SALUTE the Souls | Dr. Kumar R. Bhushan & Arya Bhushan | Book Review
SALUTE the Souls by Dr. Kumar R. Bhushan and Arya Bhushan is their latest novel with themes of communal harmony and patriotism. A book that reads like a high octane Bollywood patriotic action movie with danger, thrill, die-hard love for one’s country, and romance, this book that I was fortunate enough to read. So, read the book summary, book genre, reading age, and book review by Njkinny of SALUTE the Souls by Dr. Kumar R. Bhushan and Arya Bhushan in this post below.
About SALUTE the Souls by Dr. Kumar R. Bhushan & Arya Bhushan:
SALUTE the Souls by Dr. Kumar R. Bhushan & Arya Bhushan Book Summary:
An intricate tale of love, sacrifice, and suspense unfolds as lives intertwine across time, from a humble village to the frontlines of national duty. Amid communal strife, forbidden romance, and a pulse-pounding mission to stop a terrorist kingpin, the story unravels mysteries of identity, loyalty, and redemption. With every twist, readers are drawn deeper into a world where courage faces off against societal norms, and the price of heroism hangs in the balance.
So, join our heroes as they face danger on their path of duty and love for their country.
SALUTE the Souls by Dr. Kumar R. Bhushan & Arya Bhushan Book Review:
I picked this book up to read almost blind due to several factors that I will discuss in this review below. But, after reading it I am glad I gave it a chance. So. here goes my critique about this newly released novel that is the debut story of the authors.
Things I liked:
Realistic and Engrossing World Building:
The first thing that impressed me about this book were the vivid descriptions of scenes. Right from the introduction scene of a young mother and her son travelling on a rickshaw on a deserted and foggy road to the easy interest the author managed to garner as the son kept asking his mother the purpose of their visit to this unknown place while she kept deflecting him, is so vibrantly realistic that it felt like everything was happening in real time. I could feel the eerie and atmospheric settings as if I was present right alongside the mother-son duo.
All through the book, the world that the authors created feels so real and will make you a part of it. So, it felt like a virtual adventure right from the comfort of my home.
Interesting Plot that felt like experiencing the thrill of my favourite Bollywood Patriotic Action Movie:
The storyline is engaging that will suck you right into all the action and intrigue. It also felt like a patriotic Bollywood style action romantic movie with diligent and die-hard loyalist heroes, sacrificing yet strong heroines, a respectable guiding father figure, and ruthless terrorists hell-bent on spreading terror. Amidst all the danger there is also romance, an identity quest, and a redemption angle that further raises the excitement index.
So, I kept thinking about several of my favourite Bollywood movies like “Veer-Zara”, “Gadar”, “URI” as I read through this hooking story that can easily become a movie.
Soulful and melodious playlist that complements the story.
To add more soul to the story, this book comes with a curated songs playlist that are sung by famous Bollywood Playback Singers like Kumar Sanu. So, as I read the story I also listened to the songs that made the whole reading journey more engaging.
Poignant and inspiring Social and communal messages:
I was impressed by the emotional poignancy that the authors managed to evoke through their writing. The depictions of challenges faced by common people in their lives like for a single father, a couple in an inter religion relationship , and more are captured so beautifully. They will leave you with much food for thought.
Things that could be better:
Book Title, Cover, and Blurb:
The first things that any reader looks at while deciding on a book to read are 1) Book Cover 2) Book Title 3) Book Blurb. And this book failed to capitalise on these initial deciding factors.
- The book title is ambiguous and doesn’t give any indication of what type of story is contained within.
- Then the book cover is not eye catching and confusing. It again doesn’t give any indication of what type of story it contains. The photos of singers on the cover makes this book seem more like a music album rather than a fictional story.
- Also the Book Blurb confused me. A little more intrigue in the blurb would have made a big difference.
Lack of dialogues, and meandering storytelling.
Another issue was the lack of dialogue. The story felt like it was being narrated to me rather than unfolding naturally through character interactions. It was almost like listening to an essay instead of reading a novel. The timeline shifts were also confusing at times, making it hard to keep track of which character or event was in focus.
Narration felt a bit forced at places.
Finally, while the narration was mostly engaging, it felt a bit forced in places. Conversations didn’t always feel real, and I think the characters and situations could have been developed more to create a stronger connection.
Conclusion:
All in all, SALUTE the Souls by Dr. Kumar R. Bhushan and Arya Bhushan is a decent attempt. It is a book that inspires love for our country, and takes readers on a thrilling ride of love, sacrifice, and danger. With simple language, and melodious songs to complement this patriotic story, readers especially new readers will enjoy this book. Had the storytelling been “show more” rather than “tell more” then it would have been an even better reading experience. However, for now it is a one time read that had so much potential.
Overall, while the book had its flaws, I’m still glad I gave it a chance. The strong world-building, engaging plot, and emotional depth made it a memorable read, even if it could use some polish. So, 3 out of 5 stars to it and Njkinny recommends this patriotic thriller to all readers interested in spy stories, patriotic stories, terrorist themed thrillers, and conspiracy thrillers.
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