Review of Hungry Gods by Richa Lakhera

BLURB:

Beaten and brutally raped, her body is never found. However, the killers make one mistake. They leave a witness, a witness who has nothing to live for except revenge. And when he crosses the boundaries of time to make the guilty pay, a whole lot of dark characters come to light. There is Valentine, the superstar brand ambassador who sells anything for a price; there is Medici, a pharmaceutical company fraudulently manufacturing banned drugs; there is the perverted and sinister minded Dr Ranga and there is Este, the prostitute whose dark secret will blow up a daughter’s sanity. So, is there another murder waiting to happen? Will Police Inspector Dorab Silva be able to connect the clues to prevent another crime? Will these gods of greed be exposed? And yes, you will be surprised by who you will find there, finally. Deeply unsettling, Hungry Gods takes a hard look at greed for wealth and power.

MY REVIEW:

The first thing that struck me when I was asked if I can review this book was what made the author choose this name. I initially thought that it was something of mythological sorts but when I googled and saw the cover my opinion was completely proved wrong. The cover design conveys a lot. In fact that’s one of the stand out features of this book. I went through the blurb and which made me even more anxious that was eagerly waiting that the book would get delivered to me sooner.

The book is based on the tagline Drugs, Sex Cults, a horrific crime and an unthinkable revenge. The revenge here is by a son who witnesses him mom being abused and killed by a group. Bu the way in which the narration is taken is what which makes the book stand out among similar books of this genre.

It is very difficult to keep track of all characters since there are a lot of them, a LOT I say. The writing style of the author is on par with that of international authors. Its crisp, subtle and brilliant. She has a good command over the language and an extensive vocabulary.

The narration is from first and third person perspective which is confusing a times to relate the consecutive events. A clearer description of the place and time could have made it better.

Writing was very intriguing and intense but applauds to the author, the surprise element was kept up till the end. The nail biting sequences of pre climax and climax was outstanding.

Overall, Hungry Gods was a bold representation of the present sadistic world we live in and can very well be made into a movie.

But I would like to leave a disclaimer that the book is not for light hearted ones.

MY RATINGS:

Cover: 4.5/5

Title: 4/5

plot: 5/5

Writing and Presentation: 5/5

Overall: 4.5/5

BOOK DETAILS:

  • Book Name: Hungry Gods
  • Author: Richa Lakhera
  • Genre: Fiction/ thriller
  • Paperback: 204 pages
  • Publisher: Rupa Publications India (20 July 2018)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9353040795
  • ISBN-13: 978-9353040796

The book is available on amazon https://amzn.to/2x1jHy5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hungry Gods is Richa Lakhera’s third novel, she has previously written Item Girl, a crime novel and Garbage Beat, a satire on the Indian entertainment industry. A libertarian addicted to absurdism, she works as Deputy Editor at NDTV. She has a Master’s in Organic Chemistry and Bio-technology and is the recipient of the Indian Council for UN Relations (ICUNR) Award for Excellence in Journalism. Richa divides her time between New Delhi and Mumbai and is currently working on her next crime fiction novel.

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Letter to my dear husband #myfriendalexa

Today is a very special day in our life. It’s your 30th birthday, my better half. Though we’ve only been married three years, you know it gives me a feeling like we’ve shared a lifetime of experiences.

We have been blessed to have an awesome life, to travel for our love of adventure, to stand with each other through thick and thin, to support each other through job losses and new ventures, to constant encouragement and uplifting of each other. Having you as my partner-in-crime is something I thank God for every day.

I spent so many days thinking about what I should be doing for you to make this birthday amazing and to figure out what to get the man who gives me everything. Nothing was as earnest as me wishing you a happy day, not just today, but every day. It’s simple, your contentment and satisfaction is mine.

Gifts are just one way to show love. But frankly saying, it can never compare to the gift you’ve already given me: a life with you and a life from you(Cheeni). The memories we made together after we met and just the opportunity to walk side by side through all our adventures. I couldn’t have chosen a better person and I am so thankful that God chose you to be mine. You’re the best gift I’ve ever been given

It feels kind of amazing to know, how a once stranger person can now mean the whole world to you? The best part is when you become so close to him, that you begin to say the same things, steal lines from each other, and have an analogous sense of humor or a hidden joke just by exchange of glances because you have such a strong connection with them. That’s what I got lucky and found in you.

You made me learn a lot of things, being independent is just one of them. You came around and changed everything. You enforced me to grow up as an individual and learn to look at all the angles. I would say that our relationship is far from perfect. We’re still learning and growing as individuals while getting over past mistakes. We’re learning to trust each other, while continuing to build our relationship.

Words can never describe how lucky I am to have you in my life and especially to be by my side, you are my font of my happiness and we have made so many incredible memories.

I keep looking at our photos, because even behind those okayish photos of me, we have some utterly beautiful memories. I have never met a kinder, more generous, intelligent, maddening, loving and honest person in my life.

You are kid at heart especially with the sense of humor and mockery and that is something that makes me fall in love with you all over again.

Honestly saying I wouldn’t be here without you, you are my absolute rock. You always inspire me to be a better person, to never stop achieving, to keep going, to forgive and to enjoy the present.

Today I am thankful for your parents and to those who brought you up and for those who came before that I never even knew.

Thank you for putting up with me when I’m cranky and tired. Thank you for knowing when I need to take a break. Thank you for always being game for something new, no matter how silly it seems Thank you for motivating me when I want to desperately give up. Thank you for encouraging me to be me.

Today I am thankful to be your wife. I’m thankful that you chose me, and that you continue to choose me daily, despite my imperfections and annoying habits.

Thank you for the most amazing 3 years. I love you more than words can ever say and even when I get super cranky with you, but you are the other half of me, and you complete my life.

We have so many fun adventures to look back on already and I know we have so many amazing adventures ahead of us. Happy 30th birthday my love, I am so gratified to be your wife! I am blessed by you every single day. May this year be full of God’s healing and favor in your life. I love you!

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#sindhuwrites #sindhublogs #sindhusblog #myfriendalexa

Letter to my dear daughter #myfriendalexa

Dear Cheeni,

Even before I knew you were coming I named you, my little angel. I found a new reason for my existence when I saw those two pink lines. We (your Dad and I) fell in love within seconds listening to the magical sound of your heartbeat. I thought it was a myth to identify gender based on heart rate, but I knew it was you, my special rainbow baby.

I knew it from those constant kicks and strokes you gave me while you grew inside me. They were such a gift, a signal that you were alive and growing. The times I sing to you and read out to you when I was alone, I felt a strong connection. Those moments of acknowledgement when I talk to you, the signs of reciprocation kept me going even when I was tired or feeling low. Even today I try holding on to what it felt like to have you kicking and stretching the limbs of your tiny body inside my body, safe and sound. These are moments etched in memory for lifetime.

I wasn’t the only person counting down to your arrival. No words to express the excitement of your Grandparents (all four of them) and both aunts as I was nearing my due date. You see, you are their first grandchild and their first niece. The countless number of phone calls showing that they can’t stop talking about you, to see if it’s time. I really feel so blessed to see how many people love you.

I was so eager to be the mom you so deserve. Disclaimer: I may not get it right at first, but I promise to try my very best and I promise to love you unconditionally until my last breath on earth.

I celebrated my first Mother’s Day with you, my baby. I feel this irresistible need to tell you some things about what it means to me to be your mother. So exciting that I now have a girl of my own who will wish me “happy mother’s day”. Now that’s a change from me wishing my mom and all elder woman in family.

I replay the first moment I saw you, at times when I try sleeping at night. The first eye contact I had with you on the labor bed, when the nurse gave you to me, by placing you on my chest. That moment of relief, happiness, pain all at the same time.

And What about your Dad? You are so lucky to have him of course. I have never doubted his ability to make a fantastic father. And now I know you will be the girl(second) who ultimately melts his heart with just one look.

You’ve had such an intense impact on our existence here. And now, you will become the best and worst parts of us.

You have my eyes, and your dad’s hair, my round cheeks and his long fingers, but you are unique.

And destiny will tell us if you are as bold as him or as quiet as me. We have so much ahead of us.

You are a daddy’s daughter too but sometimes the feel that you’re all mine at least secretly gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment. He does travel along for the ride but you and me… We’ve got a special thing going.

There would be times where it gets tough, but I do know that we can get through tough times, and I want you to know that I’m always trying my best. I want to be a good mother and I’ll try my best to do what’s right for you.

All I would wish for you is to Create a life that gives YOU happiness. Nothing would make me prouder.

You will have plenty of days to thank me, but I would thank you on every Mother’s day for making me a mom and I am so happy to be yours.

I can strongly say there is no word in English language that sounds as delightful to a woman as the word, “Mom.” God must have coined it after a long thought. One shout out of the word “Mom!” — every woman turns her head. And that is how special it is to be a mother.

#sindhublogs

#myfriendalexa

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