DeadhouseGates by Steven Erikson

Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fantasy series generally have more and more expectations as the series progresses from one book to another. More so if it is the début series of the author. Extreme if the first book is too good to put down. This is one such series and the first book was unputdownable. I too had a lot of expectations and this second installment surpassed all my expectations…
This book continues the story of Fiddler,Kalam and Crokus who are determined to take Apsalar(Sorry) home. There is also a convergence of Path of Hands which every Soletaken and D’ivers are drawn to, which promises ascendency. Felisin, the younger sister of House Paran is made a slave by her own sister, the present Adjunct. The Half-Jaghut Icarium and Trell Mappo seek the convergence. The Whirlwind, Dryhjna has awaken and wreaks havoc against the Malazans. The Seven Cities close in on vengeance towards the Malazans. The High Fist Coltaine leads a host of refugees numbering more than 50,000 to the supposedly safe place called Aren which is a mind blowing 200 leagues away. This legendary march becomes known as the Chain of Dogs…
With such a complex plot, the story is told grippingly by Erikson. The pace never wavers down and take you deep into it. He takes you through a mix of emotions and tests your loyalty of each character. He keeps the story alive with slight twists and turns and his unique narrative. You experience a real, in-depth, complex story interwoven beautifully. I am giving it a 5/5.

Verdict: A top of the list read for anyone, especially a fantasy fan

The Magician’s Nephew by C.S.Lewis

The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis

My rating: 1 of 5 stars
This can easily be termed as the worst novel that I have read up to date. Though it is a children’s book, it is not a compelling story even for a child. The story starts with a boy, Dickory and girl, Polly who with their uncle’s magic ring travel beyond the world. They go into another deplorable place where Dickory awakens a cruel witch queen. They again go back to Earth with the witch queen tagging behind them. The witch wreaks havoc in earth and due to Dickory’s bravery, his uncle, cab driver, Polly and the witch are plunged into the world of Narnia where they meet Aslan. The witch flees and Aslan crowns the cabbie and his wife as king and queen. He sends Dickory in search of an apple. When Dickory brings the apple, Aslan plants it and it grows
into a tree which will protect Narnia from the witch who has fled into the northern part away from Narnia. Then Aslan gives an apple to Dickory to cure his mother and sends him, Polly and his uncle back to Earth… While this story seems somewhat nice, the problem is with the narrative of the author who fails to make the story appealing with vague descriptions and loose words… May be the second book is nice and I guess that’s why they didn’t make a movie out of the first book. I didn’t even enjoy a small part of the novel but just finished it because I had started it I really wish I could give the book negative stars. But, it did inspire me with a positive feeling that anybody can write a novel. Really!!!! I am perked with confidence now thanks to this book.

Verdict : Not recommended

Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great debut fantasy novel from the author. The story is about fitz, the bastard son of chivalry who is the king-in waiting. Fitz is taken to Six Duchies where he stays with Burrich, the stablemaster.The King Shrewd, father of chivalry, develops an interest in Fitz and makes the necessary arrangements to train fitz in the art of assassination. Fitz also has a magical ability called the Wit, which enables him to connect to animals telepathically thereby forging a bond between himself and the animals. As Fitz slowly learns the art of assassination, he realizes that he is very keen and eager to learn with a desire to prove himself. He is assigned a very dangerous mission by King Shrewd to prove himself worthy.The rest find out in the novel..The story is penned beautifully by Hobb. The wit is a delight as she brings out the best of affection between dogs and fitz. There are various twists in the novel which are delightful. Fitz’s thought process and his dilemma and how he decides on what to do is portrayed elegantly. The character development of Fitz is also done superbly. Overall, a very good novel and expecting the same from the successors in the series. I would give it 4.5/5.

Verdict: A must read for any fantasy fan.

Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the maiden novel of the author Partrick Rothfuss. What an impact I must say. I really liked the novel. He has done really well for his first novel. He has shown great maturity and promise as an emerging fantasy novel writer. I am eagerly waiting for the release of his next novel to see how much more impact he can create. The story is told via the POV of the protagonist, Kvothe. The whole story is the flashback of Kvothe’s childhood and his rise to fame. The novel switches back between Kvothe’s present and his recall of his past, though mostly it revolves around his past. The writing is captivating, the details succinct and not boring. The magical concepts are also new and well dwelt upon in the book. Only thing that hindered me was the end of the novel, which I must say was really abrupt. Although I knew it was a series, the ending made me search in google to confirm whether that was really the end of the novel or if I was missing a few pages I would give it a 4/5. I would really give it a 4.5/5 if the end wasn’t blunt.

Verdict : An excellent debut and must read for anyone looking for a fantasy novel

Five Point Someone by Chetan Bhagat

Five Point Someone: What Not to Do at IIT by Chetan Bhagat

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The story revolves around three students at IIT Alok, Hari and Ryan. They are thick friends but do not have anything common attributes. Each character is different, have different objectives and strengths and weakness. The story is told mainly by the POV of Hari and it narrates their four years in IIT and how they overcome their weakness and obstacles but still stick together and graduate from IIT…

I just wanted to read the novel to see what similarities it has with the movie 3 idiots. It seems that around 20% of the book has been used in the movie. It is sad to see the director not giving credit to the author in the movie It is not a very serious novel, but is very fast paced. I finished it in 2 hours. It is a light read, without any boring details, which just makes you retrospect on your college days memories. I liked the characters and the narrative and some light humour tags itself along in the way. There is not much in terms of the plot if you are looking for it. Overall, I would give it a 3/5.

Verdict: A good read especially if you have been a college graduate at some part of your life and wanting to cherish back the memories. If you are a serious fiction aficionado, then this book is not for you

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

I had a lot of expectations from the author after having read all his previous novels especially Angels and Demons. I have to admit that I was pretty much disappointed the way the book turned out. I had pre-ordered the paperback edition of the book costing around Rs. 500/- and it ended up pretty much a waste of money and time. Coming back to the novel, Dan Brown has pretty much maintained his standard of linking the important monuments/buildings to pre-historical symbolism and deducing ancient symbols related to a secret cult/society/ whatever that is secret. The narrative is fine and the book races along fast (I completed it in one day), but the final twist, if it was meant as one, was disappointing and much predictable. I have given it a 3/5 considering the case of persons for whom this is their first Dan Brown novel. If it is your first one, then you will enjoy the book. But, if you have read all his other novels, especially DaVinciCode and Angels and Demons and have spent some good money pre-ordering the book you have to be content with the quality of the binding of the book and boast to your friends of your book collection.Atleast, that’s what I’m doing.

Verdict : Good read if you are new to Dan Brown. If you have already read his books, it is better to wait for another book

[Please read] Make a difference this Year!!!!!!!

Hi Friends,
                       
                      The idea of making a difference in this world has been on my mind for quite some time now. I am excited to finally be doing so – however small it may be. I have been donating to GiveIndia for the past two years and I am very happy to be able to continue to do it. On a related note, I wanted to share this to you all this new year to take a moment of your time to think regarding donation. For my part, I have chosen to help the elderly people. You can donate from a pair of spectacles to providing operation expenses for an elderly person.

Do not hesitate to donate through this Website – it is simple, totally secure and the most efficient way to help me reach my goal. The NGO I have chosen will receive your money quickly and effortlessly. You will receive tax benefits for your deduction in India.

GiveIndia will process every donation and provide you with a receipt for the same. Thank you for visiting my iGive page and supporting my cause.

The link below is the URL of my iGive page:
http://www.giveindia.org/give/pledgepage/GiveDonation
It is not mandatory to donate through my iGive page and I am not going to get any gifts/points if I donate a target amount .If you have any other cause to support, be it helping the children/disable/ education or anything else that comes to your mind, feel free to do it.This is the site url http://www.giveindi a.org . The main point is to give donation. Just donate a small amount, for a cause that you support and for the next few minutes, believe me, you will be the happiest person in the world. The last day for the donation is Jan 31, 2010.

Let us take a pledge this year to change atleast one person’s life.

Regards,
Venkat

It takes so little to help change lives.Make a difference at www.giveindia. org

CAT 2010 preparation

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Hunger Games (First book of Hunger Games series)

This is the first installment of the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. The plot involves a 16 year old girl called Katniss who is living in the district of Panem. Long before, all the districts revolted against the Capitol and were defeated. To remind the districts that they are still under the Capitol’s control, the Capitol organises an annual television event called “The Hunger Games”. According to the rules, one boy and girl under 18 years of age are selected from each of the districts and to fight for survival in a place of Capitol’s choosing.  One thing is constant: kill or be killed… When Katniss’s sister is selected for the game, Katniss steps up and goes in her place…..

The book is very fast paced. I finished it in one day. The plot is okay but the fighting ability of the youngsters in the Hunger Games are somewhat overrated. There are gripping scenes, plenty of action and also some touching scenes for those expecting it. Overall I would give it 3/5 just for the fast paced narrative of the action by the author.

Verdict: Just give it a go once for the fast paced narrative