Book Review: The World of Butterfingers by Khyrunnisa A. (Author) & Abhijeet Kini (Illustrator) | Children's Comics

         

"The World of Butterfingers: Adventure in Texas and Other Stories by Khyrunnisa A. (Author) & Abhijeet Kini (Illustrator)"

Book Review by Dhiraj Sindhi

The World of Butterfingers

Author: Khyrunnisa A.

ISBN: 978-0143463122

Genre: Children's Action & Adventure Comics

Length: 104 Pages

Publication Date: 22^nd May 2023

Publisher: India Puffin

Cover Designer: Samar Bansal | LinkedIn: @samarbansal

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/3O08pTq

About the Writer: Khyrunnisa A. is an award-winning writer of children's fiction and the author of the hilarious Butterfingers books. Howzzat Butterfingers! (2010) is the first novel in the series. She created the popular comic character Butterfingers for Tinkle. Her first book for adults is Tongue in Cheek: The Funny Side of Life (2019). The Lizard of Oz and Other Stories (2019), The Crocodile Who Ate Butter Chicken for Breakfast and Other Stories (2020) and Baby and Dubdub (2021) are some of her recent books. She is a full-time writer and lives in Thiruvananthapuram. Visit her at www.khyrunnisa.com and connect with her at khyrubutter@gmail.com.

Khyrunnisa A.

Instagram: @akhyrunnisa

About the Illustrator: Abhijeet Kini is a Mumbai-based illustrator, animator and comics creator. His love for the comics medium started from a very young age and he has been drawing comics professionally for two decades now. Other than the work he has done for leading publications, his self-published indie comics like Angry Maushi, Bombay Rhymes and Fanboys are quite popular among readers. Abhijeet has had a special place in his heart for Butterfingers, ever since he started drawing the character in various outings and has thoroughly enjoyed working on this book too!

Abhijeet Kini

Instagram: @abhikini

Disclaimer: This review is only intended for initiating discussions. The opinions and views presented in this article are my own and do not reflect anything about the book's author. 

REVIEW

Prepare for triple the excitement as The World of Butterfingers serves up not one, but three thrilling stories that'll keep you hooked from start to finish, where imagination meets education in the most delightful way. This comic book adaptation of Khyrunnisa A.'s novels is like a rollercoaster ride through a crazy mashup of worlds - a Mysteriopolis where curious minds and detective instincts take center stage, a full-circle trip of problem-resolving stetson hat, and school life where a late super marathon runner strengthens the bond between Princi and Butterfingers AKA Amar Kishen. It's like having your cake with a side of mind-boggling trivia and hilarious encounters.

Khyrunnisa A. seamlessly infuses everyday knowledge into extraordinary story arcs. She's like a sneaky genius, dropping fact bombs about insurance, smuggling, butterfly migration, marathon origins, and more all while keeping the adventure fun and addictive. It's like finding hidden gems in a treasure hunt. Who knew learning could be this cool?

And let's not forget Abhijeet Kini's stellar illustrations! He's a maestro at giving characters life and expressions. You can practically feel the disappointment, sadness, annoyance, and happiness oozing off the characters' faces. And when it comes to depicting the clumsy butterfingers crashing and falling, he nails it. You can almost hear the thuds and see the chaotic hilarity unfold before your eyes.

Happy Reading!

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The Sage's Secret by Abhinav | The Kalki Chronicles | Book Review

    

The Sage's Secret by Abhinav (The Kalki Chronicles)

Book Review by Dhiraj Sindhi

The Sage's Secret by Abhinav

Author: Abhinav

ISBN: 978-0143442363

Genre: Children's Action and Adventure

Length: 256 Pages

Publication Date: 31 August 2018

Publisher: Penguin Random House India

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/3gY43Ln

About the author:

Abhinav is a Mumbai-based software developer working for a financial services firm. His debut book The Sage’s Secret is the first instalment in the Kalki Chronicles. He has since published a second book in the series, Kali’s Retribution.

Instagram: @am_abhinav

Goodreads: @am_abhinav

Disclaimer: This review is only intended for initiating discussions. The opinions and views presented in this article are my own and do not reflect anything about the book's author. 

REVIEW

The Sage's Secret by Abhinav is the first instalment in the series The Kalki Chronicles, an Action and Adventure book series for children based on Hindu Mythology. Set in the year 2025 and onwards, the book has several fantastical elements and a set of characters. The premises is far removed from the reality of the novel itself. The Kalki avatar is not 'all-knowing' like Krishna and so Lord Krishna had already arranged for Kalki's training in Kaliyuga before he died. The twenty-year-old protagonist, Anirudha receives communication and instructions from the lord via dreams, God's favourite mode of communication as is evident in Indian folklores. Sage Dweepa is going to teach Anirudha everything that he'll need to defeat his enemies and fulfil his duties as the tenth avatar.

The antagonist for this first book is Kalanayaka who is given the position in the army of Kalabakshakas, led by the lord of time—Kalarakshasa. It is said that the formation of this group can be traced back to Dvapara Yuga, although the author has not provided any explanation of the origins as to how they came to be or why. The Sage's Secret includes the journey of Anirudha from being an ordinary boy to a well-equipped combatant. 

What I liked about the book is the use of sorcery and the fantastical power of controlling energy, though the idea is poorly executed. The writing style is engaging and the narration provides more information than what can be considered adequate. I also appreciate the secret after which the book is titled after. The character development of Kalanayaka and Anirudh is what made me stick to the book till the end. In the last few chapters, the story progresses exponentially which sets a quite dramatic stage for the next book, 'Kali's Retribution'.

I do not understand though that while the story spans over such a vast expanse of time, places and possibilities, the story's focus narrows down to just a few characters and an isolated battlefield. As it is categorised as children's fiction, I think it should have provided something more useful instead of repetitive expositions, making it slower and boring to follow. 

Happy Reading!

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Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace. ☮