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Did You Ever Love Me? Book Review: Can Rithvik singh turn heartbreak into a homecoming?

Did You Ever Love Me? by Rithvik Singh is a tender contemporary poetry collection about love, heartbreak, longing, self worth and learning to let go. Its greatest strength is emotional accessibility: Singh writes directly to readers who feel intensely and care deeply. The collection offers comfort without pretending heartbreak is simple, though its simplicity may occasionally feel familiar to seasoned poetry readers. Did you Ever Love Me? Have you ever loved someone so completely that, after they left, you were left wondering whether they had ever understood what they had been given? Not merely whether they loved you, but whether they ever noticed how much you loved them, how much patience you offered, how many small things you remembered, or how often you chose to stay when leaving might have been easier. There is a particular loneliness in that question because it rarely arrives at a dramatic moment. More often, it finds you while you are doing something completely ordinary. Yo...
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Tantra by Adi


Tantra by Adi
For years vampire stuff has been a successful ingredient for many bestsellers in the developed world. Many authors have achieved fame and recognition on this genre. But all that has been in the Americas and the European countries. Tantra by Adi, is a great effort in using the fascination with vampires in an Indian landscape. Not a simple task, but Adi has done a great job with it.
The chief protagonist of this story is Anu Aggarwal, who battles vampires for a living. Her personal reasons (mysterious death of a closed one) makes Anu leave New York for New Delhi.  In Delhi reside answers to her questions about her boyfriend’s death. India is by no means easy for Anu to adapt in.  She likes to wear leather which is impossible to wear in the New Delhi heat. Used to slaying deadly vampires in States, here she finds a comfortable relationship between the Guardians and the Vampires.
This is the point where the story takes an unexpected turn. For India is home to more than one supernatural power.  Someone is kidnapping children and using their spirit and blood to harness power and limitless energy (how many stories have we watched and read that ultimately lead to a quest for unlimited power? I guess just too many). To stop this Anu has to step out of her comfort zone. She probably has to work with the vampires, things she used to eliminate at sight. She also needs to up the ante, increase her own prowess for all the years of her training have not taught her to play this war.

Now that might be difficult for our heroine here but not as difficult as her personal life. In India she is staying with her aunt, who is hell bent on marrying her off to a nice groom. As Anu feels the heat of the spotlight she is on in a war between the deadly supernatural forces in the city, she is pushed around by her aunt for hunting prospective grooms. 

On the sidelines we have interesting characters like Amit Sethi. Amit is a Guardian in New Delhi who looks forward to a comfortable family life running the family business, having wife and kids like a normal guy. Instead he goes night after night chasing vampires and stuff. Chandra is the head of the Panch (An association of the vampires) who has a firm command and respect of all supernatural forces in the city.
All in all, Tantra by Adi is a good piece of fiction. It has fantasy, thrill and is packed with adventure. Although such stories get predictable by the time you reach the middle of it, Tantra holds you on till the very end.  The narrative is quick and fast not allowing you to move away from the story for a long time. Chances are, you will be finishing this book in a single take.
This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at http://www.blogadda.com. Participate now to get free books!
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