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dreaminthepages's review
3.0
Sadly did not enjoy this one as much as the first book. There was something lacking, it seemed to move way too slow and too much focus on some unimportant scenes so took me a long while to get through this on audiobook. The solving of the mystery was just wayy too convenient for all the huge build up there was. I did enjoy coming back to a lot of the characters again but the new characters could have had more depth.
askewroo's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
thepagelady's review
4.0
It’s the spring of 1969, and Lakshmi, now married to Dr. Jay Kumar, directs the Healing Garden in Shimla. Malik has finished his private school education. At twenty, he has just met a young woman named Nimmi when he leaves to apprentice at the Facilities Office of the Jaipur Royal Palace. Their latest project: a state-of-the-art cinema.
Malik soon finds that not much has changed as he navigates the Pink City of his childhood. Power and money still move seamlessly among the wealthy class, and favors flow from Jaipur’s Royal Palace, but only if certain secrets remain buried. When the cinema’s balcony tragically collapses on opening night, blame is placed where it is convenient. But Malik suspects something far darker and sets out to uncover the truth. As a former street child, he always knew to keep his own counsel; it’s a lesson that will serve him as he untangles a web of lies.
I have just returned from a trip to India! The writing and details that Alka Joshi writes in this book are so vivid that it felt like I was experiencing the characters' adventures myself! You can feel the dedication, time and research that the author has put into this book! The world building was done beautifully! The characters are lovely and easy to like. With the story being told from different P.O. V I could get to know the characters as an individual which adds to the richness of the book. I have not read The Henna Artist yet but I look forward to going back and learning more about these wonderful characters! Happy reading everyone!
Malik soon finds that not much has changed as he navigates the Pink City of his childhood. Power and money still move seamlessly among the wealthy class, and favors flow from Jaipur’s Royal Palace, but only if certain secrets remain buried. When the cinema’s balcony tragically collapses on opening night, blame is placed where it is convenient. But Malik suspects something far darker and sets out to uncover the truth. As a former street child, he always knew to keep his own counsel; it’s a lesson that will serve him as he untangles a web of lies.
I have just returned from a trip to India! The writing and details that Alka Joshi writes in this book are so vivid that it felt like I was experiencing the characters' adventures myself! You can feel the dedication, time and research that the author has put into this book! The world building was done beautifully! The characters are lovely and easy to like. With the story being told from different P.O. V I could get to know the characters as an individual which adds to the richness of the book. I have not read The Henna Artist yet but I look forward to going back and learning more about these wonderful characters! Happy reading everyone!
shortsm's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
deribash's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
fast-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
4.5
emily38's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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
5.0
trickyjenn's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
juicygreenmom's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
kendallpbahl's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed returning to the world of Lakshmi Kumar in Shimla, however I think I should have taken a break between reading the Henna Artist and The Secret Keeper of Jaipur. I felt a bit of fatigue in this book and boredom that I don't think I felt in the first book. Between this book and the first book, I have to say I enjoyed the first book a lot more. I found the character of Nimmi to be kind of annoying and didn't enjoy her chapters NEARLY as much as I enjoyed the chapters from Lakshmi and Malik. I think it was a good story, but the pacing also got to me. It really lulled about 2/3 of the way through, but I'm glad I pushed through and finished it. I'm not sure if I'll read the last book or not yet, but I think it'll be a bit before I get to it.