The Gods Themselves

Book Title : The Gods Themselves

Author : Issac Asimov

Genre : Science Fiction

ISBN : 9780553288100

Pages : 293

Binding : Paperback

Plot :

In the twenty second century Earth obtains limitless, free energy from a source science little understands : an exchange between Earth and a parallel universe, using a process devised by the aliens. But even free energy has a price. The transference process itself will eventually lead to the destruction of Earth's Sun - and of Earth itself.

Only a few know the terrifying truth - an outcast Earth scientist, a rebellious alien inhabitant of a dying planet, a lunar born human intuitionist who senses the imminent annihilation of the Sun. They know the truth - but who will listen? They have foreseen the cost of abundant energy - but who will believe? These few beings, human and alien hold the key to Earth's survival.

My Rating : ☆☆☆☆

Review :

The Gods Themselves was gifted to me by my husband on my birthday this July after he had introduced me to Issac Asimov at the start of this year. And like all the books I have read so far, this one didn't disappoint either. 

The book is written in three parts. The first part - against stupidity, builds up the background for the whole story - it starts with a discovery, goes on to the invention and ending with the ill effect the invention will have in the future. But the problem is, no one is willing to hear the truth of the disaster hidden behind the invention. The first part was a complete page turner. 

The second part - the gods themselves, deals with the para men and their universe. This part of the book is most interesting. The way he has described the aliens and their lives is amazing. I totally loved the concept of their early stages and their evolution - sort of made me feel like the concept of yin and yang but with the need of a binder to come together. The last few pages where the whole evolution process is explained is extremely well written and the end is quiet unexpected. 

Third and last part - contend in vain is the concluding part which provides a solution to the problem presented in first part. On the whole, this part has been most disappointing. I was hoping for some more alien human interactions or at least some mention of the alien community. Furthermore, the solution provided though practical and feasible, is completely unrelated to original invention. So it seemed like the last part was complete cut off from the whole book except some small mentions. 

Overall an interesting read and a fast paced book for you to pick up. 

Happy Reading! 

The Mahabharata Quest

Book Title : The Mahabharata Quest
Author : Christopher C. Doyle
ISBN : 9789384030599
Genre : Fiction
Rating : ☆☆☆

When I reviewed the Mahabharata Secret, I had already been reading this book and because I felt this book deserved only 2 stars, I decided to give that book 3 stars instead of 2 stars. I felt this book deserved 2 star because of the lack of originality - the author seemed to be going the Dan Brown's (Robert Langdon) way - if this was the case, then the first novel still deserved 3 stars because it was first in the series (somehow I feel this is only fair to give 1st book a greater rating). But upon reading it, I felt it was 3 star worthy.

Unlike the first book, this is a multiple books series with next part of the series coming out in Jan / Feb 2016 (tentatively).

In the beginning, the book developed some hope in the reader for it to be a great read. But soon it turned into an Indianised version of Robert Langdon series and I had made up my mind to give this book 2 stars. 

But reading further, the plot catches up with you and gets you super interested. Furthermore, unlike its predecessor, the book had that one quality which is the most important characteristic of a Mythological fiction - it is to explain supernatural with logics of science.

But of course, some parts are a bit too much even for a good fiction - like they say for bollywood movies, that it can defy all logic and anything can happen; I got the same feeling in some parts of book.

And the book has left many questions unanswered, answers to which the author promises in following books of the series. Like in its predecessor, this book also isn't much about Mahabharata except for the myth of "sagarmanthan" in it, again using the title to lure readers. 

Another fast paced novel with a promise of a good story. Read it, if you like, but I won't go to the extent of saying that the series is must read till I have read the whole series - the first book doesn't deliver enough to warrant the success of whole series. Of course, I will be reading the whole series, because I want the answers - but for now, you can put aside the book, if you have something else to read.

Happy Reading! 

The Mahabharata Secret

Book Title : The Mahabharata Secret
Author : Christopher C. Doyle
ISBN : 9789383202317
Genre : Fiction
Rating : ☆☆☆

Okay, I was torn between giving it a rating of 3 stars or 4 stars. Let me first tell you why I gave it 3 stars - the whole plot is taken from Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code (I will come back to the book in a moment) which means there is no originality. But then again I wanted to add one more star because being an Indian and reading up lot of mythology and Mythological fiction lately, I was a bit partial since it dealt with Indian mythology and it's secrets. But then, I had to be true to myself and to all who will read this review - thus finally decided to give it the rating it deserved.

If we leave aside the fact that the plot has been copied and then Indianised, it is an interesting read.It has the twists and turns required, it has the thrill and it's fun to read about how the clues were solved. But majorly, you remain hooked to the book and continue reading to the end is to find out what the great secret was.

Having said that, it is only fair to say that in places the story was quiet predictable. But at this point one more thing deserves a mention here - the end! The climax at the end is worth reading the book for (saying anything more about the climax will make this review a spoiler).

Furthermore, the Mahabharata twist turned out to be nothing much - it was all about the fictional Vimaan Parva. Maybe it was only used as a ruse to lure Indian readers.

Overall its a fast paced book and the narration style is good. Anyways, if you are a Dan Brown fan or have read the Da Vinci Code, you might not want to read it - because you really won't be missing out on anything if you don't read it. As for me, I am a sucker for reading - which explains why I have picked up the next book in the series after being disappointed with this one to some extent. 

Happy Reading! 

Three Men On The Bummel

Book Title : Three Men On The Bummel
Author : Jerome K. Jerome
ISBN : 9788182523487
Genre : Comic Novel
Rating : ☆☆☆

So, apparently this book is a sequel to Three Men in a Boat, which I haven't read beyond a chapter in School's English literature book. Also the book is supposedly much better than its predecessor.

The book is regarded as a comic masterpiece - so did I find it funny - well I loved the humour in there; but that's where my liking for the book ends.

I'm sure, the author has an amazing fan following - but somehow this piece of classic didn't strike a chord with me. Like I said, beyond the humour nothing appealed to me.

On the onset it felt like the book will be about an amazing adventure trip and it seemed very promising. It started off real well with descriptions of adventures the trio faced. But then it became more and more about the stories they have heard and about the anecdotes (some of which were really hilarious - I won't take that away from it) that their trip was sort of lost in between it. Further there was no clear distinction between the parts which described the trio's adventures and parts which were anecdotes - which at times gets confusing.

If I was to rate the book on humour alone, I would have rated it a 4 or a 4.5 but on the whole, the book sort of disappointed me.Would I pick the book again, definitely not! And that for me is a deciding factor. Well as they say - to each his own. So for me, the book didn't make it.

Happy Reading!

Room

Book Title : Room
Author : Emma Donoghue
ISBN : 9780330519021
Genre : Novel
Rating : ☆☆☆☆☆

A book I picked out of my mother in law's shelf - what intrigued me was the synopsis at the back cover - "Jack is five. He lives in a single, locked room with his Ma."

This two line synopsis was the shortest and most powerful one I had read till now.

This book is narrated by the male protagonist Jack, who we know from the synopsis, is a five year old kid - thus the grammar is imperfect, as it should be for a five year old - this simple fact, being taken care of by the author, lends a kind of sincerity to the narration.

Apart from the synopsis, when I started reading the book, what attracted me most was the description of mother and son's day to day life - being a new mother to a lovely boy, it gave me numerous ideas on how to raise my kid so that he is smart and how to keep him busy with interesting games on those rainy days.

But then, as we delve deeper into the novel, the horror of the situation sets in - it gets scarier when you realize, the reason for their confinement is a psychopath - who had strange inhuman ways of punishing them - it's totally unnerving!

But then, thankfully there's an escape - which is like halfway in the book. And then you might wonder, what would make the rest of the book??? But then, the troubles continue - for the mother has to once again get accustomed to living in the society and the kid, who knew no world beyond 11 feet square room and has talked to none except his mom, has to learn how to survive in this 'outside' world. 

With most of the book, drawing a melancholy, the end - to be most precise, the last couple of paragraphs, are actually happy paragraphs. They give the book 'a happy ending' where they are finally able to bid adieu to the room and hopefully the bad memories associated with the room. 

It's a fast paced novel, except for in the middle where it gets a bit of a drag only till there is another twist to pull you right back into the story. It's a disturbing novel, but one that would touch your heart like no other - it's not exactly your holiday read, but this book definitely deserves to be read. Jack deserves a chance to let his story be known...

Happy Reading! 

Scion of Ikshvaku

 Book Title : Scion of Ikshvaku  (Ram Chandra Series I)

Author : Amish Tripathi

ISBN : 9789385152146

Genre : Fiction

Rating : ☆☆☆☆

Having read the Shiva Trilogy by the same author, I had high hopes from his next series and he has more or less hit the mark - even if it ain't a bull's eye, it is in the vicinity.

If you have read his previous books, you would know that he is one author who human-ises the gods and retells the stories from our mythology making them more believable. This series is based on Ramayana. 

There are no complaints with regards to his writing style - for that is what sets him apart. And so far, the story has been really captivating  (when it took 2 months to complete 3 books (woes of parenthood - finding 'me time' with a 2 month old) - it took me about a week to finish this book) - so I can safely say, it's a page turner.

As far as the plot goes, of course it's an adaptation of the Ramayana - so you cannot find any fault with it.

Having said all that, I still had to take a star away from the book is because there seem to be some gaps in the story - these gaps aren't the 'in your face' variety but they linger in the background if you have read Shiva Trilogy - since the author has definitely tried to bring a connection in both the series with things like nagas or maika system.

But then, this could only be my personal interpretation and you as a reader might not find any fault with the story. And even though I mention these gaps and take a star away, I would still urge you to read the book for even if you leave mythology aside, it's a fun story to read and you won't be left disappointed.

Happy Reading!!!