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

Before the Origin by F.S. Bala | Book review

Much has changed. Climate change has inspired a new generation of discrimination – one where the mutation of a hereditary gene has become the greatest crime. The others – a minority kept silent for years are now up to something sinister.

Agent Amy Taff has moved through the world unnoticed until the recent disturbances in an otherwise perfect utopia require her expertise. Desperate to make her mark, Amy is hurled into a world of mystery and magic, deeply rooted in ancient African folklore. Discoveries that threaten her life and could not only change her reality but hold far-reaching implications for everyone on the face of a lone continent. Follow her into an epic tale that begins with accepting a new job at Scythe. Where it ends could swing the scales of balance toward life or death.

Title: Before the Origin

Author: F.S. Bala

Pages: 124

My review

Have you ever been in a maze that keeps shifting again and again when you tried to escape? No? This story will give you the same experience. It will give you a feeling of unending mysteries.
All sci-fi thrillers have the same beginning. They will transport us to a new world. A world which that can only build through our creative capabilities. Then we start to solve the puzzles. The puzzles are twisted, to keep it interesting to play. In the end, the puzzle is solved. But this is not that typical sci-fi thriller.

The story keeps twisting again and again. There is no end in this maze. We will keep traveling back and forth, future and past. In the end, an entirely new dimension of the story is uncovered.
I’m truly mesmerized by the beautiful writing style. How easily the author has carried a complex story without creating any loopholes but creating suspense and confusion at times. It was so exciting for me to turn each page. Because I was eager to know what happens next.

At first, I thought that the author is narrating some parallel storylines, just like others. But it was not parallel storylines. It is all a part of one story. It was quite thrilling for me to come across each piece of that story and how it is connected to each other. The climax gave me a feeling that the best part is yet to be released. The cliffhanger is enough to keep the curiosity high till the next part.  A must-read for all sci-fi lovers.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Poems, poetry, Quotes, Self-Help

Star Dust: From Heaven to Earth We Fall by J.M. Pozon | Review

Star Dust is a intricately written collection of poetry, prose and short quotes centered around up lifting women of color as well as all our sisters around the globe. With the use of powerful words the author explores and navigates the themes of self love, healing, loss , and femininity. This is women’s empowerment at its finest.

Title: Star Dust: From heaven to Earth We Fall

Author: J.M. Pozon

Pages: 116

My review

Star Dust: From Heaven to Earth We Fall is a collection of poetry, prose and quotes that carries very deep underlying meaning. They are not easy to comprehend. Because it reflects the depth of pain. They hurl through the levels of misery and completes a full circle in the end, just like the stars in their orbits. This is the true voice of women, a compassionate, deeply hurt, uplifted and empowered women. These powerful poems can evoke a sense of pride in every woman’s heart.

The collection is divided into four sections. Each section has its unique theme that fits its place in the circle. I felt that the poems in the first section are more like rejecting the pain by remembering our worth. These poems bear the pain of lost love. Second section is all about realizing that worth. Accept that unique superpowers. Third section includes most empowering poems. They not only encourage to embrace our power but also counsel to use them most diligently. The final section is all about walking through that newly drawn path proudly. Be the woman you always wanted to be.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Quotes, Self-Help

The Road to Growth through Values Quotes: : 310 Powerful Positive Quotes from 178 Inspiring People by Ruthy Bar

Ruthy Bar’s creative passion for collecting insightful quotes from various sources that have helped her grow in positivity has led her to share these words of empowerment with you. She has collected quotations that express values that are important for growth. These are values for life; she’s chosen them for their conciseness, effectiveness, and positive outlook.
By categorizing the best of the best under twenty of our most cherished values – values such as Creativity, Optimism, Determination, Courage, Persistence, Commitment, and Gratitude – she has tried to include quotations that will encourage you to do positive and good things for yourself. She believes that if a person has good in their life, they will be inspired to share it by bringing good to others.
She also believes every reader can benefit from even just one sentence that can move them and give them the inspiration and the motivation to do and think differently. Through these beautiful, inspired words she hopes that you can grow strong in the values that are most important to you.
Leaf through the book randomly or visit the value that impinges on your thoughts at the moment — each page is sure to improve your outlook. Each and every one of us needs only one phrase that can influence, inspire, and motivate us so we can grow strong in our most vital values.

Title: The Road to Growth through Values Quotes: : 310 Powerful Positive Quotes from 178 Inspiring People

Author: Ruthy Bar

Pages: 136

My review

The Road to Growth through Values Quotes is a bundle of wisdom ready to flow from the first touch.

Quotes are always an essential part of my life. I’m a person who quickly enters into a rut after a hectic workweek. Soon, I‘m procrastinating from my goals. The secret to success is consistency. You have to keep moving forward. The pace does not matter. But no matter how determined I’m to achieve my goal, I often find myself in a state of laziness. To regain control from this recurring phase, I always looked up to the great personalities who had the grit to push forward, no matter what happens. I like to collect their quotes for my personal growth. They give me instant energy and motivation. A little push, that is all needed. This habit lands me in this quote collection. Within no time, this book became my accountability partner.

The author has carefully curated, important and multidimensional quotes for this book. They are arranged in chapter-wise which is tremendously helpful for me. They touch every inch of personal growth. The wisdom from this book is invaluable. This will surely go into my permanent collection.

Download this book for FREE! Amazon.com Amazon.in

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

Kat Doggers: Superspy: Book 1 of the Kat Doggers Series by Austin Stack

Kat Doggers is more than an ordinary house cat. She’s also a secret agent of F.U.R., the feline spy team that protects the world from evil genius snails, master criminal fish, and the red dot of doom. Kat is ready for her first day on the job, but instead of an easy assignment, she chooses to go on a super-important special mission with two of F.U.R.’s best agents.

When the mission goes terribly wrong and her team gets captured, will Kat be able to save the day all on her own?

Title: Kat Doggers: Superspy: Book 1 of the Kat Doggers Series

Author: Austin Stack

Pages:54

My review

Kat Doggers is living a dual identity. She is an ordinary house cat by day and a high-tech superspy by night. She is the rookie agent in the elite Feline Undercover Regiment (F.U.R) and awaiting her first mission. An unforeseen incident lands her in an unexpected mission with two other top agents, one is her cousin and the other is her idol. But this high-risk operation goes wrong and it is up to Kat to solve the mystery and rescue her fellow agents. Will she able to rise to the occasion?

Kat Doggers: Superspy is a well-written mystery thriller. The author never attempts to drag the story to unnecessary details. The story sticks to the crime and investigation. Over the course of the investigation, this story teaches us many lessons. One of such important lesson is believing in our abilities. If we believe in ourselves, we can defy all odds. We have to earn the stripes. No one will respect you until and unless we show them what we can do. It also points down to the importance of knowledge and analytical skills. This quirky, hilarious blend of characters creates a full-fledged entertainment throughout the story.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Self-Help

Guerilla Math: 5 rules you can use in your head to help you get rich, retire, and pay off your debt by Nicholas Jacobi

How much money will you have when you retire? What should you save every month? Is that new mortgage really worth it? You can answer all these questions in your head, no calculator needed, while you’re sitting across the desk from a supposed “expert.” The rules of thumb in this book will let you estimate how much your investments will grow, how long it will take to pay off your debt, and how close you are to saving up for your golden years. Designed to change your life this short book will teach you how to project your money, your future, your life in five rules, and give you some case studies from the financial world’s successes and crises.

Title: Guerilla Math: 5 rules you can use in your head to help you get rich, retire, and pay off your debt

Author: Nicholas Jacobi

Pages: 102

My review

Guerilla math by Nick Jacobi is a book about a few common mathematical patterns we can use in our daily life. It is our natural tendency to look for patterns everywhere. If there isn’t any, we usually make them. But some of these patterns have life-changing arc around them.
This book was a true eye-opener for me. I was not fond of mathematics while growing up. I started to realize its importance and easiness later in my life. For me, mathematics was always a tool for arithmetic calculations in day-to-day life, nothing more. But this book changed my whole perspective about mathematics. Through this book, the author illustrates how simple mathematical patterns can help us to estimate our financial situations. As an adult, I’m always keen to learn more about financial management. But I never thought that, mathematics has this much effect on this subject.

One of the best features of this book is the author’s honest attempt to simplify complex patterns to layman’s terms. He has explained them using practical situations, simple examples and real-life experiences. My biggest takeaway from this book is, we should realize the potential of mathematics in driving this world before indulging in any kind of investment schemes or planning.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Self-Help

The Official Depression Relief Playbook by Zack S. Rutledge | Book review

In The Official Depression Relief Playbook, Zack S. Rutledge takes his years of battling anxiety and depression and presents the top-tier lessons on how to overcome the suffering.
Borne out of experience, this book details the effects of conventional, non-conventional, and unexpected treatments. Providing a “D-Day approach” to battling this incessant affliction, it provides a defined action plan which attacks depression and anxiety on the physical, mental, and emotional levels.
Simple, actionable, and concise, The Official Depression Relief Playbook will save you years of struggle and provides you with a shortcut to the life you deserve.
This book is truly an insider’s look on depression, and how to beat it.

Title: The Official Depression Relief Playbook

Author: Zack S. Rutledge

Pages: 39

My review

Depression builds a very thick, dark barrier in our minds. It will tie our thoughts around this formidable barrier. Breaking this barrier is an almost impossible feat. But we can overcome everything through the right guidance. This book gives that much-needed insider’s view of this battle. The author himself has gone through the levels of depression and he bravely fought off his demons. He draws inspiration from his own experiences. This firsthand account is very relatable and realistic in every bit.

Though this book, the author introduces a unique approach to tackle depression. We have to start small, one step at a time to a better tomorrow. This systematic guide touches every level of wellbeing. The author gives equal importance to the physical and mental health. Because they couldn’t exist without other. It is important to understand our physical body before we understand our mind. The healing should be inclusive for a viable result.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Self-Help

The Moon : 20 questions kids ask about the Earth’s constant companion by Yvonne Krishnan|Book review

“That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
-Neil Armstrong, first man on the Moon

Have you always wanted to know more about the Moon and discover it like Neil Armstrong and the other astronauts that have walked on its surface? Well, you might not be able to go to the Moon yet, but this book will answer the many questions you have about Earth’s constant companion, our beautiful Moon. From how the Moon was formed to the features that you can spot on the Moon’s surface, this book will provide you with the answers and a starting off point to your exploration. Get ready for blast off!

Title: The Moon : 20 questions kids ask about the Earth’s constant companion

Author: Yvonne Krishnan

Pages:68

My review

Curiosity is the step towards the knowledge. Kids are curious about many things growing up. One of such things they are highly interested to know is about the moon. I was curious in my childhood days and now my kids are walking through the same path. This book helped me in two ways. First, to freshen up my knowledge about the moon this in turn helped me to answer my child’s questions. Second, it worked as a learning guide and reference material for my child itself.

The book is written very systematically. All the facts are explained very well along with appropriate images. The author has included not only the facts but also the current developments and history of lunar explorations in the book.

The approach for each question is different. Every question is explained according to its merit. Also, there are some interesting facts and activities given at the end of some chapters. This helped my child to research this subject a little more and the activities gave a good understanding of the facts.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Thriller

Craving Alaska, how to savor the last frontier by Day Pesh Melba | Book review

Daphne G. Forest is bold, brisk, and as barbed as the 1940s movie star she resembles. Mother Miriam Bliss is a flamboyant figment of her imagination, a sort of whimsical vindication for an editor who confused Daphne with facts, which she knows (for a fact) only tend to exist. When Daphne’s fictitious commune of blasphemous gourmet wilderness nuns unexpectedly create a national stir, Daphne goes on the lam in Alaska, a frontier big enough for Italy and France to hide in. She meets Jason, a gold seeker, who introduces her to the native Gwich’in tribe in the Far North. Tribal leader Rachel King, who is fighting an uphill battle against Big Oil, stirs Daphne’s dormant sense of right and wrong and lands her on a whole new trajectory. That trajectory is about to collide with that of a gay commune in San Francisco, who have fallen hard and fast for Mother Miriam. They decide she and her wild sisters must materialize. What is real, what is magical, what is realistic magic and magical realism? The answers and more questions are found in the mythic and monumental proportions of the Great Land, Alyeska.

Title: Craving Alaska, how to savor the last frontier

Author: Day Pesh Melba

Pages: 320

My review

A brilliant, bold, unusual story immersed in magical realism. This is a rare combination of art that will take you to the next level of confusion and self-awareness. The writing style is unique. The author never attempts to create an empathy between the characters and the readers. Rather, the story is narrated from an outsider’s perspective, often slipping into satirical moments.

The story is very distinctive and it is presented without losing its innate charmingness. Daphne was indeed seeking a refuge in Alaska. Because she is someone who is torn between her natural rebellious nature and calm, principled outside demeanor. Her true expressions are behind this mask. In Alaska, the eternal wilderness evokes her spirit. She understands her true aspirations. The dilemma of choosing right and wrong is vested in one’s mind. This confusion brings out our true character. But the true craft of this story begins after that. How the author has connected this course to the life of gay commune in San Fransisco is the crux of this novel. This is like a non-ending dilemma that keeps unwinding.

I know why the author has chosen Alaska to tell this story. Only the wilderness of Alaska can match the magical realism in this story. The background supplements the thread in every way.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Thriller

Perdition: Book one The Devil Wore a Brown Suit Series by Amanda Arndt | Review

Perdition and her Brother Damnation were born to serve the garden of Eden. As babies they are hidden in the underworld. When Daniel finds out his mother is still alive he escapes from the underworld to destroy the garden. Perdition follows after escaping her own personal hell. She is lost. She has no memories of how she got out or her personal hell. Book one of the devil wore a brown suit series is a look inside Perdition as she navigates topside trying to find out who she is.

Title: Perdition: Book one The Devil Wore a Brown Suit Series

Author: Amanda Arndt

Pages: 113

My review

Perdition: Book one The Devil Wore a Brown Suit series is a fantasy thriller crafted between the worlds above and below. Perdition and Damnation, the twin children of Venus and Lucifer are destined to serve the garden of Eden. But their parents wasn’t ready to give up their children to a life with no free will. Lucifer fled to the Underworld with the twins. Venus was trapped in the Garden after losing the fight with mighty Gabriel. Everyone in the underworld believed that Venus was dead. After many years, Damnation came to know that his mother is alive. He escaped the Underworld leaving behind his sister, perdition in the void. Perdition eventually got out of her personal hell but came to know that she is now in the topside. She has no memory of how she got out. She is approached by some unholy descendants. But soon she came to know that a war is imminent. What will be her destiny? Does she able to save the world?

The story is all about the transformation of Perdition. She was unaware of her capabilities. When she was tossed to the topside without any aid, she started to uncover her unique abilities. She was clueless in the beginning. But by the end of this book, we can witness a powerful celestial being, with mighty powers and determination. Her life is not bound to the darkness of the underworld. She belongs to the topside. This is her journey to self-discovery.

The story is fast-paced, leaving little space for any emotional attachments. New characters and situations are introduced in every chapter, which drastically changes the course of the entire story. Overall, this was a unique fantasy thriller read.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Self-Help

A Word to the Eyes by Sudio Sudarsan | Book review

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a calligram is worth a million. A Word to the Eyes is a revolutionary mnemonic tool used to boost vocabulary development and retention. Enhance your lexicon starting with the visuals within, which serve as an introduction to thousands of associated words and meanings.

Title: A Word to the Eyes by

Author: Sudio Sudarsan

Pages: 245

My review

Calligrams is a tool that has the potential to revolutionize the learning process. Words are the basic element of every language. Mastering in the pronunciation, meaning and proper usage of words is crucial for effective language learning. But our present-day techniques are somewhat outdated. We need a new tool which meets the demands. Calligrams is an amalgamation of visual arts and traditional learning techniques. This book explores this possibility.

It is arranged just like a dictionary. Each word is drawn in a unique way which appeals to the learner and stimulates the retention. This helps in better recalling of the meaning. Along with this, the author shows us how to use this word in a sentence correctly, with proper pronunciation.

This book is helpful for anyone who wants to upgrade their vocabulary skills regardless of age. But I think that this tool will help children more than adults because they are the ones who are always struggling in the early years of education. Also, visual arts are more appealing to them than others. This way can also boost creativity and imagination in children.