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_askthebookbug's Reviews (1.34k)
The Devil’s Prayer. .
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“Guilt is the currency of the Catholic faith” - Luke Gracias. .
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This book was sent by @luke_gracias in exchange of an honest review. Thank you Luke! .
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When a nun commits suicide in Spain, dangerous secrets threaten to seep out. The nun who was previously called Denise, leaves a book of confessions for her daughter along with the responsibility of retrieving the papers from The Devil’s Bible. The protagonist in the book is split between mother Denise, and her daughter Siobhan. Siobhan and her sister who were abandoned at a very young age by their mother, struggle to find answers behind Denise turning into a nun. Siobhan sets on a mission to dig up the secrets behind her mother’s death. . .
The confession reveals how Denise was betrayed by people she loved the most and how she avenged her loss. The story takes an unexpected turn when The Devil himself comes into the picture and cheats Denise by laying down conditions. Denise has only one option. Run away from her family and seek answers to destroy the Devil’s existence. .
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We have all heard about people who sell their souls to the Devil in exchange of something that they desire. This book is beautifully narrated and has also in detail about this mysterious Devil’s Bible. I was fascinated from the very first page and my interested didn’t waver till the last one. The characters are very well developed and the novel has an aura of something bone chilling around it. .
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The book ends in a way that keeps the reader asking for more. There’s going to be a sequel and I absolutely cannot wait to read it. Those of you who haven’t read fiction occult or horror fiction books, this should be your first book :) You’ll love it. .
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I would rate this book 5/5.
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“Guilt is the currency of the Catholic faith” - Luke Gracias. .
.
This book was sent by @luke_gracias in exchange of an honest review. Thank you Luke! .
.
When a nun commits suicide in Spain, dangerous secrets threaten to seep out. The nun who was previously called Denise, leaves a book of confessions for her daughter along with the responsibility of retrieving the papers from The Devil’s Bible. The protagonist in the book is split between mother Denise, and her daughter Siobhan. Siobhan and her sister who were abandoned at a very young age by their mother, struggle to find answers behind Denise turning into a nun. Siobhan sets on a mission to dig up the secrets behind her mother’s death. . .
The confession reveals how Denise was betrayed by people she loved the most and how she avenged her loss. The story takes an unexpected turn when The Devil himself comes into the picture and cheats Denise by laying down conditions. Denise has only one option. Run away from her family and seek answers to destroy the Devil’s existence. .
.
We have all heard about people who sell their souls to the Devil in exchange of something that they desire. This book is beautifully narrated and has also in detail about this mysterious Devil’s Bible. I was fascinated from the very first page and my interested didn’t waver till the last one. The characters are very well developed and the novel has an aura of something bone chilling around it. .
.
The book ends in a way that keeps the reader asking for more. There’s going to be a sequel and I absolutely cannot wait to read it. Those of you who haven’t read fiction occult or horror fiction books, this should be your first book :) You’ll love it. .
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I would rate this book 5/5.
A Girl to Remember. .
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Thank you @srishtipub for sending over the review copy :)
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They say every human has two sides to them. Angel and Demon. While the good side of us stops us from doing anything irresponsible, the dark side tries to succumb to temptations. This book is the story of how a man is a slave of his body. Will he be able to redeem his bad deeds? .
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Neel is a Mathematics teacher in a posh high-school who has a terrible weakness. His demon lurked within the corners of his heart and leaps out when he spots beautiful women. His good looks and charming personality only adds fuel to get his job done. When Neel is kicked out of school for having flirted with his student, he suddenly finds him homeless and devastated. .
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He turns lucky when a student he doesn’t know ,Pihu, offers him a rented house at a very cheap rent. Pihu, who is always chirpy and bubbly appears to be in love with Neel. .
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While Neel is attracted to Pihu’s mom, unsolved questions swim around in his head. Why was luck suddenly in his favour and what was the secret behind Pihu being an isolated child. Being a cold hearted person himself, Neel fails to have a connection with his own family. He’s selfish, brutal and also utterly pervert in his actions. -
Will Pihu change his outlook towards life? Or will he choose to be the same stone hearted guy like he always was? .
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This book was a simple read with raw and honest ideas of an adult. The sexual desires that the protagonist feels in this book has been transparent and there’s a no nonsense kind of feel around the entire book. .
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Though I did find a few sentences being repeated more often, the story is captivating and quite different from what I’ve read. The characters are well written and executed. .
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I would rate this book 3.5/5.
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Thank you @srishtipub for sending over the review copy :)
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They say every human has two sides to them. Angel and Demon. While the good side of us stops us from doing anything irresponsible, the dark side tries to succumb to temptations. This book is the story of how a man is a slave of his body. Will he be able to redeem his bad deeds? .
.
Neel is a Mathematics teacher in a posh high-school who has a terrible weakness. His demon lurked within the corners of his heart and leaps out when he spots beautiful women. His good looks and charming personality only adds fuel to get his job done. When Neel is kicked out of school for having flirted with his student, he suddenly finds him homeless and devastated. .
.
He turns lucky when a student he doesn’t know ,Pihu, offers him a rented house at a very cheap rent. Pihu, who is always chirpy and bubbly appears to be in love with Neel. .
.
While Neel is attracted to Pihu’s mom, unsolved questions swim around in his head. Why was luck suddenly in his favour and what was the secret behind Pihu being an isolated child. Being a cold hearted person himself, Neel fails to have a connection with his own family. He’s selfish, brutal and also utterly pervert in his actions. -
Will Pihu change his outlook towards life? Or will he choose to be the same stone hearted guy like he always was? .
.
This book was a simple read with raw and honest ideas of an adult. The sexual desires that the protagonist feels in this book has been transparent and there’s a no nonsense kind of feel around the entire book. .
.
Though I did find a few sentences being repeated more often, the story is captivating and quite different from what I’ve read. The characters are well written and executed. .
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I would rate this book 3.5/5.
Flying Dreams.
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Thank you @akshay2501 for sending the review copy
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There's always a faint line between illusions and reality. Keeping them in check is what makes us sane. This book talks about a young adult who struggles between the realms of two worlds constantly colliding with each other.
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Aarav is a student who is extremely passionate about being a magician but soon he realises that his father isn't as supportive as he expected him to be. Having to struggle with depression, he finds a way to keep himself happy. He explores the world of hypnosis to escape the real world. Soon he gets tangled in both the worlds and fails to make a connection with either of those.
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He meets his love Zara in the illusion world. This book is a complex one which might remind you the concept of the movie Inception. Rest of the book describes Aarav's failures, struggles and how he copes with being miserable.
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This book has more to do with mind and it's capacity to manipulate scenarios based on our needs. The characters could have been more developed and strong for I often felt that they were very feeble. The story however had many repetitive sentences which could have been cut short.
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I failed to understand the concept of love that Aarav and Zara experience. It was chaotic and complicated. The author, however managed to execute the story with a unique plot. This being his debut novel, he has done a marvelous job at introducing a different story to the readers.
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I would rate this book 2/5.
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Thank you @akshay2501 for sending the review copy
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There's always a faint line between illusions and reality. Keeping them in check is what makes us sane. This book talks about a young adult who struggles between the realms of two worlds constantly colliding with each other.
-
Aarav is a student who is extremely passionate about being a magician but soon he realises that his father isn't as supportive as he expected him to be. Having to struggle with depression, he finds a way to keep himself happy. He explores the world of hypnosis to escape the real world. Soon he gets tangled in both the worlds and fails to make a connection with either of those.
-
He meets his love Zara in the illusion world. This book is a complex one which might remind you the concept of the movie Inception. Rest of the book describes Aarav's failures, struggles and how he copes with being miserable.
-
This book has more to do with mind and it's capacity to manipulate scenarios based on our needs. The characters could have been more developed and strong for I often felt that they were very feeble. The story however had many repetitive sentences which could have been cut short.
-
I failed to understand the concept of love that Aarav and Zara experience. It was chaotic and complicated. The author, however managed to execute the story with a unique plot. This being his debut novel, he has done a marvelous job at introducing a different story to the readers.
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I would rate this book 2/5.
The Wildlands. .
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Thank you so much @counterpointpress for sending over this review copy! :) .
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QOTD : If you could save Earth one step at a time, what would be your first step? .
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When a tornado hits the tiny city of Mercy, Oklahoma, four siblings lose their father and home to it. Darlene, Tucker, Jane and Cora are orphaned instantly as their father never makes it to the safe bunker. When the entire responsibility of looking after the McClouds falls on a 19 year old Darlene, she reaches out to media for help. Posing in front of hundreds of cameras with her sisters by her side, she gives interviews in return of cash. She gives up her hopes of attending college and takes up a job in a grocery store. Tucker, a man with wild dreams shuns from interviews and runs away from home, from his sisters. .
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Three years later, on the anniversary of the Tornado that destroyed the McClouds, an injured Tucker reappears mysteriously at the same time of the bombing Joy cosmetics. News are all over the State that lab testing animals were freed from the lab. He reaches out to his favourite sister Cora, who’s just 9 years old and they both vanish off the face of Mercy. .
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Tucker is full of dreams, dreams of freeing animals from zoos and labs and save them rom suffering. He transforms young Cora into Corey by chopping off her hair and filling her mind with ideas of saving the planet. She becomes his accomplice as he continues with his spree of murdering people and setting animals free. When months go by, Cora starts missing her sisters and realises that Tucker has never been right. A misfortune strikes and Tucker finds himself in grave danger but many questions haunt you as you put the book down.
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This book is so marvellously written that I almost pictured the visuals in front of me while reading. The protagonist is divided into two parts each being narrated by Cora and Darlene. The sisterly love, the naïveté of Cora and Tucker’s obsession with being the saviour is so well portrayed in this book that it blew my mind. The story flows freely with no glitches whatsoever and makes you understand everybody’s side of the story. .
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I would rate this book 5/5.
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Thank you so much @counterpointpress for sending over this review copy! :) .
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QOTD : If you could save Earth one step at a time, what would be your first step? .
.
When a tornado hits the tiny city of Mercy, Oklahoma, four siblings lose their father and home to it. Darlene, Tucker, Jane and Cora are orphaned instantly as their father never makes it to the safe bunker. When the entire responsibility of looking after the McClouds falls on a 19 year old Darlene, she reaches out to media for help. Posing in front of hundreds of cameras with her sisters by her side, she gives interviews in return of cash. She gives up her hopes of attending college and takes up a job in a grocery store. Tucker, a man with wild dreams shuns from interviews and runs away from home, from his sisters. .
.
Three years later, on the anniversary of the Tornado that destroyed the McClouds, an injured Tucker reappears mysteriously at the same time of the bombing Joy cosmetics. News are all over the State that lab testing animals were freed from the lab. He reaches out to his favourite sister Cora, who’s just 9 years old and they both vanish off the face of Mercy. .
.
Tucker is full of dreams, dreams of freeing animals from zoos and labs and save them rom suffering. He transforms young Cora into Corey by chopping off her hair and filling her mind with ideas of saving the planet. She becomes his accomplice as he continues with his spree of murdering people and setting animals free. When months go by, Cora starts missing her sisters and realises that Tucker has never been right. A misfortune strikes and Tucker finds himself in grave danger but many questions haunt you as you put the book down.
.
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This book is so marvellously written that I almost pictured the visuals in front of me while reading. The protagonist is divided into two parts each being narrated by Cora and Darlene. The sisterly love, the naïveté of Cora and Tucker’s obsession with being the saviour is so well portrayed in this book that it blew my mind. The story flows freely with no glitches whatsoever and makes you understand everybody’s side of the story. .
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I would rate this book 5/5.
Inkredia. .
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Huge thank you to @authorsarang for sending a review copy.
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Over the years, we have all read fantasy stories about people escaping from the jaws of death while it involves magic and nonhuman forms. We have loved few and we weren’t too fond of others. When I started reading Inkredia, little did I know that I would come to enjoy it so much :) .
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When a village (Brida) lad, Luwan refuses to pay tax, he knows he has dug up his own grave. Lord Gruwak doesn’t take no for an answer and word spreads across the village that Luwan will be punished for his outburst. When Luwan was entrusted with a book and a medallion before his mother passed away, little did he know that it would change the course of his destiny. He listens to what the magic book says and leaves Brida with his sister Meg in tow. .
His escape sets the ball in motion and soon he realises that the entire universe is conspiring against him. More often that not he faces the terrible wrath of the Ghork riders who are not humans. Whose power is known well across the Kingdom. Inspite of facing constant troubles, he finds an saviour in a stranger, Kiliarn who does everything he can to keep the siblings safe. .
As they face the demons and supernatural powers, a thought starts forming in Luwan’s head about the reason for this wild goose’s chase. Are they really hunting him down for just missing a tax pay or is there a darker reason for him being chased?
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There are a lot of twists and turns in this book that made me grip the book hard and urged me to finish the book to know where the pages would lead me to. The writer has done such a marvellous job in forming a connection with readers at such an extent that praises of this book is now everywhere! I’m really rooting for a movie to be made on this one because I know for a fact that it’ll be a splendid one. The plot is perfect with no flaws whatsoever, the characters are beautifully developed and structured, the vocabulary and hold on the language are skill-full.
I would rate this book 5/5.
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Huge thank you to @authorsarang for sending a review copy.
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Over the years, we have all read fantasy stories about people escaping from the jaws of death while it involves magic and nonhuman forms. We have loved few and we weren’t too fond of others. When I started reading Inkredia, little did I know that I would come to enjoy it so much :) .
.
When a village (Brida) lad, Luwan refuses to pay tax, he knows he has dug up his own grave. Lord Gruwak doesn’t take no for an answer and word spreads across the village that Luwan will be punished for his outburst. When Luwan was entrusted with a book and a medallion before his mother passed away, little did he know that it would change the course of his destiny. He listens to what the magic book says and leaves Brida with his sister Meg in tow. .
His escape sets the ball in motion and soon he realises that the entire universe is conspiring against him. More often that not he faces the terrible wrath of the Ghork riders who are not humans. Whose power is known well across the Kingdom. Inspite of facing constant troubles, he finds an saviour in a stranger, Kiliarn who does everything he can to keep the siblings safe. .
As they face the demons and supernatural powers, a thought starts forming in Luwan’s head about the reason for this wild goose’s chase. Are they really hunting him down for just missing a tax pay or is there a darker reason for him being chased?
.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this book that made me grip the book hard and urged me to finish the book to know where the pages would lead me to. The writer has done such a marvellous job in forming a connection with readers at such an extent that praises of this book is now everywhere! I’m really rooting for a movie to be made on this one because I know for a fact that it’ll be a splendid one. The plot is perfect with no flaws whatsoever, the characters are beautifully developed and structured, the vocabulary and hold on the language are skill-full.
I would rate this book 5/5.
I am M-M-Mumbai.
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Thank you @fishyrishi for sending this review copy :)
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Rudra is blessed with handsome looks, photogenic face and an incredible personality except he has one little flaw. He stammers. His stammering had him face bullies at schools and colleges and has now made way into his workplace. Rudra always dreamt of being on the film set, not as a director but as an actor. But he knows his dreams are too far away because his stammering problem pertains to exist. But nevertheless, he still dreams to be an actor while working as an assistant director. .
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He faces a series of heartbreaks when his girlfriend abandons him, he gets fired from his job for standing up to his boss and finally gets kicked out of his house for his addiction to alcohol. With no place to go, he finds support in an unknown woman who finds him a role in a very low movie. Fortune works in his favour and he realises that his life will change from then on. .
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The rest of the story will answer your questions. Will Rudra fulfill his dream of being an actor? Will he find love after going through all this turmoil? The book is an easy read and talks about how difficult it is to have a speech disability. The characters are strong and the plot is interesting. .
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I would rate this book 3.5/5.
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Thank you @fishyrishi for sending this review copy :)
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Rudra is blessed with handsome looks, photogenic face and an incredible personality except he has one little flaw. He stammers. His stammering had him face bullies at schools and colleges and has now made way into his workplace. Rudra always dreamt of being on the film set, not as a director but as an actor. But he knows his dreams are too far away because his stammering problem pertains to exist. But nevertheless, he still dreams to be an actor while working as an assistant director. .
.
He faces a series of heartbreaks when his girlfriend abandons him, he gets fired from his job for standing up to his boss and finally gets kicked out of his house for his addiction to alcohol. With no place to go, he finds support in an unknown woman who finds him a role in a very low movie. Fortune works in his favour and he realises that his life will change from then on. .
.
The rest of the story will answer your questions. Will Rudra fulfill his dream of being an actor? Will he find love after going through all this turmoil? The book is an easy read and talks about how difficult it is to have a speech disability. The characters are strong and the plot is interesting. .
.
I would rate this book 3.5/5.
We have all heard of folklore stories of Yetis and Mammoths ever since we were kids. As the name suggests, this book revolves around an Alpha Yeti who wreaks havoc on triballands of Kasis. Many adventurers head out in an attempt to get a glimpse of the Yeti but never return. When the leader of the tribe fears that the Yetis might invade their village anyday, he orders his people to build a massive fortress all around. But Yetis are stronger and the village is ransacked. According to the legends, Yetis live in snow covered mountains and not interfere with humans. The concept of the book was refreshing although there were few flaws in executing the same.
With the leader dead, the tribes reach out to a group of hunters who are skilled in what they do. The leader of the group is a man called Jai, and when he refuses to help them, they kidnap his daughter to lure him to the village. What takes place next is the war between the grey Yeti and the hunters. Unknown to them, a white Yeti appears and helps the hunters in taking down the Alpha Yeti. But there's more than just one grey monster that they have to deal with.
Read the book to know if the hunters can actually defeat the strongest creatures on Earth. Will they survive or be swallowed by the mighty Yetis.
My take:
The plot was interesting enough to keep me going but as I read through I found the story become very meek. The story could have been well executed by building the characters more strongly. The story felt slightly impossible to visualize considering how a six year old daughter of Jai is capable of such bravado as portrayed in the novel. I also found it loosely constructed. Here's hoping that the sequel will be a much better read.
With the leader dead, the tribes reach out to a group of hunters who are skilled in what they do. The leader of the group is a man called Jai, and when he refuses to help them, they kidnap his daughter to lure him to the village. What takes place next is the war between the grey Yeti and the hunters. Unknown to them, a white Yeti appears and helps the hunters in taking down the Alpha Yeti. But there's more than just one grey monster that they have to deal with.
Read the book to know if the hunters can actually defeat the strongest creatures on Earth. Will they survive or be swallowed by the mighty Yetis.
My take:
The plot was interesting enough to keep me going but as I read through I found the story become very meek. The story could have been well executed by building the characters more strongly. The story felt slightly impossible to visualize considering how a six year old daughter of Jai is capable of such bravado as portrayed in the novel. I also found it loosely constructed. Here's hoping that the sequel will be a much better read.
Eteka - Rise of the Imamba.
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Thank you so much @etekaonthemove for sending this review copy.
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This book is the best thing I've read in recent times. Eteka is the story that has been divided into two segments ; The cold war and post cold war era. The stories are interlinked by many characters and talks in detail about African, American and Asian histories which honestly impressed me quite a bit.
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During the Cold War times, the author talks about the rise of an African brotherhood called The Imamba who take an oath to save the rest of their fellow Africans against any war or unjust acts. A young Yisa puts forward this idea and together with two of his accomplices, the Imamba is set up. As many years pass by, Yisa finds that the Imamba has strayed from the path of being a saviour and instead kills innocents for money. When Yisa decides to leave and wants to be with his family, he has to pay a price.
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The post Cold War focusses on a young man called Eteka who grows up in the Imamba brotherhood without knowing a single fact about his parents. As he carries out contracts, he discovers a grave secret that will shake his life to the very roots. He has to make a choice whether to stay in the brotherhood or walkaway. Read the book for more details.
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The story is gripping and I could not put it down! The characters are well structured and support the plot very strongly. I was fascinated by the political side of the story which I truly enjoyed. The different cultures and the ease with which the story flows is spectacular. I'd urge readers to give this book a try because it's the kind of thriller that gives you goosebumps.
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I would rate this book 5/5.
📌
Thank you so much @etekaonthemove for sending this review copy.
📌
This book is the best thing I've read in recent times. Eteka is the story that has been divided into two segments ; The cold war and post cold war era. The stories are interlinked by many characters and talks in detail about African, American and Asian histories which honestly impressed me quite a bit.
📌
During the Cold War times, the author talks about the rise of an African brotherhood called The Imamba who take an oath to save the rest of their fellow Africans against any war or unjust acts. A young Yisa puts forward this idea and together with two of his accomplices, the Imamba is set up. As many years pass by, Yisa finds that the Imamba has strayed from the path of being a saviour and instead kills innocents for money. When Yisa decides to leave and wants to be with his family, he has to pay a price.
📌
The post Cold War focusses on a young man called Eteka who grows up in the Imamba brotherhood without knowing a single fact about his parents. As he carries out contracts, he discovers a grave secret that will shake his life to the very roots. He has to make a choice whether to stay in the brotherhood or walkaway. Read the book for more details.
📌
The story is gripping and I could not put it down! The characters are well structured and support the plot very strongly. I was fascinated by the political side of the story which I truly enjoyed. The different cultures and the ease with which the story flows is spectacular. I'd urge readers to give this book a try because it's the kind of thriller that gives you goosebumps.
📌
I would rate this book 5/5.
Home Fire.
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"For girls, becoming women was inevitability; for boys, becoming men was ambition." - Kamila Shamsie.
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This book has been a controversy magnet lately and post reading this book, I can associate with those who didn't quite like this read.
🍃
Home Fire is the story of a Muslim family living in England. The Pasha children are orphaned at a very young age and grow up under the cruel spotlight of having a Jihadi father. Isma, the eldest sister takes on the role of mother and tends to her twin siblings, Aneeka and Parvaiz. This story talks about how Parvaiz decides to leave his family behind in England to join ISIS. In order to save her twin, Aneeka decides to lure in Eamonn who happens to be Isma's accidental friend and also the son of Home secretary.
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The story unwinds gradually and the plot gets intense when the author starts depicting the life of Muslims living in a non-Muslim land. The scrutiny, the questions and glares that they receive in a foreign land are incredulous. There were few instances when I could truly relate why this book created such a whirlwind amongst the Muslim community. However strong the storyline was, the ending was a bit disappointing and left me dejected.
🍃
After seeing many good reviews about this and also witnessing few disapproval from certain community, I do however have to appreciate the writing style. The language was incredible, the characters could have used a bit more support and keeping aside the entire controversy part aside, I do appreciate her effort in bringing forward to light how non-Muslims have to face certain unjust moments when they live away in a foreign land.
🍃
I would love to have a discussion about this book so those who have read it, please do drop in your comments. I would rate this book 3.5/5.
🍃
"For girls, becoming women was inevitability; for boys, becoming men was ambition." - Kamila Shamsie.
🍃
This book has been a controversy magnet lately and post reading this book, I can associate with those who didn't quite like this read.
🍃
Home Fire is the story of a Muslim family living in England. The Pasha children are orphaned at a very young age and grow up under the cruel spotlight of having a Jihadi father. Isma, the eldest sister takes on the role of mother and tends to her twin siblings, Aneeka and Parvaiz. This story talks about how Parvaiz decides to leave his family behind in England to join ISIS. In order to save her twin, Aneeka decides to lure in Eamonn who happens to be Isma's accidental friend and also the son of Home secretary.
🍃
The story unwinds gradually and the plot gets intense when the author starts depicting the life of Muslims living in a non-Muslim land. The scrutiny, the questions and glares that they receive in a foreign land are incredulous. There were few instances when I could truly relate why this book created such a whirlwind amongst the Muslim community. However strong the storyline was, the ending was a bit disappointing and left me dejected.
🍃
After seeing many good reviews about this and also witnessing few disapproval from certain community, I do however have to appreciate the writing style. The language was incredible, the characters could have used a bit more support and keeping aside the entire controversy part aside, I do appreciate her effort in bringing forward to light how non-Muslims have to face certain unjust moments when they live away in a foreign land.
🍃
I would love to have a discussion about this book so those who have read it, please do drop in your comments. I would rate this book 3.5/5.