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The Misadventures of a Diamond Thief
The Misadventures of a Diamond Thief (with marvellous illustrations by Zainab Tambawalla ) is a caper involving a time travelling djinn, a jewel, pulavs and kebabs and a very odd horse. It’s also a fun way to know more about our historical monuments – in this case the Charminar.
Sahabzada Rafu Chakkar AKA Rafu comes from a line of illustrious time travelling Djinn thieves known for their expertise in stealing gems.
Except that Rafu has no interest in the family business. Much to the exasperation of his mother Bibi Haath Ki Safai and father Mir Dhoke Baaz, Rafu wants to be a chef!
So why does Rafu accept a challenge by the Djinn king to steal the most-difficult-to-steal Shah Hi Noor from the Qutub Shahi King in his grand new city of Hyderabad? Does he have a secret agenda of his own? And will he in fact be able to steal the Shah hi Noor?
The Misadventures of a Diamond Thief takes you on crazy treasure hunt to find the diamond and Rafu’s secret treasure (hint: it has to do with mouth-watering pulavs and melt-in-the-mouth kebabs. ) Will he find and escape with his booty?
Sahabzada Rafu Chakkar AKA Rafu comes from a line of illustrious time travelling Djinn thieves known for their expertise in stealing gems.
Except that Rafu has no interest in the family business. Much to the exasperation of his mother Bibi Haath Ki Safai and father Mir Dhoke Baaz, Rafu wants to be a chef!
So why does Rafu accept a challenge by the Djinn king to steal the most-difficult-to-steal Shah Hi Noor from the Qutub Shahi King in his grand new city of Hyderabad? Does he have a secret agenda of his own? And will he in fact be able to steal the Shah hi Noor?
The Misadventures of a Diamond Thief takes you on crazy treasure hunt to find the diamond and Rafu’s secret treasure (hint: it has to do with mouth-watering pulavs and melt-in-the-mouth kebabs. ) Will he find and escape with his booty?
119 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2023
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3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 18, 2024
"The Misadventures of a Diamond Thief" by Lubaina Bandukwala is a delightful blend of fantasy, adventure, and culinary escapades that takes readers on a whimsical journey through the world of Sahabzada Hawa Singh Rafu Chakkar, affectionately known as Rafu. As a descendant of Time-Travelling, Thieving Djinns, Rafu is caught between tradition and his true passion for cooking.
The narrative unfolds in the newly built city of Haiderabad, where Rafu reluctantly accepts a mission from the king of djinns to steal the Shah-i-Noor diamond. The catch? Rafu's secret agenda is to use the coveted gem as his ticket to pursue his dream of becoming a chef. The story is set against the backdrop of a two-week deadline, adding a sense of urgency to Rafu's quest.
Bandukwala skillfully weaves a tale filled with cunning courtiers, mysterious thieves, and an annoying horse, creating a tapestry of humor and intrigue. Rafu's struggles to navigate the complexities of the mission, all while being constantly tempted by the aroma of pulavs and kebabs, adds a charming layer to the narrative.
The characters are well-developed, each with their quirks and personalities, contributing to the overall richness of the story. Rafu's internal conflict between tradition and personal passion is portrayed with depth and empathy, making him a relatable and endearing protagonist.
The author's writing style is engaging, with vivid descriptions that bring the vibrant world of Haiderabad to life. The pacing is brisk, keeping readers hooked as Rafu races against the clock to achieve his seemingly impossible dream.
"The Misadventures of a Diamond Thief" is a refreshing departure from conventional fantasy narratives, combining elements of heist, magic, and culinary arts. Author's creativity shines through as she seamlessly blends these diverse elements into a cohesive and entertaining story. The book is a delightful escape, offering a perfect balance of humor, adventure, and heartwarming moments. Whether you're a fan of fantasy or culinary tales, this book is sure to captivate your imagination and leave you craving for more misadventures with Rafu.
The narrative unfolds in the newly built city of Haiderabad, where Rafu reluctantly accepts a mission from the king of djinns to steal the Shah-i-Noor diamond. The catch? Rafu's secret agenda is to use the coveted gem as his ticket to pursue his dream of becoming a chef. The story is set against the backdrop of a two-week deadline, adding a sense of urgency to Rafu's quest.
Bandukwala skillfully weaves a tale filled with cunning courtiers, mysterious thieves, and an annoying horse, creating a tapestry of humor and intrigue. Rafu's struggles to navigate the complexities of the mission, all while being constantly tempted by the aroma of pulavs and kebabs, adds a charming layer to the narrative.
The characters are well-developed, each with their quirks and personalities, contributing to the overall richness of the story. Rafu's internal conflict between tradition and personal passion is portrayed with depth and empathy, making him a relatable and endearing protagonist.
The author's writing style is engaging, with vivid descriptions that bring the vibrant world of Haiderabad to life. The pacing is brisk, keeping readers hooked as Rafu races against the clock to achieve his seemingly impossible dream.
"The Misadventures of a Diamond Thief" is a refreshing departure from conventional fantasy narratives, combining elements of heist, magic, and culinary arts. Author's creativity shines through as she seamlessly blends these diverse elements into a cohesive and entertaining story. The book is a delightful escape, offering a perfect balance of humor, adventure, and heartwarming moments. Whether you're a fan of fantasy or culinary tales, this book is sure to captivate your imagination and leave you craving for more misadventures with Rafu.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2023
Full review on my blog:
https://blog.medhaapps.com/2023/12/bo...
Sahabzada Hawa Singh Rafu Chakkar (Rafu), belonged to the legendary Time-Travelling, Thieving Djinns(TTTDs). His parents are proud of their profession and lineage and strongly wished Rafu to take their legacy forward; but Rafu’s passion was cooking and dreamt of becoming a chef.
When Pasha Janabe-Saariq, king of the TTTDs gave Rafu assignment to steal the Shah-i-Noor, Rafu’s mother Bibi is elated that Rafu can finally prove his prowess as the best thief to the Djinn world.
Rafu had his own reasons to go to the kingdom of Golconda — the land of Nizams and Nawabs that is famous for its culinary delights, Rafu hoped this is his chance to learn from world-class chefs. Will Rafu be able to steal the Shah-i-Noor in an unknown land and will also be able to accomplish his mission to become a chef, against the wish of his parents, forms the rest of the story.
As a story, it is about a young boy who refuses to be a thief as per his parents wish but aspires to follow his passion of becoming a chef. However, what adds charm is the backdrop of Haiderabad(erst while Hyderabad) when Charminar was an upcoming monument still in the making, Golkonda being the Sultan’s kingdom, with life in those days depicted as imagined by the author.
The extravagant life of Sultans, and that of their courtiers, the poets and artists who visited from foreign countries, multiple languages and cultures that flourished together, and finally the gems and diamonds that adorned the Sultans — the author gives a roundup of life in such heritage cities. The other standout feature of the book are the names of the characters — the author has named them in hilarious manner — Bibi Haath Ki Safai, Sawaluddin.
Those who only read about Hyderabad but never visited it, will be intrigued by the description of the city, and for those who grew up and lived here, it will be fond trip into the past. The story in the first half introduces the characters and the pre-climax is where the author throws unexpected surprises at the reader, tying up all open threads.
With impressive illustrations to hold the imagination of young kids, I highly recommend this as the book traces the adventures of Rafu showcasing his smartness and his passion, which has good message and entertainment.
https://blog.medhaapps.com/2023/12/bo...
Sahabzada Hawa Singh Rafu Chakkar (Rafu), belonged to the legendary Time-Travelling, Thieving Djinns(TTTDs). His parents are proud of their profession and lineage and strongly wished Rafu to take their legacy forward; but Rafu’s passion was cooking and dreamt of becoming a chef.
When Pasha Janabe-Saariq, king of the TTTDs gave Rafu assignment to steal the Shah-i-Noor, Rafu’s mother Bibi is elated that Rafu can finally prove his prowess as the best thief to the Djinn world.
Rafu had his own reasons to go to the kingdom of Golconda — the land of Nizams and Nawabs that is famous for its culinary delights, Rafu hoped this is his chance to learn from world-class chefs. Will Rafu be able to steal the Shah-i-Noor in an unknown land and will also be able to accomplish his mission to become a chef, against the wish of his parents, forms the rest of the story.
As a story, it is about a young boy who refuses to be a thief as per his parents wish but aspires to follow his passion of becoming a chef. However, what adds charm is the backdrop of Haiderabad(erst while Hyderabad) when Charminar was an upcoming monument still in the making, Golkonda being the Sultan’s kingdom, with life in those days depicted as imagined by the author.
The extravagant life of Sultans, and that of their courtiers, the poets and artists who visited from foreign countries, multiple languages and cultures that flourished together, and finally the gems and diamonds that adorned the Sultans — the author gives a roundup of life in such heritage cities. The other standout feature of the book are the names of the characters — the author has named them in hilarious manner — Bibi Haath Ki Safai, Sawaluddin.
Those who only read about Hyderabad but never visited it, will be intrigued by the description of the city, and for those who grew up and lived here, it will be fond trip into the past. The story in the first half introduces the characters and the pre-climax is where the author throws unexpected surprises at the reader, tying up all open threads.
With impressive illustrations to hold the imagination of young kids, I highly recommend this as the book traces the adventures of Rafu showcasing his smartness and his passion, which has good message and entertainment.
February 28, 2024
Having read and loved The Chowpatty Cooking Club, I KNEW I had to read this one the moment I laid my eyes on it! Fair warning: if you’re jumping into this book on an empty stomach, you are bound to have a horrible case of hunger pangs because the food imagery is *chef’s kiss*! Haha, see what I did there? 😉
In this action-packed blend of history, time travel and magic, we follow Rafu, a descendant of the Time-Travelling, Thieving Djinns(TTTDs), who doesn’t want to continue the family legacy of, you guessed it right, stealing! He wants to pursue his passion of cooking as stealing gems from various kingdoms from various times isn’t his cup of tea! But when has it ever been easy for a teenager, with parents having a ton of expectations!?! Phew! In order to make his parents proud in one last hurrah, Rafu agrees to steal the Shah-i-Noor from Haiderabad for the King of the Djinns! What follows is a fun and frolicky adventure set against the backdrop of the Charminar! Read the book and find out what happens!
I read this one from cover to cover in one sitting and I couldn’t stop flipping the pages to find out what happens next! Not only do we get to read a fun historical adventure, we also get to learn about architecture, encounter some mouth-watering food and gasp at some well-placed plot twists!
Zainab Tambawalla’s illustrations peppered throughout the book only enhance the reading experience! I will be visiting Hyderabad pretty soon, thanks to my piqued curiosity!
If you’re in the mood for a thrilling time-travelling adventure that will tingle your taste buds, you know what to pick up next!
In this action-packed blend of history, time travel and magic, we follow Rafu, a descendant of the Time-Travelling, Thieving Djinns(TTTDs), who doesn’t want to continue the family legacy of, you guessed it right, stealing! He wants to pursue his passion of cooking as stealing gems from various kingdoms from various times isn’t his cup of tea! But when has it ever been easy for a teenager, with parents having a ton of expectations!?! Phew! In order to make his parents proud in one last hurrah, Rafu agrees to steal the Shah-i-Noor from Haiderabad for the King of the Djinns! What follows is a fun and frolicky adventure set against the backdrop of the Charminar! Read the book and find out what happens!
I read this one from cover to cover in one sitting and I couldn’t stop flipping the pages to find out what happens next! Not only do we get to read a fun historical adventure, we also get to learn about architecture, encounter some mouth-watering food and gasp at some well-placed plot twists!
Zainab Tambawalla’s illustrations peppered throughout the book only enhance the reading experience! I will be visiting Hyderabad pretty soon, thanks to my piqued curiosity!
If you’re in the mood for a thrilling time-travelling adventure that will tingle your taste buds, you know what to pick up next!
February 16, 2024
I remember reading a book by Bandukwala, where she wrote about the letter Z. I was holidaying and the book was available at the lounge of the hotel while the catchy title and illustrations made me interested. I enjoyed the half an hour with the book while waiting. So, when I came across The Misadventures of a Diamond Thief, I knew that I can't miss it.
Rafu, the protagonist is a descendant of the legendary time-travelling-thieving Djinns. His family and the king of Djinns want him to visit Haiderabad and steal a diamond, but Rafu wants to be a cook and learn the culinary art from the famous chefs of the royal household.
Rafu utilizes the chance and visits Hyderabad on the brink of its inception. The historical events of the building of the Charminar gate unfold gradually to him and the readers. Rafu is in the mission of thievery yet the aromas of food like kebabs and pulavs keep on distracting him.
I had a fun time while reading this book meant for young readers. It's funny and the illustrations are beautiful. I will suggest you to pick the book once you feel that you have had enough share of serious reading. It will provide you the happiness and feel-good sensation at once. I felt as if it recharged me, once in while children's book does this to me.
Thank you @penguinsters @penguinindia for this book.
Rafu, the protagonist is a descendant of the legendary time-travelling-thieving Djinns. His family and the king of Djinns want him to visit Haiderabad and steal a diamond, but Rafu wants to be a cook and learn the culinary art from the famous chefs of the royal household.
Rafu utilizes the chance and visits Hyderabad on the brink of its inception. The historical events of the building of the Charminar gate unfold gradually to him and the readers. Rafu is in the mission of thievery yet the aromas of food like kebabs and pulavs keep on distracting him.
I had a fun time while reading this book meant for young readers. It's funny and the illustrations are beautiful. I will suggest you to pick the book once you feel that you have had enough share of serious reading. It will provide you the happiness and feel-good sensation at once. I felt as if it recharged me, once in while children's book does this to me.
Thank you @penguinsters @penguinindia for this book.
December 26, 2023
Steeped in the vibrant setting of Charminar, 'The Misadventures of a Diamond Thief' is a tantalizing blend of historical intrigue and fantastical escapades. Navigating the clash between tradition and personal aspiration, Sahabzada Hawa Singh Rafu Chakkar (Rafu) takes readers on a rollicking journey through the bustling streets of Hyderabad. Bandukwala crafts a delightful narrative, weaving together the allure of thieving djinns, the pursuit of culinary passion, and the pursuit of the Shah-i-Noor diamond.
Read the full review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...
Read the full review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...
December 15, 2024
Recieved an autographed copy at a cosy book reading at M Cubed library.
I enjoyed the phrasing, pace, and easy, humourous tone. Also, how the Charminar is set up as the central historic edifice-plot-object to be used later in a finale sequence is nicely done.
The references to history and food are thoughtfully sprinkled through the story and the scenes are vivid to put a reader in that time. And what a time it must have been!
I look to read about Rafu and Sultan's exploits in future stories.
I enjoyed the phrasing, pace, and easy, humourous tone. Also, how the Charminar is set up as the central historic edifice-plot-object to be used later in a finale sequence is nicely done.
The references to history and food are thoughtfully sprinkled through the story and the scenes are vivid to put a reader in that time. And what a time it must have been!
I look to read about Rafu and Sultan's exploits in future stories.
December 8, 2023
Lubaina Bandukwala's The Misadventures Of A Diamond Thief is another rib-ticking, giggle-inducing, mouth-watering ripper of a book. Thieving Djinns, culinary delights, magnificent gems, Nawabi culture, and brilliantly imaginative names (a matriarchal thief called Bibi Haath Ki Safaai and an incompetent sycophantic yes-man called Nawab Jawabbudin, uff Jawab, anyone?).
June 23, 2024
A fiction based on Hyderabad. A good book for those who enjoy reading adventures.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews