Book Review: Empire of the Moghuls- Ruler of the World.

Name- Empire of the Moghuls- Ruler of the World

Author- Alex Rutherford.

Rating- 4 out of 5.

'Ruler of the World' , which forms the third instalment in ' Empire of the moghuls series', deals with the life of one of the greatest kings to walk this earth-  Akbar.
The fact that the book features the life of  Akbar, itself, makes it arguably the grandest book in the series.

The book begins chronicling Akbar's tale just a few weeks after his coronation, in light of Emperor Humayun's untimely death. Akbar, though still a teen, makes up in his might and his skills whatever he lacks in experience. Bestowed with a shrewd Machiavellian military mind and an unparalleled strength in combat, he quickly ascends in the mind of his subjects from a inexperienced boy king to one commanding respect and even love. His journey as an emperor has been beautifully portrayed. His conquests and the battles have been described to the utmost precision.

However, much of the latter part of this book pertains to the choice of his heir. From the very birth of his son Salim, he is shown drifting apart from his father. The gradual transformation from a loyal obedient son to a son who keeps to himself and is awkward in his father's presence and finally to a son who resents his father is depicted delicately. This strained father-son relationship is the subject of much of the latter part.

The depiction of the Persian and Mughul culture and life is very commendable. As the book chronicles the life of Akbar, the most religiously liberal of all Mughals, the reader gets to witness a unique amalgamation of the Mughal and Indian cultures. Also many of the dialogues and debates on religion and social order that Akbar places in the book, are worth pondering on.

Another point that deserves a special mention is the historical accuracy of the book. The author has taken care that many of the facts are sifted from the ever pervading tentacles of fiction. However, the book boasts a few fictitious elements as well that are intended to whet the readers' interest.

A complaint I have about the book is that almost the entire latter half of the book has been written from Salim's point of view. While this certainly helps emphasize some of the events that transpire, it makes the reader lose Akbar's perspective which might become a tad bit frustrating.

Overall this book is a delight to read and is a treat, especially for history enthusiasts.

The Poetry Corner- Treacherous Time

Book Review: Magnus Chase and the hammer of Thor.

Name: Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor.

Author: Rick Riordan.

Rating: 4 out of 5 ( Wow it ain't 5 for a Riordan!! See? My reviews ain't biased :P)

Hello guys! Well, Magnus Chase is back! And the entire crazy, out-of-their-sane-mind Norse pantheon's in the orgy too. You know why they coined the term October heat? Precisely because Riordan releases his books in October. (If there's some geologist reading this, pray for my soul guys. :P)

To the point guys! ' The hammer of Thor', the sequel to 'The Sword of Summer', is a splendid illustration of the classic Riordan recipe. Out-of-their-mind gods + Brave demigods + tonnes of sarcasm to revel in = Riordan bestseller. So, the Thunder god Thor's mighty Hammer has been stolen.Oh boy, where will Thor surf netflix now!  Thor is hell bent on getting his Hammer back ( through the demigods, of course) before he misses the next season of Game of thrones. The insignificant fact that the world might be destroyed by then without the hammer? Well, Thor can concern himself with that later. Magnus and his entourage set upon to retrieve the hammer facing and outsmarting giants, gambling with the untrustworthy gods and trying to foil the plan to destroy the world.

The humor quotient and the sarcasm serve enhance the amazing descriptions of the journey. The vivid descriptions and imagination are certainly a highlight of the book. Magnus's sword ' Jack' enlivens the book throughout. Meet Jack. A sword that talks and sings Taylor Swift's songs till your ears get sore. Next time you get bored in a museum, watch out! Some sword might just blurt out awesome songs.

It has been evident throughout the book that Riordan is gonna try to bring together the Greek and the Norse pantheons, which I find quite a bit of a challenge. How RIck Riordan will pull it off, that elicits tremendous anticipation for the next October.

I felt that at some points, the things were getting a wee bit repetitive at some points but the lacuna is almost negligible while considering the entire book.

Book Review: The Sea of Poppies.

Name: Sea of Poppies.

Author: Amitav Ghosh.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Before going in for my review of the book, allow me to indulge in the fact that this book is legendary. Published in 2008, it was shortlisted for the Man Booker prize 2008. This book is the first in the 'Ibis Trilogy' and it most certainly deserves this honour that it garnered.

A rather unique thing about this book is that it does not boast a single protagonist; rather the book revolves around the lives of many people, which seem completely unrelated at the beginning but are unwittingly entangled as is evident from the later part of the book. A widowed poppy farmer who is a social pariah, a Raja who is fabricated for a crime, a French girl true to her Indian upbringing, an American Sailor for whom sea is the only world he has known and a merchant seeking spiritual enlightenment; Imagine these lives intricately entangled and that is the sea of poppies for you.

The portrayal of human lives and emotions is most spectacular. The lives have been so artistically depicted that you almost feel as if you are living them. Such is the glory of this book. Also, there is something very beautifully poignant about the book.

The book is set in the British ruled India and therefore is replete with anglicized Indian words. They are most intriguing but might become tedious at times. Also, the broken or 'Hindicized' English that some of the character have been shown to speak was almost incomprehensible for me at times.

But the sea of poppies indeed makes one heck of a fantastic read and is a must read for all.

Book Review: The Bestseller she wrote.

Name- The Bestseller she wrote.

Author- Ravi Subramanian.

Rating- 3 out of 5.

This book means a lot to me. I make this statement from a point of view that disregards how the book is. I pertain to the fact that this book found me at a time which could not have been more appropriate. (Or if I were to consider it non-poetically, I found this book on a shelf in Crosswords, Nagpur. I immediately procured it on my kindle and read it. Smart and money-saving move, wouldn't you say?:P) So, I was completely out of tuning when it came to reading books and this book, rather fast paced as it was, helped me to strike the right chords with books again.

Please spare me for that sentimental reverie of mine. I will move on the book without a jiffy's delay. History has it that Ravi Subramanian's books have always been linked to the banking world. For people who would cut my throat and frame me a liar, I add the prefix 'most'. Well most of them have been. Though this book does not lack these 'trademarked' banking connections, it primarily revolves around the writing world. The realm of authors and bestsellers. This was a much welcome change for me.

The book features the life of Aditya Kapoor who plays the cliched boring banker turned happy author. With a doting wife, adoring child, a profitable job at the bank and a passion and perfection in writing, Aditya's life is replete with joy and happiness. But enter Shreya Kasuhik, an aspiring ambitious author who can kill with her beauty and charms. Aditya falls prey to her charms and is caught between a dutiful wife and youthful love which makes his family crumble right in front of his eyes. As if this were not enough, someone is hell bent on jeopardizing Aditya's career and would stoop to any means to make him bite the dust.

As I mentioned earlier, the book is remarkably fast paced. However I found the plot pretty much simple and straight. The plot does not make one go,' What!! How can this be...?' as I expected it to having read other books by the author. The book does quite a little to mete with the readers' demand for ample and nail-biting twists.However, the portrayal of human emotions has been done rather beautifully.

Overall the 'bestseller she wrote' is certainly not the 'best bestseller he (Ravi) wrote'. However it can certainly make a good read for those who have a penchant for reading fast paced thrillers.

P.S- Please note that this was my first book I read on kindle. (Yess, that is me showing off. :P)

Book Review: The Sialkot Saga

Name: The Sialkot Saga

Author: Ashwin Sanghi

Rating: 4 out of 5

' Promises are like babies. Easy to make but hard to deliver.'

Abundant with catchy one liners like the one mentioned above, Ashwin Sanghi brings yet another beauty carved to ensure an orgy with wit, humor and brains. The book is certainly a masterpiece with regard to enormous wit quotient that the book boasts. This is precisely the element that makes the book rather impossible to put down once one has declared a war on it.

What makes Ashwin stands out is the beautiful way in which the sentences are crafted together. You do not simply read the sentences in his books. You read them, ponder over them and give a hearty laugh until you make the people in your house flutter the yellow pages in frenzied fury to find the nearest house for the mentally challenged. :p It would not be an exaggeration to depute him as the master and God of words. The words dance brilliantly to his dictates and fall together to perfection.

The book revolves over the life stories of two brilliant shrewd adversaries Arbaaz and Arvind who seek the supreme elixir of power and money. Arbaaz, though a Robin Hood for the people and Arvind, the son of a very honest businessman, would stoop at any means to quench their lust of power and money. A battle of deception, treachery and betrayal is what ensues. The business techniques and the deceptions have been crafted with Machiavellian precision dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's. This ensures a very wonderful literary and intellectual treat for the readers.

This plot of Arvind and Arbaaz is interrupted by a few excerpts from the kingdoms and civilizations of some of the most succesful kings. These seemingly form a pattern and the curiosity of the reader is indulged only at the end of the book.

The book has a very little historical background than i had expected after reading other of Ashwin's books. Most of the book involves the tussle between the protagonists and the historical connection is made too late. Also, I felt that there was very little significance and connection between this latter part of the book than the earlier one. This might prove disappointing to the reader. It is almost as if two very different stories have been merely put together. Also, many of the things in the latter part are too hypothetical even for Ashwin’s books.

But overall, the book makes a very awesome read owing to wit and ingenuity with which the book has been written.

Book Review: The Prince Of Pataliputra

Name : The Prince of Pataliputra

Author: Shreyas Bhave ( A fellow Nagpurian :P )

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The fact that had heightened my eagerness to get my hands over this book was the fact that I know the author. (Well, not exactly. He was in the same school as my brother. But, never mind. :P)
An additional anticipation factor was that the book was a flaring topic of discussion and appreciation in my household. Setting these frivolities aside, let us move towards the book.
This book is the first in a trilogy that delves into the life of the great Samrat Ashoka and his conquests .If anyone were to entertain the thought that this topic has been rather widely written upon these days , I would be inclined to agree. However what makes the plot of book unique is that it splendidly amalgamates treachery, politics and love. The book is incredibly well paced and a certain page turner.
One striking thing about this book is that at no point in the course of reading, will you even in your wildest imaginations think that this has been crafted by a debutante author. The book has been written with the maturity of a seasoned writer,
However, as perfection is a nearly hypothetical concept, this book has some lacunae as well.The plot seems a bit weak at times and some of the happenings could have been crafted more meticulously. These, unfortunately, manage to hinder the true glory of the book, though to a small extent.
But, overall the book makes a nice read!
Waiting eagerly for 'The Scourge of Taxila'! :)