Book Review: When Only Love Remains

Book: When Only Love Remains

Author: Durjoy Datta

Publisher: Penguin Metro Reads

Price: 175 INR

ISBN: 9780143422648

Blurb: I've imagined this in my head so many times. I've always thought about what I would say; What I would do and how it would all turn out to be. And every time I would remove some detail...

She's a flight attendant—young, bright and living her dream. He's a heartbroken singer on his way to becoming big.

She's an ardent fan of his. He can't imagine why and yet seems to find comfort in her words.

It's the first time they are together and in their hearts both are wishing, hoping and praying that the night would never end. That the time they are spending together lasts and lasts...

In the world of imperfection, there is always someone just right for you.

My Rating: 4/5

My Review:  "When only love remains" is an intense romantic story which portrays the beauty of love and hope marvelously. It is often said that waiting is another name for love and this story captures the pain of waiting with magical deftness.

The story starts with Avanti, a flight attendant whose only respite from an irritating ex boy friend and a troubled childhood are the songs of Devrat. She has been listening to Devrat's songs since the age of 12 and got a strange sort of tranquility in them. Devrat is a struggling singer who is totally oblivious of Avanti's existence. On one fateful day, they meet at one of Devrat's music show and energy flows between them rapidly. They don't run short of words and feels if only they could pause the night forever. Both Devrat and Avanti feels secured and beautiful in each other's presence. The story gets more interesting from that night onward.

The author has brilliantly crafted the emotions of Avanti and Devrat in this book. Even the side characters such as Avanti's father and grandmother's emotions are captured so brilliantly. The character of Avanti is beautifully sketched with the perfect hues. Readers will be bound to fall in love with the character of Avanti. The way Avanti waits and pines for Devrat will move the emotional readers to tears.  The ending of the book is a beautiful surprise that will draw a big smile on the reader's face.

On the downside, people who are not great fan of love stories may find the pace of the book slow. The pace of the book is moderate because the author has given importance in the detailing of every emotions and pain that Avanti and Devrat goes through. There is also a name goof-up where Avanti is written as Avantika. 

This book is highly recommended to people who love reading beautiful love stories. It will make you smile, cry and fall in love. Definitely one of the best works of Durjoy Datta.

You can buy the book online at : http://www.amazon.in/When-Only-Remains-Durjoy-Datta/dp/0143422642/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406132625&sr=1-1&keywords=when+only+love+remains

Book Review: The Fault in our Stars

Book: The Fault in our Stars

Author: John Green

Publisher: Penguin

Price: 399 INR

ISBN: 9780141345659

Blurb: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

My Rating: 5/5 

My Review: Firstly, I really curse myself for having read this book so late. What a gem I was missing! But then, better late than never. Before watching the movie, I resolved to read the book first. And after finishing it about 30 minutes back, I am lost in a whirlpool of emotions. There is this striking pain in my heart which is accompanied with sheer wonderment. "So dawn goes down to the day...Nothing gold can stay." ~This is a quote that talks volumes about the beautiful, delicious and divine love between Hazel and Augustus.
The story begins with Hazel, a terminal cancer patient who is clinically depressed and is clueless about the direction her life is heading. Her life takes a surprising turn when she meets Augustus Waters in a cancer support group. Hazel learns that Augustus is also a fellow cancer survivor. Augustus changes Hazel’s life in a beautiful way and falls madly in love with her. However in the beginning, Hazel tries hard to not fall in love with Augustus as she fears that death may come any moment. She does not want to be grenade and cause more sadness to Augustus. Hazel's recommends her favorite book “ An Imperial Affliction” to Augustus which talks about cancer. Augustus gets fond of the book too and both Hazel and Augustus wishes to know what happened after the book ends as it ends abruptly, mid sentence. Augustus wants to satiate Hazel's curiosity and arranges a trip to Amsterdam so that they can meet the author of “An Imperial Affliction” and talk directly to him about the fate of the characters after the book ends. That trip to Amsterdam changes their life forever.Readers will be bound to fall in love with this couple. Readers would desperately wish that if only the monster called cancer was not constantly against the couple, they could have a perfect, beautiful love story. This book has that magical power to touch the most intrinsic chords of the human heart. John Green has handled such a sensitive subject like cancer survivors falling in love with magical deftness.The book not only narrates the pain of a cancer survivor but celebrates life from every aspect. Green inspires the readers to grab the maximum from their life and celebrate the value of life every single day. 
The book is embellished with beautiful quotes and magical moments.
This is a book that will be liked even by people who has a reading phobia. Recommended to every living soul on the planet.

Buy the book online at: http://www.flipkart.com/fault-our-stars/p/itmdxd5vbxf3jm5s?q=Fault+In+Our+Stars&as=on&as-show=on&otracker=start&as-pos=p_1&pid=9780141345659

Book review~~ Brida

Book: Brida

Author: Paulo Coelho

Publisher: Harper Collins

Price: 350 INR

ISBN: 9780007278596

Blurb of the book: Brida, a young Irish girl, and her quest for knowledge. She has long been interested in various aspects of magic but is searching for something more. Her search leads her to people of great wisdom, who begin to teach Brida about the spiritual world. She meets a wise man who dwells in a forest, who teaches her about overcoming her fears and trusting in the goodness of the world, and a woman who teaches her how to dance to the music of the world, and how to pray to the moon. As Brida seeks her destiny, she struggles to find a balance between her relationships and her desire to become a witch.

This enthralling novel incorporates themes that fans of Paulo Coelho will recognize and treasure. It is a tale of love, passion, mystery, and spirituality from the master storyteller.

My rating: 3.5/5

My review: 

Paulo Coelho is one of my favourite authors and I have found his books "Alchemist" and "Eleven minutes" entrancing and life-changing. Reading the blurb of Brida, I felt it's going to be my next favorite but the book disappointed me a little. Some parts of the book are written beautifully. There are some magical moments in the book when Wicca tells Brida about soul mates, when Brida and the Magus spend time with each other knowing they are each other's soul mates, the story Brida's mother narrates her when Brida asks her if she has ever been in love with two people at the same time. However, there are some complicated parts including the rituals of the Tradition of the Moon which seems to go over our head and which comprise the maximum part of the book. The climax when the Magus tells Brida to go back to Lonis and they part ways did touch my heart. His parting words, "I will always remember you, and you will remember me, just as we will remember the evening, the rain on the windows, and all the things that we'll always have because we cannot possess them" were quite painful. Overall it is an enriching read but quite complicated in some places.

A book that will stay for a very long time in the reader's heart.

You can buy the book online at: http://www.flipkart.com/brida/p/itmdxnjmbm3s25sw?q=Brida&as=on&as-show=on&otracker=start&as-pos=p_1&pid=9780007278596

Thoughts about the classic book: Rebecca

Blurb of the book: The novel begins in Monte Carlo, where our heroine is swept off her feet by the dashing widower Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Orphaned and working as a lady's maid, she can barely believe her luck. It is only when they arrive at his massive country estate that she realizes how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their lives--presenting her with a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their marriage from beyond the grave

My thoughts: Very seldom you come across a book which you want to keep on reading. You wish the book never ends. Such was my feeling while reading Rebecca. 

"Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley yet again"~~The book starts with this sentence and right from the 1st sentence, it keeps you hooked till the end. I had spend about 2 weeks with this book and I could not restrain myself from thinking about it when I was not reading the book. 

Truly, it is the unsurpassed masterpiece of romantic suspense. It's the type of book which is embellished with mystery, suspense and thrill at frequent intervals. The author has narrated the story in the voice of a young innocent girl who gets married to an older and rich man whose wife has died few months back. The narration gives the readers a crystal clear glimpse of the protagonist's mind and heart. 

The best character created by the author was Rebecca who is not in the story physically but her spirit is very much there in every page of the book. The character of the sinister Mrs. Danvers is beautifully sketched too.

The way the mystery unfolds in the story is a beautiful treat for all the suspense-loving readers. It is a perfect book to curl up inside your blanket with a cup of coffee and watching the rain outside at intervals to get drenched in the suspense. I will always cherish these 2 weeks that I had spend with this book. My soul was totally lost in Manderley for the last few days. 

All you suspense loving readers, go grab this classic book. You can get it online at http://www.flipkart.com/rebecca/p/itmdxy35uttdh8sd?q=Rebecca&as=on&as-show=on&otracker=start&as-pos=p_1&pid=9781844080380

Book Review: Lost in Pattaya

Book: Lost In Pattaya

Author: Kishore Modak

Publisher: Grapevine India 

Price: 150 INR

ISBN: 9789381841228

Blurb of the book: It is every dad’s nightmare – his little girl goes missing.

For Palash, the sorrow compounds from the incessant replaying of the critical minutes when his ‘Daddy-eye’ faltered, distracted by his own weakness, substance abuse. The loss and the ensuing search sends him spiraling into a divorce and the loss of a steady corporate job. Scouring for his little girl in the brothels of Pattaya he is ensnared in the web of mafia that runs the sex trade of Thailand. When he eventually finds her, will he be able to build back a wasted lifetime, or, is it too late for rescue, for him and his child?

My Rating: 4/5

My take on the book: First of all, thanks to Grapevine for sending this amazing book. The blurb of the book instantly stirred up my interest and the book definitely met my expectations. First of all, writing a story with a very different story line is a challenging task and maintaining the pace of that story throughout the length of 215 pages is even more challenging. However the author has brilliantly succeeded in doing so. The book starts off with a medium pace but after a few pages, it becomes almost impossible to put it down. As the title says, the book revolves around how Li Ya, daughter of Palash gets lost in Pattaya and his frantic search for her thereafter. What may seem to the readers as a case of abduction like Palash actually turns out to be something unbelievable as the book proceeds. As Palash continues his search for Li Ya, he comes across  two interesting characters, Thuy Binh and Miho who plays significant roles in his life. The author has blended adventure, suffering and emotions in the correct proportions. There are some nail-biting adventurous moments in the book that increases the beating of the heart. There are also some beautiful, heart touching moments which will compel the readers to smile in delight. The juncture in the book where Palash meets Li Ya after years when she has ripened to a lady is very touching. Palash's unselfish love for his daughter is endearing. The character of Palash may not appeal to the readers in the beginning of the book but once they are done with the book, they will grow a fondness for this character. The story ends on a touching note which will leave readers with a feeling of contentment. The narration is commendable with excellent usage of words and the pace of the book is fast. The best part of the book is the way it portrays a father's unflinching love and sacrifice for his daughter. 

The book is highly recommended for people who love to read good books.

You can buy the book online at:

http://www.flipkart.com/lost-in-pattaya/p/itmdx5e6xaykxecz?pid=9789381841228&otracker=from-search&srno=p_1&query=lost+in+pattaya&ref=794e38e5-6dc5-4cbd-96b7-42e038cdf237

Book Review~ The One You Cannot Have

Book: The One You Cannot Have

Author: Preeti Shenoy

Publisher: Westland Publisher

Price: 200 INR

ISBN: 9789383260683

Blurb of the book: How long does it take to heal a broken heart? Can you ever forget that one perfect relationship you had? Anjali knows who she wants, she wants Aman. Aman too knows who he wants, he wants Shruti. Shruti and Aman were once inseparable. Theirs was a love that would last forever and more. Then, out of the blue, Shruti left Aman. A devastated Aman moved abroad in the hope of forgetting Shruti and to heal. Shruti married Rishabh. Now Aman is back in India and looking for a fresh start. But he is still haunted by memories of his love. Can he ever break free from it? His head tells him to move on, to find love with Anjali, but his heart wont listen. No matter what he does, Shrutis shadow looms large. Can there be a happily-ever-after for any of them? A straight-from-the-heart modern-day romance of unrequited love, of complicated relationships and about moving on when you realise that there will always be the one you cannot have.

My rating: 4.8/5

My take on the book: I have been a great fan of Preeti Shenoy and have read all her books earlier which I absolutely loved. "The One You Cannot Have" is a total page turner. The characters of Aman, Shruti and Anjali are so real and relatable. Every reader is bound to connect themselves with either of them. There is a saying that "A sad thing of our life is when we meet someone who means the world to us unless we find out in the end that it was never meant to be and we have to just let it go." This exactly happens for Shruti and Aman, who had such a perfect relationship but were just not meant to be. Fate is too supreme a power and humans have no options but to surrender to it. However, 'let go' and 'move on' are terms which are easier said than done. Aman and Shruti tries hard to keep each other out of their system; Aman burying his neck deep in work and Shruti focusing on her 'happily married life'. Circumstances start changing when a writer, Anjali falls in love with Aman and differences start arising between Shruti and her husband. Finally when Aman closes the chapter of Shruti and gets serious about Anjali, Shruti makes an entry into his life again. The climax of the book is poignant, pragmatic, well-portrayed and is the best part of the book. What embellishes the book beautifully are the magazine articles of Tiara written by Anjali. Those articles are a bonus for the readers who are a fan of Preeti Shenoy's blogposts. This book is an excellent work of Preeti Shenoy and a must-read for anyone who has ever been in a relationship.

You can buy the book online at: http://www.amazon.in/THE-ONE-YOU-CANNOT-HAVE-ebook/dp/B00G9XMBQ8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1404449718&sr=1-1&keywords=the+one+you+cannot+have

Book Review~ ASURA: Tale of the Vanquished

Book: Asura: Tale of the Vanquished
Author: Anand Neelakantan
Publisher: Leadstart Publishing
Price: 250 INR
ISBN: 978-9381576052

Blurb of the book: The epic tale of victory and defeat… The story of the Ramayana had been told innumerable times. The enthralling story of Rama, the incarnation of God, who slew Ravana, the evil demon of darkness, is known to every Indian. And in the pages of history, as always, it is the version told by the victors, that lives on. The voice of the vanquished remains lost in silence. But what if Ravana and his people had a different story to tell? The story of the Ravanayana had never been told. Asura is the epic tale of the vanquished Asura people, a story that has been cherished by the oppressed outcastes of India for 3000 years. Until now, no Asura has dared to tell the tale. But perhaps the time has come for the dead and the defeated to speak. “For thousands of years, I have been vilified and my death is celebrated year after year in every corner of India. Why? Was it because I challenged the Gods for the sake of my daughter? Was it because I freed a race from the yoke of caste-based Deva rule? You have heard the victor’s tale, the Ramayana. Now hear the Ravanayana, for I am Ravana, the Asura, and my story is the tale of the vanquished.” “I am a non-entity – invisible, powerless and negligible. No epics will ever be written about me. I have suffered both Ravana and Rama – the hero and the villain or the villain and the hero. When the stories of great men are told, my voice maybe too feeble to be heard. Yet, spare me a moment and hear my story, for I am Bhadra, the Asura, and my life is the tale of the loser.” The ancient Asura empire lay shattered into many warring petty kingdoms reeling under the heel of the Devas. In desperation, the Asuras look up to a young saviour – Ravana. Believing that a better world awaits them under Ravana, common men like Bhadra decide to follow the young leader. With a will of iron and a fiery ambition to succeed, Ravana leads his people from victory to victory and carves out a vast empire from the Devas. But even when Ravana succeeds spectacularly, the poor Asuras find that nothing much has changed for them. It is when that Ravana, by one action, changes the history of the world.

My rating: 4/5

My take on the book: Finally I completed reading Asura. I am amazed at the amount of research the author had undertaken to pen down the book. The character of Ravana is very well-sketched with proper shades of his anger, fear, pride and love. Though Ravana is the most popular villain in our Indian mythology, the author has portrayed him as a character who seems more humane than a villain. We empathize with him in certain circumstances rather than hating him. The line in page no 15 uttered in Ravana's voice: "I didn't know then, but I had been born to fulfill someone else's destiny. To allow someone else to become God." fills us up with a curiosity to explore the forthcoming pages. The character of Bhadra is a little exaggerated but the sharp plot compensated for the few monotonous areas. It is indeed very difficult to hold the plot without dropping the firmness of it for a whole 500 pages and the author has more or less succeeded in doing so. Asura is a totally different experience, very unlike from the way we have perceived Ravana from the Ramayana. The ten facets of Ravana described by the author which made him a complete human being and the way his journey from nurturing his ambitions to being a conqueror and lastly to lose everything, is described in the book is indeed praiseworthy.

You can buy the book online at :
http://www.amazon.in/ASURA-Tale-Of-The-Vanquished-ebook/dp/B00AGZJ01O/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1404448811&sr=1-1&keywords=Asura