Classics Archives - Rajiv's Reviews

Sherlock Holmes & the Silver Cord by M. K. Wiseman

Rajiv — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:17:50 +0000

Sherlock Holmes & the Silver Cord by M. K. Wiseman

Release: August 01,2023
Format: Ebook
Publisher: M.K.Wiseman
Source: Rachel’s Random Resources
Find it at: GoodReads , Amazon US , Amazon UK , Kobo , B&N

“I speak of magic, Mr. Holmes.”

Mr. Percy Simmons, leader of London’s Theosophical Order of Odic Forces, is fully aware that his is not a case which Mr. Sherlock Holmes would ordinarily take up.

These are not ordinary times, however.

For something, some unquiet demon within Holmes stirs into discomfiting wakefulness under the occultist’s words. The unassuming Mr. Simmons has spoken of good and evil with the sort of certainty of soul that Sherlock yearns for. A certainty which has eluded Holmes for the three years in which the world thought him dead. While, for all intents, constructions, and purposes, he was dead.

But six months ago, Sherlock Holmes returned to Baker Street, declared himself alive to friend and foe alike, took up his old rooms, his profession, and his partnership with Dr. J. Watson—only to find himself haunted still by questions which had followed him out of the dreadful chasm of Reichenbach Falls:

Why? Why had he survived when his enemy had not? To what end? And had there ever, truly, been such a thing as justice? Such a thing as good or evil?

About the Author:

M.K. Wiseman has degrees in Interarts & Technology and Library & Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her office, therefore, is a curious mix of storyboards and reference materials. Both help immensely in the writing of historical novels. She currently resides in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

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Sherlock Holmes & the Silver Cord Review:

It’s been a while since I read the Sherlock Holmes novels, but I liked how the author took the elements from the original books and continued the story with the same tones as the classics. This book starts with the blackmail case brought forth by Mrs. Margaret Jones. As the plot thickens, we get introduced to characters like Mr. Percy Simmons, a member of the enigmatic Theosophical Order of Odic Forces, who enters the scene, seeking Holmes’ aid to find his friend, Mr. Winter, who has fallen victim to an insidious attack involving magic. The story is intriguing because the plot feels mystical, and you don’t know what will happen.

I loved how the author captured Holmes’ emotional turmoil. The story artfully explores Holmes’ inner struggle with cynicism and the allure of the mystical, delving into profound questions about justice, crime, and evil. As the investigation unfolds, Holmes and Watson get entangled in a web of deceit and manipulation. The author introduces more characters, making me suspect a few of them. The narrative kept me on the edge with mesmerizing revelations and unexpected twists, leading to a thrilling climax. The ending surprised me as I did not anticipate the closure of the book as how the author wrote it.

Another highlight is the bond between Holmes and Watson. Throughout the pages, the camaraderie between Holmes and Watson remains a constant, providing moments of warmth and familiarity amid the gripping suspense. The author skillfully blends casual and professional tones, immersing the readers in the duo’s world with vivid descriptions and intriguing dialogues.

Overall, “Sherlock Holmes & the Silver Cord” captures the essence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original works, taking Holmes and Watson on a fascinating adventure that challenges their perceptions and redefines the boundaries of their beliefs.

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Sherlock Holmes & the Silver Cord by M. K. Wiseman Blog Tour hosted by Rachel’s Random Resources.

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Anne Arrives by Kallie George

Rajiv — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 00:57:41 +0000

Anne Arrives: Inspired by Anne of Green Gables by Kallie George

Release: September 25th 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Tundra Books
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Kobo

The charming first book in a new early reader series, starring the spirited and outspoken Anne Shirley as she first arrives at Green Gables.

Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert need help on their farm. So they’ve adopted what they hope will be a sturdy, helpful boy. Instead, Matthew finds Anne awaiting him at the train station . She is an imaginative, brash, redheaded Anne with an-e. And with her place at the Cuthberts’ at risk particularly if nosy neighbor Mrs. Lynde has anything to say about it . Anne will have to learn patience, understanding and what it takes to make Green Gables her true home.

Lovingly adapted by Kallie George with beautiful, nostalgic illustrations by Abigail Halpin, Anne Arrives is perfect for new fans of Anne and old.

About the Author:

KALLIE GEORGE is an author, editor and creative writing teacher living in Vancouver, B.C. She has written numerous acclaimed books for children, including The Lost Gift, Secrets I Know, Duck, Duck, Dinosaur and The Melancholic Mermaid. Also she is the author of The Magical Animal Adoption Agency series and The Heartwood Hotel series. She has taught writing workshops for children and adults across Canada as well as in South Korea. And she currently teaches at Emily Carr University.

Besides, she loves picture books, fairy tales, beautiful art and music, and baking cookies.

Website

Anne Arrives Review:

Anne Shirley is one of my favorite fictional characters of all time, and I loved how they turned the classic into a series of chapter books. This book is somewhere between a chapter book and a picture book because it is small in the number of pages and covers only the very first part of the classic. Nevertheless, this is a book that I will add to my bookshelf because of how aesthetically pleasing it looks.

The author did a lovely job of trimming down the chapters to create an abridged version. Young readers of beginners of English would find this book easy to read and understand. Moreover, the illustrations are gorgeous. Abigail Halpin did a fantastic job in bringing Anne and her family at Green Gables to life. Anne’s expressions in each artwork are on point and exactly as I had envisioned when I first read the novel. The artist also used beautiful colors to bring the story to life, and my favorite ones were where Anne rides with Matthew Cuthbert, and we see the beautiful blossoms in the background.

Overall, “Anne Arrives” is an adorable children’s chapter book and an excellent start to the chapter book series of our favorite classic. I loved how they executed the first book, and I hope they do this for other classics like Charles Dickens’s works.

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The Phantom of the Opera by Varga Tomi

Rajiv — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 13:25:54 +0000

The Phantom of the Opera by Varga Tomi

Release: October 20th, 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: A Wave Blue World
Source: Netgalley
Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N,

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the iconic gothic romance, is retold with all the spectacle its legend demands in this devoted graphic novel adaptation that marries stunning artwork with Gaston Leroux’s haunting prose.

Everyone has heard the whispered tales of the phantom living beneath the opera house, the mysterious trickster behind all the little mishaps and lost things. But no one has ever seen the monster . . . until now. The promise of a blossoming love allures him from his intricately constructed hideaways in the labyrinthine building’s walls and cellars. A hideously disfigured artist trains the lovely Christine to be the opera’s next star for a steep price. More so, the Ghost’s obsession with Christine only grows, and he seeks to possess her as his bride. What is she going to do? Does she choose her newfound success or her beloved Count Raoul? This doomed love triangle threatens to combust when a tragic death, a series of betrayals, and increasingly dangerous accidents cast the players of The Palais Garnier into a heart-wrenching horror story that will echo through the ages.

About the Author:

Tomi is a cartoonist from Hungary & a graduate of The Kubert School. He colored a bunch of Kevin Eastman’s TMNT covers and created a graphic novel adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera, coming out in October 2020.

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The Phantom of the Opera Review:

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Let me preface by saying that I have never seen any of the other renditions, and the graphic novel was my first experience of reading the classic. Hence, I did not have anything to benchmark my expectations. Having that said, I enjoyed the story and the graphic novel representation.

Firstly, the creators did an excellent job in the graphic novel. I was in awe at the level of details added in each background panel. Some of the imagery took my breath away and gave the book a perfect gothic feel. The Phantom is genuinely eerie and repulsive, yet there are scenes where you feel sorry for him. The scenes where the Chandelier falls or when Christine disappears after her performance was breath-taking!

Similarly, I loved the plot as well. I am a sucker for gothic romance, and this is probably one of the earliest stories in the genre. Erik is one of the most complex characters, where hate him, yet part of you roots for him for what he has gone through.

However, there were a few minor things that felt disconnected. For one thing, I thought the romance seemed off. I don’t blame the illustrators per se (as it could have been a translation from the original storylines). But, I didn’t feel the romance between Raoul and Christine. Moreover, I was rooting for the Phantom as I thought he was the most mesmerizing character. Also, I thought that the font text could have been better, as soon bubbles felt small to read.

Apart from that, this was a delightful graphic novel to read. I would love to see the musical the next time I visit New York. Overall, I recommend “The Phantom of the Opera: The Graphic Novel” even if you haven’t seen the musical.

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Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh

Rajiv — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 06:20:10 +0000

Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh
Release: 1956
Format: Kindle
Publisher: NA
Source: Amazon

Train to Pakistan Synopsis:

“In the summer of 1947, when the creation of the state of Pakistan was formally announced, ten million people—Muslims and Hindus and Sikhs—were in flight. By the time the monsoon broke, almost a million of them were dead. All of northern India was in arms, in terror, or in hiding. The only places unaltered were little villages scattered in the remote reaches of the frontier. One of these villages was Mano Majra.”

It is a place, where Sikhs and Muslims have lived together in peace for hundreds of years. Then one day, at the end of the summer, the “ghost train” arrives, a silent, incredible funeral train loaded with the bodies of thousands of refugees, bringing the village its first taste of the horrors of the civil war. Train to Pakistan is the story of this isolated village that is plunged into the abyss of religious hate. It is also the story of a Sikh boy and a Muslim girl whose love endured the ravages of war.

Review:

Watch my video review of Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh

[embedyt] https://youtu.be/Sx27bLBpc70[/embedyt]

Firstly, I loved the symbolism of the whole setting of the village and the train. The whole setting takes place in a quaint little town of Mano Majra, where the train symbolizes how the movement of the Indian refugees coming to India and the Muslims travelling to Pakistan, send a wave of confusion and on this otherwise stable town in Punjab. What starts off as between the Hindus and Muslims creates a bloodbath for the Sikh Community and make the townspeople hysteric to the movement.

There are so many incidents taking place in the summer of 1947 on this small village. There are so many interesting characters in the story, but I would have to say that my favorite is Jugga. We see him as this uncouth, rustic guy who gets angry and physically abusive over whatever people tell him. However, towards the end, when he goes to the Gurudwar to do what is right, you really start to support him. Even though he risks his life mainly to save his love Nooran, who is also in the train, you cannot help but feel proud for the hundreds of people he saved in the process, by risking his own life in the end.

“Train to Pakistan” is a story that showcases how the political partition of the Indo-Pakistan movement shook our very fabric. It also shows how the situation distorted people’s understanding of what is right and wrong. The author shows the brutal violence of people impacted in reality during this time, and it makes you want to stop and think about all the injustice they have suffered and appreciate the world we live in today.

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Animal Farm by George Orwell

Rajiv — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 13:57:10 +0000

Animal Farm by George Orwell
Release: August 17th 1945
Format: Kindle
Publisher: Signet Classics
Source: Amazon

Animal Farm Synopsis:

A group of overworked, mistreated animals take over a farm. With flaming idealism and stirring slogans, they set out to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality. Thus the stage is set for one of the most satiric fables. This is a razor-edged fairy tale for grown-ups that records the evolution from revolution against tyranny to a totalitarianism just as terrible.

When Animal Farm was first published, it was a target for Stalinist Russia. Today it is devastatingly clear that wherever and whenever freedom is attacked, under whatever banner, the cutting clarity and savage comedy of George Orwell’s masterpiece have a meaning and message still ferociously fresh.

Review:

Watch my video review of Animal Farm by George Orwell

[embedyt] https://youtu.be/GWNRWzSIvIs[/embedyt]

This book was first published in 1945 but I believe it is still very relevant in today’s world. This is such a powerful book to read. As soon as you start reading, even though it is about barnyard animals, you realize it is about human beings, and how destructive we can become as a species under the wrong influence. Moreover, it shows how traits like jealousy and greed can turn the bests situation into the worst. Eventually, after reading this book, we pity ourselves for blindly following someone even if we don’t agree with them, because we are afraid to stand up to them. Overall, this is a very gripping and entertaining book to read, and is fairly easy to read even in today’s standards.

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The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin

Rajiv — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 13:29:05 +0000

The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin
Release: September 28th 1972
Format: Kindle
Publisher: Random House
Source: Amazon

The Stepford Wives Synopsis:

For Joanna, her husband, Walter, and their children, the move to beautiful Stepford seems almost too good to be true. It is. For behind the town’s idyllic facade lies a terrible secret—a secret so shattering that no one who encounters it will ever be the same.

At once a masterpiece of psychological suspense and a savage commentary on a media-driven society that values the pursuit of youth and beauty at all costs, The Stepford Wives is a novel so frightening in its final implications that the title itself has earned a place in the American lexicon.

Review:

Watch my video review of The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin

[embedyt] https://youtu.be/S4gyTyAq3mI[/embedyt]

I loved reading this book and was at the edge of my seat the whole time! This is one of those books that does not have any horror or gore, but is psychologically very creepy. Firstly, it shows how a person can be easily manipulated into believing in something, no matter how strong willed they are. Moreover, I really loved Bobbie and Joanna together and her reaction when she finds out what happened to her friend. Overall, this is a gripping book which is very easy and short to read, and is a complete page turner.

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The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Rajiv — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 13:39:38 +0000

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Release: Original 1959, November 28th 2006 by Penguin Classics
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Source: Amazon

The Haunting of Hill House Synopsis:

The greatest haunted house story ever written, the inspiration for a 10-part Netflix series directed by Mike Flanagan and starring Michiel Huisman, Carla Gugino, and Timothy Hutton

First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a “haunting”; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.

Review:

Watch my video review of The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_yArbWnfPQ[/embedyt]

Basically, I had mixed reactions upon reading this book. There are some aspects which I thoroughly enjoyed and some aspects which I really found annoying. Firstly, I loved that this book focuses does not rely on any gore or blood splatter, and the author makes the story very atmospheric and spooky just on the presence of the unknown. Another thing that I liked about this story was that it focused more on the imbalance of the human psyche rather than the supernatural.

But there are a few reasons why I disliked this book. Although I found the characters to be distinctive and unique, none of them were very likable. There is also a lot of sarcastic humor in the dialogue that is exchanged between the four characters after they encounter something supernatural. Moreover, considering that this was written in 1959, I can imagine how terrifying this tale would have been to readers at that time. I did enjoy reading this book in terms of a classic horror literature and overall I would give it a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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