Confessions on an Island by Ayan Pal - book review

The cover
A beautifully woven story within a perfectly wound cover. The woman’s face against the scenic background on the front cover, gives one, the exotic feel of the island even before one ventures into the book. The title with all its majesty, speaks for how powerful a story lies beneath it. The back cover has an interesting blurb of the story.
The blurb
An abducted woman trapped on an island is given a chance to escape, provided she tells stories emerging from the stories that her intriguing abductor tells her. Clueless about why she is being forced to participate in a game of Russian Matryoshka Dolls, the woman, a bestselling author, decides to play along. And therein begins a thrilling tale narrated by an island.
Of a man and a woman consumed by the power of their imagination and truth, even as the stakes are gradually raised. Soon the only way out is in- into the past, heart and mind. The island is ready to confess. Are you ready for the truth?
About the author
Ayan Pal is a Kolkata-based IT professional and author who has received several accolades in his career so far. These include the honor of his book being a record holder in the Limca Book of Records, the title of ‘Distinguished Toastmaster’ from Toastmasters International for demonstrating outstanding communication and leadership skills, and a ‘Brandon Hall Award’ considered as the ‘Academy Awards’ by Learning, Talent and Business Executives worldwide.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from VTU, Karnataka and has completed a course in Education Technology from SDSU, California.
As an author, he is known for his acclaimed short stories in the Amazon bestsellers Chronicles of Urban Nomads, 21 Tales to Tell and When they spoke. He has contributed to India’s first composite novel, Crossed and Knotted, Upper Cut, Her Story, Rudraksha, Arranged to Love, Tonight’s the Night and Long Story Short. He is a columnist of lifestyle magazine ThnkMkt and blogger at Open Road Review.
Passionate about public speaking, Ayan also loves reading, creative writing, watching and reviewing films, listening to music, and binge watching his favourite TV shows. Confessions on an Island is his debut novel.
The plot
A man, a woman and an island are the components of the happening story. A bestselling author is abducted by an anonymous man to a secluded island. Unlike usual abductions, the motive here is not money. He claims it to be an act of redemption. The woman, on the other hand, is totally oblivious to what he has in mind, while going through the tormenting pain of abuse and finally giving up her futile efforts, as she realizes there’s no escape but to abide by.
As he pulls her into the game of Russian Matryoshka Dolls, she easily gives in, being a storyteller herself. The woman spins tales out of her imagination, intending to convey her feelings through them. At a certain point, she understands that his stories are nothing but who they are and what made them end up here. The game goes on and the truth gradually unveils with each story. When the known and the unknown switch places, impulse gets into action, leaving them with an end that is irreversible at any cost.
The execution
It is the tale of two people with twisted pasts of rough childhood, broken relationships, lost love, betrayal and death. One event leads to another, resulting in the need to avenge the loss. Life or death- the fate of the woman is just a few stories ahead of her.
Travelling through the book is almost like playing a memory game, except the cards are stories which the reader not only correlates with the subsequent ones, but also enjoys them together as well as separately. Once all are the cards of the past are dealt, the result is in the hands of fate to be revealed.
The narration
The very beginning of the story surpasses the threshold of curiosity. To peak the interest, there are two narrators, the woman and the island while the man is what the reader’s mind comes up with, after hearing to what the narrators and the emerging stories have to say.  The author also adds spice to the stories within stories, with sex and sexuality as a reflection of what the characters are composed of. The narration is so fantastic that the thrill bar is raised a notch higher with each chapter. The icing on the cake is the climax which is completely unpredictable by any chance.
Conclusion
With all the dynamic stories, mysteries, brilliant execution and turbulent narration, the book turns out to be a power-packed psychological thriller.On the whole, Confessions on an Island is one of a kind and deserves to be a celebrated number under Indian-writing.
Rating
Blurb: 5/5
Description: 5/5
Writing style: 5/5
Excerpt: 5/5
Book cover: 5/5
Overall rating: 5/5
Book details:
Title: CONFESSIONS ON AN ISLAND
Author: Ayan Pal
Genre: Thriller
Type: Paperback
Publisher: Readomania
Language: English
Pages: 190
Year of publication: 2016
Price: 200 INR
Buy paperback: Amazon

Shadow in the mirror by Deepti Menon - book review

Introduction
The book had my intrigue greatly stirred, well before I got to lay my hands on it. Who won’t be curious to know what a novel that underwent twelve years of incubation by the author known for her eerie stories, has to offer?
The blurb
It all begins with a death. Nita, a pregnant woman falling from her balcony, becomes the string that unravels the plot. Her death casts a shadow over many lives; her heartbroken father, her husband, and Vinny, a young journalist, drawn in by the whiff of foul play and murder.
What follows are stories within stories, eras and worlds colliding with each other, leaving behind splintered relationships, and mesmerizing slices of lives that appear to be drawn together and driven apart by the whimsical threads of destiny.
As events cast their shadows ahead to link the stories of Vinny, Kavita, Roma, Krish, and Nita in an unrelenting knot, a journey starts to uncover the truth. What is the secret that links Nita’s death to the other characters? Will Vinny be able to unravel the mystery?
From intimate diary entries and letters, to bantering over a meal, and sharing memories while spring-cleaning, this novel de-familiarizes the ordinary, presenting a kaleidoscope of our own pasts, broken edges and pulsating hearts.
About the author
Deepti Menon is the author of two books, Arms and the Woman and Deeparadhana. She has worked as a journalist with several publications, and is now a freelance editor. Short stories with deft twists and tongue-in-cheek articles that tickle the funny bone are her forte. Deepti lives with her family in Chennai.
The cover
The cold stare from the icy blue medium of the front cover promises to thrill the life out of anybody who dares to look into those blue eyes. Little did I know about the mysteries that were waiting for me to delve deep into the concealment.
The back cover has the blurb of the story and an interesting note about the author.

The book quality
The book has the best quality cover and the paper quality is too good to keep the fingers off the pages. The font as well as the line spacing is absolutely flawless.
The plot
The plot encompasses the journey of many lives with a death being the conjecture that turns them topsy-turvy. Vinny, a young journalist, is disturbed after stumbling upon the death of a pregnant young woman, which potentially makes a good crumb for her story. When she’s confused about the mess that she got herself into, a shadow figure leaves her with a strange note at her door step, letting her know the next move. The question, what seems like a jigsaw puzzle, is thrown in front of Vinny, with the answer being Nita’s death. Now, the job is hers to put the pieces together by raising the right queries at the right places.
The execution
The puzzle has three domains of different lives, that fall in place as the story progresses, leaving us with three people in the end, who share the cause and effects of the mysterious death.
 The first domain encircles Madhav, Sonia, their precious daughter, Nita and her loving husband, Krish. Their lives have been pretty much like anybody else’s with the usual ups and downs, happiest as well as darkest moments, except Nita being nurtured in a cocoon of wealth, which paves way for her uninvited troubles. Their servant-maid Rosy charms the readers with her cute snippets of wisdom.
The second domain with Vaishali and her best friend Kavita, which initially seems a little off-track, is surprisingly well-connected to the key happenings of the story, in the most interesting fashion. The unexpected turn of events in the two women’s lives turns the story of a different set of people topsy-turvy.
The third domain consists of Sudha, her husband Eshwar, their children Vinny and Shamu, Vinny’s best friend Roma and her family. This is the loveliest of the three domains. Sudha’s life as an army wife, Vinny growing up together with Roma and how their lives take entirely different roads only to meet at a crucial intersection, such a masterfully penned chunk.
The narration
The narration is exceptional that it doesn’t feel like actually reading a book. It is as if listening to the author herself. Perfect number of characters with the comprehensive description of each character paints an unblemished picture of the story in the readers’ mind.
Unlike most other thrillers, the description of the happening scenes sends chills down the spine even without the mention of blood and gore. The first chapter virtually got me hurtling down from the twelfth storey, enthralling my head with dying Nita’s thought process.
Initially many a guess arises within the readers’ mind which is typical of an ideal thriller. The revelation towards the end is almost like placing the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle.
A steady yet gripping pace is maintained throughout, rendering the book un-put-down-able. Besides proving to be an engaging thriller, the book puts the readers in peace with an exciting end.
Conclusion
The book keeps all its promises by entertaining the readers with a brand-new experience in the thriller-mystery combo. Put in a nut-shell, Shadow in the Mirror is one of a kind and deserves to be a celebrated number under Indian-writing.
Rating
Blurb: 5/5
Description: 4.5/5
Writing style: 5/5
Excerpt: 5/5
Book cover: 5/5
Overall rating: 5/5
Book details:
Title: SHADOW IN THE MIRROR
Author: Deepti Menon
Genre: Thriller
Type: Paperback and ebook.
Publisher: Readomania
Language: English
Pages: 206
Year of publication: 2016
Price: 225 INR
Buy paperback:
http://www.amazon.in/Shadow-Mirror-Thrilling-Quest-Redemption/dp/9385854143
Buy Kindle edition:
India - https://www.amazon.in/dp/B01M4JL112
USA - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M4JL112
Canada - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01M4JL112
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M4JL112
Australia - https://www.amazon.au/dp/B01M4JL112