The Mask of Deceit Posted by Drac , Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 1:42 AM, in Labels: book, fiction

Title: The Mask of Deceit

Author: Hettie Ashwin

Publisher: Morris Publishing 

Genre: Fiction

The Mask of Deceit by Hettie Ashwin conjures up a world based on our fear of future and descending humanity with corrupted ethics. 

Anton is on a journey to find his missing partner Buloké. A journey which leads him to a world he never knew existed. This discovery leads him on a quest to find the truth about his own world. His struggle against the corrupted government to uncover the mask of deceit embarks a gripping page-turner. 

Author has done an amazing job of taking real life incidents from the present world and creating a future which exploits all our fears and emotions. Inspired by GM food politics, carbon trading and global warming; this story is not only about the fight for truth but also a story of love, hope and courage. To put it in a nutshell, it is a modernized adult version of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. 

This is a fast-paced novel with all the desired inputs a reader could ask for. Where the detailed and realistic portrayal of places and events forms the moral fiber of the story, the scientific depiction endured on the pages leaves the reader spell-bounded. 

There would be no surprise if you end up questioning authority and giving things a fresh perspective after reading this book, it is an afterglow of honest writing. Being a member of Zeitgeist movement and boasting for free thinking for years, I find this book utterly relatable and realistic. Kudos to the author for bringing up such a perfect blend of fiction and reality. A good read for all the fiction lovers in general.

Rating: 4.5/5 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author for reviewing purpose. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Fitness on the Go Posted by Drac , Friday, October 19, 2012 at 11:26 PM, in Labels: book, non-fiction, RandomHouse

Title: Fitness on the Go

Author: Abhishek Sharma

Publisher: Ebury Press

Genre: Non-Fiction

Fitness on the Go by Abhishek Sharma is not a crash-course to teach you martial art in a month or help you gain a muscular body like Arnold Schwarzenegger, but a fitness guide which can help you lose that tier you carry around your waist or improve your health without a membership to the gym, thus making your daily work more effective. 

As the line goes ‘the anytime, anywhere holistic workout  for busy people’, this book is designed to make the busy (or lazy, if you prefer) person obtain a fit body, increase his or her stamina and concentration. Contains of this guide stretches from yoga and meditation to martial art and athletic workouts. Most of the mentioned exercises can be done without any tool and the heavy machines of a gym are completely out of the equation. The best part is the versatility of the exercises, turning them into fun activities which eliminate the boredom of routine. I am not an expert with such self-help books but as far as my reading experience goes, this is the most flexible guide I’ve come across till date. Even if you fail to follow in a regular pattern, these lessons tend to increase your confidence and thus self-defense. Pursuing this book thoroughly will do a lot of good to your only natural gift: body and mind, which (I believe) no one cares about in this cramped lifestyle until it’s too late. 

Author is a famous name among the celebrities. He is a professional boxer, a martial art expert and trained celebs like Deepika Padukone, Akshay Khanna, Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor among many others. Included photographs of such training sessions along with the fitness secret of such personalities makes this book a real treasure for those who desire a toned body like these stars, which means all of us. I am thankful to the author for penning this book, so that those who cannot afford his coaching could take the benefit as well. 

Rating: 5/5

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher for reviewing purpose. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Circle of Three Posted by Drac , Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 2:06 AM, in Labels: book, fiction, Grapevine

Title: Circle of Three

Author: Rohit Gore

Publisher: Grapevine India

Genre: Fiction

Circle of Three by Rohit Gore is a collection of three dark tales disheveled into a congenial page-turner.  

A 13 year old school kid, Aryan is fighting with his loneliness. A 33 year old scriptwriter, Ria had suffered a tragic loss of her beloved ones and even the memories are not soothing. A 63 year old elapsed author, Rathod is leading towards the last step of life’s staircase with bitterness and guilt of his past. The common strand among these three characters is that they are unable to find a reason to live. But what if they find someone as damaged as they are? Can one incomplete person complete another? Or at least give and get what they need the most, hope. This book, thus, marks the fact that how an end of one thing could be a beginning of something new, making a circle. 

I am really impressed with the story of Ria Marathe, it showcases writer’s caliber of characterization. I am unfamiliar with other works by the author, but this one is a sure treat. Even using the simplest language, author has succeeded to leave a long lasting effect in his writing. The story flow is predictable but not boring. The incidents are easily believable even with all the clichés, making the feel of the story grow behind your mind in a relatable manner. I love dark tales, may be because it is not the forte of every writer but author has done an enviable justice with the three protagonists and the readers. A must read for hard core drama lovers. 

Rating: 4/5 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher for reviewing purpose. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

3 Lives Posted by Drac , Sunday, October 7, 2012 at 8:15 AM, in Labels: book, fiction

Title: 3 Lives, in search of bliss

Author: Srini Chandra

Publisher: SQL Authority

Genre: Fiction

‘3 Lives - in search of bliss’ by Srini Chandra is the story of Ray Cordoza who after his untimely death is offered a chance to live three lives of his design. What would you ask for if you get a chance to live a life of your choice? Money? Health? Wisdom? But are these things sufficient to turn one’s life into bliss? Answer to these and so many other questions can be attained when the reader starts with the voyage of Ray and compare with the choices he made and learn with the lessons he earned. 

It’s a short book and can be read in single sitting, if you don’t get bored in the way. Being truthful, I don’t like motivational books. My theory is if you are motivated enough to read a motivational book, there is no need to read it in the first place. But a story which can keep you entertained and give out life teachings through the journey always makes a great read, and that’s the case with ‘3 Lives’. This is the kind of book you will keep along side of The Alchemist and The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. 

Author has done a profound job of carving his philosophies into a beautiful story, which even being implausible is highly relatable. So if you are looking for a light read with heavy contents, this is the one for you. 

Rating: 3.5/5 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author for reviewing purpose. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Shadow Throne Posted by Drac , Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 3:03 AM, in Labels: book, fiction, PanMacmillan

Title: The Shadow Throne

Author: Aroon Raman

Publisher: Pan Macmillan India

Genre: Fiction

The Shadow Throne by Aroon Raman is a conventional thriller with unconventional characters and without any clichés. A murder at Qutub Minar leads to Hindu Kush, Afghanistan via connecting the four protagonists: Chandra - a journalist, Hassan - a cop, Meenakshi - a history professor and Pant – an intelligence operative. They have to juggle through ISI of Pakistan and RAW of India and win a race against time to stop a nuclear tragedy and also deal with a dreadful truth about one of them. 

Unconvincingly, this is the debut novel of the author, in which he has succeeded to resolve the entwined web of Indian bureaucracy in a fast paced page-turner. Unlike other thrillers which just provide readers a roller-coaster ride to reveal the murderer, The Shadow Throne has a soul of a wounded patriotic and works on the reader’s emotions. The way the events unfurls, the reader is left not only with a riveting excitement but a thought provoking and brutal ‘shadow’ of reality, making this book a fresh perception. 

That said, it is not a light read and one must be in his complete conscience to truly enjoy this intellectual read. Author must have done a great research work to provide such compelling narration, organized facts and plausible (punk intended for those who already read) characters. To be frank, this book has exceeded my expectations and set the bar higher for Indian writers. Without being a Spoiler, all I have to say is, ‘watch out for the climax’. Giving the current trend, I won’t be surprised if this book too gets a movie deal real soon, in fact, I hope it does; just as I hope to read the next book of the author real soon. 

Rating: 4/5 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher for reviewing purpose. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”