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And the Roses Bled
About the Book
What happens when the dead come back and can’t let go?
A catastrophe occurs in what was meant to be a fun-filled day for Nina and Alisha. Minutes ago, they were on the swings in the Rose Garden and now, Alisha is standing alone, while the help runs frantically. Her sister, Nina, has disappeared, never to be found again.
But the bond between them withstands even death. Nina’s ghost circles the house.
Is she here just to comfort her now lonely and distraught sister or is she pointing the way to unravel the mystery of her disappearance? the questions remain unanswered until six years later.
Another ghost is reaching out to Alisha from the beyond, a ghost only she can see and she has no idea why.
Battling the horror, the blood and the nightmares that follow her in this macabre turn of events, will Alisha be able to emerge from the whirlpool that the other side is trying to drown her in?
About the Author
Mehak Daleh lives and works out of Chandigarh. She started working on ‘Roses’ on a cold December day in 2012, giving in to an image of little girls walking to a graveyard which had been stuck in her head for months. This image became the centre around which the manuscript grew.
Mehak relishes dark folklore and mythology along with contemporary fiction. Her stories, born where the everyday meets the extraordinary, are usually set in the hills where she grew up and where she developed a penchant for the mysterious and macabre.
And the Roses Bled is her debut novel and she is currently working on her subsequent manuscripts.
What happens when the dead come back and can’t let go?
A catastrophe occurs in what was meant to be a fun-filled day for Nina and Alisha. Minutes ago, they were on the swings in the Rose Garden and now, Alisha is standing alone, while the help runs frantically. Her sister, Nina, has disappeared, never to be found again.
But the bond between them withstands even death. Nina’s ghost circles the house.
Is she here just to comfort her now lonely and distraught sister or is she pointing the way to unravel the mystery of her disappearance? the questions remain unanswered until six years later.
Another ghost is reaching out to Alisha from the beyond, a ghost only she can see and she has no idea why.
Battling the horror, the blood and the nightmares that follow her in this macabre turn of events, will Alisha be able to emerge from the whirlpool that the other side is trying to drown her in?
About the Author
Mehak Daleh lives and works out of Chandigarh. She started working on ‘Roses’ on a cold December day in 2012, giving in to an image of little girls walking to a graveyard which had been stuck in her head for months. This image became the centre around which the manuscript grew.
Mehak relishes dark folklore and mythology along with contemporary fiction. Her stories, born where the everyday meets the extraordinary, are usually set in the hills where she grew up and where she developed a penchant for the mysterious and macabre.
And the Roses Bled is her debut novel and she is currently working on her subsequent manuscripts.
224 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2018
5 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 16, 2018
A perfect spooky read for the month of October because Halloween it is! I read a horror book after such a long time and needless to say, I liked it.
The book follows the story of twin sisters-Nina and Alisha who get separated at a very young age. While playing in a park, both the sisters were introduced to a man who trapped them by making the sisters search for his pet peacock. During the search, the sisters felt something wrong and Alisha decided to tell her nanny about their search before heading with the man. When she came back, her sister, Nina, had disappeared, never to be found again. Alisha was left alone and had to answer a lot of questions regarding the park's incident but she was too tired and shocked by her sister's disappearance.
Alisha's life changed when she was sent to a boarding school. Like every Sunday, their teachers used to take children on visits, but the visit to a Graveyard, changed Alisha's life for the worst. She started feeling the presence of a spirit around her and was having nightmares every single night. She lost her friend, just like she lost her sister and got to know that many children were missing. She was scared, afraid, frightened and what not because THE DEAD WAS BACK and she was confused and frightened as to why the spirits were getting in touch with her.
Was Nina here just to comfort her now lonely and distraught sister or was she pointing the way to unravel the mystery of her disappearance? the questions remain unanswered until six years later.
You definitely need to read the book to get the answers.
I really enjoyed reading this book. My friend Mehak in her debut novel did an amazing job. I loved each and every character and the suspense was pretty scary. A good plot which actually intrigued me to give this book a go. The book was able to creep me out. The narration is crisp and smooth and the book is well paced. The language used is easy and understandable.
Definitely Recommended!
The book follows the story of twin sisters-Nina and Alisha who get separated at a very young age. While playing in a park, both the sisters were introduced to a man who trapped them by making the sisters search for his pet peacock. During the search, the sisters felt something wrong and Alisha decided to tell her nanny about their search before heading with the man. When she came back, her sister, Nina, had disappeared, never to be found again. Alisha was left alone and had to answer a lot of questions regarding the park's incident but she was too tired and shocked by her sister's disappearance.
Alisha's life changed when she was sent to a boarding school. Like every Sunday, their teachers used to take children on visits, but the visit to a Graveyard, changed Alisha's life for the worst. She started feeling the presence of a spirit around her and was having nightmares every single night. She lost her friend, just like she lost her sister and got to know that many children were missing. She was scared, afraid, frightened and what not because THE DEAD WAS BACK and she was confused and frightened as to why the spirits were getting in touch with her.
Was Nina here just to comfort her now lonely and distraught sister or was she pointing the way to unravel the mystery of her disappearance? the questions remain unanswered until six years later.
You definitely need to read the book to get the answers.
I really enjoyed reading this book. My friend Mehak in her debut novel did an amazing job. I loved each and every character and the suspense was pretty scary. A good plot which actually intrigued me to give this book a go. The book was able to creep me out. The narration is crisp and smooth and the book is well paced. The language used is easy and understandable.
Definitely Recommended!
December 24, 2020
The story starts with the mysterious disappearance of 6 year old Nina while her twin Alisha just escaped the kidnapping by mere chance!
Nobody knows what happened to her even years after her disappearance.
Alisha has to live with guilt & grows up with hauntings of that particular day even after getting shifted to far off a hilly area for school. *Highlights:
👍The plot well planned; the characters are haunting and stays with you forever
👍Elements of the unknown are well put, the mind and it's uncertainties well explored
👍Dreams & reality well merged with the strong upbuilt of characters leading to the exposure of unexplained truths 👍The spooky parts are gripping, not too intense yet horrifying 👍How the mysterious criminal gets revealed, what helped in this big mystery unveiling is the main highlight
👍The well put verse/sentences speak so much about life
👍The images in the dreams and the conscious state got me real hard! It's difficult not to believe in the otherwise world while reading this book
👍A perfect Halloween read👌 👎Sometimes the scenes become too gruesome & graphic
👎I will.not recommend this book to below 16 years of age and for those who have a problem with paranormal content.
However, this book came out to be really different and unique.
Kudos to the author for bringing up new flavours in the Indian book scenario👍
👌Overall, a very entertaining read! 🔶Rating:4/5🌟
🔶Totally recommended!
Nobody knows what happened to her even years after her disappearance.
Alisha has to live with guilt & grows up with hauntings of that particular day even after getting shifted to far off a hilly area for school. *Highlights:
👍The plot well planned; the characters are haunting and stays with you forever
👍Elements of the unknown are well put, the mind and it's uncertainties well explored
👍Dreams & reality well merged with the strong upbuilt of characters leading to the exposure of unexplained truths 👍The spooky parts are gripping, not too intense yet horrifying 👍How the mysterious criminal gets revealed, what helped in this big mystery unveiling is the main highlight
👍The well put verse/sentences speak so much about life
👍The images in the dreams and the conscious state got me real hard! It's difficult not to believe in the otherwise world while reading this book
👍A perfect Halloween read👌 👎Sometimes the scenes become too gruesome & graphic
👎I will.not recommend this book to below 16 years of age and for those who have a problem with paranormal content.
However, this book came out to be really different and unique.
Kudos to the author for bringing up new flavours in the Indian book scenario👍
👌Overall, a very entertaining read! 🔶Rating:4/5🌟
🔶Totally recommended!
January 10, 2019
The intriguing summary of AND THE ROSES BLED is what made me get the book just at one glance! As it is, there's a paucity of good books in the genre of horror anyway (so I guess there's no harm trying!).
While you start off with the story quite steadily, it does tend to get a bit scattered. I feel the jump from one scene to another and the oscillation between the past and the present could have been more subtle.
What the 'authors' need to realize is the fact that injecting mounds of information, especially if they're not largely linked to the plot in motion, can both be irrelevant and a waste of space! And in the book in assessment, the scares come across as nondescript and uneventful.
The part about the girls sharing the same dreams, and the attention given to their thoughts and nightmares, are both inevitably lukewarm and repetitive and needed to be tightly developed.
What seems like a promising plotline in the first half of the book turns incredibly stretched and nonchalant in the second. The paragraphs describing the heinous crimes are unexciting and deserved better editing.
The novel in its entirety is inconsistent. It sure has its moments but, of all the attempts to get you poignant, only a handful connect.
A decent book in the genre would make your brain tickle and also press you to think. Nevertheless, AND THE ROSES BLED is a brave attempt (given the fact that it's a debut work) and I'd be happy to see the Writer do better.
While you start off with the story quite steadily, it does tend to get a bit scattered. I feel the jump from one scene to another and the oscillation between the past and the present could have been more subtle.
What the 'authors' need to realize is the fact that injecting mounds of information, especially if they're not largely linked to the plot in motion, can both be irrelevant and a waste of space! And in the book in assessment, the scares come across as nondescript and uneventful.
The part about the girls sharing the same dreams, and the attention given to their thoughts and nightmares, are both inevitably lukewarm and repetitive and needed to be tightly developed.
What seems like a promising plotline in the first half of the book turns incredibly stretched and nonchalant in the second. The paragraphs describing the heinous crimes are unexciting and deserved better editing.
The novel in its entirety is inconsistent. It sure has its moments but, of all the attempts to get you poignant, only a handful connect.
A decent book in the genre would make your brain tickle and also press you to think. Nevertheless, AND THE ROSES BLED is a brave attempt (given the fact that it's a debut work) and I'd be happy to see the Writer do better.
October 8, 2018
And the Roses Bled by Mehak Daleh is a one of a kind read for me. Personally, I do not enjoy horror stories. When the publisher, Fingerprint Publishing, asked if I could review this book, I was skeptical at first. But after having read the summary I decided to give it a go and see how it turns out.
Thankfully, it wasn’t too nightmarish or anything but it is something that will give you goosebumps, probably make you squeamish, if you’re the sensitive kind. Like me. But I promise you, it won’t gross you out.
So, the usual peeps. A summary, then the review. Let's go!
Summary
Alisha is young girl when she loses her twin sister, Nina. She is sent away to a boarding school but soon realises that Nina has come back to visit her and to probably tell her something. Alisha also witnesses someone else, another girl with a rose in her hand, and she wonders if she ever can have a normal life. But with her bestie, Ravneet, by her side she braves it all. Just when she thinks she is fine, things start spiraling out of control. Even to the extent that her friend Ravneet is affected.
What are the girls trying to tell her? And can Alisha, a school girl, help them?
What I Liked
Like I said earlier, I was a bit skeptical to read this book, especially at night! (shivers!). But this is not the kind of book that will scare you to bits and it comes from someone who gets spooked very easily. So, I was relieved that way!
As for the story, it has a good plot, very intriguing. It will want you to keep reading and get to the bottom of the story. The narrative is absorbing, perfect for this kind of genre. It reminded me of Ruskin Bond’s books because of a similar setting perhaps. Mountains and mystery do go very well together, don’t they?
Overall, I thought the book was very well written. Enjoyed it!
What I Did Not Like
Well, for starters, I suppose the gross details towards the end could make you uncomfortable, although they aren’t too bad. Also, I was wondering what the purpose of more than one person witnessing ghosts is in the book. It hardly seems relevant. Also, the character of Alisha seems too mature for her age, at some places.
Other Details
This is a debut book by the author, Mehak Daleh. She has handled a horror story very well, in my opinion. It is easy for non-horror readers like me to enjoy the book without jumping at every sound, if you know what I mean.
Would I Recommend It?
And the Roses Bled is a chilling story and I would definitely recommend it, especially if you’re looking to venture into the horror genre. The book is fascinating and realistic at the same time. So, yes!
Thankfully, it wasn’t too nightmarish or anything but it is something that will give you goosebumps, probably make you squeamish, if you’re the sensitive kind. Like me. But I promise you, it won’t gross you out.
So, the usual peeps. A summary, then the review. Let's go!
Summary
Alisha is young girl when she loses her twin sister, Nina. She is sent away to a boarding school but soon realises that Nina has come back to visit her and to probably tell her something. Alisha also witnesses someone else, another girl with a rose in her hand, and she wonders if she ever can have a normal life. But with her bestie, Ravneet, by her side she braves it all. Just when she thinks she is fine, things start spiraling out of control. Even to the extent that her friend Ravneet is affected.
What are the girls trying to tell her? And can Alisha, a school girl, help them?
What I Liked
Like I said earlier, I was a bit skeptical to read this book, especially at night! (shivers!). But this is not the kind of book that will scare you to bits and it comes from someone who gets spooked very easily. So, I was relieved that way!
As for the story, it has a good plot, very intriguing. It will want you to keep reading and get to the bottom of the story. The narrative is absorbing, perfect for this kind of genre. It reminded me of Ruskin Bond’s books because of a similar setting perhaps. Mountains and mystery do go very well together, don’t they?
Overall, I thought the book was very well written. Enjoyed it!
What I Did Not Like
Well, for starters, I suppose the gross details towards the end could make you uncomfortable, although they aren’t too bad. Also, I was wondering what the purpose of more than one person witnessing ghosts is in the book. It hardly seems relevant. Also, the character of Alisha seems too mature for her age, at some places.
Other Details
This is a debut book by the author, Mehak Daleh. She has handled a horror story very well, in my opinion. It is easy for non-horror readers like me to enjoy the book without jumping at every sound, if you know what I mean.
Would I Recommend It?
And the Roses Bled is a chilling story and I would definitely recommend it, especially if you’re looking to venture into the horror genre. The book is fascinating and realistic at the same time. So, yes!
December 4, 2018
I have read bengali horror stories when i was a kid . I have even listened to audio books of bengali stories. Horror movies of hollywood are my favourite. This was my first time reading a horror based book in english and it was a nice experience.
Cover is very very eye catching and kept perfect with the plot. Beautiful and spooky.
Language is lucid anybody can read it with ease.The plot and background are effectively developed. It is a story of two sisters , one of which goes missing in an eye's blink while they were in the garden.
Nostalgic ,poignant and spooky the characters are easy to relate with.I absolutely loved the asthetics of the book , how each chapter has an art over the title.The story unfolds the suspense gradually at moderate pace whoch is enjoyable.The intricate ddscription of places, moments and emotions were really good as debut write up.The binding , page quality and font sizes are excellent.
Cover is very very eye catching and kept perfect with the plot. Beautiful and spooky.
Language is lucid anybody can read it with ease.The plot and background are effectively developed. It is a story of two sisters , one of which goes missing in an eye's blink while they were in the garden.
Nostalgic ,poignant and spooky the characters are easy to relate with.I absolutely loved the asthetics of the book , how each chapter has an art over the title.The story unfolds the suspense gradually at moderate pace whoch is enjoyable.The intricate ddscription of places, moments and emotions were really good as debut write up.The binding , page quality and font sizes are excellent.
March 28, 2019
It had been a while that I had read a horror story and as such I jumped at the chance to read and review this book.
It was supposed to be a simple fun filled day for sisters Alisha and Nina. Yet it turned into a black day for Alisha as Nina disappeared mysteriously only never to be found again. Escaping into the life of a boarding school was supposed to bring discipline and structure to Alisha’s upside down life, but when you lose a twin who was your partner-in-crime, how do you go back to ‘normal’? Are the eerie happenings and weird dreams that follow Alisha just her imagination and her defense mechanism at work or is there something more?
I quite enjoyed the plot which had an element of mystery about it and it was all the incentive that a mystery buff like me needed. What really happened to Nina? And would the perpetrator ever be caught? Questions like these kept me immersed in the story. Elements loss, of bond between twins or bond between sisters, friendships and the ever curious minds of kids was peppered through the plot. The plot was complimented by the narrative style and language used by the author. Simple yet dramatic just at the right moments. The details of the graveyard will stick with me for a while.
The author clearly had the plot layered well. However, I found the fact that not all the pieces of information provided were relevant. It bothered me a bit in the end as I was considering everything as relevant only to find out that they were not. If some of them had been used as red herrings, it would have been a different matter. They were just irrelevant and could easily have been excluded.
Overall, the book sure made for an interesting and entertaining read. I would recommend it to people who are spooked easily as it may be a bit too simple for hardcore horror lovers.
It was supposed to be a simple fun filled day for sisters Alisha and Nina. Yet it turned into a black day for Alisha as Nina disappeared mysteriously only never to be found again. Escaping into the life of a boarding school was supposed to bring discipline and structure to Alisha’s upside down life, but when you lose a twin who was your partner-in-crime, how do you go back to ‘normal’? Are the eerie happenings and weird dreams that follow Alisha just her imagination and her defense mechanism at work or is there something more?
I quite enjoyed the plot which had an element of mystery about it and it was all the incentive that a mystery buff like me needed. What really happened to Nina? And would the perpetrator ever be caught? Questions like these kept me immersed in the story. Elements loss, of bond between twins or bond between sisters, friendships and the ever curious minds of kids was peppered through the plot. The plot was complimented by the narrative style and language used by the author. Simple yet dramatic just at the right moments. The details of the graveyard will stick with me for a while.
The author clearly had the plot layered well. However, I found the fact that not all the pieces of information provided were relevant. It bothered me a bit in the end as I was considering everything as relevant only to find out that they were not. If some of them had been used as red herrings, it would have been a different matter. They were just irrelevant and could easily have been excluded.
Overall, the book sure made for an interesting and entertaining read. I would recommend it to people who are spooked easily as it may be a bit too simple for hardcore horror lovers.
March 18, 2019
This review was originally posted on my blog (https://thescribblingssite.wordpress.com).
*NOTE: I am extremely grateful to Fingerprint! Publishing for sending me this book. However, this does not at all hinder my honest opinions regarding the book. This is a spoiler-free review. All opinions are solely mine.
‘And The Roses Bled’ by Mehak Daleh is a horror and mystery book. In fact, the book can definitely be considered as a psychological thriller! Goodness, it was a ride! Love the idea, the writing, everything! I love the cover, too!
The book revolves around the concept of love between sisters, friendship, and of course the meaning and ability to let go after losing a dear someone. The book is written (mostly) in first-person and we follow the perspectives and actions of Alisha, a young girl who loses her twin sister at the age of six. The book incredibly talks about how Alisha feels after losing someone who had been with her ever since and was always her partner-in-crime. Alisha then goes to a boarding school so as to be able to escape the grief-ridden environment at her home but, little does she know that strange and paranormal activities wait for her in her new school.
It gave me goosebumps while reading the whole book. It seriously did. The book is so dark and intense, laden with a lot of mystery and so, it’s the perfect book to read in October!
There are many things that I like about this book. I absolutely love the writing style. It’s almost like the words were bleeding emotions. Every detail and every thought is written in an amazing manner so kudos to the author! I really like the plot. I love how psychology plays such an important role in the book. The twists and turns, the dark and unpredictable stuff, everything leads to the book being an amazing one! I DEFINITELY recommend this book to all you guys who love psychology and psychological thrillers. This is definitely for those who are mystery and horror book-lovers and of course, if you’re looking for a good book to read on Halloween, do pick this one up!
There are one-two teeny-tiny errors which I am absolutely sure won’t even come to notice until and unless you’re looking at each and every word too closely (yes, I do that).
All in all, the author has used amazing diction and I can definitely say that this was my best read of October!
*NOTE: I am extremely grateful to Fingerprint! Publishing for sending me this book. However, this does not at all hinder my honest opinions regarding the book. This is a spoiler-free review. All opinions are solely mine.
‘And The Roses Bled’ by Mehak Daleh is a horror and mystery book. In fact, the book can definitely be considered as a psychological thriller! Goodness, it was a ride! Love the idea, the writing, everything! I love the cover, too!
The book revolves around the concept of love between sisters, friendship, and of course the meaning and ability to let go after losing a dear someone. The book is written (mostly) in first-person and we follow the perspectives and actions of Alisha, a young girl who loses her twin sister at the age of six. The book incredibly talks about how Alisha feels after losing someone who had been with her ever since and was always her partner-in-crime. Alisha then goes to a boarding school so as to be able to escape the grief-ridden environment at her home but, little does she know that strange and paranormal activities wait for her in her new school.
It gave me goosebumps while reading the whole book. It seriously did. The book is so dark and intense, laden with a lot of mystery and so, it’s the perfect book to read in October!
There are many things that I like about this book. I absolutely love the writing style. It’s almost like the words were bleeding emotions. Every detail and every thought is written in an amazing manner so kudos to the author! I really like the plot. I love how psychology plays such an important role in the book. The twists and turns, the dark and unpredictable stuff, everything leads to the book being an amazing one! I DEFINITELY recommend this book to all you guys who love psychology and psychological thrillers. This is definitely for those who are mystery and horror book-lovers and of course, if you’re looking for a good book to read on Halloween, do pick this one up!
There are one-two teeny-tiny errors which I am absolutely sure won’t even come to notice until and unless you’re looking at each and every word too closely (yes, I do that).
All in all, the author has used amazing diction and I can definitely say that this was my best read of October!
November 9, 2018
Beware! This book is not for the light hearted people.
Highly impressed by the storyline, the intensity of the story was so deep, that it gave me Goosebumps in many different circumstances while I was reading the book.
Mehak Daleh’s debut novel was efficacious, and I absolutely loved it. The genre of the novel is horror fiction and unlike many other horror books that I have read as of now, the set up in this novel was not at all exaggerated and that is what I consider a plus point, which indeed makes a good novel.
The story revolves around a girl named Alisha and her best friend Ravneet. This book portrays their fight against betrayal, depression and vengeance. The story is about child abduction and the callousness of a human being against the other, up to what level a person can stoop down for his personal enjoyment and pleasure. The style of writing is the only thing which sets this book apart from other horror genre books. As Alisha’s sister Nina was the victim of child abduction, hence Alisha decides to decipher the truth behind this mystery and wanted to know, who took away her only sister.
For an amateur, it may take some time to grasp the plot. Because, for some starting chapters one may not understand what’s going on, but hold on and keep reading as it contains many unusual things. The recently gone Halloween with “And the Roses Bled”, was a perfect read, as some part of the story was spooky and will give you chills. But, definitely a must look up for the people in love with horror books.
My most beloved line from the book and here it goes “My great dream in life has been to own a old fashioned library with hardcover books, they are convenient, if anything; but I have a thing for that slightly musty smell of old paper, it is intimate”. Also, these are the lines to which I can relate the most. I would love to read this fiction over and over again. Talking about the language and grammar, which was regular and one may not find any problem while reading this.
And really the roses bled, when the faces were painted!! A mystery for the readers to discover and let me know in the comment section below, if you were able to reveal it or not.
Highly impressed by the storyline, the intensity of the story was so deep, that it gave me Goosebumps in many different circumstances while I was reading the book.
Mehak Daleh’s debut novel was efficacious, and I absolutely loved it. The genre of the novel is horror fiction and unlike many other horror books that I have read as of now, the set up in this novel was not at all exaggerated and that is what I consider a plus point, which indeed makes a good novel.
The story revolves around a girl named Alisha and her best friend Ravneet. This book portrays their fight against betrayal, depression and vengeance. The story is about child abduction and the callousness of a human being against the other, up to what level a person can stoop down for his personal enjoyment and pleasure. The style of writing is the only thing which sets this book apart from other horror genre books. As Alisha’s sister Nina was the victim of child abduction, hence Alisha decides to decipher the truth behind this mystery and wanted to know, who took away her only sister.
For an amateur, it may take some time to grasp the plot. Because, for some starting chapters one may not understand what’s going on, but hold on and keep reading as it contains many unusual things. The recently gone Halloween with “And the Roses Bled”, was a perfect read, as some part of the story was spooky and will give you chills. But, definitely a must look up for the people in love with horror books.
My most beloved line from the book and here it goes “My great dream in life has been to own a old fashioned library with hardcover books, they are convenient, if anything; but I have a thing for that slightly musty smell of old paper, it is intimate”. Also, these are the lines to which I can relate the most. I would love to read this fiction over and over again. Talking about the language and grammar, which was regular and one may not find any problem while reading this.
And really the roses bled, when the faces were painted!! A mystery for the readers to discover and let me know in the comment section below, if you were able to reveal it or not.
October 30, 2018
In the "And the roses bled'' horror, suspense, thriller all genres are beautifully lumped together .
Beautifully two plots intertwist, thrilling , suspense full, with deep emotions within, spooky site of city Chandigarh, extremely brilliant choice of words, depicting every little details in an extraordinary way..that one can't predict what the next is going to happen.
We follow the whole story from the Alisha's perspective. We see, how she came to get hold of the dangerous ,as well as familiar felon.how she get catch up on the unbecoming hints from her painful nightmares, visions ..that lead her to culprit of the story, a cannibal serial killer in the form of a painter. ( There is a old saying ,that appearance can be deceptive ,has been perfectly portrayed)
This book gave me so much consternation. Specially, 2nd part of the story ,where plot took a detour,..which kept me at the edge of my toes till the climax ☺️
The first part was at a slack pace because of protagonist's incohesive descriptive style.
The book cover is apt , intriguing.
The blurb of the book is something which really makes the reader curious with utmost attention.
I would highly recommended this book to all psychological/thriller/horror lover our their. Look forward to more books by author 😊
Precaution : If you are faint hearted person but love to read spooky/ thriller story , don't read this book at night... 2nd part can be disturbing for you.
My Rate : 4.5/5
Beautifully two plots intertwist, thrilling , suspense full, with deep emotions within, spooky site of city Chandigarh, extremely brilliant choice of words, depicting every little details in an extraordinary way..that one can't predict what the next is going to happen.
We follow the whole story from the Alisha's perspective. We see, how she came to get hold of the dangerous ,as well as familiar felon.how she get catch up on the unbecoming hints from her painful nightmares, visions ..that lead her to culprit of the story, a cannibal serial killer in the form of a painter. ( There is a old saying ,that appearance can be deceptive ,has been perfectly portrayed)
This book gave me so much consternation. Specially, 2nd part of the story ,where plot took a detour,..which kept me at the edge of my toes till the climax ☺️
The first part was at a slack pace because of protagonist's incohesive descriptive style.
The book cover is apt , intriguing.
The blurb of the book is something which really makes the reader curious with utmost attention.
I would highly recommended this book to all psychological/thriller/horror lover our their. Look forward to more books by author 😊
Precaution : If you are faint hearted person but love to read spooky/ thriller story , don't read this book at night... 2nd part can be disturbing for you.
My Rate : 4.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2018
Of all the intriguing mysteries in the world, the tales of the after-life have the most varied creative expressions across cultures. And The Roses Bled by debutante Mehak Daleh is a fiction from this genre.
The story is narrated by Alisha, who loses her twin sister to a human predator in childhood. When she later starts feeling the presence of her dead sister & other unknown kids, is when her life gets another jolt. From visions to nightmares to missing kids to cannibalism, this book courses through multiple tunnels of the horror genre. Mehak’s style of writing is interesting, it comes with a lot of beautiful picturisation, which makes everything from the emotions of the characters to the clothes they wear to the brush of icy wind, almost tangible. However this descriptive style comes at the expense of the pace of the book. The first half of the book is sluggish and is mostly just about Alisha’s emotions & incidents that don’t string together. After two-thirds of the book, is when things start to get clearer and the plot rushes to climax at double the pace. The Hannibal Lecter-like ending is interesting, however, could have been more connected to what transpired in most parts of the book.
Overall, I found it to be an interesting plot, some beautiful words, but lacking a sense of metre & cognisance in the flow.
The story is narrated by Alisha, who loses her twin sister to a human predator in childhood. When she later starts feeling the presence of her dead sister & other unknown kids, is when her life gets another jolt. From visions to nightmares to missing kids to cannibalism, this book courses through multiple tunnels of the horror genre. Mehak’s style of writing is interesting, it comes with a lot of beautiful picturisation, which makes everything from the emotions of the characters to the clothes they wear to the brush of icy wind, almost tangible. However this descriptive style comes at the expense of the pace of the book. The first half of the book is sluggish and is mostly just about Alisha’s emotions & incidents that don’t string together. After two-thirds of the book, is when things start to get clearer and the plot rushes to climax at double the pace. The Hannibal Lecter-like ending is interesting, however, could have been more connected to what transpired in most parts of the book.
Overall, I found it to be an interesting plot, some beautiful words, but lacking a sense of metre & cognisance in the flow.
January 12, 2021
Even before entering in the very first chapter i got the instinct that this is going to be a PAGE-TURNER. it's pure and proper indian horror Book. Very ENGAGING from the very start and intensifies as we go deeper into the story. Perfect for reading in wintry nights when everybody is sleeping.
The idea of living with a ghost is really frightening. It's that kind of Book which you should read out of the blanket in the winters for extra chill. It's really scary when dogs of your locality start barking all of a sudden at night while you are reading the book, like you want to get into the bed and hide clutching your pillow. FULLY ATMOSPHERIC. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
If you've been to hostel as a kid or teen then you would resemble to the story even more. There are so many things here and there in the story that evokes those yesterday memories...
It's a blend of all kinds of horror from real to unreal which makes it a masterpiece of Indian writing in English.
WRITING STYLE: I guess lines are crafted again and again making them better every time. The story along with the writing style makes it chiller and spooky.
The idea of living with a ghost is really frightening. It's that kind of Book which you should read out of the blanket in the winters for extra chill. It's really scary when dogs of your locality start barking all of a sudden at night while you are reading the book, like you want to get into the bed and hide clutching your pillow. FULLY ATMOSPHERIC. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
If you've been to hostel as a kid or teen then you would resemble to the story even more. There are so many things here and there in the story that evokes those yesterday memories...
It's a blend of all kinds of horror from real to unreal which makes it a masterpiece of Indian writing in English.
WRITING STYLE: I guess lines are crafted again and again making them better every time. The story along with the writing style makes it chiller and spooky.
October 20, 2019
Review: So let me be very honest, I ordered the book because the cover is scary along with its Blurb. The story is about, two twin sisters Nina and Aleesha. Who as normal kids were enjoying the day, when one of them is snatched away and how the other survives and gets affected is the whole story. The story is generally a self telltale rather than someone else tale.
The positive about the book is the author has points when it does get spooky. The second half is better than the first half. The author also covers what happened to the sister and has given complete gist of the story.
The negative of the book, as per the catchy Blurb. It does not do justice with the story. I mean it is rather thriller than horror. The first 80 pages of the book is a drag. Since it only contains 3 main characters, the story kind of drags but when it reaches the second half it paces on. The story mention both the girls wearing pink frocks when on swing, but the cover shows greyish blue. Minor error nothing huge.
Overall a decent read.
Ratings: 3 out of 5
The positive about the book is the author has points when it does get spooky. The second half is better than the first half. The author also covers what happened to the sister and has given complete gist of the story.
The negative of the book, as per the catchy Blurb. It does not do justice with the story. I mean it is rather thriller than horror. The first 80 pages of the book is a drag. Since it only contains 3 main characters, the story kind of drags but when it reaches the second half it paces on. The story mention both the girls wearing pink frocks when on swing, but the cover shows greyish blue. Minor error nothing huge.
Overall a decent read.
Ratings: 3 out of 5
September 28, 2021
From the first chapter of the book, I got lost in the story of the book.
This book is about the twins, six year old girls, named Alisha and Nina. They both loved each other. One day, perhaps the destiny wanted to play cruel games and they got seperated. An incident which changed the circumstances of the family's life. When Alisha and Nina were going to the Rose Garden with her caretaker Jassi, suddenly Nina disappeared and she never returned home. Her family tried to find Nina everywhere but couldn't. Her sister Alisha saw the face of the abductor and became the prime reason of the nightmares.
After that incident she went to a boarding school called St. Francis. But the memories of her sister never left her and she used to see her ghost every now and then.
Who was behind those incidents?
Will Nina be ever found or something bad happened with her?
This was my first book of this author. The title of the book was interesting like the story of the book. The story was new to me that's why I liked the book very much. I would read another book from the author very soon.
This book is about the twins, six year old girls, named Alisha and Nina. They both loved each other. One day, perhaps the destiny wanted to play cruel games and they got seperated. An incident which changed the circumstances of the family's life. When Alisha and Nina were going to the Rose Garden with her caretaker Jassi, suddenly Nina disappeared and she never returned home. Her family tried to find Nina everywhere but couldn't. Her sister Alisha saw the face of the abductor and became the prime reason of the nightmares.
After that incident she went to a boarding school called St. Francis. But the memories of her sister never left her and she used to see her ghost every now and then.
Who was behind those incidents?
Will Nina be ever found or something bad happened with her?
This was my first book of this author. The title of the book was interesting like the story of the book. The story was new to me that's why I liked the book very much. I would read another book from the author very soon.
November 26, 2018
I had a really wonderful experience with this book.
Its such a wonderful read.
The content was quite diverse than what we usually find in most horror books.
The writing style was good, the language used was easy going and lucid, the cover is designed sceptically keeping in mind the interest of a reader and the title is chosen appropriately keeping in mind the interest and curiosity of a reader. The character backgrounds and development was done really very well. I could connect very well with the characters.
I liked the various locations that the author talks about in this book.
Alongside, the climax was mind blowing , something that sent chills down my spine!
One thing that I'll warn you about, its definitely not a read for the faint hearted!
Overall, this was an innovative , interesting, powerful and a captivating read
Definitely recommended for anyone who loves the horror / crime thriller gener!
My Rating: 5/5🌟
Its such a wonderful read.
The content was quite diverse than what we usually find in most horror books.
The writing style was good, the language used was easy going and lucid, the cover is designed sceptically keeping in mind the interest of a reader and the title is chosen appropriately keeping in mind the interest and curiosity of a reader. The character backgrounds and development was done really very well. I could connect very well with the characters.
I liked the various locations that the author talks about in this book.
Alongside, the climax was mind blowing , something that sent chills down my spine!
One thing that I'll warn you about, its definitely not a read for the faint hearted!
Overall, this was an innovative , interesting, powerful and a captivating read
Definitely recommended for anyone who loves the horror / crime thriller gener!
My Rating: 5/5🌟
May 1, 2019
I was little tied up with my works that it took almost four to five days for me to complete his book. I actually bought it to gift a friend who loves horror, but then as i turned first few pages, i thought i should read it for which i ordered another copy for me. But then, i was disappointed.
I would not complaint about the plot or narration or anything else, but I was disappointed for it not justifying the genre it promised to be. I found no spine chilling horror in this. The protagonist feeling things, getting nightmares, they weren't so thrilling too. If you bought this out of a great expectation to be really treated with horror, then this is not the one.
But then, the mystery and thriller was good. You know, the villain, the murders, the suspense, all the rest were good. You could give it a try and even would love this book if you look out for a psychological thriller and not horror.
I would not complaint about the plot or narration or anything else, but I was disappointed for it not justifying the genre it promised to be. I found no spine chilling horror in this. The protagonist feeling things, getting nightmares, they weren't so thrilling too. If you bought this out of a great expectation to be really treated with horror, then this is not the one.
But then, the mystery and thriller was good. You know, the villain, the murders, the suspense, all the rest were good. You could give it a try and even would love this book if you look out for a psychological thriller and not horror.
November 22, 2018
Thrillers are special in so many ways. They keep the readers hooked up till the last page. Mastering thrillers in your debut is a tough row to hoe. Mehak Daleh has taken the paddles and did it with perfection.
And the Roses Bled is simple yet a powerful dosage of mystery and horror. The tale is gripping as well as emotional. Mehak didn’t waste time to sail us into the story. The plot unfolds in a jiffy. Right from the rose garden to the climax the story doesn’t deviate anywhere.
The horror element is handled well, especially in the second half of the novel. Though the first is slow comparing the second, it doesn’t bore anywhere. Rather the first is played the major role in the plot.
Complete review with Gifs: http://www.etale.in/and-the-roses-ble...
And the Roses Bled is simple yet a powerful dosage of mystery and horror. The tale is gripping as well as emotional. Mehak didn’t waste time to sail us into the story. The plot unfolds in a jiffy. Right from the rose garden to the climax the story doesn’t deviate anywhere.
The horror element is handled well, especially in the second half of the novel. Though the first is slow comparing the second, it doesn’t bore anywhere. Rather the first is played the major role in the plot.
Complete review with Gifs: http://www.etale.in/and-the-roses-ble...
October 2, 2020
To be honest, one of the biggest reasons why I picked up this book was because of the cover. Judging by the cover, I guessed it would have something to do with murder. And I was correct!
And the Roses Bled is blend of light horror and mystry, as to why Alisha was being contacted by spirits. It's only alot later in the book you understand the reason why. The ending made me a bit emotional because I wasn't really expecting it to end in a brutal way.
What I really loved about this book was the simplicity of the narration. It got me hooked on from page 1. Hands down, this is a good read. I usually take my time in reading books. But guess who managed to finish this book in less than 48 hours? It's that intriguing. Highly recommend!
P.s: I would love to read more of her books though. I hope she writes more.
And the Roses Bled is blend of light horror and mystry, as to why Alisha was being contacted by spirits. It's only alot later in the book you understand the reason why. The ending made me a bit emotional because I wasn't really expecting it to end in a brutal way.
What I really loved about this book was the simplicity of the narration. It got me hooked on from page 1. Hands down, this is a good read. I usually take my time in reading books. But guess who managed to finish this book in less than 48 hours? It's that intriguing. Highly recommend!
P.s: I would love to read more of her books though. I hope she writes more.
October 31, 2018
I’m not someone who likes to read horror, but when I heard the title and the blurb, I was totally interested in the book.
I will not talk about the story, as it is something you should read.
Lets start with what I loved the most in the book and that is the way the author has described every detail. All characters, places situations and also emotions are described in a way that will instantly create a connection with the reader. The way she has described the spooky place at Chandigarh is outstanding. I think what made the biggest impact was the choice of words, which help describe small things in an extraordinary way.
Read the complete review on my blog - http://blushesandsparkle.com/and-the-...
I will not talk about the story, as it is something you should read.
Lets start with what I loved the most in the book and that is the way the author has described every detail. All characters, places situations and also emotions are described in a way that will instantly create a connection with the reader. The way she has described the spooky place at Chandigarh is outstanding. I think what made the biggest impact was the choice of words, which help describe small things in an extraordinary way.
Read the complete review on my blog - http://blushesandsparkle.com/and-the-...
December 31, 2018
One Word Review: Spooky.
.
A lot of things happen in very few pages of And the Roses Bled.
It just left me yearning for more information about anything and everything. But the story kept moving forward and I just had to trust my unreliable narrator Alisha to tell us what happens next.
She tells it in a very uncohesive way. Sometimes she's very detailed in her recollection of what happened in the past and sometimes she just couldn't be bothered with the details.
But that's okay.
Because she'll tell it all, in her own way.
Loved it!
Highly recommended 👍👍👍
.
I got this book in exchange for an honest Review and I thank Mehak for giving me a chance to read her debut novel.
.
A lot of things happen in very few pages of And the Roses Bled.
It just left me yearning for more information about anything and everything. But the story kept moving forward and I just had to trust my unreliable narrator Alisha to tell us what happens next.
She tells it in a very uncohesive way. Sometimes she's very detailed in her recollection of what happened in the past and sometimes she just couldn't be bothered with the details.
But that's okay.
Because she'll tell it all, in her own way.
Loved it!
Highly recommended 👍👍👍
.
I got this book in exchange for an honest Review and I thank Mehak for giving me a chance to read her debut novel.
June 16, 2024
Very interesting story on each step writer take us in world of a small girl. Writer created world in such a way that you can describe it with supernatural or with scientific way. Writer permitted you to decide. It's wonderful story line which doesn't pressure your mind to decide what you want. Writer has created one unique world which is full of thrillers at same time it explores pains of mind. Each scene have different meaning. One enchanting atmosphere also created by writer to bring mystery impact. I like story so I give five star.
December 27, 2024
I don't know what to say about this, loved the writing style of the auther, but the story is so weak that feels like quitting the read...there is horror elements but they seem completely random and the revealing the culprit part is very bad. Book is more concentrated about human nature and behaviours rather than it's story..
September 22, 2024
The book was a good read, filled with mysterious and intriguing moments that kept me engaged. However, the ending could have been stronger—it felt a bit underwhelming compared to the buildup. Despite this, there were still plenty of standout scenes that made the journey worthwhile.
August 10, 2021
the most amazing book ive ever read , life and perspective changing book love it !!! , definiately will reccomend this
January 30, 2022
It was spooky. But i personally felt disconnected on a lot of occasions. Also, it was spooky in a barbaric way, not in a ghosty way, if that makes sense.
January 26, 2024
Good book if u like horror thriller
July 31, 2021
Book : And the Roses Bled
Author : Mehak Daleh
Genre : Horror, Crime, Mystery Thriller
And the Roses Bled is about the life of a woman, who has been haunted by ghosts, yes, you heard that right, GHOSTS, since her childhood, since that fateful incident of her sister going missing happened. Her life is terrorized from then on and it leads to many incidents, with her developing a sudden interest in art and there are many unexpected missing cases and deaths.
The book keeps you hooked from the start to the end. This literally spooked me out, personally, and the in detailed expressions of the protagonist or the people around her, the perfect portrayal of psychopaths and the depiction of a typical boarding school, everything is top - notch. The only setback in the story is nothing, I can honorably give it a solid 5 on 5.
This is one the best reads for me in July. The plot twists are so sudden that it stuns you and some, preferably, saddens you. I literally detest the author for the plot twist during the climax (You know it maam), but overall its a perfect read.
Review by Kalyan K
Instagram handle : https://www.instagram.com/happy_devil...
Blog : https://happydevilkalyan.wordpress.co...
Author : Mehak Daleh
Genre : Horror, Crime, Mystery Thriller
And the Roses Bled is about the life of a woman, who has been haunted by ghosts, yes, you heard that right, GHOSTS, since her childhood, since that fateful incident of her sister going missing happened. Her life is terrorized from then on and it leads to many incidents, with her developing a sudden interest in art and there are many unexpected missing cases and deaths.
The book keeps you hooked from the start to the end. This literally spooked me out, personally, and the in detailed expressions of the protagonist or the people around her, the perfect portrayal of psychopaths and the depiction of a typical boarding school, everything is top - notch. The only setback in the story is nothing, I can honorably give it a solid 5 on 5.
This is one the best reads for me in July. The plot twists are so sudden that it stuns you and some, preferably, saddens you. I literally detest the author for the plot twist during the climax (You know it maam), but overall its a perfect read.
Review by Kalyan K
Instagram handle : https://www.instagram.com/happy_devil...
Blog : https://happydevilkalyan.wordpress.co...
February 27, 2019
Rating 4.5/5
If every person wears a mask to hide their true selves , it’s only fair to paint them that way.
The book opens up when Alisha is seen narrating her story to a person while traveling. What was supposed to be a fun-filled day in the rose garden turns her fate around when Alisha and her twin sister Nina bump into a stranger who is looking for his pet peacock. A few minutes and Nina goes missing, never to be found again. Disturbed by her disappearance, Alisha is sent away to boarding school where she meets Ravneet and they both confide in each other.
On a usual visit to the graveyard as part of the Sunday ritual by the boarding school, Alisha feels unnatural things happening around her. She gets chills down her spine, experience things she never saw before and gets haunted by spirits who are trying to get in touch with her. Frightened, she frantically tries to look for answers. Little did she know she’ll meet the kidnapper of her twin sister!
Not everyday do we read spooky novels by an Indian author and I’m glad Mehak penned this spine chilling debut. I am not someone who believe in ghosts but 2 AM in the night and I too could feel something happening around me. Yes, that’s the power of a gripping narration. Mehak’s writing has the power to grip you and flip pages and in a blink of an eye, you’ll be at the last page, catching your breath and wanting for more.
While the writing style is top-notch, I did struggle in the first 50 pages. The story moved a little slow in the beginning and was full of quotations that weren’t very necessary. Nevertheless, the story picked up pace after that and I was gasping for breath once I reached the final few pages of the novel.
Pick this one up for a spooky and mysterious journey into the world of ghosts and the dead.
August 13, 2019
This book is about twin girls who go to a garden one day to play, and one of them gets abducted. The rest of the story is about how the other sister tries to find out what has happened to her twin, and some other kids that have gone missing.
It’s not merely a murder mystery, or a supernatural thriller, or a horror story, but actually a mishmash of all these things, and I think that’s what causes the problem. There are too many elements in it, and that’s probably why you can’t really enjoy it for what it is.
If any of you have lived in a hill station, you will know the atmosphere that the author is trying to create. Those old stone buildings, those winding roads that look like they could be haunted at night, and the graveyards with the white headstones. Atmospheric and creepy, right? She manages to evoke all this through her writing. This is her debut novel and I look forward to more books from this author.
It’s not merely a murder mystery, or a supernatural thriller, or a horror story, but actually a mishmash of all these things, and I think that’s what causes the problem. There are too many elements in it, and that’s probably why you can’t really enjoy it for what it is.
If any of you have lived in a hill station, you will know the atmosphere that the author is trying to create. Those old stone buildings, those winding roads that look like they could be haunted at night, and the graveyards with the white headstones. Atmospheric and creepy, right? She manages to evoke all this through her writing. This is her debut novel and I look forward to more books from this author.
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