BOOK REVIEW – OPERATION JAI MATA DI – BY PRATIK SHAH

Title : Operation Jai Mata Di
Author : Pratik Shah
Genre : Fiction

Blurb:

In a daring midnight operation by armed men, over 10,000 pilgrims are taken hostage en route to the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi, a popular Himalayan religious-tourist destination in the troubled state of Jammu & Kashmir in Northern India. The hostage-takers threaten to shoot pilgrims every day, unless the incumbent Government accedes to their demands.

With the largest Hindu festival of Diwali just around the corner and elections less than six months away, the Government at the center is under immense pressure to act. What will the Government do? The army? The intelligence agencies? The common man?

No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Who are these men? Is there a larger plot? Faced with such unprecedented events, will the country descend into unimaginable anarchy or will it rise above the issues of collective apathy and greed that have plagued it since Independence?

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In a nutshell, This tale is set in today’s epoch at Vaishno Devi (a popular Hindu religious place situated in the northern part of India.) . 10,000 pilgrims are kidnapped by armed men in a daring midnight operation.

The Government of India and the whole nation is traumatized as These armed men threaten to kill two pilgrims every day if their demands are not accepted by the Indian government.

The Prime Minister is under staid stress not only from the opposition but also the citizens to take steps promptly to save the Pilgrims. Worse, the PM has to deal with a narcissistic Defense Minister.

Positive Points:

I liked this story for a reason that, it is realistic. The language used by the author is simple and captivating. Description done by the author is marvelous. At times, you will feel those emotions. That trauma, their threatening situations.

Full of surprises: Yes, I enjoyed this book thoroughly because of never ending surprising elements of the book. I was not bored for a single minute. As a reviewer, I never felt like skipping any page.

Well maintained pace: Honestly, When I started reading the book I was firm that I was going to get bored as I’m not fond of thrillers. But, Pratik Shah, a debutante has done a great job with Operation: Jai Mata DI.

Negative points:

Few editing errors were noticed while going through the story.

Conclusion:

This book will definitely be accepted by the readers who love to read thrillers.

For me, this book was out of the ordinary and the vigorous suspenseful story.

Beyond doubt a captivating tale. 

Ratings:

4 out of 5

Book Review – Story of Tublu – By Jahid Akhtar

Publisher: LiFi Publications Pvt. Ltd.

Language: English

ISBN-13: 9789382536758

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The book was received as part of Reviewers Programme on The Tales Pensieve.

Blurb: Devastated by floods, Bipin and his little boy Tublu move to a faraway land, where they meet the Sharmas. This marks the beginning of a long and enduring relationship between Bipin and the Sharmas, and the growing friendship of their children Tublu and Maina. The book captures the journey of this friendship through childhood to adolescence and into adulthood. From some interesting school and college humour, the story progresses on and develops into a mature narrative. As years pass, Tublu’s plain and silent crush on Maina develops into deep love and longing, which bears the potential to conquer all of life’s challenges. The story has its share of drama that entertains; humour that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that define the amazing journey that is, life.

About the Author: Jahid Akhtar is a software developer by profession. He was born and brought up in Assam and resides in Bangalore with his wife Anjali and their little daughter, Jia. Jahid enjoys writing about some unforgettable moments, in his blog titled Flashbacks.

Positive points:

It’s a wonderful journey crafted in with different characters, they grow through youth, and adolescence, attaining scholastic growth start their own lives, separations and congregations and finishing so many things while growing persistently.

Characterization is done wonderfully. I would like to appreciate author for effective inputs given for the same.

Plot of the story is easy going, childhood, youth and working experiences is been inscribed by the author and I must say, author has done a brilliant job in narrating the tale.

Negative Points:

The characters & events were crafted well, but the only thing that disappointed me was the end of the story. The end was much predictable.

Conclusion:

I finished reading Story of Tublu in one go. Language used by the author is noticeable. Minor editing errors were found in the book.

If you are looking forward for a kind of book, which can prove to be a light read in these summer vacations or If you are a kind of person who likes to have happy endings to every story you read, this book is definitely for you! Go for it.

Rating: 3 out of 5