Friday, March 20, 2015

Scarred for Life, Healed Forever - Book Review


Scarred for Life, Healed Forever
By Ashwati Menon
Review By Ila Garg

“Let the power begin from within!”

Scarred for Life, Healed Forever, by Ashwati Menon is published by Gargi Publishers, a fast progressing self-publishing house. The book has an apt cover, something that rightly depicts the plot. The colors and sequence is so perfectly chosen by Amol Karambe. The quality is obviously one of the best in the recent book industry. The title is well chosen and reflects the turmoil that awaits you! The book jacket is thus, appropriate and hooks the readers instantly.

The author has a degree in Masters in Computer Application and a bigger passion for writing. She has had the pleasure of writing many books in different styles and has been a part of many anthologies. Before Scarred for Life, Healed Forever, one of her short stories has been a part of Drenched Souls - Moonlit Matinee 2 (Read the review here). When she is not writing, she spends her time in either reading or strumming on her guitar.

The blurb reads as, Nishtha survived a terrible fate but that didn’t let her live in peace. She ends up being a victim of her own powers and there is very little she can do to get a normal balanced life.
What with strange visions and a mind that seems to be always active, Nishtha finds that she is suddenly very much able to sense when someone is going to get into accidents and mishaps. And thereby, she runs to their rescue.

But how long is she going to be the super-woman she did not expect she will be?

Is there a solution to bring peace? Will science have answers to Nishtha’s problems?”

The protagonist, Nishtha Vaidya is a girl next door and a simpleton. You can’t predict her inner personality just by looking at her. She hides a tormenting past in her smile and everything about her seems normal. A perfect family, a handsome brother, great educational qualifications that lands her in a grand job - she appears to have it all.

The story begins interestingly and doesn’t let you get bored. In fact, it grabs the reader’s attention from one page to the next. The story doesn’t go straight though, it rather moves in zig-zag. The readers have to concentrate as it goes back and forth between different time zones. It’s an unusual genre with an engrossing plot. However, non-regular readers may find it difficult to comprehend and the pace might not be comfortable to them. On the other hand, regular readers will enjoy it and appreciate the writer’s efforts for traversing on a road less traveled. After all, the author has shown the ability to think out of the box!

The author has indeed taken a bold step while penning down something like this with a lot of grace. Author’s language is really fresh and the language can be a little problem but the author has given a glossary in the end for the readers to be able to understand the plot well.
The 126 page book comprises of an author’s note, 22 chapters, an epilogue, and a glossary for scientific terms and references. It manages to be a wonderful read despite the different genre. This book is definitely a page turner and a very quick read. Ashwati Menon has used the right amount of words to grip her readers. The plot and thrill element kept me glued to this book.

The downside of this book is its climax that comes in too fast and makes the narrative lose its impact. Though the theme is well chosen, the problem arises in its handling. It could have been built more comprehensively to give a sense of completeness.

‘Yay’ Factors: The out of box thinking.

‘Nay’ Factors: The poor execution and the narration that keeps lacking as we near the end.

My Verdict: To find out what keeps tormenting Nishtha, how long will she be able to keep this past bundled up and pretend as if nothing happened, how is her power of forecasting going to affect her, will she find her solace, will she get what she is looking for; you will have to read the novel, Scarred for Life, Healed Forever.


Ratings: 3/5

Buying Links: Infibeam | Amazon | Flipkart

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