Book Review: "Waves in the Sky" by Rakhi Jayashankar

There is an unparalleled sense of excitement in being granted the opportunity to witness a movie's premiere or delve into the pages of a novel before its official release. Just last week, I found myself holding a novel in my hands, savoring the unique privilege of experiencing its story before it was unveiled to the world.

Hooray…☻ ☻ 

Book Review: "Waves in the Sky" by Rakhi Jayashankar

"Waves in the Sky" by Rakhi Jayashankar is a captivating novel that introduces us to the blossoming talent of a writer, blogger, and critic. Rakhi's imaginative storytelling dances gracefully through the pages, leaving a fresh and unique impression on readers.

Debut authors often bring a certain freshness and surprise to their stories, and this novel is no exception. With the added advantage of the author's background as a blogger, the book promises to be a worthwhile read.

The success of a book often hinges on how effectively the author hooks the reader from the beginning, and Rakhi's accomplishes this. From the Author's note onwards, she maintains a captivating tone, ensuring that the narrative remains engaging throughout.

Initially planning to read the book over the weekend due to weekday commitments, I was drawn in from the prologue itself. Once I started reading, I found it difficult to put the novel down. Reading this kind of book comes with its disadvantages—you forget about meals, restroom breaks, and even sleep. Sometimes, a book needs to have a few boring moments to provide a natural pause or opportunity to rest. However, "Waves in the Sky" doesn't offer such moments, keeping readers completely engrossed.

Now, let's discuss the plot. Spoiler alert! The novel begins with a sense of anguish, but with each line, the anger begins to take on a purpose. By the end of the first paragraph, readers will find themselves admiring the confidence of the character Swathy. The prologue sets the stage for further exploration. Charu's character is well-portrayed, showcasing her compassion towards friends and her emotional struggles with her busy parents. The canaries in the story hold an interesting reason behind their names, an aspect worth discovering while reading. Each canary is unique and effectively portrayed. Avantika, who strategically chooses her friends based on their appearance to divert boys' attention, adds another layer of complexity. The story weaves through the lives of six canaries: Charu, Ananya, Neha, Avantika, Raihana, and Yami, connecting the dots in a satisfying manner.

Reflecting on the Author's note, where Jayashankar shares, "I started this book as a simple contemporary fiction. After writing the first two chapters, someone held my hands and made me write more and more," it becomes clear how the author's readers played a significant role in shaping the novel. This transformation from an article to a full-fledged novel is reminiscent of the author's previous work, "Touch of Mist," where reader motivation led to its expansion.

Now, let's explore the pros and cons of "Waves in the Sky" from my perspective.

Pros:

1. The novel is less than 200 pages, making it an easy and quick read.

2. The language is simple yet well-crafted, with effective use of vocabulary.

Cons:

1. At times, certain scenes feel slightly reminiscent of Bollywood films. For example, Neha winning first prize in multiple music competitions (light music, Carnatic music, Western music, group song, patriotic group song, and national anthem) may stretch the bounds of plausibility. While the novel transports readers back to school days and immerses them in the characters' experiences, these exaggerated incidents can feel jarring.

However, it's important to note that such filmy scenes are acceptable in a work of fiction, adding to the overall interest and entertainment value of the story.

In conclusion, "Waves in the Sky" is a good read filled with twists and intriguing scenes. With its engaging narrative, this novel showcases Rakhi Jayashankar's talent

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Send an e-mail to deepika.tester@gmail.com with the subject "Request for Book Review" and I am happy to do it. Currently I am not accepting any e-copies to review.