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_askthebookbug's Reviews (1.34k)
Exit West.
🍃
"The end of the world can be cozy at times." - Mohsin Hamid.
🍃
Many novels have been written about refugees and my favourite remains Khaled Hosseini without a doubt so it was only natural for me to expect that level of clarity when I chose this book. Although I read this book few weeks back, I'm not adding it to the previous year's reading challenge because now we're beyond that.
🍃
Nadia and Saeed are poles apart but what brings them together is their very nature. Saeed is thoughtful, quite and shy while Nadia rides motorbikes with her black robe still on. They were two people who were unlikely to fall in love but they did. When things got worse in their country, they decided to flee together. Saeed leaves behind his father with a heavy heart who was still mourning his mother's death and Nadia, having cut off ties with her family, joins him on the tiresome journey.
🍃
The author then takes us through the turmoil that the refugees had to face to procure work or any other basic amenities. They break their backs to earn few coins but they do so silently to fill their stomachs. Rest of the book is about their journey and the author paints a clear picture of their relationship. Don't take me wrong, there are many parts that I actually liked in the book. The love that burns fierce, slowly wanes over time like any other normal relationship. They have their arguments, moments of disgust and rage which is often what happens when you stay in a confined relationship.
🍃
Then there were parts that didn't seem convincing to me. When the author talks about thousands of doors through which the refugees pass, I only wish that he had taken the time to explain their actual journey rather than end the topic right there. I also hoped that there would be some sort of connection between few characters that he seemed to occasionally mention all over the world.
🍃
The author however has a flair for writing and has done a splendid job in adding his own touch to the story. How he chose to keep the country that Saeed and Nadia were from anonymous was a very imaginative thing to do.
🍃
I would rate this book 3.5/5.
🍃
"The end of the world can be cozy at times." - Mohsin Hamid.
🍃
Many novels have been written about refugees and my favourite remains Khaled Hosseini without a doubt so it was only natural for me to expect that level of clarity when I chose this book. Although I read this book few weeks back, I'm not adding it to the previous year's reading challenge because now we're beyond that.
🍃
Nadia and Saeed are poles apart but what brings them together is their very nature. Saeed is thoughtful, quite and shy while Nadia rides motorbikes with her black robe still on. They were two people who were unlikely to fall in love but they did. When things got worse in their country, they decided to flee together. Saeed leaves behind his father with a heavy heart who was still mourning his mother's death and Nadia, having cut off ties with her family, joins him on the tiresome journey.
🍃
The author then takes us through the turmoil that the refugees had to face to procure work or any other basic amenities. They break their backs to earn few coins but they do so silently to fill their stomachs. Rest of the book is about their journey and the author paints a clear picture of their relationship. Don't take me wrong, there are many parts that I actually liked in the book. The love that burns fierce, slowly wanes over time like any other normal relationship. They have their arguments, moments of disgust and rage which is often what happens when you stay in a confined relationship.
🍃
Then there were parts that didn't seem convincing to me. When the author talks about thousands of doors through which the refugees pass, I only wish that he had taken the time to explain their actual journey rather than end the topic right there. I also hoped that there would be some sort of connection between few characters that he seemed to occasionally mention all over the world.
🍃
The author however has a flair for writing and has done a splendid job in adding his own touch to the story. How he chose to keep the country that Saeed and Nadia were from anonymous was a very imaginative thing to do.
🍃
I would rate this book 3.5/5.
Girls burn brighter.
🍁
Let's be honest for a second. It's often the books with loveliest covers that we tend to buy more. When I spotted this book at @crosswordbookstores last weekend, I knew I had to have it. Partly because of the cover and also because of the title.
🍁
Poornima and Savitha are from a tiny poverty-stricken village called Indravalli in Andhra Pradesh. When Poornima's father hires Savitha for his handloom business, the girls share a bond stronger and thicker than blood. The book shows the life of young girls who are forced to get married as soon as they turn 15 and Poornima was no exception. Her wedding gets fixed to a man whom she will meet only on her wedding day. But tragedy takes place very soon after that.
🍁
When Savitha is raped by Poornima's father, the village elders declare that Savitha will now be Poornima's stepmother. The very next day, Poornima wakes up to find her best friend missing. The book then takes us on a journey about Poornima's miserable marriage as she faces cruelty from her in-laws. She is beat up, abused and then when the time comes, is splashed with hot oil on her face. Poornima then decides to leave her married life behind and goes in search of Savitha.
🍁
The story then talks about Savitha's life after her escape. The traps of prostitution, her life as a forced amputee and her journey to America. This book is painful to go through as the author talks about atrocities that poor village girls are forced to face even today. How people think that dark skinned women are of no worth, how its okay to demand for dowry and how horrible it is to be born a female.
🍁
The characters and friendship that the two girls share is so heartbreaking. The author has an incredible flair in writing her heart out. There were few instances where I had to put the book down to take in deep breathes. Girls burn brighter is everything that the title suggests. It's about fierce women who take fate into their own hands and come out stronger.
🍁
I would rate this book 4.5/5.
🍁
Let's be honest for a second. It's often the books with loveliest covers that we tend to buy more. When I spotted this book at @crosswordbookstores last weekend, I knew I had to have it. Partly because of the cover and also because of the title.
🍁
Poornima and Savitha are from a tiny poverty-stricken village called Indravalli in Andhra Pradesh. When Poornima's father hires Savitha for his handloom business, the girls share a bond stronger and thicker than blood. The book shows the life of young girls who are forced to get married as soon as they turn 15 and Poornima was no exception. Her wedding gets fixed to a man whom she will meet only on her wedding day. But tragedy takes place very soon after that.
🍁
When Savitha is raped by Poornima's father, the village elders declare that Savitha will now be Poornima's stepmother. The very next day, Poornima wakes up to find her best friend missing. The book then takes us on a journey about Poornima's miserable marriage as she faces cruelty from her in-laws. She is beat up, abused and then when the time comes, is splashed with hot oil on her face. Poornima then decides to leave her married life behind and goes in search of Savitha.
🍁
The story then talks about Savitha's life after her escape. The traps of prostitution, her life as a forced amputee and her journey to America. This book is painful to go through as the author talks about atrocities that poor village girls are forced to face even today. How people think that dark skinned women are of no worth, how its okay to demand for dowry and how horrible it is to be born a female.
🍁
The characters and friendship that the two girls share is so heartbreaking. The author has an incredible flair in writing her heart out. There were few instances where I had to put the book down to take in deep breathes. Girls burn brighter is everything that the title suggests. It's about fierce women who take fate into their own hands and come out stronger.
🍁
I would rate this book 4.5/5.
This house of clay and water.
✨
I started reading this book on the 31st and finished just a while ago. This has left me emotionally drained. I had heard good reviews about this book but I never knew it would affect me so significantly.
✨
This book talks about four protagonists - Nida, Bhanggi, Sasha and Zoya, all of them surviving in Lahore. Yes, not living but just surviving. Inspite of being an highly educated woman, Nida is confined to a loveless marriage and has to suffer the loss of her ill child. She finds her escape in Bhanggi. Bhanggi, born as a Hijra, lives his life in agony and is often trampled down by others. He finds his release in Nida.
✨
Sasha is bored of her married life and seeks solace in random men. She neglects her daughter Zoya who is just twelve years old and has to face the consequences later. Zoya, unable to get attention from her parents, starts seeking love from the housemaids only to realise that she's being molested and ends up pregnant. What follows is the lives of these four ordinary people who try to break shackles around them. The plot is fantastic and is extremely touching.
✨
It's impossible to conjure up romance between a woman and a Hijra but the author has pulled it off by sheer elegance. She has portrayed the true sense of loss, inequality, betrayal, patriarchal system, heartbreaks and also survival. This house of clay and water is not just a story but is a beautiful prose that keeps you afloat as you begin to read.
✨
I would rate this book 5/5.
✨
I started reading this book on the 31st and finished just a while ago. This has left me emotionally drained. I had heard good reviews about this book but I never knew it would affect me so significantly.
✨
This book talks about four protagonists - Nida, Bhanggi, Sasha and Zoya, all of them surviving in Lahore. Yes, not living but just surviving. Inspite of being an highly educated woman, Nida is confined to a loveless marriage and has to suffer the loss of her ill child. She finds her escape in Bhanggi. Bhanggi, born as a Hijra, lives his life in agony and is often trampled down by others. He finds his release in Nida.
✨
Sasha is bored of her married life and seeks solace in random men. She neglects her daughter Zoya who is just twelve years old and has to face the consequences later. Zoya, unable to get attention from her parents, starts seeking love from the housemaids only to realise that she's being molested and ends up pregnant. What follows is the lives of these four ordinary people who try to break shackles around them. The plot is fantastic and is extremely touching.
✨
It's impossible to conjure up romance between a woman and a Hijra but the author has pulled it off by sheer elegance. She has portrayed the true sense of loss, inequality, betrayal, patriarchal system, heartbreaks and also survival. This house of clay and water is not just a story but is a beautiful prose that keeps you afloat as you begin to read.
✨
I would rate this book 5/5.
My German Brother.
~
Thank you for the review copy @fsgbooks :)
~
This was my first read by Chico Buarque and I was taken aback by his unabashed style of writing. Chico is a famous Brazilian writer - musician who is considered a democratic hero. His work, My German Brother revolves around his own life and gives us a peek into his complicated family history.
~
The protagonist is a man called Ciccio, who is the son of a famous journalist and historian, Sergio Buarque de Holanda (same name as the author's real father). They reside in Sao Paulo where their house is covered with walls of bookshelves, the priced possession of his father. One fine day, hidden inside the pages of a 1922 edition of The Golden Bough, Ciccio discovers a letter from Berlin that reveals the news of his illegitimate brother.
~
The life of Ciccio is painted colourfully as he steals cars with his friends and moves from one heartbreak to another. Ciccio, post finding the letter, sets off on a journey to find his half brother. The author talks about Ciccio's own brother who was on a path of wooing all the girls with his good looks. What Ciccio missed on the looks side, he made up with his intelligence. This book is intense with references to Nazi administration, military systems and familial matters.
~
It was clever of the author to add parts of his own life in this book including the brother's search as well as few references like how he let his father's name stay the same. This book is not a complete chart of his life yet majority of it does talk about Chico. The language used is not simple ; it's sophisticated, and has the power of leaving an imprint on one's mind. I'm sure I'll be picking up Spilt Milk very soon.
~
The book has pictures of the letter that was written to Sergio from his estranged lover, Anne about his son. Though few parts of the story is related to Chico, the fact that how Ciccio never got married and also never became the famous musician and writer like Chico, shows that My German Brother isn't a complete revelation of his own life.
~
I would rate this book 3.8/5.
~
Thank you for the review copy @fsgbooks :)
~
This was my first read by Chico Buarque and I was taken aback by his unabashed style of writing. Chico is a famous Brazilian writer - musician who is considered a democratic hero. His work, My German Brother revolves around his own life and gives us a peek into his complicated family history.
~
The protagonist is a man called Ciccio, who is the son of a famous journalist and historian, Sergio Buarque de Holanda (same name as the author's real father). They reside in Sao Paulo where their house is covered with walls of bookshelves, the priced possession of his father. One fine day, hidden inside the pages of a 1922 edition of The Golden Bough, Ciccio discovers a letter from Berlin that reveals the news of his illegitimate brother.
~
The life of Ciccio is painted colourfully as he steals cars with his friends and moves from one heartbreak to another. Ciccio, post finding the letter, sets off on a journey to find his half brother. The author talks about Ciccio's own brother who was on a path of wooing all the girls with his good looks. What Ciccio missed on the looks side, he made up with his intelligence. This book is intense with references to Nazi administration, military systems and familial matters.
~
It was clever of the author to add parts of his own life in this book including the brother's search as well as few references like how he let his father's name stay the same. This book is not a complete chart of his life yet majority of it does talk about Chico. The language used is not simple ; it's sophisticated, and has the power of leaving an imprint on one's mind. I'm sure I'll be picking up Spilt Milk very soon.
~
The book has pictures of the letter that was written to Sergio from his estranged lover, Anne about his son. Though few parts of the story is related to Chico, the fact that how Ciccio never got married and also never became the famous musician and writer like Chico, shows that My German Brother isn't a complete revelation of his own life.
~
I would rate this book 3.8/5.
Fireside chat with a grammar Nazi serial killer.
~
I'd like to thank Samantha Morrison for sending this review copy.
~
I have always enjoyed good murder mysteries and was very eager to know how an author managed to fit in a story in just 24 pages. This was probably the shortest book I've ever read but enjoyed it immensely.
~
The story is set in 2021 where things start to go awry. It begins with a killer confronting her next victim minutes before she decides to kill her. The serial killer is a woman in her mid 30s who enjoys reading whenever she can spare sometime. And when she reads, she expects the books to be flawless. The vocabulary, grammar and every little thing is noticed by the killer before she gets to decide which writer should die next. Even a little slip-up can cost an author his or her life. Hence, the name Grammar Nazi.
~
The killer goes on a killing spree, infuriated by the number of books being published without being edited. One fine day, she appears on an illegal fireside chat built only for criminals who discuss about their crimes. When she openly declares that the host of the show will be her next target for writing a book with terrible sentences, the host accepts it. Read this book to see how the story ends. Will she be able to kill the host? Or will she face her first failure?
~
This book impressed me with the level of mystery it added in just few pages. It's extremely difficult to write a story, especially a murder mystery with such authority. That being said, I had however hoped that there would be couple of more chapters so that I could get a grasp on the killer's character. The plot was extremely unique which goes without saying that the very excuse of murders were mind-boggling.
~
I would rate this read 4/5.
~
I'd like to thank Samantha Morrison for sending this review copy.
~
I have always enjoyed good murder mysteries and was very eager to know how an author managed to fit in a story in just 24 pages. This was probably the shortest book I've ever read but enjoyed it immensely.
~
The story is set in 2021 where things start to go awry. It begins with a killer confronting her next victim minutes before she decides to kill her. The serial killer is a woman in her mid 30s who enjoys reading whenever she can spare sometime. And when she reads, she expects the books to be flawless. The vocabulary, grammar and every little thing is noticed by the killer before she gets to decide which writer should die next. Even a little slip-up can cost an author his or her life. Hence, the name Grammar Nazi.
~
The killer goes on a killing spree, infuriated by the number of books being published without being edited. One fine day, she appears on an illegal fireside chat built only for criminals who discuss about their crimes. When she openly declares that the host of the show will be her next target for writing a book with terrible sentences, the host accepts it. Read this book to see how the story ends. Will she be able to kill the host? Or will she face her first failure?
~
This book impressed me with the level of mystery it added in just few pages. It's extremely difficult to write a story, especially a murder mystery with such authority. That being said, I had however hoped that there would be couple of more chapters so that I could get a grasp on the killer's character. The plot was extremely unique which goes without saying that the very excuse of murders were mind-boggling.
~
I would rate this read 4/5.
Endurer.
~
Thank you for the review copy @realistespresso :)
~
Every single day we hear stories of rape and victims who survived it. A henious crime that has ruined countless lives till date. Endurer is a book that addresses issues and the stigma that comes with the term rape. I was eager to read it and managed to finish it in just a day.
~
Palak, an outgoing student has always been the centre of attraction for her looks as well as for her nature. Her friend circle screams money, they party till morning and are no stranger to drugs. Beginning of the book talks about the parties that they attend and their life in college. I felt this part was quite dragged than necessary. Palak is then abused and sexually harassed at a party and wakes up the next day with no memory of the event.
~
A video clip is then circulated in her college which shows the culprit as Rohin from her friend circle. While Rohin pleads that it wasn't him who raped her, an investigation then begins to find out who had a hand behind this horrendous act. Rohin takes Palak to his hometown to protect her from public's scrutiny. Here, she founds solace in his mother's embrace for the time being. Rest of the story focuses on Palak and Rohin trying to figure who targeted her. Things start to unfurl and shocking truth is revealed.
~
This story has been penned thoughtfully, considering the victim's mindset and trauma. The horrors that women are suffering as a consequence of this henious crime breaks my heart. Public's reaction to such incidents, friends support, the humiliation that comes with a crime like that, it has all been written down. Palak's story is not just fiction but happens to real women almost everyday. Though the plot was well executed, I felt that the story could have been made much more crisp.
~
I would rate this book 3.7/5.
~
Thank you for the review copy @realistespresso :)
~
Every single day we hear stories of rape and victims who survived it. A henious crime that has ruined countless lives till date. Endurer is a book that addresses issues and the stigma that comes with the term rape. I was eager to read it and managed to finish it in just a day.
~
Palak, an outgoing student has always been the centre of attraction for her looks as well as for her nature. Her friend circle screams money, they party till morning and are no stranger to drugs. Beginning of the book talks about the parties that they attend and their life in college. I felt this part was quite dragged than necessary. Palak is then abused and sexually harassed at a party and wakes up the next day with no memory of the event.
~
A video clip is then circulated in her college which shows the culprit as Rohin from her friend circle. While Rohin pleads that it wasn't him who raped her, an investigation then begins to find out who had a hand behind this horrendous act. Rohin takes Palak to his hometown to protect her from public's scrutiny. Here, she founds solace in his mother's embrace for the time being. Rest of the story focuses on Palak and Rohin trying to figure who targeted her. Things start to unfurl and shocking truth is revealed.
~
This story has been penned thoughtfully, considering the victim's mindset and trauma. The horrors that women are suffering as a consequence of this henious crime breaks my heart. Public's reaction to such incidents, friends support, the humiliation that comes with a crime like that, it has all been written down. Palak's story is not just fiction but happens to real women almost everyday. Though the plot was well executed, I felt that the story could have been made much more crisp.
~
I would rate this book 3.7/5.
Environmentally Friendly.
~
I'd like to thank the author for sending me this review copy.
~
When Sergeant Major Bushnell escapes from a psychiatrict ward, he decides to wage a war against nature. He blames mother nature for losing his previous team to a natural disaster and now seeks revenge. He begins by destroying trees and anything that comes in his way with a chainsaw and a flamethrower.
~
LAPD sergeant Schaefer, tries to stop Bushnell with a team of officers and psychiatrists at his assistance. This is a really small book of only 23 pages and I didn't really know what to expect considering I haven't read any other works by the author. The story is unique for it's not very often that we see a war against nature. Elias has managed to keep up the suspense and adrenaline even though the story was very short.
~
There were, however, few misses in the plot which made the story a bit wobbly. It's impossible how a patient gets access to a flamethrower and a chainsaw when he gets out of the asylum. I would have loved to see couple of chapters which would have made it easier to understand Sergeant Bushnell and Schaefer's characters. A little more elaboration would have made the story much more effective.
~
I would rate this book 2.4/5.
~
I'd like to thank the author for sending me this review copy.
~
When Sergeant Major Bushnell escapes from a psychiatrict ward, he decides to wage a war against nature. He blames mother nature for losing his previous team to a natural disaster and now seeks revenge. He begins by destroying trees and anything that comes in his way with a chainsaw and a flamethrower.
~
LAPD sergeant Schaefer, tries to stop Bushnell with a team of officers and psychiatrists at his assistance. This is a really small book of only 23 pages and I didn't really know what to expect considering I haven't read any other works by the author. The story is unique for it's not very often that we see a war against nature. Elias has managed to keep up the suspense and adrenaline even though the story was very short.
~
There were, however, few misses in the plot which made the story a bit wobbly. It's impossible how a patient gets access to a flamethrower and a chainsaw when he gets out of the asylum. I would have loved to see couple of chapters which would have made it easier to understand Sergeant Bushnell and Schaefer's characters. A little more elaboration would have made the story much more effective.
~
I would rate this book 2.4/5.
** Book Recommendation **
~
I have been wanting to read The chalk man since 2018 and I'm so glad I finally did it.
~
The chalk man talks about a series of murder and vandalism that happen in the quiet town of Anderbury which mysteriously involves figures of stickmen drawn everywhere near the murder place. The protagonist is a teenager Eddie who narrates the story under two timelines of1986 and 2016. Eddie and his friends, Hoppo, Metal Mickey and Gav were once carefree kids who indulged in pranks and the game of leaving messages using chalks. A murder changes their lives for good.
~
Fast forward to 2016, Ed is still haunted by the murder of the girl Elisa, and has his own secrets to safeguard. His friends hold their skeletons in the closet from rattling but for how long can they keep the secret hidden? This book caused a phenomenal reaction amongst readers and I can clearly see why. The chalk man is the author's debut book but don't let that fool you. Her writing is so perfect that it keeps you hooked till the very last page. This book has suspense, horror, thrill and an aura of mystery around it.
~
Concocting a perfect murder mystery is no joke but the author has nailed it just right. The characters are very well constructed and leaves no room for flaws. The story is hauntingly beautiful and I can almost see this book being made into a movie. Glad that I saved this book for 2019.
~
I would rate this book 5/5. #thechalkman
~
I have been wanting to read The chalk man since 2018 and I'm so glad I finally did it.
~
The chalk man talks about a series of murder and vandalism that happen in the quiet town of Anderbury which mysteriously involves figures of stickmen drawn everywhere near the murder place. The protagonist is a teenager Eddie who narrates the story under two timelines of1986 and 2016. Eddie and his friends, Hoppo, Metal Mickey and Gav were once carefree kids who indulged in pranks and the game of leaving messages using chalks. A murder changes their lives for good.
~
Fast forward to 2016, Ed is still haunted by the murder of the girl Elisa, and has his own secrets to safeguard. His friends hold their skeletons in the closet from rattling but for how long can they keep the secret hidden? This book caused a phenomenal reaction amongst readers and I can clearly see why. The chalk man is the author's debut book but don't let that fool you. Her writing is so perfect that it keeps you hooked till the very last page. This book has suspense, horror, thrill and an aura of mystery around it.
~
Concocting a perfect murder mystery is no joke but the author has nailed it just right. The characters are very well constructed and leaves no room for flaws. The story is hauntingly beautiful and I can almost see this book being made into a movie. Glad that I saved this book for 2019.
~
I would rate this book 5/5. #thechalkman
Strokes of life.
~
Thank you for the review copy @anishjha :)
~
Millions of love stories have been written over the years which has left an imprint on our minds. I remember reading Love Story by Erich Segal back when I was still studying and cried my heart out as I finished reading the book. But lately romance genre hasn't been too impressive and I often find myself drifting away from it.
~
Strokes of life is a love story of Raj and Vira who go through endless turbulence that comes with their relationship. For Raj, it was love at first sight when he spotted Vira at work. Vira, however fell slowly in love with Raj during their work trip to Switzerland. She knew he was different from the other men she had previously dated and hence wanted to marry him. Just few months into their relationship, they tie the knot and begin their married life.
~
But marriages aren't easy for along with bliss, there are responsibilities, maturity and familial pressure. Few years later, the routine life of Raj and Vira sucks out all the happiness and they start acting like strangers around each other. Their plans of conceiving a child fails miserably due to Vira's ill health and they decide to freeze the embryo for the time she feels better. Raj who always had a flair for writing aspires to be a writer and sensing his stress, Vira decides to let him free by cutting their relationship off.
~
After years of separation, still struggling with their feelings, Vira gives to birth to a girl by using the frozen embryo to keep something of Raj close to her. Raj who is now a successful author fears that his love for Vira won't be enough to get her back. Rest of the book talks about the couple as they try to figure out how to hold on to their love. This book undoubtedly has a strong Bollywood streak to it and also became predictable as I read along.
~
This being the author's debut novel, he has done a good job in portraying his writing skills. I, somehow felt that the story could have had a bit more punch to it which would keep the readers engrossed. The story however talks about modern reality.
~
I would rate this book 2.5/5.
~
Thank you for the review copy @anishjha :)
~
Millions of love stories have been written over the years which has left an imprint on our minds. I remember reading Love Story by Erich Segal back when I was still studying and cried my heart out as I finished reading the book. But lately romance genre hasn't been too impressive and I often find myself drifting away from it.
~
Strokes of life is a love story of Raj and Vira who go through endless turbulence that comes with their relationship. For Raj, it was love at first sight when he spotted Vira at work. Vira, however fell slowly in love with Raj during their work trip to Switzerland. She knew he was different from the other men she had previously dated and hence wanted to marry him. Just few months into their relationship, they tie the knot and begin their married life.
~
But marriages aren't easy for along with bliss, there are responsibilities, maturity and familial pressure. Few years later, the routine life of Raj and Vira sucks out all the happiness and they start acting like strangers around each other. Their plans of conceiving a child fails miserably due to Vira's ill health and they decide to freeze the embryo for the time she feels better. Raj who always had a flair for writing aspires to be a writer and sensing his stress, Vira decides to let him free by cutting their relationship off.
~
After years of separation, still struggling with their feelings, Vira gives to birth to a girl by using the frozen embryo to keep something of Raj close to her. Raj who is now a successful author fears that his love for Vira won't be enough to get her back. Rest of the book talks about the couple as they try to figure out how to hold on to their love. This book undoubtedly has a strong Bollywood streak to it and also became predictable as I read along.
~
This being the author's debut novel, he has done a good job in portraying his writing skills. I, somehow felt that the story could have had a bit more punch to it which would keep the readers engrossed. The story however talks about modern reality.
~
I would rate this book 2.5/5.
