Historical Fiction & Mythology

4 June 2022 | Saturday · 2:19 PM

The Magicians Of Mazda: Bharat Series Continues To Intrigue

The Magicians Of Mazda | Ashwin Sanghi

In his widely acknowledged book How To Stop Worrying And Start Living, Dale Carnegie urges you to read something that requires effort, thought and concentration, everyday – making you learn something useful. As with all Ashwin Sanghi books, The Magicians Of Mazda fits the bill perfectly yet again. While asking for your concentration, the book leaves you wholly enriched with something to gain in the form of the abundance of knowledge the book exudes. This latest offering in the Bharat Series has all that you can expect from an Ashwin Sanghi book. It has history, science, mythology, theology, some ancient relics open to various interpretations and puzzles to be solved.

The Magicians Of Mazda is heavily focused on the Zoroastrian history and has a Parsi community backdrop. The book starts with a fascinating setting with a theft in the British Museum where the Cyrus Cylinder gets stolen. …

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30 April 2022 | Saturday · 10:30 AM

Lessons In Chemistry | Book Review

Lessons In Chemistry | Book Review

And yes, I finally got my hands on Lessons In Chemistry this week! Being one of the most anticipated books of 2022, it marks yet another rollicking debut of 2022, in the most flamboyant fashion.

This is the story of Elizabeth Zott, a self educated, able and competent chemist. Pursuing her research on abiogenesis, she is constantly on the receiving end of discrimination and injustice, being a woman. Upon loosing her formal job, she finds herself don the role of a cooking show – reluctantly albeit. And bang! The show is a runaway success. And, Zott becomes an inspiration for the women across the nation.

A few pages into the book and you know you have a winner at hand. This was a perfect setting for a scintillating, humorous read with a sharp message.

The first thing that I loved about this book was the two unforgettable characters of …

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5 March 2022 | Saturday · 4:40 PM

Lords Of The Deccan | Book Review

Lords Of The Deccan | Book Review

Hey Guys, how are you doing? I am here today with a new book recommendation. For all Historical Fiction fans, Lords Of The Deccan is here to entice you! Written by Indian author  Anirudh Kanisetti, this book beautifully details the dynasties prevalent in Medieval India. Particularly, it showcases the southern & Deccan regions. The book has three parts to it. We will be looking at the first part here.

The first part of “Lords Of The Deccan” focusses on the rise of the Chalukya dynasty. This is the period between the late 6th to 8th centuries. From being meager agriculturists, how they go on to become the fierce rulers who dominated the Deccan. A transition so wonderfully narrated by Anirudh Kanisetti.

The book presents vivid accounts of the Chalukyas emperors. The most prominent of them is Pulakeshin II who virtually conquered majority of the Deccan region. In essence, his …

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11 December 2021 | Saturday · 12:06 PM

The Last Bookshop In London (Madeline Martin)

The Last Bookshop In London | Book Review

A riveting story with an enriching & soulful feel. The Last Bookshop In London by Madeline Martin is the most beautiful book I have read this year and stands tall to be one of my all time favorites.

Set amidst World War 2 with London bearing the brunt of incessant bombing by the Nazi Germany, what they call the Blitz, The Last Bookshop In London is a heart wrenching story of the young Grace who has lost her mother to illness, and being unwanted in her own home ever since her uncle comes in with his family, she moves to London with her best friend Viv to her mom’s friend Mrs. Weatherford. While the two had always dreamt of living the big city life of London, never had they anticipated they would be doing so amidst the fury of the war. The story is beautifully carved with emotions, turmoil, strength, …

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10 July 2021 | Saturday · 1:44 PM

The Vault Of Vishnu (Ashwin Sanghi) | Book Review

The Vault Of Vishnu | Book Review

With Ashwin Sanghi, you are bound to find a reference to Dan Brown drawing comparisons between the two. It actually is not unwarranted. These are two authors with a stark similarity in their area of writing & the subjects they spin their tales around. Dealing with some hidden ancient secrets, combining historical facts with myth, they share a common ground with enough space for each other. When you read one, you almost have a sense of Déjà vu and are naturally reminded of the other. While for Dan Brown it is an old brotherhood, for Sanghi it is the ancient rulers & dynasties; for Brown it is ‘The Holy Grail’, for Sanghi it is ‘The Vault of Vishnu’. And both make for fascinating reads all the same.

Ashwin Sanghi’s ‘The Vault Of Vishnu’ is an enjoyable mix of history, bio engineering, myth, thrill, suspense & drama. The basic plot of …

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· 1:43 PM

The Lost Apothecary (Sarah Penner) 🥈🔰

The Lost Apothecary | Book Review

Winner: 2nd Ranked Book 2021

What is the first thing that pulls you toward a book? Probably the author? Or a recommendation from a friend? Word of mouth? For me, it was the name “The Lost Apothecary” that intrigued me enough to pull up this book. And dare I say, I picked up the best book I have read to date.

The title “The Lost Apothecary” hints towards something forgotten or hidden, probably a reference to some history, probably some element of suspense or an unknown factor. A quick search would tell you, an apothecary is someone who prepares or sells drugs or medicines. This in itself sets you thinking & lets the imagination go wild with all possibilities it might bring.

The book is beautifully woven around a 200 year old setting, 1791 to be precise, where lived Nella – the owner of the Apothecary. The Apothecary, originally …

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