Review- The First Life of Vikram Roy by Laxmi Hariharan

Goodreads Summary:

His family is being held to ransom by a deadly mastermind. 

Vikram never should have left his family, but when Vikram's father bring his half-brother Vishal home, life will never be the same. 

Vikram thinks things will be better now that he's gone. He's met the love of his life, his future looks bright and then everything is shattered. 

Now, his family's life is hanging in the balance, and only Vikram can do what needs to be done to save them. 

From the bestselling dystopian fiction author with over 200 reviews and ratings of her dystopia books across Goodreads, Amazon and other retailers. 

"A killer ending and the pacing of the story and the build-up is really good. I related to Vikram, really liked it." Richard Sheehan, Author and editor 

"I raced through the book... And the killer ending! Oh my God! It left me with a hangover, and makes me want to physically push the author to write the next book in the series faster." Ritesh Kala, Book reviewer & blogger 

If you’re looking for books like Hunger Games, then this dystopia romance, The Ruby Iyer Series is it.

REVIEW:

In the recent past, I have been on a Laxmi Hariharan reading spree. I read The Ruby Iyer Diaries sometime ago, and then I almost read her The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer, UnTamed (a short story that's a part of the Uncommom Bodies anthology) and The First Life of Vikram Roy back to back, which kind of made me get used to the author's beautiful writing style and enchanting story-telling. What I can say without second thought is that The First Life of Vikram Roy is the best I've read by Laxmi so far. 

Just like any reader out there who has read the first book in the Ruby Iyer series, I was super curious about the mysterious and very tantalizing cop, Vikram Roy. He was unlike any Indian cop I've read about before, and that too as hero of the book, he stood out a lot in a very unconventional and alluring way. So naturally, when I got to know about The First Life of Vikram Roy, I was really interested in reading it to get to know Vikram better. My friend Ritesh (you can read his review of the book here) was absolutely right when he said that I will like this book. 

In terms of its execution, The First Life of Vikram Roy is very similar to The Ruby Iyer Diaries, in the sense that we have direct access to the head of Vikram as an innocent, cute and extremely mature child to a sensible, responsible and still mature adult. There's so much in this book that helped me understand Vikram better, as a reader and all of it was absolutely good and sometimes difficult to know. On the surface, it might seem like Vikram's life is easy, but deep down, his life is full of hardships. I mean, he doesn't even get to enjoy his childhood, because he is too busy being the adult that his home needs. I feel for this guy- oh so much! 

Without giving away any spoilers especially when it comes to the story, I will conclude by saying that the reason I find this to be Laxmi's best work is because this book has everything- puberty, teenage drama, romance, mystery, suspense, thrill, emotions, feelings, a killer ending... You name it and the book has it. And that ending! I need to know more, so I'm excited to see what happens next. 

*A copy of The First Life of Vikram Roy by Laxmi Hariharan was provided by Read Out Loud in exchange for an honest review. We thank them for the book. 

RATING: 

Review- Untamed by Laxmi Hariharan

Book Summary:

Wolf girl Leana Iyeroy, the first hybrid in her family, only ever wanted to be 100% human. An unexpected encounter with the Hugging Saint of Bombay forces Leana to face the wolf inside her. Will she finally make peace with herself? A magic-realist, coming-of-age tale. 

REVIEW:

Untamed is a short story written by author of The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer, Laxmi Hariharan. In the near future, the story will feature as part of the Uncommon Bodies anthology. Going by the highly interesting story Laxmi has written, the curiosity to read the anthology is piqued and it will be intriguing to see if the other stories will be just as gripping as Untamed, and if they will live up to the expectations of this very well written work. 

The most interesting part of Untamed was its connection to The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer, which was a recent read. After meeting the violent and spine-chilling Dr. Braganza and the very fierce and kickass Ruby Iyer, it was such a pleasure to meet the next generation of the family- Leana Iyeroy. And as that was written, it's difficult to not appreciate the creativity in that surname. How ridiculous that it struck while reviewing and not while reading. Kudos to Laxmi! 

Untamed was a really nice and refreshing story that took place is 2060, so there is definitely a lot of thought that went into it and there's impatience to know where the story is headed next. Every part of this very, very short story was well done and well developed. But like the problem is with all short stories, there is that greed for more! 

Plus, the most important aspect of the story: Werewolves. Always. Work. 

*A copy of Untamed by Laxmi Hariharan was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. We thank Laxmi for the book. 

RATING: 

Review- The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer by Laxmi Hariharan

Goodreads Summary:

When her best friend is kidnapped, Ruby will stop at nothing to rescue him. 

Criminals run the streets of Bombay. Jam-packed with the worst degenerates. The city is a shell of the pride and joy it used to be. 

Ruby knows something must be done, but it isn’t until her best friend is kidnapped by the despotic Dr. Braganza that she knows that she and she alone must save city, save her best friend, save the world from total destruction. 

Armed only with with Vikram, a cop-turned-rogue they are about to embark on a road they may never return from. 

If you’re looking for fast-paced books like Hunger Games or dystopia fiction like Angelfall, the Ruby Iyer series is perfect for you. 

Ruby Iyer series: 

Ruby Iyer Diaries (Ruby Iyer Series #0.0 Companion novelette to The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer (Ruby Iyer #0.5)

REVIEW:

What I enjoyed most about The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer is the fact that the book centres around a kickass female protagonist. Although difficult to relate to and immature at times, Ruby Iyer was definitely a fresh change from the typical damsels in distress. Getting into her head got on my nerves sometimes, but it was amusing to read from her point of view. She and her love interest, Vikram Roy made for a very cool and new age couple, which was awesome. 

While I wasn't a 100% into the story as it didn't keep me as gripped and interested as I would have liked, it was still really good to imagine the city of dreams collapse and go from being hero to zero. Bombay was really well portrayed by author Laxmi Hariharan, who made it easy even for a person like me who isn't a frequent Bombay visitor, to imagine everything perfectly. Also, I found it so hard to even think of the same happening in reality because even though I am not the biggest fan of the city, even I know that Bombay is Bombay. 

Another really impressive part was the subtle combination of dystopian and fantasy that Laxmi nailed. It was fascinating on the one hand, to read the slight mythological references and on the other hand, the very futuristic aspirations that the villain, Dr. Braganza has for Bombay. I'm not sure if that was the intention of the author, but the two aspects stood out and made for a good combination. 

All the other characters were very well done as well. It's still confusing for me as to exactly where the story is headed and what the villain really wants, but I sure as hell am curious to know more. I just hope I get all the answers in the next instalment and the other books to come in the series. Overall, The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer was an enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend to fans of dystopian who want something different in the genre. 

*A copy of The Many Lives by Laxmi Iyer was provided by the author and Read Out Loud in exchange for an honest review. We thank them for the book. 

RATING: 

Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway- The First Life of Vikram Roy by Laxmi Hariharan

An exclusive excerpt and GIVEAWAY from The First Life of Vikram Roy

The Ruby Iyer Series—by Laxmi Hariharan

I hear the staccato of shots being fired, followed by yells and howls of pain. Then, the sound of something being smashed and everything goes quiet. The TV no longer chatters. I look to the open door. The recreation room is down at the end of the corridor. The sounds of shots get closer. Without giving myself a chance to think I make a run for the door slam it shut, lock it and it’s as if that’s a signal to the rest of the men to jump to their feet. Without a word, the ten of us scram to our bunks, pull on trousers and shoes.We get our hands on whatever weapon we can find. No guns, none of us have guns. So I grab my cricket bat. (As if that’s going to make a difference?)

 Around me the others too are grabbing cricket bats and hockey sticks. Neil grabs an iron rod. An iron rod? Where did he get that from?  We drop to the floor, crouch and wait.

Should I hide under the bed? Nope, no way. Like, that is going to help.

And then a crash as the door is broken down, hacked by what looks like an axe till it’s in pieces on the floor and through it step through two men. One holding a machine gun, the other wielding an axe which he drops to the floor and instead grabs the the gun slung over his back. They are both wearing balaclavas, so we can’t see their features. Of medium height, they are muscular and dressed all in black: Black jeans and sweatshirts, their hair covered by the hoods. Their backs are to the door. They point their guns at us, signalling to us to put our hands up. I hesitate, not looking around but sense that the others too are not sure what to do. The first gunman points his gun at the nearest recruit … a boy just out of his teens and shoots him in the head.

There is a collective gasp from the room. A chill runs through me. Who are they? How did they break through the security measures of the force base? And then they are foolish enough to barge right into the heart of the training facilities of the force and shoot its cadets? Why? Why would they do that? The gunmen gesture to us and this time we follow their orders. We walk to the wall at the back of the bunkhouse and line up, hands on our heads, staring ahead.

An alarm rings out then. Finally! It’s been almost ten minutes since the shooting started. Still, the reinforcements should be here soon. Now all we need to do is keep these gun men distracted enough so they don’t kill us. As if reading my mind, the guy who’d shot the young recruit moves forward, his gun trained on us. I draw in a breath and hold it. The sweat trickles down my back. My heart is racing so fast I am sure if I look down I can see it leaping out of my chest. The gunman passes me, walks to the end of the line; then back to the middle where I am.

"You have no idea what this is about do you?" He asks.

He sounds young, as if he is barely a man himself. And something in his voice … muffled as it is, it sounds familiar. A faint recollection  grabs the edge of my mind, And then I forget everything because he leans close to Neil who is next to me, and smashes the butt of his gun into his stomach. Neil falls to the ground, moaning, holding his middle. I firm up my stomach muscles. I know I am next, I must be. I want to squeeze my eyes shut, but don’t. The gunman leans to the other side, and shoots another man in the head.

This chap collapses without a cry. What the fuck? I want to jump him right then, but that would be really stupid of me. I am not going to help anyone if I get killed will I? There are six of us left in the room now. One of the younger recruits lets out a sob, at which gunman no 2 holds his gun at him, so he shuts up immediately.

The gunman asks me, "Where are the plans?’

"What are you talking about?" I reply, trying to stay calm, struggling not to show how scared I am inside.

He only grins and in response, and without taking his eyes off me, holds his gun up and I know what what he is going to do and I scream. "No!" But it’s too late. This time he’s shot two more guys in succession. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. These guys are desperate, or crazy or both.

Besides me Neil stirs on the ground. 

The gunman takes a deep breathe, as if trying to calm himself and says, "Don’t pretend to be dumb. If you don’t get me the blue prints of the security arrangements being planned by the force for Bombay; the one that you and your team mates are being trained for, then all the rest of you die too."

Only six of us left now. Four young lives, gone just like that. I feel sick. What the fuck are these guys upto? And … and how do they know about the plans? This is top secret. The only reason I know about it, is because I’ve overheard the training officer speaking with the ACP about it on the phone last week. And only because I happened to be waiting outside his room then. And how does this gunman even know that I know the details?

Want to find out what happens next? Click here

Want to find out what happens next? Click here

About The First Life of Vikram Roy (Ruby Iyer Series)

His family is being held to ransom by a deadly mastermind. 

Vikram never should have left his family, but when Vikram's father brings his half-brother Vishal home, life will never be the same. Vikram thinks things will be better now that he's gone. He's met the love of his life, his future looks bright and then everything is shattered. Now, his family's life is hanging in the balance, and only Vikram can do what needs to be done to save them. From the bestselling dystopian fiction author with over 200 reviews and ratings of her dystopia books across Goodreads, Amazon and other retailers. 

If you’re looking for books like Hunger Games, then this dystopia romance series, The Ruby Iyer Series is it.

About the origins of Ruby Iyer:

Growing up in Bombay, my daily commute to university was inevitably nightmarish. It's just how public transport is here. The man behind you on the bus will brush up against you. You know you are going to be felt up on a crowded train platform. All you can do is accept it and get on. Or so you think. I did too, until, a young photojournalist was raped in the centre of Bombay in broad daylight.  It made me furious. Nothing had changed in this city in all these years. Then, I had a vision of this young girl who would not back down; who would follow her instincts, stand up for herself regardless of consequences.  Thus Ruby Iyer was born. Make no mistake, Ruby’s her own person. She leads. I follow. You can download the RUBY IYER DIARIES, the prequel novelette in the series free HERE

About The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer:

2015 Readers' Favorite (Bronze) YA Action

 YA Finalist 2015 IAN Book of the Year Award

Finalist 9th Annual Indie Excellence Awards

When her best friend is kidnapped, Ruby will stop at nothing to rescue him. 

Criminals run the streets of Bombay. Jam-packed with the worst degenerates. The city is a shell of the pride and joy it used to be. Ruby knows something must be done, but it isn’t until her best friend is kidnapped by the despotic Dr Braganza that she knows that she and she alone must save city, save her best friend, save the world from total destruction. Armed only with Vikram, a cop-turned-rogue they are about to embark on a road they may never return from. If you’re looking for fast-paced books like Hunger Games or dystopia fiction like Angelfall, the Ruby Iyer series is perfect for you. 

GIVEAWAY

The First Life of Vikram Roy, The THIRD book in the RUBY IYER Series, launches this month. To celebrate the launch of the FIRST LIFE OF VIKRAM ROY I am giving away a $30 gift card. Enter HERE. Winner will be drawn, Oct 1, 2015, and announced in my next newsletter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DOING MY BIT

All SEPTEMBER earnings from the RUBY IYER SERIES will be donated to SAVE THE CHILDREN: SUPPORT CHILD REFUGEES OF SYRIA. All the RUBY IYER books with their brand new covers, are on SALE all this month at 99p/c &Rs 69/49. Click HERE to buy them. 

YOU can also donate to SAVE THE CHILDREN directly HERE. 

Review- The Ruby Iyer Diaries by Laxmi Hariharan

Goodreads Summary:

The prequel to The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer: This is a peek into the soul of an angry, young girl, who will come of age in a city on the verge of total annihilation.

REVIEW:

The Ruby Iyer Diaries is a prequel to The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer, a dystopian set in Mumbai that has been on my to-read pile since quite some time now. Most readers have been reading the prequel after having read the first full-length book in the series. As I'm always up for novellas and I don't like breaking links, I thought I would read The Ruby Iyer Diaries first as it gives us a glimpse into the life of Ruby Iyer. 

The Ruby Iyer Diaries is a collection of letters from Ruby, the main character's personal diary. These letters start from when Ruby was a ten year old school girl and go on until she turns sixteen and starts college. For a twenty odd pages short novella, this book is an enjoyable read. Ruby's convent school experiences took me back to my own school days, which always leaves me smiling and nostalgic, which is a positive point for me. 

As I have not yet read The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer, I cannot really say whether this novella is absolutely essential before starting with the series. I don't see why it won't be useful as it has helped me understand Ruby and it will make other readers understand the character as well. I suppose Ruby's family situation and the start to her kick-ass personality are well shown in The Ruby Iyer Diaries. I can't wait to see how Ruby stands up for herself in the future as well and what adventures she encounters. 

I can pinpoint only one reason as to why the novella won't be so useful and that reason is simple. Our teenage years are a mess. We don't grow up to be who we were back then. All of us change, for better or worse. So it doesn't really matter what Ruby did or how she was before, as her present is what will matter most to readers. Also, Ruby's voice seemed very mature to me as compared to her age. 

In any case, like I said before, his novella is quite an enjoyable read that has left me eager to start with the series. 

RATING:

Book Spotlight- The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer by Laxmi Hariharan

Hi guys! Thanks to our buddy Aparajita @ Tourz de Codex, we're part of the blog tour for author Laxmi Hariharan's book, The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer. 

This is actaully a Massive Review Blast, but we've chosen to promote the book instead since both Janhvi and I are occupied with studies at the moment. Anyway, for more information on the blast, you can go here. Having said, if at some later point one of us read the book, we'll obviously share our review here. Now without much ado, let's get on to see what we have in store for you. 

GOODREAD SUMMARY:

A girl desperate to rescue her best friend, a cop willing to do anything to save the city he serves, and a delusional doctor bent on its annihilation. 
When Ruby Iyer's best friend is kidnapped by the despotic Dr Kamini Braganza, she will do anything to rescue him. Anything, including taking the help of the unpleasant Vikram Roy, a cop on a mission to save Bombay. The city needs all the help it can get, and these two are the only thing standing between its total destruction by Doctor Braganza's teen army. As Bombay falls apart around them, will Ruby be able to save her friend and the city? Will she finally discover her place in a city where she has never managed to fit in? And what about her growing feelings for Vikram?

BOOK LINKS:

GOODREADS / AMAZON / AMAZON (UK) / AMAZON (US) / AMAZON (IN)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A near life experience told Laxmi Hariharan to write. She never stopped. Laxmi is the creator of Ruby Iyer, and the Amazon bestselling, eLit Gold winner The Destiny of Shaitan (Bombay Chronicles, 1). She has been a journalist, and a global marketer with NBCU and MTV. Laxmi also blogs for Huffington Post, among others. London is where she writes. Bombay is what fires her imagination. Reach her @Laxmi or at her website. 

AUTHOR LINKS: 

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / GOODREADS

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Many thanks to Aparajita for most of the information listed above. I'd also like to tahnk her for letting us be part of this, and thank you to Laxmi too. I hope you enjoyed this post and are now looking forward to the book. Thank you for stopping by, and happy reading!