Book review : NeverEnd by Blake Rudman

 

NeverEnd 
by 
Blake Rudman
HellBound Books, 2025
Genre: Fiction 


I have read many novels but the prologue of this one was so shocking that it pulls the reader in and keeps them reading the book. Nothing is predictable as all of it comes as a surprise. 

Dr. Jon Edom leaves a medical conference on the relation between violence in society and addictive online gaming  only to reach home to find his wife Rochelle and his two young sons, Luke and Paul  have disappeared into thin air. When he files the complaint, the police suspect Jon though he was miles away during the disappearance. That there are no corpses is puzzling. Step in Rochelle's family who run a cult thanks to Rochelle programming a violent addictive game which brings them loads of money. Then there are the  enemies of the cult, and with biblical references, you are in for a ride. 

An addictive role playing game. This book reminded me of "Blue Whale" game which made adults do crazy things in real life until it was banned by multiple governments. It also shows the danger of priming in the police department that destroys objective investigation. Priming is  a social psychological term which means focusing on something/someone because that is what has been made prominent. But is the story just about that, absolutely not.

Rudman gives a masterclass in writing - how to create tension and terror with simple characterization. He creates chaos without usual terror tricks like spirits and gore as the reader is pulled into the story with its ever increasing tension. As a reader, you know something is off  from the beginning but you are not left to ponder what it could be as the next piece of chaos is thrown in. You watch characters unravel at a speed that leaves you dazed and the end is a zinger, though it is not the end. The writing is so crisp and visual that you feel you are seated next to Dr. Jon Edom. 

If you are in the mood for a dark thriller page turner, this book would be it.

You can buy the book here  on Amazon 

Book Review : Queen of Mahishmathi - Book 3 - Bahubali - Before the Beginning

 

Queen of Mahishmathi
by Anand Neelakantan
Genre: Fiction

"Politics is about mining religion and selling what is holy, son"

This is the final book of the trilogy Bahubali - Before the Beginning. It neatly ties all the loose ends and makes the story of the two part blockbuster movie Bahubali sensible. I wish the books by Neelakantan in this series had also been made into movies. This is the much needed back story for any Bahubali fans to understand the characters and their motivations.

Sivagami loves Mahadeva but why does she marry his brother, Bjjaladeva? Why does she treat Bahubali, the son of Mahadeva on par with her own son Balladeva? Why do the Kalakeyas attack Mahishmathi? How does Sivagami end up as the Queen of Mahishmthi whose word is revered by all? Why is Bijaladeva not the king but just the husband of Sivagami, the queen?  

Neelakantan spins a fascinating story that crisscrosses the story of three women - Chitraveni, Achi Nagamma and Sivagami, their strategies and their love for their respective people. Chitraveni who would do anything for her daughter and the matriarchal system, Achi Nagamma who would do anything to preserve nature and Sivagami who rises from an orphan to become the queen of  Mahishmathi. In telling their stories, we also learn about the people they rule over - poor who opt to become soldiers to save their family, young women who would do anything to save their children and people who consciously opt to save nature from the greed of mankind.  During the Covid times, it makes one pause and think about  the destruction humans have let loose in the name of development and globalisation. It also gives us hope that we can change the wave of destruction if we think about all this rationally and work together.

The writing is sharp and just when you think you know what is going to happen, the author surprises you. The book is a page turner. It covers multiple themes in politics, economics, greed, rage, cultural hegemony and life in general. Makes you wonder if the only decent politicians are women and men are mining everything from religion to hunger in politics.

If you would like to read the book, buy it here