Review- Mayurkhund by Sadiqa Peerbhoy

Mayurkhund on Goodreads 

Release date: February 15th 2019

Published by: Readomania

Page numbers: 288

REVIEW: 

I always enjoy reading author Sadiqa Peerbhoy's books. There's something very intriguing about her exquisite writing and her poignant storytelling. Very ethnic and spellbinding, her stories take me to a place in my home country but in a faraway time and place which is always exciting to visit. Her Marry Go Round was a fun and interesting story about arranged marriages set in Hyderabad, while my favourite of hers, House of Discord, was a story about family, politics and religion set in Mumbai. 

Mayurkhund, Sadiqa Peerbhoy's latest, is the devastatingly beautiful story of Zeenat who aspires to become a playback singer. Just when she thinks she's close to achieving her dreams, live starts throwing curve balls at her which makes her reconsider everything she had thought of for herself. By a series of events which are interesting to get to know but sad to understand, she finds herself in the Mayurkhund palace. Zeenat's daughter, Amari, grew up in Mayurkhund but eventually left the place due to her own fascinating series of events. She is haunted by the peacocks that Mayurkhund is famous for and when she visits Rajasthan for a work trip, she gets a call from the Queen to visit her childhood home. 

There is so much more to talk about the story but I would rather the reader discover how wonderfully it has been put down on his/ her own. The story alternates from Zeenat's life in the 1960s to Amari's in the late 1990s. The incidents that take place in both their lives are connected in some way or the other and add to the depth and beauty of the book. Sadiqa Peerbhoy's writing is, as always, incredibly easy to follow and yet so amazingly worded that even though it was confusing for me at first as who is who, it all fell into place quite soon and I found myself immersed in the story. 

The ending of the book left me with mixed feelings. I didn't laugh or smile and I didn't feel sad either. I just found myself relieved and at peace with the way everything turned out. That, for me, was a first. I don't quite remember feeling this way about any ending before, and that is one of the main reason I will remember this book for a long time. I would highly recommend this glorious read that is packed with rich history, tradition, family and the ethereal relation between parents and children.  

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Readomania in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Buy the book: AMAZON

Review- And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

And the Mountains Echoed on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

An unforgettable novel about finding a lost piece of yourself in someone else.

Khaled Hosseini, the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, has written a new novel about how we love, how we take care of one another, and how the choices we make resonate through generations. 

In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most. 

Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe—from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos—the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page.

Release date: May 21st 2013

Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing 

Page numbers: 416

REVIEW: 

I've been reading books for 10 odd years now, and what I've realised is that words make me happy. They're my happy place. They're not an escape from reality for me; they are my reality. I've learned to believe that words speak louder than actions. They've managed to bring a smile to my face. But this time around, with And the Mountains Echoed, somehow these same words that I thought made my day, brought tears to my eyes in a way no words ever have before.

I don't consider myself worthy of reviewing a masterpiece, a work of art that is And the Mountains Echoed. I honestly thought that The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns were the most incredible, raw, real and heart touching books I've ever read, but of course, trust Khaled Hosseini to prove me wrong. What he has done with this book, it's unreal, it's so incredibly magical and heartbreaking, devastating and tragic that I don't even know what to feel or how to feel. I just don't know.

All I know is that this is a book that's going to bring more tears to my eyes every time I remember it and seeing as I'm never going to forget it, I'm going to be needing many, many tissues. I swear no book has brought tears to my eyes the way And the Mountains Echoed did and no words moved me the way Khaled Hosseini's words did. A master storyteller, he blesses the word with literary gems every time he writes.

Buy the book: AMAZON

Review- A Light Amongst Shadows by Kelley York and Rowan Altwood

A Light Amongst Shadows on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

James Spencer is hardly the typical “troubled youth” who ends up at Whisperwood School for Boys. Instead of hating the strict schedules and tight oversight by staff, James blossoms, quickly making friends and indulging in his love of writing, while contemplating the merits of sneaking love poems to the elusive and aloof William Esher.

The rumours about William’s sexuality and opium reliance are prime gossip material amongst the third years. Rumours that only further pique James' curiosity to uncover what William is really like beneath all that emotional armor. And, when the normally collected William stumbles in one night, shaken and ranting of ghosts... James is the only one who believes him.

James himself has heard the nails dragging down his bedroom door and the sobs echoing in the halls at night. He knows others have, too, even if no one will admit it. The staff refuses to entertain such ridiculous tales, and punishment awaits anyone who brings it up.

Their fervent denial and the disappearance of students only furthers James’s determination to find out what secrets Whisperwood is hiding... Especially if it means keeping William and himself from becoming the next victims. 

Release date: June 1st 2018

Published by: x-potion designs

Page numbers: 

REVIEW: 

In case you did not know, I am a huge, huge, huge fan of Kelley York. She is one of my favourite authors, who has given me some of my favourite reads like Hushed and Made of Stars. I missed her collaboration with her wife, Rowan Altwood the last time when they wrote Other Breakable Things, so when I heard about A Light Amongst Shadows, I was super excited to read it. I was also so glad to be finally reading something by Rowan Altwood, and it was truly worth the wait. 

A Light Amongst Shadows started out as a very magical book as it reminded me of Hogwarts with the grand description of the boys school, Whisperwood. Discovering the school with the protagonist James was incredible because with time, I formed a bond with him. Going to the dining hall from the dorms to the secret tunnels, the graveyard and the forest was an adventure and I literally felt as if I was there with James. 

James was a very typical Kelley York character who I loved. He had a dark past and he worked hard towards a bright future. His friendship with Oscar, his roommate, reminded me so much of previous friendships Kelley has written about. And his relationship with William was incredibly well done. For two boys to be so comfortable and confident with and about each other at a time when such stuff was out of the question, was magnificent to see. 

The story of A Light Amongst Shadows revolves around James and his extremely sharp mind which starts discovering really odd stuff at the school. He takes it in his hands to find out exactly what happened to his roommate when he disappears one day. I would have liked to know more about the whys behind the discovery that James makes at the end, but the how of it was sad but satisfactory. I also found the story to be slightly slow in terms of pace, but it was something I could pass as I didn't want the book to end anyway. 

Overall, A Light Amongst Shadows came as a pleasant surprise because it's very different from what I'm normally used to from Kelley York. There is no doubt that she does LGBTQ really well, but now I know that she does historical really well, as well. So when the two came together here, it was a win win situation. I would definitely recommend this one, but if you are a regular Kelley York reader like me, this isn't like the author's previous works, so just be prepared for that. 

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the Kelly York in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Buy the book: AMAZON (IN)

Review- Inferno by Dan Brown

Inferno on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

‘Seek and ye shall find.’

With these words echoing in his head, eminent Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon awakes in a hospital bed with no recollection of where he is or how he got there. Nor can he explain the origin of the macabre object that is found hidden in his belongings.

A threat to his life will propel him and a young doctor, Sienna Brooks, into a breakneck chase across the city of Florence. Only Langdon’s knowledge of hidden passageways and ancient secrets that lie behind its historic facade can save them from the clutches of their unknown pursuers.

With only a few lines from Dante’s dark and epic masterpiece, The Inferno, to guide them, they must decipher a sequence of codes buried deep within some of the most celebrated artefacts of the Renaissance – sculptures, paintings, buildings – to find the answers to a puzzle which may, or may not, help them save the world from a terrifying threat…

Set against an extraordinary landscape inspired by one of history’s most ominous literary classics, Inferno is Dan Brown’s most compelling and thought-provoking novel yet, a breathless race-against-time thriller that will grab you from page one and not let you go until you close the book. 

Release date: May 14th 2013

Published by: Bantam Press

Page numbers: 465

REVIEW: 

After The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, Inferno was the third Dan Brown book I read. I had actually watched the movie when it came out, and I could relate to it on a whole new and practical level of reality and acceptance, which had me curious to pick up the book. When I ended up picking the book name from my 2017 TBR jar, I was more than excited to finally get on another Robert Langdon adventure.

Inferno starts very abruptly with Langdon somehow waking up in a hospital in Italy and escaping the dangerous Vayentha with Doctor Sienna Brooks. When a mysterious object with an inscrutable message is found in Langdon's jacket, a search begins for decoding, discovering and destroying Bertrand Zobrist's gift for the world.

I found the story to be very slow and with unnecessary details sometimes because for a 400 plus pages book, the story itself only revolves around a couple of days. But, as always, Langdon's adventures are packed with action and knowledge, a combination I've grown to appreciate and admire. I wish more people would worship this incredible hero who is someone to look up to!

Dan Brown writes the most meticulous and accurate stories that have the reader on the edge of the seat from the starting until the very end, and Inferno wasn't any exception as it proved to be another marvel of Brown. However, I do have a soft spot for this one because I learned so much from this book.

Overall, I would highly recommend Inferno if you care about the world and art and when you know you have time to invest in a book as this is a long, but a bloody brilliant one.

Buy the book: AMAZON (IN)

Review- The Desperate Love of a Lord by Jane Lark

The Desperate Love of a Lord on Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From Kindle bestselling Historical romance author, Jane Lark, comes a brand new FREE novella to accompany her breathtakingly beautiful Regency series.

Fiercely independent, Lady Violet Rimes, the merry widow, has played the town, dangling men from leashes like a pack of adoring hounds, always the one in control. She has never let a man toy with her.

An idle, attractive rake, Lord Geoffrey Sparks has had little to do other than enjoy life. He has let Violet play her games for months without complaint, because he likes her company—and admittedly her bed. But in recent months he's found himself gravitating towards her more and more. Things have changed between them. He likes her for who she is and not simply the notorious widow. He thought his feelings were returned, but . . . Why then has she suddenly vanished from town without a word?

A couple of months ago, she'd complained about his friend being a heartbreaker, but now Violet is breaking his heart... 

Release date: October 5th 2015

Published by: HarperImpulse

Page numbers: 108

REVIEW:

Author Jane Lark's The Desperate Love of a Lord is a novella that's free on Amazon. I am not into historical romance or romance in general, but I was in the mood for something quick and light, which is why I picked up this novella. Although it was very silly for my taste, it served its purpose of being a light and quick read that was, at the same time, nice as well. 

This is the story of Violet and Geoff, a man who is younger to her by seven years. Violet is now a widow and she meets Geoff for purely pleasure purposes. Obviously, you don't need to be the God of romance to put two and two together and figure out that the two eventually start developing feelings for one another when one fine day, Violet just decides to leave the city. The reason behind her disappearance is her newly found companion. 

For a historical novella, this story had some modern liberty and intellectuality thrown in as Violet and Geoff's relationship stems from something that is forbidden. And it further leads to more twists and turns that are generally considered forbidden. So it was fresh and atypical to see that in a historical romance. It was genuinely nice to have traditionalism veering slightly towards modernity.  

One part that didn't quite sit well with me was all the sexual activity which seemed to be the highlight of the book. No doubt that a romance digger would love to read about it, but I was looking for a meaningful story that had some great conversation between the protagonists. Nonetheless, The Desperate Love of a Lord was a quick, light and nice novella that's perfect for romance lovers. 

Buy the book: AMAZON

Review- The Boy in Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

The Boy in Striped Pyjamas on Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Berlin 1942

When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their home to a new house far far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people he can see in the distance.

But Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different to his own, and their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences.

Release date: 2012 (first published in 2006)

Published by: Vintage Children's Classics

Page numbers: 223

REVIEW:

When my friend Ao, over at Aobibliosphere, recommended The Boy in Striped Pyjamas to me and when I read his review for the same, I knew that I had to read the book. Even though I could try to understand why the book has got many negative reviews and why it has been bashed, I really don't care, because to each her/ his own. Besides, for me, The Boy in Striped Pyjamas was somewhat like The Kite Runner meets Between Shades of Gray, and it was a very moving and touching story that had my heart shedding tears. 

Fictionalizing history is very difficult because there's always going to be something that is going to offend someone. Bridging the gap between reality and fiction by respecting both is a truly an art, and author John Boyne narrates a resplendent tale of two boys who look at each other as humans first, and don't even bother defining each other based on anything else. While their innocence could be termed as naïveté, why wouldn't nine year-olds behave like nine year-olds? There was so much of depth to Bruno and Shmuel's friendship that it made me want to get them out of the book and hug them tight. 

More than just friendship though, The Boy in Striped Pyjamas is about a very difficult and violent period in history. What's told in this glorious tale is the story of two boys and two boys alone, but there's so much more to it than just that. The story is about courage, humanity and hope. Courage to cross the line and greet another as a friend. Humanity towards another human, which is what's expected. And finally hope that one day, everything will be all right. 

The Boy in Striped Pyjamas left me in tears and the two young and awe-inspiring boys taught me so much about life in less than 200 pages. John Boyne tells a lovely and heart-breaking story in a very simple manner. The author's writing was incredible, his words flowed so easily and his characterization was very realistic, with flaws and imperfections- just the way it should be. The Boy in Striped Pyjamas will take a few hours to finish, but will stay with the reader for far more than that time. 

Buy the book: AMAZON (IN) / FLIPKART

Review- Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Goodreads Summary:

It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. 

She devises a plan to get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street. Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.

REVIEW:

Author Ruta Sepetys' Out of the Easy had been sitting on my shelf since a very long time. Then out of the blue, the book was constantly on my mind for some reason, so I decided to finally pick it up and read it. I had only seen the book around before and heard great stuff about it. Having no clue what it was actually about, I went in without any expectations whatsoever, other than the fact that I was hoping the book would blow my mind away. Thankfully, the book was intriguing, mysterious and unique enough to do just that. I can't really say that I was surprised by the same, because from the very beginning, I knew that I had confronted a really nice story. 

Out of the Easy is the story of literature admirer and bookstore caretaker, Josie, who also happens to be the daughter of a prostitute who works for a very chic, quirky, strong and powerful women by the name of Willie. Josie also works for Willie wherein she does cleanup at the brothel. For me, having these three women at the core of the story made the book very women-centric. What was most admirable was that each of them was so unique in their own way and had a personality that was quite contrasting to the others. Having said that, the men in the story were very unparalleled as well. So we go from Cokie, the driver, to many men who visit the brothel and get nicknamed based on the place they come from to Charlie, book owner and author to spooks who give chills... Everyone was very unique and well developed as characters. Josie had two guys in her life, Patrick and Jesse, both of whom were astoundingly attractive and commendably smart. 

Even though Out of the Easy is essentially historical, there wasn't much of the socio-political history of the late 1940s and early 1950s other than the mention of a few wars here and there. What was really historical and what made it very charming was the description of the old world from the houses, buildings and exteriors to the roads, cafes and restaurants. Another positive was the mystery added which kept the story very gripping and extremely fast-paced as well. I thoroughly loved every second of the story and I was curious to read and know more. To top it all off, Ruta Sepetys' writing was so lovely and had a very rapidly poetic feel to it, and made the book very mysterious and dazzling. 

While the ending of the story was rather simplistic in my eyes and I would have liked the mystery to take a stronger hold since it seemed like it was the most important aspect after a certain point, I still liked Out of the Easy more than enough. Josie was a lovely and smart girl who made for a very brave and admirable character whose company I loved since page one. Her love for literature was easy to relate to. She is the heroine of the book, and honestly, there wouldn't be any problem if there were no guys in the story, because Josie was the hero too. This was her book and her story. A dazzling tale of the dark side of a town, the dark side of power, the unsteadiness in relationships, ambition, strife and everyone looking for their own advantages, Out of the Easy is a very lovely and gripping story. 

RATING:

Review- Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

Summary-

Annith has watched her gifted sisters at the convent come and go, carrying out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain, patiently awaiting her own turn to serve Death. But her worst fears are realized when she discovers she is being groomed by the abbess as a Seeress, to be forever sequestered in the rock and stone womb of the convent. Feeling sorely betrayed, Annith decides to strike out on her own.

She has spent her whole life training to be an assassin. Just because the convent has changed its mind doesn't mean she has...

Review-

Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers is the last book in the His Fair Assassin trilogy. I had thoroughly enjoyed Grave Mercy and Dark Triumph and thought things just couldn't get better in Mortal Heart. I was wrong. Mortal Heart was AMAZING! And I loved loved loved it!

Annith is the only one left at the Convent who is the oldest and has not yet been assigned anything. She is skilled and has always tried to please everyone around her hoping they would give her chance to finally prove herself. I loved Annith. At first you think she is just a good girl but there is so much more depth to her. Her reasons, her thoughts behind her actions, everything shows in Mortal Heart and it was lovely to watch.

When Annith discovers that she is going to made the next Seeress, against her wishes, she devises a plan to escape the Convent. And on her journey to find answers, she meets the dark and mysterious Balthazaar. I really liked seeing Balthazaar and his Hellequin. It was such a unique take on the whole thing and one I never would have imagined. 

The connection Annith and Balthazaar share was amazing to watch. They understood each other and had loads of chemistry. In a world where they had both lost hope they found something to hold on in each other. I loved how fierce Annith was when it came to protecting her loved ones and the duchess. There was an equal amount of political turmoil and romance in the book so it was a pleasure to read.

We also get to see loads of Ismae, Duval, Sybella and Beast in Mortal Heart. It is so good to see them doing so well with each other and facing things together. With Annith by their side they make a strong team. All the questions and open threads are cleared in Mortal Heart. There were many twists to say the least and everything came together seamlessly in the end. I loved Mortal Heart and this series has been one of the best ones I've read till date.

Review- Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

Summary-

When Sybella arrived at the doorstep of St Mortain half mad with grief and despair the convent were only too happy to offer her refuge - but at a price. The sisters of this convent serve Death, and with Sybella naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, she could become one of their most dangerous weapons.

But her assassin's skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to the life that nearly drove her mad. Her father's rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother's love is equally monstrous. But when Sybella discovers an unexpected ally she discovers that a daughter of Death may find something other than vengeance to live for...

Review-

I had thoroughly enjoyed reading Grave Mercy, the first book in the His Fair Assassin trilogy by Robin LaFevers. It was one of the most unique books I'd ever read. So I was really excited to read Dark Triumph which was Sybella's book. It is no surprise that I was blown away once again by Robin LaFevers' writing style and the world she has created. 

Sybella came off as some what of a whimsical character when we first met her in Grave Mercy. In Dark Triumph though we really get to see the secrets she is hiding underneath the facade. And hiding she is. I really liked Sybella. Her childhood and circumstances had made her have a tough exterior but she still was so vulnerable from within. By the end, I was surprised how strong Sybella really was after going through so much.

Then we have the hero. I don't want to say his name but it is safe to say that he was a beast of a man. He was the perfect counterpart to Sybella. Not overbearing but steady by Sybella's side. He was strong in his own way and brought the much needed light in Sybella's existence. The romance was less compared to the previous book but somehow it felt enough because it was more Sybella's journey.

I love how Robin LaFevers entwines political threads though Sybella's personal journey. Seeing what was happening in the d'Albert household gave much needed insight. Things are definitely not looking good for the duchess and  there are several factors which stand against them. I also really liked seeing what was happening with the abbess. Things look more suspicious now.

I adored that we get to see Ismae and Duval in Dark Triumph. Ismae was a true friend to Sybella and just what she needed at times. I just have to repeat that Robin LaFevers' writing is amazing and authentic. You need to read these books for the writing if nothing else. But the stories are just as beautiful as well. I loved Dark Triumph.

Review- The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Summary-

London, 1894. Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself-working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumours about her father′s gruesome experiments. But when she learns her father is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations were true.

Juliet is accompanied by the doctor′s handsome young assistant and an enigmatic castaway, who both attract Juliet for very different reasons. They travel to the island only to discover the depths of her father′s madness: he has created animals that have been vivisected to resemble, speak, and behave as humans. Worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island′s inhabitants. Juliet knows she must end her father′s dangerous experiments and escape the island, even though her horror is mixed with her own scientific curiosity. As the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father′s genius-and madness-in her own blood.

Review-

I was so very intrigued when I first saw the summary for The Madman's Daughter. It just seemed to look like a really good historical young adult gothic fiction with just the right amount of creepiness to make for an interesting read. Unfortunately, The Madman's Daughter did not live up to my expectations. I wanted more and I did not get it.

The main issue I had with this book was Juliet, our heroine. I did not like her. At all. And then it got tiring because the entire book goes from her point of view and I did not want to be in her head. Juliet had a lot of things to worry about, namely her father who is supposedly mad and a strange island where all things creepy are going on. But she kept dithering between her feelings for two boys. 

The whole eerie atmosphere which was built up kind of lost its point when one second Juliet was describing her surroundings and the other second she focused on her attraction to one of the boys. Can you even think of how it would feel to hold a boy's hand at a time when some creature is killing the island's inhabitants? I am also not a fan of love triangles anyways, so the romance plot was a fail for me.

The two boys who made for Juliet's love triangle were Montgomery and Edward. I really liked Montgomery. Juliet and he shared a connection since their childhood and he genuinely cared for her. While Edward was shown as a mysterious guy he did not live up to it. 

The interesting parts in The Madman's Daughter were definitely the experiments the doctor was conducting. There are quite a few gruesome scenes but nothing too severe. There were some interesting twists to the story even though the pace was a little slow, but not enough to make up for Juliet's irritating behavior. The Madman's Daughter was an okay read.

Review- Jeeves and the Wedding Bells by Sebastian Faulks

Goodreads Summary:

A gloriously witty novel from Sebastian Faulks using P.G. Wodehouse's much-loved characters, Jeeves and Wooster, fully authorised by the Wodehouse estate.

Bertie Wooster, recently returned from a very pleasurable soujourn in Cannes, finds himself at the stately home of Sir Henry Hackwood in Dorset. Bertie is more than familiar with the country house set-up: he is a veteran of the cocktail hour and, thanks to Jeeves, his gentleman's personal gentleman, is never less than immaculately dressed.

On this occasion, however, it is Jeeves who is to be seen in the drawing room while Bertie finds himself below stairs - and he doesn't care for it at all.

Love, as so often, is at the root of the confusion. Bertie, you see, has met Georgiana on the Cote d'Azur. And though she is clever and he has a reputation for foolish engagements, it looks as though this could be the real thing. However, Georgiana is the ward of Sir Henry Hackwood and, in order to maintain his beloved Melbury Hall, the impoverished Sir Henry has struck a deal that would see Georgiana becoming Mrs Rupert Venables.

Meanwhile, Peregrine 'Woody' Beeching, one of Bertie's oldest chums, is desperate to regain the trust of his fiancee Amelia, Sir Henry's tennis-mad daughter.

But why would this necessitate Bertie having to pass himself off as a servant when he has never so much as made a cup of tea? Could it be that the ever-loyal, Spinoza-loving Jeeves has an ulterior motive?

Evoking the sunlit days of a time gone by, Jeeves and the Wedding Bells is a delightfully witty story of mistaken identity, a midsummer village festival, a cricket match and love triumphant.

REVIEW:

*NOTE: We (The Readdicts) received a copy of Jeeves and the Wedding Bells by Sebastian Faulks from Random House India in exchange for an honest review. We thank the publishing house for the book! 

I came across Jeeves and the Wedding Bells in the wonderful Literary Blog Hop where it was up for grabs on quite a few blogs. I was lucky enough to win a copy and coincidentally, we even received it for review. For the life of me, I've never read or even thought of reading any P.G. Wodehouse book but I've heard some amazing things about them and do plan to pick at least a book or two sometime. I went into Jeeves and the Wedding Bells without having any idea about how it'd be but excited nonetheless because it sounded pretty interesting. Because I have no previously read P. G. Wodehouse experience to compare  Jeeves and the Wedding Bells to, my review is predominantly going to be about how the latter was for me. 

Honestly, the so to say "classic" or "literary" writing, though very beautiful, is something I find hard to follow and the- and again I say so to say- "old" or "traditional" English way of life, although supremely fascinating, is difficult for me to comprehend. And Jeeves and the Wedding Bells has both those which I found pretty nice and enjoyable but it couldn't hold my attention as it took me a lot of time to read the book. There are many, and I really mean many, many characters in the book which got really confusing at times but the main characters like Wooster from whose point of the view the book goes, Jeeves after whom the book is named and Georgina stood out and the numerous others, while very confusing to keep track of, were wonderfully put down. 

Jeeves and the Wedding Bells is quite an enjoyable read and I found myself laughing more than once at the absurdity of it and above everything else, the book truly amused me and for a first experience, it turned out to be pretty good. Maybe I didn't get the book as a Wodehouse fan would, but I did have a good time whilst reading it. I can say nothing about author Sebastian Faulks' take on a Wodehouse classic, but I have to say that the author's writing is very sharp and his story very entertaining. I enjoyed the references that I could understand and I only wish I'd liked the book more and maybe someday that's very far away when I decide to reread it, I actually will. 

RATING:

Review- The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti

Goodreads Summary:

Against a background torn from the pages of today’s headlines, The Almond Tree, by Michelle Cohen Corasanti, recasts the Palestinians in Israel and Gaza, a people frequently in the news, but often misrepresented and deeply misunderstood. This stunning debut conveys a universal story of human courage and perseverance. Comparable to Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, this novel delivers an inspirational story of unfathomable pain and an incredible perseverance. Gifted with a mind that continues to impress the elders in his village, Ahmed Hamid struggles with knowing that he can do nothing to save his friends and family. Living on occupied land, his entire village operates in fear of losing their homes, jobs, and belongings. But more importantly, they fear losing each other. On Ahmed’s twelfth birthday, that fear becomes reality. With his father imprisoned, his family’s home and possessions confiscated, and his siblings quickly succumbing to hatred in the face of conflict, Ahmed begins an inspiring journey using his intellect to save his poor and dying family. In doing so he reclaims a love for others that was lost through a childhood rife with violence and loss, and discovers a new hope for the future. The Almond Tree humanizes a culture and brings characters from a distant land to life. 

“Arguably the most important book of the year” Dream Crazy Book Reviews 

“The story is spell-binding with universal appeal and has potential of becoming an international best-seller and can do for Palestinians what The Kite Runner did for Afghanis” The Daily Star

REVIEW:

*NOTE: We (The Readdicts) received a copy of The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti from Nimi @ The Readers Cosmos in exchange for an honest review. We thank Nimi for the book! 

This. Yes, this. This is exactly the kind of story I need to read. If I had to pick one single genre to read for the rest of my life, it would be this. 

The simple and sole reason I picked up The Almond Tree to read was because it was spoken of on par with the most incredible novel I've ever read- Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner. I am not going to compare the two because that would mean being unfair to both when they are each amazing in their own way. There's nothing about The Almond Tree that I'd like to say that hasn't been said before. All those highly impressive praises given to the book by leading newspapers are so true that I doubt there still are any adjectives left to describe it's sheer amazingness. 

As a story, The Almond Tree took turns that I was hoping against hope it would take and I couldn't have been happier with the turn of events. Every death saddened me and brought tears to my eyes but in such stories, death is not just unavoidable, but much needed. Each of these deaths was followed by a slight ray of hope. 

I am not very well versed with the whole Israeli- Palestinian issue but I do read the newspaper and I have done my Majors in Politics so I like to believe that I know enough and I'm going to dig more into it now. This is the main theme of the book and I found it very interesting and intriguing to take a look at it from the protagonist Ahmed Hamid's eyes, right from when he is an innocent and curious twelve year old to the time he becomes a grey haired intelligent sixty something year old, and throughout all this, what stays constant is that he remains a family man. I didn't relate to his obsession with science but I understood it and I admired his passion for the same. What made Ahmed, Ahmed was the careful, loving and respectable upbringing done by his Mama and Baba, the latter for me was perhaps one the best book characters I've ever encountered. 

Author Michelle Cohen Corasanti's writing is so crisp, smooth and impressive. The pages flowed with wonderful words and simple teachings that I hope to apply in my life someday. The author tells the reader an amazing story in an amazing way and if this is only her debut novel, I really cannot wait to read what she writes next. She has portrayed humanity in its essence and her characters and story have managed to touch my heart. The Almond Tree did not leave me as numb as I would have liked it too. Nonetheless, it is an amazing novel that's definitely one of the most impressive debuts of 2013. It is a story that's about more than just education and politics- it's about family, faith, friendship, hope, peace and love. 

RATING:

This book review is a part of The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program. To get free books log on to The Readers Cosmos. 

Review- Longbourn by Jo Baker

Summary-

If Elizabeth Bennet had the washing of her own petticoats, Sarah thought, she would be more careful not to trudge through muddy fields.

It is wash-day for the housemaids at Longbourn House, and Sarah's hands are chapped and bleeding. Domestic life below stairs, ruled tenderly and forcefully by Mrs Hill the housekeeper, is about to be disturbed by the arrival of a new footman smelling of the sea, and bearing secrets.

For in Georgian England, there is a world the young ladies in the drawing room will never know, a world of poverty, love, and brutal war.

Review-

Longbourn by Jo Baker looked really interesting. It is Pride and Prejudice from the servant's point of view. I have read and liked Pride and Prejudice and I also like Jane Austen so I was excited about getting started on Longbourn. Longbourn turned out to be a good read.

Sarah is the maid at Longbourn. She does all the work in the house. There may be a lot of activity going on upstairs with Mr. and Mrs. Bennett and the Bennett sisters but things below remain the same. I really liked Sarah. She might be a servant but she wanted so much more from life. She is a hardworking girl and just wants to be noticed for it.

Things change in Sarah's life when a new footman James arrives. Sarah knows James is hiding something. But it just seems like no one in the house hold can see this except her. I liked James. He was quiet and just wanted everyone to overlook his presence. He wanted to earn his meals and go to bed. Having seeing too much during war, he has no intention of letting anyone in. But Sarah finds a way.

Sarah and James' story is just a thread in Longbourn. The book is divided into three volumes. The first two being the present with Sarah's story from the beginning. Here we get to meet the housekeeper Mrs. Hill and the young Polly. The third volume we get the most from James' point of view seeing what he had been through.

Longbourn reads like a classic. Its pacing is slow but if you're in the mood for this kind of read it makes for an excellent pick. Jo Baker's writing is descriptive and it makes you feel as though you're living in those times. Overall, I enjoyed reading Longbourn.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Random House India in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.