Book Review - The Nigerian Mafia Mumbai by Onyeka Nwelue

 

 

 The Nigerian Mafia: Mumbai by Onyeka Nwelue

•                     ISBN: 978-1739276775

•                     Published by: Abibiman Publishing U.K.

•                     Year of publishing: 2023

 

Book Blurb

Nollywood actor, Uche Mbadiegwu leaves his Surulere neighborhood in Lagos, to Bandra in Mumbai to join Bollywood, so he could make it big, hoping to play exceptional roles.

Like a flash, Periwinkle appears in his life and changes everything. Tired of living in a pigsty, Efemena wants to live a life of independence, but there is more to being a Nigerian in Mumbai - a constant escape from the Indian police and narcotics agents.

This novel is a tale of violence, drugs, human trafficking, murder, and sex. www.bookbot.in

 

About the Author

Onyeka Nwelue, born in 1988, is a Nigerian scholar who has had esteemed positions in academia in African studies at two of the world’s most prestigious universities, the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. www.bookbot.in

 

His crime fiction, “The Nigerian Mafia: Mumbai,” is the first installment in a 10-book series, which has gone on to be longlisted for the 2023 Chinua Achebe Prize and shortlisted for the 2023 ANA Prose Prize. It’s being developed for film by Indian filmmaker, Ramesh Raparthy.

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Praise for Onyeka Nwelue

Described by Sri P. T. Narendra Menon as "one of Africa’s youngest writers," Onyeka Nwelue's unique writing style and brilliance have earned him critical acclaim. With over 20 award-winning books to his name, Nwelue stands as one of Africa's most prolific and promising writers.

Praise for the book www.bookbot.in

 “Onyeka Nwelue is Africa’s literary boy-wonder.”- Nury Vittachi, Author of Goodbye Hong Kong, Hello Xianggang

“An unusual noir thriller and worth a look for those interested in seeking crime tales based in other countries.” -Run Along The Shelves

“The Nigerian Mafia: Mumbai, was an interesting portrait of an expat group of Nigerians abroad!” - Annabel

Accolades

• The Nigerian Mafia: Mumbai has been longlisted for the 2023 Ana Chinhua Achebe Prize.

• It is also shortlisted for the 2023 Ana Prose Prize.

• The Nigerian Mafia Mumbai is being developed for film by Indian filmmaker, Ramesh Raparthy

My Review: 

         I live in an area in Mumbai, wherein there is a predominating Nigerian community, which has been constantly increasing for the past couple of years (My area is also mentioned in the book if anyone wants to take a guess). Sometimes when I come across Nigerians, I look at the ladies in awe; for their physique, their braided hairstyle, the way they speak Hindi, their heavy and strange voice, or the way they walk without giving a damn to the stares they get. Whereas, whenever the men pass by, a strange kind of fear strikes my mind, don’t know why. Is it their voice, their tall and dark features? But, after I read “The Nigerian Mafia - Mumbai” I feel for them, for the mistreatment they must have met, for being misunderstood, and for their hardships. 

 

         Coming to the story, “The Nigerian Mafia – Mumbai” by Onyeka Nwelue is the story of Uche, a well-known child actor in Nigeria. He comes to Mumbai to buy fabrics which he plans to sell back in his hometown and make some money. But as fate intervenes, he ends up selling drugs and getting trapped in the underworld.

 

         Well, after reading the book, I got mixed reactions. Neither I liked it very much nor I hated it. (I will explain the reasons below for the same). 

 

Points I liked :

 

         I loved the simplicity of the language used. It is very simple and easy to understand, with no heavy use of language which is a major plus point of the author. I loved the way the author made a cameo appearance in the story like a director does in any Bollywood movie that shows his love for Bollywood. How the author has traced the journey of Uche from his hometown to Bandra is worth a read. The characters are introduced as and when the story demands and exits accordingly. Each character plays their role without cluttering the plot.

 

         I won’t say negative points as they are not but these points I found a bit hard to understand. If Uche was doing well in his hometown doing movies, he had earned well and had prospered, then why did he come to Mumbai to buy fabrics that he could sell after going back?

 

         If you are a Mumbaikar, you will understand my following point one assaults a movie director (Abhinav), a detective (Charanjeet Singh), and an FFRO official in Mumbai and, he gets away, without any action from the system or even making it to headlines, and that too if you are a Nigerian, this fact is a bit difficult to digest for me as I am a born in Mumbai. 

 

         Having said all the above points I suggest this book is worth a read. It is an eye opener for all who think Mumbai is a city of dreams and anyone can become successful and earn money as soon as one lands here. It is, but the path you take decides your fate.

           One must read this book once. Looking forward to reading the remaining parts of Uche’s journey.

Book Review - Raman Agarwal's Crochet - The Gordian World of Tahir Khan

About Crochet -

While adult mental health issues around the world have gained massive awareness in the past few years, the mental health issues of kids and teens continue to be ignored and denied recognition. The roots of mental disorders are often found buried in childhood traumas. Social stigmas attached to mental disorders are monstrous, especially when it comes to the suffering of young ones, who are too confused to speak of their pain--or to know that they suffer unfairly.

Often parents try to shield their children using deception and ignorance. The general perception remains that people suffering from a mental disorder are crazy, or mad. The insensitivity of popular culture makes a laughing stock of this pain and chooses to ridicule what should be alleviated. The result is a complete alienation of a bright spark who must pretend normalcy by aping the behaviours of their peers while their consciousness cries in the despair of soul-crushing loneliness.

Crochet aims to bring light to the topic of mental health and its importance amongst young adults and their parents.

 

Blurb:

 Tahir lives with Maa and Abba in a refugee colony. A childhood misfortune pushes him down an age long chasm, surrounding him with ominous shadows and illusory objects. As Alex untangles his knotted head, Tahir uncovers a dark past, stored in long forgotten jars.

Crochet is a story of greys, of fractions, of halves, of twins, of dinky dots, of concentric circles, of daisies in gardens, and irises in eyes.

You can watch the book trailer here - https://youtu.be/KuR7vpqK5FI

To buy the book click on Amazon Purchase Link - https://www.amazon.in/Crochet-Gordian-World-Tahir-Khan/dp/B0B353YDNB/

 

About the Author :

Raman works with a global cloud company as a value evangelist & advisor. Raman enjoys visiting local book stores & coffee shops in foreign cities. He is also an amateur, but a passionate photographer.

Raman enjoys his coffee dark and bitter, and his books deep and profound. On most weekends, you can find Raman seated on his balcony, reading a twentieth-century classic while sipping coffee.

Raman hates watching the trailers before the movies, and he never reads blurbs before books. He is also a believer and a practitioner of objectivism.

One can follow him on the following social media

Insta : @crochetbyraman

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramanagarwal13

Twitter: ramanagarwal138

 

My Views :

Speaking about mental health has been a taboo for generations but, in the past two years, since the pandemic has hit us, something has changed and now everyone is talking openly about mental health and giving preference to it.

 

Our brain functions in a very strange manner. Good thoughts and memories are stored deep down somewhere where no one can find them, but bad memories and trauma hold a special place and trigger various reactions. And if any untoward incident happens, especially in childhood, it leaves a long-lasting effect on that person. But sadly, we are so used to sweeping the dust below the carpet that we don’t realize what effect it does on a child, but by the time we realize that, the damage is already done and the time has passed away too.

 

Crochet - The Gordian world of Tahir Khan, is one such book that is based entirely on mental health. After a very long time, I have come across such a book, that has left me speechless. Initially, I found the book a prolonged read, but as I progressed, it was like peeling layers of corn cob; the more we peel, the more interesting it gets. The author has done a commendable job and I appreciate the effort he has put into his debut book.

        

The first fourteen chapters are like a monologue, where Tahir, the protagonist is just sharing his thoughts, about his experience with Alex, a psychiatrist.  Tahir gives you entry into his world, which he believes is true but after fourteen chapters, the suspense clears and the mystery unravels leaving you thoughtful and speechless. How Raman, the author has compiled the story of Thair, is astounding. For a debut author, Crochet is well-written.

           

 

Though the book has a cliffhanger ending, it stays with you for a very long time as it did to me, to gather my thoughts, to make sense of the whole story.

 

I loved the intricate book cover; it is eye-catching. The editing is perfect, error-free writing, and the use of simple language are some of the plus points of this book. The only blemish, for me, is the font size. I wish the author had opted for a font size a little bigger than the one used in the hard copy. Other than the one teeny-weeny flaw, this book is worth a read.

 

I recommend one and all to read Crochet, but let me warn you it is not a simple and easy read. But, do pick up this book when you have time in hand and want to read some good stuff on mental health and settle down with no distractions and a big pot of strong tea or coffee as you enter the intricate and tangled world of Tahir.

Book Review-Jyoti Arora's #JustRomance

#JUSTROMANCE
by

Jyoti Arora

Blurb

7 heart-warming love stories to make you smile

You raised a song in my heart
That I never knew before.
Now kiss me, Love,
For I yearn to know
What a dream must taste like.

Luxury adds glamour to romances, danger adds thrill. But it is real emotions that turn love magical. And when love casts its magic, even ordinary people can have extraordinary love stories.

It is seven such delicious and relatable Indian romances that this book brings to you.

With realistic characters that will live in your heart. With romance spanning across mountains, forests, glowing beaches, or coming alive in roadside dhabas and buzzing city streets. With myriad gripping emotions of friendship and love, these feel-good love stories are sure to touch your heart with delight.

If you are in love with love,

then these beautiful romances are a must-read for you!

Seven couples, seven clean contemporary romances, one delicious book.

#JustRomance

Because nothing matters more than love.

     

Read an excerpt

My Review:

#Just Romance is a collection of seven stories that can neither be called a short story or a novella. But each story has twist and turns which keeps you keep hooked till the end. There is romance no doubt but suspense and mystery too in each story around the protagonist that sometimes you feel there is more to it.

Each story is unique; some will shake your core while some bring a smile on your face. The author Jyoti Arora has used simple, lucid language, which makes an easy connection with the reader. The cover image is apt and the title though different yet apt. 

          The short poems at start of each story are really something which sets the mood of the story. The description of the settings of the scene is so detailed that one can actually visualize it while reading.

So, if you like to read romances, then #JustRomance is a must-read. 

Grab your copy @

Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 


About the author

Jyoti Arora is an Indian novelist and blogger. Besides her books, her writing achievements include several wins in blogging competitions, over five years of freelance writing experience, developing books for kids and abridging 30 English novels like Jane Eyre, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, etc. 

Jyoti’s first novel ‘Dream’s Sake’ was published by V&S Publishers in 2011. It tells a beautiful love story revolving around the troubles of physically challenged people. Her second novel ‘Lemon Girl’ is based on the theme of gender crime against women and victim-blaming. It is featured in Ezvid’s wiki list of 9 Well-Written Novels That Put Women Front & Center. It also received appreciation from Ms. Maneka Gandhi. Her third novel ‘You Came Like Hope’ talks about the opposite side of the issue discussed in Lemon Girl. That is, it talks about the fake cases filed by women. This too is a case of gender crime and victim-blaming. But in this case, it is the man who suffers. The book received much appreciation for its unique theme and heart-warming love story. All three books are intense and based on serious social issues. For her fourth book, Jyoti decided to write something lighter and happier. That’s what has resulted in #JustRomance, a collection of happy love stories. 

Books have always been Jyoti’s best friends. In fact, books so fascinated her from early childhood that she learnt to read by herself even before she started going to school. And she considers herself fortunate that she is able to pursue her dream of being a novelist and work at what she loves best.

However, if books are her first love, the thrilling and steadily advancing world of technology also fascinates her. As a result, one of her blogs is a technological blog called TechnoTreats. One of her posts in this blog even won her the title of Samsung Mobiler in 2011. After that, she has won several other blogging competitions too.

She is a patient of Thalassemia which forced her to drop out of school too soon. But she did not let that defeat her. She studied on her own and completed her schooling through correspondence courses. Then she went on to Jyoti study BA English (Honours) from Delhi University and then achieved postgraduation degrees in English Literature and Applied Psychology from Annamalai University.

For her determination and achievements, she has received appreciation from several eminent dignitaries and her life story has been covered in various TV shows, radio programs, newspapers, magazines, and websites. In the year 2016, she was one of the 100 special women achievers of India that were invited as special guests to attend the Republic Day parade in Delhi. 

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Book Review-Sonia Rao's The Magician

THE MAGICIAN 
(The Tarot Trilogy Book 1)
by 
Sonia Rao

Blurb

Fashion designer Sasha Kapoor always felt she'd missed out on love as she had an arranged marriage. And when her husband turns up at their 15th-anniversary party with a strange woman, she knows that her marriage is dying. With constant surprises and disasters to contend with, will Sasha ever get a chance at true love?

Shantha is much sought after for her tarot card readings on love, but can’t seem to help her own love life with a string of broken relationships behind her. Now, sparks are flying between her and a sexy bartender but will this relationship fizzle out too?

Young professionals Nilima and her husband are so besotted with each other, they give the word ‘soulmate’ a complex. Theirs is a match made in heaven…till tragedy strikes.

The Magician is a heart-warming story of these three dynamic women as they discover the meaning of true love through loss and longing.

Thoughts from the Author, Sonia Rao

Who is a Magician? If it is a Tarot Card, then it the Major Arcana card in the deck and symbolizes life-changing issues.

 But if it is a person, then it is Sasha, the main protagonist of my novel, The Magician. In this urban, contemporary romance, fashion designer Sasha, who caught within a loveless marriage, now seeks true love. It is also Shantha and Nilima who face their own challenges in love and try to rise above them.

 It is also every woman. This is because, as Shantha says to Sasha in the book, “Imagination is your strength. You have the power to visualize and then manifest what you want. You are the Magician.” Each one of us is The Magician because we hold within ourselves the power to create the life of our dreams.

But how did this cover happen? There is a lovely story behind it. While researching the many tarot decks online, I saw this card on the Attic Shoppe website and I knew at once that this was my “Sasha.”

Go back and have a look at the cover again. Doesn’t it just grip you too? Part practical, part whimsical, part traditional, part digital, this card, like the book, is a labour of love.

The designer, Bethalynne Bajema, created this card for her Black Ibis Tarot card deck.  The love she put in is very evident in the vibe one gets from it. Every time I see it, I am inspired to bring a touch of magic to the everyday routines of mundane life.

Carrying on the serendipity, Bethalynne immediately and graciously agreed to my request to make this card my book cover. Such generosity is hard to come by and I believe it is the Universe’s way of saying “you’re right on track.”  


(Bethalynne can be contacted here: Instagram)


My Review:

Narrating a story is an art. Interweaving emotions in the narrations and conveying it to the readers is a talent which only some authors possess.

The Magician – The Tarot Trilogy Book 1 is an intense, fast-paced story filled with mystery, betrayal, relationships and of course romance. 

This is the first time I read Sonia’s work and I loved it. The characters are well-described; the plot is engrossing and fast-paced. I loved the mystery part and how the suspense is revealed is commendable. 

While reading one can feel the turmoil of Sasha, the sadness and hurt of Nilima’s loss and love of Shantha and Danny. The Magician is roller-coaster ride on emotions and relationships. The cover image is apt to the title and story, use of simple and error-free writing, well-explained characters all make this book an interesting and enjoyable read. 

The Magician – The Tarot Trilogy Book 1 is a must-read. 

Read an excerpt

  
Grab your copy @

Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 


About the author

"Sonia Rao is a writer, editor, and award-winning blogger. Her fiction has appeared in many prestigious anthologies such as Voices Old & New and Jest Like That (edited by renowned editor-writer Shinie Anthony).

 As NaNoWriMo’s Municipal Liaison for all-India and founder of the Wrimo India group on Facebook, Sonia has motivated thousands of people in India to write a novel every November since 2011. She has also curated and edited the first Wrimo India Anthology, Vengeance—A Sting In Every Tale.

Sonia likes to believe she is ‘high-minded’ but strangely, her fave hobby is thinking up torture devices for those autorickshawallahs who consider the roads to be their personal spittoon. Who knew?"

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Book Review-T F Carthick's More Unfairy Tales

MORE UNFAIRY TALES
(Carthick's Unfairy Tales Book 2)

by

T.F. Carthick

Blurb

A knight rescues a damsel in distress. They marry, the whole kingdom rejoices, and everyone lives happily ever after. The end.

Or at least that's what Official sources say. But what tales do insiders tell? What secrets lie buried deep inside Davey Jones' Locker?

What, dear reader, about The Unfairy tales?

The stories the Knight-in-Shining-Armour and the Damsel-in-Distress have never wanted you to know. Tales which Fairyland had kept locked up in secret and thrown away the key. Until our rogue bard went back in time and ferreted out skeletons hidden within secret cupboards of desolate mansions.

Our fearless crusader of truth and justice brings to you the second volume of revelations from fairyland.

You will find five more unfairy tales hidden within the pages of this tiny tome, the sequel to Carthick's Unfairy Tales. Stories of elves out to decipher the ways of men and dwarves seeking to reclaim their own histories. Of spurned witches and lost wolves. These stories are going to change everything you have ever believed about fairyland and give you a peek underneath the gossamer threads of glamour and magic peddled by the Fae.

     

Read an excerpt

My Review : 

         Most of the times a story is written and read from the protagonist’s point of view. The story portrays the good as good and bad as bad. But as every coin has two sides, similarly every story, too, has two sides.

If one has read Unfairy Tales (the first book of the series) by the author, one will have a fairly good idea of what to expect. But the author has crossed my expectations. If the first book was mind-blowing, the second book, More Unfairy Tales just left me speechless.

Five more fairy tales, five more unusually usual stories, which we have been hearing since we can remember but this time through the antagonist’s point of view.

Most of the times the villains are portrayed as evil, cunning and mean to make the protagonists look good, but we always forget that they are made to look bad so that others can look good. But no one notices their side of the story.

The author has created new versions of five classics

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
• The Beauty and the Beast
• Red Riding Hood
• Rapunzel
• The Shoemaker and the elves.

And I am truly amazed by the new version. The language used is lucid. I loved the creative and innovative cover image. The book is so addictive that you end up finishing it at one go and is also a light read which lifts your mood.

More Unfairy Tales is definitely a must-read by one and all.

Grab your copy @

Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 


About the author

T F Carthick is a Bangalore-based writer and blogger who has been blogging since 2008. He is an avid reader of Children’s Fiction, Science-fiction and Fantasy. Enid Blyton, J K Rowling, Isaac Asimov, Frank Herbert, Neil Gaiman and Douglas Adams are some of his favorite authors. His paranormal thriller ‘Bellary’ was one of the three stories in the book Sirens Spell Danger, published in 2013. Six of his stories have featured in multi-author anthologies and literary magazines. He has written over 50 short stories, many of which can be read for free on www.karthikl.com.

He is an Engineer and MBA from India’s premier institutes IIT, Madras and IIM, Ahmedabad and currently works as an Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Consultant at one of the world’s leading Consulting Firms.

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