Sharing: REVIEWS OF THE BOOKS I READ IN JANUARY 2016

Books I read in January 2016

With so many reading challenges flying around social media, I told myself that I should read way more than I have been doing over the past 3 years. So, I began 2016 by reading 8 books in January – two of them for The Book Club Blog Tours. I wasn’t keen to write elaborate reviews, though I could not but give my opinion. So, here goes...

Book No. 1: MAGNUS CHASE & THE SWORD OF SUMMER by Rick Riordan

This is my first book by the author and also the first from this genre – mythic fantasy. I purchased a paperback of this book when someone suggested discussing this book on The Book Club. When I started reading, I was shocked out of my wits. The language didn’t seem to fit with mythology. That was until I realised that the “fantasy” part of the genre brings a whole new layer.

Well, this book is best suited for teenagers. Though I plodded my way through the book (I can’t stop midway unless a book is truly horrible), I realised at the end that it is not my cup of tea. But apart from that, I can’t deny that the book has been brilliantly written.

Book No. 2: THE OTHER END OF THE CORRIDOR by Sujata Rajpal

I received an ecopy of this book from the author via The Book Club Blog Tour.

I wanted to read this book from the moment my eyes fell on the cover. It’s simply gorgeous. Yeah, I am like that. I so fall for an eye-catching cover. I filled the form with alacrity when the book came up for blog tour via The Book Club, without even checking out the blurb or genre.

When I started reading the book, I couldn’t understand the first page at all. After finishing the book, I feel it’s been placed wrongly, not giving the right impression of the book. It’s important that the book begins in an interesting way.

The moment I started reading the second page I was hooked. But...

Spoilers galore from here on... click here to read the rest of the review. 

Book No. 3: THE DONOVAN LEGACY SERIES: CAPTIVATED by Nora Roberts

I love reading books by Nora Roberts. She writes quite a variety – romance, romance + fantasy, romance + thriller, romance + history. She’s an author I absolutely admire and would love to emulate. I have read many books of hers and didn’t think twice before picking up half a dozen of her titles from a sale last year. Captivated is the first of this series and is the story of Morgana, a witch and Nash, a famous Hollywood scriptwriter. I so enjoyed the magic that revolves around the protagonists, though I have read better by Ms. Roberts.

Book No. 4: THE DONOVAN LEGACY SERIES: ENTRANCED by Nora Roberts

This is the story of Sebastian, Morgana’s cousin, who’s also a witch. Yeah, I was surprised that he’s called a “witch” instead of “wizard”. I loved his powerful character and the way he works with the police to solve crimes. Mel is a private eye who thumbs her nose at the occult sciences. Imagine the sparks that fly when the two of them come together. The chemistry sizzles and makes for a supremely entertaining read.

Book No. 5: SOUL WARRIOR BOOK 1: THE AGE OF KALI by Falguni Kothari

I have been asked this question in a couple of interviews and a few times on social media: “a book that I wished I had written?” I had a vague answer each time, for the sake of it if you know what I mean. Now I have a definite one. I wish I had written Soul Warrior. That’s how much I loved the book.

When I got to know that this book was a story on Karna, I immediately signed up for the review. It’s only recently that I have been introduced to the genre mythical fiction. I found out that Soul Warrior Book 1: The Age of Kali falls under Mythic Fantasy – a book that draws inspiration from mythology, but is set in present times. Uh, oh! It made me wonder if I wanted to read this one after reading 1-2 pages.

There was another reason for this. I had read Magnus Chase & The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan just a couple of weeks ago and I hadn’t been awfully enamoured. That was more because the book targeted young adults.

Gritting my teeth, I plunged into Falguni Kothari’s latest book and fell in love. I have read Bootie and the Beast by the same author (I had won this during #TornadoGiveaway 2) and thought it okay. But Soul Warrior is something else.

Be prepared for spoilers from here on... click here for full review. 

Book No. 6: THE DELIBERATE SINNER by Bhaavna Arora

This is one of the crappiest books I have read. The language can do with several rounds of editing and proofing (Rupa, do you read me?). I just could not relate to the story. Why did I read the whole book? As I mentioned above, I am determined, like that.

No, I didn’t waste money buying this one. I received a copy from the author.

Book No. 7: THE DONOVAN LEGACY SERIES: CHARMED by Nora Roberts

This is one more book from the Donovan Legacy series by Nora Roberts. This one is about Anastasia, a witch who is also a healer and Boone, an author of fairy tales. He’s a widower with a little kid called Jessie. A lovely book about Ana and Boone falling in love, despite their troubled past. Will Boone be able to accept that Ana is a witch? It’s definitely worth a read. I fell in love with little Jessie and her dad.

Book No. 8: THE LAST DUCHESS by Daisy Goodwin

The copy I bought during a sale is called The Last Duchess and is a paperback. (This was published as American Heiress in hardback) Luckily, I traced it to this book. It's long, well-researched and very interesting. The book has been written from multiple viewpoints and I realise I truly like this way of writing.

I only wish that the end was more rounded off with Cora, the duchess/heiress taking better control of her household. But then, that's just my opinion. If you like reading historical novels, then this one is for you.