Kim's Review : Queen of Someday - Stolen Empire Series

Sherry Ficklin's Stolen Empire Series is the story of Princess Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg and her journey to becoming Catherine the Great of Russia.

While the subject matter itself is extremely exciting and I was really looking forward to some Historical Fiction set in Russia, however Sherry's treatment of the subject is more reminiscent of Reign (featuring Queen of Scotland Mary Stuart), than The Tudors or The Borgias.

An innocent naive child thrown into the political intrigue of the Imperial Russian Court as a possible suitor for Peter the III, with a mother spying for the Germans, an aging Empress wanting to secure her own line, young and old men attracted to her beauty and an unreliable and slightly manic Royal suitor.

This book might appeal to a younger audience, but for me personally I wished that it had a little more substance than romantic dalliances.

I loved the concept of a youtube video link at the end of some chapters, that showed original paintings of the time and an actress playing the role of Catherine. However, I would not be picking up any more books in this trilogy.

Rating : 3/5

#100BooksPact 10/100

Kim's Review : The Mammoth Book of Angels and Demons

No, I'm not reading Dan Brown's novel a decade late, this book is a compendium of short stories on the Supernatural beings - Angels & Demons. Of course, it was George RR Martin's name in the credits that made me pick it up. I'm restless with waiting, for the next book in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series (more popularly know as "The Game of Thrones")

This compendium of stories concerning Angels & Demons is a mixed bag. Some of the stories were hugely fascinating and made me want to read other works by the authors like Richard Parks, Caitlin Kiernan, Tanya Huff and Chelsea Yabro. There were other stories that I really enjoyed, but some were not too exciting. But that's what happens when you pick up an anthology, you love some stories and could be indifferent to others, even going so far as to hate some of them. Fortunatley, my reactions were not so extreme on the negative side.

I loved the little introduction that the editor of this collection - Paula Guran provided and the beginning of each story. It was a lovely way to create a setting and provides an insight into specific beliefs concerning Angels & Demons in other religions and traditions.

Its a great collection if the subject matter interests or fascinates you.

Rating : 3.75/ 5



#100BooksPact 9/100

Kim's Review : Sita's Sister

Kavita Kane's Second Novel (after Karna's Wife) - Sita's Sister, demonstrates how much she has grown as a novelist.

This book tells the Ramayan from the perspective of Urmila - Sita's Sister, the natural born daughter of King Janaka of Mithila and Queen Sunayana - the wife of Lakshman - the Princess who supposedly slept away the 13 years of exile, so that her husband may remain ever alert & awake. She is often ignored in the main retellings of the Ramayana.

However, who is to say whose trials were worse - that of young bride Sita who accompanied her husband for 14 years in the forest or those of newly married Urmila forced to live away from her husband for 14 years while e followed his brother dutifully?

Sita's sister makes some excellent points. And unlike most retellings that say that Urmila slept for the 14 years that her family was away, here Kavita Kane's Urmila is the essential lynch pin who holds the rest of the family in Ayodhya together for 14 years. Kavita's Urmila is responsible beyond her years, a well educated scholar in her own right, grounded, sensible, emotionally stable Princess. It was a pleasure to see the Ramayan through her eyes.

Kavita also touches on Mandavi & Shrutakirti - their cousins who were married to Bharata & Shatrugna - and how the exile affected them too.

However, the most poignant redemption in this book is that of Kaikeyi.

This is a lovely book, well worth reading, especially if you are interested in different narratives of the epics.

Rating : 4 / 5

#100BooksPact 8/100

Brajesh's Review : Blood Red Sari

While we have Ashok Banker’s entire Ramayana series on our book-shelf, I haven’t had the courage to pick up an 8 volume series. I really turned fan of Ashok Banker through the beautiful Ten Kings.

When I saw that Kindle was offering “Blood Red Sari” for free, I downloaded it to see how a master of historical fiction would treat a pure modern fiction. In the end my response to this book is kind of mixed. While I love the characters and speed of the narrative. I simultaneously felt the actual story line and situations were really far-fetched and believability was a big challenge.

The other irritation for me was to figure out at the end of the book that this was first in a series and most resolutions were left hanging for the sequel. I felt cheated that an author of this repute would hide the fact that the book is not complete and lure me to the last page and then leave me hanging. If the attempt is to make me buy the next few books (first being free on kindle) I must say the author and publisher both have failed miserably as they have an irritated reader at hand.

Rating : 2.5/5

Brajesh's Review : Being Global - How to Think, Act and Lead in a Transformed World

I was gifted "Being Global - How to Think, Act and Lead in a Transformed World" after a guest lecture. The idea looked exciting and when I was called back to give a similar guest lecture to the next batch of participants, I decided to challenge myself and instead of going for the same content, I decided to use this new book by Angel Cabrera & Gregory Unruh as the straw-man for my next lecture.

I must say the frame-work was interesting and gave me a great thought to build upon. Having lived and worked outside of India for over quarter of my work-life, I was comfortably able to relate to most of the challenges and solutions outlined in the book.

It gave me rich material for my next presentation and you can get a quick glimpse of the book summary through my notes in the next picture. The book is a good guide for managers attempting to grow a global mind-set or for those who are planning to work in a foreign location for the first time.

I also found some good strong morally rooted suggestions for today’s leader around ethics and code of conduct which are increasingly becoming relevant in the modern business sphere.

Rating : 3/5

Brajesh's Review : Watchmen

Last year when I was getting excited by the world of graphic novels, I asked a few literary friends for recommendations on the Best Graphic Novels. Watchmen was a recommendation by many of my friends and on ordering the book, I also realized that it is one of Time Magazine’s 100 best novels of all time.

I started this book three times before I could finish it this month. The fact that the book kept on pulling me back to it, inspite of so many stop-starts is a testimony to the magically complex, morally ambiguous and ethically debatable world of late 20th century.

The book starts with the death of a masked-super-hero in America around 1985 and moves back and forth in time and space in a beautifully languid and fluid manner, which can only be experienced through the book. Each chapter of this massive book is a story in itself and I would recommend each booklover to give this book a shot.

Text only narratives, in between the chapters act as background explainer, pace amplifier, or at times open a completely new dimension to a character or concept. The book totally lives up to its reputation of a classic. You can experience a sliver of watchmen beauty through the next few pictures in this album.

Rating : 5/5

Brajesh's Review : Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

This being the 150th year since Charles Lutwidge Dodgson published this ageless story of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" - which was originally narrated during a boat ride on river Isis in the University town of Oxford.

Over the last year during my many trips to Oxford, I have heard about the story and seen the places where the story unfolded. Strangely while I got to know all about the history of the author, book related scandals and experienced the city, I had not read the book! So when Kim gifted me a Kindle on my birthday, the first book I downloaded was the original edition of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

My first reaction after reading the book was of amazement that this is classified as a children’s book. I found so many layers and such profound subtlety of social and moral commentary that I used the highlight function of the new Kindle quite liberally. Hoping to use these passages in my future lectures and presentations. A sample of these highlights is in the next picture. A great start to my new e-reader journey with this lovely timeless book.

Rating : 4.5/5

Brajesh's Review : Scion of Ikshvaku

I am a huge fan of Amish Tripathi, and was delighted to get my copy of Scion of Ikshvaku in London, through my parents. I finished the book in 3 days and continue to be excited by his unique rendition of the historical epics.

Many of the usual tricks return from the earlier trilogy of Meluha in the form of DeviAstra, Somras and Nagas. While one is by now quite familiar with the tricks and plot movers, the unusual take on such a familiar epic and subtle but significant movement of key plot-line with really strong character definition makes this another lovely read.

The references to the coming of a strong suryavanshi society in a city named Meluha give joy to the readers of the earlier trilogy. Economics and power remain at the centre of the plot while subtle conversations and hidden agendas lurk in the background.

Overall this book remains a page-turner and I just can’t wait for the next book. Amish you are truly the modern literary rockstar of India.

Rating : 4/5

Brajesh's Review : Hedge Knight (Song of Fire & Ice)

I am sure all “Game of Throne” fans continue to wonder if (a key character in GOT, not to be named as spoiler alert) is dead or alive. I am also sure we all are trying to find innovative ways to deal with our respective withdrawal symptoms. As the next series if still over 10 months away, I decided to go find solace in a prequel graphic novel by GRRM.

While I never read the original series given the sheer size of the books, I decided to give this short graphic novel a shot.

Now that the book-worms (like my wife) no longer have the snob advantage over us the TV types, I decided to take the advantage through the graphic novel route. Unfortunately the book added nothing to the intrigue or mystery. Even as a stand-alone, the story wasn’t very strong. The drawing too was nothing special. However the book does end at an interesting place and GRRM clearly has a new franchise in mind through the journeys and exploits of the hedge knight.

Rating : 3.5/5

Also see Kim's reviews of :
1. A Game of Thrones
2. A Clash of Kings
3. A Storm of Swords (Steel & Snow, Blood & Gold)
4. A Feast for Crows
5. Dance with Dragons (Dreams & Dust, After the Feast)
6. The Hedge Knight

Brajesh's Review : Blood Line

John J Davis, Blood line has a really interesting cast: Ex-CIA hit-squad agent married to a female Mossad assassin. No wonder their daughter is greatly gifted in all the cloak & dagger stuff. The book is the first in the Granger Series, and sets it up well.

The characters which will continue are all interesting, the history of the family intriguing although the plot of a rural defence supplier being blackmailed by a rogue FBI computer analyst is seriously clichéd. The best part of the book is when the parents go over their personal & family history to being the daughter uptodate. I might just pick-up the next one in series (Titled Bloody Truth), to see where the plot goes.

Rating : 3.5/5

Brajesh's Review : The One Thing

The starting premise of "The One Thing " looks overly simplistic, in today’s multi-dimensional, VUCA world, how can one achieve success by focussing only on one thing?

The essential logic being -taking Pareto’s 80:20 to the maximum. However as one goes through the chapters, the author beautifully dismisses many a standard myths to build his case. My personal myths were “multi-tasking”, “work-life balance” and “everything mattering equally”.

Post dismissing the myths the Gary Keller & Jay Papasan then build on the model in the second and third sections. I particularly liked the time management section, one of the best I have heard. Which advises to first block the vacation time, and then work between vacations.

While the book had limited appeal as a guide, it was a good read as counter-points and alternate success model.

Rating : 3.5/5

Brajesh's Review : The Art of Thinking Clearly

Rolf Dobelli's "The Art of Thinking Clearly" is probably my non-fiction book of the year.

A collection of 99 articles by Rolf Dobelli, translated from German. This is probably the best collection of “social and cognitive psychological concepts” you can get in one place. Each of the short article deals with amazingly simple to understand but impossibly difficult to avoid concepts like “Contract Effect”, “Paradox of Choices”, “Endowment Effect”, “ Gambler’s Fallacy” and my personal favourite “Loss Aversion”.

The book is a good read for any student of human psychology and a must read for all marketers. In Depth, this book is no comparison to one of my favourite behavioural economics book “Thinking Fast and Slow” But what this book lacks in depth, it more than makes-up for in spread. I doubt you will ever find such an exhaustive collection of behavioural biases and easy to understand explanations of deep psychological concepts in one place.

Go buy it now, read over next fifteen days and then keep it next to you to use for life.

Rating : 4.5/5

Brajesh's Review : Before Watchmen - Minute Men / Silk Spectre

I had picked-up the legendary graphic novel “Watchmen” about 2 years back and it still remains in my “half-read books to be completed list”. The other day while browsing graphic-novels in my local Paddington library, I found the prequel and found it interesting. This story is about the Original Silk Spectre and Nite Owl.

Like the “Watchmen” the focus remains on the psychological inner conflict of the super-heroes. While the prequel does not involve Moore and Gibbons the book is engaging and the graphic beauty comes alive brilliantly. A must read for all graphic-novel and “Watchmen” fans.

Rating : 3.5 / 5

Also Read Kim's Review for the same book.

Brajesh's Review : Eight - The Hard Way

Eight - The Hard Way was another free e-book downloaded on my phone for commute reading. While the book didn’t turn out to be anything great, just a decent collection of mystery stories. However at the end of this book, I did realize that may be it is time for me to invest in a Kindle and also enjoy the different experience of e-books in the future.

More importantly my next phone is going to be a phablet to avoid carrying the extra Kindle during my commute. Let’s see how long this interest in e-books lasts.

Rating : 3/5

Brajesh's Review : Sex Tips for Husbands & Wives From 1894

Sex Tips for Husbands & Wives From 1894 is a really funny booklet, which can be read in 10 minutes. In 1894, Ruth Smythers, ‘Beloved wife of The Reverend L. D. Smythers’, wrote: “While sex is at best revolting and at worst rather painful, it has to be endured... One cardinal rule of marriage should never be forgotten: give little, give seldom and above all, give grudgingly”

While the book may have been construed as practical advice in 1894, today it is rolling on the floor (ROFLOL) funny. It also turned out to be a perfect gift for a cousin getting married.

Rating : 4/5

Brajesh's Review : 13 Steps to Bloody Good Luck

Being a fan of Ashwin Sanghi from his first book “Rozabal Line”, I had to read his first non-fiction foray. Unfortunately I was quite disappointed.

While the book does try to de-construct luck through street wisdom, it lacked the depth of research to make it significant. After reading the book, you might have a brand-new notion on how to define luck, but it is more likely you will wonder if the construct isn’t a little far-fetched.

Separately the book could be a great source of lovely quotations and real-life stories which can be used by readers to turn their conversations interesting. When I had met Sanghi in London a few months back, I specifically asked him what made him drop his successful and masterly franchise of historical fiction to delve into non-fiction ? He told me that he wanted to get out of his comfort zone and continue his personal learning experience. It clearly enhanced my respect for the individual and I am sure, with such an attitude he will surely have more “Luck” in his coming ventures.

Rating : 3/5

Brajesh's Review : Echo Burning

It’s a bitter sweet feeling reading the last book in any series. Since starting the Lee Child - Jack Reacher series in September 2012, I have patiently savoured 17 out of 19 of his books. I also decided long back that I will skip “One Shot” as I had watched the movie and didn’t quite like it. So finally in May this year I closed the franchise by reading the 5th book of the series.

“Echo Burning” was a perfect finale to my love affair and all the elements of a great Reacher book. Damsel in distress, burly bad boys in a haunting backdrop of an American small-town and nature providing the dramatic final piece of the puzzle.

The beautiful feeling of ending of series was strangely conflicted with what next ?? So friends I need ideas. You all know my taste by now, any suggestion of good light-on-the-brain fiction series with a minimum of 6 book are welcome.

Rating : 4 / 5

Brajesh's Review : Confessions of a Sociopath

Confessions of a Sociopath is written by a self-confessed and subsequently clinically-diagnosed psychopath woman, under a pseudonym - M E Thomas.

The book is an excellent commentary on the much-maligned diagnosis, normally associated with murderers & con-artists. It outlines that similar psychopathic tendencies are also required to be a successful politician or business leader.

Having spent close to two decades in the corporate trenches I can safely say that I have personally encountered more than one business leader who would fit the bill. The book also demystifies psychopathic tendencies which many of us will relate to. So even if you aren’t a full blown psychopath, you will surely relate to loads of behavioural and social traits. Recommended reading to all politicians, business leaders and amateur students of psychology like myself.

Rating : 3.5/5

Brajesh's Review : Innocent in Las Vegas - a Tiffany Black Mystery

As part of free e-books, I attempted to read "Innocent in Las Vegas - a Tiffany Black Mystery" on the iPhone. This AR Winters book took a really long time to finish, as I was only reading it on the tube or in buses.

The book was moderately funny and an average suspense element built in it. The protagonist is a girl finding her feet in the business of Private Investigating in Los Angles and had most of the formulaic elements of the mystery.

I couldn’t relate to much of the humour and have no intentions of picking-up any more in the series.

Rating :2.5/5

Kim's Review : Star-Crossed Series - 1. Reckless Magic, 2. Hopeless Magic, 3. Fearless Magic, 4. Endless Magic

Rachel Higginson's Star-Crossed Series may seem like just another one of the Young Adult Fantasy novels featuring teenagers just discovering their magic, but there is something about this series that is eminently readable.

Yes, the heroine Eden Matthews is an orphaned child who gets into trouble in the normal world, because she doesn't know that she has magic - a common opening idea to almost all the Young Adult Fiction out there, but the story does build well.

Yes, Eden is a little irritating and self-absorbed at times, but isn't that teenager behavior?

In Reckless Magic - Eden Matthews is just discovering her magic and the World of Magic and the Rulesgoverning this world. In Hopeless Magic, she travels to India to test her magic. In Fearless Magic, she travels to Machu Pichu, Brazil, Paris, London, India, Morocco & Romania. Endless Magic brigs a natural conclusion to the series.

In most of the cities, she spends just a bit of time, but a considerable amount of Book 2 centers on her India experience and this is where I wish Rachel had spent just a little more time getting the setting right. A lot of the descriptions of Bangalore to Ooty seem to be impressions gleaned from a trip to Northern India. Indians don't use Indian breads to scoop up their rice and curry. Indian breads are eaten seperately from rice. Its like saying that Italians eat their pasta with risotto. These anomalies, don't ruin the story, but they do leave an uneasy feeling when reading through.

While Endless Magic brings about a natural conclusion to this series, there are a couple of supplementary novels concerning other main characters of this series.

The Reluctant King - Avalon St. Andrews
The Relentless Warrior - Jericho Bentley
Breathless Magic - brings the action right back to Eden Matthews
Fateful Magic - Lilly Mason
The Redeemable Prince - Sebastian Carter

The First Book is currently available for free on Amazon and ibooks, if you would like to try it out before buying any more.

Rating : 3.75/5



#100BooksPact 4/100, 5/100, 6/100, 7/100

Kim's Review : Before Watchmen - Minute Men / Silk Spectre

Confession Time : I own a copy of Watchmen - Yes, that so called pinnacle of Graphic Novel Art. I have owned it for over a year. It is sitting on my bookshelf and I have not yet read it. {insert blushing emoticon here}

The husband had read it though and he was very excited when we saw this prequel at our local library. I thought that since I needed to return the book and it was a prequel, it would be good to read this first before reading the main book itself. But I'd have to say that this was a bit of a mistake.

The books aren't meant to be read that way.

As a standalone, this is a lovely book. Beautifully illustrated with a crime fighting story line. I much preferred Minute Men over Silk Spectre. Somehow I haven't been able to connect to her character and I don't like her very much. I was rooting more for her daughter than the original silk spectre.

Maybe once I actually read Watchmen, I will come back to this book again and see if it feels any different.

Rating : 3.5 / 5

#100BooksPact 2/100 & 3/100

Kim's Review : A Journal of the Plague Year

Daniel Defoe's - A Journal of the Plague Year - Being Observations or Memorials of the Most Remarkable Occurences as well Publick as Private which happened in London During the Last Great Visitation in 1665 - is one of the most difficult to read books, that I have ever picked up.

The subject matter itself is depressing - The Great Plague of 1665, the Language is a huge strain to read. And to compound it all, Defoe meanders, repeats himself, goes back and forth and his narrator HF is an irritating character.

However, because of Defoe's reputation as the founder of the English Novel, this Journal of a Plague Year is found on every must-read list compiled by newspapers and academic institutions, which I suspect is the only reason for its continuing sales.

I do admire Defoe for his actual novels - Robinson Crusoe and Moll Flanders among them, but the Journal inspite of all its literary significance, is most definitely not an easy read.

It definitely has its plus points : an eye for detail, a rich view of life in the 1660's for the merchant and the working classes and a perceptive eye for observation.

But the novel is also rambling, digressive, contradictory & repetitive. There are no sections, no chapters and the Death Bills are terribly depressing.

Since Daniel was only 5 during the plague, it is supposed that this book is based on the diaries of his uncle Henry Foe (HF). However, while he makes liberal use of statistics (The Death Bills) throughout the book, they seem to be made up for the most part.

It was this use of statistics, that had this book initially classified as Reportage and was accepted as the truth until the 1780's and eve had some people believing it as fact until the early 19th Century which should attest to the fact, that he accomplished what he set out to do.

However, this is not a book that I would recommend to anyone, unless the subject matter is extremely appealing to you.

#‎100BooksPact‬ 1/100

Kim's Review : Half Wild

Half Wild is the second part of Sally Greens Half Bad Trilogy.

I absolutely loved Half Bad and I had rated it a 4.5/5. Somehow Half Wild, just didn't measure up. The story moved forward, but not at the breakneck speed of the first one and a lot of this book fell in the "predictable" section. I got the feeling that this book was drawn out, just so that it could be turned into a trilogy.

When I first opened the book, I floundered a bit. Normally my memory is good enough, that even if I read a sequel a year after the previous book, I remember enough of the story and the author gives me enough hints, as to continue reading wherever the previous book had finished. But with Half Wild, I had to read Half Bad again, so I could recognise characters and follow the continuity.

The only good thing about Half Wild is that we get to know Marcus a bit better.

My honest opinion would be to wait until Book 3 is released in March 2016, so you have a sense of closure, rather than a story that is being unnecessarily drawn out.

Rating : 3.25/5

Kim's Review : Evensong - Meratis Trilogy

Author Jeff Powell wakes up to find the impossible has happened. He is within his own novel—summoned into the fictional world of Feldall’s Keep by a spell he didn't write. One the House enchantress hasn't figured out how to reverse.

When the villain he's been struggling to write reveals himself, unleashing waves of terror and chaos, Jeff must use more than his imagination to save the characters he created—and the woman he loves.

Trapped within a world of his own creation, he must step outside the bounds of his narrative to help his characters defeat an evil no one anticipated, even if he must sacrifice his greatest gift. In the end, he has to ask: are novels really fiction, or windows into other worlds?

What an interesting premise to base a book upon. It was quite a fascinating read by Krista Walsh. While Evensong is the first of the Meratis Trilogy (Eventide and Evenlight come next), it can be read as a stand alone book. The first part is still being given away free on amazon / kindle.

The dilemma that Jeff finds himself in is perplexing. He has a hard time believing that he has actually been sucked into his fictional world. He is an extremely relatable character. Bumbling through his scenes while struggling to come to term with his actions.

Its a very light and lovely read. The romance is just that he likes the girl at his coffee shop, so it is a very "clean" read for young adults and can even be read by younger advanced readers.

Rating : 3.75/5

Kim's Review : This Doesn't Happen in the Movies - Reed Fergurson Series

This Doesn't Happen in the Movies is the first in Renee Pawlish's - Reed Fergurson Mystery Series. Reed Fergurson is just setting up his detective agency inspite of family opposition

A wannabe private eye with a love of film noir and detective fiction.
A rich, attractive femme fatale.
A missing husband.
A rollicking ride to a dark and daring ending.

Reed Ferguson’s first case is a daring adventure, complete with a dose of film noir, and a bit of humor. With a supporting cast of the Goofball Brothers, Reed’s not too bright neighbors, and Cal, Reed’s computer geek friend, This Doesn’t Happen In The Movies is detective noir akin to Reeds cinematic hero, Humphrey Bogart.

The plot development was too slow for me, I prefer my mysteries faster paced, but noir normally tends to slow the pace down.

Even allowing for that, I often wanted to slap Reed on the back of his head, for not figuring things out faster. Thats not a good sign, so I might just skip the rest of the series unless I can brave mysefl into readig another one while trying to fall asleep.

Rating : 2.75/5