The Clifton Chronicals, Only Time Will Tell; Jeffrey Archer

 

Title: The Clifton Chronicles - Only Time will Tell 

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Reviewed by: Bhavana

This is my first Jeffrey Archer novel and I think it is one of a kind. The author knows how to keep his readers curious and interested till the end. 

Here is a story that revolves around the life of Harry Clifton. The main characters in the novel are well defined by the author. He has highlighted their role in Harry's life clearly. 

Harry Clifton a very intelligent and talented boy is helped by many people by their love, sacrifice and influence. The comrade and love between the best friends, Harry, Denkins and Giles at school. Old Jack Tar was like a father Harry never had. Maisie's hard work and sacrifice for her son Harry. Harry's love and respect for his mother.  Ultimately Harry flourishes into a well read, kind and a smart young man. In the course of time his connection with the famous Barrington family is revealed. His unabated love for Emma... The decisions taken by him in his life are well supported by his family, friends and well wishers. In the background the country is preparing for the second world War and Harry is determined to fight for his country. But fate has its own ways. The novel has its surprises, even at the end. But the story continues in the next book 'The Sins Of The Father'. 

Rating: 4.5 on 5

Eldest; Christopher Paolini

 

Title: Eldest 

Author: Christopher Paolini

Reviewed by: Bhavana

Brace up for there is a war taking place between the Varden and the evil Emperor Galbatorix's army. 

The once upon a time farm boy Eragon is now a Dragon Rider, Shadeslayer after killing Durza the Shade. In the course of time he pledges his loyalty not only to the Varden, but also to the Dwarves and the Elves. He is invited to be a part of the Dwarf community and also undergoes intense training under the Elves to defeat Galbatorix. Elva the baby who was blessed by the Rider and his Dragon has grown miraculously and as not an ordinary girl. When all this and much more is taking place in Eragon's life, we have Roran, Eragon's cousin brother who emerges as a leader at his village Carvahall after the Ra'zac attack the village. His adventure on moving the villagers to safety and at the same time his search for his sweetheart Katrina who was abducted by the Ra'zac has been portrayed brilliantly. We finally have the war taking place where the readers are presented with shock and surprises.

The story is filled with wonder, magic, moments of admiration, pain, fear, romance, trust, betrayal and bravery. The last 25% of the book had kept me glued to it.

But on the downside, the Training that Eragon undergoes has been explained in such detail that it bored me to an extent that I had almost decided to quit reading the book. Moreover most of the book describes the training that Eragon and Saphira undergo. What really kept me hooked to the book was Roran's adventure. In fact I found the first book Eragon definitely very interesting and gripping.

 Rating: 2 on 5 

 

Title: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Author: L Frank Beum 

Reviewed by: Bhavana 

I decided to read a work which is on the lighter side. For a change I picked up a children's novel which turned out to be interesting, peppy and innocent. It has Witches, Wizard, magical creatures, good and bad, surprises and a lot more interesting events. The novel must have made a sensation during its time of release.

The young Dorothy and her dog Toto are mysteriously and magically transported to the land of Munchkins by the cyclone at Kansas. She is informed that the only person who can send her back home is the Great Wizard of Oz. Three interesting people accompany Dorothy in anticipation of getting their wishes fulfilled by Oz. Scarecrow, Tin Wood Man and the Cowardly Lion. In the process the Good Witch Gilda helps them. Their journey as to fulfilling their wishes turn out to be a mighty adventurous one. The surprises that the story holds is good and the imagination of the author is excellent. I would consider it a read that may appeal to the children of the present generation as well . 

Rating: 4.5 on 5 

The Kite Runner; Khaled Hosseini

 

Title: The Kite Runner 

Author: Khaled Hosseini 

Reviewed by: Bhavana 

The deserts of Afghanistan hold magic in them. The culture of the place, the food, festivals, games, language, values and people on the whole are amazing. Let us lovingly walk with the author into Amir's world in Afghanistan... 

Amir the protagonist of the novel an Afghan takes us through his life ever since he was a kid to the time he encounters the bitter truth about his life, and finally his transformation. Each character in the novel is well defined and has a certain depth in it. One is sure to encounter surprises as you read on. 

...Care to have a heart of steel while reading the torture meted by the Talibans on the innocent lot. If not you can gladly skip the portion. There are contrast characteristics of good and bad, sin and redemption, peace and violence, celebration and mourning, loyalty and deceit, and many others woven into this very touching and a beautifully written novel. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 

Eragon; Christopher Paolini

 

Title: Eragon 

Author: Christopher Paolini

Reviewed by: Bhavana 

Dragons have been a fascination for many since time immemorial. A fictitious novel on one is a delight and a treat to our senses. An adventurous journey by a Dragon along with his Rider, their bond with each other helps them surpass all hurdles and emerge victorious. 

A 16 year old farm boy, Eragon living in a small village in the Palancar Valley finds a large stone in the forest of Spine. The stone turns out to be a Dragon's egg when one day it hatches. It is when the house that he lived in gets destroyed by the evil emperor 's evil creatures called Ra'zac who were in search of the dragon egg and in the process Eragon's uncle gets terribly injured which eventually leads him to death. Thus Eragon starts an adventurous journey to avenge his uncle's death in an attempt to hunt and kill the Ra'zac. 

With the Dragon and the self proclaimed village story teller Brom, by his side, Eragon's journey leads him to far off lands, encounters elves, dwarfs, ugarls and many other good and evil creatures, challenging situations, magic and shocking revelation. Only if one has the time and patience, he can go ahead and enjoy reading the fight scenes between the evil emperor's evil creatures and the good guys. Or else you can skip the party like how I did. The surprises in the story are plenty. Ultimately I loved the author's imagination... I think it is brilliant. 

Rating: 4.5 on 5 

After Dark; Haruki Murakami

 

Title: After Dark 

Author: Haruki Murakami

Reviewed by: Bhavana 

A city in Japan seems to be reluctant to acknowledged the fact that it's time to quite down and go to bed. But it still has been thriving with not merely life but, loud music, bright lights, college students prancing, food and fun. 

It all starts one night at Denny's family restaurant. Our young protagonist Mari Asai a student studying Chinese language at the University is busy reading a book. This is where she encounters Tetsuya Takahashi a passionate Trombone player. For the chatter box that he proves to be, our protagonist happens to be a patient listener. Some of the talk by Tetsuya Takahashi went over my head. Super short story on Intellectual curiosity by him definitely proved interesting. 

Mari is soon approached by the staff of the Alphaville Love Hotel for translation of the Japanese language to a Chinese prostitute who has been abused physically by her customer. "The ordinary looking ones are the most dangerous" says Kaoru the hotel staff as she investigates on the hotel customer. The offender is identified... 

Eventually Mari learns about the lives of some of the people she gets in touch with. But somewhere in the second half of the story I felt that the story was being needlessly dragged. Nevertheless, every now and then we have a look at the Enigmatic condition the beautiful Eri Asai, Mari's elder sister is in. A view point camera moves about very often in the story. There is a dash of humor, and a whiff of romance but not very obvious in the end. Ultimately a couple of questions go unanswered to the readers. I believe that the mystery the story holds is the beauty of the story. 

Rating: 2 on 5