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

The Prince’s Order (Renaissance Origins, #2) by Taylor Buck | Review

The adventure continues! Read the thrilling follow-up to Amazon bestseller, The Medici Letters: The Secret Origins of the Renaissance. A scientific breakthrough uncovers an ancient time capsule of knowledge. However, what is discovered may change our view on history… and time, forever.

Florence, Italy. Nearly a year ago, Professor Jack Cullen and his wife Kat nearly lost their lives discovering the infamous Medici family treasure. A powerful secret turned out to be the catalyst behind not only the Renaissance—but all of western civilization. The problem was… the secret was locked in a time-release code.

London, England. Present day. A revolutionary decryption program known as TETRA emerges, unlocking the code and revealing a powerful text, feared stolen. Jack’s friend and fellow classicist, Egan Church, pursues the text by following a mysterious note written five hundred years before by Niccolo Machiavelli. Church ends up in Italy, descending deep into the ploys of a shadowy brotherhood known as The Prince’s Order.

Paris, France. On vacation—Jack, Kat and their two daughters, Valerie and Anna, are intercepted by a group of mercenaries on a mission to stop The Prince’s Order from fulfilling a cataclysmic, age-old prophecy. The Cullen family discover the only way to survive is by unraveling an ancient legend and fulfilling a lost search for illumination.

Mediterranean Sea. As Jack pursues his missing friend, and Kat works to reprogram TETRA, the Cullen family find themselves evading capture, deciphering an ancient text, and discovering the shocking secret behind one of history’s most famous, political sages. How you perceive history, time and the lives of the Renaissance Greats will be forever changed.

This saga blends a modern-day thriller with historic accounts of Niccolò Machiavelli in Renaissance Florence in a non-stop, ride with twists, turns and shocking revelations.

Title: The Prince’s Order (Renaissance Origins, #2)

Author: Taylor Buck 

Pages: 211

Genre: Historical fiction

My review

What a spectacular story this was!

Okay, first thing first. I’m a big fan of historical mystery thrillers. I consider them as the perfect blend of entertainment. Historical thrillers are built on the secrets which are carefully hidden behind the scripted history. They open a new world of creativity and imagination. The Prince’s Order by Taylor Buck certainly fit into this line.

Renaissance is one of the most significant turns in the history of mankind. It shaped western civilization and practically crafted the fate of modern man. Taylor Buck’s Renaissance Origins dig deep through the lives of Renaissance greats for missing links and hidden knowledge. In this second instalment of the Renaissance origins series, we are following the life of Niccolo Machiavelli. The Cullen family is in the relentless pursuit of decoding the ancient knowledge to unravel mysteries.

One of the best qualities of this story is its storytelling style and narration. The author carefully builds suspense from the first page itself. The narration is impeccable. I was fully absorbed in the storyline. He created parallel storylines which are intervening frequently. This adds freshness to the storyline.

Every character introduced in the plot has an arc of mystery. Nothing is revealed easily. We only receive bits of information here and there and they all add up to some unpredictable level of truth at the end. Although this is a sequel in a series, it has its own independent existence. The story is crafted in that way.

In short, this is simply a brilliant story. One of the most underrated books ever!

Rating: 5/5

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

Mirror, Mirror by Diana Dawn|Book review

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Title: Mirror, Mirror: Book 3 of Whispering Willows series

Author: Diana Dawn

Pages: 98

Blurb

Snow has settled into her new life in the magical Whispering Willows. But now that Snow and her “Prince Charming” have found each other, they must still face obstacles to their happiness together. With the help of a new dwarf friend…who may have secrets of his own, Snow must battle the witch and uncover the mysteries of the magic mirror in the mine. ‘Mirror, Mirror’ is the third book in the Whispering Willows series.

Review

Mirror, Mirror by Diana Dawn is the third installment of Whispering Willows series. In this book, the journey of Princess Snow from unknown to known continues. I have read the first two books in this series. So I had a fair idea about the story and the storytelling capabilities of the author. After reading this installment, I must say I admire more her, for bringing this book series to this world.
Diana picks up the story from where she ended the second book. It was ended in a cliffhanger, so the first chapter was the explanation of that suspense. After unveiling some secrets and suspense, she again reunited Snow and Mitch. I really liked the part where Mitch was devastated in the loss of Snow and his determination to find her at any cost. Besides the protagonists, I felt that the author gave much space to other characters in this book. Ben, Max, Eddy…all are supporting the story well. Also, the much-awaited Royal wedding was one of my favorite parts too.

After calming the storm, the author again ended this book at a cliffhanger. But in this time the twist was unpredictable. I was expecting a re-entry of the evil stepmother, but she gave me another surprise at the end.

The narration was flawless. The author connected all the characters well and drove a fast-paced story beautifully. The scenes were depicted vividly allowing the readers to get connected with the emotions of characters and the plot. The climax was enough for me to pick up the next book of this series.

Rating:5/5

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

Nostradamus speaks again by Elisabeth Jorgensen|Book review

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Title: Nostradamus speaks again: Heaven paradise

Author: Elisabeth Jorgensen

Pages: 160

Blurb

NOSTRADAMUS speaks AGAIN TM
This book IS NOT what you THINK
Its about WHO YOU BELIEVE IN
Nostradamus Speaks AgainTM is a manuscript in book form as we would like to call it that not only reveals the innermost complicated human nature, but also the complicated time we are now approaching in no time at all! We would like the reader of this profound and not yet to come message to understand that nothing but ourselves are the message, and that is why this book never has come out beforehand. You the reader will go through a profound and deep transformation after reading such a message! Not only you, but the entire world will now call upon Your Time!
Messages to follow in this book of ALL KIND.
LIVE OUT YOUR LIFE NOW!
SEE US AS ONE
BE YOURSELF
PROTECTION!
RIGHT AWAY
WILL COME
THROUGH THIS WONDERFUL BOOK OF LOVE LIGHT AND
CHERISH FRUITS OF ALL KIND AND THEN WE WILL LET YOU
THE READER DECIDE WHETHER ITS NOW OR EVER NOW BEFORE TIME.
Bring out your best ever for
NOW/SEE US SOON AGAIN!
SAI RAM

Review

Nostradamus Speaks Again by Elisabeth Jorgensen is a life-changing book indeed. I have read many spiritual books over the past two years. But I never came close to something like this one. The author is someone who was in pursuit of inner peace for many years and she achieved it at last. From that acquired wisdom, she is trying to guide us to that eternal joy.

As I read through, the pleasure I felt was immense. I can’t even describe that feeling through words. We all are in some kind of sadness in our life. Our goals, our wishes are somewhat pulling us away from what we call us peace. The truth path that we’ve to seek to get rid of these pain is love. The path which is not easy as we think at the beginning. To know love is to gain an understanding of the creator of this world, God.

Through this book, the author is drawing two parallel paths of love. But in the end they both converge to one, which is inevitable.

Recommended.

Rating:5/5

 

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Travel memoir, Travelogue

A brown man in Russia: Lessons learned on the Trans-Siberian by Vijay Menon|Review

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Title: A brown man in Russia: Lessons learned on the Trans-Siberian 

Author: Vijay Menon

Pages: 232

The world is fighting against a pandemic. People are tied to their homes for an unpredictable period. As a travel enthusiast, it is a dreadful period which no one wants to remember. But books can rescue anyone from any danger. Travel memoirs are one of my favorite genres because thry let me travel without leaving my home. I adore them. From the title itself, we can deduce that this is a journey of a brown man to Russia via trans-Siberian.
From the first page itself the author is calling the readers to join this journey with him. His parents were keen to inculcate an unconditional love for travel in him from a very young age. He was a 5-year-old boy who received National Geographic magazine as a Christmas gift. Here he is now planning to travel across Russia through Trans-Siberian railway to Mongolia to celebrate Christmas along with his Duke friends and this too in the heart of winter! The journey was not smooth, it has its ups and downs. But the author has managed to tell a travel story with a pinch of humor.

His unquenching thirst for adventure is the most striking part of this memoir. Perhaps it is the core that drives this story alone. But you can’t blend adventure with unpreparedness. It was something that I didn’t approve of. As a traveler it is essential to know and prepare for your journey especially if you are going to a totally strange country. But if I think about this from a new perspective, I can find some sort of adventure in it. Vijay’s struggle in Russia with language and people might be a lesson for some and adventure for some others. Anyway he managed to narrate his experience flawlessly.
I believe that only the writing skill can rescue an author in a travel memoir. The ability to narrate travel experiences without losing their underlying emotions, let alone drive the story. Apart from the portrayal of the scenic beauty of Russia through words, I liked the element of honesty and friendship he has. They made this journey even more sweater. If a reader can give his undivided focus to this memoir, then he could experience a beautiful journey with these friends through Trans-Siberian to enjoy a Mongolian Christmas.

Reccommended for every travel enthusiasts out there.

Rating:5/5

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

Instagram for Authors by Bonnie Baguley|Review

41Biyijar9LTitle: Instagram for Authors: An A-to-Z Guide To Finding More Readers and Selling More Books on Instagram 

Author: Bonnie Baguley 

Pages: 53

Instagram for authors by Bonnie Baguley is a complete guide for authors who wants to boost their sales and popularity through Instagram in the shortest possible time. Instagram marketing is a powerful yet inexpensive way for advertising products and driving traffic to your website. As a debut author, they might face many hurdles to establish themselves in the industry. As specified in the title it is an A-to-Z guide for taking over Instagram especially as an author. More than half of the content written to specifically addressing the authors. But anyone keen to develop and grow their Instagram account could gain more knowledge from this book.

Everything about Instagram is detailed through 10 chapters in this book. From getting started to master analytics and advertising is explained in this short book. This is a concise and structured guide to master the best future social media platform. How the author has arranged this vast information systematically is a wonderful matter to discuss. She answers every question that may arise, why it is a valuable tool and how can we proceed. It is a step by step guide for the authors. Even she includes the what are the photo editing apps, scheduling/automation tools available as a reference in the end.

Only a good reader can become a good writer. As Virginia Woolf said, read a thousand books, the words will flow. So, I think that this is an essential guide for every reader out there, who is aspiring to be an author someday. This is a must-have.

Rating:5/5

Bye Here: Amazon IN Amazon.com

 

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Motivational Quotes, Self-Help

End The Panic: You are the hero during this Pandemic by Shabnum|Review

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Title: End The Panic: You are the hero during this Pandemic

Author: Shabnum Prosperity

Pages: 26

“End The panic” is a very short read dealing with the mental health of humans who are living in this Coronavirus pandemic situation. A short guide that will help everyone to curb their anxiety and gain control of their mind again. Due to the unpredictable situation created by this pandemic, every single person in this world is living every day in fear. This fear is slowly harming our immunity and making us much more vulnerable to this disease. In this situation, it is important to stay calm and overcome our weaknesses to beat the disease.

This is an excellent book to guide the layman. It is written in a simple language in a structured manner. The author begins the book by narrating her own experiences which helps the readers to get connected to the facts she is explaining later. I liked the overall content in this book because they are practical advice. Dealing with self-isolation may create many mental strains. But when you read this guide, you can reinvent yourself to see the positive effects of self-isolation.

A must-read in this pandemic days.

Rating:5/5

Buy here: Amazon IN

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Indian Authors, Memoirs

A Lot Like Love & Other Short Stories by Nidra Naik

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Title: A Lot Like Love & Other Short Stories

Author: Nidra Naik

Pages:218

Publisher: Become Shakespeare

Rating: 4/5

Blurb

From America, New Delhi, Balasore, Cuttack and even at the barren land of Nabarangpur; unearth sagas of demands, indecisiveness, struggle, intensity, love and longing! A Lot Like Love & Other Short Stories reveals the human side of survival called Hope; hope on which every living being thrives, hope, which at times is also lost.
Stories travelling the test of time, characters infusing a blood of fire, this book brings to the readers, how deep and passionate life’s purpose can be, how in an insipid land of imagination, can connect with the most fertile of hearts.
Love adorns life!

My review

This is a collection of six short stories written by Nidra Naik. The stories are:

(1) A Lot Like Love

(2) Second Chance

(3) The Bestseller

(4) The Visit

(5) The Black Idol

(6) What Was Not Said

I always liked short stories more than novels. Because it is a true test of authors storytelling capabilities. The short stories become perfect only if you crafted them well. From beginning to end the story should have every element of a novel but in limited words. Overall in this book, the author has done a very commendable job.

The first story itself is a roller coaster ride of emotions and at the end, you will be heart-broken. The impact of that heartbreak is enough to make me a feeling that I don’t want to read the rest of them. But somehow I ended up finishing it in two days. This effect is purely dedicated to the author’s capability of crafting and storytelling. In less than 45 pages, she gives a story that you will remember a lifetime.

Every story is different and the characters in all stories do not have any similarities. It’s like you have to jump from one plot to another even after a highly emotional journey offered in each story. I really liked how the author incorporated her Odia cultural heritage in the stories. They are like adding spices in a dish to make them more enjoyable.

Among stories, I personally liked ‘Bestseller’ most. Purnendu who is a small town girl but she dreams to be a best seller author one day. Her struggling in many difficult circumstances was heart-breaking. In the end, only a few tears are left.

I often amazed by the freshness of the plot each story have. The characters are portrayed as very livelily along with a good plot.

I often like the black and white cover in books. Because it is the expression of the black and white side of human lives. But for this, it will be better if they choose some other cover design.

I liked this structure of the book very much because you can read this book in small leisure intervals. This is a must-read for every short-story lovers.

 

Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Fiction, Poems, Self-Help

Author Interview: Aditya Tiwari

Untitled design (2).jpegA conversation with Aditya Tiwari, author of April is Lush, published by Bluerose Publishers

  1. Tell us about yourself.

Hi, my name is Aditya-Tiwari, I am 21-year-old, brown, queer, writer, and a storyteller, based in India.

  1. If not being an author, what was your dream in life?

My dream in life if I wasn’t an author would’ve been to become an actor or a model.

  1. Who do you attribute your success to?

I dedicate this book and the success to my family and friends, it wouldn’t have been possible without them. They are the ones who love me for me and I am so beyond grateful for that.

  1. Any message you would like to give to your readers?

I want my readers to know that there is magic their veins. I want them to believe in themselves and know that nothing or no one can stop them and always remember that it’s time they realize that it’s all inside of them. They just have to believe in themselves. It’s always been there all along.

  1. Who or what inspired you to write the book?

In this first book, I have turned all my pain. into poetry. into art. Writing is my self-expression and it comes to me naturally to me like fresh air. I poured my everything into this book – the book is inspired by a lot of personal struggles and inner battles.

Amina Thajudeen Fiction, Indian Authors, Quotes, Self-Help, Uncategorized

“April is lush” by Aditya Tiwari

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You tell them

that you are fine,

but these are

just your

little lilac lies

-April is lush (Adithya Tiwari)

April is lush is a collection of poems written by Aditya Tiwari. The first impression of this book is its cover and title. There is nothing graphic about the cover. But somehow I liked it a lot. The tinge of red merged with black yellow, green and grey colors is the expression of the author’s poetry. This somehow gives us a hint of a rainbow without opening the book. The seasons of human life, from a pupa to a beautiful butterfly or the different emotions one has throughout their life. The definition of the rainbow is limitless. The title is also apt for a poetry collection which describes very fragile emotions of human life.

I’m truly proud that I read this book in the pride month. LGBTQIA+ community has been sidelined in literature too as well as in other fields. Their voice s important as much as ours. That’s how we can merge them to us. Being a queer writer, Aditya’s pen bleeds the emotions of utmost difficult phase in human life. The emotions are raw and thus makes it most desirable. The power he attained from broken and healing throughout the phases of his metamorphosis has been strengthened his literary senses too. This has been evident from the small poems he wrote.

The poetry collection also includes poems on love, loss, heartbreak, trauma, woman and self-worth other than LGBTQIA+ thoughts. The flow of poems is what I admired most about this book. The phase of love and loss is always a favorite subject for poets. Its because it is the truest of all emotions one has. But the specialty of Adithya’s poems is he tried explored the phase of grief much more than others. The poems on trauma and loss have tons of difference. The small differences in our thoughts and emotions during the phase of loss is essayed beautifully in these small poems. This makes the poetry long-lasting in the thoughts of readers even after turning the last page.

The language used in poems is simple making even a beginner understand what it is meant. This is a must-read for every poetry enthusiasts.

Rating: 4/5

Buy paperback here
Buy Kindle edition here
Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Thriller

Yes, I Met Maruti by Daxesh Trivedi

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Book Title: Yes, I Met Maruti

Author: Daxesh Trivedi

Publisher: Blue Rose Publishers

Language: English

Blurb: Its a story of Jay Jani from Vadodara, who firmly believes in the power of imagination. During his graduation at the ms University of Vadodara, he falls in love with beautiful Preeti Chauhan. Things become interesting & surprising when Maruti, the God arrived in his dream, Jay asked Maruti that he wants to become a very famous & successful person, Maruti said yes but I will take something in return from you & Maruti disappeared. Jay started his MBA study in Rajkot, where he met gorgeous Deepika. Suddenly zoom tv announced a storytelling competition, where the winner will get an opportunity to work as an assistant director with the living legend Shyam Benegal sir. Jay participates in it. To find what actually happened with Jay Jani, read the entire book.

My Review

“Yes, I Met Maruti” is a story written inside a story. The first thing I noticed is the unique name of the book. Second is the cover and blurb. These things are perfectly designed to create curiosity about the story. The blurb itself makes every reader to immediately starts reading to find out what happened for Jay at the end.

As a reader, I always interested to find out new styles used in the storytelling. In this sense, the narration used in this story is quite good and innovated.
The story is essentially based on a wish most of us have, to meet God once and demand something important in our life. This may be the shortcut to happiness. But nothing comes easy and everything has its own prize. What will be that prize? This paves source for wildest imagination and became the backbone of the whole story.

I found this story as quite unique and I’m giving 4 stars for that “power of imagination” alone. Though the book contains numerous typographical mistakes, it narrates a good story amidst them. This clearly shows the potential of the author.

Overall this is a good read with a strong message at the end.

Rating: 4/5