Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Science Fiction

The Quarter Percent by Lily Nicole|Book Review

 

54803781._SX318_Title:The Quarter Percent

Author: Lily Nicole

Pages: 285

Blurb

It is summer 2030. Truth is the weapon and profit is the territory. Over thirteen intense days, combatants wage war, wielding influence and prestige. Behind the screens, wealthy recluse Marvin Stone has unimaginable power and rewrites the rules of the game. As the rules change, a former fashionista struggles to adjust. On the continent, the popular and charismatic King Cordial of Vale works covertly to undermine his rivals. His youngest daughter, Costmary, is in the cross-hairs. Rue, his older daughter, takes on an exciting new challenge and Gala, Cordial’s first-born, when she is named Princess Regent, forges new ties and unveils her master plan.

My Review

The Quarter Percent by Lily Nicole is a unique dystopian science fiction blending politics and technology together. The plot has many parallel storylines which are woven together through mutual connections.

Set in the near future, the book begins giving a glimpse of the technical takeover on our day-to-day lives. Every information ever put out on the internet is now archived into a ten cubic meters of nanocellulose and silicon called Pai. Every user can point your device to this jelly block to access their data and modify them according to their taste. Access to this unique technology is only given to an extremely rich quarter percent of the population. This manipulative illegal technology which is controlled by a group of eight companies called The Conglomerate plan to market their product in the near future. This will cause a phase-out of the internet and the rise of Aeterna, the replacement. The source code of Aeterna is owned by Marvin Stones’ technology firm, Stone Technology Partners, LLC.

The plot thickens when Marvin Stone decides to rewrite the rules of the technology over the course of thirteen days. This will disrupt many lives depending on social media and the internet. The equations of marketing and advertising are going to take a toll due to this. This storyline is blended with the life of King Cordial of Vale, whose family problems have started spilling into the media. The King and his daughters are trying to squeeze the last drop of profit and power through covert plans.

This is not a simple story that can be expressed through a few lines. The story is getting complicated with the introduction of new characters. This complexity adds suspense and thriller elements in the story. The satirical account of family politics to gain more power and profit is portrayed very accurately. When people lose their ethics and only concentrate on profits, their grounds also change. This leads then to unquenchable greed to impair their opponents and rise above them. The human nature to wage war for their selfish goals is the soul-cause of the fall of humanity. This story explains them all. With accurate turns and twists, the plot never loses its charm.

The creative mind behind the story demands a huge applause. It is not easy to weave many storylines together and combine them to a single concept. The author has done this job very well. This book is absolutely a great treat for readers.

Rating: 5/5

Purchase here: Amazon.in  https://amzn.to/3iquCr7

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

I’m lucky because you were born: My twenty-five (25) reasons by Zara Achou|Book review

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Title: I’m lucky because you were born: My twenty-five (25) reasons

Author: Zara Achou

Pages: 27

This is a beautiful illustrative storybook for our little ones and for ourselves. Parenthood comes with a lot of happiness and responsibilities. Our little ones become the center of our chaotic life in no time. They bring joy to every small thing. We reborn at the moment we became a parent. It is indeed a new turn in our lives. But this happiness came only with that much high responsibility. The upbringing of a child is a difficult process.

This creative, colorful, and meaningful illustration can make this job a lot easier. The author has put down very unique words along with the illustrations. Those words are the heart of pictures. They completely reflect the parent’s love for their child. Capturing these raw emotions is not easy. But the author has done it with ease. Show this book to your child and say I love you to them. Their eyes will widen and their heart will be filled with happiness. They never forget how you made them feel.

The beautiful moments of parenthood should be shared with our little ones without losing their essence. This is the best way for that.

Rating:5/5

Purchase here: Amazon.in  https://amzn.to/2Pg6Gdn

 

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Indian Authors

Binge and Nothingness by Juan Kaius| Book review

51h19J7t1eLTitle: Binge and Nothingness

Author: Juan Kaius

Pages:75

Blurb

If you are suffering from an existential crisis, do not read this book!

This is the story of Juan, a 25 year old boy, who after binging the joy out of everything, food, drugs, and entertainment, realizes that the only way left to fill the void is to fall into it. Thus, he embarks on one final journey – to jump off the top of a hill and end his life on a ‘high’ note. By doing this, he intends to set an example for his peers, all depressed and directionless individuals, who can follow him and attain the truest form of freedom. But does fate have one last absurd joke to play on him?

Set in McLeodganj, a mystical sanctuary of Tibetan Buddhism, this is a satirical take on our generation’s futile search for the meaning of life.

My review

Binge and Nothingness narrates a story of a 25-year-old young man who is suffering from an existential crisis. He is always in search of his life’s purpose. He has tried everything to extract pleasure. His search hits a dead end and he decides to give up his life. He is ready to embrace death for reaching a new “high”. He decides to jump off from a cliff at Triund, Dharamkot. But what if life has some other plans, waiting for him?

I really loved this story because of its uniqueness. I never ever came across a story like this before. The existential crisis of the new generation is embedded very carefully in the storyline. The explanation of this unique philosophy often drifted me from reading. The thoughts of Juan kept me thinking about those concepts much deeper. His views resonate with the present world very accurately. The observations of author in all the things mentioned in the story such as drugs, meditation, spirituality, life, greed, and lust is hundred percent correct. This alone glued me to the story until the end.

Honestly speaking, I have come across very few books that have the power to leave me astonished after reading. This is one of those rare books. The story is penned down very beautifully. The pinch of sarcasm till the very last page is something deserves a huge applause.

Rating:5/5

Purchase here: Amazon.in

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Thriller, Uncategorized

Barn Tales: Book 6 of Whispering Willows series by Diana Dawn| Book review

53190741._SX318_Title: Barn Tale: Book 6 of Whispering Willows series
Author: Diana Dawn
Language: English
Pages: 109

Blurb

The evil witch and the Captain that Lily fears so have found their way into the Willows. Lily is torn between two men whom she loves. But can she sort out her feelings amidst the trouble that Margurite and the Captain could potentially cause for the village? Does the answer to their problems lie within the mirror…within a time hundreds of years ago back in the House of White kingdom? ‘Barn Tales’ is the sixth book in the Whispering Willows series.

My Review

Barn Tales by Diana Dawn is the sixth installment of the Whispering Willows series. In this part, the story is entirely focused on Snow’s identical sister Lily. The previous book ended in a cliffhanger, that made me eagerly pick this one and read as soon as possible. Just like all the other five books, the author Diana Dawn has not disappointed me a bit. She brilliantly crafted this book too.

With the presence of Captain Philippe and the evil witch Margurite in willows, the plot is exciting from the beginning. The author doesn’t follow the usual pattern of storytelling in this book. She is narrating two parallel stories throughout the book, one is the struggle of Lily to decide between Thomas and Nate, the other is the mysteries around Captain and witch. I must say, she had done a marvelous job through this storytelling. She has narrated two different aspects of a story without losing its emotions to the core.

Lily is not at all identical to Snow in appearance but also in character too. She is also confused in love, an emotion she never experienced before. The author has well presented her viewpoints on love and her tender character of not hurting anybody. I really liked Lily on these points.

I really missed Snow in most of the parts. The author has now shifted her focus to Lily’s story and didn’t allow her to appear not more than one percent of the story. But I’m really looking forward to the next part. Because there are many unanswered questions in this story. I badly want to unwind these mysteries.

Rating: 5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Indian Authors

Salswabhavi Uthaman by John Philipose|Book review

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Title: Salswabhavi Uthaman

Author: John Philipose

Language: Malayalam

Pages:169

About The Book

“Salswabhavi Uthaman – the deceptive title itself throws light into the characteristic of the protagonist and the plot in the novel. In Malayalam the name ‘Uthaman’ means an ideal man. This novel realistically exposes a false construct – Uthaman and the mutuality of such constructs and the societies. The novel reiterates that in a conducive environment evil flourishes like weeds in fertile soil. Uthaman is actually a silent villain, who exploited the weak and vulnerable ones and their emotions with knack of a wolf, but meets a tragic end, probably a deserving a fate.”

My review

Salswabhavi Uthaman by John Philipose is a short novel with an apt touch of humor. The title itself is capable to generate a curiosity around the main character, Uthaman. At the beginning itself, we could see that he met an accident and bedridden for a few days. But when I turn the pages, I realized that what makes him bedridden. The author presented this part of the story much humorously. The life of Uthaman is slowly unraveled and we get to know that who was he always.

He is not a hero. He is a villain who wears a mask and exploits the vulnerable. Through the loopholes of politics, he achieved what he wants. The important feature of this story is that the author is telling the whole story through Uthaman’s perspective. Uthaman justifies all his deeds perfectly. Sometimes he points to age-old societal norms, sometimes he uses his own familial connections to justify his deeds. But this accident was an eye-opener for him. How it happened and why it happened is another humorous part. But at last, he realizes his own mistakes but he has to pay for what he had done.

In the end, just like the floods, his sins purify him. The miseries made him think again, what is valuable and what not. This is also a lesson for everyone. The author has narrated an important thought through this satirical storyline.

Rating:4/5

Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Fantacy, Fiction, Thriller

An Interview with Rick Zazueta|Author of “Baja Air & Sea”

Today I’ll be hosting author Rick Zazueta on my blog. His debut book, “Baja Air & Sea” is available at Amazon.com.

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Me: What is your book about?

Rick: Baja Air & Sea is a novel about a stolen yacht and the adventures that happen aboard this vessel. The book, like everything in this world, is about the human condition.

Big Money. Big Yachts. Big Adventures.

Behind every great fortune there is a great crime. Julian Mayorca wasn’t always a billionaire. At one point he was an honorable port captain and legendary yachtsman, but a single temptation—a crime of opportunity—leads him down a path of betrayal, passion, power, and the sea.

Baja Air & Sea, a high end crime-thriller set in La Paz, Mexico, begins with the story of Julian Mayorca. As a port captain, he manages the harbor and oversees a fifty-million-dollar budget. His only mistake? Being incorruptible.

On a sunny day, his cousin, Alex Cuevas, who works for a notorious criminal, holds a gun to Julian’s head and forces him to sign resignation papers. A series of questionable decisions cause Julian to transition into the entrepreneur he never set out to be. What follows is six years of Julian’s life; his voyages, romances, mishaps, and how a need for revenge leads to immense fortune and adventure he never thought possible.

Me: It is quite an adventure. What inspired the plot?

Rick: I was a yacht steward aboard a luxury yacht on the Sea Cortez. I met so many characters and had so many adventures during my time at sea. But it wasn’t just the life at sea that inspired me, it was living in this “other Mexico” that made it all the more interesting. There are two Baja Californias, the expat community and the locals, and as a Mexican-American bilingual person, I was able to seamlessly navigate these two worlds that seem so different. After some time, I began to realize that other than the language barrier, the two Bajas are essentially the same. So I started thinking about blending the two cultures and writing a book in that tone.

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 Purchase here: Amazon

Me: Why did you choose to have the story take place in Baja California?

Rick: I love Baja California. I’ve always been completely passionate about it. It’s a land so unique and so full of tales that I wanted to be a part of its folklore. The story only makes sense in Baja California, because of many factors; its proximity to the US, and the influence it directly has on Mexican culture, the climate, the sea, the desert, the tourism, the corruption, the food and lifestyle, for me it was just a perfect pot to stir.

 Me: You have a lot of colorful and creative characters. Did you think them up from scratch or were they inspired by people you know?

Rick: Stephen King said that all characters are a combination of three people; Somebody you know, yourself, and somebody you imagine. So, yes all characters are a play on that. I have always been a curious person and I’ve always been more interested in people than in anything else, so I like to observe human beings, how they are, how they react, their sense of humor, their sense of style, I can be a big extrovert, so I meet a lot of people and pay attention to their lives.

Me: What are some of the more powerful themes that your characters struggle within the book?

Rick: Lust, revenge, selling out, greed, faith, love, and destiny. The characters I write are real people to me. I treat them with respect and I try to get to know them. I am aware that they have complex lives and I am grateful that they let me in to see what’s going on in their world.

Me: What type of reader would enjoy this book?

Rick: I wrote this book to inspire people with a tale of adventure, passion, desire, and the sea. If life has gotten too predictable, if you need an escape into a tangible world of excitement and want to get completely lost in the waves of the ocean and in the luxury of big yachts and Eurocopters, then this book might be for you.

Me: What did you learn about yourself while writing this book?

Rick: Writing a novel is a long journey, and I learned not to judge myself more harshly than I would others. I learned that if I treat these characters with respect, I have to treat myself and those around me with that same respect. So if I commit a mistake, I just erase it and continue.

 Me: Who is your favorite character and why?

Rick: Papa Fabio is the money man; he doesn’t get as much attention as he deserves, but for me, this guy is a huge success story. Born to a family of miners in the small town of El Triunfo, developed into a mathematical genius from a young age, got a scholarship to La Paz Technical Institute, and then a masters degree from MIT. Now an adviser to the UN on international tax code, a great financial analyst, rogue investment banker, and CPA.

About the Author

Rick Zazueta resides in Baja California alongside his wife, Geraldine, and their two kids; Maximo and Larissa. When away from his duties, he plays professional croquet as a member of the Mexico national team. Baja Air & Sea is his first novel.

Connect with him: Instagram

 

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction

Thin Ice: Book 5 of Whispering Willows series by Diana Dawn|Book review

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Title: Thin Ice

Author: Diana Dawn

Language: English

Thin Ice by Diana Dawn is the fifth installment of the Whispering Willow series. The story of Princess Snow White is now progressed into a family drama in this installment. Book 4 of the series ended in a cliffhanger. Just like all the other books, the author solved that mystery at the beginning. But she didn’t follow the same pattern in this book.

I have read 4 books in this series previously. So, in all those books, a particular pattern is followed. The mystery was solved in the beginning and then a calm and happy moments of Snow and Mitch. Then, towards the end, the plot starts to get more and more twists to end it on a suspense. But in this book, the author doesn’t adopt that fashion. Of course, she solved the mystery in the beginning and managed to end the story is a great suspense. But overall the story is not calm and pleasant anymore. Particularly because the situation in Willows is not much happier. Snow’s twin sister Lily has an important role in this story. The author gave much preference to her character in this one. Her thoughts, her dark past, her evils, and her feelings are the main part of the story.

I grew a great extend of fond towards Snow through these books. Although the author has given her a good level of importance in this book, I’m not at all satisfied with that. But the story is in a new turn. This turn demands Lily’s presence and it is inevitable in most of the scenes.

I would like to add a few words about the end before winding this up. This climax is not like the others. The fear is enormous. The suspense is paramount, this time. How the dark past can possibly ruin one’s present is portrayed much accurately in this story. A must-read!

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Fiction, Memoirs

An Interview with Author Roland Sato Page| Author of ‘Eating the Forbidden Fruit’

Today I’ll be hosting author Roland Sato Page on my blog. His debut novel, Eating the Forbidden Fruit is a gritty fiction loosely based on true events in the author’s life.

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Me: What inspired you to start writing Eating the Forbidden fruit?

Roland: My mother passed two years ago, I promised her I would finish what I started. Actually, I wrote the novel many years ago just never completed the story. So I felt compelled to finish the book leaving a written blueprint for my legacy to pass down for generations to come. Also, writing helps manage my depression due to Lupus.

Me: Can you share a snippet that isn’t in the blurb or excerpt?

Roland: Sure! One section that stands out is the last time I spoke with my father. On a Thursday afternoon, my father and I had a bad falling out. He told me he was worried about the company I was keeping and what I was doing to get the amount of money I had. I informed him there was nothing to worry about I had everything under control. The conversation escalated to an argument resulting in me saying something every disrespectful. I left St. Louis traveling to Central State University in Warrensburg Mo to visit my brother. I needed to clear my head. However, before I left something was unsettling to me. I knew I made a mistake. I wanted to turn around and go tell my pops I was sorry for what I said. Yet my pride clouded my judgment. I eventually arrived in Warrensburg on a Friday. I discussed the situation with my brother. I told him I felt so bad. Soon as I returned to St. Louis I needed to apologize to our father. It was good to get out the city, but I really could not enjoy myself in Warrensburg. I passed the time meeting different girls and just being totally reckless. Selling drugs and sleeping with random girls I barely knew. Saturday evening rolled around, word got to me my brother was looking for me on campus. Once I found him. He rushed to me grabbing by the arms. “Where you been?” He screamed. I looked confused pushing him back. “What’s wrong man?” I replied. He started to cry, “I been looking all over for you. Pops passed away. He had a heart attack.” At that moment my world collapsed. The reality set in. I cursed my pops out on a Thursday and Saturday he departed. I would never have the change to apologize.

Me: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Roland: I write out of necessity to maintain my sanity. Depression is real. I suffer from PTSD.

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Amazon.com Amazon.in Goodreads

Me: What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

Roland: Getting motivated is the biggest obstacle. Lupus makes me quite fatigued. Sometimes I have to push myself to finish writing.

Me: What do you think makes a good story?

Roland: It’s a true story many can relate to. A down to Earth tale of karma. We all fall from grace sometimes more than once.

Me: What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book?

Roland: Eating the Forbidden Fruit allowed me to archive so many memories I thought I forgot. Good memories that can never be replaced.

Me: How do you deal with the emotional impact of a book (on yourself) as you are writing the story?

Roland: On so many occasions I cried and laughed. I realize I been fortunate to have a supportive family. I truly believe that’s what fared me through the storm.

Me: Who is your favorite author and why?

Roland: Stephen King his is the G.O.A.T! His creativity is untouchable. I am also a tattooist, a visual artist so I appreciate the way he transforms his books into film masterpieces. The ideas he comes up with amazes me. It’s like is he even human.

Me: What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Roland: S.E Hinton “The Outsiders” a book before it’s time. A true tale of prejudices, bullying, and underdog becoming a hero.

Me: Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

Roland: Well for me I write about things I am familiar with which get my creative juices flowing. If I have to research to write something. I lose interest.

Me: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Roland: Humble, Committed, and Spiritual.

Me: Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

Roland: Yes indeed. My second novel titled “Skin Deep” about the temptations in the body art industry. When you dealing with skin and woman as a married man the drama is plentiful.

Connect with Roland on: Website Instagram

About the Book

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Eating the Forbidden Fruit is a gritty fiction novel loosely based on true events in author Roland Sato Page’s life. The newcomer author delivers a personal journey into his rise and demise as a St. Louis City Police Officer. He takes the readers on a roller coaster ride of good ole family memories to the nightmarish reality of being a police officer indicted on federal drug charges. During his trial, he wrote memoirs as a testimonial of redemption. Roland’s case stems from the conflict of his childhood affiliation and his oath to uphold the law. What is certain is one can’t run from sin for karma is much faster.

Purchase here: Amazon.com Amazon.in

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

Forget Me Not by Diana Dawn|Review

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Title: Forget me not: Book-2 of Whispering Willow series

Author: Diana Dawn

Pages:119

Forget me not by Diana Dawn is the second installment of her 7-book Whispering Willow series. From the first book of this series, “Fallen snow” she has created an enchanted world of magic and fantasy for the retelling of an age-old fairytale. The first book ended in a perfect cliffhanger and I was eagerly waiting to read the next one. This one picks up the story from exactly where she ended in the last book without any glitch.

The story of Princess Snow is getting many more twists and turns in this part. The major change I felt when reading was the transformation of Snow’s character. She was portrayed as naive, innocent, and someone who is living in fantasies. But here the author gave a new dimension to her character. Although she is as much as innocent as in the first book, but now she has gained much confidence and added some maturity to her decisions. The author is trying to create depth for her characters here.

I personally liked the love sequences of Mitch and Snow. Their love deepens and they’re becoming soul-mates here. Sit back and enjoy their journey which is progressing to mutual trust and understanding. Dawn opens this book with a fast-paced narration to bring a thriller mood to the story. Then everything calms down and a slow ride of romance starts. In the end, again the fast-paced action sequences came into play. Thus she ends the story on a high note.

From my perspective, to drive readers through a large book series, this kind of fabulous writing skill is necessary. I felt that all main characters are multilayered and she scratched only the surface. This alone adds some unpredictable sense to the  story. I have absolutely no idea where she is heading with this story. Diana is mounting suspense through her flawless narration. I’m hopelessly thinking that she may reveal something. But again she draws curtain at a cliffhanger. Read and enjoy!

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Memoirs, Self-Help, short story

My happily ever after by Sanjay Sharma| Book review

Title: My happily ever after 

Author: Sanjay Sharma

Blurb

Keshav is a small-town guy, who lands up in Delhi for his engineering degree in a well-known college. The twist in his tale is – he does not want to be an engineer. He wants to be an author. When fate brings him face to face with Aditi, he is stumped by her beauty and heavenly voice. Like him, her dreams lie elsewhere. She aspires to be a singer, and not an engineer.

They bond over their dreams and passion, and a deep bond is forged. But just when things are going great between the two, a turning point pulls them apart. While she leaves him to pursue her dreams, he plunges into depression and anxiety.
My Happily Ever After is a heartwarming tale of electrifying friendships, life-altering dreams, and everlasting love which will motivate you to live the life of your dreams.

My review

Romance stories always bring calm and gratitude to everyone’s heart because it is a story that we can relate to. The peace that they pour to our hearts is unmatchable. Keshav and Aditi’s love story is indeed a beautiful one. It is also narrated passionately. Everyone can pick up this book and read them without any hassles.

I must say, it is not an entirely a love story. I liked this plot very much because it is more relatable to our lives. We all are trapped and living a life that others want to. We have dreams and we bury them because of unbearable stress and expectations. But some will stand straight until they achieve their dreams. This is the story of that someone.

An inspiring read indeed. The simple yet powerful language is the biggest plus point. Overall a good and nice story.
Rating:4/5