CHARACTERS: 3.5/5
WRITING STYLE: 2/5
CLIMAX: 3/5
ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 2.5/5
Reading a debut author’s work is always a challenging task, and what many people do not realize is that reviewing a debut author’s work presents a challenge which is much more trying and arduous than the aforementioned because you have to be cautious yet subtle in your assessment, thereby motivating the author to improvise and not giving up hope altogether.
Rajveer Prajapati’s “Destined Lives” is one such book where I faced such a conundrum.
Sassi is a girl from the hill town of Darjeeling, who left her native when her parents had sent her out for her higher education.
Though this decision was to ensure she has a better education and a better life, it had a strong impact on her. She was forever separated from her old friend Mohanty Babu, a man in the last phase of life who loved Sassi more than anything else in the world.
Much later in her life, when she goes to Sikkim, she discovers love in friendship in the company of Veer, an army officer who was equally in love with her.
But alas! They were not meant to be, as one day Veer too disappeared from her life, never to be found again.
To seek refuge from the agony that pained her heart, she settled in Delhi and it was in Delhi she came across Raj. Much younger than her in age, Raj entered her life like the sunshine and coloured all her days bright.
But did Sassi give in to Raj? Did she ever find Veer again? What is the mystery which connects the unfortunate incident of a nuclear device lost in Nanda Devi peak in 1965 and the fates of Veer, Sassi and Raj?
To know more about this intriguing love story you would have to grab a copy of the book.
“Destined Lives” definitely has a sound plot. It is cohesive, well-structured and delivered, and undeniably intriguing. The characters of Sassi, Veer and Raj are also quite interesting to read about.
The effective use of subplot (concerning Nadia and Guru) is also well conceptualised and delivered. It adds yet another dimension to the story and at the same time accentuates the main plot.
The climax too was quite unpredictable and logical.
Overall, on the main parameters of plot, climax and characters, the book is a good one and the author certainly shows a lot of promise.
My only qualm about the story is the language. It is a very complicated mix of illogically framed sentences and painfully poor editing.
So many grammatical mistakes do little to incite interest to continue reading. Had it not been so, “Destined Lives” would have a lot more enjoyable.
In the end, I hope that poor editing is done away with and a full proof version is safely seen on its way to stores.
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