Ramayana: The Game of Life - Rise of the Sun Prince – A Book Review

There is something about mythology that piques everyone’s interest every time one hears about it. The heroic tales of warriors; the internal politics played by the leaders; the lives that should not be lost but do. And listening to these tales we draw inspiration, strengthen our faith, and aspire for something far greater than we could ever want for ourselves.

Ramayana: The Game of Life: The Rise of the Sun Prince by Shubha Vilas is one such book. A book filled with surprises from start till the end.

Even though it ultimately tells the tale of Ramayana, the story in the novel is inspired from 2 different versions i.e. Valmiki Ramayan and Kamba Ramyan. The story starts with a very interesting question about ‘Is there a person in this world who is full of good virtues and is at the same time powerful, grateful, truthful, determined and also compassionate’? It seems impossible but Narada muni begins thinking about it and that sets him of on a journey of finding a man with such qualities. Especially a hero who can not only commit to his duties but also be a good man in every decision he makes. 

The book 1 in the 6-part series begins with telling the tale of Rama. It starts long before his birth and winds down just when he meets Sita. The characters in the story are amazing. You would think Rama would be the highlight as he is the hero but the other protagonists contribute a lot more to the story too. Like King Dasharatha and his wives trying to find an heir, there are various viewpoints as you try to find the lineage of the grand dynasty.

As you keep reading, you learn about how Vishwamitra takes Rama and Lakshmana under his guidance and trains them to face the evils of the world. Vishwamitra is one of the most interesting characters in the book. You see him taking the role of a teacher, a guide who directs Ram and Laskhmana on the path of life by teaching them of the positive and negatives of war and life. 

One the aspect which I really liked about the book is the detailed explanations in every page. It’s a novel, but it’s also like a self-help book which you can read to know how the ancient teachings can be applied towards today’s situations and problems. As a reader, I was fascinated to read these notes that explain in-detail about virtues like anger, generosity, hate and many others. I had many favorite lines, one that included ‘A student learns by listening to a good teacher and observing a great one.’ 

As an author, Shubha Vilas, has caught the attention of the reader by matching ancient teachings to modern lifestyle of people. The book is not just about the king Vishwamitra going on to become a sage, it’s about transformation and the changes that tend to relay on the life of hundreds of others.

Not only is The Rise of the Sun Prince an inspiring book, but a very thought-provoking one. You will learn many new things and will question some long-held beliefs that are dear to you and that’s a good thing because knowledge always leads to the path of enlightenment.

I rate this book 3.5 stars out of 5. Pick it up today, you will not be disappointed.

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

My love of Black

It’s always there present. From the eternity of space to the place behind your eyes. At night, it takes you on a land of dreams. With your close ones, it’s the last thing you see before you get the gift you always wanted. Black is attractive. It is beautiful because it doesn’t discriminate. I’ve always been spellbound with the beauty of black and I have 5 such things which I love -  The Black Wishlist -  Things which I always wanted just because they are in my favorite color - black.

Ray Ban Wayfarers

There’s something about staring into the eyes of the sun and realizing the enormity, the vastness of life. I’ve always wanted Ray Bans because they are naturally stylish and have been the institution of quality. When you have a Ray Ban on your eyes, you know that you’re person who embraces life and wants more from it. And I love the black ones, because they’re classic and you can never go wrong with classic.

Supra Sneakers

I love sneakers. They are so hip and I’ve always been comfortable wearing them. Be it a party or a get-together, when you are in sneakers they just make the entire place electric, make you a little more playful. And with Surpas on your feet, you know that you are there to rock it out; all day, every day.

The Little Black Dress

No I’m not a cross dresser. Don’t worry. I just want this to gift it to my girlfriend. Seeing her in it, sashaying across the room and running  into my arms as we go on a romantic date together would melt my heart. I’m a sort of person who sometimes wants things just so that I can give it to someone else as it would make that someone so much happier. I want this little black dress for my girlfriend for her birthday.

Kindle -  Black

I’m more than a book worm. While brushing my teeth, eating lunch or even while at work, I sneak a book or two and constantly keep reading them. With a Kindle, I can carry more than 2000 books. #Bookgasm right there. And the black color just suits with my personality and overall looks.

2014 Harley Davidson Forty Eight - Denim Black

Look at that beauty. Everyone would go weak in their knees when they hear the roar of this amazing beast. I imagine myself wearing my black ray bans, with the amazing supras on my feet, along with my gf sitting behind me wearing that little black dress and I want nothing more. With a Harley between my hands, I can feel the wind, the freedom of life on my cheeks and enjoy the look of awe on everyone’s faces. Love, that’s what a Harley is; love.

This post is a part of #WhatTheBlack activity at BlogAdda.com

How far can you walk for name and fame while wearing the Shoes of the Dead?

India as a developing nation has a variety of problems to cope with. But none is greater and more dangerous than farmers killing themselves over the grief of not being able to pay the loans acquired by them. With this premise in mind, Kota Neelima begins the tale of Shoes of the Dead. A story that focuses to dwell deep into the perils of the Indian farmers who have to struggle every day to grow the food that keeps this nation alive.

From the first line itself, the author, Kota Neelima, sets in the exact mood that would make you care about the cause of the book. The story starts with Keyur Kashinath, son of the famous Vasihnav Kashinath, trying to understand the situation of his constituency as he keeps hearing about the problems that just won’t go away. Coming to power as a newly elected MP from the poverty stricken village of Mityala, Keyur’s informal meeting to figure out reasons why farmers are committing suicide sets the tone of the book.

As the story progresses we learn how deep the problem is. Keyur’s character comes out well as a newly elected MP as he makes mistakes due to his arrogance. These mistakes get escalated when the journalist, Nazar Prabhakar, learns how deep the political conspiracy is to silence the true number of farmer’s suicide as it tarnishes the name of Keyur.

Following a lead from one of the associates of Keyur, Nazar tries to help one of the strongest characters in the book, Gangiri Bhadra.

Gangiri Bhadra’s character is fascinating to read as you get to know how much a person can suffer to make something right that has gone terribly wrong. As you read, you get to know how Gangiri’s lifestyle in the city takes a violent 360 degree turn when he gets to know about his brother’s death. The chapter where you learn how he helps farm widows get the justice they deserve is amazing to read.

The story also focuses on the bad guys such as Durga Das and Lambodar Maha Sarpanch. The motives behind Durga Das trying to capitalize on farmer’s death is traditionally clique, but Lambodar’s reasons to nullify as many farmer suicides as possible is as shocking as it can get.

The research done by Neelima is very good as you get to know how farmers struggle to turn the brown of the mud into the lively green of the nature. Some of the aspects of Keyur’s character could have been written better as he makes mistakes that no son whose father has been a cunning politician for more than 30 years should make.

hoes of the Dead starts out strong, but is riddled with uneven storytelling that keeps jumping from one aspect of storytelling to another. Like how after Gangiri makes a big splash by becoming the member of the suicide committee it’s explained how he gains trust of the other members. I felt that part should have been explained before the author makes him seem like such a menace to Keyur.

All in all, it’s a good attempt on part of Neelima as she explains the perils of farmers striving every day to provide food for this great nation of India. I will give 3.5 stars for the solid writing that sometimes surprises you and makes you really care about the situation endured by the life givers of our nation.

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

Believe in a new India with Resurgent India Patriots

When I first got to know about the book, it seemed intense. I had been reading YA and a couple of other police thrillers lately and when I saw this book on blogadda for review, I wanted to get my hands on the book as soon as possible. The cover art of the book is a little cluttered, but also beautiful to look at. As soon as I opened the first pages of the book, I got even more excited. Mukul Deva, in his author’s note, tells us about how this book was born out of extreme anger and shame. I was expecting an intense and dramatic view of corrupt India and how Resurgent India Patriots or RIP would set things straight by instilling fear in the hearts of the politicians. And that is exactly what I got, only the power with which the novel starts loses steam along the way and when it finally reaches the end, you feel the ride could have been a bit better.

As I said the story starts really good. Colonel Krishna Athawale has a close knit group of friends from his time served in the Indian Army with the 19^th Para Commando Special Forces unit. Each one in the team has names starting from K and so they call themselves the K-Team. Their bond is stronger than blood and they are ready to give life to their nation, even if they have retired. The latter is the reason why they embark on a dangerous quest of killing corrupt politicians if they don’t stop milking the country for all its worth.

Colonel Krishna Athawale has a plan and that plan will take him and his team all over India as he tries to get rid of the termites that are destroying our country. The story moves at a steady pace, revealing key plot points that affect a variety of characters throughout the book. The action is good, but the story as I said earlier lacks steam. Some of the characters in the book are like Madame Tussauds wax models of our real life politicians. There was nothing new or intriguing about them. Each and every one was more stupid than the other. But that doesn't mean there aren't good characters too.

Raghav Bhagat, also an ex-19^th Para Commando is a really good character. As you read about him you get to know why he is the way he is and that leads you to Reena Bhagat, his wife. I felt bad for Reena. She could have been an excellent character in the book, but ends up as a TV journalist who just does her job. Even those job moments are less and in far between.

The book also tries to show how family life gets affected with the decisions made by their parents. Things which one seems are good can end up backfiring in a really bad way. The children in the book could also have played an important part, but they end up as candy coated bubble gum which you must chew to move on in the book. The climax is not as surprising as you want it to be. If you’ve read international authors such as Tom Clancy or Robert Ludlum, you will be disappointed because the pay off part just doesn’t have that punch which you are looking for. However, I loved the research in the book. That can be because I haven’t touched political thrillers in a long time, but overall I loved the weapons knowledge and how carefully each mission was planned by the team.

If you hate politicians and want to see them drop dead like flies, pick up this book and you will enjoy it because the mission planning and execution is really good. 1 more elements that I didn’t like in the novel were that throughout the novel the author uses same words to explain the same ideas or emotions. I found that annoying at times. He could have written it differently to convey the same message, but didn’t. However, I liked the book. It was very good at times, but bad at times too. So, I will settle for 4 stars out of 5. Yes I complained a lot, but if you like action packed moments where carefully planned military operations help the good guys win, you will not be disappointed.

This review is a part of the biggest Book Reviews Program. for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

Be Afraid of The Bankster

Just like how a rope takes form with several small threads binding together to make it strong, The Bankster by Ravi Subramanian combines several stories to form together a novel that while having its problems is certainly a standout among the brainless love story induced novels that are tumbling out these days.

Staring from the diamond mines in Angola, South Africa, The Bankster gives us a quick peek in what we are in for.  As you turn the first few pages, you learn about a family based in Kerala who are harassed by the police into admitting guilt towards a crime they didn’t commit.

With its first chapter, the book introduces us to Vikram, Head of Retail Banking in Greater  Bostan  Global Bank or GB2 and shows us how a bank of international standards works.  From the start we get to know, that Vikram is a womanizer and is a pro at office politics. Flirting with Tanuja, Head of the HR department in the bank, he gets several things and pulls strings to make employees within the bank dance on his terms.

The other aspect of the story relies upon Krishna Menon trying to address the concerns about the Trikakulam Nuclear Plant, where he feels the government has built something that is unsafe for everyone living within Kerala and the whole country in general. He does this because he lost his son in the terrible Chernobyl accident that happened in Russia. While this should make us care about Krishna Menon more, I didn’t immediately care about the characters. Explaining hurriedly in a few pages, we are thrown into situation where is approached by an NGO named CNRI (Conservation of Natural Resources through Innovative use of Technology). Teaming Together with Jaya, Head of CNRI, Menon kick-starts a massive protest setting the nation ablaze.

On the bank’s side of things, we see a battle between the RM’s and get to know that newcomer Zinaida Gomes is a hot-favourite among everyone as she is not only beautiful, but also very cunning and smart. This makes the veteran RM Harshitha jealous of her and she heads for mental breakdown as she obsesses over her losses turning into Zinaida’s profits. Harshita feeling overworked over things decides to takes a holiday and heads up to Vienna where we get the first irritating product placement in novel. Yes, you read that right; a product placement in a novel.

I don’t know whether it was intentional or part of the story, but I thoroughly hated that fact that the character of Harshitha went on and on and on about the free Wi-fi in Coffee Day in Vienna. I hated that fact in the story. Later on the Author explains about Apple iPad’s cloud technology too. That didn’t feel forced and seemed necessary for the story, but the free Wi-fi thing was irritating to read.

Anyway,  both of these stories move at a steady pace introducing new characters and addressing their concerns. Seemingly unconnected, both stories have a massive impact on one another.  As the novel moves from a simple bank story into a murder mystery and conspiracy of international proportions, we are introduced to the brain child who uncoils every major secret in the story, Mr Karan Panjabi.

Karan Panjabi learns various things and many shocking and dirty secrets tumble out. The climax of the story is good and throughout the novel I wasn’t bored, except those product placement pages where the author went on and on about the products rather than concentrating in the story.

I loved the research in the books and several other things that were related to banking. All were neatly explained and some of the facts actually surprised me. In that way the novel was enjoyable.

I give the novel a solid 3.5 stars and it deserves every star of I give. I want to give it a 4, but that Coffee Day free Wi-fi thing is the reason that snatches the half a star away from it. Pick it up if you are planning a long ride back to home in a train. You won’t be disappointed. 

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