Taken Already : Book Review

Taken Already
By Yaagneshwaran Ganesh
Review By Ila Garg

The 130 page novel, Taken Already, has been published by Notionpress which is a self-publishing firm. The author Yaagneshwaran Ganesh is known for his earlier novel “The Group of Fools”. Taken Already is his second novel.

I loved the cover of this novel. It attracted me in the first look as I tore off the courier package. I was eager to read it at that very instant because of the cover which has a mysterious touch to it. It almost shouts out, ‘Enter into the world of thrill’.

But as I began reading I was disappointed at first. Initially the novel that seemed to be so extraordinary from its cover had nothing new to offer in the inside. First few pages are a bit dragging about the working of an IT company. The author has explained everything in details being a Product Marketing Specialist at a reputed It organization based in Chennai, India. So this description might only be interesting for IT people, but for me it was the opposite.

First half of the novel is average according to me as it narrates how a boy falls head over heel in love with a girl. His close-knit group of friends that helps him in the venture of pleasing that girl. There’s nothing different about the initial plot. I could almost interpret the end of the story.

But I must say the author is highly intellectual and has written an intelligent piece of writing. The second half took me by surprise. The author has marvellously woven a brilliant climax into the story that keeps the readers glued till the very end.  The characters are well chosen. Overall it’s a very challenging plot.

Sam Chacko, the detective was brought at a crucial time into the story but I felt his role was sublimed. The author could have portrayed him in a better light and made him look more powerful and quick. The other characters are more or less well defined.

The too many complexities of Arjun’s life is just one of the reasons you want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens in Taken Already. I finished the novel in one go as it is just 130 page novel, plus the second half is unique. To find out whether Arjun gets Anita, or Vinay gets Deepali, Anita and Deepali are connected or not, how Sam comes into the picture, Arjun’s love and dreams are fulfilled or remain shattered, everyone get a happy ending or not, what happens to the futures of Arjun, Vinay, Anita, Deepali, and Dhanya; you will have to read the novel, Taken Already.

I feel the breath-taking end will keep the readers engaged. Cheers to the author for penning down such a challenging plot.