The Krishna Key - Book Review

Title : "The Krishna Key"

Author : Ashwin Sanghi

Genre : Mythology, Indian Fiction, Thriller.

Price : Rs.250

Publisher: Westland Book Publications

Synopsis from the back of the book :
"Five thousand years ago, there came to earth a magical being called Krishna, who brought about innumerable miracles for the good of mankind. Humanity despaired of its fate if the Blue God were to die but reassured that he would return in a fresh avatar when needed in the eventual Dark Age - the Kaliyug. In modern times, a poor little rich boy grows up believing that he is that final avatar. Only, he is a serial killer."

     NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS REVIEW. Way before I got my hands on this book , there were various reviews floating in the blogosphere saying how amazing or not amazing the book is , and that was my strike one. You should never read reviews before you read  a book cause it just leads to an unwanted biased opinion that you don't want to have. Ashwin Sanghi's claim to fame was with his second book 'Chanakya's Chants' and so when this book was up on Blogadda I was very excited. His first book being the 'Rozabal Line' . So the expectations were high.

     The book is 400 pages of excitement , the plot is very strong and crisp. The research is immense and commendable and the characters are dark but what disappoints is the writing , its a little weak if I may say. The words are highly technical and add to the mystic effect, but the narration in general is a little poor.

The complicated religious jargon and verses from the various religious scriptures make it seem like a lesson in religion more than a mythological thriller. The book goes on and on about the search for Krishna's greatest weapon till the last page of the book and the destination and object of the quest changes with every page , confusing and also annoying the reader a little bit .Is it a nuclear bomb , is it an isotope , oh wait its a philosopher's stone.Like what ? That's the best you could come up with it ? Voldemort would be a better weapon. I have always been a fan of Indian mythology even if I only used it as interesting bedtime stories of fascinating fiction,so I quite liked the parts where the story goes back in time and Krishna narrates the story of his life. It brought back the beautiful pictures and books I had read as a child. But besides that the book drags a little. The characters are bearable , just bearable and you don't have an instant liking to any of them. This is probably not my regular genre , you know thrillers so maybe that's why I didn't like the book as much so I repeat 'Don't judge a book by its review' 
      Ravi Mohan Saini is a professor of history of mythology at Stephen's college is framed for the murder of Anil Varshey , his bestfriend and the owner of 4 ancient seals from the period of Krishna . The seals are a key to a puzzle which Ravi Saini has to solve so as to prove his innocence. Taarak Vakil who believes he is the 10th incarnation of Vishnu is on a killing spree under the vigil guidance of 'Mataji' and the prime suspect for all the murders is Ravi Mohan Saini. Many times when the author links two unbelievable things you will see yourself go "Kya kuch bhi" but it is to be read as a fictional account on most things and that is exactly what it is.
    Indian mythology and its ambiguity is beautifully captured along with references and cross references of different cultures/religions/regions , implying how we are all the same . Its a subtle message which will be missed if you aren't looking for it . The plot is indeed  brilliant if only it had been handled a little better.I have read Chanakya's Chant's and loved it ,so my expectations were high. This is a kind of book you will read and forget., worth a read nonetheless. If only for the Krishna story. The ending is a little abrupt/unexpected and not keeping up with the rest of the book. So its slightly disappointing .
   All in all , all I can say is , I didn't loathe the book nor did I love it , its somewhere in the list of books I have read and also, I have ordered my copy of Ashwin Sanghi's "Rozabal Line" online cause seriously if the book is better that this one , its worth a read plus the plot is very interesting

Overall rating : 3.25/5

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program by Blog Adda. 

Participate now to get free books! 

Twitterati

Mainly because I am having a sort of writer's block and also because I'm more or less a twitter addict for the past few months , I thought I'll just share what I find oh so cool about twitter , just one word the TWEEPS.

Seriously twitter has the most hilarious people. If you are following the right people it is bound to make your day because :
a) You realize that everyone is going through the same shit hole that you are and yes everyone rants.
b) Because some of the tweets are funny and I personally favorite them and then when I have nothing to do , I go through them and smile.
c) The follower count increasing by the day gives you a ego boost . You get to rant too and 200 odd people read it .

So here is a collection of 140 characters that will make you tickle, smile and ponder.

@amysteryunfolds - Never Explain love.

@thisthat_etc - I think married people feel and look like Mondays

@AbhiAndNow - If you know where to look, the object will itself get up , start walking , and settle down at the place where you can find it . True Story

@Coffeegrams - I have spent a lot of time in January charging my smartphone I shall do the same in February.

@DesireMaze - Never drink and derive

@DeeSeelicious - If you are the guy who designed the @VodafoneIn website , you should just hang yourself . Retiring from web designing might not please me.

@Coffeegrams - Twitter is the noise that you can't see.

@tyrantasorus - We fell in love the way you people fall asleep . Slowly ...and then all at once.

@Coffeegrams - People who change their handle and DP regularly are the same people who change their numbers regularly and ask other to guess who they are.

@_shezz - The worst is when you judge yourself . Nah. Don't do it.

@NanguPanguu - I swear if Twitter changes their layout one more time , I'm going to post a rant-tweet about it and then use their site as much as always.

@NanguPanguu - If a bra is called an 'over the shoulder boulder holder' , then what would you call men underwear ? Under the butt nut hut.?

@Cachekeys - I don't click links. I don't believe in detail therapy.

@thedessertwhore - Never lose out on something in life because you didn't  "Ask" . Food definitely comes first on this list.

@PWNeha - If it weren't for twitter , I wouldn't be able to tell 7705 people what I'm having for lunch.   *wipes a tear*

@LoKarlofollow - A day in your life is a waste if you did not learn how to hate someone you should not love and how to love someone whom you should not hate.

@Mojojojo - Coke Studio. Also what Fardeen Khan calls his house.

@UlostMeat_ - My life is utter waste. Haven't even auditioned for Roadies yet.

@NanguPanguu - Hi I am Mala . Mere papa ke pass bohot maal hai aur main khud ek maal hoon. Mally me 'eh ? Marry me ?

@NanguPanguu- "Maa Ki Dua" written only on trucks, buses and auto-rickshaws, because BMWs, Audis and Mercs are usually of "Baap Ka Paisa!"

@zenmaster - The answer to eternal Qs like 'Do I look fat?' 'Am I boring?' is a resounding 'YES!' pronounced in a very un-orgasmic way.
 
@Paanipuri_Lover - Malinga , what did I say about Hair Spa?

@_shezzz - You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not smashing it.

@tjinscot - One day you'll ask me what I love more you or sarcasm. And I'll say "You, of course", and you'll stay, because you don't understand sarcasm.

@LokarloFollow - Considering the number of fucks I have given in my life. I am a hooker who never got paid.

@raggedtag - Are you home ? Not the building . The state of mind.

@paulocoelho - Make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come.

@taklooman - If your nationality is not listed on youporn as a category then your existence, revolution etc have no importance. No one cares about you.

@Rene - Place your hand over your heart. Feel that? That is called purpose... You're alive for a reason. Don't forget that. ;)

@BedardiRaja - Kripaya So Jayiye... aap So Jayiye... So Jayiye please.... #TweetLikeMeiraKumar

@SatanicPope - Who told you to work , earn money , have kids and all? It's a trap. It's the reason why most humans live in cages and animals freely.

@Scbchbum - If you want something done, ask a lazy person so you'll end up doing it yourself like you planned all along. Control freak.

@Tyrantasorus - I laugh. I cry. I hope. I try. I fear. I love. And I know you do the same things too. So we're really not that different,me and you.

@WordAddict_ - What you fight with maximum vigour, consumes you with the slightest trigger.

@Scotchaholic - She has gone to her parents' home. He's drinking, all alone. Not feeling drunk, he smiles. Now he knows where the intoxication lies.

@Dumbinator - Jesus turned water into wine. Huh? I turned my whole month's salary into wine.

@AbhiandNow - Hey, I just followed you, and this is crazy, but here's a thanks in advance, so #FF me, maybe? #TwitterSongs

@Kyle_lippert - All you need is love. And money. And compatibility. And attraction. And excitement. And patience. And loyalty. But, yeah, love.

@TheMantallBwoy - Love is when you are sleepy and you don't tell her that you are sleepy just to talk to her AND she says that she is sleepy and sleeps.

@AnOddYellow - I shall not expect any promises, please tell me no lies. Stay with me as long as you can and that will be our forever.

@KronoVB - Whenever KRK tweets somewhere a Grammar Nazi dies.

@LiteraryLapses - Longed for him. Got him. The love died and so did its longing.

@Scotchaholic - When everything becomes a joke, that day, we cease to laugh.

@havahawai - Its time I think we should let another country elect our PM.

@tyrantasorus - We're never too young nor too old to love. Most of the time , we're just too afraid.

@AndRyanTF - If I was dating Eva Mendes, anytime she acted bitchy I'd say "What-Eva!" it would be hilarious. Almost as funny as me dating Eva Mendes...

@vivekisms - I lent books to a friend today. Guess I am growing up.

@MohsinSayeed - A black cat crossed my path. Worried. The last black cat got run over, the one before went blind.Black cats don't know I'm manglik for them.

@SupraMario - My mother chose today, of all days, to tell me: "When you were born, I was hoping you'd be a girl. But then, even boy was okay."

@meetasengupta - P&G has the cheek to put out a Mary Kom ad with the tagline: sponsoring Moms. Sorry dear, moms sponsor the firm by buying stuff!

@NanguPanguu - In ancient times,Kings use to say "Taqhlia", to keep the tradition alive,I call my colleague "Taklia".

@vivekisms - Independent bodies. Independent country even. Caged minds.

@Morganfreeman - I hate the word homophobia. It's not a phobia. You are not scared. You are an asshole.

@thetanmay - Dhoni is launching his own perfume ? Lovely. I've always wanted to spend 2K to smell like Jharkhand.

@scissortongue - There’s some song with prabhu deva and sonakshi sinha in it. My tv just exploded due to the collective ugliness.

@WordAddict_ - If you thought I'll tweet 'hungry and still at work', you're wrong. Here you go- sick, hungry and still at work. See, how I surprise. B-)

@Mojorojo - Constipated. Feel like the government may be involved.

@Fashionopolis - The Bald and the Botoxed : A south Bombay love story.

@TheBigDowg - Some of you need a lesson on how to use #TWSS and #TWHSeffectively. Also, most of you need a year long session on sarcasm.

@NehaT_ - A human being is only a tshirt away from being human.

@Salmanmightysam - And on the seventh day God said: " Let there be alcohol, because fuck this shit"

@vivekisms -  Regret will inform you. Melancholy will forewarn. Loss will try & reason with you. You will not pay attention. You will fall in love again. 

@WaterBaker -  I don't know where my son is at the moment, but I know exactly where and how stranded Bombay tweeters are. And I don't even have a son.

@Hardism - Dogs dig with such enthusiasm like there's guaranteed sex beneath the sand.

@WaterBaker - I have a tendency to feel left out of groups that I don't want to be a part of anyway. 

@TheBigDowg - If you love someone, never set them free. Tie them up if the need be . Ignore the age old philosophy. This is 2012, Steal your love.

Happy Thursday :D

Techie or Foodie?

The last time I went for an indiblogger meet , I didn't really get the chance to blog about it due to work and all that. But this time I just couldn't resist sharing my experience of the awesome Sunday , spent with so many nice people mainly because there is a prize, it was SO much fun .
  The ever charming , Vikas Khanna and Rajiv Makhani were the hosts for the evening and it was one hell of a night. The question of the evening was Techi or Foodie ? With the Masterchef and Gadget Guru in the house there were bound to be fireworks.
Indiblogger always has these amazing memorable meets and something new to offer every single time . This time with Nokia partnering with Indiblogger , the event was bound to be grand. With about 250 bloggers attending the meet it had to be about " Connecting People " . The food and wine along with the energetic vibe didn't hurt at all.
  As I walked into the event , a little nervous and a little perplexed about getting bored. I see the grand venue and Nokia's blue carpet , welcoming us . The ambiance was brilliant. ( location : Taj Lands End-Mumbai) This time the meet was all about having fun with Apps , Nokia Apptasting was held at many cities earlier and this time in Mumbai it was like a celebration . Celebration of us bloggers :D Rajiv and Vikas , showed us many of the newest Apps in the Nokia OviStore. My favourite and cutest App was easily the Charlie Chaplin movie App , It just makes a movie for you within seconds. ( Plus Vikas Khanna did a real cute yet awkward ramp walk :P ) Also the which wine goes with which food App was brilliant. I never try wine cause I don't know what to order. So this App is truly a blessing. 

  Besides AppTasting there were contests and Onion cutting sessions , Vikas taught the crowd how to cut onions with a new technique and many people embarrassed themselves when they tried it themselves. Prizes were given away for witty lines and introductions , contests and games , Nokia was pretty generous that way. While grilled fish and white wine was being had I suddenly felt my hand go up , to go on stage and make a fool of myself for 30 straight minutes.:P

 The cute Ramp walk I spoke about >

 Vikas and Rajiv quizzed four teams with Techie and Foodie questions , and the outcome was embarrassing and in my defense the Foodie questions were really difficult. From the national soup of India ? to in which state of India is the Halwa City ? Me and my team mate were bound to lose terribly until ofcourse the savior of all rounds , the Fourth round of the quiz was the famous Masterchef challenge where I was blindfolded and made to drink a soup while my partner was asked to write down the ingredients I could identify from it. . This magical round got us from the shamefully low score to the third position. I guessed 6 ingredients of the 9. Not bad at all . Right? The first team won a Nokia Lumia :O More than the winning it was an awesome experience :) Rajiv and Vikas are funny , witty and hot !! very charming :)
       



The contest was followed by a scrumptious dinner and an open bar ;) . The chocolate mousse was to die for. But the night was truly amazing , we also got our person Indiblogger Tshirts :D.
Me and a few friends also connected with Poonam Kaul ( Nokia - Director Communications). She shared her very cool visiting card with us ( Nokia employees have cool cards :O ). She was very sweet and asked us to be in touch.




 ^ On the stage while the other team danced for two extra points :P

 These Guys won the Lumia ^ :D

Indiblogger turns 5 :D The Cake was YUMM *slurp slurp* >

The Lucky maskot of Indiblogger events ( Anup of Indiblogger's baby :D )

Vikas Oh so CUTE Khanna :D

Pictures of me with my friends who are also Bloggers :D

Also what is the procedure for getting to marry a hybrid of these two awesome men ? One can make you laugh and one cooks awesome food . What more can a girl ask for :P
   Waiting for another Indiblogger meet in mumbai soon. :)
It was great to connect with the amazing bloggers who blog about various things, from food to fashion , to technology . There is so much talent out there :)



PS : You can read about the experience of the other bloggers here 
PPS: Nokia is coming up with the " Your Wish is Our App" Contest , So if you ever dreamed of a App which you would like to download , here is your chance to get it made for you.