Mandodari: Queen of Lanka by Manini J. Anandani

"Mandodari: Queen of Lanka" by Manini J. Anandani - A decent try!

This book is published by Penguin in 2018 and has 288 pages. This is author's debut novel. 

Mandodari is revered as a one of the panchakanya (five virtuous and chaste women) in Puranas, despite being Ravan's wife, in following famous ashoka.

अहल्या द्रौपदी सीता तारा मन्दोदरी तथा |

पञ्चकन्या स्मरेन्नित्यम महापातकनाशनम् ||

This book tells her story. 

How was Mandodari? How was her relationship with Ravan? Did she approve Sita's abduction? Why did she marry Vibhishan?

This author also subscribes to one of the popular theory about Sita's parentage. Anand Neelakanthan has also subscribed to the same theory in his book 'Asura'. Manini has created a background story in support of the theory that is interesting and more convincing than Anand.

Unfortunately same can't be said about rest of the book. Narration is kind of drab. It's neither interesting, nor gripping, neither ornamental, nor flowery. Doesn't capture your imagination. When you narrate a story through a character that's not in the thick of action, narration becomes indirect. Author's job becomes that much more difficult. 

The relationship between Mandodari and Ravan could have been depicted better. Here she is shown as a wall flower, but author could have given it an emotional angle. That would have made it more appealing. Mandodari was the queen and regent but she is never shown making or participating in any important decisions of state. 

The tussle between Mandodari and Nayanadini erupts suddenly and dies equally abruptly. Why was it included in the book as it doesn't help the story in any way. Although Vedavati's story is there in this book, Ravan's rape of Rambha is conspicuous by absence. 

The war is explained well initially but the most important battles where Indrajeet, Kumbhakarna and Ravan are killed are hurried through. Ravan appears defeated before his final battle with Ram. The portion where Mandodari decides to marry the traitor Vibhishan also deserved more space. 

Surprisingly, most of the chapters in the book have a very similar length. Was it by design or luck?

Cover shows half the head of a lady (Mandodari) and remaining four heads of Ravan. It is a curious cover. I thought author would be propounding an explosive theory that Ravan was the face but Mandodari was the real power, after looking at the cover. But author doesn't insinuate anything like that. 

Why did I read this book? Interesting cover. 

What did I like? Story about Sita's parentage. 

What I didn't like? As mentioned above. 

Not a must read. 

Sons of fortune by Jeffrey Archer

"Sons of fortune" by Jeffrey Archer- Like a movie! 

This book is published by Pan in 2014 and has 608 pages.

Susan and Michael Cartwright had twins, Nathaniel and Peter. Millionaires Robert and Ruth Davenport have Fletcher Andrew, after two miscarriages. Both deliveries happen in same hospital. Fletcher dies but a nurse quietly switches him with Peter. Peter becomes Fletcher. The book traces the life and career of these two boys. Nat takes finance and Fletcher law. Both end up in politics and end up running against each other for the post of Governor.

How do their careers pan? Do they get to know each other? Do they come to know the truth? Who wins?

Story is good. Since the author had to cover a span of more than 40 years, there are multiple short time leaps. Their lives are narrated alternatively. They run parallel but not same until they converge. The convergence is unique, murder, of all things!

It has drama, romance, love, suspense, swindling, politics etc. It's a fast and happening story. It's a good script to make a movie.

Some of the events appear to have no particular reason to be in the story. The Yale episode, the way Elliott dies etc. are some examples. The story wouldn't have altered without them. The court drama and the details of the case appear a little weak and could have been better. 

Author has stretched the end a bit till the election result. Had he ended the story when they go for final counting, it would have been more appealing and impactful. 

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? A few things as mentioned above. 

What did I like? Something is always happening.  

A good read. 

400 days by Chetan Bhagat

"400 days" by Chetan Bhagat - Find the missing girl!

This book is published by Westland in Oct 2021 and has 352 pages. This is Book 3 of 'Keshav Rajpurohit' series. 

As declared at the end of second book, Keshav wants to become police officer and solve cases. At 29 he has only two more attempts left to clear IPS, but prospects don't look bright. His parents wasn't him to settle (proper job and marriage). 

Alia, a stunningly beautiful lady from his colony comes to him with a case. A cold case, 9 months old, of a missing 12 years old daughter, Siya Arora, who was kidnapped from her grand parents home. All her family has given up but Alia just can't give up her child. 

How much remuneration do Keshav and Saurabh get? Is Siya alive? Can Keshav solve this cold case? How will he respond to Alia?

It's a big family with all kind of characters. A balanced patriarch, a matriarch with an issue with younger daughter in law and obsession with family name, elder brother in law who is worried about business, sister in law who is nice, two nephews and a younger daughter, who is witness to kidnapping. Add to it a family priest, a pedophile, a young tutor, opportunist inspector, media circus and the detectives. 

This story has numerous tussles. There is saas Vs bahu tamasha, there is male Vs female progeny preference, there is business Vs Siya tussle, there is love Vs maternal affection, the is logic Vs God man, there is exam Vs investigation conundrum, there is family Vs Police tussle. 

The story is good and interesting. There are two long flash backs necessary to set the background. The pace is on slower side but the interest is maintained. I wasn't able to guess the perpetrator. Credit to author. However Keshav finds the truth through his momentary brilliant deduction rather than a thorough process of investigation and analysis. 

Author has placed strategic clues, false leads and red herrings. A couple of red herrings are left open. Could have been closed. The book is long. I would have trimmed 50-60 pages. That might have improved the pace. Good book cover. It represents the story. 

In first book Keshav was personally invested in the case. In second book Saurabh was personally invested in the case. In this book too, one of them somehow manages to get personally invested in the case. 

Chetan, an author credited for bringing back the reading culture in India, has gravitated towards mysteries three books ago. Looks like he is now settled and wants to continue with the genre. Expect another book in this series in future. 

Why did I read this book? Author.

What did I like? Retained interest. Character of Alia.

What I didn't like? Red herrings are not closed. 

Recommend reading. 

Nighthawk by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown

"Nighthawk" by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown - Weapon from space!

This book is published by Penguin in 2018 and has 480 pages. This is Book 14 of NUMA files. 

America has sent Nighthawk, part spacecraft - part aircraft, to space. Now it's coming back after three years. But something goes wrong and the contract with Nighthawk is lost. A massive operation is launched to locate it from wherever it crashed. NUMA joins the search. Russia and China are also trying to acquire it. 

Why such a big operation for Nighthawk? What's so special in this spacecraft? Can Kurt and Joe find it? Why Russia and China are interested?  What's at stake?

It's the cargo of Nighthawk. Something rare, something dangerous, something very lethal. That attracts all the superpowers. What's it?

Emma Townsend, a scientist of NIA, is the new character. She and Kurt are not romantically involved but there's a hint that she may reappear. There is a archeologist who thinks, rightly so, that Europeans destroyed south America by bringing their deceases that local populace couldn't survive. Then there are usual NUMA guys; Kurt, Joe, Rudy, Hairam, Priya etc.

The story is interesting. Concept is innovative. It's told by a master story teller like Cussler. So you remain interested. When everything looks lost brilliant ideas surface and save the day.

The cargo remains. The threat is not eliminated. Id's this going to be a problem in future? Well, we will have to wait and watch. 

Why did I read this book? Author.

What did I like? Concept. 

What I didn't like? Blast. 

Read if you are a Cussler fan. 

The case of the left- handed lady by Nancy Springer

"The case of the left- handed lady" by Nancy Springer - Detective Enola Holmes!

This edition of the book was published by Puffin Books in 2020 and has 256 pages. This is Book 2 of Enola Holmes series.

Those who have watched the movie 'Enola' know the story of first book. Now Enola has assumed the identity of Miss Meshle, adjutant to non existent Dr. Ragostine, a Scientific Perditorian (Perditorian= One who divines that which is lost). By night she helps poor and destitute as a veiled sister. Her first customer is Dr. Watson, who has come to find Enola for his friend, Sherlock Holmes, without his knowledge. Enola also solicits the case of a missing lady, a mere girl from an aristocratic family. 

Will Enola accept Dr. Watson's case to find herself? What will be her first case? Are Sherlock and Mycroft looking for her? Will she match wits with her famous brother? Will she go back to the family?

Story happens in 1889. Enola assumes multiple identities of Ms. Meshle, Veiled Sister,  Mrs. Ragostine etc. A mere 14-15 year old girl making her mark in man's world. In the times when ladies were not supposed to work, Enola becomes a detective. 

It's the time when any decent woman's calling consisted of taking her proper place in society (read husband, house, piano lessons etc. ). Enola, on the other hand, is a spirited,  independent, intelligent 15 year old girl who doesn't want to be docile, even if it means she is called indecent or a disgrace.

It's also the time when being left handed was considered improper for a lady. Author creatively uses the left handedness to address different personality traits of the lady. 

Enola and her brother are matching wits. He to find her and she to remain hidden. It's an interesting dual and should continue in subsequent books.

This book has very limited investigation. She solves the mystery mainly based on deduction but eventually doesn't get the credit for it. 19th century London is depicted very well. A lot of story happens in dark. 

Chapters are, rather unimaginatively, titled; The first, The Second etc..

This book is not very interesting but it's not boring either. 

Why did I read this book? Movie based on Book 1. 

What I didn't like? Lack of investigation. 

What did I like? Doesn't bore you. 

Read only if you plan to read the series.  

Camino winds by John Grisham

"Camino winds" by John Grisham - Insipid sequel!

This book is published by Hodder & Stoughton India in 2020 and has 304 pages. This is sequel of Camino Island. 

Mercer's novel has topped the charts. She is on a promotion tour and visits Camino island with her new boyfriend. She meets Bruce Cable and others. Typhoon Leo strikes Camino island. Most of the islands is evacuated but some refuse to go, including Bruce. After the storm, Nelson Kerr is found dead in his backyard, a gash on his head. It's a murder. 

Is it a murder? Who would commit a crime in the middle of the storm? Was he murdered for the latest book he was writing, the secret manuscript?

Many characters from first book are present in this book too. Mercer, the author of current chart topper who played a temporary sleuth in first book. Tom, Mercer's student and boyfriend. Bob, a convicted felon who now writes crime novels. Myra and Lee, a lesbian couple who write porn. Nelson Kerr, a thriller writer. Bruce Cable, the bookshop owner who occasionally dabbled in stolen stuff. Noel, his wife. They have an open marriage. Nick, a student working in Bruce's book shop who reads all crime novels. Jay, a poet, who's books no one reads.

Bruce tries to find clues in Nelson's manuscript. He engages a private agency and then fires them. Somehow investigation continues and crime is solved. Last book had the sizzling chemistry between Bruce and Mercer. That's missing in this book. Rather Mercer is only a minor character in this book. 

Life on Camino Island is beautiful, serene and leisurely. Mercer is now an accomplished story teller and author. Bruce and Noel convert their open marriage to closed one. The story, like the life on island, is slow. At times it gets too slow and even boring.

The story doesn't grab you by your collar, it doesn't resonate with your heart, doesn't satisfy your adrenaline rush, doesn't pique your curiosity. It's insipid!

Why would anyone name the drug Vitamin E3 when anyone connected to medical profession would know that such a vitamin doesn't exist?

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

What I didn't like? Not interesting. 

What did I like? Life on island. 

Give it a miss.

1857: Sword of Mastaan by Vineet Bajpai

"1857: Sword of Mastaan" by Vineet Bajpai - Saga continues!

This book is published by TreeShade books in 2021 and has 280 pages. This is Book 2 of Mastaan series. 

Mastaan is conflicted. He can't forgive himself for probably changing the outcome of mutiny (in Book 1) and betraying his country for his British lover. Pujari from Nili Chatri temple understands him. Mirza Ghalib reveals the story of Tipu's treasure and his terrible curse. One eyed Dervish is set to destroy Delhi. Mutineers have captured Delhi and are in control. A trio of brutal British commanders (William Hodson, Jon Nicholson, Theo Metcalfe) is descending on Delhi to crush the mutineers and sack Delhi. There are many traitors in Delhi including the figurehead Bahadur Shah Zafar. 

Did Mastaan doom the fight? Will the rift between Mastaan and Chagan heal? Who will fight the curse of one eyed Dervish? What's written in Delhi's future? Can Delhi withstand British retribution?

Delhi is under siege, British army has received huge reinforcements and unlimited ammunition. Mutineers are starving, they are running out of ammunition, several guns are silenced. Fall of Delhi is inevitable, but their indomitable spirits are still unbroken. Fay and Pat are sneaked out without knowledge of Mastaan. Betrayal is in the air. 

This book enumerates events of 1857 revolution (which author calls mutiny). They are not seamlessly interwoven in the story. So first half of the book appears like a report in some parts and story in others, but then it becomes interesting in second half. 

It appears as if there is only one good fighter in whole of India, Mastaan. Although he is the hero, it appears like hyperbole. 

Why would the one eyed dervish want Delhi destroyed? His fight was with Tipu and was cursed by McGowen. Then why punish Delhi?

Pandit Gauri Shankar Shastri is going to play a vital role in this battle, but it's for the concluding book of this trilogy titled 'Delhi'. He descends from the noble bloodline of Pujari's of Harappa. Author very smartly capitalizes on the popularity and fan following of his Harappa trilogy. Amish too has done it in the past. However, beware, this trilogy is not in the league of Harappa trilogy. 

Book ends with the death of one important character and one villain. More to come in Book 3.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Narration in first half

What did I like? Leveraging of Harappa.

Read of you plan to read the series. 

Mirabai the Twice-lived by Cat Rambo

"Mirabai the Twice-lived" by Cat Rambo -  A secondary world fantasy?

This e-book is published in 2015 and has 18 pages. It's a single short story. It's Book 2 of 'Women of Zalanthas' series. 

Note: This story has no relation to Saint Mirabai.

Mirabai is a witch. She becomes Shakra at a very young age. She woos Kal, marries him and has children. One day, at the age of 60, she casts a spell that goes wrong and her age is reversed to four and half. Her husband remains old aged. 

What does she do? Can she stay with her old husband? Can she reverse the spell? What happens when she becomes 15 again?

Like the first story, this story is also set in undefined time and location, an alternative world with exotic names for people, positions and places.

The story is curious. Reversal of age is an interesting concept. The impact of it on their relationship should have been more elaborate, but the book length is too short. 

There is a mention of Allanak and silver rings. These things connect this book to Book 1 Aquila's ring. However those are only mentioned and they don't play a part in the story. Maybe in Book 3?

Why did I read this book? Quick read.  

What I didn't like? Length.

What did I like? Idea.

Read of you don't mind quirky tales.