Book Review : The Secrets of The Dark

Book Review : The Secrets of The Dark

The Secrets of The Dark written by Arka Chakrabarti is first part of the series The Saga of Agni. This book is published by Shrishti Publishers and Distributors and I have received this book as a part of Book Review program by The Reader's Cosmos. The series is a fantasy fiction about adventures of Agni.

Cover : The cover justifies the title by depicting some dark figures signifying The Seven which were discussed in the book. It's an ordinary design and after reading the book I think this could be better if a picture of Agni surrounded by some shadows at the background of a burning ship would be there, anyways it is not a bad cover design.

Plot : There are two stories running simultaneously in the narrative which may connect in the next part:

1. Agni was an orphan found at sea shore by Briksha a merchant sailor and raised as King Adhirath's ward along with Prince Yani and Briksha's son Vrish. Agni loved Briksha's daughter Malini and wanted to marry her to experience the joy of a family he never had. She died along with her father at an accidental fire in their ship when Agni and Vrish were at festival of Trinetra in the city of Himadri at The Land of the Rising Sun. His last meeting with Malini on her death bed revealed that fire was not an accident but a planned act of killing. His search for truth lead him to discover his past and the motive of his birth. Agni and Vrish in journey full of dangers uncovers many secrets to know the reason behind Malini's death. Will they overcome all dangers to know the secret?
2. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Leu in The Land of The Setting Sun was under threat from Beast's attack after the seat of king became empty because of ill health of King Crux who had only a daughter Princess Lysandra which according to the law of land is not entitled to become heir to the throne. The Lysandra known as warrior princess decided to have a war to regain their city than to give her kingdom easily to them. Will she win? 

Thriller : How story unfolds in a captivating narrative is the highlight of the book. Author has beautifully created a new world and have made it believable in a fantastic way. You started thinking that such a land really exists and all of them, Darshana, King Arkansas, Mahaguru Sidak, Agni, etc are real characters. The suspense is maintained till the end and it unfolded naturally in the climax without extra efforts. The book is part of a series but where it finishes it completes a chapter properly and reader not feels that it is incomplete.

Spoiler : Malini was killed without exploring romantic side of Agni which further detaches reader from Agni's pain of her loss. I think the story of Kingdom of Leu shouldn't be there but told in next chapters. Here in this chapter it stops the flow of narrative and make this book a lengthy read. 

Verdict : If you love adventure, if you love thriller, if you love suspense, if you love fantasy or if you just love reading a good fiction than this book is for you. A thrilling tale of an unknown world which looks believable. 

Rating : I would give it 4/5.

I have read the second part much before the first part. The Book Review of second part : The Rise of Grey Prince.

"This book review is a part of The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program and Blog Tours.  To get free books log on to thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com"

Book Review : Warrior

Book Review : Warrior

Warrior is written by Olivier Lafont popularly known as Suhas Tandon of 3 Idiots and is published by Penguin Books India . I have received this book from the author. Lafont is a multi-talented and versatile personality who writes fiction, feature film screenplays, and editorial pieces, but also acts in feature films, endorses some of India’s most popular brands on television, and lends his voice to many media in many languages. A French polyglot, Lafont pursues his eclectic interests at the highest standards having worked with some of India’s most acclaimed directors on films like 3 Idiots, Guzaarish and two Hollywood films. This book is a fantasy fiction set in modern day India.

Cover : Cover is eye catching. The modern day warrior looks stunning at the background of crumbling world. The image glorifies the title and increase interest of the readers.

Plot: The world is facing it's end. Saam the last demigod son of the Destroyer - Lord Shiva on earth could only save the world from destruction at hands of his father. Saam who lives as a watch mender with love of his life Maya in Mumbai went on his journey to save the world along with six other companions including Maya and his half-brother Ara with whom he has estranged relationship. The journey with an undecided end let him discover love, trust,deceive before its final conclusion. How he save the world? Who deceive him? Will he gets united with Maya? The path to stop the End of Days is littered with death,danger and betrayal.

Thriller : This fantasy fiction will change the way you see the gods. The story is engrossing and the narrative is simply superb. How the mythology is mixed with the modern times is commendable. The way history,mythology, facts are blended with fiction make it real and believable. The language is easy to understand and the procedures and back stories are thoroughly explained which makes understanding of the narrative easier. 

Spoiler : The narrative becomes slow in the middle and thus stopping the further movement of the story. Somethings are unnecessarily added in the narrative which distracts reader from the original plot.

Verdict :  A must read for the way the subject is treated. An amusing and entertaining journey into the fantasy world existing with the real world.

Rating : I would give it 4/5. 

Book Review : Rise Of The Grey Prince

Book Review : The Saga of Agni - Rise of The Grey Prince

The Saga of Agni - The Rise of The Grey Prince is a fantasy fiction written by Arka Chakrabarti who is a tax consultant cum content writer. His debut novel was The Secrets of The Dark which was the first part of The Saga of Agni. It was published by Shrishti Publishers and Distributors. I have received this copy from Readers Cosmos as part of their Book Review Program.

Cover : Cover suits with the theme of the story. An image of a man looking like a monk but with face hidden in the dark ignite the curiosity in the reader about the character. The sword in the forefront and landscape in the background give a glimpse of Agni's weapon and the land of Gaya where the story is set.

Plot : It's plot can be divided into three parts:

1. Agni was going to The Land of The Setting Sun from The Land of The Rising Son to know about his destiny and to find his mother,he was lost in the thoughts of Malini whom he loved and who was killed in the first part. He was accompanied by Guru Sidak, Param and his best friend and Malini's brother Vrish.
2. Yani the prince of Himadri came to know of a secret about his past. He was keen to know about his past and was ready to do anything to know it and is also ambitious to become more powerful.
3. The rise of the Beast and Charvi's quest to know about the disappearance of her father.

How Agni reaches his desired destination ? How Yani reveals the secret of his past and Darshana? And other such questions were answered in this roller coaster ride.

Thriller : The speed of the narrative is apt for the kind of story. I liked the switching of scenes making narrative engrossing and attaching. The fantasy land came in front of your eyes with its description at each step. The action, drama and suspense is maintain artistically. Although I haven't read the first part but most of it became clear to me as the plot unfolded in this part.

Spoiler : Use of some terms and words is confusing. The story has not moved much. It's end is also abrupt as it,s not ending in a finishing note. Switching to different scenes looks interesting but at some place scenes are switched in haste leaving readers clueless about what has happened.

Verdict : If you loved fantasy fiction and want to roam in a land of adventures , you must read it and its better to read first part before reading it.

Rating : I would like to give 2/3. 

"This book review is a part of The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program and Blog Tours.  To get free books log on to thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com"

Book Review : Shatru Kronikles Book - 1

Book Review : Shatru Kronikles Book - 1

Shatru Kronikles Book - 1 is written by Bommadevara Sai Chandravadhan ( Vadhan ) and is published by Frog Books of Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd. I have received this book as a part of Readers Cosmos Book Review Program. It is a fantasy fiction set in modern day Gurgaon, a city near New Delhi - India  where author also lives with his wife.

Cover : A big green monstrous eye looks nice on the cover, though it does not give the idea about the story but surely gives hints about the character of protagonist Shatru - the Asura Half Breed. That cover image with dark back ground takes the reader in that dark unknown world.

Plot : Shatru - the Hunter or an investigating agent of the unknown world found and killed a Rakshahs charged with murder of innocent Half Breeds. The Guardians who maintain balance between the Devas and the Asuras gave him another task of finding killer of Kaushalya who was working on their biggest project i.e the Unison of Light and the project Union. Shatru in his journey of finding the truth put his father, his dog , his assistant and even his own life in danger. The evil forces were spreading around on the earth to destroy the humankind and only Shatru can stop them by finding Kaushalya's killer and solving the mystery of the New Born. Will he able to do so or will he lose everything in this biggest battle? 

Thriller : The narration make you to believe this fantasy world to be true. The characterization , the fight sequences and the mythological citation are thoroughly explored and depicted in the story. The language is not very simple but easily understandable. The pace of narrative in maintaining the mystery and suspense makes it engrossing and an amazing read. It sometimes reminded me of secret world of Men In Black. 

Spoiler : There is not much as a spoiler in this book as far as thriller genre is concerned. But yes the mythological detail makes it complicated at points but when you understands these references it also becomes easier to understand. Some strong dialogues would have made it better.

Verdict : A must read for thriller and fantasy lovers. You should also read to have the taste of our mythology. 

Rating : I would give it 4/5.

"This book review is a part of The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program and Blog Tours.  To get free books log on to thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com"