PLOT: 4.5/5 CHARACTERS: 4.5/5 WRITING STYLE: 4.5/5 CLIMAX: 4.5/5 ENTERTAINMENT: 4.5/5
“When the sun had set and all hope was gone, To fear and darkness a daughter was born. A demon from hell, with the curse of sight, Will help her walk the earth to haunt it at night. Everyone shall perish, only one she will spare, Her slave who shall be, bound by the nightmare.”
Ajinkya Bhasme, 7 hours at Bhata Road
My musings
As I was browsing on my Kindle Unlimited catalog, looking for a scary book to pick, I came across Ajinkya Bhasme’s 7 Hours at Bhata Road. Though the book cover was mediocre at best, the blurb looked promising. Having read about Ajinkya Bhasme’s engaging writing, and tempted by the book’s short length, I decided to give it a go. And wow! What an amazing choice that turned out to be. For I loved every bit of what I read.
Read on to know more about the book and about my experience of reading it.
What to expect?
Expect a short read that is just under 100 pages. Expect a book that is fast-paced and racy. Expect a book that is both spooky and entertaining. Finally, expect a book that serves us unique Indian horror.
Who can read?
Since the book is written in a simple language, and an easy effortless manner, it can be easily picked up by beginners. That being said, all levels of readers would find it to be a captivating read.
Let’s talk about the story
In the remote village of Bhata, somewhere in rural Maharashtra, the villagers followed an occult ritual to avoid going to hell. As a result of this, eons ago, a prophecy was made. One that promised the birth of hell in Bhata. One that claimed that the hell would then spread from Bhata to the rest of the world. Many centuries went by and people forgot all about it. Until one day, the prophecy started to unravel the darkness that was promised to Bhata.
How good are the characters?
There are multiple characters in the book, and normally crammed in such few pages, the characters wouldn’t have enough space to breathe and shine. But this is hardly the case, the writing is so good that all the characters manage to leave a lasting impression on the reader’s mind. They are dynamic, vivid, and come in all shades of grey. Some of the character transformations would even manage to fool you. The young boy Darshan, the purple saree-clad lady, and Aditi remain some of my favorites in the lot.
The writing style
It’s that folklorish vibe of the book seeped in twisted and dark ancient myths, and serving horror in a uniquely Indian way, that makes the reader go wow! Unlike many other contemporary horrors, no dearth of spooks and chills in this one. 7 Hours at Bhata Road is as spooky as it gets. For those who can relate, it will remind you of the book Tumbbad.
What did I like?
Everything. There is nothing to not like in the book.
What I didn’t like?
Again, I can’t think of a single thing here. I only wish that the author would come back with a sequel soon.
Is the climax good?
It is unpredictable, fast-paced, and unique.
It all boils down to the entertainment quotient
There is no dearth of entertainment in the book. There are twists and turns after every couple of pages and the pace is fast. An excellent plot, combined with dynamic characters, and a story shrouded in supernatural mystery – together make the book an engrossing read.
In the end
In the end, 7 Hours at Bhata Road is a must-read horror novella for every horror lover. Uniquely Indian in its story and vibe, the book is a definite page-turner.
The final verdict
Don’t miss it!
Pick the book if
- You love horror fiction.
- You are looking for a short read.
- You are looking for a horror that is uniquely Indian.
- You love horror that juxtaposes the ancient with the modern.
Skip the book
- Only if you don’t like horror fiction.
Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of 7 Hours at Bhata Road using the link below.
