The Shadow Throne by Aroon RamanMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Okay, first the disclaimer - This review is entirely my personal views and should always be taken with a pinch of salt (and maybe with a teaspoon of cumin, a quart of olive oil, & a cup of yoghurt...) :)... [Another disclaimer: I'm funny...the book's not.]
Now, coming to the actual review of 'The Shadow Throne' by Aroon Raman.
Let me start by being candid - off late, I have become a little cynical when it comes to reading books by Indian authors. 'Why?' you ask. For one simple reason - their atrocious English... As a Communications professor, I revere language - be it English or Hindi. And off late, all I seem to be witnessing is the brutal murder of the English language. So, the first thing, which impressed me about this book was the beautiful writing. The language is strong, the expression lucid and the writer displays a strong flair for writing. For that, I give the writer a 5/5.
Now the editing, I noticed a few mistakes here and there (nothing major and it most definitely does not hamper the reading)... but alas! I've been an Editor for far too long and it was difficult to overlook those. So, for editing, I would give the book a 4/5.
The Cover - Is simple and basic. Nothing too fancy and not something that would catch my attention from a display window. So, for cover, I would give the book a 3/5.
The Characters - I don't fall in love with the characters (nor do I fall in like with the characters). I thought that the characters needed a bit more development. Apart from Chandra, there's no backstory to any of the central characters, which for me is what makes me connect to a story. So, for that, I would give the book a 2/5.
The Plot - The plot is okayish...Nuclear holocaust seems to be a far too-common recurring theme. I can't remember how many books, how many movies and how many times I have heard the term 'nuclear threat' in everyday parlance. So, for me - the plot was a little stale. What, however, stood out was the conspiracy in the plot, which probably saved the plot (by a whisker). So, for that, I would give the book a 3/5.
Alright, enough technicalities.
Its not a book which I can read over and over again. Let's face it - that's always a risk with the thriller (once you know the plot, you seldom want to visit it again). However, as a first read - it's a great book.
Especially, since you will get to read a book with strong linguistics, which these days have become as common as common sense. :) [Pun most certainly is intended]
Read away, folks
[P.S. - Thanks Aroon for the review opportunity.]
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