The Puppeteers of Palem (Book Review) & Giveaway
The Puppeteers of Palem is a Paranormal Horror Mystery novel written by Sharath Komarraju and published by Westland. The story is set in a small village along Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh, India.
Five people return to their childhood village after receiving a mysterious letter from an old man who doesn’t remember sending it to them. Who/what made them come, and what does it want from them? Will any of them make out of the village alive, as sins from the past catch up with them in the present? Are people in this village even free to think by themselves?
The Puppeteers of Palem is a very different book. If the mystery keeps you hooked, the vibrant imagery helps you visualize and feel the people and situations, and provides a sensory experience that is memorable. Except for the mind-controlling aspect of this novel (whose logic was incomprehensible at places), I liked it very much.
The author hooks the readers with the upcoming gloom right in the beginning. While the hook worked, I just thought the details of who died and who lived need not have been mentioned right in the beginning. But that would have come at the cost of sacrificing the powerful hook. So it’s a dilemma, actually.
The book starts at a slow pace and continues at a faster pace. But the end, even though we know what’s coming, the story is fast paced and mind blowing. Though we know what is going to happen, we don’t know who is going to do it and why. Some scenes near the end sent a shiver down my spine!
The imagery created by the author is another plus. The detailed scene and character description transport us right into the village. I was able to feel the parched earth and it felt as if I was standing right next to the characters when the events were unfolding.
This book is also a pure (and well-written) mystery that keeps us guessing till the end. If the paranormal aspect of it was omitted (I like to read realistic stories nowadays, not ghost stories!) the book could still have been a solid stand-alone mystery.
Nevertheless, it’s an excellent attempt and I was glad to read something different. Actually, I ‘listened’ to this book using a Text-to-Speech (TTS) app on my Android Tablet called FBReader, as Sharath had sent me the eBook.
You can download the first three chapters of this book from here (pdf). Sharath has his own blog and runs writing contests from time to time. Click here to have a look and follow.
- You can buy this book from Flipkart or Amazon.in in India. (Disclaimer: These are affiliate links and I may get a small commission if you buy the product after clicking on these links. Your price will not change.)
Destination Infinity
Woo…paranormal thriller is it? I never read any paranormal novels till now. All i ever read were murder mysteries , thrillers and some classics. There is a giveaway? Yey..! sounds good.
😀
All the best for the giveaway 🙂
Nowadays, I am liking realistic novels, say like literary fiction/historical fiction more. But it’s good to read in different genres 🙂
Destination Infinity
Sounds good! I use FBReader on my phone. I must explore TTS too.
All the best for the giveaway! Yes, TTS is an excellent option, at least until audio books are priced competitively. FBReader can read the book to you, but I suggest downloading Ivona TTS voice (Amy – UK, Beta) from the play store to get a better experience.
Audio books/Text-to-Speech are a great choice if your eyes are tired of reading or browsing the net.
Destination Infinity
This sounds interesting! Though ghost stories are not my kind, an urge rises to read this book the way u felt reading. I will get it soon.
Wait for the giveaway results for a short time, and then you can buy it. All the best! 🙂
Destination Infinity
sounds like a good thriller
Yes it is. It’s a good mystery too, even though we know what happens right in the beginning.
Destination Infinity
Thanks for sharing the review.
Sure. All the best for the giveaway 🙂
Destination Infinity
Thanks guys, for the interest in the book. And thanks DI for the review. Please let me know who the winner of the giveaway is and I will arrange for a copy of the book to reach that person. I will need full postal details and contact number. Please email those to me.
Thanks once again 🙂
So we decided that Sharath will pick a lucky winner (by lots), and the winner has been selected. It is….
…
…
…
…
…
Shilpa Garg. Congrats Shilpa 😀 You will be receiving a copy of this book shortly 🙂
Dear Sir,
I would like to know one English book name is – The tiger’s Daughter for doing project purpose. Please let us know availability.
Regards,
ramesh