River of smoke by Amitav Ghosh

"River of smoke" by Amitav Ghosh. This book is published by Penguin India in 2012 and has 568 pages. This is Book 2 of Ibis trilogy.

The story starts with a time leap where Deeti is an old woman and matriarch of her clan in Mauritius and her shrine. Then it goes in flashback where the Book 1 ended.

Almost all of the story takes place in China - Canton. It's the story of opium trade in China and story of Parsi merchant Behram (Barry) Modi. The life of traders in Canton is shown in detail and is interesting. Remaining part is dedicated to Paulette's search of golden Camellia through Robin, who is looking for it in Canton.

The tiff between the traders and Chinese authorities about opium trade and British intervention that eventually lead to the opium war is the real story of the book. Author has explained in detail the modus operandi of the trade in China in 1839. It was a unique system unlike any other in the world.

The British arrogance about their superiority in view of Chinese sanctions on opium trade is astonishing. British duplicity of banning opium in their own country and resisting ban in China is abhorrent. Their definition or redefinition of free trade to suit their situation is callous.

Although the politics and history of opium trade, it's ban and impact on lives is interesting, it occupies most of the book (and this book is not small). Thus the book becomes a bit monotonous.

The story is slow. Readers hope that now the story will go back to the characters of Book1, but it doesn't happen. Behram steals the show. It's a sad end to Behram's story.

Although the book is good, it's not as good as 'Sea of poppies'

Read this book, if you intend to read Book 3, otherwise give it a miss.

Ajaya: The roll of dice by Anand Neelakantan

"Ajaya: The roll of dice" by Anand Neelakantan. This book is published by Leadstart in 2013 and has 456 pages. It is the first book of 'Ajaya' series.

Ajaya is the story of Mahabharata from Duryodhana's point of view. Kaurav's are the hero of this story. Since everyone knows Mahabharata, I will not delve into the story.

It's the epic of the Kaurava clan. Author has put forth the story in a completely different light. He shows two camps in India. The camp of conservatives is lead by Parshuram, Krishna, Kunti, Dhaumya, Dronacharya and Pandav's. The liberal camp is lead by Bhishmacharya, Vidur, Jarasandha, Balram and Kaurav's. It's a class struggle. Conservatives favouring cast and class system and liberals not being so rigid. There are also communists, lead by Nagas and other untouchables, who fight for the oppressed class and are involved in terrorist activities. And then there is a band of traitors lead by, none other than, Shakuni. Likes of Karna and Eklavya are gifted with skills but disadvantaged due to lower cast.

Author has introduced an interesting idea. There is a truce between Hastinapur lead by Bhishmacharya and Southern confederate lead by Parshuram, an ultra conservative and proponent of rigid class and cast system. The threat of fundamentalism from supporters of Parshuram is growing day by day in Hastinapur.

Characterization is different and interesting. Krishna is intelligent, devious and wants to retain cast system. Yudhishthir is polite with all and vicious with Kaurav's. Bhim is a bully. Kunti and Gandhari are in power struggle trying to install their sons as next king. Duryodhana is kind hearted and confused. Shakuni is a scheming devil. Karna an upright man with empathy for poor. Ekalavya is oppressed talent looking for goal in his life. Kripacharya is a maverick scholar who gives a hoot for cast system. Dronacharya is brahmin supremest. Balram is a liberal and progressive visionary. Bhishmacharya is a balanced personality who wants to improve society gradually without sudden major changes. Takshak is leader of Nagas and claims to represent oppressed class. Jara is a beggar who is nobody but appears in the story constantly and contributes to the proceedings.

Two major incidents that show what Duryodhana is made up of are his refusal to fight Arjun for Subhadra, even at the risk of ridicule, because she had gone with Arjun of her free will and his refusal to declare war on Pandav's, which will lead to loss of numerous innocent lives, upon his insult in Hastinapur by Draupadi.

Author says that Subhadra and Duryodhana were in love. However Subhadra eloped with Arjun. Author fails to explain Subhadra's change of heart. Author also skips to tell how Krishna convinced Draupadi to marry five men.

Duryodhana rejects Pandav's claim to throne because they are not sons of Pandu, but of Kunti's lovers (bastards). However the logic is flawed because if Pandav's have no claim, so does Dhritarashtra. Dhritarashtra was not the son of Vichitravirya and thus not a progeny of Shantanu.

When an epic is retold author's performance is not judged by the story but the approach. By looking at the story as a class struggle and social issue author has scored full marks. Although Duryodhana comes out as a good man at heart but a confused youth, the real man acting behind the scene is Shakuni. Another villain is Krishna.

The story ends with the game of dyut (roll of dice) where Yudhishthir losses everything including Draupadi, the sequel will be the concluding book which is already published.

It's an interesting and bold approach. If Pandav's being villain is palatable to you, it's a must read.

Bhendi bazaar by Vish Dhamija

"Bhendi bazaar" by Vish Dhamija. This book is published by Rumor books India in 2014 and has 362 pages. This is author's second book.

Three Soviet athletes (girls), who had come to Delhi Asian games as spectators, run away to Mumbai, destination UK, in 1982. Time leap to present day. A man is murdered in his house, a bullet to his head and his genitals are mutilated. DCP Rita Ferreira is pressed into action.

Who is the victim? Why was he murdered? What's the motive? Has it anything to do with the past? Is the murderer female or male? Are there any more murders?

Although it's a whodunit and the seeds are in the past if there Russian girls, author has not kept the story of Russian girls a mystery. He runs the story from 80s and present day (2007) story in parallel.

The book addresses the issue of forced prostitution. In this case the girls are with pale skin. Gruesome gang rape and subsequent prostitution for life, of Russian girls sows the seeds of events to come. The story rests on four pillars. Sex, abuse, violence and death. Abuse of females, plight of sex workers, pedophilia and destruction of lives is a curse to humanity.

Characterization is good. Murders are intelligent. Victims are scums. It appears that a vigilante is operating. Suspense is retained till the final phase of the book. I was able to recognize the killer at about 80%. The twist in climax is good but was recently used by Ashwin Sanghi and James Patterson in their book 'Private India' and hence decipherable.

You can not help but sympathize with the murderer and the motive, though not the actions.

Read if you like murder mysteries.

The Marching season by Daniel Silva

"The Marching season" by Daniel Silva. This book is published by Signet in 2004 and has 512 pages. This is the second book of Michael Osborn series.

Catholics and Protestants are killing each other in Northern Ireland from 17th century. Three terrorist activities take place on the same day. A Sinn Féin leader is killed. Ireland library and London tube are bombed. A new organization has made its mark, one that does not like the ban on certain routes during marching season and opposes Good Friday agreement.

How does Michael Osborn come into picture? Who would be American ambassador to England? Why marching season? Is the old assassin back?

Narration is good. Story is decently places and takes place in USA, England and Northern Ireland. October, the assassin, makes a comeback and renews his old rivalry with Michael. Author shows logical tensions between Michael and his wife after the birth of their twins and when Michael does not really want to retire.

The reason why Tony Blair asks a career politician as ambassador to UK and why retired senator Douglas Canon, from opposition, is chosen by American president is not very clear. A secret society of powerful persons trying to control the world continues its activities and the assassin October reappears.

It's good to read a novel on Northern Ireland. It gives a different background for a change to the readers who have been reading thrillers on Middle East, Pakistan and China for too long.

It is ironic that America considers unrest in Northern Ireland to be more important and pressing than Middle East or Kashmir, despite substantially lower casualties and damages.

The title has reference to the Protestant march to celebrate victory over catholics, in short the tensions in Northern Ireland. But in reality it becomes the tale of Michael Osborn and October.

Though the novel is readable, it does not offer novelty. Change of heart and instantaneous friendship between sworn enemies is surprising. Is it possible in real life?

OK book. Read if you have time.

The curse of Surya by Dev Prasad

"The curse of Surya" by Dev Prasad. This book is published by Random house India in 2015 and has 304 pages.

An operative of Tibet liberation front is murdered in The Krishna janmasthan temple in Mathura where location of 'The Shyamantaka' (largest gem in the world), that went missing for 5000 years, was going to be revealed. Every country & every underground organization is after it. A beautiful Indian reporter working for Singaporean channel, a British man and an American man are hunted by Indian police.

Who are these people? Why are police after them? Where is Shyamantaka? Will it be found? Who will find it?

The story is built around the legend of Shyamantaka, a gem considered to be the largest in the world. It was gifted by Sun to Satrajit and Lord Krishna was accused of steeling it. Since Shyamantaka is from the period of Krishna, all clues and places are also related to Krishna. It's a tour of Brijbhoomi and Dwaraka.

Author has used the idea of same set of clues leading to two different solutions and then one set of clues leading to another and so on. So it becomes an intriguing treasure hunt.

The book contains riddles, clues hidden in the mythology, history and art work, an expert, a smuggler, race against time, bad guys waiting for good guys to find treasure, treachery etc. It feels like reading an Indian Dan Brown book.

Author's description of underwater events is like above water one. Under water constraints and considerations are absent. Author shows paintings, murals and metallic components functioning perfectly after being under sea for 5000 years. This is not palatable.

The climax is also a bit of anti climax. The mastermind behind all the events, when revealed, fails to make an impact. Chinese angle is interesting but remains undeveloped.

Characterization is decent. Sangeeta steals the show. Alan is good but why he carries his identity card on an undercover mission is beyond comprehension. Why Nish has a sudden change of heart is also unclear and how easily she is duped by SMS is baffling.

All in all, a good book. Read if you have time.

Rise if the grey prince by Arka Chakrabarti

"Rise if the grey prince" by Arka Chakrabarti. This book is published by Srishti publishers and distributors in 2015 and has 213 pages. It is the second book of 'The saga of Agni' series.

This is the story of old times of a mystic land called Kingdom of Gaya, which consists of two islands / continents. Due to a prophecy that a son of a king from Western Gaya will destroy Gaya, all the offsprings of all kings are killed. Agni is the only surviving prince because his father sacrificed his life to save him. He grows up in the land of rising sun (Eastern Gaya) as a commoner and is now on a mission to the land of setting sun (Western Gaya) accompanied by his best friend and a mysterious Guru.

What will he find? Will he succeed? Who is the Guru? What is the truth? Is that what he is seeking?

Arka has created a mystic world of his own. Between the two islands there are more than ten countries and within them there are numerous characters. Each having his own specialities, secrets and agenda. Author has completed the world with a currency system a measurement system, time measuring system etc.

The plot is full of intrigue, mysticism, magic, deception, back stabbing, sub plots and counter plots. It takes time to get into this new world, but once you are in, it's fascinating.

Characterization is good. Story has a decent pace. Names used for places and people are imaginative. Credit to the author. Arka has also given the map of Gaya so that the readers understand the travels easily.

Lot of mysteries. A web of lies. Confusion. Who is the enemy and who a friend is unclear. You are not sure which truth is a lie and which lie is the truth. Numerous complications. Various agendas. Scheming minds. Supernatural powers. Dark secrets. These are the ingredients that make this recipe tasty.

Since this is the second book, the story doesn't end. The book ends with Agni reaching the land of setting sun. So this book is a build up to the eventual climax that will be in Book 3 which is still to be released.

The paper quality of the book is cheap. It won't last long. There are also editorial errors in the book that should have been corrected.

Read it if you intend to read the series but start from Book 1.

Sea of poppies by Amitav Ghosh

"Sea of poppies" by Amitav Ghosh. This book is published by Penguin India in 2009 and has 528 pages. This is Book 1 of Ibis trilogy.

The story is set in mid nineteenth century India under British rule. It's an elaborate plot with a number of characters ranging from a Bihari widow (Deeti), a lower cast youth (Kalua), a french lady born and brought up in India (Paulette), a Bengali Muslim youth (Jodu), an American mariner (Zachary), a bankrupt and convict Raja (Raja Neel Rattan), a gumasta who is a Krishna devotee (Nobkisin babu), an opium addict (Ah Fatt), a Rohingya mariner (Serang Ali) etc. By the stroke of fate all these characters congregate on a ship called Ibis destined for Marich (Mauritius).

What are their stories? Why are they heading for Mauritius? What's special about Ibis? What happens?

Each of the unrelated character, with diverse background, has it's own story. They all have a specific reason to board Ibis for Mauritius. Although their reasons differ, they have same goal: Mauritius. These individual stories are intricately woven together to create a mosaic of a fabric that becomes an exotic epic.

The book says that Indian economy was supported and sustained by the opium trade in those days. East India company had monopolized the opium business. Farmers were compelled to grow opium and sell it to East India Company.

Author has weaved an epic with rich description of India of old days in vivid colours. He has covered social issues, economic issues, disparity, piety, drug issues etc in this story. The story also contains love, longing, rivalry, deception etc. to add to the appeal of the story.

Author toggles between the stories continuously, thus keeping reader interested in this long book. Narration is apt. Author has given detailed description of a number of things like opium factory and its functioning, ship's functioning and slang, plight of Raja turned convict, sea sickness of first travelers etc. This attention to details is appreciable.

The book ends with a climax at high sea that will entice the readers to read Book 2.

A good book. A must read.