Letters to my Ex by Nikita Singh

At times, You pick up a book , knowing fully well that you might not relate to it in any ways, but still try your luck with it. 'Letters to My Ex' was one such book for me and frankly speaking,this one didn't entertain or engage me in anyways.

Basically this one is written in the form of letters between two ex-lovers(no prizes for guessing that!)and through these, the readers also get to know what happened to their relationship and why the young couple broke up in the first place. Totally predictable and intermittently annoying, this work might work with teenage readers. For the rest of us, this one is a safe skip!

I'm giving this one a 2 out of 5.

-nikhimenon

The Case Files of P.I. Pojo - The Killing of Mr Heathcote by Meghna Singhee

Something smells fishy here and I don't mean Mr H's uneaten dinner. Meet Pojo Pande, aspiring private eye prowling the corridors of Heathcote International with a ready ear for eavesdropping and a nose for intrigue. And he's got two sidekicks-Radha Rao, a senior and the latest in a long line of Raos to skirt the school rules and Pops, a pesky junior who insists on being Pojo's protege. Together, they face the toughest case of their career yet-the killing of Mr Heathcote, the beloved school cat. 

Nimue Says : The moment I hear of a mystery book with teens , I think of Hardy boys and famous five ( in the mentioned order ). And for a good time , I am going to suggest Pojo Pande to every kid over the age of 10. I have never been to hostel till I joined college but have read a bit in books about the rules , the pranks and the history of schools that have been there from decades. There is something charming to have generations attend the same school and pass on the legacy. This was one thing about the book that interested me more than the cat as the victim :D

The book is written in a way that every age group can read it and enjoy the mystery. It is always a good thing in any plot to have many things happening that may or may not be significant to the actual crime and how Pojo reaches a clarity here is both exciting and definitely  a work of marvel. The sidekicks - one super senior and one junior make a adorable group together with Pojo who gives the impression of a mysterious and very observant guy. There is a level of cool factor to this character which makes one fall in love with the book a little more. 

I can never praise the book enough. And ask you to read this one this summers for sure ! Pass it to all the book lover kids you know. 

My rating : 5/5

Looking for Alaska by John Green

I would not have read any John Green book. Not in this year atleast , if it was not for a sweet request from one of our reader [ whose request email I would be sharing next week ].

So, after much research and checking all his books , I bought Looking for Alaska. Something about the plot hooked my interest and I admit I did misinterpret it actually.

Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (François Rabelais, poet) even more. Then he heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.

After. Nothing is ever the same.

The book is divided into two parts , separated by a major event in the life of Pudge , Colonel , Takumi , Lara and Alaska. I liked the way chapters were headed as a countdown to  and after the event ( 122 days before , 100 days before .. 2 days after , 46 days after and so on ) It adds upto the feeling that you are a part of life of these friends from long time and have so much more to know and feel along them.

Alaska is seemingly carefree prankster who knows a lot about people around her but never shares her ideas and feelings as openly. She loves to read , to explore , to lead and be there for friends. Her guilt makes her vulnerable and moody and that is something you hate to like her for. Miles and his roomate Chip nobody and somebody in their own ways. I like the way colonel Chip makes Miles a part of his friend circle and how Green shows us the bonds' strength and weakness with snippets from their life and not just stating it clearly.  Takumi and Lara feel like insignificant characters sometime but then , every one has a role to play in the bigger picture. 

For me the novel was an enjoyable read in the before section. It set up the stage just right for the after part. That's where the story kind of stops and the characters take over on their own. Their thoughts and actions are bit surprising at times and yet understandable.  Having said this , I am not still sure if i liked this one or "really liked" this book. It left me wondering and wishing for a different end yet the one I read made a lot of sense. The book will not appeal to all. It has some interesting philosophies , a few random conversations that just hit you hard and a lot of cute moments that make you smile.

Read it if you are not looking for too much fun. This is a beautiful tale of teenage and its adventures.

"Teenagers think they are invincible" with that sly, stupid smile on their faces, they don't know how right they are. We need never be hopeless, because we can never be irreparably broken. We think that we are invincible because we are."

Rating : 4/5

Blood Magic - Tessa Gratton

Blood Magic, I picked up this book because I was highly intrigued by its title and book cover. It is a fantasy fiction with magic, love, hatred, adventure, spooky stuff between two protagonists of the book Nick and Silla, but more about them later. I won't compare it with Harry Potter, but yes, those who have liked Twilight series might like this one. There are spells, secrets and much more stuff to look out for. The story is definitely intense and gripping. This is Tessa Gratton's debut novel and trust me, she must be looked out for. 

The book opens with Nick after having an argument with his father and step mother steps into a cemetery near his house. The family has recently shifted into Yaleylah, Missouri, a small town. All Nick wants is to finish his high school and run away from this place. He hates his mother but there was no option with him. While strolling in the cemetery, he sees Silla performing some kind of magic in which her blood was also ingredient. This psyches out Nick completely and he walks up to Silla and hence begin their friendship. Silla, lives near the cemetery with her brother Reese and her parents had died recently. It is being said that her father was a creepy person and he killed her mother and them committed suicide. Silla never believed this story and one day, she received a journal, written in her dad's handwriting, with some spells and methods and all of the magical stuff written in the journal had one common ingredient - Blood. There is a lot more to the plot which binds the reader. 

Tessa Gratton has made sure, that if someone picks up this book, he reads it till the very last page. The book gets a bit narrative at times but there is no point where you would feel bored or would feel the story has been dragged unnecessarily. Linked together by magic, the protagonists find themselves on a hunt for answers, the answers that could be deadly. Although eerie and gruesome at times, I enjoyed getting inside the heads of these characters. All and all it was a fun reading and those who liked  twilight series should give it a try. 

Book Source : Random House India

Genre : Fiction

ISBN : 978-0375867330

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II

1st PUBLISHED: 1998

WITH STORIES BY:

Jennifer Love Hewwit (of I Know What You Did Last Summer fame), Wil Horneff (Born to be Wild), Andrew Keegan (Ten Things I Hate About You) and many more. 101 MORE Stories of life, love and learning.

ISBN: 1-55874-616-1

GENRE: Teen Fiction

SYNOPSIS:

Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Kimberly Kerberger's latest batch focuses on love, friendship and tough stuff, along with some great teen-told tales of learning lessons, making a difference and growing up. You'll find no adults preaching to you about what you should or shouldn't do. Instead, this book is full of teens who share their experiences on learning to accept life, becoming the best person you can be, being happy with who you are, and loving yourself- no matter what. These stories will show you that no matter how difficult your situation may seem, you can make it through the tough times; and that no matter how lonely you may feel, you are never alone.

EXCERPT:

Things are just things- they have no power to hurt or heal. Only people can do that. And we can all choose to be hurt or healed by the people who love us.

ARPITA SPEAKS:

This edition of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul has 101 fictional as well as real-life stories and poems written by teenagers and young adults, categorized into 8 sections- on relationships, friendship, love and kindness, tough stuff, family, learning lessons, making a difference, and growing up.

I know that we all inevitably tend to be very skeptical about so called 'self-help' books; and people do have conflicting views regarding the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. However, these books actually do make a very good read. They're definitely not preachy, and it depends from person to person, whether they actually find these books helpful or not. But, rest assured, they're all moving, and usually fun to read.

The anecdotes and poems in the section on friendship are particularly good in this collection, as are the ones on making a difference. While certain stories are not exactly exceptional, others are a real treat. Some, like The Hero of the 'Hood (about the childhood of Mike Powell) and Donna & Claudia speak of courage, and undying friendship that stands the test of time. Jennifer Love Hewwit writes about the experience of meeting a fan, a young girl suffering from cancer, whose dying wish was to spend a day with her.

These are the various perspectives of different people dealing with similar experiences, good and bad. While some talk about what they've suffered through, others share their happier moments. If you happen to chance upon one of these books, do give them a try. It will be time well spent.

RATING: 3.5/5

NUMBER OF PAGES: 324

PRICE: Rs.295/- (Flipkart)

The Year I Turned 16- Deeptha Khanna

1st PUBLISHED: 2006

ISBN-13: 978-0-14333-017-2

ISBN-10: 0-14333-017-9

GENRE: Teen Fiction

SYNOPSIS:

Vinita Sharma is a feisty teenager with a talent for writing, an out-sized crush on Shah Rukh Khan and the low ambition of marrying a rich guy (if Shah Rukh is taken, that is). Her brother Vinay is grappling with overactive hormones, IIT entrance exams and cricket practice, while Vinita is busy with her motley crew of friends- the angelic Naina, Jaggu the house clown, Ashley the inscrutable, and the bold and seductive Gargi.

In a matter of weeks, Vinita's world changes radically. Her home-bound mother decides to set up a business, Naina and Vinay start to make goggle-eyes at each other, Jaggu examines his own shameful attitudes and Gargi reveals a dreadful secret that could destroy her whole life. Into this simmering emotional cauldron falls an American dude- the dashing Marcus- the boyfriend Vinita always dreamed of. As she swings wildly between her traditional way of thinking and what she really wants, Vinita takes crucial decisions that will surprise them all- most of all, herself.

Can Vinita stay upright in a topsy-turvy world fraught with far reaching changes? Find out in this breezy candid diary.

EXCERPT:

It really is curious that they call it M.P.B.C., as if that's all we learn. We do have another subject- it's called 'English'. But no one mentions it. As if it's unimportant. It's not! It's the most fun of all classes.

ARPITA SPEAKS:

It may not be one of it's kind, but The Year I Turned 16 is definitely a book that will stay on your mind because it remains loyal to the teenage drama that an average Indian girl generally goes through. Interestingly, instead of the hype regarding social networking sites and the latest modern gadgets, over here we find the protagonist and her friends going gaga over the miracle of color television, MTV and The Oprah Winfrey show.

Vinita is a character that one can easily come to adore- her bubbly, outgoing nature will win you over; the loving and helpful Naina is the best friend anyone would love to have; Jaggu adds to the comic element but also helps bring certain things into perspective. Marcus- do I have to say the words?- is Mr.Perfect with his drop dead gorgeous looks and gentlemanly manners. Ashley is someone who takes some time to grow on you; I did end up admiring him for being who he is, but it's still kind of hard to digest the fact that Ashley is the name of a guy.

The story basically revolves around Vinita's crush on Marcus and her cute- and sometimes enormously embarrassing- attempts to impress him. Then there are the day-to-day activities of the characters which will bring back memories of school. (In fact, some of Vinita's short essays written in class are also included.) However, a number of issues are also focused upon: peer pressure, eve-teasing, the problems associated with balancing the time devoted to a woman's career with the time given to her family. Gargi's secret is possibly the most worrisome.

All of it is taken into account in such a manner that it influences you without really depressing you. In fact, it seems you touch you more closely because at a certain point, this will cease to be just a story and will seem to be like a friend's diary, or even your own.

Vinita's relationship with her brother is particularly endearing, and the unexpected ending is quite pleasing. A better version of the Princess Diaries, if I may say so, this novella about an Indian girl eagerly approaching her sixteenth birthday will make a light and amusing read.

RATING: 3.5/5

PRICE: Rs.175/- (A Puffin Original)

NUMBER OF PAGES: 156

Zombies Don't Date- R.W. Zander

1st PUBLISHED: 2003

ISBN: 0-439-39869-x

GENRE: Teen Fiction

SYNOPSIS:

If there's one thing Amber McGee can't stand, it's a drama queen. So when her best friend Zack asks her to look after Chastity, the spoiled-rotten zombie princess, Amber's less than thrilled. Chastity needs a full-time baby-sitter, and Amber's got no patience for her constant complaints and uppity 'tude.

Things go from bad to worse when Chastity follows Amber to school and bumps into local bully Parker Tolan. The zombies are supposed to be kept under wraps, and now Amber's biggest enemy is in on the secret. And- weirder than weird- he's actually developed a crush on the zombie! Can Amber find a way to keep these two crazy lovebirds apart- and get Chastity back to where she belongs?

EXCERPT:

Maybe someday, I won't have a million things going wrong all at once. But today is not that day.

That's the thought that was running through my head as I got dressed that morning. I was already late, and my mom was yelling up the stairs at me: "Amber, we're supposed to be at the mall in ten minutes. Are you almost ready?"

I wanted to make the woman happy. I really did. I did promise to make a trip to the mall just so she wouldn't feel so bad about having a soccer-playing tomboy for a daughter. But when I looked out the window, I saw a zombie chasing my friend Zack Margolis around. And I had to do something to help him.

ARPITA SPEAKS:

Here's a totally different, totally hilarious take on zombies. Amber, Zack and Kyle get stuck with a bunch of zombies who are hell bent on driving them insane. Mostly by trying to pretend that they can still lead a normal life...in other words, forgetting that they are 'undead'. There's Lassiter who wants to take over the world, there's Penelope who has a mad love for cooking despite being a total fire hazard; and then there's Chastity who considers herself a 'lady' and tries hard to get Amber to become one, too.

Amber and her friends try their best to get the zombies to move on... to, say, 'never-never land'. Like the charming (and much more cooperative) zombie Jeremiah. But things begin to go downhill when the local bully and his sidekick come across Chastity- and develop a crush on her, thinking that she's an actress preparing for her next role as a zombie! The whole episode is rib-tickling; especially finding Parker blush at Chastity's compliments.

Then there's the mystery behind Chastity's death that needs to be solved in order to help her move on; the story of her childhood makes a really interesting read. Also, Amber's relationship with her mom and each of their attempts to understand one another better is at times really funny, and at others quite touching. The end of this book in the Zombie Squad series is somewhat filmy, but not exactly predictable. This is just the right book to lay your hands on if you're looking for full on entertainment.

RATING: 4/5

PRICE: Rs.100/- (Scholastic)

NUMBER OF PAGES: 158

Crossroads- Jenny Markas

1st PUBLISHED: 2001

ISBN: 0-439-39744-8

GENRE: Chick Lit/ Teen Fiction (Adapted from the screenplay by Shonda Rhimes; based on the movie starring Britney Spears.)

SYNOPSIS:

Lucy, Kit, and Mimi were best friends. Until they hit high school, that is. Then Kit became queen of the popular crew; Lucy became queen of the nerds (yes, that's Britney. Imagine.) and Mimi became queen of the rebels. But they're all determined to follow their dreams- no matter where they might lead.

And on the day after graduation, those dreams bring Lucy, Kit, and Mimi together again- and lead them on a road trip across the country. Along the way,they'll bicker, banter, laugh, cry, and sing their hearts out. They'll find love, friendship, and loyalty. And they'll discover that where you end up is not as important as the people you bring along with you on the journey.

EXCERPT:

I can't stand it anymore. I meet Mimi's eyes and see that she can't stand it, either. I slide forward, reach over the seat, start to touch the radio dial.

"What are you doing?" Ben demands.

"What is with this music?" I demand back.

"I like it," he says.

"Can we listen to something else for ten minutes?" I need a break. Desperately.

"No." His eyes are on the road. His face is stony.

"Come on, Ben," says Lucy, barely looking up from her journal.

"Okay, okay," he says, "Five minutes."

Yes! I twist the dial until a pop station comes on. Soon, Mimi and Lucy and I are singing along, bouncing around in our seats. Ben's gritting his teeth. He can't take it. Finally, he reaches out and grabs the dial. Metal comes thundering out.

"You said five minutes!" Lucy yells over the music.

He just shakes his head. "I can't listen to that. Forget it."


ARPITA SPEAKS:

Crossroads is one of those stories that sound entertaining- and are- but also happen to be the kind that belong to the less impressive category of teen fiction. It's amateurish, juvenile and stereotypical; yet, mercifully, a little better than the disastrous movie. The pictures included are pretty, though. And the first person narration by each of the characters gives it a personal touch. The rare portions with Ben speaking up are definitely amusing.

Having known each other since they were eight years old, Lucy, Mimi and Kit had made a pact to remain lifelong friends. However, when they enter high school, their differences draw them apart. They make new friends, face new challenges, and try to forget about the past. But on the day of the graduation party, they decide to keep their promise of meeting in the school grounds to dig up an old shoe box they'd decorated and buried when they were kids. Opening it, they are all overcome by nostalgia as they go through all those things they'd once held dear.

Mimi, the pregnant girl from the trailer park who misses her friends the most, tells Lucy and Kit about her plans to audition for a record company in L.A. When they express their shock, she tries to persuade them to join her and this guy she's getting a ride with. Tempted by her desire to meet her boyfriend, Kit ponders over the idea...as does Lucy, who is desperate to find the mother who abandoned her when she was a little child.

What follows is a bumpy ride that leads to self realization and a lot more. As the girls try to keep aside their differences, learn to accept the changes in each other and try to live life the way they'd always wanted to, they learn that dreams may change, but friends remain forever.

RATING: 2.5 on 5

PRICE: Rs.125/- (Scholastic)

NUMBER OF PAGES: 142

The Vampire Diaries - L. J. Smith

NAME OF THE BOOK: The Awakening

1ST PUBLISHED: 1991

ISBN: 978-0-06-199075-5

GENRE: Paranormal Romance/ Teen Fiction

SYNOPSIS:


A deadly love triangle.

Elena: beautiful and popular, the girl who can have any guy she wants.

Stefan: brooding and mysterious, desperately trying to resist his desire for Elena… for her own good.

Damon: sexy, dangerous, and driven by an urge for revenge against Stefan, the brother who betrayed him.

Elena finds herself drawn to both brothers…

Who will she choose?


EXCERPT:

I feel as if someone has hurt him terribly in the past and he’s never got over it. But I also think there’s something he’s afraid of, some secret he’s afraid I’ll find out. If only I knew what it was, I could prove to him that he can trust me. That he can trust me no matter what happens, to the end.

ARPITA SPEAKS:

There are certain things you do in life which are inexplicable; my decision to read this book is one of them. The only thing I can say in my defense is that, obsessed as I am with the TV show based on this series, I had to find out what the book is like. And yes, I did read it after being warned that this is an outstanding example of the most disappointing teenage fiction ever written.

The first thing that completely put me off was the characterization of the female protagonist. A heroine can NEVER gain your sympathy- or admiration- if she is a born narcissist who is convinced of her superiority as the ‘queen’ of the school. And who is immediately attracted to the hero, not because he’s a great guy- or even mysterious or whatever- but because she is determined to prove to everyone that she can get any guy she wants. Try as I might, I could not get myself to like her- not even by the time I finished reading The Awakening.

Stefan is basically a good guy, but somehow fails to appeal to the reader. Cutting a long story short, he seems to be the ‘damsel in distress’ here. Not what you’d expect the hero to be like. He is never sure of what he wants, seems too scared to make a decision and never does anything to prove himself as the hero. I mean, I’m not expecting him to personify machismo, but as the male protagonist he really ought to show a little more grit.

Damon is the one who really is intriguing, the only one who manages to make you curious enough to read further. Sadly, he doesn’t have much role to play in the first book of the series. And since we all know that the book is about vampires, there isn’t much of a surprise element when it comes to Stefan’s dark ‘secret’. Written in the third person, with a few excerpts from ‘Queen’ Elena’s diary, The Awakening pretty much neglects the other characters. It has just one good thing to offer- the mystery behind Damon Salvatore’s desire for revenge. This part of the story is at least a little interesting, even though I was constantly annoyed by the differences between the show and the book. Pick this up only if you- like me- have the mad habit of reading any book on vampire lore that’s shoved under your nose.

RATING: 2/5

PRICE: Rs.350/-

Shock Point - April Henry

SHOCK POINT
AUTHOR: April Henry
Genre: Teen Fiction
ISBN-13: 9780142412404
NO. OF PAGES: 185
PUBLISHER: Speak (2008) [an imprint of Penguin group(USA) inc.]
PRICE: Rs. 827 (on flipkart.com)

BOOK COVER SAYS: Without warning, Cassie is thrown in the back of a van and shipped off to peaceful cove, a boot camp in Mexico for troubled teens. her stepfather, Rick, has convinced Cassie's mom that Cassie needs help and that Peaceful Cove is a wonderful place. But Cassie knows the real reason why Rick wants to get rid of her:Rick, a child psychiatrist, has been prescribing Socom, an experimental drug to his teen patients. She knows Rick will make a lot of money if Socom is approved by the FDA. And she's unearthed the fact that three of Rick's patient's have died after taking it. Now Cassie has discovered the truth about Peaceful Cove ,too: it's really a brutal prison, where the only way out is to make it to graduation. But by then, more kids could die. Can Cassie escape and tell the world what she knows? And even if she does,will anyone believe her?


EXCERPT:  She arched her back even more frantically,managed to get her mouth free. "Mom - Mom! Help me! Mom!"

Her mom looked at Cassie, then away. Something was terribly wrong. 


SWARNALI SPEAKS: I got this book as a gift on winning the New Year's giveaway here. Honestly I regret even choosing this one. Saw this marked as a "psychological thriller" as a site and since I love psychological thrillers,I had great expectations on this one. But I was disappointed when I realised it was a teen fiction (as printed on the book), something that I never liked,even in my early teens. This book has nothing,absolutely nothing to do with psychology whatsoever!!

Cassie is the usual rebellious teen whose mother got remarried. As expected,Cassie is suspicious of his activities and does not trust him. Accidentally she discovers the shocking reports of an experimental drug Socom administered to teens by Rick,her step father. With her friend Thatcher, Cassie prepares to unveil the dark truths hidden from the FDA. But before she thinks of a plan,Rick transports her to Peaceful Cove in Mexico,a place to treat "troubled teens". Little does Cassie's mother knows what is in store for her daughter at the Cove. 

The narrative in the books is good and simple but the plot line is really very weak,anybody can predict what comes next. From the horrors at the brutal prison that Peaceful Cove actually is to Cassie's dream escape from the place and the almost fairly-tale like "happily ever after" end,I found nothing exciting in the book. The excerpt given at the back of the book is everything it has inside,just with a few more details. The book reminds me of great movies like "Babel" and "The Shawshank Redemption". All the characters in the book are stereotyped, all sketchily drawn- the evil step-father, the timid mom,the ever suspicious step-daughter and the newly-found BFF who is overly helpful. If you like fairy tale romance cum thrillers, this book is for you.

MY RATING: 2/5

Ranthambore Adventure

AUTHOR: Deepak Dalal

OTHER WORKS: Ladakh Adventure, Lakshadweep Adventure, The Snow Leopard Adventure.

1ST PUBLISHED: 1998

ISBN: 81-243-0716-4

GENRE: Adventure; Teen Fiction

SYNOPSIS:

When schoolboy Aditya attempts to lay his hands on the diary of a ruthless tiger poacher, little does he know the sequence of events his actions will trigger. His ill-fated endeavour plunges Vikram and their school friend Aarti into a thrilling adventure that climaxes at the magnificent game park of Ranthambore.

Ranthambore Adventure also narrates the story of the tiger Genghis. Brimming with tiger lore, it traces the moments of Genghis’ life from his birth as a fluffy, helpless ball of fur to his emergence as a proud and powerful predator. But vicious, greedy humans infiltrate his kingdom, seeking his skin and bones.

Alternating between the adventures of school children and the enthralling tale of a tiger family, Ranthambore Adventure is a story that focuses on the Indian tiger and its grim struggle for survival.

EXCERPT:

The tiger dropped his screaming victim to the ground. On three legs the animal jumped forward. The man’s gun fell from his nerveless hands. He turned and ran. His feet tore across the forest floor. The tiger halted, making no effort to follow the fleeing human. Whimpering sounds from behind reminded the tiger that another human remained.

He turned. The renewed attention of the tiger silenced the man with the spear. The tiger’s flaming eyes locked with his. The man frothed at the mouth. His body shook violently. He saw the pain and the anger in the tiger’s eyes. He had destroyed its leg. Now…he was at the animal’s mercy. The man shut his eyes, unable to stand the animal’s accusing glare.

With tightly screwed eyes he prayed, he begged the tiger to forgive him, he promised never to lay a trap ever again. The man babbled hysterically, refusing to open his eyes. Time passed. A gentle shower of rain fell on his upturned face. The man blinked. He looked fearfully about him. He searched for the tiger. There was no sign of the wounded animal.

ARPITA SPEAKS:

Ranthambore Adventure by Dalal is the extraordinary tale of a tiger, Genghis, who was born in the game park and has grown to be an awesome, majestic predator. The most incredible element of the story is the depiction of life as seen through the eyes of a tiger. The writer has nearly humanized Genghis, such that one cannot help but relate to the emotions of the animal. This aspect of the story is just as interesting as the escapades of Vikram, Aditya and Aarti.

Although it is ultimately a VikramAditya story, Aarti is the one who steals the limelight. Aditya’s heroics, which sometimes border on the foolish, land him in grave danger; he somehow manages to get hold of the diary of a poacher who is the head of an organized gang and accounts for seventy per cent of tiger killings in the country. When Aarti arrives at his house the next day, she finds the house in a mess, with obvious signs of struggle- and Aditya missing.

As she gradually finds out that her friend has been kidnapped, Aarti embarks on a dangerous journey to rescue him, which leads her all the way to Rajasthan. The best part is, all the characters have their own flaws and make mistakes- which is one of the many things that make the story so authentic. Everything that happens in the novel is not just lifelike, but completely possible- nothing in the story seems melodramatic. The climax is delightful, with the stories that ran simultaneously finally amalgamating and Vikram emerging as a hero without doing anything ridiculously filmy. Dalal has penned down a story that is as entertaining as it is didactic; it’s an adventure like no other.

RATING: 3/5

PRICE: Rs.70/- (Navneet Publications)

NUMBER OF PAGES: 193

LOVE’S LABOURS WON- The Stone Chronicles (Book I)

Review on request by Author

AUTHOR: Sheilagh Lee, a.k.a S. G. Lee.

She is a mystery and paranormal writer/book blogger who lives in Ontario, Canada. You may read some of her works at-

http://deadwrite.blogspot.com/

http://poeticyearnings.blogspot.com/ and

http://sheilaghlee.blogspot.com/


GENRE: Paranormal/Suspense Thriller

SYNOPSIS:

"Sarah is a young single woman in dire straits. Her rent is due, she was fired from her last job and she has no family to turn to. So she accepts the fateful offer of a mysterious job, which turns out to be a ruse to steal powers that she never even realized she had. As she sets upon this journey Sarah discovers a world of magic, mystery and the supernatural. As Sarah learns about this new world she is exposed to adventure, danger and intrigue...and romance in the form of the mysterious Demetrious Blackstone. All the while Sarah must learn to control her gifts and suppress her own demons to defeat the perils that await her. Only then can she discover her inner voice and follow her own path that will lead to the true love she knows she deserves."

EXCERPT:

The receptionist’s bright blue eyes were like diamonds and red lipstick finished the face that could launch a thousand ships. She was dressed in a very tight red dress. It didn’t seem quite appropriate for the office but who was Sarah to judge? Sarah couldn’t help but wonder if this was the type of beauty that they hired here. If so, she was in trouble. She couldn’t compete with someone that lovely.

“Hi, my name is Sarah. I have a little problem… I’m hoping that someone as knowledgeable and as intelligent as you are could help me with.” Sarah began.

“Well, I will if I can. That’s so flattering that you think I can help you. People tend to treat me like a bit of an airhead because I’m just a receptionist. And my parents didn’t do me any favors by naming me Brandy.” stated Brandy breathlessly while snapping her gum.

“Oh, your name is Brandy? You know, some say brandy is better than fine wine.” Sarah piled on the charm.

“I’m not... you know…. so if …you know if that's what this is all about you can stop right there. Nothing against your preferences but I’m seeing a guy,” replied Brandy awkwardly misunderstanding.

“Oh no….no …. Really, there’s nothing to worry about. I am straight too. I’m just here trying to get a job. You see, I applied for this job but the man on the phone forgot to tell me the office number where the interview is.” explained Sarah.

(I know it’s not a very significant part of the story but I found it really funny…ahem!)

ARPITA SPEAKS:

In the first book of the Stone Chronicles, Sarah Dexler Maidenstone takes you on a ride that you would truly enjoy if you are looking for a book that’s full of magic, adventure and love. Orphaned and abandoned, Sarah struggles to make ends meet, when she suddenly hears from her long lost grandfather one day, under very suspicious circumstances. While Lord Eccklestone tries to reunite his family, the mysterious, handsome Demetrious Blackstone insists that Sarah’s grandfather is not who he claims to be. Before she can accept the fact that she still has a family to call her own, she finds herself unwittingly drawn into an age old battle between the Stone families.

With an interesting narrative and a fairly good portrayal of characters this novel keeps one entertained all along. Each of them- good and evil- is so believable, yet seems to be larger than life. Demetrious is depicted as the perfect hero with a noble spirit; Darius is brilliant with his flirtatious sense of humor. While the proud and independent female protagonists, Sarah and Aunt Iva, leave you impressed, Alexander (the “almost eight years old” son of the awful being that Lord Eccklestone is) comes across as a surprise package.

Vampires, werewolves, “magick” and true love- this novel has got all the ingredients of a paranormal romance. Although, ultimately “love’s labours won,” the author ended the story with a completely unexpected twist, leaving me eager to read the next book in the series. This is The House of Night, the Harry Potter series, Stardust and Twilight all thrown together, making the book a pleasurable read. It’s the kind that you love to get your hands on when you need an escape from the drudgeries of life. Looking for a breezy novel for light reading? Try this one. It left me with a smile on my face.

PS- thanks to you,FL. :)

RATING: 3 on 5

PRICE: $2.99 (Amazon)

You against Me by Jenny Downham

Synopsis :
If someone hurts your sister and you're any kind of man, you seek revenge, right? 


If your brother's been accused of a terrible crime and you're the main witness, then you banish all doubt and defend him. Isn't that what families do?


When Mikey's sister claims a boy assaulted her at a party, his world of work and girls begins to fall apart. 


When Ellie's brother is charged with the crime, but says he didn't do it, her world of revision, exams and fitting in at a new school begins to unravel. 


When Mikey and Ellie meet, two worlds collide.


Brave and unflinching, this is a novel of extraordinary skillfulness and almost unbearable tension. It's a book about loyalty and the choices that come with it. But above all it's a book about love - for one's family and for another.


Words from the book: 


“It was strange how words meant something when they came out of your mouth. Inside your head they were safe and silent, but once they were outside, people grabbed hold of them.” 


“I like you," he said. 
He made it sound as if she was bound to disagree with him. She nodded. His face said he was telling her something very important. 
He said, "I mean it. Whatever happens, you have to believe that.” 


“He felt perfectly happy as he walked side by side with Ellie, their fingers occasionally brushing, electricity building between them. It was the first time in days, maybe the first time in all his life, that he didn’t want to change anything.” 

Nimue Says : 
I chose this book from a looong list of teen fiction for adding it to under 18 genre for the challenge on ALOP. and after finishing, I think this is one of the top 5 books I read in year 2011.

This is not the story of  Tom the accused or Karyn the supposed victim; nor of Mikey , the elder brother and caretaker of his family of two sisters and a troubled mother , nor of little Ellie , the young sister whose words only can save Tom from going to jail. So what does Ellie says ? and does she really has it in her to stick to her statement ?

Mikey meets Ellie by chance and thinking it as an opportunity to seek information about Tom, meets her again and again , each time failing to ask whatever he intended and instead falling for her beauty , her knowledge and all that he ever wanted in a perfect girl for himself.

Ellie , even after realizing who Mikey , trusts him a lot more than she should. Questioning herself and her family is no easy task ut she is willing to do that for Mikey's sake even if she says she wants to help Karyn.

I strongly felt sad for Tom and Ellie's mother. She who can not desert her daughter as she tries to free from the silent sadness creeping  in her life , nor can go against her son. You feel for Mikey as he struggles to keep his house together and for his sisters who have long back learned their roles in the house -  a house that can fall apart anytime even with no court case hanging in their life.

This book has a simple plot but the way it unfolds, its sensitive , it feels accurate and it touches you the way it should. It is simple yet engaging ; emotional yet logical, fiction yet not. It talks of so many issues and ideas that we do not wish to explore or accept. It does not give a closing , ut details the journey well. Totally loved Jenny's way of writing in this one. All willing to try her other books too.

Rating: 4.5/5

Other details: 

Price : 230 @ flipkart

Pages : 390