Soul of the sword by Julie Kagawa

 "Soul of the sword" by Julie Kagawa - What happens next?

This book is published by HQ Young Adult in 2019 and has 384 pages. This is Book 2 of Shadow of the Fox series.

Book 1 ended with Hakai Mono possessing Tatsumi's soul and body. Umeko decides to save Tatsumi at any cost. Lady Hancho, the head of Shadow Clan and Umeko reach an agreement that Umeko will save Tatsumi and Lady Hancho will not order killing of Tatsumi. Umeko and her companions; Taio Daisuke, Rekha-the shrine maiden, Master Giro, Okame-the Ronin March towards the Steel feather temple. So does Hakai Mono in Kage Tatsumi's body. He has formed alliance with Genno, master of demons, the blood mage. Steel feather temple is guarded by Tengu-the crow Yokai. Dragon's scroll is the ultimate prize. Now everyone knows that Umeko is a half Kitsune. Only way to fight Hakai Mono is to use Kitsunetzu ki.

Which of the companions of Umeko die? Does Tatsumi hate Umeko? Is there a sliver of love between them? Can she force Hakai Mono back into Kami Gorushi? What is Lord Segetsu supported by Taka the Okai and Suki the ghost trying to achieve?

The journey continues. The part in Hakame castle is a bit boring. I would have preferred if the battle inside Tatsumi's soul was made more interesting.

The book ends little unexpectedly. You expect the end of the story but the story has a twist towards the end and would be completed in Book 3. Umeko is becoming stranger and takes on Hakai Mono but the battle remains incomplete. She has a new kind of challenge in next book.

Off the book was a little shorter, it would have become more interesting.

Why did I read this book? First book was good. 

What I didn't like? Place of story in some places.

What did I like? Cleaver use of Fox Magic.

Read only if you will read the series.

The Bourne Treachery by Brian Freeman

"The Bourne Treachery" by Brian Freeman - The saga continues!

This book is published by Bloomsbury publishing in 2022 and has 432 pages. This is Book 16 of Jason Bourne series. 

Three years ago Bourne and Nova have tried to exfiltrate a Russian spy but the Russians manage to kill Jim in a boat explosion. Nova, Bourn's partner and lover, has died after that. Lennon is an assassin and master of disguise and is working for Russia. Clark Cafferty of USA and Gennady Sorokin of Russia are going to have a clandestine meeting in London. Tati, a Russian scientist, is invited for a seminar in London. Bourne and back from dead Nova are assigned to foil Lennon's attempt in the life of Cafferty.

How come Nova is alive? Will there be amorous relationship again? Why is Tati invited? What is the objective of the secret meeting? Will Bourne and Lenin meet?

Initial part of the story concentrates on Bourne and Nova and later the attention shifts to Tati. Lennon taunts Bourne that they knew each other before Bourne lost his memory. So Bourne had to find Lennon but not kill him. 

The story is semi complicated. The plot is there, but last part of the book is all about Bourne and Lennon. Nova's actions don't appear consistent with her character. Bourne appears to like Nova s as well as Abbey.

The book ends with a revelation. But Bourne can't say if it's true or a lie.

Why did I read this book? Have been reading the series.

What did I like? Enigma of Lennon .

What I didn't like? Beatles songs.

Read only if you plan to read the series.

Rasputin's shadow by Raymond Khoury

"Rasputin's shadow" by Raymond Khoury - Historical fiction!

This book is published by Orion in 2015 and has 480 pages. This is Book 4 of Templar book series.

A Russian Embassy staff dies by jumping out of the balcony of an apartment owned by a Russian immigrant (Leo Sakharov) in America. The immigrant and his American wife go missing. FBI agent Shane Reilly investigates. There is a connection to the infamous Russian mystic and the adviser to Tsar and Tsarina, Rasputin.

Why is everyone looking for the immigrant Russian school teacher? What does he have? What is the connection to Rasputin? Can Shane solve the mystery?

What appears to be a case of missing school teacher and mystery of death of a Russian embassy staff becomes a full blown crisis. The body count starts increasing at an alarming rate. A Russian special forces operative (Koshe) is on the loose in America. Everyone is after the invention that can change the world. The invention is potent and can be a boon or bane depending on the user.

The story toggles between present time and the time of Rasputin. It uses the mystery surrounding Rasputin, one of the most controversial personalities in Russia. The invention is Perl and can do great damage to the enemies of its possessor.

Character of Sakhalov is interesting. He wants to live a decent life but can't quell his scientific curiosity. Reilly, the hero of first three books, is you against all odds. At the same time he is also trying to find out who from CIA tried to brainwash his 4 year old son. So on one side he is duty bound and on another side he has a personal score to settle.

Book ends with solution to one of these two problems and leaves the readers excited about what's going to happen in book 5 because of what he discovered at the end of book 4.

Why did I read this book? Good series so far. 

What I didn't like? Can a single man outsmart alphabet soup agencies?

What did I like? The  invention.

Read, if you plan to read the series. 

The mistress of Bhatia house by Sujata Massey

 "The mistress of Bhatia house" by Sujata Massey - Misnomer!

This book is published by Penguin in 2023 and has 432 pages. This is second book of Praveen Mystry series.

Gulnaz, Praveen's childhood friend and now sister-in-law has delivered a baby girl, but the arrival has created a rift in their relation. Uma, daughter-in-law of Sir Dwarkanath Bhatia, is collecting donations for a ladies hospital and Dr. Miriam Penkar has scripted to be the Chief Physician. Sunanda, the ayah in Bhatia house is arrested for allegedly attempting abortion. Colin Sandringham is working on updating the maps of Bombay Presidency and Princely States. There is a murder.

Why is Sunanda arrested? Did she attempt abortion? Why are certain Britishers against Praveen? Who is murdered? Whodunit?

The story starts with the hospital, then moves on to Sunanda's arrest and stays there for a long time. Then suddenly it moves to the Nawab of Varunpur and his Australian wife. Then a crime is committed. Then there is the incident of an Englishman grabbing Praveen's bottom. 

In short, the story has no flow. Things appear to be happening randomly. I continued reading the book assuming that although it looked chaotic, probably it will all come together nicely at the end. Alas! It was not to be. The end is even more chaotic and very abrupt. It's also unconvincing.

Author probably wants Praveen to experience motherhood without having her own child, so the character of Gulnaz becomes paranoid and the responsibility of little Khushi comes to Praveen. Again unconvincing.

Even the title is a misnomer. The mistress of Bhatia house is neither a heroine nor a villain and she doesn't even have a significant role.

Why did I read this book? It was available.

What I didn't like? Story. 

What did I like? Umm... 

Give it a miss.

Clive Cussler Fire strike by Mike Maden

"Clive Cussler Fire strike" by Mike Maden - Oregon under attack!

This book is published by Penguin in 2023 and has 528 pages. This is Book 17 of Oregon files series.

A French mercenary commander has set up a base in Eritrea. Dr. Hightower supplies him genetically modified convicts, the super soldiers. Dr. Elizabeth Huxley's friend is murdered along with a native tribe called Poison Arrow deep in Amazon rain forest. Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia dies in a flying accident, in front of his father. The corporation is assigned a case to find missing brother of former Mossad operative Saray Masala. Someone steals 2 hypersonic Brahmos missiles from India. This missile is the only kind in the world, extremely hard to detect and counter.

Are these five stories connected? What is the common thread? How is corporation involved? Will the Oregon be exposed? Can it survive?

Juan Cabrrillo, a former CIA operative, runs a ship called Oregon. Outwardly it's a tramp steamer - a rust bucket, but belowdecks it's a state of the art espionage vessel with submarines, tilt roter aircraft, moon pool, advance weaponry and highly skilled operatives. The corporation is Oregon based organization mostly working for CIA.

This time Juan Cabrrillo and his team are up against enemy that is superior biologically and equal technologically. It's going to test their endurance and limits. Several of the Oregon staff on combat duty are injured. There is an attack on vulnerable Oregon.

This story is complex and layered but it all comes together. However, the post climax part where the plot is unraveled is covered very briefly.

After the death of original author Clive Cussler, looks like Mike Madden has taken over this series. He has retained the basic style and added his own variations.

There is a James Bond style adventure at the start of the book. But this adventure has nothing to do with the story. Unnecessary!

Why did I read this book? I have read the series.

What did I like? Morris gets his due.

What I didn't like? The Saudi plot is not elaborate enough.

Read if you are reading the series.

Clive Cussler's The Heist by Jack Du Brul

Clive Cussler's "The Heist" by Jack Du Brul - Will dollar survive?

This book is published by Putnam Pub Group in 2025 and it has 449 pages. This is Book 14 of Isaac Bell series.

Issac Bell, Chief Investigator of Van Dorn Detective Agency is traveling on a yacht with his banker father, other influential bankers and President of USA. The occasion is the imminent centralization of banks and launch of new dollar bills. An aeroplane attacks them by dropping couple of bombs, but Bell uses the machine gun onboard and saves the situation. The wreckage of the plane has newly printed 100 dollar bills. He is then summoned to investigate a murder that he proves to be a suicide and Jackson Pickett, the husband of victim, innocent. Someone tries to murder him by locking him in a room in a ship and then sinking the ship. There is a brilliant heist of almost 1 billion dollars at the Bureau of Printing and Engraving.

Why was there an attempt of life of Bell? Who tried to kill the President? How was the heist carried out? Can Bell solve the mystery?

It's a very trickery situation. If the news gets out that the federal reserve was robbed, dollar will lose its credibility and the American banking system will collapse. If the theft is not solved, someone flush with money may try to flood the markets with stolen money and dollar will be devalued as soon as it's launched. Even if the perpetrator is found he/she can't be charged publicly. What a dilemma? Michaelene Riordan, an Irish assassin, is the point man for this operation. But who is he working for?

Like previous Bell novels, this one also has railways as primary means of transport and there is a rail chase. There is also a boat chase. Bell, the brilliant investigator, uses all his deductive powers and intellect to solve the case but the perpetrator is going to walk free despite all his efforts. Can he let that happen?

The story is good. Despite it happening more than a century ago, the story isn't slow. This one, however, is a little short on adrenaline, as compared to others.

Jack Du Brul used to cowrite this series with Clive Cussler. After Cusdler's death, Jack has continued the series in same vein. 

Why did I read this book? Have been reading the series.

What I didn't like? Umm.....

What did I like? The boat chase.

Read if you are reading the series.

Spider by Azma Dar

"Spider" by Azma Dar - Wasted potential!

This book is published by Datura books in 2023 and has 336 pages. 

Book starts with the death of Tarek.  Sophie's Husband. They are British-Pakistani's living in England. But Tarek is not her first husband, neither is her second. He's third. After Tarek's death the flash back starts.

Why did Sophie marry thrice? Are her two previous husbands (Aamir and Faraz) alive or dead? What are her ambitions?

The book starts interestingly. Author peels the layers of the story one by one. Reader's expectations are heightened. How will the story end? What will Sophie do? Can she overcome the odds? 

Unfortunately, author fails to maintain the tempo. When the book is about 80% complete, the story fizzles out. The story dies a sudden death. A lot of potential goes waste. The character of Sophie goes from victim to vindictive to plain stupid.

Why did I read this book? Book by Pakistani British author.

What did I like? Initial story. 

What I didn't like? The end and later part of the story.

AVOID.