The Loopiness of life by Tanima Das

 The Loopiness of life by Tanima Das

"The Loopiness of Life" is a second book in the duology "The Sorcery of the Senses". I had heard a lot about the book and was intrigued to read the sequel. So I grabbed the book in sequence and read a little story about it in the prologue. I was intrigued by the poetic lines.

🌷"Take from him,

   The man from the sea,

    Two great seeds,

     Don't set him free.

    First you take,

    The seed of need.

    Then it is time.

    For the seed of deed.

    One can unlock,

    The power of the other.

    Do it and your rule,

    The land, waters and all that's farther."

Through this story, we follow the life of Dhruv, a recently divorced, betrayed and wary man, who is still trying to put his life together when all the five senses, personified as characters, meet him one by one, giving him fragments of one of his many previous births, letting him know and explore more about his purpose. 

The mystery element of the magic stone in his ex-wife's heirloom ring, the perfect crown with a missing stone, and a thrilling epic quest to achieve his purpose to restore balance back to the world sets the mysterious premise of this book, with its engaging narration and lasting impression, even beyond the book's end.

The narrative shifts fluidly between modern-day Kolkata and forgotten realms, revealing how every past life, love, and betrayal leaves an imprint. The author’s imaginative concept of the five senses and the sixth sense adds depth to the story while keeping the plot engaging and accessible.

The final uniting of the stones feels earned, not because he defeats evil, but because he never becomes it. The pacing rarely dips. Action, suspense, magical realism, and emotional reflection blend seamlessly. Each reincarnation's side character, whether from lost villages or ancient courts, feels thoughtfully developed rather than rushed. The quest for the holy and magical stones ties everything together while still allowing room for self-discovery.

By the time the story ends, it doesn’t feel like a conclusion but like a completion of one loop. The book left me with the feeling that life itself works the same way: we return to lessons until we choose rightly. 

Through the tales of Dhruv’s previous births, the author has brought out many aspects of social norms and their rigidity. Reincarnation has been handled prudently and fits into the story wherever used. The author’s imaginative power deserves special applause, and putting it into words easily understood by readers is laudable indeed.

With Dhruv’s ex-wife Juthika coming into the picture again, things take a different turn. She, as a much more mature female, seems capable of handling things that Dhruv may not have been able to handle alone in his search for the Holy Stone!

Overall, "The Loopiness of Life" isn’t just about destiny or rebirth; it’s about the quiet, difficult act of choosing goodness again and again, across lifetimes, even when no one remembers your past efforts. It reads less like a story I finished and more like one I carry with me!

Purchase here.

This review is sponsored by Blogchatter.

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