Dusty Reads #1

Dusty Reads is a weekly meme, hosted at .Xpresso Reads, featuring a book that has been sitting unread on my home shelf for some time.

My pick this week

The Immortals of Meluha (Shiva Trilogy #1)

Author: Amish Tripati

Released: April 1st 2010

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1900 BC. In what modern Indians mistakenly call the Indus Valley Civilisation. The inhabitants of that period called it the land of Meluha a near perfect empire created many centuries earlier by Lord Ram, one of the greatest monarchs that ever lived. This once proud empire and its Suryavanshi rulers face severe perils as its primary river, the revered Saraswati, is slowly drying to extinction. They also face devastating terrorist attacks from the east, the land of the Chandravanshis. To make matters worse, the Chandravanshis appear to have allied with the Nagas, an ostracised and sinister race of deformed humans with astonishing martial skills!

The only hope for the Suryavanshis is an ancient legend: When evil reaches epic proportions, when all seems lost, when it appears that your enemies have triumphed, a hero will emerge.

Is the rough-hewn Tibetan immigrant Shiva, really that hero? And does he want to be that hero at all? Drawn suddenly to his destiny, by duty as well as by love, will Shiva lead the Suryavanshi vengeance and destroy evil?

So, have you read this book?  And what books you have, that has to be dusted?

Review: Dink and Daisy

Original Title: Dink and Daisy
Author: Joyce Mitchell
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published Date: September 29th 2011
Genre: Children's

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Excerpt from Goodreads

Dink and Daisy is a fictional story of one not so cute ox-eye daisy (Dink) and a beautiful Gerbera daisy ( Daisy) who were accidentally planted in the wrong place and it seemed they would never be noticed by the owner (Barton's). The goal of all daisies was to be placed in a beautiful bouquet in the Barton's house as a place of beauty and honor.Their story displays how even when not as expected life can still turn out good if we "bloom where we are planted".

Review

This book is about the journey of two daisy plants, from their seed phase to a bouquet inside the house. Dink and Daisy are those unfortunate plants, who become friends in due course and always there for one another. Their aim is to reach the bouquet. But as they are in the unsafe area - a sidewalk of their owner's house, they were faced with many problems, which contributes to the rest of the book.

This is a children's book and so they are light and cool. There can be some pictures, than using so many words. Kids are not usually used to read these kind of books without pictures. Atleast one picture for each chapter should do, to keep the kids get interested.

The book focuses on the moral that kids should learn through this journey of the daisies that, our job is to bloom no matter where we are placed in the world.

Some favorite quotes

She'll tell you quick it's her way or the highway!

This is where the good Lord put me, and I want to bloom where I'm planted.

Review: The Devil's Legacy

Original Title: The Devil's Legacy
Author: Tom Jackson
Published Date: October 27th 2011
Genre: History, Mystery

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Well, if you didn't see the above book cover properly, please see it again.  This is a book of hope, where all you can see is deception.  The cover of this book says it all.

The legendary Parthenon Marbles from the British museum is going to be returned back to Greece in another six months..or so the British Prime Minister has given word to the media.  But, the Marbles, that the British possesses are fake and there is a secret "Pandora's Box", which contains a clue of the theft, that was committed two hundred years ago.  The British has two options now: Come clean to the public with the news and face the consequences; or find the Marbles that was lost two hundred years ago in six months time.

The British goes with the second option and a team comprising the experts in various fields with one female lawyer as lead is formed.  The team's job is to find the marbles within six months without anyone else knowing about it.  But as soon as they began their search, their secrecy is leaked and they are being followed everywhere by collectors and gangsters.

In spite of all the hopelessness, the team starts with their research to find the Marbles and the real adventure begins.

To say, I am not good in historical facts, will be an understatement.  But, this book had me stunned by all the events, that 'might have' occurred in history, as a result of deception and greed.   Many historical places, persons and other references in the book are new to me, but I absolutely enjoyed knowing about them all.

Tom Jackson is a debut author and I have not read much of historical fiction.  So, I started reading this book without any expectations.  But, this book would have, anyway, exceeded all the expectations, if I have set any.  The author had done an amazing job on bringing all the events in accurate detail.  The novel is told in many different times of history and I can just tell how difficult it would be to bring them all in a page, without any confusions.  There must be a massive research for writing this book and as always, I wish I had known the details.

A great and challenging read!  Highly recommended for historical fiction lovers!

About the Author

Tom Jackson hails from cold and wet Manchester, England and was with a British bank for over 30 years. He moved to Greece in 1977, met his wife (who is Greek and an artist) and decided to remain in Homer’s land of sun and sea. He has a daughter, Natalie, who is a lawyer, and the inspiration behind the protagonist in his debut novel, ‘The Devil’s Legacy’.

He is already thinking about a sequel to ‘The Devil’s Legacy’, and also has an idea for a trilogy set in nineteenth century Greece.

Tom maintains his close links to the Greek shipping community, posts occasional articles on financial and shipping related matters, is enjoying his new Kindle, has started to cultivate roses, and is an avid Manchester United supporter.

Tom Jackson online

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Dirty Little Secret #2

Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by Under the Covers to know more about other bloggers and readers, by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets.

"Christmas is over. Santa has left the building. We now have 2012 to look forward to! What new release are you looking forward to in the new year?"

There are so many..but, I will narrow it down.

#1: Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades #3)

#2: Hallowed (Unearthly #2)

#3: Lucky In Love (Hucky Harbor #4)

#4: The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus #3)

***Cover not released yet***

I know you have a lot of books in your wishlist too.  Want to share?