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Help! My Dog Is The Chosen One!
Kunal is forced to adventure…
Because his dog is the Chosen One!
Kunal is just your average guy living on rent in Mumbai, working from home, and suffering from anxiety. His world is turned upside down when his girlfriend asks him to foster a rescued street dog. Despite his qualms, Kunal agrees because ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’
That’s when the extra-dimensional dark lord attacks.
The dog is the only one who can stop the dark lord, but he can’t do it without Kunal’s help. Can Kunal overcome his many anxieties or will our world suffer for eternity?
Because his dog is the Chosen One!
Kunal is just your average guy living on rent in Mumbai, working from home, and suffering from anxiety. His world is turned upside down when his girlfriend asks him to foster a rescued street dog. Despite his qualms, Kunal agrees because ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’
That’s when the extra-dimensional dark lord attacks.
The dog is the only one who can stop the dark lord, but he can’t do it without Kunal’s help. Can Kunal overcome his many anxieties or will our world suffer for eternity?
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2023
About the author
Ronit J.
4 books28 followersGet a FREE copy of Abandoned by the Gods by joining Ronit's mailing list: https://ronitjauthor.com/newsletter/
Ronit J is a fantasy author and indie filmmaker based in Mumbai. He decided to write fantasy books at the age of 11, and at 29 he's finally self-publishing his debut book, Help! My Dog is the Chosen One!
He's a fantasy nerd with big dreams and bigger anxieties, all struggling to make themselves be heard within the existential maelstrom that is his mind.
Ronit J is a fantasy author and indie filmmaker based in Mumbai. He decided to write fantasy books at the age of 11, and at 29 he's finally self-publishing his debut book, Help! My Dog is the Chosen One!
He's a fantasy nerd with big dreams and bigger anxieties, all struggling to make themselves be heard within the existential maelstrom that is his mind.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 30, 2023
This fun little book asks a delightful question: what if your dog was the chosen one?
While I think the book has room for improvement, I did enjoy it. It does a good job as a debut of showing the author's creativity and promise, which can only get stronger from here. I'll be watching to see where he goes next.
The book's depiction of Mumbai is thoughtful and lived-in. It makes me want to learn more so I can understand all the references. Kunal's anxiety is similarly visceral. We get frequent glimpses into his anxious thoughts, and it makes his worries feel real. It does feel, though, that his anxiety only really hit at convenient times. His panic attacks all come during downtime, and I'm not sure it ever gets in his way during all the planning and action. I was shocked when he with barely a twinge of anxiety.
On a similar note, let's talk about the climax.
The book also struggles with depicting emotions. It just lacks subtlety. Often the narration (or even the characters themselves) will tell the readers exactly what the characters are feeling and why. It feels like the author himself is stepping out from the pages to explain instead of letting the character's actions and feelings speak for themselves. Probably the most egregious example to me is, "As curious as he felt, his low self-esteem told him he wasn’t worthy enough to ask for more details" (pg 9). It would have felt much more natural to give us the character's thoughts so we could deduce his low self-esteem for ourselves.
Now, let's hop to a positive. A sense of humor is necessary for a book with a title like this, so I'm happy to report that some lines are genuinely quite funny. My favorite? Legitimately made me laugh. It feels like something a cheap news report would really say.
Speaking of the title, I wish we spent more time with Kunal and Burfi as a pair. Their relationship doesn't feel like the core of the story the way I thought it would. I wanted more a-boy-and-his-magic-dog and less military-shenanigans. We actually spent quite a lot of time with the military. I know this is even more opinion-based than the rest of the review, but that's just not what I'm looking for when I pick up an urban fantasy about a canine chosen one.
My final criticism is one I level at a lot of books, but especially indie books: it needed more editing. It's mostly small things like Kunal talking about how scared he is of dogs, then suddenly dropping 35 pages in that he's always wanted to adopt one. That's about the same time that he acquires a temper that's never acknowledged within the text, despite cropping up in many important scenes. Nothing breaks the book, but another pass with a fine-toothed editing comb would have made the experience smoother.
Now, let's end with some more positives. Guru and Aisha were my favorite characters. I love a I appreciate that we got some fun animal characters, even if
Also, the is unsettling. I am unsettled.
I look forward to whatever the author has planned next.
While I think the book has room for improvement, I did enjoy it. It does a good job as a debut of showing the author's creativity and promise, which can only get stronger from here. I'll be watching to see where he goes next.
The book's depiction of Mumbai is thoughtful and lived-in. It makes me want to learn more so I can understand all the references. Kunal's anxiety is similarly visceral. We get frequent glimpses into his anxious thoughts, and it makes his worries feel real. It does feel, though, that his anxiety only really hit at convenient times. His panic attacks all come during downtime, and I'm not sure it ever gets in his way during all the planning and action. I was shocked when he with barely a twinge of anxiety.
On a similar note, let's talk about the climax.
The book also struggles with depicting emotions. It just lacks subtlety. Often the narration (or even the characters themselves) will tell the readers exactly what the characters are feeling and why. It feels like the author himself is stepping out from the pages to explain instead of letting the character's actions and feelings speak for themselves. Probably the most egregious example to me is, "As curious as he felt, his low self-esteem told him he wasn’t worthy enough to ask for more details" (pg 9). It would have felt much more natural to give us the character's thoughts so we could deduce his low self-esteem for ourselves.
Now, let's hop to a positive. A sense of humor is necessary for a book with a title like this, so I'm happy to report that some lines are genuinely quite funny. My favorite? Legitimately made me laugh. It feels like something a cheap news report would really say.
Speaking of the title, I wish we spent more time with Kunal and Burfi as a pair. Their relationship doesn't feel like the core of the story the way I thought it would. I wanted more a-boy-and-his-magic-dog and less military-shenanigans. We actually spent quite a lot of time with the military. I know this is even more opinion-based than the rest of the review, but that's just not what I'm looking for when I pick up an urban fantasy about a canine chosen one.
My final criticism is one I level at a lot of books, but especially indie books: it needed more editing. It's mostly small things like Kunal talking about how scared he is of dogs, then suddenly dropping 35 pages in that he's always wanted to adopt one. That's about the same time that he acquires a temper that's never acknowledged within the text, despite cropping up in many important scenes. Nothing breaks the book, but another pass with a fine-toothed editing comb would have made the experience smoother.
Now, let's end with some more positives. Guru and Aisha were my favorite characters. I love a I appreciate that we got some fun animal characters, even if
Also, the is unsettling. I am unsettled.
I look forward to whatever the author has planned next.
June 12, 2024
Such a fun, quick read!
Following Kunal who is just your average, anxiety riddled guy as he is forced to step up and become the hero he has always dreamed of.
A story full of puns that had me chuckling, bursts of culture and personal growth. Oh, and a fire breathing pigeon … can’t leave that out.
Following Kunal who is just your average, anxiety riddled guy as he is forced to step up and become the hero he has always dreamed of.
A story full of puns that had me chuckling, bursts of culture and personal growth. Oh, and a fire breathing pigeon … can’t leave that out.
January 23, 2024
This book is very different from what I generally read and it made me want to explore this genre more.
I like that it didn't drag along with unnecessary details and this was quite a fun read. It keeps you interested and keeps things moving.
The characters are witty and complex. The depiction of Mumbai is relatable to many people.
This book also touches on the subject of mental health and while some might find it a little on the nose and emphasized, it actually feels very relatable. The way that Kunal keeps worrying every now and then about things that may seem insignificant really does feel true to people who have dealt with anxiety.
I also enjoyed the characters approach to it, how they all worked in harmony and were open to understanding each other.
Over all I really enjoyed this book and by the end it turned quite heart melting.
I like that it didn't drag along with unnecessary details and this was quite a fun read. It keeps you interested and keeps things moving.
The characters are witty and complex. The depiction of Mumbai is relatable to many people.
This book also touches on the subject of mental health and while some might find it a little on the nose and emphasized, it actually feels very relatable. The way that Kunal keeps worrying every now and then about things that may seem insignificant really does feel true to people who have dealt with anxiety.
I also enjoyed the characters approach to it, how they all worked in harmony and were open to understanding each other.
Over all I really enjoyed this book and by the end it turned quite heart melting.
December 10, 2023
For starters, what a great premise for a story. My dogs definitely think they are the chosen ones in our household!
I was unsure in the first couple of chapters. Our introduction to the main character felt a little repetitive, and the plot kicked off quickly with very little set up. It made it difficult for me to feel invested.
However, once we got past those initial chapters, things settled into a good time (good for me as a reader, not the characters!) - the fast pace kept up throughout the book, and despite being action packed, there were some real tender moments between the characters.
Speaking as someone who has suffered with both anxiety and depression, the way mental health was shown could sometimes be heavy handed with the point - but I think overall was represented well on the page. The setting was also well written, and I loved the insights we get into some of the side characters, impressive to balance this in such a short book (261 pages).
I really enjoyed the 2nd half of the book, watching everything come together. The plot didn’t go the way I expected it to and I appreciated the way things ended.
Despite the high stakes, it definitely felt cosy fantasy like, and was an enjoyable read. I’m not usually one to do longer book reviews, but this book is fairly new and not well known, so I hope this helps you decide to pick it up!
I was unsure in the first couple of chapters. Our introduction to the main character felt a little repetitive, and the plot kicked off quickly with very little set up. It made it difficult for me to feel invested.
However, once we got past those initial chapters, things settled into a good time (good for me as a reader, not the characters!) - the fast pace kept up throughout the book, and despite being action packed, there were some real tender moments between the characters.
Speaking as someone who has suffered with both anxiety and depression, the way mental health was shown could sometimes be heavy handed with the point - but I think overall was represented well on the page. The setting was also well written, and I loved the insights we get into some of the side characters, impressive to balance this in such a short book (261 pages).
I really enjoyed the 2nd half of the book, watching everything come together. The plot didn’t go the way I expected it to and I appreciated the way things ended.
Despite the high stakes, it definitely felt cosy fantasy like, and was an enjoyable read. I’m not usually one to do longer book reviews, but this book is fairly new and not well known, so I hope this helps you decide to pick it up!
November 23, 2023
Help! My Dog Is The Chosen One! is a new fantasy novel written by Ronit J and I received an eARC for an honest review.
The novel is a delightful and unexpected blend of fantasy, humor and thrill with raw human emotions that takes readers on a unique journey through the life of Kunal, a young man grappling with anxiety and depression. Authored by Ronit J, this novel is a breath of fresh air in the world of fiction.
Ronit's narration while describing the city Mumbai is fantastic. What sets this novel apart is its whimsical incorporation of magical elements and involvement of the animals (both friends and enemies of Kunal). The author skillfully weaves together elements of fantasy with the everyday struggles of mental health, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant. The pacing of the novel is commendable, with each chapter revealing new layers of the plot while maintaining a balance between the fantastical and the relatable. The humor injected into the narrative makes it an engaging read for a wide audience.
"Help! My Dog Is The Chosen One!" is a must-read for those seeking a unique blend of fantasy, thrill, humor, and a touch of the everyday struggles that make us human.
I hope this gets made into a film one day!
The novel is a delightful and unexpected blend of fantasy, humor and thrill with raw human emotions that takes readers on a unique journey through the life of Kunal, a young man grappling with anxiety and depression. Authored by Ronit J, this novel is a breath of fresh air in the world of fiction.
Ronit's narration while describing the city Mumbai is fantastic. What sets this novel apart is its whimsical incorporation of magical elements and involvement of the animals (both friends and enemies of Kunal). The author skillfully weaves together elements of fantasy with the everyday struggles of mental health, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant. The pacing of the novel is commendable, with each chapter revealing new layers of the plot while maintaining a balance between the fantastical and the relatable. The humor injected into the narrative makes it an engaging read for a wide audience.
"Help! My Dog Is The Chosen One!" is a must-read for those seeking a unique blend of fantasy, thrill, humor, and a touch of the everyday struggles that make us human.
I hope this gets made into a film one day!
November 27, 2023
I loved how the novel touches on the various aspects of the mental health of workers and the mentality of Indian parents. It kept me hooked on for more, reading for more of the fighting scenes and the cute dog, Burfi. I fell in love with Burfi so much, I wish there was more scenes with him and how Kunal fell in love with Burfi and was willing to give up for him.
I liked how the author narrated Mumbai City and how the novel contained supernatural themes with magical items, including animals in some scenes. Overall, the novel is amazing, it was refreshing and something out of the blue and I hope it gets turned into a movie.
I recommend this to everyone who loves fantasy including a cute dog!
I liked how the author narrated Mumbai City and how the novel contained supernatural themes with magical items, including animals in some scenes. Overall, the novel is amazing, it was refreshing and something out of the blue and I hope it gets turned into a movie.
I recommend this to everyone who loves fantasy including a cute dog!
December 2, 2023
I read an early draft of this book and I have to say it is a real page turner that takes you on an amazing adventure. It is so well written, and has so many fun references. Even though it’s a fiction book, there is so much relatable content. I love how the author navigates through the dilemmas of mental health issues, social and work life, and making it such a fun read at the same time. The characters in this book are so interesting and unique in their own ways. I honestly couldn’t put the book down. Before reading this, I had taken a break from reading, but this book ignited that spark that made me fall in love with reading again. I hope the author releases a sequel because I would love to be a part of more adventures with Burfi and Kunal.
February 12, 2024
I was intrigued from the outset by the premise of this book, and I wasn’t disappointed! As someone who has been dealing with extreme anxiety since I was young, I loved the idea of an anxious MC being thrust into the spotlight unwillingly because their animal companion (and not them) are the chosen one. I would’ve liked to see a little more time with Kunal and Burfi, I enjoyed the dynamic between them quite a bit. Overall, I thought anxiety was represented pretty well without taking over the story entirely. The descriptions were great and really brought everything to life. Even though I’ve never been to Mumbai, I felt like I was right there with Kunal. A great magical adventure!
November 10, 2023
Note: I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If Charlie Kaufman was given a task to write an urban fantasy, he would have ended up writing something similar to this novel, particularly the end part. Ridiculously imaginative. Evokes some frightening visuals in mind. Describes how anxiety affects the daily life of protagonist in relatable ways. Anxiousness is not only a character trait but also a narrative tool in the end. Overall, a satisfying fast-paced action adventure where birds and animals take centre-stage!
If Charlie Kaufman was given a task to write an urban fantasy, he would have ended up writing something similar to this novel, particularly the end part. Ridiculously imaginative. Evokes some frightening visuals in mind. Describes how anxiety affects the daily life of protagonist in relatable ways. Anxiousness is not only a character trait but also a narrative tool in the end. Overall, a satisfying fast-paced action adventure where birds and animals take centre-stage!
December 10, 2023
This was the coziest book i have ever read!!! Grab a hot cup of tea and sit back and enjoy.
This book made me laugh and cry all at the same time. This adventure shows the true meaning of friendship and what it means to care for and love someone.
I can not recommend this book anymore for someone to read at least once. I have a feeling when I am questioning things I will be picking this book back up again.
This was an amazing book. I can not wait to see how the author will top this book, but I am putting him on my watch list!!!
This book made me laugh and cry all at the same time. This adventure shows the true meaning of friendship and what it means to care for and love someone.
I can not recommend this book anymore for someone to read at least once. I have a feeling when I am questioning things I will be picking this book back up again.
This was an amazing book. I can not wait to see how the author will top this book, but I am putting him on my watch list!!!
December 28, 2023
The book keeps you hooked from the get-go. I couldn't put it down; landed up reading a whole book in one-sitting after ages. Reminded me of carefree younger days. It is engaging and filled with smart humour and plots that readers will appreciate. If you are making a list of fiction books to read in 2024, put Ronit J's Help! My Dog Is The Chosen One! on that list - even you just land up reading one fun book this year, let it be this one. It'll leave your reading appetite satiated.
Also, just beautiful work done on the cover !
Also, just beautiful work done on the cover !
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews