Karma by Abhirup Dhar | Horror Fiction Novella

    

Karma by Abhirup Dhar

Horror Fiction Novella

Book Review by Dhiraj Sindhi

Karma by Abhirup Dhar

Author: Abhirup Dhar

ISBN: 978-8119750528

Genre: Horror Fiction

Length: 136 Pages

Publication Date: 27^th August 2024

Publisher: Om Books International

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

About the Author: 

Abhirup Dhar is a Kolkata-born bestselling author. His books include Once Again... With Love! and Stories Are Magical after which he delved into horror with Hold That Breath (1 and 2), Hauntings and The Belvoirbrooke Haunting which were very well-received, with Hauntings being an Amazon bestseller for months from the very first day of its release. A name to be reckoned with in the genre of horror writing in India, one of his most famous projects, Ghost Hunter: Gaurav Tiwari, was phenomenally received, topped the Amazon charts, and has been acquired for a screen adaptation. Abhirup is also a screenwriter, working with esteemed people from the Indian film industry.

Abhirup Dhar

Instagram: @abhirup.dhar0906

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

REVIEW

The allure of a haunting often lies in the spaces where the past whispers into the present, its echoes ricocheting through shadowy corridors and fractured sense of reality. In this meticulously crafted novella by Abhirup Dhar, these whispers are deafening, reverberating across decades to weave an unsettling tale. Set against the brooding, mist-draped mountains of Darjeeling, the narrative alternates between 1985 and 2016, inviting readers into a labyrinthine structure that is both mesmerizing and, at times, maddening.

The story begins in 1985, with Anuradha and Arnab relocating to an isolated, atmospheric house, a place intended to serve as a retreat from Kolkata’s frenetic pace. Their six-year-old son, Ricky, becomes the unwitting harbinger of the inexplicable as the family is drawn into an escalating vortex of paranormal occurrences. Fast-forward to 2016, when Karma, a professor of parapsychology, and Sakshi take residence in the same house. As the timelines entwine and fragment, the house itself emerges as a malevolent character, its secrets spilling forth with each revelation.

The narrative excels in its use of non-linear storytelling, particularly in the 2016 segments, which oscillate between Karma and Sakshi’s harrowing present and the origins of their relationship. This disjointed approach amplifies the suspense, forcing the reader to piece together a puzzle whose final image is as haunting as it is tragic. The interplay between the two eras is skillfully orchestrated, with fleeting details—an eerie piano chord, a ghostly voice—creating moments of recognition that further excite you.

Yet, the novella is not without its shortcomings. The relationship between Karma and Sakshi strains credulity; their whirlwind romance, forged over a chance encounter and a few eerie jaunts in the mountains, lacks the depth necessary to make Sakshi’s decisions seem plausible.

Thematically, the book delves into profound questions about the fragility of modern relationships. Sakshi and Karma’s interactions expose the fault lines of distrust, impulsivity, and emotional withdrawal, contrasting sharply with the more grounded (if equally tragic) dynamic of Anuradha and Arnab. This subtle critique of human connections in an age of impermanence lends the book a layer of universality, even as its horrors are firmly rooted in the supernatural.

The horror elements themselves are impeccably rendered, eschewing cheap thrills for an atmosphere steeped in dread. The house becomes a tableau of spectral phenomena: a mirror that serves as a portal to another realm, the hollow resonance of a piano played by unseen hands, and the chilling lore of Darjeeling’s haunted past. The author’s restraint is commendable, unveiling just enough to keep the reader teetering on the edge of comprehension without ever slipping into exposition.

Despite these flaws, the book triumphs in its ability to meld two distinct timelines into a cohesive whole, its structural elegance matched only by the vividness of its fear factor. The climactic unravelling is both devastating and cathartic, offering readers a satisfying resolution to the intricate web of events. This is a book that demands patience, rewarding readers who can endure its slower moments with a payoff that lingers long after the final page.

Happy Reading!

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Book Review: The Paradise Conflict by Abhishek Ghosh | Dystopian Fiction

Book Review

The Paradise Conflict by Abhishek Ghosh

The Paradise Conflict by Abhishek Ghosh

Author: Abhishek Ghosh

ASIN: B08KSHFTCV

Genre: Dystopian Fiction

Length: 150 Pages

Publisher: Novel Nuggets Publishers (5^th October 2020)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/37uMAWL

About the author:

Abhishek Ghosh

Instagram: @abhishekghosh_write_mania

Facebook: @abhishek.ghosh.376

Twitter: @Abhishe67403471

REVIEW

Summary of the book

The Paradise Conflict is a dystopian fiction which is set in a world where freshwater is scarce, air is filled with hazardous pollutants, everything is covered with UV-protection sheets; needless to say, masks are essential; in addition to the misery of this world, the remainder of the population and infrastructure is administered by the Imperial regime. The surviving water bodies are heavily guarded by Imperial outposts and common people are being killed by them, for the inequality this regime is entitled to. The comfort of living and surviving is only meant for the governor and his Imperial servants, not the common people.

This situation cause the rise of a group of people who choose to stand against the regime, the Rebels. This first book in the series portrays a battle between the Rebels and Imperials with a set of characters that are interconnected in a way. The Rebels are looking for ‘the lost paradise’, which is thought to be thriving with all the natural resources and free of any pollutants, hidden somewhere and the wicked tyrant that governor is, makes every effort to stop the rebel activities.

This oppression, revolt, and a ray of hope form the foundation for the story. The book consists of many action-packed segments that are quite entertaining. The main characters are very well-developed considering their arcs, inclination, actions, and the choices they make throughout the book. The book portrays dictatorship, governor’s never-ending greed for power and comforts, which reflects in his corrupt and hollow empire as a huge disparity among subjects, and destruction. Apart from that, there are interesting elements like treachery and many surprises. 

My Opinion

I liked the story and the message the book delivered through my personal reading of it. The setting and the characters are formidable. Gayatri – the Rebel leader, Judy – the second-in-command, Mitra – a bounty hunter, and Arjun – the Imperial admiral were some of the memorable characters I enjoyed reading. The plot involving ‘the lost paradise’ was really interesting to follow. However, the thing which bothered me throughout the book was – plain and naïve writing style. It was like, the bigger picture is there – the mission, the goal, two parties, but it lacked the minor yet important details. Also, it had the problem of ‘tell, don’t show’. There were ample amount of unnecessary dialogues that could have been elaborated in expositions. Whereas, I expected more of the dystopian world, an enhanced and detailed version of this.

Happy Reading!

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Top 10 Books I Read in 2019 | Fiction | India

Hello readers' fam! We have been together for more than one year and I'm back with another Top 10!

Top 10 Books I Read in 2019 (Fiction)

Top 10 Best Books of 2019 | India

I read many books this year, more than I expected I could read. I don't believe in the Goodreads Challenge! Well, here are my "Top 10 fiction books I read this year". Most of them are from Indian Authors, in fact, except for one these all are from Indian Authors. This year I gotta know many Indian Authors and they're awesome. Some of them have carried out phenomenal work. So let's see what they've got in store for you. 

Note: All these books are review copies I got this year and most are debuts. For some reason, I couldn't read books by popular authors but these are Indeed recommended.

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10. Feni Daze by Mathew Vincent Menacherry

Feni Daze by Mathew Vincent Menacherry (Vanguard Press)

Feni Daze by Mathew Vincent Menacherry is a Crime Thriller which follows the main character Victor Gabriel, an ex-soldier. The story takes place in Goa where he meets his former girlfriend Ana. Although the novel contains all locations from Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa and Amritsar, Punjab. There are four different phases of Victor's life which are narrated throughout the novel. His life at an early age, the Indian Army life, the phase when he met Ana and the current happenings. The writing style, it was really amazing, in a true writer manner. All the senses, elements and aspects a reader seeks were all covered in the book. The author has depicted the struggles of an Indian Army Soldier, the faults of system, politics, how soldiers being crushed between seniors and police commanders, how innocent civilians' lives are filled with terror, the insurgency (Operation Blue Star) and whole lot stuff. It was a really good experience, learning the aspects of such a major historical event.


Buy Feni Daze on Amazon: https://amzn.to/395pLI3

9. The Chronicle of Golgotha Days by Sujith Balakrishnan

The Chronicle of Golgotha Days by Sujith Balakrishnan (Frog in Well)

The Chronicle of Golgotha Days is a book that put on a view about inhuman acts and intense cruelty faced by their victims. Yes, this is about sexual offenders/rapists and victims of their brutality, and in this case a sixteen-year-old child Abhaya. The prologue successfully channels the horror of such acts and that it won’t be an easy read for delicate hearts but it will leave you with nothing but strength. This book will open your eyes and call you out to stand with the young victims and their families. Because here’s the thing, because of the current condition of our societies, making it to justice is much more harrowing than the pain victims are already carrying.



Buy The Chronicle of Golgotha Days on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YbUOQM

8. Bittersweet by Rajesh Konsam

Bittersweet by Rajesh Konsam (Vishwakarma Publications)

Bittersweet is a piece of art, an art of storytelling through stirring thoughts, authentic dialogues, songs and a creative plot. Apart from that, Bittersweet is a work of contemporary fiction following the protagonist Roshan, who is an artiste with excellent songwriting skills and limited vocal talent. Characters are really strong and dialogues on top of that help connecting us to them at such level that it brings you the same pain as them. I felt every bit of it. At first, I thought of it as an average read but the second part gave characters and the book itself a new life. There is not just the struggle one make as an artiste, they take almost life-changing decisions. I loved how the book is filled with life and reality, especially the second part. The novel is a mixture of bitterness and sweetness of the same amount, no more no less!


Buy Bittersweet on Amazon: https://amzn.to/30GvVce

7. Narasimha (The Mahaavatar Trilogy #1) by Kevin Missal

Narasimha by Kevin Missal (HarperCollins India)

Narasimha is first of ‘The Mahaavatar Trilogy’, the reimagining of mythological tale about Lord Narasimha, fourth Avatar of Lord Vishnu. The story takes place in the world of Illavarti, a fictionalized fantastical version of Vedic Age. The conception of this world is just amazing and more realistic. The character arcs are very dynamic, be it Holika or Prahlad. Each supporting character contributes to the storyline. The conception of weapons and the stones that fuels them, like any other modern fiction but is meaningful for the future of story. Romance is the inevitable part of the storyline and gives the very reason for the succeeding plot. The end is satisfying and I am already waiting for the sequel. This book is an epic in the true sense for author has mind-blowingly written providing multi perspective view of ancient epic, makes it more realistic and more stimulating.

Buy Narasimha on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2X0IZMw

6. Tales from Bengal by Sourish Roy

Tales from Bengal by Sourish Roy (Bigfoot Publications)

Tales from Bengal is a compilation of nine short stories depicting the serious transformation in the lives of villagers of Bengal in the last few decades of the twentieth century. This is the work of fine literature and Sourish Roy has put life in this book. Author narrates these significant stories using profound language and creative writing style. While urbanization brought massive transformation, it wasn’t good for everyone. As the author says, these villagers are still waiting for elevation in their wretched living, which would probably take more time and until then would undergo numerous changes as depicted in the book. I really loved each story and devoured them again and again to re-ingest those feelings of pain and acceptance.


Buy Tales from Bengal on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ngloH5

5. Snakes in the Meadows by Ayaz Kohli

Snakes in the Meadows by Ayaz Kohli (Rupa Publications)

Snakes in the Meadows is a saga of the onset of militancy, the suffering and the resilience of Pir Panjal ─ the ‘and’ of Jammu and Kashmir. The structure and the narration of the book is very well-formed for accumulating all the different stories that revolve around Jammu and Kashmir and more importantly the lives of the residents of Pir Panjal over the span of 25 years. All the tales that Ayaz Kohli has included, directly or indirectly affecting the plot are great and mesmerizing and some as melancholic. The struggles that each character is going through offers a lesson to remember for lifetime. You will learn ‘Freedom is priceless’.


Buy Snakes in the Meadows on Amazon: https://amzn.to/33ettfr

4. A Year of Wednesdays by Sonia Bahl

A Year of Wednesdays by Sonia Bahl (Fingerprint Publishing)

A Year of Wednesdays is a work of Contemporary-Fiction, written with exceptional brilliancy and I’m not even exaggerating. The book felt more like an impromptu journey than a perfect plotted story. It’s a first-person point of view narration of two strangers connected through their first and only encounter. I found it wittiest that how these characters present their point of view to each other and even in their own minds. It is absolutely brilliant, the author Sonia Bahl enlightens us with insights on the planet & its population, climate change, lefties, a lot of movies and quotes. You get so used to with those impactful and captivating characters that you would not want to leave them because that means giving up those ever-lasting Wednesdays.


Buy A Year of Wednesdays on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LYIKvw

3. 23:59:59 - The Journey of Survival in the B-Schools of India by Sadashiv Pradhan

23:59:59 by Sadashiv Pradhan (BlueRose Publishers)

23:59:59 – The Journey of Survival in the B-Schools of India is a commendable work done by an MBA degree holder, Sadashiv Pradhan. Describing in one sentence, the book depicts the life of B-School students throughout their two years course of MBA, irrespective of whether they are having a specific purpose behind it or not. I liked everything from cover to the end of the book. Those punches of laughter once in a while between the hectic days for characters. The book is truly a journey that gives a current scenario of B-Schools and the struggles of students surviving there. I would recommend it to every student in India whether they are pursuing MBA or not. I think it can be very helpful for students who want to pursue MBA. And to all others, for it will show you how difficult choices can be for a student after graduation.


Buy 23:59:59 on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2MdTBTt

2. Teddy Bear Chronicles by Donnalyn Vojta

Hope in Paris! by Donnalyn Vojta (New Traditions Publishing)

Hope in Paris! (First Book) is a suspense thriller book amazingly narrated by three teddy bears. And it is not a story for KIDS. Yes. Talking about narration, it is the best-est part of Hope in Paris! There are three Teddy Bears at different locations who narrates the story, like they can read and listen and have minds that can store the memories. But like any other non-living objects, they can’t move by themselves or smell or eat. Donnalyn Vojta is so intelligent that she took care of this very well, the Teddy Bear learns as they watch and observe. The humor that Teddy Bears added was very entertaining in this suspense thriller. The characters and their backstory that the reader can directly connect to. At first, the story was slow paced but gradually paced faster. It is really charming how the Donnalyn Vojta has carried out good two relationships considering the fact of their being in Paris. Last but not the least the mental disorders factor. And the bully parents issues.

Chloe's Crusade! by Donnalyn Vojta (New Traditions Publishing)

Chloe’s Crusade! is second in the series, The Teddy Bear Chronicles. As the first book Hope in Paris! was extraordinary, I expected so much from this sequel and guess what! Author has done astounding job writing such an epic suspense thriller. There is more humor, more suspense, more action and more fun! The writing style is as it was in previous one but seems improved with different languages and narration style of newly introduced bear. The characters are powerful with their unique strengths and weaknesses. Opening and ending are as entertaining and thrilling as the whole book is. Now I think that this is one of those underrated books which has to be recognized and deserves all the attention in the world.


Buy Hope in Paris! on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FBRGCl
Buy Chloe's Crusade! on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YCD90B

1. You Beneath Your Skin by Damyanti Biswas

You Beneath Your Skin by Damyanti Biswas (Simon & Schuster India)

You Beneath Your Skin is a crime-thriller novel that will keep you to the edge of your seat from first page till the end. The book is the conglomeration of profound characters and enthralling plot. The story is narrated in third person omniscient point of view.  The writing style is just perfect for this tremendously progressive plot, literally it won’t leave you once you start reading this book till end. There is not a single moment that had not made a progress, also expositions are perspicuous yet intense. Apart from Acid Attacks and Autism, this book also shows the lifestyle of underprivileged people and what is the value of their lives. And with that, how privileged people take advantage of them to quench their thirst for wicked pleasures. With politics, the story is wrapped just like how people conceal their foul deeds for the sake of reputation.  I highly highly recommend this book to everyone out there reading this.


Buy You Beneath Your Skin on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2p227df


I recommend all these books to you! You won't be disappointed but still, start from #1. LOL. So these were fiction books and soon we'll be back with the non-fiction and poetry honorable mentions. 

FIN

If you have survived through this, please give it a chance! Holly crap. I wrote a book! (Sorry Superwoman for stealing the line.)

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(Click on above image to buy Winged Sisters)

Thank you so much for reading y'all. I hope you enjoyed and got some recommendations.

Comment below if you have read any of this and tell me your views on it.


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