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Powerplay
One man. One team. One game. Or not?
A shark at a consulting firm smells blood and circles in for the kill. His name: Vivek Grewal. His mission: to orchestrate an acquisition nobody saw coming. His target: a faltering IGL team.
An introverted, idealistic employee with a no-nonsense attitude finds herself in troubled waters. Her name: Keya Singhal. Her desire: to fight for what is rightfully hers. Her aggressor: Vivek Grewal.
Adding to the mix are two powerhouses: a billionaire investor and the IGL team’s captain.
What happens when their worlds collide? Are things the way they seem to be or is there something sinister underfoot?
From the author of 'Live from London' comes this heady cocktail of raw ambition, unwavering ideals, vengeful betrayal, consuming love, and notorious scandals.
Once the lights go out in the stadium, which game kicks off behind the scenes? Amidst the corporate drama and a rickety romance, who will stand to lose it all and who will emerge unbeaten?
A shark at a consulting firm smells blood and circles in for the kill. His name: Vivek Grewal. His mission: to orchestrate an acquisition nobody saw coming. His target: a faltering IGL team.
An introverted, idealistic employee with a no-nonsense attitude finds herself in troubled waters. Her name: Keya Singhal. Her desire: to fight for what is rightfully hers. Her aggressor: Vivek Grewal.
Adding to the mix are two powerhouses: a billionaire investor and the IGL team’s captain.
What happens when their worlds collide? Are things the way they seem to be or is there something sinister underfoot?
From the author of 'Live from London' comes this heady cocktail of raw ambition, unwavering ideals, vengeful betrayal, consuming love, and notorious scandals.
Once the lights go out in the stadium, which game kicks off behind the scenes? Amidst the corporate drama and a rickety romance, who will stand to lose it all and who will emerge unbeaten?
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Parinda Joshi
8 books22 followersParinda Joshi is the author of four novels: Live From London, Powerplay, Made in China and A House full of Men.
Made in China is now a major motion picture by Maddock Films starring Rajkummar Rao and Boman Irani .
Instagram: @parindajoshi
Website: parindajoshi.com
Made in China is now a major motion picture by Maddock Films starring Rajkummar Rao and Boman Irani .
Instagram: @parindajoshi
Website: parindajoshi.com
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 3, 2013
Parinda Joshi is a fellow author and it is always a tough thing to judge your peer's work. While this might seem like the cliched 'mutual admiration society', but it is far from it.
We end up saying things like 'this novel rocks' for a lot of books, but if there ever was a book it fits aptly, POWERPLAY would be the one. Parinda's greatest strength, and there are many to choose from, is her ability to write great dialogues. I have forever admired writers who can write dialogue that crackles - Elmore Leonard, Nick Hornby, Barbara Kingsolver, the author of Parinda's favorite book - Anne Tyler, and now I need to add Parinda Joshi to that list.
It has everything that makes a story you can't let go.
- A protagonist who journeys physically, emotionally and spiritually through the length of the novel. Vivek Grewal doesn't win you over when the story kicks off. But slowly and gradually Parinda peels layers off him, bares his soul to us and finally achieves what many mainstream novels fail to - a spiritual transformation of the protagonist
- A very 'current' plot. I don't think there are too many books in IWE (Indian writing in English) that tackle the kind of plot Parinda has. It is a big risk, because it has all the danger of becoming convoluted. Investment banking, corporate intrigue and sports is a heady mix. But Parinda deftly makes you comfortable with all these different dimensions.
- And yes, at its heart, there is also a tender love story, which isn't force fitted into the overall plot. This relationship, between the two protagonists, is the bedrock of the novel, and it is a strong, emotionally investing platform.
Parinda's writing is fluid, sometimes exuberantly descriptive, but always endearing. And she has the ability that many writers don't - the ability to grab hold of a reader's attention relentlessly.
I believe in Goodreads ratings. And when I give this book 4 STARS it means I really really liked it a lot.
We end up saying things like 'this novel rocks' for a lot of books, but if there ever was a book it fits aptly, POWERPLAY would be the one. Parinda's greatest strength, and there are many to choose from, is her ability to write great dialogues. I have forever admired writers who can write dialogue that crackles - Elmore Leonard, Nick Hornby, Barbara Kingsolver, the author of Parinda's favorite book - Anne Tyler, and now I need to add Parinda Joshi to that list.
It has everything that makes a story you can't let go.
- A protagonist who journeys physically, emotionally and spiritually through the length of the novel. Vivek Grewal doesn't win you over when the story kicks off. But slowly and gradually Parinda peels layers off him, bares his soul to us and finally achieves what many mainstream novels fail to - a spiritual transformation of the protagonist
- A very 'current' plot. I don't think there are too many books in IWE (Indian writing in English) that tackle the kind of plot Parinda has. It is a big risk, because it has all the danger of becoming convoluted. Investment banking, corporate intrigue and sports is a heady mix. But Parinda deftly makes you comfortable with all these different dimensions.
- And yes, at its heart, there is also a tender love story, which isn't force fitted into the overall plot. This relationship, between the two protagonists, is the bedrock of the novel, and it is a strong, emotionally investing platform.
Parinda's writing is fluid, sometimes exuberantly descriptive, but always endearing. And she has the ability that many writers don't - the ability to grab hold of a reader's attention relentlessly.
I believe in Goodreads ratings. And when I give this book 4 STARS it means I really really liked it a lot.
June 25, 2013
A fun-filled one-sitting novel. This just pulls you in through the sheer energy of its characters and storyline.
Cricket. Romance. Power games. This has it all. IF there's one novel you'd like to curl up with on a lazy Sunday afternoon, make sure it's this.
Parinda has done a magnificent job indeed. I don't like to take names or give away the plot (a review is not meant to do what the book eventually will); so I'd prefer to keep mine generic.
Normally, when you pick up a dudelit-cum-chicklit, you'd expect an overdose of profanities, cliches and banal digressions. You will find none of the former in Powerplay. This is perhaps the best novel in this genre that I have read in a long long time.
The protagonist, a power-hungry workaholic, a control freak who's used to always winning or having the last word gets involved in a Merger & Acquisition -cum- romance melodrama...
The sub-events that establish much of the characterisation of both the protagonist and his love interest do not seem prosaic or needless, thanks to Parinda's story-unfolding flair. This is where the author really scores. In this era of trite bestsellers, one is tempted to edit out certain scenes, to make it a Size Zero book. But they haven't. That's the beauty. It respects the intelligence of the reader, and you're left asking for more...
If a sequel is in the offing, perhaps titled Domestic Powerplay, it will be the icing on the cake.
Well done, Parnda Joshi & Fingerprint! Publishing - you guys brought the backroom excitement of India's cricket league alive in print format. Looking forward to more such from your stable.
Cricket. Romance. Power games. This has it all. IF there's one novel you'd like to curl up with on a lazy Sunday afternoon, make sure it's this.
Parinda has done a magnificent job indeed. I don't like to take names or give away the plot (a review is not meant to do what the book eventually will); so I'd prefer to keep mine generic.
Normally, when you pick up a dudelit-cum-chicklit, you'd expect an overdose of profanities, cliches and banal digressions. You will find none of the former in Powerplay. This is perhaps the best novel in this genre that I have read in a long long time.
The protagonist, a power-hungry workaholic, a control freak who's used to always winning or having the last word gets involved in a Merger & Acquisition -cum- romance melodrama...
The sub-events that establish much of the characterisation of both the protagonist and his love interest do not seem prosaic or needless, thanks to Parinda's story-unfolding flair. This is where the author really scores. In this era of trite bestsellers, one is tempted to edit out certain scenes, to make it a Size Zero book. But they haven't. That's the beauty. It respects the intelligence of the reader, and you're left asking for more...
If a sequel is in the offing, perhaps titled Domestic Powerplay, it will be the icing on the cake.
Well done, Parnda Joshi & Fingerprint! Publishing - you guys brought the backroom excitement of India's cricket league alive in print format. Looking forward to more such from your stable.
June 29, 2013
From the beginning itself the creativity in the way chapters are numbered brings a smile on your face.
What an amazing read. The book gives you an insight into the corporate dealings involved in Merger & Acquisitions with the background of the Cricket IPL format & a captivating love story. It has a gripping wordplay, brilliant build ups which keep the suspense peaking & revealing in cycles (I was even happily surprised by the Chapter numbers at the end), some great twists, nice entries of characters. The humour is clever & the nok jhonk of Keya & Vivek is interesting.
Scarlette, Kourosh, Radhika , Krishnan & Mr LHF provide a good support framework for the story.
In total a very nice one sitting read...Interest never dips and the book leaves you craving for more & in love with Vivek & Keya..The book also takes a stand on the Ethics of the Capitalist version of the game. One of its kind book in the segment of books for the masses. You end up more educated, more aware, more refreshed at the end of the book.
What an amazing read. The book gives you an insight into the corporate dealings involved in Merger & Acquisitions with the background of the Cricket IPL format & a captivating love story. It has a gripping wordplay, brilliant build ups which keep the suspense peaking & revealing in cycles (I was even happily surprised by the Chapter numbers at the end), some great twists, nice entries of characters. The humour is clever & the nok jhonk of Keya & Vivek is interesting.
Scarlette, Kourosh, Radhika , Krishnan & Mr LHF provide a good support framework for the story.
In total a very nice one sitting read...Interest never dips and the book leaves you craving for more & in love with Vivek & Keya..The book also takes a stand on the Ethics of the Capitalist version of the game. One of its kind book in the segment of books for the masses. You end up more educated, more aware, more refreshed at the end of the book.
July 7, 2013
PowerPlay opens with introducing the readers to Vivek Garewal , the youngest and most successful VP of a consulting firm that specializes is acquisition services to various businessmen and industries. Vivek had always wanted to work in sports and finally sees an opportunity with a poor performing IGL team that needs lot of help if it has to regain its fans and recover losses too. Keya is a part of the marketing team for IGL and as stars would have intended , her paths cross with Vivek but not in a friendly way. A lot of twist and some orchestrated events later , they begin seeing each other for reasons other than work.Controlling the moves in the firm is the new owner Harsh and a lot of characters that hold the cards to the fate of this deal and people involved with the team, none of whom looks out of place or wasted one bit.
The narration of the book is even paced , sounds true for each event and the plot neither is too simple , nor too complex for a reader. The book gives you a good picture of the "games" that are played in boardrooms and the look of it from different angles , as seen by different players in there. How every one plays with his own rules and for different reasons , fitting all of it into one performing model is something that can keep any one on the edge.
What i felt missing in the book was the clarity between Keya and Vivek's relation. It was clear that both being from different worlds , having different views and habits would have issues being together but the issues were never given a good base or closure. There were times I felt there could have been another conversation or another few lines about their feelings.
Keeping that aside ( since it doesn't take much pages ) , Powerplay is an engaging read. A satisfying story with a genuine plot and a well written story.
The narration of the book is even paced , sounds true for each event and the plot neither is too simple , nor too complex for a reader. The book gives you a good picture of the "games" that are played in boardrooms and the look of it from different angles , as seen by different players in there. How every one plays with his own rules and for different reasons , fitting all of it into one performing model is something that can keep any one on the edge.
What i felt missing in the book was the clarity between Keya and Vivek's relation. It was clear that both being from different worlds , having different views and habits would have issues being together but the issues were never given a good base or closure. There were times I felt there could have been another conversation or another few lines about their feelings.
Keeping that aside ( since it doesn't take much pages ) , Powerplay is an engaging read. A satisfying story with a genuine plot and a well written story.
April 15, 2020
A book that showed promise while starting, but then got caught it its own potential. Want started as a corporate acquisition, spun to a saga of romance, then of betrayal, and then of heartbreak. And suddenly, all gets solved in a few pages. Thats why endings are important. A book with a good theme, should have stuck with one premise.
September 3, 2013
Really pleasantly surprised to have come across this corporate thriller titled 'Powerplay.' It came across as a fresh change from the book I have read recently. Being a modern working girl, I could so relate to Keya Singhal, a like minded go getter woman who works under the Marketing department of an IGL team, Ahmedabad Rangers. It is the same team her nemesis and potential boyfriend material, Vivek Grewal will come to handle the acquisition of for one of his friends.
The primary characters are really well sketched. Vivek's frustration and obsession with Ahmedabad Rangers is accounted for right since the beginning and so is Keya's hoot to nothing attitude. Both these traits form important benchmarks as the story progress.However, the secondary characters like Harsh, the potential billionaire acquirer of the team and the IGL team captain Jango who decides to make a shift midway and complicate the acquisition process, could have been better sketched. The author could have given us some more insight into their minds to determine why they are doing what they are doing a little more clearly. Yes, on a broader perspective though, it all fits in. Rosh, who's Key'a s friend is another cute character!
It's a little bulky book but once I started reading it, I was totally into it! Definitely a new take on the murky politics that go inside the cricket and corporate world. Five stars given for this!
The primary characters are really well sketched. Vivek's frustration and obsession with Ahmedabad Rangers is accounted for right since the beginning and so is Keya's hoot to nothing attitude. Both these traits form important benchmarks as the story progress.However, the secondary characters like Harsh, the potential billionaire acquirer of the team and the IGL team captain Jango who decides to make a shift midway and complicate the acquisition process, could have been better sketched. The author could have given us some more insight into their minds to determine why they are doing what they are doing a little more clearly. Yes, on a broader perspective though, it all fits in. Rosh, who's Key'a s friend is another cute character!
It's a little bulky book but once I started reading it, I was totally into it! Definitely a new take on the murky politics that go inside the cricket and corporate world. Five stars given for this!
June 11, 2013
Phew that was something by the author. If I start talking about the book it'll take me ages to describe it.
But i'll try my best to put it in words here. I'll be completely honest with my review. The novel moved at a snail's pace in the first half. The hype, the drama, the detailing, mergers, acquisition and love everything was happening and it was like just another story for me.
Some suspicions were there while reading it that something might happen suddenly were not coming true. But after a long wait finally there was a twist and it certainly gave the book a befitting end.
While I was reading it I had made up my mind I wont give it more than 3 stars because nothing extraordinary happened during the first half of the book. But in the end the author managed to pull off a surprise out of the bag and then it made the things little interesting.
I think it was a little late for the twist. It could have been introduced a little earlier.
But all in all a very well put up novel revolving around cricket and dirty politics. Some office conversations have been written very well. I thought the love angle needed a little bit of trim given the theme of the book.
But all in all Vivek, Harsh and few other Characters put together make it an interesting read.
Kudos for the efforts!! :) :)
But i'll try my best to put it in words here. I'll be completely honest with my review. The novel moved at a snail's pace in the first half. The hype, the drama, the detailing, mergers, acquisition and love everything was happening and it was like just another story for me.
Some suspicions were there while reading it that something might happen suddenly were not coming true. But after a long wait finally there was a twist and it certainly gave the book a befitting end.
While I was reading it I had made up my mind I wont give it more than 3 stars because nothing extraordinary happened during the first half of the book. But in the end the author managed to pull off a surprise out of the bag and then it made the things little interesting.
I think it was a little late for the twist. It could have been introduced a little earlier.
But all in all a very well put up novel revolving around cricket and dirty politics. Some office conversations have been written very well. I thought the love angle needed a little bit of trim given the theme of the book.
But all in all Vivek, Harsh and few other Characters put together make it an interesting read.
Kudos for the efforts!! :) :)
August 26, 2013
First Impression about Powerplay-> another writer trying to piggyback on all the IPL drama- fixing, sex, drugs, etc. but it turns out that I was mistaken.
The cricket part is not the story but the story actually lies in the corporate environment surrounding it. And that's what makes it all the more exciting!
There is the lead guy, Vivek Grewal, a young and powerful senior manager of a corporate house who sees potential in an underperforming IGL team and decides to buy it over through an investor friend. Here he meets Keya, a suave lady who is the marketing manager of the team. They initially don't bond together and veins burst on both heads before they start seeing each other as a power couple.
The book is not exactly a simple read but not much complex either. I liked the way the author has stuck to simple narration. We get a good insight into the Indian 'Games' League as to what kind of games are actually played all around. The book is a bit unpredictable and not at all cliched. Pretty impressed and now I'm going to read the author's first book. Read this one if you're bored with all the chic-lit and dude-lit stuff. It's a good change.
The cricket part is not the story but the story actually lies in the corporate environment surrounding it. And that's what makes it all the more exciting!
There is the lead guy, Vivek Grewal, a young and powerful senior manager of a corporate house who sees potential in an underperforming IGL team and decides to buy it over through an investor friend. Here he meets Keya, a suave lady who is the marketing manager of the team. They initially don't bond together and veins burst on both heads before they start seeing each other as a power couple.
The book is not exactly a simple read but not much complex either. I liked the way the author has stuck to simple narration. We get a good insight into the Indian 'Games' League as to what kind of games are actually played all around. The book is a bit unpredictable and not at all cliched. Pretty impressed and now I'm going to read the author's first book. Read this one if you're bored with all the chic-lit and dude-lit stuff. It's a good change.
August 28, 2013
I wasn't impressed by Parinda Joshi's first book titled 'Live from London' but somehow Parinda managed to change my perception of her writing through her second one. 'Powerplay: The Game is On' sees a big honcho, Vivek Grewal, a typical snobby industrialist kind of guy work his way around the money and politics to acquire an IGL (IPL?) team, Ahmedabad Rangers. He faces some trouble from Keya Singhal, an employee in the management of the same faltering IGL team.
Keya is a no-nonsense woman and wants to acquire what is rightfully hers while Vivek wouldn't have none of it. Primary characters in this book are totally realistic while secondary characters like the team captain, venture capitalists, etc. also drew notable admiration from me.
Set in Ahmedabad with modern characters and a vivid style of writing, Powerplay is a power packed book right from page one. It identifies with the career hungry and ambitious youngsters of today and being one myself, I could totally relate to it. The only disappointment was that the book dragged in some point, esp. during the conflict of the takeover in the middle. But all in all, it's a perfect read! Don't miss it!
Keya is a no-nonsense woman and wants to acquire what is rightfully hers while Vivek wouldn't have none of it. Primary characters in this book are totally realistic while secondary characters like the team captain, venture capitalists, etc. also drew notable admiration from me.
Set in Ahmedabad with modern characters and a vivid style of writing, Powerplay is a power packed book right from page one. It identifies with the career hungry and ambitious youngsters of today and being one myself, I could totally relate to it. The only disappointment was that the book dragged in some point, esp. during the conflict of the takeover in the middle. But all in all, it's a perfect read! Don't miss it!
July 12, 2013
Breezy. Non-typical read for me but have to admit that I enjoyed this book a bit until the second act where the book/thread-bare plot gets bungled up in a bid to play up the stake and pitch up the conflict. but zany crisp dialogs and two extremely interesting characters who drive pretty the entire story forwards - was a fun romp in the corporate corridors. It's witty, it's intense (for a while at least) and it's got a signature style to the writing. the craft is top-notch, especially the wit and the dialogs, however the plot is a bit of a let down.
Review to be up on http://VaultofBooks.com
Review to be up on http://VaultofBooks.com
August 25, 2013
As combination of ambition, ideals, betrayal, romance and scandals give shape to PowerPlay, Parinda Joshi elegantly merges Cricket and the Corporate. Although the initial few pages may read a bit slow, the fast paced engaging narrative style grips the reader from then onward.
Read the complete review of PowerPlay at
http://www.thebookoutline.com/2013/08...
Read the complete review of PowerPlay at
http://www.thebookoutline.com/2013/08...
October 28, 2013
Keya Singhal has to be the absolute perfect character depiction of a modern day girl. Loved her to the core! I would really love to see a movie adaptation of this book. All the IPL hype, the scams, love, fights and suspense- this one book has it all. Enjoyed reading it!
December 23, 2013
Decent enough if there is nothing else to read. The situations, dialogue etc. sounds very artificial and not believable at all. Some scenes and incidents made no sense whatsoever.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews