My Book Reviews

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  • Ludlow Lost (Osgoode Odyssey #1) by Kate Robinson Dunne

    Ludlow Lost (Osgoode Odyssey #1) by Kate Robinson Dunne

    Ludlow

    Ludlow Lost (Osgoode Odyssey #1) by Kate Robinson Dunne
    Release: October 10th 2017
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Two Pigeons Press
    Source: NetGalley

    Ludlow



    Ludlow Lost Synopsis:

    If you’re reading this, you’ve probably never had the bad fortune to be kidnapped and held captive by creatures human beings don’t believe in.

    Ludlow Osgoode has not been as lucky as you.

     

    Review:

    A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Two Pigeons Press for providing me a copy of “Ludlow Lost (Osgoode Odyssey #1)” by Kate Robinson Dunne in exchange for my review. I had mixed feelings about “Ludlow Lost”. There are some aspects of it that I really enjoyed and some aspects that made me disappointed in reading it.

    Let’s start with the negative aspects. There are a few reasons why I gave this book only a three star rating. Firstly, the book gets a little monotonous towards the middle when Ludlow, Raghnall and Harry are lost at sea. Nothing really happens for a while, except for Ludlow meeting strange mythological creatures along the way. Furthermore, the author initiates about some really interesting subplots but it never materializes in the story. For example, what is the weejy weejy bird and why did it appear at times? Perhaps the author will explain all this in book two, but it still made me frustrated in not knowing.

    Secondly, I did not find any of the characters to be engrossing. Most of the characters only reveal a bit about themselves, and as it is a short book, it’s hard to get invested in them. Also, I felt like Ludlow was boring and Harry was very annoying. The mermaid and Storey were somewhat interesting, but were hardly present in the book to be memorable. The only character I felt was complex and interesting was Raghnall. In fact, I would have loved it if this trilogy was about Raghnall’s life instead of Ludlow. It would have been so exciting to read about how Raghnall gets trapped in Morag’s clutches and becomes a goblin. Speaking of Morag, I didn’t find the villain to be someone who was scary, and at times she was comical.

    Now to talk about the positive aspects. I loved the author’s style of writing. She has written this book in a very matter of fact way but with a whimsical touch. She has the perfect style for writing children’s stories and I would definitely love to read her future books. The author has also included some cute illustrations that add well to the chapters.

    I also loved the concept of the book. True, it didn’t turn out the way I had expected, but it’s still a charming plot. It reminds me a lot of “Alice in Wonderland”, or the movie “Spirited Away”. Moreover, I really liked the way the book ended. It had a very surreal effect that made me want to look forward to book two coming in 2019. Overall, I liked “Ludlow Lost” but I felt that it could have been so much better! I am looking forward to reading book two when it releases.

  • The Orphan Band of Springdale by Anne Nesbet

    The Orphan Band of Springdale by Anne Nesbet

    orphan

    The Orphan Band of Springdale by
    Release: April 10th 2018
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Candlewick Press
    Source: NetGalley

    orphan



    Orphan Band of Springdale Synopsis:

    With the United States on the verge of World War II, eleven-year-old Gusta is sent from New York City to Maine, where she discovers small-town prejudices — and a huge family secret.

    It’s 1941, and tensions are rising in the United States as the Second World War rages in Europe. Eleven-year-old Gusta’s life, like the world around her, is about to change. Her father, a foreign-born labor organizer, has had to flee the country, and Gusta has been sent to live in an orphanage run by her grandmother. Nearsighted, snaggletoothed Gusta arrives in Springdale, Maine, lugging her one precious possession: a beloved old French horn, her sole memento of her father. But in a family that’s long on troubles and short on money, how can a girl hang on to something so valuable and yet so useless when Gusta’s mill-worker uncle needs surgery to fix his mangled hand, with no union to help him pay?

    Inspired by her mother’s fanciful stories, Gusta secretly hopes to find the coin-like “Wish” that her sea-captain grandfather supposedly left hidden somewhere. Meanwhile, even as Gusta gets to know the rambunctious orphans at the home, she feels like an outsider at her new school — and finds herself facing patriotism turned to prejudice, alien registration drives, and a family secret likely to turn the small town upside down.

     

    Review:

    A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for providing me a copy of “The Orphan Band of Springdale” by Anne Nesbet in exchange for my review. I loved reading this story from the get-go! Omg, is there anything this book didn’t have? Magic coins? Check. Carrier pigeons taking photographs? Check. Family secrets, scandal and intrigue? Check, check and check!

    Okay, don’t get fooled from my previous remark thinking that this is some kooky story of pigeons taking photographs of magic coins. The story is actually very heart-warming and fast paced with wonderful characters. Firstly, my heart went out to Gusta as her father leaves her in the bus to Springdale. Since her arrival in Maine, Gusta adapts many changes like getting used to a new town and a new family. She also overcomes obstacles of being teased in school and getting into a feud with a prominent figure.

    In addition to the main character, the supporting characters are extremely charming and each one of them have a trait that you can root for (except the villain). In fact, I pictured the cast of Little House on the Prairie to the characters in this story. This is how I pictured the cast in my mind:
    • Gusta is Mary Ingalls
    • Josie is Laura Ingalls (an older version with the same personality)
    • Georges is Albert
    • Molly is Nellie (well, a brainier version of her)
    • Miss Hatch is Miss Beadle
    • and Mr. Kendall is the male evil version of Mrs. Olsen.

    Furthermore, the author sets the story line during the time of World War II, but doesn’t get too preachy on the history facts. There are some references to the Nazis, and even a shout out to Amelia Earhart. Significantly, the pacing was good, and the story lines remained fresh without a dull moment. Moreover, the story not only has a consistent theme, but a lot of quirky subplots to it. My favorite part was when Gusta tries on her new glasses and sees the world as brand new. I also loved her scenes with Josie and how they support each other during the tough times.

    So why did I give it only 4 out of 5 stars? Honestly, it is all because of that dastardly Mr. Kendall! In general, this man is so despicable, he makes Nelly Olsen look like sweet Snow White. After the way he horribly treats Gusta and her family, I was so furious that nothing unfortunate happened to him. Undoubtedly, it made me angry and feel like bad people do get away with everything sometimes. I would have given it 5/5 stars if there had been repercussions on Mr. Kendall to make him a better person.

    Overall, this is a charming book that I encourage you to read (if you haven’t done so already).

  • Scavenger Hunt by Christopher Pike

    Scavenger Hunt by Christopher Pike

    Scavenger

    Scavenger Hunt by Christopher Pike
    Release: June 10th 1989
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Archway Paperbacks
    Source: Amazon

    Scavenger



    Scavenger Hunt Synopsis:

    School was almost over. A secretive club on campus had organized a scavenger hunt for the entire senior class. In small groups, and with the help of cleverly planted clues, the kids are led throughout the city, and then deep into a nighttime desert. The sponsoring club has promised a wonderful prize for the first group to reach the goal of the hunt. But for Carl Timmons, a troubled young man who has recently lost his best friend, the hunt will become a nightmare. Led astray by his love for a strangely beautiful girl, he will wander far from the others, and back into a haunted past, where the line between the living and the dead is blurred and broken.

     

    Review:

    I thought “Scavenger Hunt” was very interesting at first. The plot seemed unique and honestly unlike anything I have read. I enjoyed the way the clues were setup and how the team started to decipher them. Even though it was originally published in 1989, the story did not feel outdated. The characters also showed unique and varied qualities and it was fun reading how they reacted to the clues. I really thought this was going to be a great read. However, it all turned out to be a BIG disappointment in the second half.

    There are three reasons I gave this an average rating, the first reason being that I hated Carl’s character. This guy is such a wimpy protagonist who keeps getting in trouble with the wrong crowd. He chooses the wrong team only because he thinks Cessy is hot. He’s a coward for not saving Joe and he admits it. Frequently I was put off having to deal with reading him whining over his inner conflicts. The list for me disliking him goes on. Davey was also a bit annoying. He comes off as your typical mustache-twirling villain without any complexity. Cessy is much more interesting, but she is not given much focus. My favorite character here is Tracie. I loved that she figures out what is happening and risks everything to save Carl. I also liked Paula and Rick and wished that there was more written about them.

    My second reason for removing an additional star is the plot holes. I still have questions after finishing this book, such as:
    – Who was that person (or creature) in the purple house?
    – What happened to the other groups who did the Scavenger Hunt? Why didn’t Davey choose people from other groups as well?
    – Why did Pike bring in a random alcoholic priest into the story who didn’t add any value?
    – When I look at the cover of the original US edition (that I read), I still don’t know who these three people are.

    Now for the third reason. I always felt like reading a Pike book was better than a Stine book because it was more profound. The author usually adds some deep philosophical texts about the universe and mankind in his books. Scavenger Hunt did not have any of that! The climax towards the end is just cartoony and I just felt ‘meh’ after reading this book. Pike has written better stories than this, and the fallout to this suspenseful plot is disappointing. Overall, if you want to read a vintage Christopher Pike novel, you can dismiss this one and pick up “Whisper of Death” or “Road to Nowhere”.

  • The Door to the Lost by Jaleigh Johnson

    The Door to the Lost by Jaleigh Johnson

    Door

    The Door to the Lost by Jaleigh Johnson
    Expected Release: July 3rd 2018
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Delacorte Press
    Source: NetGalley

    Door



    The Door to the Lost Synopsis:

    From the New York Times bestselling author of The Mark of the Dragonfly comes a thrilling fantasy adventure about two magical friends living as refugees in a world that doesn’t trust magic. Perfect for fans of Serafina and the Black Cloak and the School for Good and Evil series!

    There was no warning the day magic died in Talhaven. It happened with a giant explosion and the arrival of a skyship full of children, all with magic running through their veins and no memory of home.

    Rook and Drift are two of those children, and ever since that day, they’ve been on the run, magical refugees in a world that doesn’t trust magic. Because magic doesn’t die right away–it decays, twists, and poisons all that it touches. And now it’s beginning to poison people.

    Try as they might, Rook and Drift can’t remember anything about their lives before Talhaven. But it’s beginning to look like they’re the only ones who can save their adopted world . . . if that world doesn’t destroy them first.

     

    Review:

    A BIG Thank You to NetGalley, Delacorte Books for Young Readers and Random House Children’s for providing me a copy of “The Door to the Lost” by Jaleigh Johnson in exchange for my review. Before I begin, I would like to say that I’m not a fantasy reader in any way. It’s not that I don’t enjoy it, but it takes quite some time for me to finish a fantasy novel. I prefer to read realistic fiction for the most part. Having said that, I selected this book in NetGalley because I LOVED the cover design! I am glad I selected it because Wow, this was a roller coaster of a read!

    Let’s start off with the characters. For a fantasy adventure, the characters are down to Earth that we can relate to. All the three main characters, Rook, Drift and Fox have endearing qualities that make them naive and charming. I loved that we directly jump into the adventure and learn about the characters, instead of getting a proper introduction. My favorite character was Fox. He’s so adorable the moment he bumps into Rook and Drift! Even though he doesn’t have much of a dialogue, his ardent support throughout their journey makes him very memorable. I also loved the other exiles that the team meets in the ship, and wished they also had a backstory. The author has also written Dozana very well and you cannot help despise her for the crooked villain she is.

    Now let’s talk about the story-line. From the get go, we travel with Rook as she tries to survive in the land of Talhaven. The whole book is action packed and there is never a dull moment in the story. There are some great suspenseful moment like when Rook and Drift hide in Mr. Baroman’s attic, or when Rook hears knocking on the other side of the door or when she gets trapped in the giant spider web. I really couldn’t predict what was going to happen next, and was completely engrossed in the book till the climax.

    This is the first book I have read by Jaleigh Johnson, and I really like her style of writing. She beautifully blends the progression of the characters while keeping the fast pace of the story. My only question is, is this a standalone book or part of a series? The only part that could have been better was if the author provided more details of the characters and the history of the land. As much as I loved the story, I felt that the author cut down a lot to keep it in pace with a middle grade novel. Perhaps that is why I would love to read about more of these characters and hope there is a continuation. I want to pick out her “World of Solace” Series to see if that is equally good.

    Overall, I completely enjoyed this book and give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

  • The Heart Between Us: Two Sisters, One Heart Transplant, and a Bucket List by Lindsay Harrel

    The Heart Between Us: Two Sisters, One Heart Transplant, and a Bucket List by Lindsay Harrel

    Heart

    The Heart Between Us: Two Sisters, One Heart Transplant, and a Bucket List by Lindsay Harrel
    Release: March 13th 2018
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Thomas Nelson
    Source: NetGalley

    Heart



    The Heart Between Us Synopsis:

    Megan Jacobs always wished for a different heart. She spent her entire childhood in and out of hospitals, sitting on the sidelines while her twin sister Crystal played all the sports, got all the guys, and had all the fun. But even a heart transplant three years ago wasn’t enough to propel Megan’s life forward. She’s still working as a library aide in her small Minnesota hometown and living with her parents, dreaming of the adventure she plans to take “once she’s well enough.” Meanwhile, her sister is a successful architect with a handsome husband and the perfect life—or so Megan thinks.

    When her heart donor’s parents give Megan their teenage daughter’s journal—complete with an unfulfilled bucket list—Megan connects with the girl she meets between the pages and is inspired to venture out and check off each item. Caleb—a friend from her years in and out of the hospital—reenters her life and pushes her to find the courage to take the leap and begin her journey. She’s thrown for a loop when Crystal offers to join her for reasons of her own, but she welcomes the company and the opportunity to mend their tenuous relationship.

    As Megan and Crystal check items off the bucket list, Megan fights the fears that have been instilled in her after a lifetime of illness. She must choose between safety and adventure and learn to embrace the heart she’s been given so that she can finally share it with the people she loves most.

     

    Review:

    A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for providing me a copy of “The Heart between Us: Two Sisters, One Heart Transplant, and a Bucket List” by Lindsay Harrel in exchange for my review. “The Heart between Us” is a very sweet heart-warming book. The two main aspects I liked about this book is the characters and the travel log.

    Lindsay Harrel has defined the characters wonderfully well and they are all likable. The author has written their development in such a smooth and moving manner. I love how Megan progressively transforms and gain the courage and confidence to fulfill Amanda’s dreams. Not only this, the author also focuses on the relationship development between the two sisters, with her parents and with her loved ones, giving equal importance to all of them. Megan and Crystal’s personalities and story-lines are unique, yet, the author does a good job in blending them at times. I loved how both the sisters are fighting their own battles, but seek help from each other to overcome them. More than Megan and Crystal, my favorite characters in the book were Amanda’s parents. The way they remain so positive and hopeful for Megan even after losing their daughter is touching and inspiring.

    Although I enjoyed reading both Megan and Crystal’s journey, I felt more emotionally attached towards Crystal’s story-line. This is mainly because I could relate to the difficulties she faces in managing her personal and professional life. From whatever I have experienced, it is not possible to allot equal time if you want to progress in both. I hoped the story would show that she can achieve all her goals (personal and professional) in a positive light. Unfortunately, Crystal has to choose between one over the other. The story also doesn’t become too preachy or religious even though it is termed as a Christian Fiction book.

    Moreover, the author has vividly highlighted some gorgeous locations in this book. Ms Harrel has described these places so beautifully that I felt I was experiencing it with Megan. Whether it’s Paris, London or Egypt, the author has showcased all the important highlights worth visiting. After reading this book, I want to do the scavenger hunt in London and run with the bulls in Pamplona. I have longed to see some of these places and hope to tour them sometime.

    The only reason I gave this 4 out of 5 stars is because the book seemed a bit predictable. It was also a bit monotonous at times. During the first half of the book where the sisters travel to a new destination, nothing really much happens other than Megan gaining her confidence. It is only towards the end of their travels that the story-line progresses. However, apart from this, I loved everything about this book! Overall, this is a charming, heart-felt book that I would recommend reading if you are in the mood for one.

  • The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani

    The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani

    Diary

    The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
    Release: March 6th 2018
    Format: Hardcover
    Publisher: Dial Books
    Source: Amazon

    Diary



    The Night Diary Synopsis:

    It’s 1947, and India, newly independent of British rule, has been separated into two countries: Pakistan and India. The divide has created much tension between Hindus and Muslims, and hundreds of thousands are killed crossing borders.

    Half-Muslim, half-Hindu twelve-year-old Nisha doesn’t know where she belongs, or what her country is anymore. When Papa decides it’s too dangerous to stay in what is now Pakistan, Nisha and her family become refugees and embark first by train but later on foot to reach her new home. The journey is long, difficult, and dangerous, and after losing her mother as a baby, Nisha can’t imagine losing her homeland, too. But even if her country has been ripped apart, Nisha still believes in the possibility of putting herself back together.

     

    Review:

    I loved the concept of “The Night Diary”! Veera Hiranandani has done a wonderful job in portraying how the Indian Independence affected the lifestyles of an average family. She realistically depicts the hardships that someone would have faced to move from Pakistan to India during this period. When we read about our leaders in history books, we read only of their struggles faced prior to independence. However, this book opened my eyes to show how Nehru and Gandhi also faced a lot of issues post-independence. An example being this mass movement between the Hindus and the Muslims with the split of India and Pakistan.

    I loved the way the author writes the story through Nisha’s diary entries during the time of Independence. It made the book feel more personal and felt like I was with them during their journey. There are some very gripping scenes that I don’t think I would ever forget. Some of these are:

    • When Nisha and her family get on the train and start seeing people killing each other.
    • The time a stranger seizes Nisha and threatens to kill her
    • When Nisha experiences how hostile some of the students in school are to her and Amil

    However, there are two aspects that disappointed me. The first was the pacing. I found the first half of the book to be a bit dragging and slow. Nothing really happens except for Nisha and Amil going on about their daily activities with their Papa, Dadi and Kazi. Nisha repeatedly talks about her mother, her brother’s lack in schoolwork, and cooking with Kazi. The story gets interesting only when they start moving towards their new destination, which is around halfway into the book. From then on, the story kept me on my toes and I kept wondering what was going to happen next.

    Secondly, I found Nisha’s character to be annoying after a while. I hoped that the girl would gain some courage during her adventure, especially after the traumatic incidents she faced. However, the whole journey seemed to make her more quiet and secluded. As Nisha admits, rather than making things better, she only gets into trouble for trying to be friends with Hafa. She decides to remain quiet when she is scolded at, and doesn’t show any positive change after the whole experience. I wish the author had portrayed her as a stronger character.

    Also, there are some minor incidents that I wish the author had given some closure on. For instance, as Amil shows symptoms of being autistic, I wanted details on how their Papa dealt with the issue. Moreover, their uncle Rashid seemed like a very interesting character and I wished that there was more details about him and his bond with their mother.

    Overall, I actually loved the Night Diary and it is an unforgettable book in many ways. If the pacing and the characters had been slightly better, I would have given it 5/5 stars. Nevertheless it is really good and worth reading!

  • See All the Stars by Kit Frick

    See All the Stars by Kit Frick

    Stars

    See All the Stars by Kit Frick
    Expected Release: August 14th 2018
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: McElderry Books
    Source: NetGalley

    Stars



    See All The Stars Synopsis:

    It’s hard to find the truth beneath the lies you tell yourself.

    THEN They were four—Bex, Jenni, Ellory, Ret. Electric, headstrong young women; Ellory’s whole solar system.

    NOW Ellory is alone, her once inseparable group of friends torn apart by secrets, deception, and a shocking incident that changed their lives forever.

    THEN Lazy summer days. A party. A beautiful boy. Ellory met Matthias and fell into the beginning of a spectacular, bright love.

    NOW Ellory returns to Pine Brook to navigate senior year after a two-month suspension and summer away—no boyfriend, no friends. No going back. Tormented by some and sought out by others, troubled by a mysterious note-writer who won’t let Ellory forget, and consumed by guilt over her not entirely innocent role in everything and everyone she’s lost, Ellory finds that even in the present, the past is everywhere.

    The path forward isn’t a straight line. And moving on will mean sorting the truth from the lies—the lies Ellory has been telling herself.

     

    Review:

    Two roads diverged in a wood, and I…
    I stumbled upon this book and was mesmerized!

    A BIG Thank You to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing and Margaret K. McElderry Books for providing me a copy of “See All the Stars” by Kit Frick in exchange for my review.

    Before I get into the details, I LOVED reading this book and managed to finish most of it in one sitting.

    The story is written in a beautiful way where each chapter shifted between what’s happening NOW vs what’s happening THEN. Even though the setting changed between the chapters, the pacing remained consistent and kept me invested in the story. Throughout the book, the author cleverly integrates topics of friendship, breakups, and betrayals masked with a level of suspense. Furthermore, the ending completely threw me off. I am not going to spoil it, but I did not see that plot twist coming at all! I had to go back and re-read a few passages to see if it all fit, and it did! It’s one of those books that made me sit in awe after finishing, just to grasp it all in. That in itself makes this such a memorable read.

    Coming to the characters, the author has written them realistically that the reader can easily relate to. They are complex, have issues, make mistakes and act impulsively; in other words, they behave like teenagers. Moreover, I loved the analogy the author used to connect each character to a planet/star to describe their bond. Ellory is the main character and the person whom I could relate to the most. When she reminisces over her friendship with Ret, it made me recall about my past friendships and how they fell apart. Ret is a character you just love to hate. She oozes confidence and attracts people to be her friends for her own advantage. More than Ret, I think I despised Jenni. Even though she doesn’t appear much, I hated her attitude towards Ellory whenever she appeared.

    Kit Frick has done an amazing job in her debut novel and I have instantly become her fan! When I think about it, the story is nothing new and has been done countless times before. However, the way the author has weaved the words and described the story is so captivating that feels fresh. There was never a moment where I got bored and felt like skipping a few pages. Now that I have finished reading “See all the stars”, I am already anxiously looking forward to her next book release. Overall, I loved “See All the Stars” and highly recommend others to give it a chance and read it.

  • The Zoya Factor by Anuja Chauhan

    The Zoya Factor by Anuja Chauhan

    Zoya

    The Zoya Factor by Anuja Chauhan
    Release: April 21st 2015 (first published 2008)
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: HarperCollins
    Source: Amazon

    Zoya


    Zoya Factor Synopsis:

    When the younger players in India’s cricket team find out that advertising executive Zoya Singh Solanki was born at the very moment India won the World Cup back in 1983, they are intrigued. When having breakfast with her is followed by victories on the field, they are impressed. And when not eating with her results in defeat, they decide she’s a lucky charm. The nation goes a step further. Amazed at the ragtag team’s sudden spurt of victories, it declares her a Goddess.

    So when the eccentric IBCC president and his mesmeric, always-exquisitely-attired Swamiji invite Zoya to accompany the team to the tenth ICC World Cup, she has no choice but to agree. Pursued by international cricket boards on the one hand, wooed by Cola majors on the other, Zoya struggles to stay grounded in the thick of the world cup action. And it doesn’t help that she keeps clashing with the erratically brilliant new skipper who tells her flatly that he doesn’t believe in luck…


    Review:

    I recently picked up this book on a friend’s recommendation. I honestly did not expect this book to be good when I started reading it. The style of writing seemed to be very juvenile and contained mostly ‘Hinglish’ dialogues. However, the plot was so quirky and unique that it kept me engrossed and made me like it a lot!

    What’s fun about “The Zoya Factor” is that it brilliantly blends the intensity of cricket with romance of the protagonists. The author has written the cricket parts in a captivating manner that keeps you engrossed even if you aren’t a fan. The author doesn’t focus importance of one over the other. This is a welcome change from reading your usual melodrama soapy stories. Hence, this book is not just a ‘romance’ novel, but has something for everyone to enjoy.

    The author’s strengths lies in her plot, character development and the snarky repertoire of the dialogue. She has a talent for keeping the readers glued to the book and had me laughing out loud during the funny moments, to nearly throwing the book during the annoying moments. She has done a wonderful job for a debut novel, as there is never a boring moment in any page. While the book ended the way I thought it would, I admit there were times where I kept guessing what Zoya would do next.

    Even though I found most of the characters to be likable, my only problem with the book was Zoya’s personality. During the latter part, Zoya comes off as an emotionally, confused gullible clown with low self-esteem. She reacts to situations before even thinking it through. She makes really dumb decisions and falls into ridiculous situations based on her mood-swings. We can sum up the second half as “I love Nikhil”, “I hate Nikhil”, “I love Nikhil”, every other page. Perhaps this was done for more sub plots, but I kept rolling my eyes on the situations she got into.

    Most of the Indian authors pen their stories in the hopes of turning it into a Bollywood movie someday. “The Zoya Factor” is no different and has all the ingredients to turn it into a perfect Bollywood film. The main characters meet through quirky circumstances and fall in love during the first half, and go through various turmoil in the second half testing their romance. The added advantage over such clichéd movies is the gripping sports aspect that gives it a nice touch.
    Overall, this was a fun, breezy read and I am interested on how the movie adaptation turns out.

  • The Dead Boyfriend (Fear Street Relaunch #5)

    The Dead Boyfriend (Fear Street Relaunch #5)

    Boyfriend

    The Dead Boyfriend by R.L. Stine
    Release: September 27th 2016
    Format: Kindle Edition
    Publisher: A Thomas Dunne Book for St. Martin’s Griffin
    Source: Amazon

    Boyfriend


    Dead Boyfriend Synopsis:

    Caitlin has never had a real boyfriend before. When she starts seeing Blade, she throws herself into the relationship with fervor. She ignores her friends, who warn her that Blade may be a phony and that she is taking the whole thing too seriously. Caitlin is smitten. She doesn’t care if she loses her friends. All she wants is Blade. When Caitlin sees Blade with another girl, she completely loses it. She snaps. Everything goes red. When she comes back to her senses, she realizes that Blade is dead—and she has killed him. But if Colin is dead, how is he staring at her across a crowded party?

    Review:

    R.L. Stine continues to be one of those authors I gravitate towards for short, campy horror books for nostalgia. “Fear Street” and “Point Horror” were one of my favorite series growing up, and I still love re-reading some of these titles. So far, I am enjoying the new books in the Relaunch series and “The Dead Boyfriend” is a nice addition.

    Unlike some of the other reviews I’ve come across, I thought the characters were well written. I felt that all three protagonists were strange enough to make the story feel like “Fear Street”. Caitlyn plays the perfect role of the girl gone crazy from being traumatized of the horror. Deena is very weird and creepy with her black magic, and you never really know what she might do next. Blade comes back as a zombie version and torments Caitlyn that also adds well to the horror. Stine cleverly blended various elements, like witches, zombies, black magic and murder and made the story very interesting.

    The story is gripping for most part and keeps you wondering what will happen next. There were parts that completely surprised me, like when Caitlyn suddenly attacks Blade, or when Blade gets animated in church. It also has an interesting moment where it connects the characters and scenes to “The Lost Girl”, another book in the Relaunch series.

    Now, the main part that ruined the book for me – the frustrating ending! We know that Stine’s novels always has a twist in the end that make you go WTH! But this one could have been better. It reminded me a bit about how his other Fear Street novel “Switched” ended. However, while the ending of “Switched” made the story creepier, this felt like a let-down. I guess the ending makes logical sense, but I would have expected something more innovative from the author.

    I feel like I want to love this series as how I did back in the 90s. I’m not sure if I have outgrown this type of horror genre, or if Stine’s writing skills have dimmed, but I don’t find myself enjoying these books like I used to. Having said that, “The Dead Boyfriend” comes very close to creating the eerie suspense to the original, more than the other books in the Relaunch. Overall, I would have loved the book if the ending was written with a more original climax.

  • Hooray for Daddy (Hooray for Family) by Beatrice Masini

    Hooray for Daddy (Hooray for Family) by Beatrice Masini

    Hooray

    Hooray for Daddy by Beatrice Masini
    Release: January 15th 2018
    Format: Kindle Edition
    Publisher: Xist Publishing
    Source: NetGalley

    Hooray


    Hooray for Daddy Synopsis:

    Celebrate dads in this beautiful book from Beatrice Masini and Guilia Zaffaroni! In this sweet story narrated by a young boy, the child shares everything he loves about his dad. From second breakfast at the bakery to sleepy story time, a boy and his father share a genuine love for spending time together. Delightful illustrations punctuate a child’s insights into his father and dads everywhere.

    Review:

    A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Xist Publishing for providing me a copy of “Hooray for Daddy” by Beatrice Masini in exchange for my review.
    “Hooray for Daddy” is a very cute story that talks about the bond between a father and his son. It’s refreshing to see a book about fathers and their sons, as many picture books mainly focus on the mothers.

    The book talks about how a father bonds with his son throughout the day. This varies from flying a kite, cooking, rushing to school, having fun in the playground, and reading stories together. My favorite parts were when they are watching TV together, and when he reading his son a bedtime story. I also appreciated that they covered activities like cooking and arts/crafts, and didn’t solely concentrate on male oriented activities. There are some fun drawing activities and puzzles for the kids to try at the end of the book. An aspect which I thought would have made the book even better was if they included a page on how father and sons from different cultures bonded with one another. Also, They could have included other activities such as camping, helping him with his homework etc. make the book more entertaining.

    Coming to the illustrations, I love the bright color palette that’s used in this story. The images may look amateurish, but if you look closely, there is something to appreciate in each page. Each page has a lot of whimsical illustrations and details that made me stop and appreciate before turning the page. For example, if you look at the below snippet from the book, you can see level of details that have been added to the backdrop to give more life to the image.

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    Furthermore, Guilia Zaffaroni has done a beautiful job in blending these colors and making each page simple yet striking. Beatrice Masini has also done a nice job of making the dialogue smooth and easy for young readers to grasp easily. The dialogues are very easy to read and would help beginners in reading sentences correctly.

    Overall, “Hooray for Daddy” is a nice addition to the “Hooray for Family” series that would encourage young readers to interact and bond closely with their dads.