Introducting Panel Members For TROFEO 2.0 Event

Renee Heiss :  Renee Heiss is the award-winning author of seven books and hundreds of magazine stories and articles.  Most recently, her middle grade book, Woody's World, earned a silver medal in the 2013 International Children's Literary Awards. With a co-founder, she has started her own children's publishing company, Entelechy Education, LLC, featuring their signature characters, The EnteleTrons.  Find information about Renee, her blog, and her other books at Renee Heiss. 

Sandhya Renukamba : The books she reads define Sandhya Renukamba - they take her to places that can only be dreamt of. Between her and her daughter, who is also an avid reader, they have many adventures of the bibliophilic kind. She shares these on her blog, and at Saffron Tree, Zealot Readers, and at ArtsyCraftsyMom as a guest blogger. She also writes regularly for Women's Web.

Neha Kalra : An avid reader, a book lover, a reviewer, a blogger, a poetess and someone who is managing social media for a couple of companies. Her poems have been published in various online publications.

Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai by Rishi Vohra

Title: Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai

Author: Rishi Vohra

Publishers: Jaico Publishing house

Genre: Romantic Fiction

The cover is bollywoodesque, and so is the title; this was my first impression when I received the book. I didn’t think much of it believing in the adage that the cover tells you a lot about the book.

It turned out to be wrong, it is a fine book very finely written. The story is narrated mostly from the view point of Balwant Srivastav aka Babloo, a young man who has multiple psychiatric problems.  He has been neglected thoroughly by his family, who are simple middle class people. Babloo feels ignored and has only himself and the long Mumbai railway tracks for company. His parents have never probably even tried to accept their child’s special status leave alone helping him or even understanding it. To make the matters worse they have cosseted and spoiled his younger brother Raghu and their world revolves around him.

Babloo’s world on the other hand revolves around Vandana Gupta, the beautiful, smart and outgoing daughter of a senior officer in the Railway Colony in Mumbai where they all live. She is the only one who talks to him normally and does not treat him with apathy. He dreams of being with him and his only purpose is to be able to express himself and his feelings to her.  Enter the local street smart cable operator Sikander whose only purpose is to impress Vandana and bed her.

What happens to the three with Raghu as the betrothed, arranged by the two set of parents providing the fourth angle is both interesting as well as funny in places.  In the course to impress Vandana and also to find a purpose to his life Babloo becomes the ‘Rail Man’. This provides an interesting twist to the narrative and after that the book is un-putdownable.

The characterization, especially of Babloo, Vandana and to some extent even Sikander and Raghu is brilliant. Babloo provides a peep into the minds of special children and their feelings. Vandana comes across as the girl next door who is smart and ambitious yet hopelessly romantic. Her father trusting her and standing up for her is a refreshing change. Sikander is a thorough bad boy and one does tend to feel revulsion for him. Raghu’s stupidity and idiocy provided comic relief.

Another good point is the realistic description of Mumbai and the lives of the people in the railway colony. The city and the colony both come alive and are very well woven in the context. The incident of Rail Man depicts how easily people can be misled and how Babloo could feel empowered only when he hid his true identity. The narrative is smooth, language easy and very readable. The plot elements are interwoven very admiringly.

It’s a racy read. Very realistic in parts but the end is again a bit cheesy and too neat as everything falls in place. Still a believable and happy ending is always welcome. A brilliant first attempt with all the ingredients of a good book, the best part being that it is refreshingly different form the run of mill romances by the English Indian Authors.

You can get more info about the book at http://rishivohra.com/

The Twelfth Imam by Joel C. Rosenberg

Title : The Twelfth Imam

Author: Joel C. Rosenberg

Publisher: Jaico Publishers

Genre: Christian Fiction Thriller

A fast paced thriller which features action from the word go, the latest novel by Joel C Rosenberg is a book you can’t put down once you pick it up to read. It weaves the End of the day theory of shia-ite eschatology, current day events and 5the personal stories of the characters in an intricate plot packed with action and suspense.

It’s the story of a spy, David Shirazi aka Reza Tabrizi, an Iranian immigrant boy who loses the one girl he ever felt close to and never comes to terms with the loss. After losing his way for sometimes in the aftermath of the nine eleven attacks he decides to join CIA and hunt for Osama bin Laden. David is then abruptly appointed to Tehran where the President along with the spiritual leader has been planning to unleash nuclear terror on the world in general and USA and Israel in particular.

They believe in the theory of creating chaos and violence to coincide and even encourage the appearance of the ‘Mahdi’ or the The Twelfth Imam as per the shia-ite belief. With an American president who wants to negotiate instead of waging war, an Israeli Prime Minister who is prepared to take pre-emptive action and destroy the reported nuclear sites and a scorched CIA which doesn’t want to put its foot in its mouth again after the Iraq fiasco, David has his task cut out.

He sets out on a topsy- turvy ride to Iran where his job is to discover and disrupt the nuclear weapons program without USA being apparently involved and avoid triggering a war. His courage, skill and humane values are stringently tested and he is forced again to evaluate his religious philosophies.

The novel emphasizes the faith of Christianity and other religions in non-violence and world peace and brings out the chilling facet of Islamic fundamentalism and futility of jihad.  Being a Christian novel it obviously upholds Christ and Christianity.  To an average Indian reader, it will be disappointing not to find even a mention of Hinduism, a little odd considering it has a dominating presence in Asia and is the world’s third largest religion.  Also the visions of Christ himself to the various characters who convert to Christianity and give up Islam, its violence and the zeal to prove Islam as a false religion are bit out of place for a first time reader of the author.

The book is action oriented, fast paced and crisply written. The plot is tightly woven and characters well etched out. The romantic angle provided by Marseille, David’s love of life is interesting. His self-discovery and quest for a religion which provides him succor, peace and is non-biased is an interesting sub plot. The end however is abrupt and one feels short changed after all the hair- raising action. It is as if the juggernaut comes to halt suddenly. If that’s done deliberately to leave the reader waiting for more and anticipate the next book in the series it definitely serves its function.

A must read for those who are interested in the Twelver theory , the current events in west Asia and the relationship between Iran, Iraq , Israel and USA . It is chilling to realize how close we can be to war and end of day if Iran is really following the nuclear program as is widely believed.

The Easter Bunny Conspiracy by William F.Powers JR.

Title : The Easter Bunny Conspiracy

Author: William F.Powers JR.

Genre: Humorous Fiction

Age-Group: Young Adult

Publisher: iUniverse .com

12-1/2 is a precarious age. Not kid, not adult and not even a teen yet, the child faces numerous befuddling situations. You still are not officially grown up but the hormones are starting to course through your body and tweaking it just a little here and there.

The book depicts three days in the life of such a seemingly precocious boy Chris JR. aged a bittersweet 12-1/2 , that he is Catholic is significant, at least to Chris. He is going to be confirmed after three days and is totally confused about the unreasonable customs, practices and beliefs. This is in addition to his growing up troubles; being overweight, uncomfortable with the girls, still trying to prove himself and fit in with the boys.

An alcoholic father and a frustrated mother do not provide any guidance. The teachers are also not forthcoming as he goes to a catholic school with a tradition of strict discipline and corporal punishment. The irony is that the young boy does not realise that it is all in the course of life and there is nobody he can turn to for either advice or guidance. He constantly struggles to devise a plan for his future and avoid the overriding guilt for enjoying the simple pleasures of growing up, in the end finding a suitable personal method to retain his own identity and line of thought though still uncertain. It is a universal story of early adolescence, where kids are trying to find their own identity and facing many questions which need to be answered.

A book which delves into the adolescent mind with great insight, it is a hilarious voyage.  It has peeked inside the minds of little children who simply want to live and learn. Of particular note is the religious rigmarole that Chris undergoes without understanding most of it and his constant endeavour to come to terms with the contradictions and hypocrisies that it entails. The book is crisply written. The humorous tone is kept intact till the end. The characterisation is brilliant, especially Chris, his parents and the nuns.

The title needs a special mention. It is symbolic of the feeling of having been conspired against, which the children develop when they realise that some customs were propounded only so that the parents could stay ahead of them in the knowledge of things that they were made to believe such things so that they would behave in accordance with the social or religious norms. A very apt title indeed as Chris discovers that being present for a special friend is much more significant than following religious dogmas.

This one should make happy reading for kids as well as parents irrespective of their religion or nationalities. It might help parents to understand the children better. For the children it might not give any definite answers but they will certainly understand that they are on the right track even if they are confused about things around them.

Shades of Sin:Behind the Mask - A Collection of Short Stories

Title :Shades of Sin: Behind the Mask

Author: Various(Vivek Bannerjee, Upneet Grover,Saksham Aggarwal, Aanandita Chawla,Vrinda Baliga, Sreelatha Chakravarty)

Genre: Short Stories, Fiction

It’s an intriguing collection. All the 25 stories are about the dark side of human beings.  A side which lets itself loose when given space, excuse or circumstance. A side which exists in every one of us but a side we refuse to acknowledge. A side which needs to be analysed, rationalised even neutralised. The stories will compel you to do this analysis fulfilling the purpose of the collection as stated in the foreword to the book. The Cover of the book needs a special mention. It is very interestingly designed, the half shrouded man and a barren tree against the dark sky prepares you for a foray into the mysterious and the sinful, compelling you to start turning the pages.

The stories are divided into 3 sections Light Grey , Dark Grey and Black…increasing in degree of the darkness, arranged so that they achieve a crescendo as we read on. The all pervasive human weaknesses are very strikingly brought about.  All the shades of darkness such as lust ,greed, anger, ego, jealousy, pride  and oppression have been touched upon.

The authors have really worked hard to make the plots and style slick and polished. The protagonists in the stories come across as normal human beings who have been overpowered by their emotions or who have lost their rationale due to their innate weakness.

“The Blue Shoes” by Saksham Aggarwal in the light grey section was very interesting to read. The pun on the word soul and the bantering of friends despite the philosophical bent was just like out of the diary of Makrand’s best friend. Similarly “An Illicit Thought” by Sreelatha Chakravarthy was just fabulous with its subtlety and empathy for humane desires however amoral and the acceptance of it. “Kalpana” by Anandita Chawla is a heart rending description of woman and child abuse and is exquisitely written. “The Bet” and “The Yellow Top” by Vivek Bannerjee are crisp and chilling.  “The Confession” and “The Diary” both by Upneet Grover in the Black section are masterpieces showing the extent of human degradation and its effects.

All the 25 stories are engrossing and intriguing. Editing is slick and accurate. This is a book which will force you to introspect and understand human psychology. The only drawback is that the constant darkness leaves you a little less hopeful. But that was the intention of the authors and editor: To make us aware of this darkness prevailing around us so that we are more inclined to make things better and ourselves less inclined to evil. 

Wise Enough To Be Foolish by Gauri Jayaram

Title :Wise Enough to be Foolish
Author: Gauri Jayaram
Publisher : Jaico Publishing House
Genre: Fictionalised Memoir

It’s a candid story. Direct and simple, a tale almost any middle class girl who has gone against the tide of family customs and marriage and lived her life on her own terms, making mistakes and learning from them; sometimes not learning and making them again.

We are introduced to Gauri when her marriage is on the rocks, a marriage we learn of her own choice maybe more out of convenience, ease and friendship than love and inter-religious to the boot. What brings her to this stage, her struggle (if you may call it, considering she had lead a comfortable middle class life) , her journey from growing up as an armed forces child to becoming a true Mumbai girl forms the first half of the story. It is interesting, anecdotal and very realistic. Readers, especially women, can identify with it as the stories are very similar to their own.

 A girl trying to reason against gender discrimination and stereotyping in her own family, she grows into a rebel. Her coming of age along with the crushes and disappointments are typical of teenagers. Her strength is her intellect, the rare trait of foresight as well as a reasoning mind. She has amazingly clear insight as well as foresight. She then moves on to Mumbai as a college girl and we get a glimpse of her hostel life and work. This part has nothing new but refreshingly told and very entertaining. Her travails and travels and new people that she meets and befriends are interesting.

Again we come to the beginning of the tale and see her through the process of a divorce; which she handles with characteristic calm and intelligence. She continues her turbulent journey of self discovery and of finding true love and her own happiness and we are thoroughly entertained.

It’s a tale you can identify with. Many incidents and lines make you reminisce about your own life. Women can easily identify the gender bias, the stereotyping and the family pressure and the stress that a dominating relationship gives you. But what is most heartening is her determination to overcome everything and live her life on her own terms. The writing style is simple and flowing. The dialogues are crisp and the characterisation apt. Some characters though could have been more fleshed out. Also the men are given too much word-space, a little less about them and a little more about the other women and her work would have been welcome.

All in all a simple but refreshing tale which will make you introspect and feel good. A book that will surely tell you that pursuing your own happiness is not after all a crime. A good entertaining read.

Last Train to Omaha by Ann Whitley-Gillen

Title: Last Train to Omaha

Author: Ann Whitley-Gillen

Genre: Literary Fiction

Published By: Ann Gillen Books

This story is a story of pain, death and loss but more than that, it’s a story of hope, love, forgiveness and letting go. There is no denying the fact that one will need a box of tissues at some stages in the story but those are tears of catharsis, of healing and of relief.

James Milligan at thirty five cannot let go of the pain and loss he suffered years ago when his best friend Stephen died at eighteen in a tragic accident right in front of his eyes. He feels responsible for the death and immensely guilty, so guilty that he not able to nurture any existing relationships in his life, neither he builds new ones. His only salvation is his self acquired role of the “Shepherd” in the family run palliative care hospital for war veterans run by his family. He sits through the last moments of the terminally ill and helps ease their passage to the other world.

Then comes in Martin; a character which steals the show. Martin is a friend of James’s father who takes upon himself to alleviate the boy’s pain and help him rediscover himself and life. Being terminally ill, his zest for living is exemplary. His resolve to help James come out of his predicament and find life again is the crux of the story.

The plot to begin with seemed to be going nowhere actually. James on the surface seems like any young successful person who shuts out his family and is a work alcoholic but like onion peels, the layers came off his character and the plot too. It was intriguing till the end. Once you get through the beginning, you are caught hook, line and sinker in the story. The characters are weaved into the plot with a great ease. Kitty; the feisty sister, Janice; the mother are all well etched. Rebecca as the prospective girlfriend is enticingly portrayed; the reader can feel what she feels. The little friendships, the fairy tale romances and camaraderie blossoming in the hospital are heartening. . James’s journey of self discovery encouraged by Martin Diggs as a father figure and Ted as friend and guide is a revelation.

There are such realistic portrayals of family and the veterans that one doesn't even realize that one has become a part of it all. You feel with them, laugh with them and cry with them. You feel their pain and revel in their joy as much as you smirk on the one liners and shed tears with them, finding in their story snippets and reflections of your own pain, suffering and joy at one time or the other.

For those who are dealing with disease, death and loss of loved ones- this book has the capacity to teach how to take it in stride and deal with it. It tells you that you have to bury the skeleton of your past and take good things from life and move on. It restores your faith in life and love. For everyone else too it’s a book that will leave you a little wiser, little happier and very peaceful.

True by Melinda Field

Title: True

Author :Melinda Fields

Publisher :Wise Women Ink

Genre: Fiction 

A breathtaking book! That’s how one would describe “True”. In a plot that resembles life itself, this book takes you on a wonderful journey of birth and death, making you realise the inevitability of both.

Caterina, a teenage girl is forced to leave the city of Phoenix, when her mother is sent to prison for prostitution and drug dealing. She has to go and live with her ailing grandmother whom she has never ever seen. The Green Valley in California is a cold and forbidding place for the young girl who is not welcomed in the small tight knit community. The story describes how racial prejudice and stereotyping brings her life on the edge of a dangerous precipice.

Just then she is taken in by Emma Cassidy , a midwife. Emma and her circle of horse-women friends pull Caterina inadvertently in their close knit sisterhood helping her overcome the life shaking incident and live a secure life. Caterina with her innate strength of character and determination emerges a winner from her ordeal.

The story gives us a touching portrayal of the eternal and deep friendship between Emma, Briar, Lilly, Clare and Midnight and how each faces her own battles of life. An illness makes Briar the ‘Clairvoyant’ and everyone becomes a student of life with her. Lilly and Clare, sisters, have to undergo pain because of their mother who has to live away from them. Additionally Clare finally chins up to an abusive husband. Midnight has her own demons to fight . Emma also sees an upheaval late in life when the old love she had brushed aside surfaces again.

The story weaves these absolutely believable characters and situations in beautiful tapestry. It strengthens the belief in love, friendship and humanity by its portrayal of the lives of these wonderful women who become each other’s guiding light and support. The pangs of loss, the pain of death and the fact that life is ever- ongoing is touchingly brought to fore. The cyclical plot  takes the reader on a travail of birth and death, restoring the faith in love and life. The language is lucid and flowing. The weather, scenery, animals, farm life and wildlife come alive with vibrant description and imagery.

One can see glimpses of our own life and our own quest for the meaning of it all at many places. That is a measure of the author’s wisdom and deep understanding of life. True is indeed a novel not to be missed.

A Beautiful Glittering Lie by J.D.R. Hawkins

Title: A Beautiful Glittering Lie

        (A Novel of the Civil War)

Author: J.D.R Hawkins

Publisher: iUniverse

Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating : ****      

           

Hiram Grunted. “Because it’s my duty to defend my home, Kit” he responded slowly, as if contemplating every word.

Hiram’s answer to Kit Lawrence emphasises the simple logic of the volunteers who chose to enlist when their country called. Hiram Summers chose to fight for his country, the land he tilled and the place where he grew up. He wanted his family, land and house safe. Isn’t that the reason why the common soldier fights a war, regardless of what the leaders and generals make it out to be?

In a nation divided into two due to different ideologies and political thought, the common man is forced to take sides and fight a battle which becomes his own. The American Civil war was one such event in History. When the North fought the South, Hiram, a farmer in Alabama, chose to enlist and was assigned to the newly constituted 4^th Alabama Infantry of the Confederate Army.

The Novel plots his travails on the battlefield and of his family bearing his absence. His son David is unwillingly left behind and tries to find adventure nearer home and risks his life by repeatedly visiting Huntsville, which has been invaded by the Yankees, with his friend Jake Kimball. Caroline, Hiram’s wife and his daughters wait for him. They try to live a normal life and take care of their farm helped and protected by David, now the “Man” in the family. Does Hiram come back? Will David become responsible? It will be a startling discovery for the reader and a very intriguing read all the way to the end.

The work provides a proud revelation of the gallant effort of the 4^th Alabama, relating true incidents from the recordings of Mr. R.T Cole, a soldier in the volunteer Infantry. The realistic portrayal of unflinching patriotism and chivalry of the soldiers, their camaraderie and friendship is touching and awe-inspiring. At the same time it is like watching the war from close quarters and it makes one realise the futility of it when every loss of life brings grief.

When Hiram realises the meaninglessness of war, the reader empathises with him. It portrays how in times of strife families are torn apart and their lives are changed forever, notwithstanding the reasons and justifications of war. How the youth have to grow up suddenly when they are forced to take the places of their fathers and their innocence and exuberance is smothered in the aftermath, hits home after reading the story.

The novel is presented as a prequel to the author’s first novel “A Beckoning Hellfire”. For someone who has not read it yet, it will be a very interesting story after the prequel. For someone who has read it will be still more interesting to know what lead to it all.

The style is fast paced and exciting but sometimes the descriptive paragraphs about the battle become long-winding. The characters are very well formed and come out as very real three dimensional people with a gamut of feelings and expressions. Especially likable is the chemistry between Hiram and Caroline and their unflinching trust and understanding. The plot is well knit and one incident flows into another.

“The Beautiful Glittering Lie” – the dream of bravery, adventure, gallantry and Chivalry-that pulls David to enlist, remains intact for him till the end when the children are waiting for Hiram to return home on Christmas.

            

Twice Betrayed by Carla Tucker Minks

Title :       Twice Betrayed

Author :    Carla Tucker Minks

Publisher : Outskirts Press

Genre :     Cotemporary Romantic Fiction

Taylor Calloway, a psychotherapist by profession in a small modern town suddenly finds her smoothly moving life in chaos. Her dream of an ideal home and marriage is disrupted when she learns of an affair between her husband, Jake and one of her oldest friends, Linda. She is shattered inwardly. She is not able to come to terms with it initially despite years of having counselled many patients with similar problems. Her mentor and old friend Brett helps her work out her situation.

In the process, she unravels many more truths about Jake, their marriage and herself and also attempts to make things work for herself. Will she trust again? Will she love again? As the problem is shared by many, it is intriguing to find out how this specialist deals with it on a personal level.

Her self-discovery and the journey make an interesting read. The story is delivered in first person and the reader discovers her as she reveals her thoughts and conscience. There are various subplots interwoven in the main plot which also help in the reader’s understanding of the main characters and the story. Some extra layers would have worked wonderfully in making the plot still more interesting.  Particularly of note are Annette, Taylor’s relationship with her, her husband Calvin’s disappearance and then reappearance. Calvin’s business partner and friend Gabriel being Taylor’s patient could have lent and interesting twist but that angle is left unexplored. The other cases help Taylor unravel her life and also provide distraction when needed.

Some characters like Taylor, Jake and Brett are very well developed but Annette and especially Linda could have been more interesting if given some depth. The style is easy and flowing making it easy on the eye. The language is simple and clean. Although the ending is a bit hurried, it is an interesting read which keeps you engrossed. 

Redemption by Joe Prentis

Title : Redemption

Author: Joe Prentis

Publisher : Amazon Kindle(E-Book)

Genre : Hostorical Fiction

Reviewing an E-book is a novel experience. Although reading of e-books has increased in frequency yet one is not very comfortable without turning the pages. Still after a shaky start one could not put this one down or rather switch the reader off. 

 Redemption is a prequel to the now popular Renegade Series novels by the Author Joe Prentis. It is the story of Sergeant Oakley who has been an attaché with General McCLellan since the war began and has fought the American Civil War on North’s side. It’s a story placed around the end of the war when the peace process fails repeatedly and trust in the ranks and amongst the general public is at a premium. It has references interlinked with President Lincoln’s assassination and the events leading up to it.

Sergeant Oakley is waiting for the war to end and plans to go to the west to try and settle down but gets involved in the course of events when he falls in love with Anna, a girl turned vagabond on the streets of Washington after her family is wiped off during the civil war which ravaged Washington.

The fast paced, action packed style of writing keeps the reader hooked to the novel. There is action from the start till the end and lots of intrigue. The Characters whether Primary or secondary have been very well etched.  The length of the novel appropriate considering the turn of events described and there is no unnecessary prose winding the action down.

Anna and Oakley come alive with their chemistry. So do McCade and McLellan, commoners who became soldiers for a just cause and believe in it vehemently. Washington, its political milieu and the condition of the city has been described very well throughout the novel. The generals meeting with Lincoln brings you close to the enigmatic figure. Historical details have been carefully and correctly incorporated. The climax is again very well handled and the action suitably slows down while the suspense builds up. The tale in the twist comes as a pleasant relief and surprises the reader.

It’s a good introduction of the Western Novel to the modern reader, especially in India. It will be interesting to read the Renegade series now. Thus it totally serves its purpose as a prequel to the series. It leaves you asking for more and one feels like ordering the Renegade series right away.

It is a very good and interesting read by itself too. One feels for the lovers and realises the futility of war and the destruction it causes. Particularly the problems of a civil war where families are wiped off and children left unprotected and uncared for. It also brings out the apathy of a people torn apart by war and strife and the way they lose the ability to trust and be compassionate. 

Noah's Wife by T.K.Thorne

Title : Noah’s Wife

Author: T.K.Thorne

Publisher: Blackburn Fork

Genre : Historical Fiction

Her Savta calls her a special child and she indeed turns out to be very special. Her travails and travels are interesting enough to keep one enticed. The story of genesis - Noah’s Ark and the disastrous flood - forms the background of this tale. The author T.K Thorne has relied on weaving her plot around the ancient tale but has researched through the scientific studies which support the theory that a great flood did occur near the shores of the now brackish Black Sea. This novel is no real account but a very logical and convincing version of the story of the great boat and the animals being kept on it.

What makes it different and refreshing is that it is told from the perspective of Na’amah, Noah’s wife who doesn’t even find her name mentioned in the Biblical version. It is written in first person narrative and the heroine herself weaves a beautiful tale, though she misses the nuances that a ‘normal ’person won’t, making it a tale from a different perspective. She tells us her life story and experiences which lead up to the flood.

“My name, Na’amah, means pleasant or beautiful”, She says and she is indeed beautiful. She suffers from what is now known as Aspergers Syndrome, a spectrum form of Autism. All she wants is to be a shepherdess as she loves her sheep and understands them better than humans. Humans make her uncomfortable because she is unable to understand their complex behaviour.

“I speak only truth, unwise as it may be, since lies distress me…my words and manner seem odd to other people. I am more comfortable with animals, who do not expect me to be any way than the way I am”. The character is very believably drawn, making it real and remarkable for a mythological persona

The story showcases the religious norms and beliefs of the time credibly but a bit too simply for example the father God and Mother Goddess theory is almost one-dimensional. The cultural and social milieu of the prehistoric time in the ancient Turkey has been successfully recreated. It’s enchanting and very absorbing. What is heart warming is Na’mah’s questioning of the religious beliefs and refusal to believe in miracles without a logical reasoning, yet keeping her faith alive.

 It’s a tale ridden with strong sexual undercurrents. Her brother Tubal-Cain is savage with his treatment of her and she is perplexed due to his incessant hatred of her. Yanner, her childhood friend and mate also behaves inexplicably. She is forced to make choices and she does that wisely. She faces her circumstances strongly and confidently and emerges a winner. Noah comes across as a noble, understanding and loving husband.

A great enthralling read which had to be read at one go. It has all the ingredients of a best-seller like drama, intrigue, adventure and romance. An extremely well written, tightly woven tale which moves at a fast pace and keeps one hooked.