homicide. Laura had seen things that were sickening, depraved, cruel. The worst of the worst people can do to each other, but this girl had touched a nerve. This case rattled her. - An excerpt from Conceptus by Brian Herskowitz
The first half of Jade is a Twisted Green worked really well for me. I did not want to put the book down. I wanted Jade to heal and find her path. I wThe first half of Jade is a Twisted Green worked really well for me. I did not want to put the book down. I wanted Jade to heal and find her path. I wanted to be on her journey of self-discovery. His relationship problems and her overall inability to move forward in life really resonated with me. I wanted to see her succeed and find peace. However, the second half was painfully slow. My connection to Jade disappeared quickly. Too quickly. The scene with everybody getting naked seemed forceful and not-at-all required. In the beginning, there were so many memorable quotes. Later, there were none....more
Three Muses by Martha Anne Toll is a beautiful tale of a prima ballerina and a psychiatrist, both with crushed spirits and a defeated attitude. Yes, tThree Muses by Martha Anne Toll is a beautiful tale of a prima ballerina and a psychiatrist, both with crushed spirits and a defeated attitude. Yes, they find refuge in each other's company, but that's not what the story is about. Three Muses forces the audience to face the trauma and find a way to heal. Its dialogues are the music in themselves and the story is absolutely magnetic. This is one of those tales that will remain with you forever and ever!
There is a mysterious vibe about the book, right from its title to its characters. As each character is obsessed with one thing or the other, the readers, too, find themselves mystified by everything about Three Muses. There are so many questions that bog its audience. Is the book called Three Muses because that's where John and Katya meet for the first time? Or, the title implies that the three main characters of the story are the three muses of the author? Then, there is the question of whether John should have forgiven Katya? Did Katya even wish to be forgiven? Even amidst these questions, the audience looks at the plot unfold, almost spellbound by the magic of it all. John's tragic past places the readers back in the holocaust days. They feel his pain and understand his anger, guilt, and grief. And then, we have Katya. Our beautiful and vulnerable Katya. We look at her and wonder why can't she rely on her talent alone. Why doesn't she give love a chance? Still, we cannot hold anything against her. Her backstory doesn't exactly justify her actions, but it definitely evokes empathy for her. Although Boris Yanakov, the choreographer, is the source of many woes, there is a strange pull about him that one cannot deny or ignore.
Three Muses by Martha Anne Toll is a remarkable piece of fiction that will let its presence known in the literary world for ages to come....more
A Sinister Gift by Jacinthe Dessureault has undoubtedly one of the most unique plots I've come across. Jacinthe Dessureault has an inherent ability toA Sinister Gift by Jacinthe Dessureault has undoubtedly one of the most unique plots I've come across. Jacinthe Dessureault has an inherent ability to connect past to the present, leaving no scope for confusion. However, the characters could have done better with some sort of grey flavours to them. Rolland is an exception to this critic; this character kept me doubtful throughout. The twists, although quite shocking, could have come sooner and more frequently. The slow development with no major twists for a while provided no incentive to keep on reading. A patient reader, however, will be rewarded with an unforgettable story....more
What a book! The nagging need to hide away from glass doors of all sorts has crept up inside of me and claimed a permanent residency, thanks to The WaWhat a book! The nagging need to hide away from glass doors of all sorts has crept up inside of me and claimed a permanent residency, thanks to The Watchers. A.M.Shine is a master manipulator of our sanity, driving the readers close to a daunting insanity with the turning of every page. Beware, if you are a claustrophobic, you may never recover after reading The Watchers. There is nothing not to love in this story: relatable characters, palpable fear, and a perpetual feeling of being watched. The plot is full of shocking twists. Long story short, The Watchers by A.M.Shine is a must read for paranormal thriller lovers, who enjoy being scared beyond words by the author....more
Isabella Steel brings forth a huge scoop of politics, conspiracies, murders, and media-jungle in Revenge is Reason Enough. When Congress shut down theIsabella Steel brings forth a huge scoop of politics, conspiracies, murders, and media-jungle in Revenge is Reason Enough. When Congress shut down the government, they indirectly signed the murder warrant of the loved ones of many families. One such family were of Alex Conway. Having lost his wife a while back, his daughter was everything to him. When she fell ill, he rushed to the hospital, only to be informed that due to the shutdown, CHIP insurance was stopped. CHIP insurance would have provided the necessary treatment to his dying daughter. Subsequently, she passed away, leaving Alex burning with fury and vengeance. So, when a twist of fate offered him unlimited resources, he planned the best revenge for the untimely death of his daughter. Washington DC was burning with not only Alex’s revenge-plan, but also by the corruption, insensitivities, and follies of an incompetent President. Not just his staff but the whole country had become a laughing stock, courtesy of President Glass.
Even though Revenge is Reason Enough is fiction, it doesn’t take a genius to understand the inspiration of this political thriller. Through the characters, Isabella Steel shows a crystal clear reflection of the dead conscience of the politicians, the helplessness of the downtrodden, and the raging fury of the staff of a ridiculous leader. Alex Conway, the protagonist, is a killer, but the circumstances that converted him into one produce sympathy in the readers’ hearts. So, when the chase to find the conspirator, aka our protagonist, is underway, the audience prays for his harmless escape. Since his grief resonates with millions, if not billions, of people everywhere, Alex wins the sympathy of many. Dirty politics is the real pandemic tormenting the lives of everyone. Isabella Steel has touched that sensitive nerve in Revenge is Reason Enough, and this fact alone makes it a book worth the reader’s time.
When a demon lord finds himself attracted to a mere human, the world is sure to be thrown into chaos and mayhem. Soul-Strung by Rachel Hobbs, the secoWhen a demon lord finds himself attracted to a mere human, the world is sure to be thrown into chaos and mayhem. Soul-Strung by Rachel Hobbs, the second book in Stones of Power, makes the readers privy to this incredible action, complicated passion, and intriguing wit. Drayvex, the demon lord, knew nothing about human emotion — or any emotion other than fury — until his paths crossed with Ruby. To say that she rocked his world would be an understatement of all time. Where the deadliest of demons trembled in his presence, Ruby challenged him with her clever remarks and unwavering defiance. He found it impossible to peel himself away from her thoughts. So, when another demon, Saydor, set his eyes on Ruby, the hell was sure to be unleashed. Destroying Saydor wasn’t a difficult task for Drayvex; however, finding him was proving to be a headache. To save her life, Drayvex must find the object that can turn back time. But, like most things, this wasn’t going to be a walk in the park; not when his sworn enemy, a fae, was protecting the said object.
But this girl had a history of making him look weak. Him, Lord of the entire demon scourge, first-born pure blood spawn of the late Cannibal King. An arsenal of ancient power in his possession and a dozen hard-won titles to his own name. And he had failed her the moment he let Saydor slip away with his life. Little had Drayvex known then, this was the first in a long line of toppling dominoes.
Fans of the Netflix series Lucifer and the Hollywood movie Twilight will have a jolly good time with both the books of Stones of Power series: Shadow-Stained and Soul-Strung. The words “… lion fell in love with the lamb” of Edward from Twilight resounds in the echoing dilemma of Drayvex. How could he, the demon lord, who feels no remorse in destruction, fall for his prey, Ruby Red? Moreover, his witty comebacks, breathtaking smirk, and formidable authority over the deadliest creatures will remind Lucifer fans of their star. That’s where the resemblance ends. The plot of Soul-Strung has the clever imagination and witty writing of its very talented author, Rachel Hobbs. She has woven a web of mind-blowing twists to keep the readers engaged and on the edge of their seats until the very last word.
The debut novel of Nirvaan Verma, A Monsoon Lament: A Mumbai Romance, shows a lot of promise and scope of further improvement. Four entirely differentThe debut novel of Nirvaan Verma, A Monsoon Lament: A Mumbai Romance, shows a lot of promise and scope of further improvement. Four entirely different people live in four separate flats of an apartment complex, The Palm Oasis Residences, in Mumbai. Although much varied than one another in their lifestyles, fears, and hopes, these four people were the same in one aspect: each one of them was equally lost. For instance, Asavari, the housewife — a victim in a loveless marriage — appeared worlds apart from Ravin, the lone painter — living in the past. At the outset, these two characters had nothing in common, yet deep within, they were quite similar. Both Sharat, an entrepreneur, and Evana, a fashion model, establish the agelong words of wisdom of never judging a book by its cover.
Sometimes he treated Asavari as if she was his full-time maid. He would often reprimand her for her misdemeanors and didn’t treat her as his equal.
– An excerpt from A Monsoon Lament: A Mumbai Romance by Nirvaan Verma
Nirvaan Verma’s grip on the English language shines through in A Monsoon Lament. There is no doubt that he knows words and uses them just right. Whether describing a scene or sharing his knowledge on a subject, his awe-inspiring vocabulary never ceases to dazzle the readers. The storytelling, however, leaves something to be desired. Even though his knowledge of art, apparel industry, and photography are fascinating, the presentation of the same could have been a tad engaging. For instance, instead of writing down a word-by-word narration of Wikipedia results on a certain topic, the author could have enhanced the experience by producing the same information in the form of an intriguing dialogue. A reader needs exciting incentives to keep on turning the pages; appealing conversations are on the top three of such lists.
The mysteries of love are as complicated as the webs woven by the spiders. However, can love be found by simply following one's happiness? In this conThe mysteries of love are as complicated as the webs woven by the spiders. However, can love be found by simply following one's happiness? In this contemporary fiction, Jeep Tour, Gail Ward Olmsted takes the readers on an exploration of sorts to solve this riddle. Jackie Sullivan, aka Jax, has lived a very organized life, following rules. And still, she finds herself unfulfilled. Even after getting a divorce, Jax and Robbie, her ex-husband, find ways to stay in each other's lives and beds. This already tricky equation is further complicated when Jax takes a trip to Sedona. The backdrop of the desert becomes all the more fascinating when she falls for her tour guide, Rick. For the first time in her life, she takes a leap of faith and moves to Sedona, leaving her life behind, to give herself a second chance. Her hopes, however, come crashing down when she realizes Rick, the most important factor of her move, doesn't even remember her. What follows is a series of sleepless nights and stubborn doubts as she attempts to make sense of her life.
After reading any of Gail Ward Olmsted's books, one thing becomes crystal clear; she draws the inspiration for her fiction from the real world and real problems. Her characters are not the best of the philosophers or creators or charmers, and yet, they are realistic. Jax, for instance, has the same insecurities as the next woman. She is pushing forty and is alone. Having an affair with her ex-husband gives her a temporary respite from the long days of loneliness, but it doesn't give her a sense of permanent security. She has an ability to laugh at herself; at the same time, she has a tendency to self-deprecate herself. These are the attributes of real people. They are flawed, sometimes insensitive to other's needs, and absolutely self-absorbed at times. The side characters are no different than the protagonist. They, too, have unpredictable mood swings that make the story all the more engaging.
More often than not the sacrifices, intellect, and devotion of the partners of famous personalities are forgotten. They live in the shadows of the manMore often than not the sacrifices, intellect, and devotion of the partners of famous personalities are forgotten. They live in the shadows of the many accomplishments of these stars. In Landscape of a Marriage, Gail Ward Olmsted gives life to Mary Olmsted who was the wife of the famous American landscape architect, Frederick Olmsted. When Mary lost her first husband to tuberculosis, she turned to his family for help with raising three young kids. What she received in return was nothing short of a blessing. Her deceased husband’s brother, Fred, offered to marry her. Although this was a marriage born out of obligation, it soon transformed into a beautiful union of love. As Mary and Fred overcame the early conflicts of marriage, they became stronger as a couple. Together, they weathered many storms that life threw at them: loss of loved ones, financial upheavals, and emotional turmoil. Amidst the chaos, Mary stood tall like an unwavering soldier holding the fort in Fred’s long absences. Unaware of her contributions, she extended all the credit to her husband. Toward the end, however, the realization that she was an integral part of his success became the highlight of her journey.
I had worth beyond raising children and running a household.
Primed for Vengeance by Gill D Anderson is a nail-biting Crime Thriller, cleverly entwined with human psychology and intriguing suspense. Butch is a sPrimed for Vengeance by Gill D Anderson is a nail-biting Crime Thriller, cleverly entwined with human psychology and intriguing suspense. Butch is a sadist who finds joy in petrifying people by his horrid actions and formidable looks. To a stranger, he resembles a devil’s minion. Although he enjoys projecting this persona, he cannot waste precious time indulging in this hobby of his; mainly because he is on a mission to kill a woman he called “Heartbreaker.” Since this is his only mission in life, he wishes to formulate a plan that will ensure maximum pain to the “Heartbreaker,” and consequently, a paramount satisfaction to him. In absolute contrast to him is Sarah Whitaker; her life’s sole purpose is to take care of those who cannot look after themselves. She works in Woodlands Residential Care Unit, where she spends long hours managing youths living in state care. As concerned as she is about the well-being of these kids and teenagers, she understands how unpredictable some of them can be. Therefore, when the time comes for her to go on maternity leaves, she wracks her brain to come up with a plan that will allow her to disappear without revealing her pregnancy to them. However, as they say, no good deed goes unpunished; unbeknownst to her, the seemingly foolproof plan backfires in the worst possible way, condemning her to a life of grief and danger.
You didn’t have to do something good to be widely recognized, you just had to do something significant that affected the lives of others. Preferably in a bad way.
Butch pondered on those who’d wronged him and felt certain that his mission here on earth was to rid the world of them. For the benefit of future kids growing up in care, the world needed to know what that felt like and why messing with one’s emotion was not recommended.
Who do you believe when the detective (albeit a self-appointed one) of a murder case is a patient in the same psychiatric ward where the body was founWho do you believe when the detective (albeit a self-appointed one) of a murder case is a patient in the same psychiatric ward where the body was found? Rabbit Hole by Mark Billingham takes the readers on this unbelievable yet fascinating journey. Alice Frances Armitage, aka Al, is a medically retired detective constable, who has been diagnosed with PTSD. After being sectioned, she is undergoing treatment in the acute psychiatric ward of Hendon Community Hospital. However, she believes herself to be a cop still. So, when Kevin, one of the patients, is found murdered in his room, Al takes it upon herself to investigate the case. Soon, she gets the feeling that her own life is in danger.
Much like The Woman in The Window by A.J. Finn, the narrator of Rabbit Hole is unreliable. But, that's where the similarity ends. Our narrator in Rabbit Hole is witty, charismatic, and confident. Despite being in a psychiatric ward, surrounded by patients with all sorts of issues, she doesn't lose her identity. Her comebacks are chucklesome and her thoughts are coherent. Even when she starts having memory gaps, she believes she is the right person to find the killer. Mark Billingham, the author, has chosen his storyteller very wisely. The murder mystery in itself was gripping, but the added suspicion on the credibility of our source of information brought out a whole new level of thrill. In addition, the tidbits about drugs, patients' diagnoses, and the psychiatrist's conversations show the level of research the author has done. These aspects further add to the overall entertainment and credibility quotients of the book. With just enough twists and interesting characters, Rabbit Hole by Mark Billingham is a thriller worth spending time and money on. Highly recommended!...more
The Hawthorne School by Sylvie Perry is a psychological thriller that presents an interesting take on an insecure single mother's troubles. When ClaudThe Hawthorne School by Sylvie Perry is a psychological thriller that presents an interesting take on an insecure single mother's troubles. When Claudia was only twenty years old, she found out that she was pregnant. Despite her young age, she decided to keep the baby. By the time Henry, her son, turned four years old, she realized that he had behavioral issues. Despite her best efforts, she could never get the boy to behave. Being a young mother was hard on its own, but raising the child, who refused to listen to her and the teachers, was overwhelming beyond her wildest imaginations. With every passing day, she felt like a complete failure as a mother. When she heard about The Hawthorne School and its unconventional teaching methods, she found herself pulled toward it. Her apprehensions further subsided when the headmistress offered her enough options to help with her financial difficulties. As the saying goes, if something is too good to be true, it probably isn't. With this school checking off all the boxes of her checklist and then some more, was it possible that there was something sinister at play?
Sylvie Perry, the author, has created her characters so well that it seemed as if she had walked in each of their shoes. Even though the readers can sense the source of the numb, almost dead, expression of the kids in the school, Claudia took her sweet time reaching the conclusion. While some may opine that Claudia was too naive to be believable, her naivete appeared the most relatable aspect of her character. A single mother, who doubts herself every step of the way and blames herself for her son's behavioral issues, is bound to be gullible. Moreover, if we ignore this attribute of her nature and establish her as a naive woman, the intrigue of finding the headmistress' reasons for executing her methods was too powerful to resist. The cast playing the role of the teachers was written such that it was impossible to realize who was genuinely trying to help and who was simply playing games. Enough well-placed twists will further hold the audience.
The climax, however, appeared a little rushed. It was as if the author lost patience and took an easy way out toward the end. Having said that, The Hawthorne School by Sylvie Perry is a pageturner, which the fans of psychological thrillers will love to devour....more
A duo like-no-other comes together to solve the kidnapping of two eight-year-old twin sisters in this Crime Thriller, The Unknown Man by Natalie HansoA duo like-no-other comes together to solve the kidnapping of two eight-year-old twin sisters in this Crime Thriller, The Unknown Man by Natalie Hanson. A workplace-relationship-gone-wrong resulted in the FBI agent Zalla Bennbett getting assigned to this kidnapping case. Since the father of the kidnapped girls was the FBI’s CI, the FBI’s involvement was not unusual. However, sending Zalla to another location, Almeda, was strange. With her husband struggling with Cancer, the timing could not have been worse for her. Sensing no escape route in sight, She left for Almeda. As soon as she met with the local law enforcement of Almeda, she realized relocating was the least of her worries. She had to work with Dallon Brown, a young man desperate to prove his worth. With no relevant experience under his belt, Dallon appeared useless to Zalla. His eagerness to show off his skills downright frustrated her. In addition to everything else, a severe lack of clues left Zalla feeling like a headless chicken running whichever way in the hopes of finding something. Anything at all!
It was freakish in the worst way. Inhuman, degrading and even though Zalla was an atheist, one word came to her mind. Unholy.
Natalie Hanson, the author, knows the trick to reach her audience’s heart and make a lasting impression. Much like the real world, each character is struggling with their insecurities and fighting their demons. Zalla, our strong protagonist with an innate ability to sniff out lies, can’t rid herself of the claws of the embarrassment that stab her constantly. The fear of people mocking her on account of her asymmetric body parts leaves her exasperated. Thanks to Natalie Hanson’s skilled storytelling, Zalla’s emotions were palpable beyond words. As Zalla hides her flaws and puts on a rude front, the readers can empathize with her. But, on the other hand, we have Dallon Brown, who is extremely polite. Although he makes mistakes, the audience forgives him on account of his tireless spirit to learn. Pairing these two together is a stroke of genius.
A cocktail of Sci-fi, Thriller, and Paranormal genres, The Daemon’s Wish by Chris Wright is a fascinating murder mystery. The story is set in the yearA cocktail of Sci-fi, Thriller, and Paranormal genres, The Daemon’s Wish by Chris Wright is a fascinating murder mystery. The story is set in the year 2410. By this year, humans have habited Mars and Europa as well. The peaceful life of Europa is shattered when a killer goes on a murderous streak. Each gruesome murder is a scene from hell, with the victim’s organs splashed in the stream of their own blood. Detective Johnson and Detective Thomas seek the help of a psychological profiler, Noah Peterson, who had proved instrumental in throwing several criminals behind the bars. Solving these murders, however, will not prove to be an easy feat as the crime scenes do not have any DNA other than that of the victims. As bodies begin piling up, the race to catch the killer, who leaves no human trace, ensures many several nights and quick thinking. At this crucial time, Noah has his own demons to face. His health conditions — migraine and epilepsy — have deteriorated overnight. But, the seizures are the least of his worries; he is having serious memory gaps that seem to coincide with the time of the murder. Moreover, his appearance at every sight of the murder makes him a suspect too.
Inside the submersion pod was Leah, sprawled out on the floor, with a ghastly incision from her pelvis to the top of her neck. Her hand was touching the end of a samurai sword, whose blade was thrust a few centimeters into her. The result was horrific, and the pod was swimming with blood and organs that had popped out in the barbaric act.
The beauty of The Daemon’s Wish lies in its setting and mystery. Chris Wright, the author, has put his heart, soul, and sweat into the book. He has considered aspects about Europa, Jupiter’s moon, and figured out a way to allow the audience to imagine the lifestyle of humans on Europa. With the year being 2410, it is natural to introduce advanced technology. So, the readers find the characters using holographic notepads, hovering cars, rain shields, Ionocopter, hyper train, etc. Yet, the bit about Europans taking trips to and from Earth permitted the inclusion of Earthly things in the story. This fusion of old with the new created an immersive read. In short, the scene-setting has a transporting quality to it that takes its readers on one hell of a ride.
An insightful meeting with seventy-three-year-old Ivan in Ukraine inspired Pramudith D. Rupasinghe to pen down this Biographical Historical Fiction naAn insightful meeting with seventy-three-year-old Ivan in Ukraine inspired Pramudith D. Rupasinghe to pen down this Biographical Historical Fiction named Bayan. The book is an exquisite amalgamation of history, human sentiments, music, and philosophy. In over seventy years, Ivan — the protagonist — has witnessed, suffered, and enjoyed numerous ebbs and flows of the circumstances. As a result, he holds not only an ocean of memories but also a treasure of wisdom and awe-inspiring experiences. Living a life of solitude, accompanied by only a bayan, he plays and sings melodies reminiscent of the days long gone. Then, in a turn of events, a stranger enters his house and stays as a guest with him for a few days. What begins as a cultural and philosophical monologue eventually turns into a walk down a memory lane that was too personal and too emotional.
Bruders were terrifying the villagers, killing men, raping women, looting anything that belonged to the poor people; my parents escaped into the forest with our cow. They stayed in the forest till the ruthless Germans were defeated by the undaunted red soldiers who were backed by the boundless support of our people in villages.
– An excerpt from Bayan by Pramudith D. Rupasinghe
It is impossible to pick up Bayan and remain untouched by the almost lyrical usage of metaphors in the narration. Pramudith D. Rupasinghe’s ability to paint a picture by including perfect metaphors is outstanding. Without including actual pictures, the author managed to draw detailed snapshots of nature, people, places, and whatnot. Reading Bayan is similar to bathing oneself into the pool of immense wisdom that only comes from living a life full of turmoil, grief, and mindfulness. If a reader is seeking mental stimulation, then Bayan is a must-read. One can begin highlighting quotes that resonate with them or enlighten them but soon, the realization will hit them that they have ended up coloring almost every line of every page. There is just so much relatable philosophy in the book.
Click here to read the full review on my blog, Mojito with a Twist....more
The Tenant’s Wrath by Gabriel Nombo is a sci-fi novel that takes the readers to the 34th century. There have been other books that transport the readeThe Tenant’s Wrath by Gabriel Nombo is a sci-fi novel that takes the readers to the 34th century. There have been other books that transport the readers into the future, but what distinguishes Tenant’s Wrath from others is the fact that Gabriel Nombo has placed the readers on another planet, Momento Mori. Tussled Platters is a researcher who has traveled from earth to the said planet to record the activities of the Momento Morians and understand their wrathful behavior. For the report research, he uses a device named Vqrtxheqp and follows one of the Momento Morians, Setifokasi. As Setifokasi moves through various cities for work & studies, he rents several houses and deals with a variety of landlords. With different places arise varied conflicts between tenants and landlords, and the manner in which they resolve these discords makes the majority of Tussled Patters’ research. Besides learning to resolve squabbles calmly, Setifokasi also gains the wisdom to live life peacefully and effectively.
First of all, I admire the author’s creative imagination. The use of hardware/software for converting live audio and video in the text was definitely a masterstroke. It not only allowed you to narrate events engagingly but also provided a visual to the reader. The inclusion of AMR guidelines was impressive. These guidelines created an illusion of the research being authentic. The plot idea of putting forward tenancy-related issues is really fresh and entertaining. I feel The Tenant’s Wrath has the potential of being one of the best sci-fi novels.
“… Everything you witness on this planet has a reason for existence. Unfortunately, we don’t know how to react to them properly.” He hesitated, glancing at them. Some tenants laughed.
“We concentrate on trivial issues,” continued Setifokasi. “Instead of scratching our heads to reasonably employ our country’s wealth, to rescue ourselves from poverty,” Setifokasi commented while shaking his right foot.
– An excerpt from The Tenant’s Wrath by Gabriel Nombo
To read the full review, please click here....more
The Hangman: Vengeance by Dee Rose is the tenth and final book in The Hangman Universe series. After being deceived and thrown into an alternate univeThe Hangman: Vengeance by Dee Rose is the tenth and final book in The Hangman Universe series. After being deceived and thrown into an alternate universe, the Hangman managed to find his way back to the earth. This time, though, he has decided to focus all his time and energy on vengeance against "the good guys." Meanwhile, the underworld has a new demon lord: Lord Leechadon. Although his dream of conquering the earth matches his predecessor's, his strategies are quite different. Before attacking the earth, he has cooked up a plan to remove these obstacles from his path: The Death Brothers (Tom Padilla and Jericho Cain), The Grand Librarian (Alexander Merryweather), Purgatory's guardian (BA), Susan Taki, and the Hangman. The beauty of his plan is that instead of spending his own energy in killing the so-called good guys, he will use Hangman to destroy them. Later, he will snatch away Hangman's rings and conquer earth. As demons, zombies, vampires, and a witch begin their assault on the good guys, they struggle to survive and stick together. Is this the end of the good guys? Or, is there hope still?
The #Vanlife Murders by Taylor Cluster is a cozy mystery that follows Hailey as she tries to reinvent herself after losing her job and a breakup. WhenThe #Vanlife Murders by Taylor Cluster is a cozy mystery that follows Hailey as she tries to reinvent herself after losing her job and a breakup. When her life stopped making sense, and she feared sinking into nothingness, she decided to sell everything and live out her days in a van traveling up the west coast. Soon, she realized that there was a large community of influencers who were living a similar lifestyle. This community was known as #vanlifers and the lifestyle as #vanlife. Before she even had the time to enjoy her newfound lifestyle and realize its cons, she came through the story of a missing #vanlifer, Hannah. The missing-report of this young woman triggered Hailey’s childhood dream of becoming an investigative reporter. In the hopes of finding a clue, she started following Hannah’s story and going through her Instagram account. The missing investigation converted into a murder investigation as the cops found Hannah’s dead body. Before Hailey could even digest the shock of her murder, more news of #vanlifers being found dead started coming out. With each new murder story, Hailey sped up her investigation to find the clues or, better yet, hunt the serial killer.
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