The sins of the mother by Danielle Steele

​"The sins of the mother" by Danielle Steele - Family! 

This book is published by Bantam Press in 2012 and has 368 pages. 

Olivia Grayson, in her seventies, a timeless, ageless business woman runs a successful and profitable company selling affordable furniture. She has two sons, Philip and John, who work with her. Her two daughters Liz and Cassie are not in business. Being a successful businesswoman has cost Olivia the family time. Her mother and her husband had been her support systems and they have handled the family ably. 

Everything looks fine, what’s the problem? What’s the sin? How will the sin affect the children? Which mother has sinned?

The story has a lot of characters and all of them are her family, either by birth or by marriage. First born Liz is the unsure one who hasn’t achieved anything. She is always confused and lacks confidence. She also writes, but hasn’t sold more than a couple of stories. Two failed marriages and two daughters Sophie and Carol. Second child Philip is the CFO and heir apparent. His wife Amanda is a lawyer and aspires to become a judge. She is cold and almost devoid of emotions and wants Philip to become CFO for the status. Third child John is an artist and works for his mother because that was expected of him. He is the Head of creative design.  John’s wife Sarah is a college professor. Their son is Alex. Youngest Cassie is a music producer, extremely successful, lives in England and is estranged. She lives with rock star Danny Hell, ten years younger. Then there is Taylor, 28, school teacher. Andrew is Liz’s agent and he is British. Peter runs a law firm and looks after legal aspect of Olivia’s business. 

It’s a likable family. Like any family, there are disagreements, issues, problems, fights, support, love, chaos and fun. There are little twists and turns but they do not escalate. They don’t allow the regulated flow of the story to alter. This is the strong point and weak point at the same time. This story has a lot of potential to become dramatic, emotional, spicy but author prefers to keep the feel good mood intact. 

Well what’s the sin? The way story is written, there doesn’t seem to be any. 

Many a stories of Danielle Steele feature variety of persons, relationships, emotions etc. but one common thread is they are either well off, well to do or at least they have no money problems. 

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? No upheavals. 

What did I like? Feel good. 

Read if you like Danielle Steele stories. 

Careful what you wish for by Mahtab Narsimhan

​"Careful what you wish for" by Mahtab Narsimhan - Monkey’s paw!

This book is published by Orca book Pub in 2022 and has 45 pages. 

Eshana, a tenth grader, is bullied by Cara. Frustrated, she wishes she could do something, she wishes something happens. While thinking she stumbles on a website called I-WISH. What she wishes starts coming true.

Is it really happening or is she dreaming? What does she wish? Why her wishes come true? Why should one be careful?

This book appears to be a modern retelling of old story “Monkey’s paw”. The storyline is similar but the setting is modern. 

It’s a short story. You can read it quickly and be done with it. Doesn’t take much time. Doesn’t bore you. An young adult fiction. 

It’s a very straight forward story. A couple of more twists and a few more pages wouldn’t have hurt. 

Why did I read this book? Length. 

What I didn't like? Very straight forward story. 

What did I like? Length.

Recommend as a quick read.

Sinbad and the tomb of Alexander by Kevin Missal

​"Sinbad and the tomb of Alexander" by Kevin Missal - A defeat!

This book is published by Penguin Random House India in 2022 and has 336 pages. This is Book 2 of Sinbad series. 

Sinbad is ostracized from the Ninurta Guild, no longer a Seid (monster Hunter), just Sinbad the sailor (actually a pirate). Caliph Haroon Al-Rashid gives Sinbad an assignment. It’s to save a person who is searching for Tomb of Alexander the Great. Iblis recruits lame archdemon Sakhr to find the tomb and water of life.

Can Sinbad find the tomb? What is water of life? Why is Iblis interested? What price does Sinbad have to pay? Will Sinbad win?

Sinbad leads a crew consisting of Ashrafiya - the vampire, Best Friend - Seid Husayn, Pressa - the Chinese seer, Markus - a giant African warrior, Seid Idris whose husband Vampire Emir is arrested, his love and the Devil’s daughter - Safeena who is staying away from him. There are magical beings like Ifrit - a genie made out of fire and glass and clay, Nephilim - children of fallen angles, Draugr - the living dead, Gholum - Demon made of remains of humans raised by Rabbi.

Safeena doesn’t reciprocate Sinbad’s love. The guild wants to capture Safeena and use her as a weapon. The guild doesn’t like Caliph Harun Al-Rashid who has sent Sinbad on this mission. Iblis has recruited Sakhr. The stage is set. 

The story is full of magic, magical beings, Sinbad’s thinking on feet, his supreme confidence, his crew who is also his family. Although there are so many ingredients to make a fantastic story, author misses the bus. Note that the story is not bad, but it is not as good as it could have been. Author has lost the opportunity. 

Sinbad has his own fears. His greatest fear is of abandonment. He fears that one day his friends will abandon him and leave to pursue their life goals and he will be left all alone. 

Why did I read this book? Had read the first book. 

What I didn't like? Lost opportunity. 

What did I like? Humanness in Sinbad.

Read only if you plan to read the series, otherwise Avoid. 

The capital conspiracy by Neelabh Pratap Singh

​"The capital conspiracy" by Neelabh Pratap Singh -  Good start!

This book is published in 2022 and has 204 pages. This is ebook 1 of  ‘JV Solanki thrillers’. 

JV (Jai Veer) Solanki is a retired para commando. Jas Kaur heads and is forming a special unit of IB called Scorpion. Shanaya Gill, niece of Jas Kaur (IB) is spiriting a USB stick when she is kidnapped. She manages to pass the USB stick to her friend Amit Gupta before kidnapping.

Why is Jas Kaur’s niece kidnapped? Who kidnapped her? What’s On the USB stick? How does Jas know JV? What is Capital spring?

JV (Jai Veer) Solanki, 45, is enjoying his retired life in Hrishikesh. Although he has left soldering, has the soldier left him? Jas Kaur has formed scorpion to fight the enemies of India within, to do what regular agencies can’t do. She has a special connection with Shanaya. In her personal life, Jas has several relationships but she has a commitment issue and is still single. Shanaya is miffed with Jas. But she agrees to be her spy. Rehana is a Kashmiri agent. Her brother was martyred so, she preferred intelligence over cricket. Shanaya is a typical confused college going teenager. 

The narrative of the story is based on the recent events in India (Anti CAA protests, Shaheen Baugh etc.). The protests are instigated and fueled by leftists branding the current nationalist government as fascist. There is a bigger conspiracy and these protests and violence is only the beginning. Jas has her suspicion about certain student leaders and enlists Shanaya to spy for her. The story is interesting. It’s also not very long. It’s compact. Lot of gun fights, bloodshed and deaths. Although it’s the National conspiracy, this book concentrates on kidnapping and rescue of Shanaya. 

The other party is always one step ahead of Jas and JV. How? Obviously a traitor. However, the traitor is a little too obvious. So revelation of the identity doesn’t come as surprise. 

This book introduces JV Solanki. Patriot. Retired. Still in shape. Never shies away from action. A 45 year old hero. Little old for a protagonist. This is first book of the series. I would say it’s a good start. Three more books are already published. 

There are some grammatical errors and spelling mistakes in this book. Should have been rectified.

My collectible sentences from this book:

-He has to catch some zeds. 

-JV felt like his bones had turned to dust. 

Why did I read this book? Curiosity about new thriller series. 

What I didn't like? Poor concealment of traitor’s identity. 

What did I like? Compactness . 

Recommend reading. 

The setup by Falguni Kothari

​"The setup" by Falguni Kothari- Sudden death!

This book is published in 2021. 

Aditi, third generation American, is a pediatric intern. She idolizes her grandfather. One day he requests Aditi to “meet” three boys, grandchildren of his friends, a prospective match. Aditi doesn’t like the idea of ‘arranged marriage’ one bit, but agrees nevertheless as an exception because she can’t disappoint her Dadu. Her first date is Krishna Lal. He too is a reluctant participant on his granny’s request. The second date is a surprise. 

What happens at first date? Why is the second date a surprise? Will Aditi enjoy the date or will it be a torture? Is there something called arranged marriage in this age? Is there a love story where Aditi is not the protagonist?

This book has limited number of characters. Dadu (Dr. Madhav Gupta, retired neurosurgeon) moved from Florida to New York to stay with his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter after death of his wife. Aditi adores her grandfather. They have a special bond. She is a competent doctor. Prachi is Aditi’s younger sister and a marketing executive for big pharma. Krishna, the funny guy, is a lawyer. He is tall, muscular, handsome and witty. Gulabo aunty runs the restaurant called ‘Gulabo’. Nani (Gayatri) is 81, looks 61 and acts like 21.

It’s a match of opposites. Marwari vegetarian girl and Punjabi carnivorous guy. One loves good life, one is immersed in career. One believes in the institute of marriage, one doesn’t believe in marriage. One brags, one doesn’t. One is extrovert, one is introvert. 

The story starts well. Develops nicely. Then it piques and it abruptly ends. It’s sudden death. Poof! It’s a tiny novel. Author could have used a few hundred more words for proper landing. This abrupt end leads to the biggest question remaining unanswered and relegated to a non issue. One believes in marriage and one doesn’t. How does it end?

It’s Novel by an author of Indian origin about Indians settled abroad. This is a new genre. It’s a decent Feel Good novel. 

My collectible sentence from the book:

I froze like a brainless Popsicle. 

Why did I read this book? Blurb. 

What did I like?  Overall story.  

What I didn't like? Sudden death. 

Recommend reading. 

Oh God! Let me be barren by Vilas Vare

​"Oh God! Let me be barren" by Vilas Vare - Unselfish service!

This book is published by Scion publications Pvt. Ltd. in 2022 and it has 160 pages. It's translated from Marathi toi English by Prof. V. G. Apte.

Sujata, in her forties, shapely, fit, good looking housewife, is barren. Her Husband Vijay is a leprocy technician who is later promoted as leprosy doctor. She and her husband have tried everything but, despite having no medical deficiencies, they are childless. Sujata is frustrated but Vijay is supportive. 

Will Sujata conceive? Will she become mother? Is her barrenness a curse or boon? Will she convert her barrenness into something more important?

Sujata‘s barrenness is seen as curse. She is kept away from pregnant women. She is treated like a pariah. 

She loves her husband so much that she refuses sperm donation. She’s good looking and childless. There are men who proposition her. Disgusting!

Vijay is born to help. Be it patients, marriage of colleague or curing leprosy. He is a real selfless, publicity shy, ernest and sacrificing person. He refuses proposal for second marriage because he loves his wife. He also encourages her to do good for the society. 

The couple is made for each other. They help even those who behaved badly with them. Vijay cures, resettles and integrates young leapers  in society. Sujata starts helping women in the shanty settlement near her house. Her social work is frowned upon by the neighbors. But she perseveres. She transforms the shanty settlement  and the lives of its occupants. 

The book has a few out of context things. Vijay’s brother is never mentioned in the book until we come towards end and suddenly he is shown as uncaring and unconcerned. He doesn’t reciprocate Vijay’s love. There was no need to even mention him. He was not needed for the story. Vijay doesn’t expect anything from anyone and does what he does as service to humanity. Sujata doesn’t understand this. But she does exactly the same, then why doesn’t she understand?

This book brings to the fore two issues in the society. First is the inhuman treatment of leapers by their family and society and need for their resettlement. There are many ashrams for leapers. Here they are rehabilitated but they are not integrated in society. Vijay cures them, rehabilitates them and integrates them, all at his own expense. His work is better than anyone else. Second issue is of wandering people who have no document to prove that they exist. Sujata works for them. Giving them identity, decent place to live, forming an economic group, arranging small capital for business and rehabilitating and integrating them in society. This is a great social service. Sujata’s barrenness is a blessing in disguises. It’s this barrenness that motivates her to do what she might not have done otherwise. 

Author Vilas Vare is known for writing books that address social issues and highlight the sorrows and suffering of the affected people. His books, however, are not dark or dystopian. They are realistic. That is his USP!

Translator has remained true to his role. He has translated what was written rather than trying to improve it. There is a list of Marathi words, that can’t be translated, and its meaning is given at the end to assist those who don’t know Marathi. 

Why did I read this book? Previous book by the author was good. 

What I didn't like? Few out of context things. 

What did I like? Positive approach. 

Recommend reading the original or the translation. 

Disclosure: Translator of this book is my father.

A dark queen rises by Ashok Banker

​"A dark queen rises" by Ashok Banker - Huge! 

This book is published by Simon and Schuster India in 2020 and has 656 pages. This is Book 2 of ‘Burnt empire saga’. 

Jarsun, husband of princess Akreen, exiled brother of then occupant of Burning throne Sha’ant, assassinates the king Akron and takes control of the kingdom. Akreen runs away to Reygar with her daughter, Krushita through red desert on a desert train led by Bulan. Triak, Prince of Arrgodi decides to disregard the peace treaty between Argodi and Mrashk nations, but is defeated by Mrashk king Vasurava. He joins King Jarsun, becomes his trusted lieutenant and usurps his fathers throne. King Gwan  and Queen Bensera perform a prayer to Stone God and are blessed with two young strapping twins. The girl is Krushni and the boy is Drishya. 

Main characters in this book are interesting. Tirak, the tyrant. He is half Urrkh. He undergoes multiple transformations. Meek boy too aggressive Prince to ruthless commander to defeated youth to idolizing follower to Urrkh to defeated and helpless captive to supremely confident warrior king. Jarsun is the scheming Lynchpin.  He wants to control Burnt empire and occupy burning throne. He never does anything without purpose. Krushita is Jarsun’s daughter. She is very powerful and can take control of minds. She hates her father for trying to kill here mother. She is guided by Sage Vessa. He is the second Lynchpin in the story who is working on multiple plots at the same time. Drishya is the eighth son of Vasurava and Curie. He is Tirak’s nephew and nemesis. Akreen is Krushita’s mother. Bulan is the master train of caravans. They are a Vanjani. Two persons and bodies merged together. 

The relationship between Jarsun and Tirak (father-in-law and son-in-law, disciple and guru, master and vassal, idol and bhakt, reverence and hate, player and pawn) is most curious. This relationship undergoes multiple upheavals. 

Story in the desert is very interesting with a journey of 20,000 miles that takes 7 years. It’s a microcosm of normal humans, Urrkh, Vanjani, undead warriors and creatures like shwan, desert dragon, dromads and buzzards accompanied by phenomena like fire storm and spinning dervishes. It’s an enticing world. However, the battle with the army of dead is Long drawn. It stretches too long. Similarly the kovadi (kabaddi) sport of Tirak takes a lot of pages. It’s a huge book. If such things were trimmed a little bit, the story would have become crisp. 

Bane’s repentance almost comes like an afterthought. It’s unconvincing. It’s like ‘Sau chuhe khake billi chali haj’. The final fight between Tirak and Drishya also turns out to be a non event.  

Book1 of this series ‘Upon a burning throne’ was published in 2019. This book followed quickly in 2020, but next book isn’t published for two years now. 

Mahabharata, any time any where, in any form, by anyone is always interesting. Here an accomplished author like Ashok choses to reimagine the epic in his unique way, targeted for western audience. He tweaks the story to add new twists. 

Why did I read this book? Author, Mahabharat. 

What I didn't like? Length. 

What did I like? The divergence from Mahabharat. Character of Krushita.  

Recommend reading only if you plan to read the series.