The Blind King by S. Deepanshu

 The Blind King by S. Deepanshu

As the name suggests this book talks about the blind king from Mahabharata. But what is so important or not so worthy about him that it needs to be acknowledged. It makes you ponder the both sides of a king who did his actions blindly in the love for his sons and not for the welfare of his kingdom.

The story explores the inner turmoil and regret over past decisions, making the king, a relatable & humanized figure. The story begins with Gandhari's curse for Krishna. In this book, I get to know a different perspective of Lord Krishna and Dhritarashtra's conversations are mostly with him. 

Through these conversations, Krishna confronts & guides the king about the consequences of his own actions. I loved how every chapter is balanced with past & present. The past is all about pre war, and the present is about post war. The book also highlights the struggle of the king's desires & duties.

We are all aware that Dhritarashtra was just physically blind, not mentally. He was mentally aware of everything. His character was both a spectator and a participant. And his lack of mental awareness made him a fool. However, if we look optimistically, we can see his unwavering love for his sons. 

He feared losing his son Duryodhana if he failed to acknowledge his inner thoughts. He was not only a king, but also a parent, and he ignored his instincts because he, too, knew Duryodhana was on the wrong path. He was stuck by his own insecurities. And his physical and emotional blindness forced him to listen to other people's voices rather than his own.

The author's writing is detailed and well-researched. He has vividly portrayed the aftermath of the war and how each character's action or inaction has led to loss and destruction. I found this unique and thought-provoking as it shares the fruit of what decisions we make on a personal level. Even the details of each character in depth adds to the knowledge and gives a better understanding of the scenario.

Overall, The Blind King left a lasting impression on me. It’s a fresh take on a classic epic, reinterpreting familiar legends through the lens of regret, responsibility, and ultimately, redemption. The reflective journey of Dhritarashtra, coupled with Krishna’s guiding wisdom, offers a thought-provoking narrative that encourages introspection about personal accountability and the ripple effects of our choices.

The Blood Twins | A Haunting Psychological Thriller | From the Author of The Girl in the House by Harshvardhan Rao

The Blood Twins | A Haunting Psychological Thriller | From the Author of The Girl in the House by Harshvardhan Rao

'The Blood Twins' is yet another Harshvardhan Rao's magic full of exciting rollercoasters. I was diving deep into the story from the prologue itself.

The story revolves around a duo – Ratan and Ravi – who start investigating a paranormal mystery. They discover a family that's torn apart by a curse. More than finding answers, there are more questions.

The village of Chandrapur feels mysterious, unsafe and filled with silence, as if something terrible is buried beneath the surface. The abandoned cottage and the strange energy around Abha create a sensation of darkness that prevails, and the suspense level is increased.

I also enjoyed the investigative flow brought by Ratan and Ravi. Their paranormal investigation slowly uncovers hidden truths, making the mystery more gripping with every discovery. The story constantly makes the reader question what is real, what is supernatural and what secrets people are still hiding.

Abha’s character adds emotional depth to the horror. Her connection to the curse and the abandoned cottage brings pain, tragedy and family history into the story, making it more than just frightening scenes. That emotional layer is what made the thriller stronger for me.

The author has well penned the emotions of a family and a bond of twins with the curse. The overpowering effect of the book and the curse together makes it a compelling read. The language is simple yet evocative and captivating.

Overall, it is a suspense-filled psychological thriller.

The Girls Are Not Fine: The cost of ambition, careers and becoming by Harnidh Kaur

The Girls Are Not Fine: The cost of ambition, careers and becoming by Harnidh Kaur

"The Girls Are Not Fine" is a thought-provoking read. I recognise daily that society assumes we are fine in every aspect. But when I read the detailed approach from every corner of our life, it made me spellbound.

This detailed approach to how girls are expected to be perfect and speechless, though in pain, is commendable. What stayed with me the most was how the book talks about being "fine".Women are taught from such a young age to hide their anger, sadness, and exhaustion just to keep everyone comfortable. 

The author explains these emotions in a very direct and unfiltered way, and that made the reading experience feel personal instead of preachy.I also liked that it talks about things people usually ignore: emotional labour, family expectations, marriage pressure, workplace inequality, and how women are constantly expected to give more of themselves.

What I liked the most was the refusal toolkit. She explains vividly where to use and how to interrupt the machine that depends on our silence. Even the invisible labour toolkit makes it accessible, as it is important to make other people realise that there is labour in every work that usually goes ignored.

Overall, it is a thought-provoking read.

Shadow Play Love and Blackmail by Nitish Bhushan

 Shadow Play Love and Blackmail by Nitish Bhushan

"Shadow Play" is a mind-boggling suspense thriller. It is the second book in the sequel to Love ... This made me revisit the characters, and the friendship is something I could envy.

The story begins with Raj being expelled from his job for ruining the company's reputation just because of his carelessness. He has no idea of who could be the possible hacker who tried to send a digital email and make him download the malware that takes away all the confidential data from his account.

Raj, Bhanu, and Ravi, continued from the first book, are buddies who stand for each other even in crisis. Their respective wives have brought more friendship, love, stability, and reliance to this. But someone has cast their evil eyes on them. And these guys, like always, are not going to take it lying down.

Amidst the whole revenge, hacking, and treason plot, I liked Raj's ill-timed and ludicrous dad jokes. Even the romance happening in the text is something to read.

The author has meticulously penned the techno awareness with possible threats to it. His blend of suspense with elements of trust and romance makes it a compelling read.

Overall, it is a thought-provoking and captivating read.

Purchase here.

Durga: The Baaghini: A Tattvaverse Saga by Krishnamurthy Shrikanth

 Durga: The Baaghini: A Tattvaverse Saga by Krishnamurthy Shrikanth

"Understanding life requires removing the fear of death." - Quote from the book

Talking about forest life is easy, but living in it and saving wildlife is not an easy job. This book is dedicated to a woman who is the savior of wildlife, and even the forest creatures are mingled with her essence and aroma as if they remember her from ages ago.

I was intrigued by the prologue itself to find out how the Sheshvan forest will be saved from the poachers. Is she going to be alive, or will she take rebirth? As the story progresses, the two girls have different attitudes and love for the forest. I was curious to unfurl who the real choti sherni is and how she will be the future savior of this forest.

I was shocked to hear the wordings of Virendra and Viraj when they said men are not meant to fear from blood. But they have something taken away from the Shesvan that was not meant to be. But how Durga will revive what was taken from them is a thrilling adventure. It is like turning pages to know how Durga seeks revenge and paves the way for justice in a true manner.

The author has meticulously penned the insightful lessons of life in a thought-provoking manner. His simple yet evocative writing is filled with love for nature. The short chapter added intrigue to the narrative.

Overall, it is a commendable piece of writing. 

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Epic Heroes in You by Dr. Krishna

 Epic Heroes in You by Dr. Krishna

Epic Heroes in You provides evidence and validation for the theory that universal psychic patterns do exist. All the principal psychological concepts explained in this book are the theories formulated or dealt with by Dr. Bolen in her renowned works Goddesses in Everywoman and Gods in Everyman.

The author has shared detailed aspects of three categories of heroes:

1. Virgin Heroes

2. Vulnerable heroes

3. Alchemic heroes

Men like Ravana, Arjuna, and Bhishma have the undivided attention that allows them to accomplish what they set their minds on. They can easily exclude everything extraneous to their goal during the process. They do not even mind if they have to give up food or sleep. In its most concentrated form, the focused consciousness can be extremely productive or destructive depending on the nature and intensity of the task at hand.

In every stage of his life, a man with the Ravana pattern only looks for what is beneficial for him, which requires him to expel unprofitable people from his ‘kingdom.’ No matter whether it is professional or personal, every relationship is a utility-based one for a Ravana man. His attitude clearly states ‘if you are of use to me, stay; otherwise, leave.’

Quote from the book that changed me:

"Learn to love selflessly. Stop living in your head alone. Respect the individual freedom of others and their right to make choices. Develop love for humanity and believe in equality."

I was intrigued to know about the varied heroes. Their aspects of perceiving life and dealing with emotions are worth the choice. The concept of keeping your emotions at bay and living a human life is worth the read.

The author has well-researched the characters and their lives in detail. He has depicted each in a well-organized and systematic manner.

Overall, it is an intriguing and captivating read.

Purchase here .

An Anthology of the Best Ghost Stories From Bengal Multiple and Barnali Saha

An Anthology of the Best Ghost Stories From Bengal Multiple and Barnali Saha

 "An Anthology of the Best Ghost Stories" is a haunting collection of Bengali culture and tradition. Despite not belonging to the place, I was able to feel the horror and fear amongst people. It helped me visit the ghostly tales of women in family histories.

It comprises 15 stories written by different writers. Though all the stories made me feel the essence of supernatural powers and the lingering echoes of history, I liked "The Jack of Hearts", "The Road Ends Here", "Burnt Turmeric" and many more.

The haunting narratives are complemented by vivid descriptions that transport readers into the eerie landscapes, especially of rural Bengal. The authors have meticulously blended the emotions of people with the fear of ghosts. Each author has made this essence of horror palpable.

Overall, this is a haunting collection of Bengali ghost stories. It made me recite the name of Shiv Shambu all the time while reading this book.

Purchase here.

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