Durga in Nigeria by Piyush Mahiskey is a deeply atmospheric novel that explores distance, duty, and emotional displacement with quiet intensity. At its core, the story follows Anant Joshi, a middle class Indian man whose professional obligation pulls him away from his family and into an unfamiliar Nigerian landscape. What begins as a routine on site assignment slowly unfolds into an introspective journey about love, identity, and the subtle costs of ambition. Mahiskey’s strength lies in his attention to emotional detail. The separation between Anant and his wife Roshni is not dramatic but aching, filled with unspoken fears, rituals of care, and the loneliness that settles into everyday life. Their bond feels lived in, shaped by shared history rather than grand declarations. Nigeria, meanwhile, is portrayed not as a backdrop but as a presence, foreign yet transformative, pushing Anant to confront parts of himself he had long ignored. The introduction of Saani adds another e...
Positively Radiant by Katie Roberts is an emotional, slow burning descent into fear, courage, and unexpected connection. The story opens with Elle’s lingering grief for her father and the fragile hope she still tries to hold on to. That quiet sadness makes the shock of her abduction even more jarring, and the shift from everyday teenage life to the terror of the Labyrinth is written with gripping intensity. What makes the book stand out is the humanity threaded through the darkness. Inside the cells, Elle’s fear is met with the strength of others who have endured far longer than she has. Bonnie’s fierce protectiveness, Lewis’s innocence in the middle of trauma, and Jaden’s calm steadiness create a found family that feels authentic and deeply moving. Their conversations, shared pain, and small moments of comfort form the emotional backbone of the story. Katie Roberts balances suspense with heart. The scenes of forced labor, the chilling authority of the warden, and the cons...