Gunboy

by Shreyas Rajagopal

Best friends Arvind and Sudipto are outsiders in the industrial steel town of Rannwara, and because of it, every day after school, they are bullied mercilessly by Jaggi Ranade, the son of the most powerful mafia boss in the area. Escape is simply not an option for the twelve-year-olds. That is until Amar Singh comes to town for a hit.

Quick, quiet and deadly, the brooding Amar Singh is fabled among hitmen. His ability to avoid death is overshadowed only by the legend of his most prized weapon-the Gun. Gleaming white, adorned with gold and enamel, it is a weapon of the gods, one that chooses its shooter.

When Amar's and Arvind's paths collide, the young boy finds himself in possession of this marvel-an opportunity for retribution, to avenge his humiliation. With a single shot, he sets ablaze a town that is waiting to explode.

Transporting readers from the dusty and lawless Indian hinterland to the back alleys of Mumbai's underworld, Gunboy is the action-packed revenge story of a boy who takes on a corrupt and power-mad world.

387 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2025

Reviews

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gunboy isn’t just a revenge story. It’s a tale spun from dust and blood, and most surprisingly, a twisted coming-of-age myth where the message ‘might’ just be: Sometimes the world deserves to burn. This neo-noir novel follows the life of a twelve-year-old Arvind, as he transforms from a bullied outcast to a mythic avenger through his possession of an extraordinary firearm.

In the wasteland of fictional Rannwara, where steel mills churn out smoke and power belong to those with iron fists, Gunboy unravels as a tale of revenge, fate and the intoxicating allure of violence. The story mainly revolves around two central characters. Arvind, a young boy trapped in an endless cycle of torment with no hope of escape from the hands of Jaggi Ranade, son of a local goon and Amar Singh, a whispered name in the underbelly of Mumbai mafia, a man who defies all odds and evades death time and again.

The work resonates because of its cinematic narration, immersing the reader in a world that is vibrantly vivid and unflinchingly stark. The action sequences are well-choreographed and smooth, throwing the readers into the worlds of Bollywood gangsters that we all have grown up watching including the moral dilemmas and the fleeting glimpses of humanity in this gory blood thirsty world. Diving into the novel was like stepping into a Bollywood crime saga – grand, loud and unapologetically extra. Fans of Anurag Kashyap’s cinemas will find much to love here.

Can’t recommend this book enough. Huge thanks to @harpercollinsin x @shrey_z for sending the review copy.

[♡ Diyasha ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW: 𝐆𝐔𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐘
AUTHOR: 𝐒𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐘𝐀𝐒 𝐑𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐆𝐎𝐏𝐀𝐋
GENRE: 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑/ 𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

🂱 What if I tell you after reading this book you will be filled with a lot of questions? Some books just don't tell a story - they are exploration with imagination. 

🂱 This is a revenge thriller which is set in a fictional town Rannwara - the coming - of - age - drama centers around Arvind, a bright but broken 12 years old boy. He is bullied, ignored, quietly burning with rage. When a legendary white and gold gun enters into his life, his pain finds a weapon. This is brutal, breathless and full of unknown emotions.

🂱 The plot starts with Arvind and his close friend Sudipto, two outsiders at their English medium school. They are bullied by the sons of Jaggi Ranade, a local don. Then comes a legendary gun with Amar Singh which chooses its own shooter. When this gun lands in Arvind's hands, everything changes. The plot transformed from emotionally charged to identity crisis , inherited violence and a tale of vengeance. 

🂱 The novel asks the question WHAT DOES A CHILD DO WHEN THERE'S NO ONE TO PROTECT HIM? It raises the question how the culture, fear and legacy pass down. Among all these, Sudipto and Arvind’s  friendship raises the jealousy in me. It’s a reality. The gun is a metaphorical one. What will come in the path - FATE or WILL?

🂱 The short and sharp chapters will keep you hooked. The scenes are fast paced so that you will not get bored. The concepts of friendship, truthfulness are given lives through flashbacks.

🂱 But sometimes it feels hard to believe that this plot can be an action packed movie. With those graphic violence, this book is not for everyone. So this book can be varied from various visions - but indeed the depth of this book fills the heart of every reader.  

[Not A Bookhoarder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gun Boy by Shreyas Rajagopal is a gripping tale of rage, revenge, and the heavy price that power often demands. Set against the backdrop of small-town India, the story follows Arvind and Sudipto—two schoolboys who never quite fit in and quickly become easy targets for Jaggi, a bully shielded by political privilege.

When fate hands Arvind an unexpected chance to fight back, he seizes it—fuelled by years of humiliation and the desire to protect his best friend. But the path of revenge is never clean. As Arvind climbs, so does the cost of his choices, forcing him to confront what he’s truly willing to sacrifice.

Rajagopal’s storytelling is taut, emotionally rich, and deeply immersive. The narrative flows with intensity, capturing the rawness of youth, the pull of loyalty, and the darkness that unchecked power can bring. With its layered characters and cinematic pacing, Gun Boy reads like a drama ready for screen adaptation.

This isn’t just a story of vengeance—it’s a reflection on consequences, identity, and the weight of choices. A compelling read that stays with you long after the final page.

[Shipra Arora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read Gunboy by Shreyas Rajagopal, and it really stayed with me. The story is about a 12 year old boy named Arvind who moves to a town called Rannwara. He gets bullied in school and feels like an outsider. Things change when he finds a special gun(that's where we get the catchy tittle name)during a fight. That one moment changes his life and the lives of many others.(no lie)
The book is full of action, but it also talks about serious topics like bullying, violence, power, and fear.(some much needed topics) I liked how real the characters felt, especially Arvind and his friend Sudipto. The writing is simple but very powerful. It made me think about how violence affects children and how hard it is to stay innocent in a cruel world.i felt evrything to the core)
This is not just a crime story—it’s emotional and deep. I would recommend it to anyone who likes serious, fast-paced books.
This one of the books that is gonna leave a mark on me for sure.

[Yashika Doshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the rough corners of 90s Rannwara, 12-year-old Arvind is tired of being pushed around—by school bullies, indifferent teachers, and a world that doesn’t seem to care. His only ally is Sudipto, another misfit trying to survive. But when a hitman named Amar Singh arrives in town with a mysterious weapon known only as the Gun, everything changes.


What begins as schoolyard cruelty spirals into something much darker—a story of revenge, reckoning, and how far a boy might go to reclaim power in a world built to break him.


What follows is a slow-burn spiral into violence, loyalty, and survival. Gunboy explores what happens when rage finds a weapon—and a boy decides he’s had enough.


🔫 Childhood meets crime. 🎬 Feels like Gangs of Wasseypur crossed with a school diary.


Fast, bloody, and unnervingly real, this is a desi noir thriller with a child's heartbeat at its centre.

[Amritesh Mukherjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the best pieces to have come out of Indian fiction in recent times.

[Rahul Vishnoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Like Being Inside a Barrel of a Gun-
Review of Gunboy

Quote Alert
"𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞. 𝐈𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐭; 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬."



Revenge is one of the oldest literary tropes on the face of this vast, wide world. And contrary to what the adages might lure you to believe, it is NOT best served cold. I will take my revenge piping hot with a steam the colour of blood tinging my lips and leaving a coppery aftertaste on the back of my tongue. Imagine what would
happen, if suddenly, killing of one person you hate is made legal? More than half of the world would be wiped off.


It is this lust for revenge that Shreyas Rajagopal, without inhibitions or boundaries, explores in his Gunboy. He plants it amidst a gaggle of school boys, punctuates it with a bully, sprinkled a marksman on top of it and voila, our revenge dish is ready with a tadka of strong and violent side characters.

Arvind and Sudipto, divided by the luxury (or lack of) they live in, are united by incessant, ruthless bullying at the hands of the local mafia's son Jaggi Ranande. Set in a fictional town with a huge factory that supports the livelihood of the people, the story lights up with the arrival of a marksman Amar Singh.


Quick, quiet and deadly, the brooding Amar Singh is fabled among hitmen. His ability to avoid death is overshadowed only by the legend of his most prized weapon-the Gun. The scene where Amar takes out all the guns reads like a foreplay. His teeth are reflected in the cold polished metal of the gun. He has five of them, but they all are passing fancies, mere affairs of a teenager. His love lies with the Gun. It's not gun. It's Gun.
Gleaming white, adorned with gold and enamel, it is a weapon of the gods, one that chooses its shooter.
Rajagopal writes- "The Gun, his Gun, his God, a Berretta 9mm, the custom sleeve with engravings of cool chrome, the custom grip finished in enamel and gold, the body blinding white … It is blessed by Lord Hanuman himself—the monkey god’s image, worked into gold leaf and perfect bright enamel."

This Gun is reduced to a mere gun in the hands of those it's not meant to go. When held by Amar or later Aravind, its glory is restored. Then it becomes 'Gun'.

Aravind is a complex character. Meeting violence with violence, he immediately feels drawn towards a man who could become his mentor in a world which always seeks to show him the reality, not the possible of what a dream could achieve. Even though he is shown being beaten and bullies, one of his most uncomfortable interactions are the one where he clashes with his family. The emotional violence tugs at your reading heart the way the physical violence could not. About him the author writes -
"He is so fucking small, comes barely to his waist, and looks like he has emerged from a car crash, uniform torn and bloodied, every inch of him marked by violence."

His dynamics of a still-raw friendship with Sudipto are perfectly drawn. It's not picture-perfect, but real and every bit awkward such underage friendships are.


In Gunboy, nobody hesistes to kill. Nobody is squeamish at the sight of blood. The man overseeing the police officer The town, Kapoor, is held in check only by the pretence of the uniform he's wearing. If tables were reversed, he would have bitten the flesh off the flesh of anybody he wished to. He throbs with a greed that remains unfullfilled, with power that always teeters on the edge of insufficiency. He deserves a standalone novella. When he comes across a bloodied crime scene, he almost salivates: "A grim harvest. One man, Kapoor thinks, just one one. If they gave me ten like this, what couldn't I do?"

The only female character of Gunboy is shown to nurse a grievance so strong, she acts as a pedestal to launch a second book, if only we are so fortunate.

As savage as it comes, the story finds humanity in almost every character. While someone is seething with white hot rage with the inability to avenge his dead brother, another is packed with bonhomie with a new found guru.

Guilt and remorse are foreign to this land. Rajagopal tries to introduce a thin streak of guilt in the form of a dead character looming like a ghost, he mostly should have done away with it: there was no need to adulterate the savage bones of the story with a wet seep of wafery guilt. In a skillful execution, only this piece of a spectre stands out as a sore, an homage to a guilt the character (who sees the ghost) hardly feels. For this is the land where a guy after murder feels nothing but happiness and a newfound sense of purpose. In that way, it's a sort of a weird, gore-flecked, adrenaline-riddled coming of age story.


The last 100 pages are a collection of furious battering rams. It's when Gunboy turns to a tale of twists untwisting and a naked dance of destiny. It is when a vioent gun fight takes place between the MCs and the attackers. The pages, it seems, are sprinkled with sheer adrenaline that writer seemed to procure by tearing off his own skin and glands.

Reading it was like continuously bobbing inside a throbbing vein, floating in a vicious current of blood with nothing but fleshy walls to see and touch.


A crazy, hormone-pumping ride it is.

[Debabrata Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Gunboy" by Shreyas Rajagopal emerges from the smoky underbelly of small-town India, a place where power is wielded with fists and bullets, and childhood is a battleground. Equal parts gritty noir, coming-of-age fable, and revenge tragedy, the book tells the tale of Arvind, a bullied twelve-year-old whose life takes a dramatic turn when he crosses paths with a legendary hitman and his mythical weapon, a gun that, quite literally, chooses its wielder.

Set in the fictional steel town of Rannwara and steeped in the moral grey zones of gangland Mumbai, this book delivers a narrative that is both cinematic and mythological in tone. Through sharp prose and relentless pacing, the author explores not only the thirst for vengeance but also the emotional fragility of growing up in a violent, indifferent world. Yet beyond its high-octane action lies a surprising philosophical inquiry: When survival demands violence, can innocence ever remain intact?

At its core, the book is a bildungsroman wrapped in a gangster saga. Arvind is not just a protagonist; he is a symbol of youth corrupted by a hostile environment. His transformation, from a victim of bullying to a gun-wielding avenger, serves as an indictment of a world where power, not morality, defines survival. The loss of childhood innocence is palpable, and the book deftly portrays how a boy’s moral compass can be shattered when constantly forced to choose between submission and violence.

One of the book’s most fascinating elements is the gun itself, gleaming white, ornate, almost divine. It is not just an instrument of death but a symbol of fate, control, and transformation. This mythical object elevates the book from a grounded revenge drama to something more allegorical. The gun chooses Arvind, not the other way around, imbuing the narrative with a sense of destiny and divine irony.

Violence in this book is more than a plot device, it is a vocabulary. The world of the author constructs speaks through threats, punches, and gunshots. It’s a brutal dialect, and Arvind learns it fluently. However, the author walks a fine line here.

While the action is stylized and thrilling, it never feels gratuitous. Instead, each act of violence deepens our understanding of Arvind’s internal descent and the society that fuels it. The bloodshed is, in a way, poetic-imbued with meaning and emotional resonance.

The mafia-dominated setting of Rannwara serves as a microcosm of a larger commentary on systemic power. Jaggi Ranade, the schoolyard tyrant backed by his gangster father, embodies inherited cruelty and unchecked privilege. Through these antagonists, the book critiques the cyclical nature of oppression and how structures of power perpetuate themselves across generations, until, occasionally, someone breaks the cycle. Arvind's rise is a disruption, but it comes at a cost.

✍️ Strengths :

🔸 His writing is atmospheric, evoking the sights, smells, and smog of small-town India with immersive detail. The pace is relentless but measured, balancing introspective moments with explosive set-pieces.

🔸What elevates the book is its heart. Beneath the action is a tender, often painful portrayal of friendship, helplessness, rage, and the longing for dignity. Arvind and Sudipto’s bond gives the narrative an emotional ballast that prevents it from becoming a mere action romp.

🔸The infusion of mythology, especially through the personification of the gun, adds a layer of narrative richness. This transforms the tale from a revenge fantasy into a modern-day fable about power, destiny, and moral ambiguity.

✒️ Areas for Improvement :

▪️While Arvind and Amar Singh are vividly portrayed, other characters, especially Sudipto and Jaggi, could benefit from deeper psychological development. Sudipto’s arc, in particular, feels sidelined despite his integral presence.

▪️At times, the book veers too quickly from emotionally resonant scenes to action-heavy sequences, which can disrupt the emotional flow. A more seamless modulation between intimacy and intensity would enhance the reader’s immersion.

In conclusion, it is a blistering, blood-soaked tale that transcends the revenge genre to deliver a haunting meditation on childhood, power, and the cost of survival. With its vividly cinematic storytelling, moral complexity, and mythic undertones, the author crafts a book that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. It resonates with the intensity of a Bollywood gangster epic but lingers like a literary tragedy.

[Aditya Anand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gunboy by Shreyas Rajagopal draws readers into the dusty, industrial landscape of Rannwara, a town brimming with social tensions, unspoken prejudice, and quiet brutality. At its heart, Gunboy is a raw and powerful coming-of-age story that explores friendship, fear, power, and identity through the lives of two 12-year-old boys, Arvind and Sudipto.

Both are outsiders in different ways, one new to the region, the other different in appearance and speech, and both endure relentless bullying at the hands of the son of the local mafia boss. The story takes a dramatic turn when Arvind discovers a gun, a moment that sets in motion a series of events marked by revenge, violence, and the slow erosion of innocence.

One of Rajagopal’s strongest achievements in Gunboy is the creation of a living, breathing setting. Rannwara is not just a backdrop, it is a character in itself. The scorching heat, the looming factories, the constant undercurrent of tension, and the stark class divisions create a world that is both immersive and unsettling. Rajagopal paints this world with care and precision, offering not just physical detail but cultural depth.

The gun, too, is more than a weapon, it becomes a poetic and haunting symbol of power and change. It represents the desire to be seen, to fight back, to control one’s destiny. Through this object, Rajagopal explores how deeply violence and trauma can alter a young mind.

Gunboy moves like a well-paced thriller, echoing the style of a gritty noir film or web series. The tension is unrelenting, and each twist deepens the emotional weight of the story. While some themes, bullying, crime, and masculine aggression, are familiar, they are presented with fresh urgency and a strong emotional core. Occasionally, the narrative leans into exposition where subtlety might have sufficed, but these moments don’t take away from the novel’s impact.

 

[Deepanshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I picked up Gun Boy by Shreyas Rajagopal, pertaining to the fact that i dont really read much of thrillers/ crime fiction, but from the very first chapter, I was completely pulled into its world. This book is intense, fast-paced, and incredibly cinematic — one of those rare reads that feels like it was made to be devoured in one sitting (which I almost did!). Reading something out of my comfort zone was already too intense but this, ah, this book was really a fight packed out of a bollywood movie!

What really struck me was how action-packed the story was, without ever losing its emotional weight. On the surface, it’s a gritty and raw tale about a boy. But as I read on, I realized it’s also a deeply moving exploration of trauma, rage, and the haunting echoes of violence that follow someone long after the physical wounds have healed.

It’s not just about guns or revenge — it’s about identity, and the choices we’re forced to make!

The writing is sharp and evocative, with scenes that come alive so vividly that I often felt like I was watching it on a big screen with a bucket filled with popcorn (i guess the big screen was my empty big head in this case😜).

Shreyas Rajagopal does a brilliant job of building tension without overloading the story. Every chapter adds a new layer — whether it’s about the protagonist’s inner world, or the moral complexities of the world around him.

Gun Boy is not an easy read emotionally — it’s raw, sometimes uncomfortable, and definitely dark — but it’s also powerful and thought-provoking.

Sometimes, i am still stuck in the life of Arvind and find myself in Rannwara!

Absolutely amazing! It gave my brain a very different kind of rush which it actually and truly needed!! 😍😍

[Prerna Shambhavee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading "Gunboy" by Shreyas Rajagopal, and I'm still trying to process what I just read. The story is about two 12-year-old friends, Arvind and Sudipto, who are outsiders in their town and get bullied by Jaggi, the son of a powerful mafia boss. Their lives are tough, and it feels like there's no escape.

But then, things change when Amar Singh, a famous hitman, comes to town. He's known for being quick and deadly, and his gun is like a legend. When Arvind gets his hands on that gun, everything changes. He sees a chance to stand up to his bullies and take control of his life.

What happens next is intense. Arvind decides to take matters into his own hands, and it sets off a chain reaction in the town. The story takes you on a wild ride through the streets of Rannwara and into the underworld of Mumbai.

What I loved about this book is how real it feels. The characters are like people you might know, and their struggles are easy to understand. Arvind and Sudipto's friendship is strong, and you can feel their fear and determination.

Amar Singh is a mysterious character who adds a lot to the story. His past is complicated, and you can sense that there's more to him than meets the eye.

The writing is straightforward and gets the job done. It's not fancy, but it suits the story perfectly. The author does a great job of building tension and creating suspense.

All-in-all, "Gunboy" is an action-packed story about taking a stand against what's not right. It's not always easy to read, but it's definitely worth it. If you like stories about friendship, revenge, and fighting back, you'll enjoy this book. Just be prepared for some intense moments!

[REHANA · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 BOOK REVIEW
Gunboy by Shreyas Rajagopal

The Gunboy is written by Author Shreyas Rajagopal. It is an action thriller. This book entails a story about two friends Arvind and Sudipto who are in the seventh grade. They both were new comers in the city of Ranvarra yet they have developed a very strong bond with each other in a short time.

Their after school adventures when they were crossed by their seniors who bullied them in the name of ragging. It become a daily routine in their lives which was becoming unbearable day by day, untill one day fate takes a turn and changes the circumstances after which their lives never remains the same as before.

It is a long read but doesn't bore the readers. All the characters in the story are fully developed. It showcases the child mentality and the trauma they face in and around their lives without the support of their elders.

The main highlight of the story is a sharp shooter from Mumbai and his favorite gun. He arrives in Ranvarra on purpose but eventually his life gets entagled with the school kids.

The story also showcases the characteristics of a gun, how powerful a person feels after holding it in its hand. It makes a timid person bold and turns a weakling more stronger. It provides power and boost their energy levels. After all it's a gun, it decides the fate of the person infront of it.
We also get to witness the soft corner of a sharp shooter.

Altogether a different story which shakes us to the core. I never like action thrillers but chanced upon this book and I can vouch for it as it hasn't disappointed me at all.

[Rajendra Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Gunboy," authored by Shreyas Rajagopal, is an exhilarating yarn that delves into themes of power, revenge, and identity against the backdrop of India's🇮🇳 gritty industrial towns. The story follows Srinivasan Arvind, a short boy from Trichy, Tamil Nadu, and his Bengali friend Sudipto, both outsiders in their Sainik School🏫. Their lives are marred by the relentless bullying from Jaggi Ranade, son of the town's powerful mafia boss.

           The story takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of Amar Singh, a legendary hitman whose reputation for evading death and mastery over an exquisite gun🔫 creates an aura of danger and excitement. The gun, described as a divine object, is said to choose its shooter, and when Arvind inadvertently comes into possession of it, a transformation begins.

             As Aravind navigates his newfound power, the lines between right and wrong blur, and the reader is compelled to ponder the consequences of revenge. Shreyas Rajagopal crafts a fast-paced, immersive narrative that balances action with introspection, keeping readers engaged as Arvind's decisions spiral into broader conflicts. 

               Overall, “Gunboy” is an action-packed exploration of a boy’s🏃‍♂️ journey into darkness, ultimately questioning what it means to find strength in a world🌏 rife with corruption and fear😨. With an engaging narrative and well-drawn characters, this novel is a compelling read for anyone seeking a thrilling adventure intertwined with deeper moral questions💖🔫

[Susmita Ghosh Sau · Rating 4 out of 5]

My views- Rannwara, a steel town in Jaipur, is also the hub of Mafia naj and illegal works. Two best friends Arvind and Sudipto are daily struggling to find escape route from the school bully Jaggi, who is the youngest son of local mafia boss, and his friends. They are outsiders in this town, Arvind being from Trichy and Sudipto being a bengali and  foreign return, are daily being bullied by Jaggi but can't do anything or can't complain to anyone

Amar Singh, a ruthless hitman has come to town fleeing from Mumbai. He has a Gun which is really precious and very lucky and important for him. But, some how his Gun landed with Arvind and from there on, Arvind's and Amar's path collides and everything goes down hill.

The book starts with the bullying of new students by old students and  we get to see the power system as the bully, Jaggi, being from a powerful, wealthy family thinks he holds power in school and can get away from anything. Even the teachers can't take any steps against him. The story revolvs around many characters and show their characteristics, their life story. But the story of Arvind is definitely worth reading. The narration is very well-written and feels like watching a movie. Though there are many gory action and bloodshed sequences are there, you can't stop reading the book and enjoy the story-telling.

[Komal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some stories don’t just unfold — they grip you by the heart and hold you still, forcing you to see the world through eyes you may never forget. Gunboy is one such story. Quietly powerful, unsettling, and deeply human.

Set in the steel town of Rannwara, this is a coming-of-age tale that’s raw and real. It follows Arvind, a Tamil boy, and Sudipto, his Bengali best friend — both outsiders trying to survive in a town where caste, violence, and fear shape every choice. When a gun falls into the hands of a boy, the story becomes more than a personal journey — it becomes a question of identity, rage, and what it means to grow up too early.

What makes this book special isn’t just its plot — it’s the way it feels. The writing is cinematic, sharp, and quietly emotional. It captures the loneliness of adolescence, the confusion of being "the other," and the deep scars that power leaves on the powerless.


---

💬 Final Thoughts:
Gunboy is more than a story about violence or survival — it’s a mirror held up to the harsh realities of caste discrimination, social alienation, and childhood lost too soon. It challenges us to reflect on the society we live in and demands change: greater empathy, dismantling of oppressive structures, and a safer world where children aren’t forced to carry the burdens of hatred and fear.

[Sona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gunboy by Shreyas Rajagopal is a raw, gritty tale that seamlessly blends noir, coming-of-age drama, and philosophical allegory. Set in the oppressive underbelly of small-town India, the story follows Arvind, a bullied twelve-year-old whose world shatters and reforms when he encounters a mythical hitman and a weapon that seems to choose its master.

What sets this novel apart is its mythical treatment of violence — the gun becomes a symbol of destiny and transformation, rather than just a device of revenge. The narrative is cinematic, the pacing relentless, and yet, the prose carries an emotional intelligence that probes deep questions about survival, power, and innocence lost.

Rajagopal paints the world of Rannwara with unflinching detail — a microcosm of systemic oppression and generational cycles of brutality. Supporting characters could’ve used more psychological depth, but the core story, especially Arvind’s moral evolution, is powerful and poignant.

Fans of literary thrillers with a philosophical edge will find Gunboy a compelling, thought-provoking read that lingers beyond its last gunshot.

[Chandra Sekhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gun Boy by Shreyas Rajagopal is a striking and thought-provoking novel that commands attention with its bold cover design. The book's title and cover artwork, featuring a silhouetted figure against a hypnotic, swirling pattern, hint at a narrative that is both dynamic and disorienting.
Rajagopal's storytelling is sharp and unflinching, delving into complex themes with a raw energy that keeps the reader hooked. The plot revolves around a young protagonist navigating a world fraught with danger and moral ambiguity, forcing us to question our perceptions of right and wrong. The author excels at crafting a tense, atmospheric narrative, building a world that feels both familiar and unsettlingly alien. The characters are compelling, each with their own flaws and motivations, making their journeys feel incredibly real and impactful. Gun Boy is a powerful exploration of youth, violence, and the search for identity in a chaotic world. It's a gripping read that stays with you long after you've turned the final page, solidifying Rajagopal as a noteworthy voice in contemporary fiction.

I can give 4/5

[Srijani Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Gunboy by Shreyas Rajagopal is about Arvind and Sudipto, two twelve-year-old boys who get bullied daily after school by Jaggi, a boy whose father is a notorious mafia boss. Their lives are turned around when Amar Singh, a mythical hitman with a fairy tale-looking white gun, comes to town. When this gun gets into the hands of Arvind, it gives him the strength to confront his bullies – but it causes havoc in their whole town.

Honestly, this book was like watching a crazy Bollywood gangster film! Arvind seemed so real – just an ordinary kid who wished the bullying would stop but turns out to be carrying something so deadly. His relationship with Sudipto was wonderful and felt like how we are around our best friends in school – fearful but courageous together. I enjoyed how the author wrote about the town and their lives; I could see it literally like a film in my mind. The action sequences were crazy, and Amar Singh as a person was enigmatic and commanding.

If you enjoy revenge novels with emotions, friendship, and raw action, Gunboy is the book for you. It's gripping, pacey, and makes you consider power and innocence. Highly recommend it!

[Nisha Gurung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up GunBoy without expecting much and honestly it thew me off. So glad that i did not skip it.
Set in the dusty Rannwara, Maharashtra, at its heart is 12-year-old Arvind –small-town outsider, bullied every single day. And Sudipto, a soft-hearted friend. They both face brutality in ways that feel painfully real. Their friendship hits right in the gut, loyal yet fragile, a rare lifeline in a world that judges on skin, class, and accent.

When the mysterious hitman Amar Singh arrives, carrying the fabled Gun, that chooses it's wielder, story shifts from quiet suffering into a storm. From that moment, the narrative becomes a blur of tension, violence, and moral grey zones.
What makes the book stand out is how author gives the violence weight it's never glamorized; it’s the language of a world that’s slowly crushing childhoods. Arvind’s inner world, his fear, anger, and longing for justice, hit deeply. Sudipto’s fear and hope combo felt real too.
And by the end, you're left thinking about how thin the line is between a broken kid and an avenger.
It’s messy, brutal, and at times uncomfortable. If you’re up for a ride that’s as emotional as it is intense, pick it up.

[Craartology · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gun Boy by Shreyas Rajagopal is so so brilliant! I haven't read anything this action packed and exhilarating in a long time.

Set in the industrial town of Rannwara, the story begins with Arvind and Sudipto, two besties struggling to find an escape from the school bully Jaggi. Daily tortures after classes are now beyond tolerance. Escaping the senior bully who is also the son of the local mafia boss, amplifies the difficulty of this situation.

Life is hell until, one fateful afternoon Arvind gets his hands on a gleaming white gun. The mythical weapon belongs to Amarjit Singh, the hitman reputed for being undefeated, shrewd and fearless. Once the gun changes hands it's sets the town uproar, altering lives in the craziest ways possible.

Gunboy is a plot set to evoke tension and thrill, in equal measures which are consequences of lawlessness and corruption and powerplay by those who rule and not govern.

The plot is gripping and flows seamlessly with the multiple characters that make this story worthwhile. Go read it.

[Kshitij Bajpai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review Ahead»»

Book - Gunboy
Author - Shreyas Rajagopal
Pages - 416
Published - May 23 2025

⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐/5
When the 12 year old Arvind finds the gun that belongs to the fabled hitman Amar Singh, Arvind knows his days of being bullied are over, and the time for retribution has come.
What makes Gunboy a book to look out for is its balanced portrayal of young bravado and naivete, discussing in undertone the need to be a hero but clinging onto that innocence of the protagonist. The book reads like an Anurag Kashyap screenplay infused with the poeticism of Vishal Bhardwaj, which, to say, is a lot.
The writing only pushes for a more immersive experience of the book that discusses gang rivalries and makes violence in itself a character in the book. A sense of neo-noir narration that Rajagopal brings into the story stands out, blurring the line separating black and white.
If you wish to read a book that stands out and reads like Gangs of Wasseypur (2010) or Satya (1998), then Gunboy is a must read for you.

[Rinki · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The gun is a cold thing. A beautiful, dangerous, cold thing. It wants to speak, and it wants someone to listen.”

Arvind's transformation from a bullied child to a gun-wielding boy is a chilling, cinematic, and uncomfortably realistic portrayal. Set in the rugged town of Rannwara, this novel delves into violence, patriarchy, and the cost of revenge through a perspective rarely afforded to children in Indian fiction.

The use of short, punchy scenes from multiple perspectives gives it a reel feel reminiscent of a screenplay adaptation, a real page-turner that's a cut above the rest.

Ideal for fans of dark and fast-paced thrillers.

Gunboy is a visceral and bold power fantasy that doubles as a coming-of-age thriller, boasting strong world-building and dynamic energy, though its stylistic choices can feel heavy-handed at times; however, its emotional impact and unflinching portrayal of violence make for a gripping narrative, particularly for those drawn to darker stories set in Indian contexts.

[Pradeep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gunboy is one of those rare books that grabs your attention from the first page and keeps you hooked till the very end. Set in the gritty steel town of Rannwara, the story of Arvind and his descent into a world of power and violence is raw, emotional. What starts as a simple tale of two schoolboys trying to escape bullying turns into a shocking journey filled with action, intense moments, and deep reflection.

What I loved most was how real the characters felt. Arvind .. he’s someone you care about, someone who’s caught in situations way beyond his age. His friendship with Sudipto adds warmth to the story, and their bond becomes the heart of the narrative. The world the author has created feels alive and harsh.
The writing is sharp and cinematic. You can almost see the scenes unfold like a film. It reminded me of Gangs of Wasseypur, but with the innocence of youth clashing against the ugliness of crime. It makes you think about how society shapes young minds and how easily one can lose control when power is handed too early.

[Vanshi ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gunboy hits with cinematic force—think gritty, small-town India meets pulse-pounding revenge thriller. In Rannwara, outsider boys Arvind and Sudipto endure daily violence and humiliation. When Amar Singh—a brooding hitman—and his mythic white gun enter the picture, the balance shifts. Arvind seizes the weapon, daring fate in a town ticking with oppression.

Rajagopal’s prose is explosive yet precise. He doesn’t waste words—every chapter pulses, every scene sets something on fire. Rannwara becomes a character itself: dusty streets full of whispers, every alley threatening, every glance loaded. The brutality is stark, the coming-of-age bleak but believable, and the violence never glamorized.

What elevates this thriller is the emotional truth beneath the action. Arvind isn’t defined by the gun—he’s defined by his scars, his loyalty to Sudipto, his yearning for some dignity in a world built on pain. Rajagopal builds tension not just in shootouts or betrayals, but in quiet moments where the margin to survive feels razor-thin.

[Twinkle Arora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title - Gunboy
Author - Shreyas Rajagopal
Genre - thriller/fiction

'Gunboy' by Shreyas Rajagopal is a thriller fictional read. The story revolves around two 12 years old best friends namely Arvind and Shudipto who come to a steel town of RAANWARA. They get bullied daily after school by Jaggi whose father is a mafia boss. But their life changes when Amar Singh with fairy looking white gun comes to town. As Arvind gets his hands on the gun, it gives him the courage to face the bullies.

The author has narrated the story really well which has the elements like violence, bullying, friendship, power, survival etc. The author has depticed the story so vividly and cinematically that it feels like watching a Bollywood movie. His writing style is smooth and impressive. Language used is simple and easy to understand. The flow of the book is fast paced which has the power to keep the readers hooked till the end.

In nutshell, a thrilling read.

Rating - 4/5

I recommend this book to all thriller lovers out there.

[Aayush Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gunboy is one of those rare books that pulls you into its world instantly and doesn’t let go. Set in the tough steel town of Rannwara, it follows 12 year old Arvind and his friend Sudipto, two bullied boys who suddenly find themselves tangled in violence when a mysterious hitman named Amar Singh arrives in town. What starts as a story about schoolyard cruelty soon spirals into a gripping revenge drama where one gun changes everything.

Reading it felt like watching a gritty, realistic film. The writing is sharp and cinematic making you see and feel Rannwara’s heat and tension. Arvind’s journey from an innocent boy to someone forced to confront power and violence is both heartbreaking and thought provoking. His friendship with Sudipto adds warmth to the otherwise harsh world and their bond is the emotional core of the book.What I liked most was that the story didn’t just glorify action rather it made me think how easily hurt can turn into hate and impact society plays in shapes the choices of young minds. Highly Recommended

[Bookbuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gunboy by Shreyas Rajagopal is a gritty, high-stakes coming-of-age thriller set in the industrial town of Rannwara, where best friends Arvind and Sudipto face relentless bullying at the hands of a mafia boss’s son. When a chance encounter puts a legendary white-and-gold gun—once wielded by the feared hitman Amar Singh—into Arvind’s hands, the boy finds himself with the power to strike back. What begins as a quest for retribution quickly spirals into a brutal awakening to the world of violence, crime, and moral reckoning. Rajagopal masterfully weaves tension, emotion, and folklore into a cinematic narrative that explores the heavy cost of vengeance and the fragile line between justice and destruction. With unforgettable characters, atmospheric settings, and a weapon that feels like a myth come to life, Gunboy is a powerful debut that grips the reader from the first page to its haunting conclusion.

[Nidhi Malhotra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gun Boy by Shreyas Rajagopal is a gripping, fast-paced thriller that hooks you from the first page. The story follows a young protagonist whose life spirals into danger after he comes into possession of a gun, setting off a chain of events that test his courage, morality, and resilience.

Rajagopal’s writing is sharp and cinematic, making each scene easy to visualize. The tension builds steadily, driven by well-crafted action sequences and moments of raw emotion. The book doesn’t just deliver suspense—it also delves into deeper themes like the loss of innocence, the impact of violence, and the thin line between survival and morality.

What stands out is the protagonist’s vulnerability, which makes him relatable even in extraordinary circumstances. Gun Boy is more than just a chase—it’s a coming-of-age story wrapped in adrenaline. Readers looking for a page-turner with heart will not be disappointed.

[bookswithkinkita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gun Boy by Shreyas Rajagopal is a gripping tale of rage and revenge set in small-town India. It follows Arvind and Sudipto, two outcast schoolboys targeted by politically privileged Jaggi. When Arvind receives an unexpected opportunity to fight back, he is driven by years of humiliation and the need to protect his friend. However, his quest for revenge comes with a heavy price, forcing him to confront the sacrifices he's willing to make.
Rajagopal masterfully creates the setting of Rannwara, making it feel like a character itself, with its oppressive heat and stark class divisions. The gun in the story serves as a haunting symbol of power and change, representing the desire to reclaim control and the impact of violence on a young mind. Ultimately, it's a thought-provoking exploration of consequences, identity, and the burden of choices a compelling read that lingers long after finishing.

[Cha0tic Soul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of story that grips you not just with its action, but with its aching core. At its heart is a twelve-year-old boy, humiliated, cornered, and just looking for a way out. The dusty, violent world he lives in doesn’t leave much space for innocence. And yet, the friendship between Arvind and Sudipto brings in a quiet tenderness, a flicker of hope in a world that seems determined to crush it. When the mythical Gun enters the picture, it’s not just about revenge; rather, it’s about what happens when a child is handed power in a place that has denied him everything else. The writing doesn’t glorify violence; it confronts it. And through it all, there’s a steady pulse of grief, rage, and strange beauty. This story lingers long after the last page. It made me feel angry, helpless, and, strangely, protective.