Breach by Amrita Chowdhury

Title:Breach
Author:Amrita Chowdhury
Pages:352
Year:2014
Source:review copy via Think Why Not
Publisher:Hachette India
Price:350 INR
amazon

    The Market for Indian writing in English is booming.The last couple of years has seen an unprecedented surge in the number of books releasing in the (desi) pulp-fiction genre.Be it military/banking/historical/horror/science fiction thrillers,you name it,an Indian version is readily available for you,at a mouse click.(thanks to that awesomely awesome device called Kindle!).Almost all the internationally best selling thriller sub-genres have been tried out by the Indian writers,with varying degrees of success.Having said that,I would also like to remind you all that 'medical thrillers' is one sub-genre which hasn't got the fancy of these desi writers,till date.'Breach' is one work which bravely steps into this hitherto unchartered territory and comes out with flying colours.

Acel,the pharma-giant is all set to grab a global patent for it's newly discovered path breaking anti-cancer drug,'Colare'.In an unexpected turn of events,Acel's offshore centre in Mumbai is attacked by hackers and a lot of sensitive,confidential data are stolen.The dynamic,young country(India) head of the Company,Dr Udai is blamed for this serious security lapse and he finds his life and career turned upside down all of a sudden.Now,the onus is on him to prove his innocence.It's not only his reputation and career at stake,but also the future of a potentially life saving drug which can benefit millions of cancer patients across the globe.'Breach' is an inter continental tale which is all about trust,deceit,blatant greed and medical ethics.

Though the cover page(quite decently designed) screams that it is a Cyber thriller,for me 'the Breach' worked more as an emotional rollercoaster ride set in the back drop of the pharmaceutical industry than as a full fledged cyber/techie story.A lot of technical stuff is explained in the book in a very simple,easy to understand way.Kudos to the writer for making them (the hacking part/patent related portions) as simple as possible.Through the book,Amrita tries to highlight the flaws in the patent laws and the deteriorating work ethics in this highly cut-throat,competitive world.The irony of the mad rush for profits among the drug companies at a time when the lives of millions of poor and unpreviliged are at stake has been etched out well by Mrs Choudhury in this book.For that matter,I think 'Breach' is a very relevant work.It throws light in to the rot in the pharmaceutical sector and also suceeds in reminding us that all is not lost,yet!

There are quite a number of characters in this novel.I can confidently say that the writer has derived them from her real life experiences.From high end executives,corporate honchos to small time movie pirates and school students who don't hesitate to make a few quick bucks by indulging in online piracy and unethical hacking,this tale finds a place for people from the different strata of the society.Infact,Amrita's characters are tangible and believable.

The book is undoubtedly an easy-to-read page turner.The Chapters are short(with each running to not more than a couple of pages)and crisply edited.The writing is racy and suits the overall mood of the book.The average reader might find the first couple of chapters to be a bit confusing as atleast a dozen characters get introduced here in rather quick succession.Even then, it cannot be overlooked that the writer succesfully manage to set the tone of the novel right from it's first couple of pages itself.There is also a short romantic track thrown into the narrative which,I personally believe could have been done away with.On the downside,I feel the book deserves a little bit of editing in it's middle portions.May be they can rectify it in the coming editions!

Verdict-Go and grab a copy of this unputdownable thriller at the earliest.It's actually worth every penny you spend on it.Rating-4/5

-nikhimenon

Drop Dead - Swati Kaushal

It took me quite some time to finish this time and I would like to blame it to the things I am dealing with currently. Too much work pressure, travelling and too much running around. I am only getting an hour or two daily to read. Drop Dead by Swati Kaushal is a well thought story with interesting characterisation and series of events.

Swati Kaushal, the author has penned down two books previously named Piece of Cake & A Girl Like me. Drop Dead begins with the a death, death of Rakesh Mehta known as Rak who is the CEO of Indigo, a leading publishing house of India. Rak had an high held ego and people working at Indigo were not actually fond of him. His colleagues, Adit Bhatnagar, Meher, Rina, Pawan, Manav Luthra hated him for some or the other reason. Niki Marwah, the protagonist of the book is the superintendent of Police and with her efficient team of police officers having ACP Shankar Sahay, Inspector Pande and Gupta took charge of the case. Also, it was Niki Marwah's Daadi's 80th birthday and her family kept on bothering all the time because they thought she would be attending the celebrations as she is busy solving the case.

A lot of other characters get introduced as the story progresses. Each one of them having a significant role in the story. The only thing I disliked about the book is the length of it but I must also point out that I couldn't figure out who the murderer was till the very end of the book.

Swati Kaushal surely knows how to twist the story and keep it moving swiftly from one character to another and the same goes for the plot. Thumbs up for Swati Kaushal's Drop Dead and if you like reading women centric stories, then pick this book up.

Book Source : Publisher
Publisher : Hachette India
ISBN : 978-93-5009-449-5
Genre : Thriller, Fiction

The Eye Of The Predator - Abhisar Sharma

Abhisar Sharma's latest book The Edge Of Machete is already creating buzz in the reading circuit. When it dropped at my doorstep for review, I did a bit of googling to know about the author and when I got to know that it  is the second book of trilogy named The Taliban Conundrum, I decided to pick up the first book of the trilogy which is The Eye Of The Predator. Though, both these books are not interlinked in anyway, but if they are a part of any series, I try and read all of them. 

The Eye Of The Predator has a tight plot. The book just flows from one plot to another. A nicely woven plot with twists and turns and betrayal. Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the terrorist group Tehreek-e-Taliban is trying hard to make a strong mark on Pakistan but Baitullah gets killed in the most insane way. With the untimely death of Baitullah, a lot of people try too hard to get a hold of his position as the leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban. Too many meetings, discussions, arguments and planning goes among a lot of people including confidantes of Baitullah and people who had sheer disliking for him. Also, Afghanistan and United States involvement in rooting out Baitullah creates a lot of fuss and things go for a toss. 

The book has a tight plot but what was tough for me was to remember the names of the characters. At times I used to get confused because to keep a track of so many long names becomes tough, but that doesn't take away the flair and power of Abhisar Sharma's writing. The Eye Of The Predator is a dark thriller and you already know what is going to happen in the end but if you enjoy such books, give it a shot. You might like it. 

Book Source : Personal Copy
Publisher : Hachette India
Genre : Fiction, Thriller
ISBN : 978-93-5009-074-9 

Sharpening the Machete with Abhisar Sharma

Abhisar Sharma, a popular name in the world of media is also an author. His first book of the The Taliban Conundrum trilogy, Eye Of The Predator was very well received by critics and readers. The second book of the trilogy The Edge Of Machete has been released recently and is already in the news. I got a chance to interview him and here is what he has to say about his personal life, professional life and life as an author.

Ques. What inspired you to write “The Taliban Conundrum” trilogy?

Ans. Well there was no inspiration to write a trilogy. It all fell into place. I wrote Eye of the predator because the plot of Pakistan’s most powerful man dying while in an act of fornication and the entire conspiracy behind his death was very appealing and even seductive. I started writing The Edge of the Machete because the scenario of a CIA agent captive in the hands of the Taliban was very thrilling and I just started developing the plot. It ultimately became the story of 3 people, an undercover CIA agent, a British white Muslim and a kidnapped Indian journalist who find themselves in the most dangerous place of the world. Now The Edge of the Machete ends at a place where it demands a sequel that I am currently writing. Its called “The Dark Side Of Me”. So it all became a part of a trilogy which was unintended and accidental.

Ques. How much time did you take to write your first book “Eye Of The Predator” and the recent one “The Edge Of The Machete”?

Ans. Eye of the Predator took exactly 3 months and Edge of the Machete took 9. But it was just that I wrote “Eye of the Predator in a hurry , like a man possessed. But when I started writing “the Edge of the Machete, I took my time, not to rush up things.

Ques. There are too many genres that you could have opted for. Why only thrillers? Do you see yourself writing any other genre?

Ans. Both novels were not intended as thrillers. Its my agent and the publishers who have branded them as thrillers. My third novel is a coming of age , growing up kind of book, tentatively  titled “A hundred lies for you”. Story of a 13 year old in the backdrop of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. This is a story of  dreams unfulfilled, friendship , betrayal, revenge served cold and brutal, love in its purest form and quite a shocker from the genre that I have attempted till now.

Ques.  Tell us more about “The Edge Of The Machete”?

Ans. I often used to think, what could be the worse case scenario? Lamb in a Lions cage? Oil drums surrounded by raging fires? A CIA agent in Taliban captivity? It was this premise that I started developing.  Edge of the Machete is the story of Ed Gomez sent to avenge his best buddy in the CIA rechristened as Sarfaraz Khan, the next big thing in the world of Jehad. But as he dives into the mission, the lines between his original identity and his assumed identity start blurring. The adulation of the poster boy of Jehad is seductive. Its also a story of 3 other people. Rahul Sharma an Indian journalist caught by the Taliban in Kabul and brought to Khyber in Pakistan and Shaun Marsh, a British white Muslim who is supposed to execute Rahul on tape.

Ques. How would you define Abhisar Sharma as a person?

Ans. Open minded, emotional, free of prejudices, short tempered, restless, easily provoked, indulgent, passionate and not the guy you would want to mess with. :)

Ques.  And Abhisar Sharma as a writer?

Ans. That’s for my readers to decide. I only write things that appeal to me.

Ques. How tough it is to write a thriller?

Ans. Its just those writers blocks that I am afraid of. They last for days and months. Otherwise writing is very fulfilling. It’s a beautiful world out there when you write fiction. You create characters that are an extension of you or maybe extension of people you have known.

Ques. Was it too tough for you to get your first book published?

Ans. Thankfully not. But the road after the publishing was difficult because for some reason the marketing division of the first publishing house was not excited about my book. It died a premature death and I still mourn it.

Ques.  With so many books flooding in these days, what would be your advice to the young writers who are planning to write a book?

Ans. Just write if you have a story to tell. Write what you believe in. It does not matter if you have a limited vocabulary. If you have a story to tell and if you have content, go! If Abhisar Sharma can write 3 books and get published, anyone can!

Ques. Being the face of a popular news channel like Aaj Tak, how tough it is to manage your personal life, professional life and writing books? Does it take a toll on you? 

Ans. Big Time! My work in Aaj Tak takes nearly 11 hours of my life daily. I write when I come back home. Around 11 in the night and I write till late. That takes a toll on my health. I have put on weight since I have started writing. I have become insomniac. My allergies have increased. So, its a big whammy. But I would not leave writing. Its like this amazing affair, like a fatal attraction. But, now I have started regulating my time. I have also started taking care of my health.

Ques. Any special moment associated with your books that you would like to share with us? Your most favourite compliment about your book ?

Ans. The best compliment I got for “The Edge of the Machete” was by celebrated writer and journalist Hussain Zaidi( the writer of Black Friday and the Mafia queens of Mumbai. ) .He said it is unputdownable. He said it is better than Frederic Forsyth’s “THE AFGHAN”. I think I was dreaming. But I did not pinch myself. It felt good.

So, that was Abhisar Sharma, candid and straight forward at his best. His book, The Edge Of Machete has been reviewed here by me.

Book Review - The Edge Of Machete

And you can get in touch with the author on twitter @Abhisar_Sharma ( Yes, he does respond there). His books are available on all the popular online portals and bookstores. Grab your copy soon. I have read both his books and they are unputdownable. Read them.

Eighty Days Blue - Vina Jackson

Some ten days back, I reviewed Eighty Days Yellow here. It is the first book of the Eighty Days Trilogy by Vina Jackson and Eighty Days Blue is the second book of the trilogy. 

In the previous book, Dominik, for whom Summer has fallen for flies down to New York to meet her. Eighty Days Blue begins from here, Dominik and Summer meet and have a good time in New York. They get to know each other better, visit a strip club and try it all. Dominik also moves to New York in a couple of months so that he can spend more time with Summer and also work on his research. Summer, when Dominik wasn't in New York, falls in a trap, cunningly set up by Victor, who knew Dominik and Summer since the time they both knew each other. Summer, because of her exceptional talent as a violinist grows popular after her few solo concert. With the help of his conductor Simon and an agent Susan, she gets to travel the world and perform everywhere, leaving Dominik behind and a lot more happens in the book.

In my opinion, on the story part, Eighty Days Blue goes strong. Though at times, you would feel why the author is dragging it too much but all the twists and turns keep the fire alive and makes you want to have more and more of Summer and Dominik. As usual, its an Erotica that too focussed on BDSM, there are orgies, threesomes, and a lot of action that happens throughout the book. Vina Jackson, or should I say both the authors have ensured that they give it all what an erotica is all about and have successfully managed to do so. Now I have to see what is there in the third and final instalment of the trilogy which is Eighty Days Red.

Book Source : Hachette India
Genre : Fiction, Erotica
ISBN : 978-1-4091-2776-5 

Eighty Days Yellow - Vina Jackson

It feels like, this is an era of Erotica. With 50 shades trilogy still rocking the charts, many people have tried their hands on writing erotica, some went unnoticed and some still trying hard to make a mark. I have read the whole 50 shades trilogy, then another erotica Haven Of Obedience, which I didn't like and now this Eighty Days trilogy by Vina Jackson. The books of the trilogy are named as Eighty Days Yellow, Eighty Days Blue and Eighty Days Red.

Eighty Days Yellow, the first book of the Eighty Days Trilogy opens up with the introduction of Summer Zahova, the protagonist of the book. She is originally from New Zealand but now is residing in London. She is a violinist and that too an extremely talented one, but she is not happy with the relationships that she was in. Darren, her boyfriend is a cold man, too busy with his work and pays least attention to Summer, which forces her to walk out of their relationship. Charlotte, Summer's friend takes her to a fetish club, where she experienced how it feels like to be dominated and during all this, she meet Dominik, in an extremely strange way. Dominik is an english literature professor and a filthy rich man. He doesn't speak much and lives in his own fantasy world.

I must say, Eighty Days Yellow, has a better narration and writing style than the first book of the 50 shades trilogy, 50 shades of grey. There is more story, less sex and that too without lengthy descriptions. The book finishes on a note that would definitely force you to pick up the second book of the series Eighty Days Blue. ( I already have it :D ). Vina Jackson's writing has a style and she knows how to portray emotions and feelings in words. The dialogues and narration doesn't sound gross and when it comes to the erotic parts of the story, it just gets better. All and all, a good attempt and readable. I liked it.

Book Source : Hachette India

Genre : Erotic Fiction

ISBN : 978-1-4091-2774-1

The Casual Vacancy - J K Rowling

To say the least, The Casual Vacancy was one of the most anticipated books of 2012. J.K. Rowling, a brand in herself who has penned down three other books other than the epic Harry Potter series was bound to be judged as she was writing something for adults this time. Covered in a red and yellow cover, The Casual Vacancy without any doubts is the most beautiful looking book that I have in my little collection. The moment I received it for the review, I was so excited that I started reading it straight away. The book is long and heavy. Some 500 pages that I thought I would read in 5 days, 100 pages each but it didn't turn out to be that way. Finished reading it just now. 

The book opens with a death, death of Barry Fairbrother who leaves a casual vacancy in the Pagford's (the town) governing body and this marks the beginning of the book. As the story progresses a whole of characters get involved leaving you confused in the beginning. Each character has been described thoroughly and intelligently by Rowling. At times, you might feel it gets tad too descriptive, many of you might find it boring too. The characters from the beginning start getting into the opposing camps to fill the vacancy created by Fairbrother's death. 

There are too many stories that go in the past and would take you surprise in the end. There is domestic violence, sex, cuss words and what not which makes it a bit too adult for young Harry Potter fans. If you have read some of the initial reviews when the book was launched, critics have squandered the book quite royally. But in my honest opinion, one needs to be extremely patient to read this one. Its long, its heavy but its definitely not bad. To say the least, it worked for me. 

There are a number of teenagers in the book trying the figure out what they have to do with their lives. If you have read the whole Harry Potter series, then you might find the shades of the characters of that epic saga in Rowling's latest. There is no wand waving, no enchantments, no magical spells in this one but the book turns into a magical work of fiction in a literal way. 

The way this book has been structured is something fresh and makes you feel that its a well thought book. Rowling has made sure that each character of the book gets a strong introduction and leave a mark in the story. Also, the book tells us, life is not a fairy tale and is damn unpredictable. There is hope, there is bitching, there are anecdotes and many other things that would ensure you are hooked to this book, only if you are a patient reader. 

Book Source : Hachette India

Genre : Fiction

ISBN : 978 1408 704202

Haven of Obedience - Marina Anderson

 Title : Haven of Obedience

 Author : Marina Anderson

 Pages : 327

 Genre : Erotic Fiction

 Publisher : Hachette India

 ISBN : 978-0-7515-5051

Ever since 50 shades trilogy has bombed the booming publishing industry, a lot of authors are coming up with their books dedicated to erotic fiction and comparing them with the 50 shades trilogy. Well, there is no harm in that. I have read the entire 50 shades trilogy and I quite liked it too, not because of the erotica that it endorses but because there was a nice story in it. Nice but simple. Haven of Obedience happened to me when I was surfing Hachette India's website and I when I saw "Devoured Fifty Shades?", I thought let's give it a try and I did. Got this book this morning and here I am with its review :)

If you ask me to be completely honest with what I felt about Haven of Obedience, you will get a one word answer - Disappointing. After reading this 327 page book, I couldn't figure out what the author was trying to do. This might be the first negative review that I am posting here but I really couldn't figure out what was happening in the book. I kept turning its pages  because I thought, at some point there would be some story that would pop up but alas! 

The book opens up with a speech by Rob Gill, the main guide/instructor/owner of The Haven, based in Sussex, London. The Haven is basically a resort or retreat zone for people who want to explore their dark sexual desires. Natalie Bowen, a successful editor who runs her own magazine is London is introduced to this place by her best friend Jan. Jan spent a weekend at The Haven and came out a completely changed person. Natalie wanted something fresh in her life and she decided to spend 2 consecutive weekends at The Haven where she meets Simon and explores her sexual desires and limits with him as a tutor there. 

I so wish Marina Anderson had worked a bit on the storyline of the book. If the erotica is concerned, there is too much of it in the book. I mean at times I felt like I am reading a porn story. The language is pretty simple and the expressions are repetitive.     Considering this is a trilogy too, I am expecting the next books in the series to be carrying some story. I am definitely going to read them because I want to understand the author's idea behind coming up with something like this. :)

(Review asked by Hachette India)

Book Source : Hachette India

The Aryavarta Chronicles - Book 1 - Govinda by Krishna Udaysankar

Title: The Aryavarta Chronicles: Book 1: Govinda
Author: Krishna Udayasankar
Publisher: Hachette India
ISBN: 978-9350094464
Genre: Fiction, Mythology
Pages: 472
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3/5

The fact more or less of the Indian Literary world is this: Authors are getting back to their mythological roots and churning out the so-called, “bestseller of the year”. Everyone seems to be at it, and it does not end at one book. It has to but of course be a trilogy. The Gods would be pleased. Right from Shiva to Vishnu to Brahma to Rama are featured and much ground is covered. What then also tends to happen is that one or more writers often write on similar Gods and similar epics – ranging and sticking only to The Ramayana or The Mahabharata.

Coming to the book I am reviewing – “The Aryavarta Chronicles: Govinda (Book 1)” by Krishna Udayasankar. Going by the title, one can easily predict, the content of the book. The book is but obviously centered on Krishna – one of the many avatars of Lord Vishnu. The story though seems to be predictable, it actually isn’t so. May be that is what makes it different from the others in the running. Having said that, there are times when the interest did not manage to be sustained by the writing.

Now to the plot: We are introduced early on to the Firstborn dynasty of scholar-sages, descendants of Vasishta Varuni, who are also the protectors of the Divine Order on Earth. They are the ones who have been ruling the planet and controlling its working. On the other hand, you have the Agnirasa family of Firewrights, weapon-makers to the kings and master inventors, who have taken the step to defy the Firstborns. This rises to a conflict, leading to the united empire of Aryavarta falling apart. If this was not enough, then one of the Firewrights is dead, and that too a Secret Keeper, killed by a violent hand.

There is an evident bloody conflict. There is only one person who will save them all. That person but of course is Govinda Shauri, a cowherd-turned-prince and now Commander of the armies of Dwarka. The question that arises is that: How will he save Aryavarta? At this point in the book, the characters of the Mahabharata get introduced (they are known earlier on, but the part they will play gets clearer at this stage) and that is how the entire Book 1 gets looped in and reaches its logical end.

The plot did seem a little mundane when I started it, but the minute it picked pace and everything fell in place, it was something else. The characters are well developed and like I said, they make perfect sense at the end and the reasons why they are there in the book. The writing is crisp at times and at others, I thought it was a drag. Having said that, the book is quite charming and the mythology angle to it is superbly done. I for one will wait for the 2nd installment in the series.