Book Review- Checkmate by Varun Tejwani

Book Details-
Book Name- Checkmate
Author- Varun Tejwani
Genre- Thriller/Fiction
Format- Kindle
Pages-

Blurb- The year is 2020.

While New Delhi deliberates on commensurate retaliation to Beijing’s actions, a series of events across the globe pushes the world to the brink of war.

A high-profile assassination in Israel stirs up emotions in the Middle East, and the Arab armies form an alliance united by the rallying calls of jihad: to conquer the holy land, once again. 

The public execution of a CIA agent in North Korea brings the gargantuan navies of US and China to a terrifying stalemate in the Sea of Japan, while the world watches in horror as hopes for human survival and global markets dwindle into oblivion. 

Amidst all this, Lama, the influential leader of Tibet, finds himself in a political pickle, and sways towards Beijing, the mightier side, in the event of an Indo-China conflict. So does Pakistan, China’s all weather friend.

With the possibility of war on both fronts, as the struggle for dominance on Tibet brings the dragon to India’s doorstep, the tiger prepares for yet another showdown with the dragon. 

Six decades after the Indo-China war of 1962, will the tiger be able to turn the tide and douse the dragon’s fire? 

Who shall fire the first shot and who is actually calling the shots? Only time will tell. 

Witness a tale untold and immerse yourself in a world of moves and countermoves, where there’s no distinction between black and white. Where every piece has a role to play but their loyalties are not a function of their colour. Where the only thing that truly matters is who gets to call CHECKMATE.

Review- Checkmate is brilliant novel by Varun Tejwani. This book is sequel to The Last Chai. Varun, with this book brings the sheer brilliance of The Last Chai and put-forwards the story with touch of thriller, war, vision 2020, inter-national conflicts.

Book Cover and Title- Book Cover is appropriate with the content. However, it could be made more attractive. Title is appropriate with the book and creates suspense. Blurb is interesting and attracts readers.

Language and Narration- Language of the book is lucid and rich in vocabulary. Narration is decent and is done in third person narrative. Dialogs are crisp and short. However, there are some editing errors in the book which could be improved in the next edition.

Characterization- Characters are justified properly with more or less depth given to every characters which helps to make this story complex, interesting.

Storyline and Plot- Storyline of the book is interesting with lots of twists and turns throughout the book to keep readers interested in the book. All the scenes are rightly places with exiting and fast paced story.

Plot construction is commendable. Varun Tejwani beautifully merges the relatable characters and the story.

I loved how brilliantly and smoothly author handled the change of themes throughout the book.

Ratings-
Book Cover and Title- 3/5
Language and Narration- 3/5
Characterization- 4/5 
Storyline and Plot- 3.5/5

Final Rating- 3.5/5

Overall, Checkmate is a fast paced, interesting and gripping rollercoaster ride of Thriller and War. Readers who are into thriller fictions should read this one.