Giveaway: 2 author signed copies of Asoka Trilogy Book #1

Book: The Prince of Patliputra ( Asoka Trilogy #1)

Author: Shreyas Bhave

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing
Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 382

Price: 350 INR

Blurb:

 272 BC, Bharathvarsha, Land of the Aryas....

Samrat Bindusar, son of Chandragupta and the second Samrat Chakravartin of all the Aryas rules over the massive subcontinent from his holy seat in Patliputra. Almost five decades ago, his father had laid the foundations of this vast Samrajya guided by the famed Guru Arya Chanakya. But now, the wealth and glory of the past has subsided...
As the Samrat’s health continues to decline due to an unknown illness, problems are arising all over his realm. There is infighting and rebellion. No clear successor to him is present. Ninety nine of his sons stand in line waiting for his throne...
Bharathvarsha needs a Chandragupta once again. And it needs a Chanakya too. Can the young Prince Asoka, who is the least favorite son of the Samrat, fill in the boots of his grandfather? Can Radhagupta, a mere Councilor of the Court be what Chanakya was to all the Aryas? 
Begin a new adventure with the first book of the Asoka trilogy as you read to find the answer to one great question- 'That who shall be the next Samrat of this holy land of the Aryas?

Enter the simple Rafflecopter Giveaway to win an author signed copy of this fast paced historical thriller. Names of the 2 winners will be declared here on 26th Feb, 2016. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Excerpt from my review: 

"The Prince of Patliputra" is a historical fiction that deals with the life of Asoka, one of the towering figures in the history of India. In the first few pages, it was a bit difficult to comprehend the direction where the story was heading, but once you read a couple of chapters, you will surely be hooked to the book.

Garnished with conspiracies, clever strategies, subtle romance and bitter betrayals, the book is a fast paced read. What appealed to me the most in this book is the way Chandragupta'sjourney (grandfather of Asoka and the first Samrat Chakravartin of all the Aryas) is shown in parallel to Asoka's journey. We can see Chanakya, the legendary personality reminiscing about how Chandragupta came into power. 

With good story telling skills, powerful characters and enough twists, Shreyas Bhave makes a great debut with his historical fiction. This book will appeal a lot to people who are fascinated by history and love reading historical fiction. Though I don't belong to this category, but I still enjoyed reading the book.

You can read my complete review here

Note: This giveaway is in association with Word Bite and is valid only for residents of India.

10 things that make Neerja a must watch biopic!

"Neerja" is a biopic made on the life of an extraordinary brave woman, Neerja Bhanot, a 23 year old bubbly and beautiful model and air hostess who lost her life saving the lives of her passengers in the ill fated Pan Am Flight 73 which got hijacked in Karachi on 5 September, 1986. She was the youngest and the first woman recipient of the Ashok Chakra award.

The movie has been made with a lot of heart and soul, which makes "Neerja" an outstanding biopic and a movie to remember. Here are the 10 things which make Neerja a MUST WATCH biopic:

1. More Fact, Minimal Fiction

In order to commercialize movies, Bollywood often pours a lot of fiction, even while making a biopic or a movie based on a real incident. However, Neerja relies heavily on fact and that is the reason why you will be able to connect to this movie on an emotional level.

2. Sonam Kapoor's credible performance

Just like everyone, I was also skeptical about Sonam's acting skills and doubted whether she can do justice to the character of Neerja Bhanot. Sonam surprises immensely with this movie. Right from the first scene when we spot her, talking to a cabbie and telling him "Babumoshai! Zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi", it feels we are watching Neerja on screen, not Fashionista Sonam Kapoor. Her performance is honest and touching. We can see her reading two letters at two different situations and she impresses both the time. Her vulnerability is palpable and her liveliness is infectious. Sonam makes us believe that she is Neerja and that no other actor would have looked more believable as Neerja than her.

3. Shabana Azmi as Neerja's mother

The speech of Shabana Azmi during the last few minutes of the movie will move anyone to tears. She reminisces how Neerja was a simple and a bubbly girl who was fond of Rajesh Khanna's movies. She can't fathom how Neerja got the courage to save so many passengers, without caring for her own life. But even when she died, she taught her mother how to live life by sending a message to her through a kid "Pushpa, I hate tears". 

4. Perfect screenplay and cinematography

The movie could have been easily boring as all we see is more than 350 passengers hijacked in a plane, but the screenplay is so tight that you don't get bored for even a minute. The flashback scenes of Neerja's abusive marriage are wonderfully weaved with the scenes where she battles with her fear against the terrorists.
The cinematography makes things look realistic and believable.

5. No subplots and every actor justified in his/her role

Unlike most Bollywood movies, Neerja is not crowded with several subplots of the passengers in the flight that could have taken away the soul of the biopic. Each and every actor was justified in his/her role, be it Yogender Tiku as Neerja's father or Shekhar Ravjiani as Neerja's lover. The terrorists were really terrifying.

6. Top notch direction

Ram Madhvani's top notch direction made this movie outstanding. The director knows how to tell the story of a hero, without any melodrama and exaggeration.

7. Neerja teaches you to love life

Neerja is in love with life. She spreads happiness and love all around. Her infectious energy and liveliness makes you adore her. She believes that life needs to be worthy and notable, not lengthy.

8. Nothing is more important than being a good human being

Neerja inspires you to find the humanity within yourself. She inspires you to be kind and compassionate. She makes you feel that there is nothing more important than being a good human being. We all will die one day...leaving back our small acts of kindness. The scene where she dies saving the lives of three kids will teach you the essence of humanity.

9. Think of solutions without getting nervous

During danger, we panic and tend to lose our judgment. This movie teaches you that it's okay to panic, but when you are in a problem, you should first think of solutions.Instead of getting paralyzed with fear, Neerja gives the hijack code to the pilots that helps them to escape. She also saves more than 350 lives due to her wit and quick thinking.

10. You need to know the story of Neerja Bhanot

Lastly and most importantly, you need to know the story of Neerja Bhanot. Her incredible bravery and kindness stems from her own personal struggle. She is a hero, a true Indian and a beautiful human being, Watch this movie to know her story!

What did you like the most in Neerja? Haven't watched it, yet? Then please go see the movie!

Book Review: The Prince of Patliputra (Asoka Trilogy #1)

Book: The Prince of Patliputra ( Asoka Trilogy #1)

Author: Shreyas Bhave

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing
Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 382

Price: 350 INR

Blurb: 272 BC, Bharathvarsha, Land of the Aryas....

Samrat Bindusar, son of Chandragupta and the second Samrat Chakravartin of all the Aryas rules over the massive subcontinent from his holy seat in Patliputra. Almost five decades ago, his father had laid the foundations of this vast Samrajya guided by the famed Guru Arya Chanakya. But now, the wealth and glory of the past has subsided...
As the Samrat’s health continues to decline due to an unknown illness, problems are arising all over his realm. There is infighting and rebellion. No clear successor to him is present. Ninety nine of his sons stand in line waiting for his throne...
Bharathvarsha needs a Chandragupta once again. And it needs a Chanakya too. Can the young Prince Asoka, who is the least favorite son of the Samrat, fill in the boots of his grandfather? Can Radhagupta, a mere Councilor of the Court be what Chanakya was to all the Aryas? 
Begin a new adventure with the first book of the Asoka trilogy as you read to find the answer to one great question- 'That who shall be the next Samrat of this holy land of the Aryas?

My Rating: 4/5

My Review:

When I learnt that the book is authored by a 21 year old guy, I was quite skeptical if he could handle this historical fiction with deftness. The author managed to totally eradicate my doubts by the time I was in the middle of the book. 

"The Prince of Patliputra" is a historical fiction that deals with the life of Asoka, one of the towering figures in the history of India. In the first few pages, it was a bit difficult to comprehend the direction where the story was heading, but once you read a couple of chapters, you will surely be hooked to the book.

Garnished with conspiracies, clever strategies, subtle romance and bitter betrayals, the book is a fast paced read. What appealed to me the most in this book is the way Chandragupta's journey (grandfather of Asoka and the first Samrat Chakravartin of all the Aryas) is shown in parallel to Asoka's journey. We can see Chanakya, the legendary personality reminiscing about how Chandragupta came into power. 

Chandragupta came into power due to Chanakya's strategies. The same way we can see Radhagupta, the Prime Minister of Patliputra devising some clever strategies to put Asoka on the throne of his father. Asoka is the least favorite son of his father, Samrat Bindusar whereas Maharaja Sushem, the elder son of Samrat Bindusar is loved immensely by his father. So, it is natural that he has high chances of sitting on the throne, but Radhagupta and Chanakya think otherwise.

There is one very funny instance in the book, where Radhagupta fools Sushem's wife and uses her to intensify the animosity between Maharaja Sushem and Asoka.The subtle romance between Asoka and Devi is also narrated well. Those few instances provide a soothing relief from the conspiracies and the betrayals. 

The author has given importance to each and every character, out of which Chanakya and Asoka will win the heart of most readers. In the flashback scenes, the character of Alexander is also well sketched,

A few editing errors could have been avoided and some scenes could have been a little more crisp.

However, with good story telling skills, powerful characters and enough twists, Shreyas Bhave makes a great debut with his historical fiction. The book ends at a very interesting juncture which will compel the readers to wait for the part 2 of the trilogy, "The Scourge from Taxila".

This book will appeal a lot to people who are fascinated by history and love reading historical fiction. Though I don't belong to this category, but I still enjoyed reading the book.

Buy the book here: