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Aspen Leaves
Ten colors. Ten stories. Ten tangents.
Hundreds of interpretations.
Thousands of memories.
A million emotions.
This anthology of stories is segregated into three themes, with pearls collected from everyday lives. Each story fits a piece into the bigger picture, a jigsaw puzzle that's revealed differently from various perspectives.
Hundreds of interpretations.
Thousands of memories.
A million emotions.
This anthology of stories is segregated into three themes, with pearls collected from everyday lives. Each story fits a piece into the bigger picture, a jigsaw puzzle that's revealed differently from various perspectives.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2019
2 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Dhivya Balaji
19 books19 followersDhivya Balaji is an author, editor, and the founder of Precis Penning Literary Services.
She is the author of 'Aspen Leaves: By The Quake of a Word' - an anthology of short stories across three genres, and 'Songstress of Srivilliputtur' - a mythological fiction work built based on one of the most revered mythical figures of South India, Aandal.
An engineer-turned-writer, her favourite genres include mythological fiction, technical and legal procedural thrillers, YA fiction, and well-written dramas.
She has also edited more than a hundred books across a variety of genres including poetry, romantic fiction, historical fiction, mythological fiction, and non-fiction.
She is the author of 'Aspen Leaves: By The Quake of a Word' - an anthology of short stories across three genres, and 'Songstress of Srivilliputtur' - a mythological fiction work built based on one of the most revered mythical figures of South India, Aandal.
An engineer-turned-writer, her favourite genres include mythological fiction, technical and legal procedural thrillers, YA fiction, and well-written dramas.
She has also edited more than a hundred books across a variety of genres including poetry, romantic fiction, historical fiction, mythological fiction, and non-fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 19, 2019
For A Long Time Now Dhivya Balaji Was A Force To Reckon With Because Her Just Being On Board Could Actually Take Most Authors Works To The Next Level Of Excellence With Her Enriched Editorial Skills That Was Almost Like A Makeover For Books That Made All The Difference To A Book Before It Was Ready To Go To Press.
The Question That Was Topmost On The Minds Of Those Who Knew Dhivya Was That When She Can Make All The Difference To Others Book Wonder Where Her Own Books Would Peak Once She Actually Got Down To Writing For Herself?
These 10 Different Stories Each One Of Them Being A Unique Flawless Gem That Portrays An Independent Emotion That Engulfs The Reader Like A Warm And Cosy Blanket On A Chilly Winter Night. So Which One Is Your Favourite One?
The Amount Of Research And In-depth Precision That’s Gone Into Each Tale Can Well Be Gauged By The Very Fact That Each Single Story Comes With A Unique Colour Code And Also An Opening Quote That Not Only Sets The Mood Of The Reader But Also Gives A Hint Of What To Expect.
But Just When You Think You Know Which Way The Wind Blows And How The Tale Shall Wrap Up The Unpredicted Twist In The Climax Leaves The Readers Mostly Astounded If Not Clearly Stunned As It Does A Turnabout Dashing In A Direction That Was Least Anticipated.
What Truly Makes ‘Aspen Leaves’ Truly Stand Apart And Uniquely So Is That Each & Every Tale Has A Distinct Personality Of It’s Own. The Author Dhivya Balaji Merely Seems To Be The Medium Between Each Distinct Tale And Her Readers. The Story Seems To Be Pouring Out Of Her Like Leaves Scattering With Each Reader Interpreting It As They Deem Fit Depending On Their Mood And Their Thought Process. Not For A Moment Does She Superimpose Her Beliefs But Just Tells The Tale & Then Discreetly Steps Back Allowing Her Readers The Freedom To Connect With Each Tale As It Unfurls For Them.
For A Debut Independent Novel I For One Have Absolutely No Doubt That Dhivya Balaji Has Proved To Be Simply Brilliant As ‘Aspen Leaves’ Is Definitely Going To Find A Place Of Pride On My ‘To Be Read Again’ Shelf As Each New Read Promises To Peel Another Layer That May Have Been Missed During The Previous Read!!!
The Question That Was Topmost On The Minds Of Those Who Knew Dhivya Was That When She Can Make All The Difference To Others Book Wonder Where Her Own Books Would Peak Once She Actually Got Down To Writing For Herself?
These 10 Different Stories Each One Of Them Being A Unique Flawless Gem That Portrays An Independent Emotion That Engulfs The Reader Like A Warm And Cosy Blanket On A Chilly Winter Night. So Which One Is Your Favourite One?
The Amount Of Research And In-depth Precision That’s Gone Into Each Tale Can Well Be Gauged By The Very Fact That Each Single Story Comes With A Unique Colour Code And Also An Opening Quote That Not Only Sets The Mood Of The Reader But Also Gives A Hint Of What To Expect.
But Just When You Think You Know Which Way The Wind Blows And How The Tale Shall Wrap Up The Unpredicted Twist In The Climax Leaves The Readers Mostly Astounded If Not Clearly Stunned As It Does A Turnabout Dashing In A Direction That Was Least Anticipated.
What Truly Makes ‘Aspen Leaves’ Truly Stand Apart And Uniquely So Is That Each & Every Tale Has A Distinct Personality Of It’s Own. The Author Dhivya Balaji Merely Seems To Be The Medium Between Each Distinct Tale And Her Readers. The Story Seems To Be Pouring Out Of Her Like Leaves Scattering With Each Reader Interpreting It As They Deem Fit Depending On Their Mood And Their Thought Process. Not For A Moment Does She Superimpose Her Beliefs But Just Tells The Tale & Then Discreetly Steps Back Allowing Her Readers The Freedom To Connect With Each Tale As It Unfurls For Them.
For A Debut Independent Novel I For One Have Absolutely No Doubt That Dhivya Balaji Has Proved To Be Simply Brilliant As ‘Aspen Leaves’ Is Definitely Going To Find A Place Of Pride On My ‘To Be Read Again’ Shelf As Each New Read Promises To Peel Another Layer That May Have Been Missed During The Previous Read!!!
June 30, 2019
A story for every mood and emotion.
I have given a 5 star rating because this book, deserves it.
All the stories neatly tucked under various themes, keep you engaged, holding to your imagination and becoming stickier as you flow from one story to the next.
I was shocked at the gut wrenching letter that Subhadra read and recoiled at Tara's plight. I felt terrible for Seetha and felt the helplessness of Priya. Each and every character in each story will remain with you while you try to move on with your lives, to other books.
Dhivya Balaji's Aspen leaves is a fantabulous collection of stories written in a characteristic sharp and incisive way, which I associate with the author.
I have given a 5 star rating because this book, deserves it.
All the stories neatly tucked under various themes, keep you engaged, holding to your imagination and becoming stickier as you flow from one story to the next.
I was shocked at the gut wrenching letter that Subhadra read and recoiled at Tara's plight. I felt terrible for Seetha and felt the helplessness of Priya. Each and every character in each story will remain with you while you try to move on with your lives, to other books.
Dhivya Balaji's Aspen leaves is a fantabulous collection of stories written in a characteristic sharp and incisive way, which I associate with the author.
September 17, 2019
It is a beautiful yet regretfully short collection. The stories wrap you in their colors and characters and take you on a journey you don't want to end. Talking about ends, the last story is just perfect in the way it ends and gives you a chill.
Wonderfully written bunch of stories, one each from the vivid complex emotions from the human psyche. Quick, easy and definitely must read.
Wonderfully written bunch of stories, one each from the vivid complex emotions from the human psyche. Quick, easy and definitely must read.
August 17, 2020
Aspen leaves is an anthology of stories on three different genres. Each story belongs to a particular genre with each story assigned a color reflecting the tone and mood of the story.
Having been privy to the Author's style of writing from a very young age, it didn't surprise me that the 'writing' and 'language' part of the book was nothing short of perfect. The actual plotting of the stories is a different ball game. Of the 10 stories, I felt 3 were a little predictable - Predator, The Lake, and Eternal. However, they were still thoroughly enjoyable to read.
As an avid reader, an ideal mix of a great book would be 60% good writing and 40% good plotting - This is just a personal preference and by no means a "standard of judge" a book. Undoubtedly, the writing scored full 60% given I love the writer's formal style of writing without the usual usage of local jargon. While local language words are needed to make the story relatable to the setting, I cannot understand the purpose of using them on every other line given the primary language of writing being English.
While almost everything is perfect - a couple of peeve points - The title doesn't resonate the story or the concept of colors though the writer has justified the title in her note. The cover could have been a little more stereotypical instead of looking like a collage of images, though it does relate well with the story.
My favorite story from the anthology would be "The Note" - the story has a close resemblance to life of the Ex-CM of TN, Late Ms.Jayalalitha - the writer cannot have penned a better story as a tribute of sorts (I know for a fact that she is inspired by Ms.Jayalalitha)
The book is worth spending time on if you prefer to read byte sized stories written in perfect English.
Having been privy to the Author's style of writing from a very young age, it didn't surprise me that the 'writing' and 'language' part of the book was nothing short of perfect. The actual plotting of the stories is a different ball game. Of the 10 stories, I felt 3 were a little predictable - Predator, The Lake, and Eternal. However, they were still thoroughly enjoyable to read.
As an avid reader, an ideal mix of a great book would be 60% good writing and 40% good plotting - This is just a personal preference and by no means a "standard of judge" a book. Undoubtedly, the writing scored full 60% given I love the writer's formal style of writing without the usual usage of local jargon. While local language words are needed to make the story relatable to the setting, I cannot understand the purpose of using them on every other line given the primary language of writing being English.
While almost everything is perfect - a couple of peeve points - The title doesn't resonate the story or the concept of colors though the writer has justified the title in her note. The cover could have been a little more stereotypical instead of looking like a collage of images, though it does relate well with the story.
My favorite story from the anthology would be "The Note" - the story has a close resemblance to life of the Ex-CM of TN, Late Ms.Jayalalitha - the writer cannot have penned a better story as a tribute of sorts (I know for a fact that she is inspired by Ms.Jayalalitha)
The book is worth spending time on if you prefer to read byte sized stories written in perfect English.
November 22, 2020
So beautifully narrated
Aspen Leaves is such a marvelous book. Fantastically written. The narration is so beautiful that it kept me glued to the book. Each and every story is very much engraved in my heart. I would re read the book over and over again. It is a must read for all the book lovers.
Aspen Leaves is such a marvelous book. Fantastically written. The narration is so beautiful that it kept me glued to the book. Each and every story is very much engraved in my heart. I would re read the book over and over again. It is a must read for all the book lovers.
July 17, 2019
If I give a 5-star rating for a Kindle book, then it means it is an undiscovered gem, a must-read for all bibliophiles. I highly recommend Aspen Leaves to be in your bookshelves.
It's a collection of ten short stories categorized into Drama, Supernatural and Revenge Drama. Dhivya Balaji has applied the theme of colours to the entire book. And those colours are something which you have never heard of. I absolutely loved this unique thinking. Let me go through a quick review of each story. I am going to mention the stories with their colours, instead of their titles.
Smaragdine - This emotional story of a mother and daughter brough tears to my eyes. I had to control my bubbling emotions while I was travelling in the Metro.
Eburnean - A hard-hitting tale of a married couple. The ending is a shocker. Brace yourself for it.
Glaucous - A heartwarming love story. It'd move you to tears towards its end. It's a good example of how love stories must be written.
Sinoper - This was a short and sweet read. Dhivya has conveyed the message convincingly.
Zaffre - I loved this a lot. It's a different take on the concept of witches. Here, too, the ending takes the cake!
Pervenche - So thrilling! I wanted more and more of it. Hope Dhivya pens a sequel for this. The narration is so gripping that you wouldn't want it to end.
Sarcoline - Another terrifying read. It would keep you on the edge the entire time.
Xanadu - Flash fiction at its best! If you ever plan to write flash fiction, take this story as an example. Dhivya has the knack of conveying the right things in a short span.
Verditer - This was so perfect! I loved the double twist. Hope to see this story as a short film in the future.
Carmine - I have already read this one in Dhivya's blog. Reading it for the second time, I could understand the depth of the story. I definitely want a prolonged version of this story with a different ending.
I also loved the naming of characters in this book. The names were so simple and relatable.
Overall, Aspen Leaves is the perfect concoction of emotions. An endearing read!
It's a collection of ten short stories categorized into Drama, Supernatural and Revenge Drama. Dhivya Balaji has applied the theme of colours to the entire book. And those colours are something which you have never heard of. I absolutely loved this unique thinking. Let me go through a quick review of each story. I am going to mention the stories with their colours, instead of their titles.
Smaragdine - This emotional story of a mother and daughter brough tears to my eyes. I had to control my bubbling emotions while I was travelling in the Metro.
Eburnean - A hard-hitting tale of a married couple. The ending is a shocker. Brace yourself for it.
Glaucous - A heartwarming love story. It'd move you to tears towards its end. It's a good example of how love stories must be written.
Sinoper - This was a short and sweet read. Dhivya has conveyed the message convincingly.
Zaffre - I loved this a lot. It's a different take on the concept of witches. Here, too, the ending takes the cake!
Pervenche - So thrilling! I wanted more and more of it. Hope Dhivya pens a sequel for this. The narration is so gripping that you wouldn't want it to end.
Sarcoline - Another terrifying read. It would keep you on the edge the entire time.
Xanadu - Flash fiction at its best! If you ever plan to write flash fiction, take this story as an example. Dhivya has the knack of conveying the right things in a short span.
Verditer - This was so perfect! I loved the double twist. Hope to see this story as a short film in the future.
Carmine - I have already read this one in Dhivya's blog. Reading it for the second time, I could understand the depth of the story. I definitely want a prolonged version of this story with a different ending.
I also loved the naming of characters in this book. The names were so simple and relatable.
Overall, Aspen Leaves is the perfect concoction of emotions. An endearing read!
July 2, 2019
Brilliantly conceptualized!
Every single story will leave you with an unforgettable impression of human psychology. The stories are expressed in such a beautiful manner that they will become part of your own world. All the emotions described are felt thoroughly, impacting the reader. Some of the stories give goosebumps, making the book absolutely un-put-downable.
The stories are also organised well. I personally loved the concept of colors being used to highlight the stories and the emotions in them. Each color relates to the nature of the story that follows, and creates intrigue effortlessly.
There is no special point for talking about the flawless editing. It is by DHIVYA BALAJI, and she is the master of this art.
Overall, a worthy book to add to your collection. It is a brilliant debut that feels like it is written by a seasoned author.
Every single story will leave you with an unforgettable impression of human psychology. The stories are expressed in such a beautiful manner that they will become part of your own world. All the emotions described are felt thoroughly, impacting the reader. Some of the stories give goosebumps, making the book absolutely un-put-downable.
The stories are also organised well. I personally loved the concept of colors being used to highlight the stories and the emotions in them. Each color relates to the nature of the story that follows, and creates intrigue effortlessly.
There is no special point for talking about the flawless editing. It is by DHIVYA BALAJI, and she is the master of this art.
Overall, a worthy book to add to your collection. It is a brilliant debut that feels like it is written by a seasoned author.
June 15, 2019
A brilliant collection of short stories, covering genres like drama, supernatural & revenge drama. All the stories were gripping till the end . Overall a brilliant debut for the author.
June 26, 2020
When a blogger turned editor decides to write a book, it is likely that it will be one free of glitches and gaffes. Aspen Leaves by the talented Dhivya Balaji is one such book. The title makes one think of delicate leaves that tremble in the sunlight, akin to the stories in the book that dance their way into the hearts of the readers, quick and fleeting, only to stay there forever.
There are ten stories in the book divided into three sections – Drama, Supernatural and Revenge Drama. What makes these stories unique is the association of each with a colour that gives each story its meaning and its emotion, colours that are as rare as they are beautiful.
The emotions are universal. Is it better to hide a life of passion rather than live a life of austerity? Are there truths that are realised too late in life? Is it possible for perfection to lose its sheen and turn mundane in a relationship? How significant a role does religion play in wedlock and can a woman ever reconcile to being a choice, rather than a priority? How can one react to ridicule on social media and learn to rise above it?
These are some of the real-life situations that the author throws at the reader, in the first section of her book.
In section two, where the supernatural is explored, an element of sadness travels through the themes. Two women exploit the secret of miracles in everyday life. “There was nothing people feared more than unlimited power, and anything that could not permeate their closed minds was, according to them, unlimited.”
The next tale deals with a clairvoyant whose visions lead her down a disastrous path as she travels along a parallel path that intersects her life. The author moves on to a story that captures the interest of the readers as they enter a haunted house, only to be rattled by the events that take place thereafter.
Section three moves on to tales of revenge drama, where twisted minds devise plots that are macabre, and double-cross others at the drop of a hat. Friendships are severed, crushed and abused, and the lesson is patently clear. Do not trust blindly, for the world is not always an understanding place.
Dhivya Balaji’s style of writing is impeccable, as she highlights ordinary situations in an extraordinary manner. The stories flow, one into the other, carrying the readers along with them, often ending on a twist that they do not see coming. The stories that impressed me most were ‘The Note’, ‘The Clairvoyant’, The Lake’ and ‘Scorned’.
As one of her characters put it so effectively, “She had heard the words the universe had destined for her.”
Exactly what this perceptive author herself has done!
April 23, 2020
Aspen Leaves is a collection of ten short stories written by author Divya Balaji. It is the first time I am reading the author's work and I really loved all the stories. each one better than the previous one. Each story has an ending which either leaves the reader speechless, in tears, in shock, or a smile. But the manner in which the suspense is maintained till the end is really mind-blowing. Aspen Leaves is definitely a must-read by one and all.
May 9, 2021
A great first book by Dhivya. The ten short stories fall in one of three genres - Supernatural, Revenge Thrillers and Drama. The stories have an abrupt and unexpected ending which made for interesting reading. Invited, Scorned, The Witch and The Predator were particularly good.
March 2, 2020
An awesome psychological thrill ride 😊
Isn't the human mind simply awe-inspiring? Do it's functioning, it's split-second initiatives and unexpected reflexes ever cease to amaze us; or reveal more of us to ourselves? Now imagine, if you can, how it would unleash itself onto thrilling moments of fate, turning points of life and terrifying confrontations. Combine that with masterful narration and plots. What you get is the psychological thrill ride - "Aspen Leaves".
An anthology of absorbing short stories ranging from high stakes family drama, relationships, social predators to horror and the occult, each story is perfect for a short read. Each beginning drops the reader right in the thick of things; to go on through cleverly crafted twists and discover each story's genre while turning the pages. They peer into different aspects of the human psyche as much as into the human condition in society.
Cruising at a taut pace throughout, some endings would break our heart, showing how fragile relationships really are; how circumstances decide their fate. Some endings would unsettle us with how a mature, rational mind can falter on dark nights in haunted locations; or question if the superstitions in our villages have indeed, a grain of truth to them. And yet others would make us sit back and introspect, as we witness our inherent goodness and evil as human beings; and as we realize what really matters in the end.
While having a great read, I learnt through the characters the real meaning of living as a couple and what matters. The stories were so compelling that from now on, I will not scoff at all the beliefs and rituals of olden times as superstition. And they were illuminating enough that I would not fall prey to criminal tendencies all around us.
I'd recommend this book for readers of all the above genres. Not only would they be delighted with the story of their preferred genre, but this may provide one of the best stories of a genre new to them; maybe a starting point for their interest in a new genre. 5-starrer right here!!😊
Isn't the human mind simply awe-inspiring? Do it's functioning, it's split-second initiatives and unexpected reflexes ever cease to amaze us; or reveal more of us to ourselves? Now imagine, if you can, how it would unleash itself onto thrilling moments of fate, turning points of life and terrifying confrontations. Combine that with masterful narration and plots. What you get is the psychological thrill ride - "Aspen Leaves".
An anthology of absorbing short stories ranging from high stakes family drama, relationships, social predators to horror and the occult, each story is perfect for a short read. Each beginning drops the reader right in the thick of things; to go on through cleverly crafted twists and discover each story's genre while turning the pages. They peer into different aspects of the human psyche as much as into the human condition in society.
Cruising at a taut pace throughout, some endings would break our heart, showing how fragile relationships really are; how circumstances decide their fate. Some endings would unsettle us with how a mature, rational mind can falter on dark nights in haunted locations; or question if the superstitions in our villages have indeed, a grain of truth to them. And yet others would make us sit back and introspect, as we witness our inherent goodness and evil as human beings; and as we realize what really matters in the end.
While having a great read, I learnt through the characters the real meaning of living as a couple and what matters. The stories were so compelling that from now on, I will not scoff at all the beliefs and rituals of olden times as superstition. And they were illuminating enough that I would not fall prey to criminal tendencies all around us.
I'd recommend this book for readers of all the above genres. Not only would they be delighted with the story of their preferred genre, but this may provide one of the best stories of a genre new to them; maybe a starting point for their interest in a new genre. 5-starrer right here!!😊
July 7, 2019
Aspen Leaves - the book you have to experience, rather than read.
I read this book from cover to cover, because even the author's note has information on how to read the book. It was a wonderful book, and I loved many things in it.
The colour representations and the quotes that preceded each story set the mood and suited the stories well. They were rare shades (one for each story) and somehow suited the overall theme well. The genres come next. The book is divided into three different genres, Drama, Supernatural and Revenge. Most of the stories fit the genre very well. The ones under supernatural, in particular, are exactly true to the genre. The author can surely keep up the suspense element, and she has written a twist for each story that is revealed only near the end. This guessing game kept the interest alive in the book. Especially in the revenge drama set, the element of surprise works well for the plot, and the climax always managed to be unpredictable.
The language was above par, and excellent. The stories were fluid and clear. They have been edited well. I loved the highlighted ways in which the dialogues, thoughts, letters and phone texts each looked different, clearly marking them. My personal favourite story is 'Scorned', which evokes many subtle emotions wonderfully. Each story dealt with a different angle of human emotions, and thanks to the author for that.
This is a wonderful debut book and I'm looking forward to read more from the author.
I read this book from cover to cover, because even the author's note has information on how to read the book. It was a wonderful book, and I loved many things in it.
The colour representations and the quotes that preceded each story set the mood and suited the stories well. They were rare shades (one for each story) and somehow suited the overall theme well. The genres come next. The book is divided into three different genres, Drama, Supernatural and Revenge. Most of the stories fit the genre very well. The ones under supernatural, in particular, are exactly true to the genre. The author can surely keep up the suspense element, and she has written a twist for each story that is revealed only near the end. This guessing game kept the interest alive in the book. Especially in the revenge drama set, the element of surprise works well for the plot, and the climax always managed to be unpredictable.
The language was above par, and excellent. The stories were fluid and clear. They have been edited well. I loved the highlighted ways in which the dialogues, thoughts, letters and phone texts each looked different, clearly marking them. My personal favourite story is 'Scorned', which evokes many subtle emotions wonderfully. Each story dealt with a different angle of human emotions, and thanks to the author for that.
This is a wonderful debut book and I'm looking forward to read more from the author.
October 1, 2019
Aspen leaves, a collection of short stories separated under three major categories.
Of all, ironically, drama became my favorite.
Each story set in different scenario, each dealing with a dimension unlike the rest, probing emotions and life from crooked and unassuming tangents, this has been a short but exciting read for me.
Took about all of 3 hours to complete. So if you are in mood for a quick read, this could be your pick.
Not at all monotonous and with twists on every next end, this was almost unpredictable. For someone who reads along and concludes the story pretty much halfway always, this was refreshing.
So he's a saint, and she's rogue but then he's a pervert and she's now our villain!? But wasn't she the kind one! The stories spun me around. Quite literally in head.
The story and narration popped things up really well in few stories. Characters so close to reality that they touched me, made me relate and love them even more.
Why should you give this a chance? Because variety.
Why would I recommend this?
Because anthologies bore me. And this one didn't. It rather had me opening up my kindle for every half hour I had for a break.
There's been a lot of effort gone into these pages. I personally loved the small snippets of info and quotes at the start of every chapter. It thrilled me to expect for the next. Rare, and exotic. Good job, really.
And I loved the style and flair of narration. There's this ease and not one break to disturb you when you read. It flowed, and beautifully.
4/5 and best wishes from me.
Good job. Good job!
Of all, ironically, drama became my favorite.
Each story set in different scenario, each dealing with a dimension unlike the rest, probing emotions and life from crooked and unassuming tangents, this has been a short but exciting read for me.
Took about all of 3 hours to complete. So if you are in mood for a quick read, this could be your pick.
Not at all monotonous and with twists on every next end, this was almost unpredictable. For someone who reads along and concludes the story pretty much halfway always, this was refreshing.
So he's a saint, and she's rogue but then he's a pervert and she's now our villain!? But wasn't she the kind one! The stories spun me around. Quite literally in head.
The story and narration popped things up really well in few stories. Characters so close to reality that they touched me, made me relate and love them even more.
Why should you give this a chance? Because variety.
Why would I recommend this?
Because anthologies bore me. And this one didn't. It rather had me opening up my kindle for every half hour I had for a break.
There's been a lot of effort gone into these pages. I personally loved the small snippets of info and quotes at the start of every chapter. It thrilled me to expect for the next. Rare, and exotic. Good job, really.
And I loved the style and flair of narration. There's this ease and not one break to disturb you when you read. It flowed, and beautifully.
4/5 and best wishes from me.
Good job. Good job!
July 21, 2019
Aspen Leaves deserves nothing less than a 5 star. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up the book but I’m glad I did. The bright and vivid cover is representation of the kaleidoscope of emotions that each story brings with it. Dhivya is a natural story-teller. The language is flawless and the stories are filled with unpredictable twists and turns that keeps the reader gripped until the end.
This book satisfies both readers who love good literature and for those who don’t have the time to read a long novel.
Dhivya ensures she does not compromise on the story-line or the characters or the language to make it a short story. Each character in the book is deep with a unique blend of emotions. The colors she uses to categorize the stories are apt and unique. And the quote and the description of each color before the story is as unique as the story itself.
Each story in this book has the ability to evoke strong emotions in the reader and stayed with me long after I put the book down. Dhivya’s writing clearly shows an understanding of human nature and behavior. No character in the book can be classified as ‘bad’ or ‘good’ but rather a victim of circumstances. Reading this book gives one a broader perspective of human nature.
On the whole 'Aspen Leaves' is book that must be read for it leaves an indelible mark on the reader's mind.
This book satisfies both readers who love good literature and for those who don’t have the time to read a long novel.
Dhivya ensures she does not compromise on the story-line or the characters or the language to make it a short story. Each character in the book is deep with a unique blend of emotions. The colors she uses to categorize the stories are apt and unique. And the quote and the description of each color before the story is as unique as the story itself.
Each story in this book has the ability to evoke strong emotions in the reader and stayed with me long after I put the book down. Dhivya’s writing clearly shows an understanding of human nature and behavior. No character in the book can be classified as ‘bad’ or ‘good’ but rather a victim of circumstances. Reading this book gives one a broader perspective of human nature.
On the whole 'Aspen Leaves' is book that must be read for it leaves an indelible mark on the reader's mind.
July 8, 2019
Perfect and neatly penned
Every story had a surprise element and the plot(s) were so carefully and beautifully woven. The emotions were incredibly described and the way humans' minds (and inner conscience) work has been accurately portrayed. I loved the description of the color and the quote(s) mentioned in the beginning of each story. Aspen leaves is indeed refreshing!
Every story had a surprise element and the plot(s) were so carefully and beautifully woven. The emotions were incredibly described and the way humans' minds (and inner conscience) work has been accurately portrayed. I loved the description of the color and the quote(s) mentioned in the beginning of each story. Aspen leaves is indeed refreshing!
June 15, 2019
The author never let me keep my mobile down even though today is a working day for me ❣️❤️ Clean and fluent script with perfect alignment of words. Wish you more luck in all your future endeavors. :)
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