Review of 'Warrior' by 'Olivier Lafont'

Blurb: JOIN SAAM, LAST SON OF THE DESTROYER, ON HIS EPIC QUEST TO SAVE ALL EXISTENCE.

In Mumbai, driven to its knees by a merciless blizzard, Saam the watchmender is corneres into an intolerable position. As Shiva’s only earthly demigod child, it falls upon him to stop his indomitable father.

Bred to war, the son of destruction Saam rides with six extraordinary companions into the horro of a crumbling world to face Shiva. He is forced to join hands with Ara, his half-brother he can never fully trust, and take with him his own mortal beloved, Maya, on this desperate attempt to stop the End of Days. But his path is littered with death, danger and betrayal.

Interweaving mythology, epic adventure and vintage heroism, this enthralling novel will change the way you see gods, heroes and demons.

Verdict: ‘Warrior’ is the first work of fiction by Olivier Lafont. This book is a nice thriller with a touch of Hindu mythology, history and fantasy.

The cover looks different and catchy. The sketch of a well-built guy holding a sword in hand gives this book a perfect action thriller look. The cloudy back ground and the grey flavor in the cover makes this book looks more appealing to the readers. The label of ‘Shortlisted for the Tibor Jones South Asia Prize’ will also tempt the readers to sneak a peek inside the content. The blurb is wonderfully written and gives a nice outline and start for the story. Overall the first impression of the book is impressive.

The author hasn’t wasted a time with boring introductions and has jumped into the story from the very first page. The first chapter is enough for any reader to judge that this book is going to be a roller coaster ride which they will enjoy on the edge of their seats. Snow and blood is falling from the sky in Mumbai city to indicate the end of the times when Saam (the main protagonist), the son of the destroyer, rises to the occasion to fight with the enemy to save the world. Saam commences his quest with a team of two more demigods and two mortals. The readers will love the whole story because this book has everything, from action to romance, from the unusual special power of the demigods to the wonderful touch of Hindu mythology. As the story heads towards the end the book becomes unputdownable because of the authors' efficient skill to maintain the thrill and speed. The readers will close the book with a satisfying sigh.

The narrating style is eloquent and goes with the story perfectly. The characterization is fascinating and the way the author has described all his characters with utmost clarity, they become visible to the readers quite easily. It is not easy to make the readers believe a character leaping a building or taking ten trained men single handedly or piercing through his gaze, but the author has done this effortlessly. There was not a single character which I can point out to be created unnecessarily, all characters has a special role to play in the plot or a special task to complete or an important clue to deliver.

At times I felt the author has exaggerated a few scenes with the descriptions to make them more clear to the authors, which I think could have been avoided. Apart from these scenes, there is no more error to talk about. The book is wonderfully edited and for that all the credit goes to the editorial team of the publisher. I would recommend this book to everyone who are looking for a thrilling and speedy read.

Final Words: The prompt narrating style and the way the author has framed the whole plot is a remarkable job by a new author. Such a story framing ability will take this author to a notable height.

Title: Warrior
Author: Olivier Lafont
Publisher: Penguin
Page Count: 375
My Rating: 4.5/5

Available at –

Flipkart – http://www.flipkart.com/warrior-english/p/itme2cfq3eg5ybuf?pid=9780143423638&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=Warrior+by+Olivier+Lafont&ref=9fe1a615-450d-490f-8431-65edb9ef5d50

Amazon – http://www.amazon.in/Warrior-Olivier-Lafont/dp/0143423630/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1418655568&sr=8-1

Review of "Nine (Book Two): Vengeance of the Warrior" by 'Shobha Nihalani'

Blurb:All future is defined by the past.

And therefore, the end is only the beginning.

After burying the vicious Kalingan warrior, Akash, Tara and Zubin are continuing their lives as before, hiding the fact that they are a part of King Ashokas exalted Nine and that each of them has powers meant to be used for the benefit of mankind, when needed.

Except, things are not as quiet as they seem to be.

The Kalingan warrior has risen once again angrier and more vengeful. And this time he knows each one of them. If they dont destroy him now, they will be hunted down and the world will be battling its worst, most terrifying chemical warfare yet.

This second book in the Nine trilogy will change the way you look at time and space.

Verdict: ‘Vengeance of the warrior’ is the second instalment of the NINE trilogy by Shobha Nihalani. This book starts where the previous one ended, not plot wise but the feel wise. Being a fantasy-fiction, this book is undoubtedly one of the best of its series because of the imagination and narrative power of the author.

The name itself sends a chill down the spine and I feel that the book will be known more as the second book of the NINE Trilogy than by the name. If I have to judge the significance of the name NINE, then I would say no other name would suit this series better. The cover looks catchy and would definitely drag onlooker’s attention. The book is very reader friendly and will raise an urge among the readers that this book is going to be good. Overall I loved the first impression of the book.

The Nine series is a fantasy fiction but can easily be compared with any thriller in the market. The enthralling narrating style of the author will keep the readers hooked till the end and will force them to complete the book in one go. I appreciate the author for distributing the story in short and crisp chapters which helps to maintain the flow. The readers will love the way the author has narrated the whole story by showing different scenes in different chapters. The choosing of words suits the atmosphere of the book and will take the readers into an edgy journey.

The characterization was wonderful as the previous instalment and the author has very efficiently named her characters which suits their personality best. The Three who are already introduced to the readers in the first installment, are very well presented in this book too and in a more improvised version. At few places I felt that the author has deliberately removed the lime light from a few characters to keep the suspense and that is very much visible which can be marked as a flaw of the book.

The plot of the book is wonderful and framed in an efficient way. Just as the blurb says, The Kalingan has risen again and possessed a body of a willing woman name Tejwashi and ready to take the revenge from The Nine, the Mauryan guards, the servant of the great king Ashoka and take the Chintamani, the divine and powerful crystal. Again the responsibility to save the human kind was given on the shoulders of The Three, who are now more experienced and more powerful. The plot is such intriguing and interesting that at the end I, along with The Three shout aloud, ‘To hell with Kalingan’. The war sequence is described in such a way that the readers will feel that they are standing at the war field and witnessing The Three fighting with the mighty.

This book is so good that any flaw would hardly register in the readers’ mind. But I felt there are a few unanswered questions, there are a few scenes where the readers can feel that ‘Shit, why Akash is not doing this,’ or ‘Zubin, has the power, why is he not using it’. Though maximum of the time the author manages to clear the doubt but still there are some loose ends.

Final Words: This book has an unmistakable speed which will grow an urge among the readers to turn the page. The second instalment of the series has done proper justice to its name and readers will eagerly wait for the final installment.

Title: Nine (Book Two) – Vengeance of the Warrior
Author: Shobha Nihalani
Publisher: Penguin
Page Count: 338
My Rating: 4.75/5

Available At –

Flipkart - http://www.flipkart.com/nine-vengeance-warrior-english/p/itmdzkcymxhxja2f?pid=9780143418832&otracker=from-search&srno=t_3&query=shobha+nihalani&ref=a8cffdd5-4ce7-4f6b-9744-0d868c762a8a

Amazon - http://www.amazon.in/Nine-Vengeance-Warrior-Shobha-Nihalani/dp/0143418831/ref=sr_1_2_bnp_1_pap?ie=UTF8&qid=1409906499&sr=8-2&keywords=shobha+nihalani

Note:
Book Review in Association with "TheBookaholics"         
Here is the Author's website link - http://shobhanihalani.com/