The TestamentsAuthor: Margaret AtwoodPublisher: Penguin Random HouseRating: 4/5 (PS: This review contains a few spoilers) Having read The Handmaid’s Tale last month, I was sure to pick up The Testaments, which is a sequel to the first part. Leaving the door ajar with Offred’s sudden disappearance, Atwood transitions the narrative to a sombre yet equally bleak and disgusting tone. The setting of this book, too, remains the same- Gilead- where vox populi doesn’t matter. For those who haven’t read the first part, here is the link to the review (a brief summary included) of the first part. The Testaments follows the life of three characters- Daisy, Agnes and Aunt Lydia.…

Karma Meets a ZombieAuthor: Evan PurcellPublisher: Duckbill Books It is often considered a pleasure when one is given a chance to escape into a fictitious world where fairies get things done, elves play around with you, witches and wizards fight all the bad and the best things of the world come for free. However, a concocted world might not always be a good world; a world of the dead might as well be used as a setting. Well mixing and merging the good and the bad, Evan Purcell’s Karma Meets a Zombie is a thrilling ride into the world of the Zombies. It is a little scary (for the children)…

Journey to the Forbidden CityAuthor: Deepa AgarwalPublisher: Puffin Publishers How many of us are aware of the expedition stories of Nain Singh Rawat, the first of the late 19th century Indian explorers? Surveying a trade route through Nepal to Tibet, he calculated the altitude and location of Lhasa. Journey to the Forbidden City is the story of grit and determination of Nain Singh Rawat in overcoming all odds and exploring the mighty Himalayas for the British. This story explores how a young man, who had committed to himself, explored the harsh terrain and made his way to Tibet by taking a road less travelled. His wit, patience and street smartness…

Who’s There?Author: Hansda Sowvendra ShekharPublisher: Penguin Publishers Often we think that children’s fiction cannot impart valuable life lessons. They are merely for fun and entertainment. To some extent, this is right, for not every book comes along with subtext. Well, I got lucky when I received the Hook Book Series because these four stories are set in non-urban India. These stories are simple yet have a strong appeal. Who’s There? is a comical take on a horror story. It will come across as a delight for the kids. The story describes the life of a farmer and his family who are terrified of the unknown presence in their attic. When…

Hey Diddle DiddleAuthor: Anushka RavishankarPublisher: Penguin Publishers Often we think that children’s fiction cannot impart valuable life lessons. They are merely for fun and entertainment. To some extent, this is right, for not every book comes along with subtext. Well, I got lucky when I received the Hook Book Series because these four stories are set in non-urban India. These stories are simple yet have a strong appeal. Hey Diddle Diddle is a short story that beautifully shows the importance of believing your heart. When the two friends Susan and Minootty decide to part ways because of a petty issue, it is Minootty’s belief on Susie, the calf, that proves…

A Quiet GirlAuthor: Paro AnandPublisher: Penguin Publishers Often we think that children’s fiction cannot impart valuable life lessons. They are merely for fun and entertainment. To some extent, this is right, for not every book comes along with subtext. Well, I got lucky when I received the Hook Book Series because these four stories are set in non-urban India. These stories are simple yet have a strong appeal. A Quiet Girl is a short story that beautifully portrays the relationship between children and animals. There is an uncanny similarity between an infant and an animal- both cannot speak. Puja, an adorable child, is happy yet reluctant to speak. It doesn’t…

My Daddy and the WellAuthor: Jerry PintoPublisher: Penguin Publishers Often we think that children’s fiction cannot impart valuable life lessons. They are merely for fun and entertainment. To some extent, this is right, for not every book comes along with subtext. Well, I got lucky when I received the Hook Book Series because these four stories are set in non-urban India. These stories are simple yet have a strong appeal. My Daddy and the Well is a short story that highlights the importance of staying attached to the roots. When the protagonist’s daddy narrates his experience as a child in the village, the protagonist feels like witnessing the joy his…