Review: Don't Look Back

Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It starts very similar to Right Here Right Now. But takes more of a mystery route than teen angst. Sure, there are prom, crush and break ups, but they take back seat here. More focus is on the mystery surrounding the protagonist and the people around her.
It goes from edge of the seat thriller to surreal dream sequences. Good thing there was variety in narration. I liked it more than Right Here Right Now.
(This is why hate rating system. I had to give both the novels same rating, even though I liked Don't Look Back more than Right Here Right Now.)

  

Review: Right Here Right Now

Right Here Right Now by Nikita Singh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had bit of high expectation before reading the book, because of the premise i.e. Memory loss story. They never stops to impress me. Any way the book started well. But It went down to gutter till 4th chapter. The I lowered my expectations significantly. Then it started to get better. Good thing is the book is short and finish within a afternoon. Also, it doesn't try to be more than what it is. Author knows she is writing clichéd, generic, teen angst novel with memory loss set up, and she is not hiding it or from it. It is predictable but it doesn't make the cardinal sin of the entertainment i.e. being boring. Since it is easy and short read, I recommend this one.

View all my reviews

Review: The Oath of the Vayuputras

The Oath of the Vayuputras by Amish Tripathi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

These three books reminds me of the Matrix trilogy.
The One who becomes sort of god at the end, Kickass female lead around whom the story revolves, Unexpected alliances. amazing first book, necessary yet mediocre/disappointing sequels. I was quiet satisfied with ending of Matrix 3, but that wasn't the case here. At first I felt Okay about the climax, But as time passed it felt more and more illogical.
There is so much elements in the first book that could've been exploited to make sequels better, but it tried to go in different way. Good thing about the last book is : it ties the loose ends. Still if you love the first book, you may like the sequels.

  

Review: Before I Fall

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I just wanted to finish the book before movie comes out. So I did.
Its very good. Ending may turn off for some people for its abruptness. But I saw it coming from far away, and that is not necessarily a bad thing in this case. I predicted because that's how I would end it AND I also watched Donnie Darko million times. Also it doesn't mean the book is predictable.
It is usual YA novel in Groundhog Day setup, which makes it a good character study. Takes time to kick start the story but that time is well spent setting up the characters. Even though the story happens in one day over and over again, the characters do develop. We see them changing, we learn more about them, we grow to care for them. Especially the protagonist, who goes from this half of the spectrum to that half. The 'Mean Girls' characters are made surprisingly humane, even though they doesn't really do humanitarian acts. Story is always in progress mode. Means minimum fillers.
Some nitpicks:- Some character threads are not revisited, just left them hanging like Lauren. Also there should have been some confrontation of Sykes and Lindsay, and thereby resolution. this is the problem:-Lack of some character resolutions. This makes you feel like you want more, once you finish reading the book.
But I recommend it, since it is a debut novel of the author and its very good for that standard.

View all my reviews

Review: The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog

The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog by Dave Barry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's quiet impressive. I only listened to the audiobook, and I recommend the audiobook instead of normal book. It hits almost all notes of a feel good story. It is small yet big on emotion, funny and witty without being juvenile. A high school boy, his family which includes father-mother- younger brother sister-a dog, his crush, his funny friends and Christmas backdrop. Doesn't becomes preachy. Best thing about this book is the simplicity. Give it a try.

View all my reviews