What do you think?
Dear to Saturn
A THRILLING MAGICAL NIGHTMARE.
Two sexy, scheming sisters. Disapproving wealthy, in-laws.
And a mysterious family jewel that everyone’s dying to get their hands on.
Happily married Wendy and Kesh are shopping for an Indian family festival when an old flame runs over and straddles him in the aisle. She’s gorgeous, charming, and one of two sisters who will soon sink their claws into the hearts of everyone in the Muthu family. Can Kesh withstand temptation? Will Wendy forgive him if he can’t? And if things take a sinister turn, will their marriage—and family—survive?
A dark and dazzling debut, Dear to Saturn liberates a romantic trope with a folklore-filled, surprisingly spiritual, tender and terrifying tale of love and lust that is both epic and deeply personal, propelled by a plot that becomes so enthralling the pages practically turn themselves.
Two sexy, scheming sisters. Disapproving wealthy, in-laws.
And a mysterious family jewel that everyone’s dying to get their hands on.
Happily married Wendy and Kesh are shopping for an Indian family festival when an old flame runs over and straddles him in the aisle. She’s gorgeous, charming, and one of two sisters who will soon sink their claws into the hearts of everyone in the Muthu family. Can Kesh withstand temptation? Will Wendy forgive him if he can’t? And if things take a sinister turn, will their marriage—and family—survive?
A dark and dazzling debut, Dear to Saturn liberates a romantic trope with a folklore-filled, surprisingly spiritual, tender and terrifying tale of love and lust that is both epic and deeply personal, propelled by a plot that becomes so enthralling the pages practically turn themselves.
289 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2026
About the author
Merlin Senthil
1 book53 followersMerlin Senthil is a filmmaker and author known for his original fantasy stories, often inspired by Indian folklore, and for being a champion of raw and authentic Christian storytelling. He has penned the words behind countless viral videos and has multiple scripts in various stages of production.
DEAR TO SATURN is my debut novel and currently viral on social media. It blends Indian mythology, romance, and philosophy in a fast-paced thriller plot. I'm hope to get translations and an audiobook soon due to high demand.
I am working on more books and shopping around my various screenplays.
I also produce content on YouTube and Substack.
Thanks for supporting me! I still in the process of making my dreams come true. Praise God for his kindness in blessing me with this passion and any progress I make :)
DEAR TO SATURN is my debut novel and currently viral on social media. It blends Indian mythology, romance, and philosophy in a fast-paced thriller plot. I'm hope to get translations and an audiobook soon due to high demand.
I am working on more books and shopping around my various screenplays.
I also produce content on YouTube and Substack.
Thanks for supporting me! I still in the process of making my dreams come true. Praise God for his kindness in blessing me with this passion and any progress I make :)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
August 14, 2026
The book was well written but if you are buying because of the video you've seen on fb, the man crying on the subway, please know it did not have that effect, it was good though and im glad i read it
August 15, 2026
If you are checking out this book, there is a good chance it is because of the viral Instagram videos of the “green flag guy” bawling his eyes out while reading it. After seeing multiple videos of the same guy completely melting over this book, something felt suspicious to me. I did some research and found out that the guy is actually the author himself.
That may be a marketing strategy, so do with that information whatever you want. However, after reading the book, I can say that I found it mediocre, and it definitely did not inspire the kind of emotional reaction that the author, or the other probably staged readers, were having.
Now, let me be more objective and talk about the actual writing.
The writing is very basic and, honestly, nothing special. One thing that stood out to me immediately was the excessive use of em dashes. There seemed to be one or two on practically every page. And do you know who loves using those? AI!
I do not have any concrete evidence that this book was written using AI, and there are certainly readers who are much better than me at identifying AI generated writing. But even if AI had nothing to do with it, the book desperately needed a better editor. A proper proofread would not have hurt either, especially when you have mistakes like this:
“You have want you wanted. Why—why torment us anymore?”
I assume “want” was not exactly what was wanted there.
The story itself did not feel particularly special either. I saw a lot of comments from people saying they had never read anything like it before, but as someone who has read 1400+ books, let me tell you that I have. And I have read much better versions of similar ideas. I have even seen comparable storylines in cartoons and anime I watched as a kid (Which is probably not the benchmark a supposedly revolutionary novel wants to be compared to.)
One of the viral videos claims that page 148 is so shocking that the reader literally threw the book away. I can tell you that I saw that twist coming about ten pages into the story. To be fair to the author, though, there was a later plot twist that I actually thought was good. In fact, that twist is pretty much the sole reason I am not giving this book one star.
The characters were also quite two dimensional and often felt like they were simply acting according to a script. Some of this can be excused because of the circumstances they were placed in, but some of it was simply the result of weak writing.
I was also expecting much more from the “Indian inspired” aspect of the story. Unfortunately, the Indian inspiration seemed to begin and end with some women wearing saris. There was very little that felt particularly Indian about the story. I was hoping for more cultural elements, atmosphere, or anything that would make the setting feel genuinely inspired by India. Unfortunately, I did not get much of that.
So, to summarize, this book was not nearly as good as the hype around it suggests. The author mentions at the beginning that he wrote it because he could not find anyone willing to read his screenplays. After reading the book, I could not help but think that maybe he should have stuck with the screenplays.
The story had potential, but to me it felt much more like a first draft than a finished novel. If you are like me and picked this up because those viral videos made you curious, maybe think twice before spending your time on it. There are plenty of better books out there.
That may be a marketing strategy, so do with that information whatever you want. However, after reading the book, I can say that I found it mediocre, and it definitely did not inspire the kind of emotional reaction that the author, or the other probably staged readers, were having.
Now, let me be more objective and talk about the actual writing.
The writing is very basic and, honestly, nothing special. One thing that stood out to me immediately was the excessive use of em dashes. There seemed to be one or two on practically every page. And do you know who loves using those? AI!
I do not have any concrete evidence that this book was written using AI, and there are certainly readers who are much better than me at identifying AI generated writing. But even if AI had nothing to do with it, the book desperately needed a better editor. A proper proofread would not have hurt either, especially when you have mistakes like this:
“You have want you wanted. Why—why torment us anymore?”
I assume “want” was not exactly what was wanted there.
The story itself did not feel particularly special either. I saw a lot of comments from people saying they had never read anything like it before, but as someone who has read 1400+ books, let me tell you that I have. And I have read much better versions of similar ideas. I have even seen comparable storylines in cartoons and anime I watched as a kid (Which is probably not the benchmark a supposedly revolutionary novel wants to be compared to.)
One of the viral videos claims that page 148 is so shocking that the reader literally threw the book away. I can tell you that I saw that twist coming about ten pages into the story. To be fair to the author, though, there was a later plot twist that I actually thought was good. In fact, that twist is pretty much the sole reason I am not giving this book one star.
The characters were also quite two dimensional and often felt like they were simply acting according to a script. Some of this can be excused because of the circumstances they were placed in, but some of it was simply the result of weak writing.
I was also expecting much more from the “Indian inspired” aspect of the story. Unfortunately, the Indian inspiration seemed to begin and end with some women wearing saris. There was very little that felt particularly Indian about the story. I was hoping for more cultural elements, atmosphere, or anything that would make the setting feel genuinely inspired by India. Unfortunately, I did not get much of that.
So, to summarize, this book was not nearly as good as the hype around it suggests. The author mentions at the beginning that he wrote it because he could not find anyone willing to read his screenplays. After reading the book, I could not help but think that maybe he should have stuck with the screenplays.
The story had potential, but to me it felt much more like a first draft than a finished novel. If you are like me and picked this up because those viral videos made you curious, maybe think twice before spending your time on it. There are plenty of better books out there.
May 29, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel! I’ve never quite read anything like it. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a “fantasy thriller” but I was pleasantly surprised. It doesn’t fully fit into the fantasy genre, nor the thriller genre— in a good way! It blended the two genres beautifully and had me reading while folding laundry (a sign of a great book)
I really enjoyed both the setting and cultural aspects of this book. Filled with Indian mythology, Dear to Saturn made me want to go down the rabbit hole of so many mythological paths. It felt culturally well researched, while still wildly creative. I have no experience with Indian culture and I felt included and informed throughout reading, even though each cultural nuance was not explicitly explained.
The characters are charming, lovable, and utterly hateable. The character of Wendy felt dynamic and strong and I was thrilled by the direction that her character went. The character growth and development felt evenly paced, which made the end of the book so much more powerful.
I would highly reccomend Dear to Saturn to lovers of Babel by R.F Kuang, The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon, and The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager. This is truly a beautiful debut!
I really enjoyed both the setting and cultural aspects of this book. Filled with Indian mythology, Dear to Saturn made me want to go down the rabbit hole of so many mythological paths. It felt culturally well researched, while still wildly creative. I have no experience with Indian culture and I felt included and informed throughout reading, even though each cultural nuance was not explicitly explained.
The characters are charming, lovable, and utterly hateable. The character of Wendy felt dynamic and strong and I was thrilled by the direction that her character went. The character growth and development felt evenly paced, which made the end of the book so much more powerful.
I would highly reccomend Dear to Saturn to lovers of Babel by R.F Kuang, The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon, and The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager. This is truly a beautiful debut!
July 4, 2026
Fast paced novel with some beautiful passages and themes. I really liked the Indian folklore elements. Fantasy genre is not typically my thing but I enjoyed this!
August 19, 2026
Plot was full of potential, only to be ruined by juvenile writing (like really something out of a wattpad/highschool creative writing class) and ridiculous, cartoonish ending. First quarter of the book was compelling enough, but finishing it left me almost angry at how jarringly campy everything ended, with a dose of out-of-the-blue, way-too-dragged-out philosophizing.
Oh, I almost forgot to add: so I got interested in this book because I saw a video taken (like a candid video) of a guy crying while reading this and people commenting something like, “yep that tracks”. Gosh, I should have checked that it was an ad! The fact that the publishers or whoever is behind the PR for this book made such a sneaky ad leaves such a bad taste in my mouth, like yeah — if this book was really any good at all, they wouldn’t resort to such tactic. But such is life, and while I’m not mad buying the book to support an author, I’m mad I was such a sucker.
Oh, I almost forgot to add: so I got interested in this book because I saw a video taken (like a candid video) of a guy crying while reading this and people commenting something like, “yep that tracks”. Gosh, I should have checked that it was an ad! The fact that the publishers or whoever is behind the PR for this book made such a sneaky ad leaves such a bad taste in my mouth, like yeah — if this book was really any good at all, they wouldn’t resort to such tactic. But such is life, and while I’m not mad buying the book to support an author, I’m mad I was such a sucker.
June 2, 2026
An entertaining family drama in a contemporary setting with fantasy elements.
I was all-in for the wild family dynamics, and the great character work -- every family member was an individual with their own personality and motivation. Loved all that writing very much, especially the cultural aspects which were largely new to me as a white reader. Seeing how the characters interacted, how their backgrounds and family placement affected all the goings on, loved it! And Wendy is Just The Best.
Happily that was a significant part of the book, because as a big fantasy reader, the fantasy aspects were just okay ... I would personally have appreciated a bit more subtlety and personality for the 'scheming sisters'. And the ending rather lost steam; I think I can see what the author was doing, but it didn't quite land for me. Plus, as a big romance reader, I can't see why people are describing this as either a romance or a romantasy. (Let alone whatever the blurb is trying to say with "liberates a romantic trope" -- does what?) There are romantic relationships in this book, sure, but those arcs aren't the story.
While I'm side-eyeing the blurb, let me also take on 'surprisingly' spiritual. Surely Fantasy is the second least surprising genre in which to find spirituality after Religious Fiction?! The genre of Narnia & LOTR? This isn't Jack Reacher or James Bond, after all. (Also, I want that genre mix now. Rec me fanfiction if you can!) This book was nicely spiritual. Embedded spirituality. Finally, do the 'the pages practically turn themselves'? sorry, not for me. I know the blurb isn't the book, but if I'd gone in with more reasonable expectations, it might have worked better overall for me.
Rating: 14/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance reading copy provided by the publisher.
I was all-in for the wild family dynamics, and the great character work -- every family member was an individual with their own personality and motivation. Loved all that writing very much, especially the cultural aspects which were largely new to me as a white reader. Seeing how the characters interacted, how their backgrounds and family placement affected all the goings on, loved it! And Wendy is Just The Best.
Happily that was a significant part of the book, because as a big fantasy reader, the fantasy aspects were just okay ... I would personally have appreciated a bit more subtlety and personality for the 'scheming sisters'. And the ending rather lost steam; I think I can see what the author was doing, but it didn't quite land for me. Plus, as a big romance reader, I can't see why people are describing this as either a romance or a romantasy. (Let alone whatever the blurb is trying to say with "liberates a romantic trope" -- does what?) There are romantic relationships in this book, sure, but those arcs aren't the story.
While I'm side-eyeing the blurb, let me also take on 'surprisingly' spiritual. Surely Fantasy is the second least surprising genre in which to find spirituality after Religious Fiction?! The genre of Narnia & LOTR? This isn't Jack Reacher or James Bond, after all. (Also, I want that genre mix now. Rec me fanfiction if you can!) This book was nicely spiritual. Embedded spirituality. Finally, do the 'the pages practically turn themselves'? sorry, not for me. I know the blurb isn't the book, but if I'd gone in with more reasonable expectations, it might have worked better overall for me.
Rating: 14/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance reading copy provided by the publisher.
May 18, 2026
I really enjoyed reading “Dear To Saturn”! It was very fast paced and the author’s writing style was easy and fun to read, making it a book that was hard to put down. I felt like Merlin Senthil did a great job balancing the history of characters with current events and intertwining the two. There was also beautiful character development. I never felt bored or confused reading this book! I also really appreciated the underlying message that I got from the book, whether it was intended by Senthil or not. I’ve already recommended the book to my book club and can’t wait for my friends to read it!
* I received an ARC copy for free. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
* I received an ARC copy for free. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
August 13, 2026
Dear to Saturn is an absolute gem and completely surprised me in the best way. It explores beautiful themes of family dynamics, love, lust, humor, and sacrifice, all woven together so naturally.
I especially loved the layer of supernatural, spiritual, and folkloric elements throughout the story. They were brilliant and used in just the right amount, adding something special without ever overpowering the characters or their relationships.
From page one, you immediately feel connected to the characters and invested in their lives. The pacing is spot-on: it gives the story room to breathe while still keeping you completely hooked and wondering what’s going to happen next.
Such a beautiful, unexpected read!
I especially loved the layer of supernatural, spiritual, and folkloric elements throughout the story. They were brilliant and used in just the right amount, adding something special without ever overpowering the characters or their relationships.
From page one, you immediately feel connected to the characters and invested in their lives. The pacing is spot-on: it gives the story room to breathe while still keeping you completely hooked and wondering what’s going to happen next.
Such a beautiful, unexpected read!
June 3, 2026
TW: infertility, cheating
This is a deeply unusual novel – but not in a bad way. It's part family drama, part horror story, part theological meditation. It succeeds more often than it fails, especially in how honestly it deals with infertility and in how willing it is to let characters stay messy and unresolved. The supernatural twist genuinely changes how you see the first half of the book, and the Saturn interludes give you a really unique picture of divine patience and humor and this has to be my favorite thing about the book.
I especially like Saturn. It is a great "God character". He's not the usual stern, finger‑wagging type. He's playful, patient, loves riddles, and has an actual sense of humor. The idea of "cosmic comedy", that evil doesn't realize it's the butt of the joke – is pretty thought‑provoking.
But yeah, the middle drags, Kesh is underdeveloped, and the explicit Christian angle won't be for everyone. The prose is ambitious, i really liked some like at places but sometimes tries too hard.
Rating: 3.5 / 5 stars
Read this if you like:
Spirutual talks, literary fantasy, Indian‑American family stories, books that deal honestly with infertility and adoption, theological fiction in the vein of C.S. Lewis or Madeleine L'Engle.
Maybe skip it if you want:
Tight, fast pacing or morally messy infidelity without magical excuses.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
This is a deeply unusual novel – but not in a bad way. It's part family drama, part horror story, part theological meditation. It succeeds more often than it fails, especially in how honestly it deals with infertility and in how willing it is to let characters stay messy and unresolved. The supernatural twist genuinely changes how you see the first half of the book, and the Saturn interludes give you a really unique picture of divine patience and humor and this has to be my favorite thing about the book.
I especially like Saturn. It is a great "God character". He's not the usual stern, finger‑wagging type. He's playful, patient, loves riddles, and has an actual sense of humor. The idea of "cosmic comedy", that evil doesn't realize it's the butt of the joke – is pretty thought‑provoking.
But yeah, the middle drags, Kesh is underdeveloped, and the explicit Christian angle won't be for everyone. The prose is ambitious, i really liked some like at places but sometimes tries too hard.
Rating: 3.5 / 5 stars
Read this if you like:
Spirutual talks, literary fantasy, Indian‑American family stories, books that deal honestly with infertility and adoption, theological fiction in the vein of C.S. Lewis or Madeleine L'Engle.
Maybe skip it if you want:
Tight, fast pacing or morally messy infidelity without magical excuses.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
May 20, 2026
A fantasy thriller with a little romance? Say less.
This book had me STRESSED in the best way possible, just waiting for Wendy to finally get her lick back… and when she did? So satisfying!! I could not put this down.
The pacing was super fast, the writing style kept me completely hooked, and every chapter had me desperate to know what happened next. I finished this in one day because I genuinely could not stop reading. Such a fun, intense read.
My favorite part was learning about all the Indian folklore woven throughout this book. I’m always obsessed with a story that has me pulling out Google every so often to look up a definition, a creature, or the meaning behind something. It made the world feel so rich and immersive, and I loved getting to learn while being completely entertained.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
June 5, 2026
This book destroyed me and built me back up again.
The first half shattered my heart and threw it into the pit of my stomach. The second half had such beautiful imagery of God's fatherly love that it put the pieces back together again.
The first half shattered my heart and threw it into the pit of my stomach. The second half had such beautiful imagery of God's fatherly love that it put the pieces back together again.
August 31, 2026
I have an ick when it comes to books and stories. That's cheating. Adultery. Hard nope from me. This is a rare occasion I didn't put the book down. Mainly because I had done a little bit of research and knew the author is a Christian, the intrigue was very real. This book was fantastic. A great short read.
August 12, 2026
Deer to Saturn was one of those books I’m SO glad I went into completely blind. I knew absolutely nothing about it other than seeing some random person’s reaction on TikTok, and honestly, I think that made the experience so much better.
This fantasy thriller was fast-paced, weird, unpredictable, and ridiculously entertaining. I genuinely couldn’t put it down, and I never quite knew what was coming next. The book managed to surprise me over and over again, which is something I really appreciate.
My biggest recommendation? Don’t read the synopsis. Skip the spoilers, go in blind, and just let this book take you wherever it wants to go. I think the less you know, the more fun you’ll have.
This fantasy thriller was fast-paced, weird, unpredictable, and ridiculously entertaining. I genuinely couldn’t put it down, and I never quite knew what was coming next. The book managed to surprise me over and over again, which is something I really appreciate.
My biggest recommendation? Don’t read the synopsis. Skip the spoilers, go in blind, and just let this book take you wherever it wants to go. I think the less you know, the more fun you’ll have.
September 14, 2026
Aišku, kad ir mane pagavo viral video instagram’e. Jame skaitydamas knygą verkė vyras (pasirodo autorius), tai aš nesupratau, kas ten taip jį sugraudino…
Rekomenduoju šitą knygą jei patinka Indijos mitologija ir kultūra. Man asmeniškai maždaug pusę knygos buvo ganėtinai neįdomu skaityti.
Rekomenduoju šitą knygą jei patinka Indijos mitologija ir kultūra. Man asmeniškai maždaug pusę knygos buvo ganėtinai neįdomu skaityti.
August 8, 2026
Read this in 3 hrs cos I couldn't put it down. Really enjoyed it, my favourite book of the year so far.
September 3, 2026
Very overrated. This book was heavily advertised and overhyped on social media, and clearly, it worked. I went in with high expectations but was really disappointed. The writing felt amateurish, and I struggled to understand what all the hype was about.
August 3, 2026
Was speechless. Didn't know what I was walking into reading this and just beautiful I have no other words it made cry and no books have yet to do that that I have read.
July 17, 2026
Fast read ! I enjoyed it ! Wonderful debut novel .
June 20, 2026
Dear to Saturn follows the married couple Wendy and Kesh, whose lives are turned upside down when Kesh reconnects with a former friend—and old flame. At the same time, they become entangled in a family drama involving two manipulative sisters, a mysterious family jewel, and supernatural forces. The novel blends romance, suspense, Indian folklore, and dark mysticism while exploring themes of temptation, love, family, and survival.
I had never read a fantasy thriller before, and it was definitely a unique experience. At first, I found it a bit confusing, but it quickly became incredibly gripping.
We follow Wendy and Kesh as they spend time with Kesh’s family. Since his family has Indian roots, the story is enriched with many aspects of Indian culture, which added depth to the narrative and made it even more interesting.
I was stressed out for Wendy almost the entire time! It’s a thrilling and unique story that combines family drama, mystery, and fantasy in a way that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
I had never read a fantasy thriller before, and it was definitely a unique experience. At first, I found it a bit confusing, but it quickly became incredibly gripping.
We follow Wendy and Kesh as they spend time with Kesh’s family. Since his family has Indian roots, the story is enriched with many aspects of Indian culture, which added depth to the narrative and made it even more interesting.
I was stressed out for Wendy almost the entire time! It’s a thrilling and unique story that combines family drama, mystery, and fantasy in a way that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
August 6, 2026
I really enjoyed this debut novel written by my dear boyfriend's good friend. The author created a story that was fantastical, yet believable in its genre, and kept the plot moving quickly in an exciting manner. So many surprises came at me just when I thought I could predict what would happen next. Nicely done, Merlin.
August 29, 2026
This was such a great story. I gasped so many times. Starting out as a story of a wife trying to impress her inlaws and it turned into a mystical story of gods and spirtual blessings. I always enjoy stories about other cultures. This book is really special. I will be thinking about it for a while.
August 10, 2026
I saw people reacting to this book on social media and I took the bait. Had no idea what I was getting into. It’s totally not my typical genre. I came close to quitting a few times, but needed to see why everyone was freaking out somewhere in the middle. Yep! The turning point got me too. Had to see it through after that. I’ve never read anything like this. Is it a groundbreaking novel? Absolutely not. Was I entertained? Mind blown by some interesting twists and turns? Experienced some intriguing concepts? Absolutely. Bonus for this being a quick read.
August 28, 2026
This was not my usual genre, but I had heard a lot about it so I decided to read it. You do need to enjoy “fantasy”.
June 17, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. A story that takes you for a twist leaving you more cultured while also examining your own life at the end. It's hard to put it in one category as it is thriller yet not to creepy, fantasy yet not to nerdy, fabelish yet not to dry. A shorter novel yet long enough to grow to love some characters and despise others. I hope this young author has more stories in future for us readers.
August 16, 2026
I really wanted to love Dear to Saturn more than I did, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite work for me.
The first half was genuinely a 5-star read. I was invested in the tension, the family drama, and all the uncomfortable dynamics. There was a constant sense that something was about to go terribly wrong, and I was completely on board. I was especially interested in the story when it felt like a thriller—full of secrets, suspicion, interpersonal tension, and drama.
Unfortunately, once the fantasy elements became more prominent, my enjoyment started to drop. The introduction of the demoness/fantasy aspect took the story in a direction I wasn't expecting or particularly interested in. By around 70%, I was down to about 2.5 stars.
I also have to mention the marketing, because I think it heavily influenced my expectations. This was presented to me as a romantasy, with the promise of something painful, emotional. I honestly didn't get that experience. There are romantic relationships in the story, but I wouldn't describe romance as a major part of the book, and I never felt particularly attached to the characters or emotionally devastated by what was happening. I kept waiting for that big emotional impact that the marketing seemed to promise, but it never really came.
The interlude was another difficult part for me. It felt much too long, overly philosophical, and, ultimately, boring. I understand what the author was trying to explore with it, but it pulled me out of the story rather than deepening my connection to it.
Ironically, I think I would have enjoyed this book much more if it had stayed a thriller. Give me all the family tension, secrets, manipulation, suspense, and drama from the first half without taking the story so heavily into the fantasy/philosophical side, and I probably would have been much more invested.
I started at 5 stars, dropped to 4 when the fantasy took over, and ended somewhere around 2.5–3 stars. Ultimately, it just wasn't the book I thought I was getting.
The first half was genuinely a 5-star read. I was invested in the tension, the family drama, and all the uncomfortable dynamics. There was a constant sense that something was about to go terribly wrong, and I was completely on board. I was especially interested in the story when it felt like a thriller—full of secrets, suspicion, interpersonal tension, and drama.
Unfortunately, once the fantasy elements became more prominent, my enjoyment started to drop. The introduction of the demoness/fantasy aspect took the story in a direction I wasn't expecting or particularly interested in. By around 70%, I was down to about 2.5 stars.
I also have to mention the marketing, because I think it heavily influenced my expectations. This was presented to me as a romantasy, with the promise of something painful, emotional. I honestly didn't get that experience. There are romantic relationships in the story, but I wouldn't describe romance as a major part of the book, and I never felt particularly attached to the characters or emotionally devastated by what was happening. I kept waiting for that big emotional impact that the marketing seemed to promise, but it never really came.
The interlude was another difficult part for me. It felt much too long, overly philosophical, and, ultimately, boring. I understand what the author was trying to explore with it, but it pulled me out of the story rather than deepening my connection to it.
Ironically, I think I would have enjoyed this book much more if it had stayed a thriller. Give me all the family tension, secrets, manipulation, suspense, and drama from the first half without taking the story so heavily into the fantasy/philosophical side, and I probably would have been much more invested.
I started at 5 stars, dropped to 4 when the fantasy took over, and ended somewhere around 2.5–3 stars. Ultimately, it just wasn't the book I thought I was getting.
August 16, 2026
What originally brought me to this book was by the authors reels on instagram. So, wanting a change of pace, I bought the kindle edition and started reading. I was not disappointed with this one and I enjoyed the story! It provoked some strong emotions on more than one occasion, I thought the plot twist was good and the story wrapped up nicely by the end. What made this a 4 star read, for me, was the writing style in some places where you would get “drip, drip, dripping” or “pop, pop, popping” (on more than a few occasions) and a few other places where things would start rhyming, then go back to normal.
Overall it’s a story I liked and will be adding to my physical collection when I am able. It’s a nice short read too!
And, from one believer to another, I appreciated the acknowledgments. God bless 🩷 keep up the good work!
Overall it’s a story I liked and will be adding to my physical collection when I am able. It’s a nice short read too!
And, from one believer to another, I appreciated the acknowledgments. God bless 🩷 keep up the good work!
Want to Read
April 30, 2026I really enjoyed reading Merlin Senthil's debut novel! The book brings in Hindu mythology which was refreshing and new for the genre, something I haven't read before. My favorite part of reading was the author's writing style. His descriptions, humor, and word choices are clever, engaging, and kept me turning pages eager to see where things were going. The most meaningful part of the read for me was the conversation with Saturn later in the book. So well written and thought provoking. Where a lot of romantasy can be brain candy, this scene is something I will take with me and continue to reflect on. It helped me understand my own inner life and faith on a deeper level. Impressive his writing accomplished that in a debut novel! Overall would definitely recommend this to romantasy lovers and also, even more, to those who don't frequent the genre like myself.
August 2, 2026
Great easy read
I was never bored, read it in one sitting as it kept my attention. Great blend of folklore, fantasy, and realism!
I was never bored, read it in one sitting as it kept my attention. Great blend of folklore, fantasy, and realism!
July 26, 2026
I enjoyed the author's conversational style of writing; certainly a nod to his screenwriting background. I was not at all familiar with Indian folklore and am always happy when a book prods me to Google for more information and knowledge. I look forward to more from this young writer.
September 1, 2026
I received an advanced copy of this book and have sat on it for some time trying to find something redeeming about it to put my best foot forward in the form of this review.
To put things frank, this book does not have much going for it. I’ll do my best to say something nice before going into the problems. The best quality I can point to is the author’s ability to make vivid scenes come to life on the page. Some of the best sections in this book feature large, colorful set pieces where all the characters are gathered. This is where my 1 star that it was awarded comes from.
Now, to get into the shortcomings. The most egregious thing is the “cheating trope” of it all. Pop culture stable marriage where no one cheats challenge (difficulty: impossible). Rarely does infidelity play well on page or screen, and it’s exhausting that creators keep going to the well to make this the primary plot driver. I can probably count on one hand the amount of times it actually worked in a book, show, or film. The “I hate it all along” combined with the Harry Potter love potion excuse doesn’t really work for me.
Realistically, it’s hard to say that the cheating was meant to be repulsive considering the book goes into deep detail about how lame and unattractive the protagonist is. Not to mention the light dabbling of imagery that is meant to point the reader to that direction by emphasizing that it’s because she’s white.
Shockingly, that pales in comparison to the usage of s-exposition as one of the large plot drivers. Considering what I was sold on was a thriller-ish meets family drama in a sort of cocktail of “it’s complicated”, hidden in the closet (and I mean literal closet) adultery & abscond to a secondary location to fornicate again while in view of a minor really don’t do it for me. Oh, and really getting to know characters based on the descriptions of their bosom, hard pass for me there.
The third act I don’t really have much to say about. The time freeze into time travel (or maybe transfiguration?) brought to you by the Indian version of Genie from Aladdin (mainly because of the blue and the whole INFINITE COSMIC POWER/itty bitty living space) who is maybe or maybe not meant to be the god of whatever universe is in was just confusing.
To put things frank, this book does not have much going for it. I’ll do my best to say something nice before going into the problems. The best quality I can point to is the author’s ability to make vivid scenes come to life on the page. Some of the best sections in this book feature large, colorful set pieces where all the characters are gathered. This is where my 1 star that it was awarded comes from.
Now, to get into the shortcomings. The most egregious thing is the “cheating trope” of it all. Pop culture stable marriage where no one cheats challenge (difficulty: impossible). Rarely does infidelity play well on page or screen, and it’s exhausting that creators keep going to the well to make this the primary plot driver. I can probably count on one hand the amount of times it actually worked in a book, show, or film. The “I hate it all along” combined with the Harry Potter love potion excuse doesn’t really work for me.
Realistically, it’s hard to say that the cheating was meant to be repulsive considering the book goes into deep detail about how lame and unattractive the protagonist is. Not to mention the light dabbling of imagery that is meant to point the reader to that direction by emphasizing that it’s because she’s white.
Shockingly, that pales in comparison to the usage of s-exposition as one of the large plot drivers. Considering what I was sold on was a thriller-ish meets family drama in a sort of cocktail of “it’s complicated”, hidden in the closet (and I mean literal closet) adultery & abscond to a secondary location to fornicate again while in view of a minor really don’t do it for me. Oh, and really getting to know characters based on the descriptions of their bosom, hard pass for me there.
The third act I don’t really have much to say about. The time freeze into time travel (or maybe transfiguration?) brought to you by the Indian version of Genie from Aladdin (mainly because of the blue and the whole INFINITE COSMIC POWER/itty bitty living space) who is maybe or maybe not meant to be the god of whatever universe is in was just confusing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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