Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Indian Mythology

Wise Tales From the East: The Essential Collection by Uri Kaplan | Book review

This little book of insights contains forty-nine parables and fables that will amuse, teach, and inspire you to reflect on your life and actions. Some of the stories are funny, others are enigmatic and philosophical, but they all convey remarkable life lessons and morals. The tales were carefully selected from the Buddhist, Hindu, Daoist (Taoist), and Confucian traditions, as well as from Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean folklore. If you let them, they just might blow your mind!

Yoga and meditation instructors and practitioners may find these wise tales valuable for contemplating their training. College professors and high school teachers may find them handy for preparing lectures and stimulating class debates. Psychologists and bibliotherapists may find them useful for therapy sessions. And anyone else in search of wisdom would surely benefit from perusing through these enchanting tales of sages, monks, Zen masters, scorpions, centipedes, and horses.

Title: Wise Tales From the East: The Essential Collection

Author: Uri Kaplan

Pages: 64

My review

Wise tales from the East is a collection of forty-nine short stories selected from Buddhist, Daoist, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean folklore. Every story illustrates certain aspects of human thoughts and life. They deliver a unique message. The purpose of the story is to convey this message. They are the carriers of ancient wisdom.

Why they crafted these folklores and pass them through generations? Will it be easy if we convey the message as it is? The answer lies in the question itself. We often attracted to things that we don’t need. We are attracted to them because they are simply beautiful. Everybody likes to read and hear stories now and then. Stories serve as a relaxation in long continuous lectures. We are unknowingly attracted to them, because of their simplicity. Will there be any better way to convey age-old wisdom rather than embedding them in stories? They are better than thick philosophical textbooks. These stories are crafted only for fulfilling this purpose.

Through these forty-nine stories, the author has poured intangible spiritual wisdom to readers. You can’t simply read and go, once you opened this book. You will stay for a moment, lost in thoughts, after reading each one of these stories. They are so powerful. Many of these stories are framed thousands of years ago. They are still relevant. Because we humans have the same struggles and issues to overcome. That’s why they survive the time.

A must-read for everyone because these stories will add some values either to your life or to your work for sure.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Book Tour, Fiction, Thriller, Young-Adult

The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven by Peter Gray | Book review

Sela is assigned to be a private gardener for Theodore “Teddy” Woven’s ancestral home. The young gardener soon finds her presence unwelcome as she slowly uncovers the truth about his family’s past. The greatest mystery of all lies not in the house, but with its owner.

Title: The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven

Author: Peter Gray

Pages: 281

My review

A story that will leave you with tears at the end.

What a story this is! A perfect portion of creativity blended with delicate human emotions. I don’t have any words to express the overwhelming feelings that I had after I turned the last page of this book. A perfectly heartwarming romantic drama. I must not tag this as a cliche romantic drama. It will be an injustice to the story and the beautiful storytelling efforts of the author.

Theodore “Teddy” Woven lives in his exceptionally large and vast ancestral home up high in the mountain across the sea. Sela is assigned to take care of Teddy’s garden in the absence of his usual gardner. Sela was cautious because she is instructed to leave the owner alone. But the behavior of Teddy towards Sela is telling otherwise. What is the mystery behind his unusual behavior? What are the secrets that he is keeping from her?

I can say that, this is a piece of art. The appreciation towards an art will be different for everyone. Because we experience that slice of creativity differently. No two emotions are the same. This story is like that emotion. First I thought that this will be a thriller because the author was building up mystery in the beginning. But as I delve into the life of Teddy, the darker side of his life is uncovered in front of me. It is darker because of his pain. When I realized the unimaginable pain that he tried to live with, it left my heart aching. Sela was the cure for his pain. He was waiting for her. Their love goes deep and beyond imagination. The author has conveyed these raw human emotions perfectly.

I highly recommend this book. Because this beautiful story deserves to heard.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Erotic fiction, Fantacy, Fiction, Young-Adult

Wanton Desires: Overcoming Sexual Inhibitions by Misty Musette| Book review

What happens when pure carnal instinct overrides deep-seated inhibitions?

The ‘Wanton Desires’ series narrates the real life experiences of women who came forward to share confidential stories of their spontaneous pursuit of the most secret and forbidden desires of their hearts – all in a quest for deliverance.

Whether it’s a romp with the pool boy while the husband is away on yet another business trip, finally giving in to a lustful maid’s advances, or sweetening a business deal with a journey into uncharted sexual territory, our participants lay bare every detail of their exploits and delve deeper into the innate hunger that made them break free from their natural inhibitions. 

Title: Wanton Desires: Overcoming Sexual Inhibitions

Author: Misty Musette

Pages: 39

My review

Wanton Desires is a bundle of adult romance tales that slowly ascends to the forbidden sexual encounters. Justifying the title of the book, this is a saga of overcoming sexual inhibitions. All the stories are centering on the deep sexual desires of women. The stories broke every barrier you can ever imagine. They go overboard when comes to the matter of desire and fulfillment.

All the stories are different from one another. This gives a much-needed freshness to each story. You can even feel it in the first story itself. The intensity and extremeness of the sexual desires are unimaginable whether they are for keeping a marriage together to random pleasures.

Unlike in the “Secret Confessions of Naughty housewives” by the same author, these stories not necessarily revolves around bored housewives. They range from career-driven successful women to experimental college teens. This is the unique feature of these tales.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Thriller

Shaerlyn: Guardian of Eden Book 1 Angels of Zion saga by Yaakov C Lui-Hyden | Book review

A story of self- doubt to faith in a power greater than oneself. A story of an Angel, tired of the destruction and wars on Earth, leaves for a life of solitude after the Napoleonic Wars. Now, the forces of evil have grown and the Angels have dwindled and every Angel is needed in the battles ahead. So she is called back to service, she who once guarded Eden, now to guard a small Australian boy. 

Angels with flaming swords.
Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel and a full cast of the Angelic Host.
Lucifer and his minions doing their best to do their worst.
Flashbacks to a variety of biblical and historical events.

It has it all!

Title: Shaerlyn: Guardian of Eden Book 1 Angels of Zion saga

Author: Yaakov C Lui-Hyden

Pages: 141

My review

A true slice of creativity!

This is the story of Shaerlyn, a guardian angel wielding, flaming sword. She is tired of the war waging-destructive mindset of humankind and living her life in solitude for more than two hundred years. The immortal angel who was once guarded Eden is summoned once again by her King, for a new mission. A child will be born on the Earth, but his very own existence is threatened by demons. Shaerlyn is consumed by self-doubt because its been years that she touched her own sword. But she will do anything for HIM. She is determined to save this newborn. The path awaiting for Shaerlyn is not at all what she expected. The demons grew stronger than ever in her absence and she must find her courage and devotion to win over them.

The story presents an iconic protagonist Shaerlyn, the guardian angel in her astounding character. Although the author crafted all main characters as divine godly angels, they all have elements of human nature in their minds. They all are fighting because they want to prove their worthiness. They are fearing their impending fall if they lose a battle. So all battles are a do or die for them. The narration of fierce battles between angels and demons along with the wars in the Earth are breathtaking. The story kept me on the edge of the seat all the time. This is a perfectly crafted thriller in that sense.

The one idea that remains beyond this story is the catastrophic nature of wars. The history of mankind is inseparable from the history of wars. But these wars will ultimately lead humanity into the impending doom.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Science Fiction, supernatural, Thriller

Diary of a Time Travelling Alien by Yaakov C Lui-Hyden | Book review

Written with a lively pace, plenty of action without being bogged down. A deliciously fun read of adventure, insights into the human condition, full of sarcasm and wit. Have a look inside and come on this journey with a reluctant alien time traveller, imprisoned on Earth.

Title:Diary of a Time Travelling Alien

Author: Yaakov C Lui-Hyden

Pages: 132

My review

This is a hilarious unique story of an Alien who is trapped in Earth. As the title suggests, the story is told through the several diary entries of this Alien. The uniqueness of this story lies in its perspective about mankind. It presents an outsider’s view on all the things in the Earth. His sarcastic approach extends beyond subjects such as our religions, customs, and the whole way of life. He presents an alternative lifestyle that he practiced back in his homeland. This lifestyle has everything that we lack. He compares both lives throughout the story. But the one thing that drives his life is his unending curiosity. He likes to explore and experience. What will happen if he decides to take things forward by taking over an actual human body?

What I liked most about this story is this gave me an alternative perspective about love and soulmate. The alien’s hatred towards wars and meat is quite hilarious and thought-provoking at the same time. I really liked the storytelling technique. Because it is one-sided and it is enough to bring sarcasm from beginning to end. The story is indeed gripping and enthralling.

Rating: 5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Young-Adult

A Bard’s Lament by Poppy Kuroki | Book review

The town of Veilig is burdened with a terrible secret.

Ella is a bard, her sister a prostitute, working in a tavern to pay off their late mother’s debt. But Ella has a secret of her own. Her music carries codes for spies to decipher, working to undo Veilig’s horrific crimes.

Then her sister is taken captive.

Can Ella save them both, or will their tale end in darkness?

Title: A Bard’s Lament

Author: Poppy Kuroki

Pages: 69

My review

Ella is a bard and her sister Lucinda, a prostitute, working day and night in the town of Veilig to pay off their deceased mother’s debt. Veilig is a cursed rainless town, driving in injustice and anarchy. The crimes in the town is increasing without a proper law and order. In this seemingly hopeless situation, Ella is carrying a secret with her. Her songs are embedded in codes for spies to decipher. This is her last hope to escape from this town. Then one day her sister is taken as captive. All the things that she fears came true. Will she able to save her sister and escape to a better world?

This novelette is a blend of fantasy and realism. The greed will drive humanity to a catastrophic world ruled by injustice. But self-less and fearless ones emerge amidst oppression. There will come a day that you can’t oppress them anymore. There will be an end for all.

The structure and in-depth character development are two other elements that make this story more interesting. The emotions and frustrations are accurately portrayed. Ella’s character is vulnerable and courageous at the same time. The author has managed to convince this delicate nature of the character quite beautifully.

The author’s style of narration is unique. She carefully set a relevant theme and penned down an absolutely beautiful story around it. I really love the parts when the fantasy transcends to real life. It is a unique slice of creativity to taste.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Thriller

Office Pool: Orientation by D. L. Blackburne|Book review

41cMuzKUfJLOffice Pool is a coming of age story of an underachieving ink pen named Arthur “Arty” Bickerson. As his unique journey is chronicled as he navigates the ups and downs of “The Office” and it’s complexities. Arty experiences new success, love, peer jealousy, classism, along with high expectations and self doubt.
Office Pool is a fictional world with many layers. With humans set as the backdrop, these common everyday writing utensils deal with universally relatable issues and themes.

Title: Office Pool: Orientation

Author: D. L. Blackburne

Pages: 56

My review

Absolutely creative!

I have rarely come across stories that made me give a standing ovation to the creativity. This story is one of its kind. I never ever saw this kind of witty tale crafted around the everyday writing utensils. Set in the fictional world of Pens, the story has everything a reader hopes for. It has a shy and lighthearted protagonist, a mentor/ father figure, romance, and gripping flashbacks. The story even ends in a cliffhanger. How the author has managed to craft a story like this, I really don’t know.

The story has every element identical to everyday human life. Yet the story has no major role for any humans. But all the characters want only one thing in their life, a purpose. Through fulfilling their purpose they yearn to achieve fame and attention from their owners. They even fear their death, replacement, and uselessness. They all have their own fears to overcome and villains who are dedicated to making others life miserable. This world also welcomes leadership and heroics.

Although the author carefully placed humans in the backdrop, he constructed a world of human emotions and struggles with pens as characters. It is a small world, identical to humans inside our everyday life. Highly recommended to everyone who likes to delve into a different kind of story for a change.

 

 

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Science Fiction

The Republic of Texas (The Second Civil War) by Eduard Lehr |Book review

41EsBfOhlAL

America stands on the edge of a knife. Waves of terrorist attacks have eroded personal freedoms and heated political tensions to a boiling point. Citizen surveillance and gun control have become everyday requirements for safety and security. Captain Travis Kent, an Air National Guard fighter pilot and reluctant Texas oil tycoon, is thrust to the front lines of the fray after killing a terrorist and injuring a woman during an attack.

Roddy Jones, football player-turned legal marijuana salesman, is mistakenly arrested after the attacks and finds himself under constant surveillance in everyday life. He flees and finds himself a part of the militia fighting against the very things that had made his life a living hell. As political tensions begin to boil, violence erupts, shattering any hope for a peaceful reconciliation. Can Texas and the United States come to peace before they start a civil war that threatens to destroy the United States of America?

Title: The Republic of Texas (The Second Civil War) 

Author: Eduard Lehr 

Pages: 373

My review

Great book! In today’s world, this ‘fiction’ doesn’t seem all too far away. The book portrays how devastating a second civil war will be. The story is well constructed and well developed. The author has carefully constructed many parallel plots to merge them at the appropriate point. All the issues explained in one point or another contributes to the cause of civil war. The author has incorporated serious issues such as gun control and monitoring of personal liberties along with internet freedom in the story. These issues are relevant in the current scenario too. Moreover, the story reflects the emotions and mindset of people in the state. Their growing frustrations and how these thoughts will end up fueling the civil war is captured in the plot.

I don’t see any issues mentioned by some of the previous reviews. Perhaps it has been updated?

Highly recommended read to all!

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, short story, Young-Adult

A man in church, a woman in temple: Romance of a couple of different-religious counselors by Dino|Book review

51eYe-un3HL

Here are two man and woman of different religions. Man is Christian and woman is Buddhist. But both of them majored in counseling because they were interested in mind study, and they met at a seminar…
There is a part that they can communicate with each other about their hearts, so the two meet often and become closer, but they can’t ask each other to go out easily. It was because they had different religions, but at some point their minds broke down the barriers of religion and became one. It’s a full-fledged religious romance about how these two man and woman understand each other’s feelings and understand each other’s religions.

Title: A man in church, a woman in temple: Romance of a couple of different-religious counselors

Author: Dino

Pages: 19

My review

A man in church, a woman in temple is a short romantic novel filled with emotions. Over the 20 pages, the author narrates a simple story of a man and woman, who are from very different backgrounds but are connected by their mutual love. Peter is a Christian religious counselor and Achara is a Buddhist counselor. They met each other at a religious seminar. Amidst the difference in religions, they are drawn into each other due to their charismatic performance and knowledge of respective religions. Their mutual admiration slowly transformed into affection and then love. As the story progresses, they are trying to understand each other better and exploring their feelings to one another.

This is a simple story on love, the purest human emotion. This story is about understanding each other’s feelings and finding a mutual connection between souls. Although they are from different religions, the author never really included any religious conversations in the story. I think it is because the author is trying to convey the true message of love. Love is beyond boundaries and beyond differences.

Overall this is a nice short novel for every romance lovers.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, supernatural, Thriller, Young-Adult

Deceptions: Book 7 (Whispering Willows) by Diana Dawn|Book review

517xca+l0fL

Lily is now hiding a secret that she is terrified that Thomas will discover. But with these recent ‘ghost sightings’, will she decide to choose Nate over Thomas? Are the villagers really seeing ghosts from their past, or could it be the witch simply wreaking havoc upon the Willows? And what about the disappearance of their dwarf friend, Ben? ‘Deceptions’ is the seventh book in the Whispering Willows series

Title: Deceptions: Book 7 (Whispering Willows)

Author: Diana Dawn

Pages: 103

My review

Deceptions is the seventh installment of the Whispering Willows series. The sixth book of this series Barn Tales ended in a cliffhanger and this one starts by explaining that ending. I was quite shocked by the climax of Barn Tales and were looking forward to read this book to know the answers. But I must say this is the best book in this series so far. Because the whole storyline is changed from now on. The author has given many clues on mysteries happening in and around Willows in previous books. All these mysteries were solved through this book. The plot is drastically changed in this one.

In all the six books the author has followed the same pattern of narration like, starts with an explanation to the climax of the previous book, a happy middle, and again some shocking revelations towards the end. But this edition has dedicated to reveal all the mysteries. Because of that, the life of people in Willows especially, Snow, Mitch, and Lily’s are so terrible. They are hit by tragedies one after another. They all are trembling by these revelations. Also, the emotional turmoil of these characters is at a peak. They are confused about their own emotions added by the horrors of Margurite and Phillipe. I was really shocked to know who was Philippe all this time.

Lily is caught in between a love triangle with Nate and Thomas. She is now unable to choose one. This love triangle is getting interesting day by day. I’m looking forward to know how things are ended up for Lily.

The author has beautifully captured all the emotional moments in the story through words. All the hurt is felt so real through the words. I really liked this part of the Willows series. This installment is crucial and a true turning point considering the whole plot.

Rating:5/5