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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. At least not as much as I loved The Henna Artist.
While THA was character-driven, this book was plot-driven. While that on its own isn’t necessarily a bad thing, my biggest issue with this was that the gold smuggling subplot took up more focus than anything else, I didn’t really understand it or find it interesting, even though I tried. It turned out there was a connection to Malik’s storyline, but I didn’t know what that was until the last quarter or so.
Despite this being marketed as Malik’s book, he didn’t get much attention compared to Nimmi and Lakshmi in my opinion, which was disappointing because I was looking forward to seeing his perspective as an adult. In regards to Nimmi, I didn’t like her at times, and it took me a while to get used to her attitude, especially towards Lakshmi, who was nothing but kind to her.
That’s not to say the whole book was a letdown. I enjoyed many of the Jaipur scenes, as well as scenes where Lakshmi and Nimmi got along. Then when it hit the 53% mark, it really picked up. The mystery and intrigue in the aftermath of the balcony collapse also held my interest, especially when it’s finally tied into the gold smuggling subplot.
I also can’t deny that the author really tried to match the same quality as the first book with this one. The writing is so that you can feel you’re in the exact same setting as the characters.
I’ll still read the third book, which is about Radha, and I’m hoping that one will be better. She may have annoyed me in THA, but she was still a kid.
TW: death of a spouse, trafficking, physical injuries from a construction accident
While THA was character-driven, this book was plot-driven. While that on its own isn’t necessarily a bad thing, my biggest issue with this was that the gold smuggling subplot took up more focus than anything else, I didn’t really understand it or find it interesting, even though I tried. It turned out there was a connection to Malik’s storyline, but I didn’t know what that was until the last quarter or so.
Despite this being marketed as Malik’s book, he didn’t get much attention compared to Nimmi and Lakshmi in my opinion, which was disappointing because I was looking forward to seeing his perspective as an adult. In regards to Nimmi, I didn’t like her at times, and it took me a while to get used to her attitude, especially towards Lakshmi, who was nothing but kind to her.
That’s not to say the whole book was a letdown. I enjoyed many of the Jaipur scenes, as well as scenes where Lakshmi and Nimmi got along. Then when it hit the 53% mark, it really picked up. The mystery and intrigue in the aftermath of the balcony collapse also held my interest, especially when it’s finally tied into the gold smuggling subplot.
I also can’t deny that the author really tried to match the same quality as the first book with this one. The writing is so that you can feel you’re in the exact same setting as the characters.
I’ll still read the third book, which is about Radha, and I’m hoping that one will be better. She may have annoyed me in THA, but she was still a kid.
TW: death of a spouse, trafficking, physical injuries from a construction accident
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was well written but I felt like the ending was a little bit rushed
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes